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15strangers2019-07-15 07:18 pm
strangerpeople) wrote in 15strangers2019-07-15 07:18 pm
WEEK 1
[The train wouldn't stop. Not until very early the next morning. The few who might have been awake would be able to exit the train, entering the cool twilight of the dawn. The star is dark, and few stars can be seen in the sky as a cold breeze begins to blow from the mountain beyond. You can see some chunks of rock floating idly nearby, far away from the station that it won't hit trains, but near enough that one can see they are larger than the train they just disembarked.
Lastly, laid out in front of them, the first port of call: Menahoven. The mountain: The Throat of the World.
But which world? Who knows. Not any of yours. Maybe it doesn't matter. Not when you are so far from home. Not when you have no way to get off this rock without the aid of the trains-and they will not let you pass.
It looks like you're stuck here until the Conductor decides to leave. In the meantime, everyone will need to get comfortable.
There are fifteen strangers left in this place.]
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Ehehe. That seems like a yes, does it not?
[She gently taps the seat beside her to indicate it's okay.]
I see. [Well, she's got no place questioning why he prefers one term over another, here.] ...What are your travels like? If I may be so bold.
It's a bit embarrassing, but despite everything, being aboard this vessel is probably the most I ever remember travelling. Were it not for the circumstances, it might be almost exciting.
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... She's so soft. Does she have a name?
[ After that he's quiet for a moment.. He ... hasn't mentioned his actual travels to anyone (other than being vague with Minato), but perhaps now would be a good time to try to continue that game of Trust that they started ]
Traveling can be quite exciting. But it's.. much like you said. It also depends on the circumstances.
[ ... ]
I've spent most of my life traveling. First it was just my sister and me, but now we travel with two others. One is my teacher and the other is ... the companion I mentioned earlier.
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[Ris is quiet, listening to Mithos talk. It doesn't seem right to interrupt.]
...I see. I imagine travelling is a lot more enjoyable when you actually wish to do so, yes. But it sounds to me, at least, like your prior experiences have been a little less than willing, if it has been much of your life.
[...] Of course. If I ever say something out of line, please, do not hold back in telling me as much.
[She realizes, at least, that she may be pressing a little further than he'd like, given how vague he's being.]
...What is it that you are learning?
[That seems safer.]
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[ Mithos simply... shakes his head. ]
No, you're fine, Ris. You're not wrong. Traveling is ... painful sometimes. Especially if you're forced into it. But even so it can lead to lots of excitement and good times along the way as well. You see all sorts of things that you wouldn't, otherwise.
[ we're just going to stick to the 'traveling can be fun' kind of thing to finish off that conversation. he seems happier answering the other question, anyways ]
He's teaching me swordsmanship. I was surprised when he first agreed, but I've learned a lot since then!
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[But that laughter is quick to fade.]
...I worry less about being wrong than I do about pressing too far and ending our little game prematurely, if I'm honest. [And she may as well be. Such is trust.] Still... while I'm sorry to hear you've been forced into such a thing, I am glad to hear there have been good times, as well. Ehe... I'm sure you've seen much more than I ever will, at least.
[Knowing that he's been forced into things, too... even if she's sure the circumstances are wildly different, it still does bother her. It's one thing if it's her. She's not happy, but she's grown to accept her lot in life. That doesn't mean she's okay with anything bad happening to someone she's grown at least a little fond of.
...Perhaps it is best to just focus on the positives.]
Swordsmanship, hm? I don't think I've ever actually seen someone fight with a sword! Perhaps, if you ever get a hold of something like that... could I watch you practice? It seems so interesting...
[Likes: knives. A sword is just a really big knife, right?]
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[ Mithos then .. considers what she says for a moment. ]
... I worry a little about that too. But, I think if we try to respect those boundaries and let the other know when we are overstepping it our game won't end prematurely. Learning when to stop and respecting those boundaries is part of the game, isn't it?
[ he's .... glad that she's worried about possibly ending their little game prematurely, honestly. the sentiment is the same on his end. he actually doesn't want it to end either. ]
I ... could tell you a few of the good things I have seen, if you're ever interested.
[ because that would be focusing on the positives and would be within those boundaries, wouldn't it. but speaking of within boundaries and positives he smiles at the swordsmanship talk ]
I actually received the sword I used on my travels yesterday! [ Thanks Mcburn! ] Just let me know when you are next available and you can watch me practice.
[ ... ]
If McBurn is alright with it, maybe you can watch us spar next time we do so, as well. It'd be more interesting watching a sparring match than just a practice session that's just myself.
