wants_the_phd | Court inbox

[ he shakes his head ]

No need to. It doesn't bother me, I only thought it might be a wish of yours since you mentioned clothes.

Mostly I just like having pockets. And a little extra protection from thorns and stuff. And not having to deal with the reactions of people who are unaccustomed to nudity.

[ that earns her a laugh ]

I can only imagine their faces! But clothes are also a good way to express yourself. Sometimes it's fun to show off in that way.

I don't know anything about fashion. Or showing off, either.

[She doesn't have anything to show off? Her human body looks like a half-grown teen of indeterminate gender who never filled out one way or the other. The only thing she ever feels the desire to advertise is the aposematic coloration of a venomous animal. Otherwise her approach to clothing is purely pragmatic.]

Do you have any tips? I imagine you must have some experience with costume design at this point. And clearly you've already mastered your own sense of style.

Edited 2025-06-06 20:58 (UTC)

I have some experience with it, though there are far more talented people in the Troupe. The way they work with fabric is nothing short of magnificent! But as for tips, I'd say ask yourself what you want the world to see you as.

For me, I want to leave an impression - I want all eyes on me and to capture the heart of my audience. What I want my clothes to say is "Look at me!", and I match my style to that.

Hmm...

[She has to think about that. She's finally(!) done eating, so she takes this moment to walk over to the shore so she can wash her hands and face.]

...How much have I told you about our castes?

I don't think you've mentioned before.

[Washing complete, sits down next to him again.]

So. Humans generally have two body plans, which you call "sexes" - male and female. And each sex has its own reproductive role.

We zmei have five body plans, which we call "castes". Three of them can reproduce with one role or another, and two of them can't reproduce at all.

The non-reproductive castes make up nearly all the population. The labor caste, to which I belong, is the biggest chunk -- about 95%. The human body I wear is the one that's prescribed to everyone in my caste. In other words, 95% of our species looks exactly like me. Same face, same body, same clothes.

I think it's both because we don't have the instinct to attract the attention of potential mates, and the fact that our culture both glorifies and enforces conformity, but it's hard for me to imagine what kind of clothes might look good on me. I think if I tried to wear something showy, I might just look weird?

My priority in clothing is stuff that's easy to move in, protects me from thorns and sunburn, and has some kind of storage for carrying small items. Beyond that... I dunno. How do I want to come across? I think it might be better not to come across at all?

[ he's quiet as he takes it all in, trying to think of how to proceed with that knowledge. Of course if she's used to being the same as everyone else, his advice wouldn't work that well ]

It's not bad to pick clothes for practicality either. That in itself is already something that will be uniquely "yours" when picking them. You can also try and think of something that inspires you. The ocean, for example — you could pick colors that remind you of it.

Huh.

I've never worn those kinds of colors before.

[She has a few outfits she rotates through but all of them are exclusively black and red. Otherwise how will people know she's venomous!!!!!!! (important)]

Do you think there's a way for someone like me to look "dangerous"? So people leave me alone?

[ Oh he can't help but laugh at the request, though not at her ]

There are some styles that are used to suggest "danger" in characters, but truthfully I fear it would have the opposite effect in here! Were I to help you pick that style, I've no doubt you'd just attract more people.

[She doesn't know about "attracting" anyone, but]

Yeah, I had a feeling.

Nobody's ever really taken me seriously before, so I'd be surprised if that could change with just an outfit.

It's still worth a shot. Maybe you'd find that you just like the style.

Being "intimidating" or "dangerous" sometimes is more about the attitude than how you look, so we could work on that. Think of them as acting lessons.

I'd appreciate any tips you have for either of those. Few things are as discouraging as putting everything you have into trying to get someome to step off and having them not be bothered even a little bit...!

In terms of appearance, though... what does someone dangerous look like in your mind?

Mmm ...

[ to his credit he really is giving it his best, but in the end he's coming up blank since, well. he's Not A Normal Person ]

To be honest, off the stage I'd have difficulties thinking of anyone as dangerous just because of the way they look. To me, danger from people comes from the action they choose to take, and the same is true for Tacet Discords — and those are already far more dangerous than a human could be.

But I am a skilled fighter and a resonator, and a social person besides. It's easy for me to not be intimidated easily, when I know I can hold my own.

Yeah, I think that's my real problem.

All the people who gather in places like this are generally pretty unique in some way, and more often then not it has something to do with their combat ability. Just about everyone has training and experience and magic powers and high pain tolerances and joy at the thrill of a fight.

I can make threats all I want, but I don't have what it takes to back it up. Especially not against people who actually know what they're doing.

Would you feel more confident if you did have what it takes?

I definitely think it would help.

Learning magic has definitely helped. I don't feel nearly as vulnerable and terrified all the time because now I have more ways of healing myself or escaping if I have to. I'm still a beginner, and my offensive power still isn't very good. But it has helped me be a lot more brave in everyday situations.

On the other hand, more bravery means I've gotten myself into difficult situations I could have avoided by just being more cautious. Fear can be a pretty healthy thing to have, actually!

Fear is valuable, but so is experience, my friend. Each time you bite more than you can chew, you will know where your limit lies, and whether you're able to push past it or not.

My days aren't so busy that I wouldn't be able to help train you if you wished to. You remember Roccia, my First Mate? If you were to just look at her, she wouldn't look like someone who can hold her own - yet you saw how capable she is. Small and frail as she looks, she's found her way to stand on the stage even during battle!

Well, learning new stuff is literally my favorite thing, so I'm eager to try anything you have the time and willingness to teach me.

What did you say you were? A "resonator"?

Then it's decided! I'm already giving acting and dancing lessons to Lyle, adding swordsmanship ones to my schedule should not be difficult. I suspect you'd be more suited for long distance combat, but this should help you for when that's not possible, and your magic won't quite do it.

As for your other question, yes. [ he will just vaguely gesture toward the mark on his chest, which will then start to glow white as he summons his purple flames on his hand, to show them off for her ] This is a Tacet Mark, and it appears on a Resonator's body at the time of their Awakening. The Awakening is when we first unleash our "Forte", our abilities.

Mine are these purple flames. You can simply consider it magic.

[Leans in a little to look at it more closely]

Whoa.

What triggers an Awakening? Is it common?

It's common enough, but not so common that everyone would be a Resonator. There are also different types of them, but that's medical stuff I'm not that qualified to talk about. According to the Troupe's medic I am a "Natural Resonator", but that's as much information on the subject I can give you.

As for the Awakening, it's usually triggered by intense situations. High stress or traumatic events.

I see.

Is the origin of this power the same as that of the Tacet Discords?

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