wants_the_phd | Court inbox

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.

[She nibbles pensively on her thumb claw.]

...Huh. I'm not very good at that one.

Doesn't he specialize in weather-related magic?

[seems weird he'd compliment her amateur attempts at lightning of all things. how mysterious. She wishes so badly she knew what kind of magic Lyle uses in a fight... Can't believe he kicked her whole ass with them and she didn't even get to remember it. What a wasted opportunity!]

Why not ask him later? He will be able to tell you more than I can, and it might help to see that he's not mad at you.

...Yeah. You're right.

Some of what I saw was so confusing I'm not sure if it actually happened or if I dreamed it.

[She draws her knees up and rests her folded arms on them, looking out at the willow branches brushing the surface of the water.]

So you specialize in fire?

I hadn’t meant to bring your mood down again. You do have my apologies.

[ once again he is resisting the urge to per - but he does offer her his hand if SHE wants to take it ]

But that’s the short of it. I can control my flames and manipulate them into taking different shapes. I can control their warmth and whether they burn at all, and I can heal some injuries with them.

Edited 2025-06-08 03:51 (UTC)

Wow.

[She's putting a pin in follow-up questions momentarily so she can reassure him,]

You didn't bring my mood down. I already feel a lot better.

[...but she has no earthly clue why he's holding out his hand. It doesn't even occur to her she's being invited to touch it. She thinks he's showing her something. Is there going to be fire in his palm? She doesn't see it.]

What am I looking at?

Since you're not yet used to casual touch, I figured if you did want some physical comfort you could just grab my hand if you wanted to.

[ he looks so proud of having thought that up too ]

But I'm glad to hear I didn't ruin your mood.

[Oh, right. Humans find touch comforting for some reason. She doesn't get it, but she appreciates the spirit in which it's offered. She shall show her appreciation by touching him. She reaches out and takes one (1) of his fingers between her finger and thumb the way one might hold the stem of a flower. There. Nailed it.]

Thanks.

So you can heal people by setting them on fire?

[ That's very cute and he seems to be happy with her making that effort, though he suspects now it's more her trying to comfort him by taking it, than the opposite. And he appreciates it. He'll also laugh at that question ]

That's not quite how it works. But whenever people are fighting by my side, being close to my flames seems to have that effect. Perhaps it's simply has to do with my performance? I do put on quite the show!

I don't doubt it! And I can see why a whole crew has accepted you as their leader.

Does everyone in your operation have a Forte?

Hah! I keep telling them I'm the best Captain in the whole world. Now I'll have someone else supporting my statement.

Roccia and I are the only Resonators in the Troupe - though we do have our Honorary Captain joining us from time to time, and some other allies. Even without a Forte, though, our Troupe got our share of good fighters.

I imagine it would have to, given what you're fighting.

How long have you all been doing it?

It's been fifteen years for me. Everyone else has joined later, at different points in time. The Troupe is made up of some of the people we've rescued over the years — Roccia included, so for everyone else, the amount of time they've spent with the Troupe is different.

Though our newest member is someone I've met here, and personally invited.

Yeah? Who?

[ look at the brightest smile ever ]

Lyle.

[Laughs]

Ah! That makes sense. You seem like exactly his type. No surprise at all he'd love you.

[This is going to provide more context when Lyle calls him "my captain" later.]

Well! Congratulations on your newest recruit...!

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