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[She looks over at him when he admits to worrying, too, her gaze softening a little. It's... nice, in a way, knowing that she's not alone in any of this.
He's worried, too. He doesn't want this to end, either. And sure, they've only known each other for a handful of days, but this is still more than Ris has ever known.
She smiles, just a little.]
...Yes, I suppose you're right about that. And... I would love to hear about the good things, if you'll tell me. I have not seen much... so it is always nice to hear about the good parts of the outside.
[To live through it vicariously, at least.]
Oh, really? That's wonderful! [Okay, now he's getting a full-blown smile.] I... admit i have been sleeping in quite a bit since our journey here began, but I do not have a particularly busy schedule. If I am awake, I am probably free to join you.
[Ooh, and watching McBurn, too? Her excitement senses are tingling.]
I would love that. Ehehe, I wonder, does he actually put in effort sparring against you?
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[ they'll all be happy stories and nice places, whichever one she chooses. gotta keep the good atmosphere going now that it's there ]
How about sometime next week then? I'd like to get in some practice before I spar McBurn again.
[ He then smiles at the memory of the sparring match they had ]
At first not so much. But after a bit he started pushing a lot harder and eventually overwhelmed me. [ Even though he lost he sounds so enthusiastic about this ] He's very strong so I want to improve so one day I could possibly beat him! Even if I can't, I'm sure I'll be learning a lot from our sparring matches.
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[Skye pops her head up a bit to complain about the lack of recent petting.]
—Ah, sorry, sweetheart. Here you go. [More pets! And then turning back to Mithos, as she continues the petting.]
That sounds just fine. I can be patient.
[It's cute, how enthusiastic he sounds about learning... Ris understands, though. She's felt the same, although all of her learning has really been through books...]
He hides a good deal of strength behind that lazy facade, doesn't he? He certainly is interesting. But I look forward to seeing what you can do, now, too. And where you can grow to, from here.
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[ Both seem like good places to talk about. ]
Ah--. Haha. We shouldn't forget about Skye, can we.
[ he'll give Skye a few pets himself. ]
Alright. I'll be sure to let you know when I decide.
[ Mithos then nods at Ris' words ]
He is. He's certainly not someone you can underestimate. I'll bet he's even stronger at home, if he's like me and can't use the full extend on his abilities here. [ another smile ] Thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing where I grow to, as well.
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[And just going to. Let that slip without thinking about it, whoops.]
Oh, you have more abilities than you can use here? Do you have magic, too?
[FASCINATING ✨]
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Really? I don't know if it's like where you were created -- [ he'll just ... say is casually how about ... that ] -- but there's a continent completely covered in snow. There's little else there except a temple where the Ice Summon Spirit lives. It's difficult to travel in, but seeing the pure blanket of snow is calming, in a way.
[ when the sky is clear or it's snowing lightly, in any case ]
Yeah, I can normally use all sorts of magic! But ... unfortunately I'm unable to use any of it here. Otherwise I'd be able to show you a few spells as well.
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Where I was created... we were just outside of a large city, and it was nice enough in the late spring, summer, and most of autumn. But late autumn and winter... there was always a lot of snow. Ehe... I always thought it was kind of fun to go outside and clear it off of our walkways. It does make travel difficult, but... I know what you mean by "calming." When it's just you and all the snow... it really is peaceful, I think.
[At least she seems cheerful, talking about this.]
Did you ever build anything out of it? The snow? [Oh, and probably more importantly...] ...And what is a Summon Spirit?
[As far as magic goes:]
...Maybe you can show me if we ever make it out of here?
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Yeah ... despite the chill it gives you some sort of comfort. I suppose like ... a blanket, just like the snow itself.
[ He's glad to see her seemingly cheerful, talking about it in any case ]
Mhm! I've built a snowman with my sister while we were camping for the night! Also threw some snowballs at one of my companions [ bet you can guess who ] How about you?
A summon spirit is an entity that helped control the energy that exists on my world. There's eleven in them in total. One of them is Celsius, the Summon Spirit of Ice, also known as the 'Disciple of Everlasting Ice'.
[ he then smiles at the thought ]
Yeah .. once we get out of here I can show you whatever magic you'd like to see.
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[She's glad to hear Mithos has experienced some of these things, too. Yay! Things in common! She has so few of those with people.]
Ehehe... at the grumpy one? [Her tone is a li~ttle teasing, there.] But yes! I always have to knock them down before I come in, Master would be on my case forever if he knew, but I liked making little snowmen. I used to try to make little animals sometimes, too.
