wants_the_phd | Court inbox

[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?

[ He nods ]

Yes, there have been several disasters in the history of humanity - those are called "Lament". Each one has all but wiped out most civilizations, and almost all records of them. The Tacet Discords, and the existence of Resonators, are byproducts left by those disasters.

Rinascita was built after one such disaster, by survivors who went to look for safety by crossing the sea.

Wow...

Is it known what, exactly, caused the Laments? Or were those records lost as well?

I think the origins are still fairly unknown. There have been studies into it, but I'm not privy to them.

...

Is it okay to ask how your Awakening occurred?

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, of course.

There's nothing you can't ask me, and I don't mind telling you. Besides, I barged in in your hiding place and asked you to talk to me - the least I can do is to actually answer your questions.

It was during my Pilgrim's Sail. My companions tried to shield me from the worst of it — the hunger, the sickness, the hopelessness of it all. But I still watched them die one by one. When we crashed to shore at Penitent's End and our numbers thinned further as the Tacet Discords came for us, that did it for me.

Had I awakened earlier, maybe things would have gone differently.

[ and hold on because that hits a Taboo, and he immediately looks like he's in pain and then just makes a face like ?? he's confused ?? about what that all was ]

[??? That gets her attention.]

You okay?

I'm not sure. If I have to hazard a guess, I'd say I just hit whatever the opposite of objectives is in this place.

I think they're called "taboos"...? What do you suppose triggered it?

Whatever it is, I don't think I want to hit it again.

[ he doesn't think sharing the story did it, so he'll have to try and figure it out later ]

In any case, if Lyle's commentary is anything to go by, you're already quite skilled with your spells. With a bit of training, we'll put more weight into that "leave me alone" vibe you're going for.

[Her mouth turns into a flat line, almost a frown.]

...Did he say what spells I used?

I don't remember any part of that fight. Even the end of it was hazy.

[ Oh, maybe he shouldn't have brought that up again ]

He mentioned something about lighting.

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