Ah... so they must be very powerful, then. Since this seems to be a happier story... I imagine it is a friend to you, and not a foe?
[At the idea of "any magic she'd like to see," Ris' smile softens, although it's still very much present. Just... thoughtful.]
...Hm~. I'll have to think about that. It is a bit hard to narrow it down when your immediate thought is "any at all." Such things aren't really prevalent, where I'm from.
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[ By then most people are inside but that's not always the case ]
You should've seen his face when it hit. [ it was priceless! and ah ... the master. mithos is going to try to keep that guy out of the topic ... ] What kind of little animals did you manage to make in the snow? I think my sister made snow bunnies once ...
Hmmm ... I wouldn't say friend. Though not exactly a foe, either ...
[ What is a good way to put the summon spirits after he makes a pact with them that's ... hmm.. ]
Hahah. Well, if you had to choose an element, what element would it be. Most magic have an element, like fire, water, earth ...
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Ehehe... it was priceless, I presume? [She can imagine.]
I made some little bunnies... I tried to make a cat, once, but if I'm honest, it probably looked more like a little potato. The bunnies were always the easiest. Especially if I was clearing the walkways, I could usually find little leaves, sticks, and stones to use as decoration. It was nice, while it lasted.
[Hm. Summon spirits are confusing creatures...] An acquaintance, then?
[And with the question about elements, she looks down at Skye as she pets the cat, thoughtfully.]
Fire or water, I think. There's a certain grandeur to those...
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It was! He tried to throw several of them back but ... he missed. I think he hit my teacher instead. [ please ris imagine these companions being dumb it's good ]
Hehe. A potato doesn't sound like a bad attempt at a cat. [ since aren't some cats like potatos? ] Still, it sounds like you had fun while it lasted, as well.
[ Mithos thinks about that for a moment ] Mn ... I'm not sure if that's the right answer either ... but it's closer than friend or foe, in any case.
Those elements aren't my expertise, but I can do a few spells. When ... we can, I'll start with those.
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Well, that is one benefit to being our size. It does make it a little easier to dodge things, I have found! Ehehe... I imagine your teacher was less than pleased? How unfortunate, to be dragged in like that... but it does sound amusing.
[She reaches her non-petting hand up to mime the shape of a cat ear on one side of her head, drawing a little triangle.] A little potato with pointy ears. But, I do suppose those are the basic shapes of the animal, broken down into the abstract...
[And about the summon spirits, she just nods. There's little else to do.]
It sounds like they are quite difficult to label. But I think we can leave it at that, for now. At least for the general concept.
What is your expertise?
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[ he might've been told to be careful too but ... it was worth it. ]
Most of them, yeah. Though I guess animals such a snakes aren't in the shape of such.
[ Mithos simply nods at her answer to the summon spirits. Yeah, good idea. As for his expertise-- ]
Light. Lightning and Earth, as well.
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[Oh my god, both of you, stop deriving pleasure from mentally tormenting Yuan. Even if he probably deserves it. A little.]
Ehehe, now that's just a failure of imagination. A snake is just a very long potato!
[As for his specialty, she... well, for lack of a better term, lights up. She hadn't even considered light as an element.]
Light? What kinds of things can you do with that? It sounds pretty...
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[ but mentally tormenting yuan is!! so much fun!! and if you ask mithos is totally deserves it. ]
Oh! Haha, I guess you're right! So ... a bird would be a potato with wings?
[ what even is this conversation ... ]
Hmm.. well, many light spells are kinda pretty, if you look at 'em that way. It depends on the spell, though. Some of them are rays of light, while other spells are more ... bursts of lights.
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[That's just logic, Mithos!!]
Yes! And a triangle up top, for the beak. And a squirrel is... a curvy potato?
[It's beautiful, that's what it is.]
Both of those sound, at least, fascinating to watch. I hadn't even thought light could be an element.
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[ Admittedly it's annoying that him and his sister are ... a thing. But it's funny seeing what happens when his sister enters the picture. ]
Hmm... Has to be, with its tail. And I suppose this would make fish simply underwater potatoes.
[ The whole world is just now filled with potatoes excellent ]
Dark is an element too, being the opposite of light. But it's the one element I don't know any spells for.
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[If only she could someday have such power.]
Yes. And whales, the largest potatoes of all.
[These two are so worryingly on the same wavelength.]
That makes sense... and, in a way, so does that last part. Darkness... doesn't really seem to suit you, you know?
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