acatalepsy_rpg | [video]

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[video]

[ the feed opens to julius in the garden, standing beneath a fruit tree - a young man in his early twenties, with blond hair and clear golden eyes. he looks a tad tired, with dark shadows under his eyes - but for those who knew him from before, he appears to be in better condition than they last saw him.

notably, he wasn't at the icebreaker. but - those are minor details. ]

Hello, everyone. My name is Julius.

[ he gestures to the greenery behind him with a sweep of his hand, a slight smile tugging at his lips ]

I'm interested in developing the garden - we may need to upkeep it ourselves in the future, and I would imagine the relevant skills would be necessary in other worlds for ensuring a consistent food supply. However, I don't have much knowledge on cultivation myself. If we work together, we'll have a better chance at succeeding.

[ his expression settles back into its usual quiet seriousness now, as appropriate for something more dangerous ]

I was a soldier back home, and I used to teach drills to my teammates. In the interest of keeping our skills sharp, I would also like to propose some sparring sessions and other exercises.

[ a pause, before: ]

If you're interested in either of these, please let me know. I look forward to working with everyone here.

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I'll be there.

[ and so he will be - he's there early, as he doesn't have much engagements and figures that being early is a great courtesy. there's a certain luminous quality to his eyes - at the right angle against the light, they seem to glow.

but, that's a minor detail. he'll greet her with a wave when she comes, speaking when they're within polite distance of each other. ]

Hello. I apologize, I haven't asked for your name yet.

[She responds to his wave with a polite curtsy, and then smiles a little as she straightens.]

Of course, I should have responded in kind earlier. My name is Lin Xinyao. [She is an older lady though, so... Depends on how formal you want to be.] It's a pleasure to meet you properly in person, Julius.

[She tilts her head towards a small corner of the courtyard, where the earth has clearly been turned and worked on, and the borders of the dirt neat and orderly despite the slight chaos elsewhere.] The seeds I planted are over there. I haven't had a chance to investigate more closely yet, but I know there are a few other fruit trees and edible plants elsewhere in the Temple. I was hoping to ask our hostess if she wouldn't mind me moving them.

[ there's a pause as he tries to suss out how he should address her - he's worked with both people from europe and the far east, so he's aware that sometimes people give their surnames first. judging from how she looks, she's probably in the latter.

not that he would want to call her by her given name, though. she is older and there's that automatic reminder to be polite. ]

I've found a garden. I think that is where most of the spirit servants procure their cooking ingredients from.

[ he kneels down by the dirt, pressing a hand into the soil. it's most, and he can feel the seeds beneath, somehow - they're there, still asleep. ]

If you don't mind, I would like to test if my ability works here.

[ he closes his eyes, willing his awareness to venture out beyond the confines of his form. it's not visible from aboveground, but - small tendrils protrude out from his palm, burrowing through the soil until they reach one of the seeds. it's easy to will his magic to work after, the seed taking root both in the soil and into his body. one tendril entwined with the other, plant and animal.

soon, a seedling breaks through the soil, growing to about three inches in height. there isn't much visible change in julius' expression - his willpower lets him suppress the discomfort that comes with his magic ]

[She's not at all sure what to expect based on Julius' earlier words, but she settles down to her knees opposite him to watch, splitting her attention between the dirt he is concentrating on and Julius' face. He is clearly focusing on something, and she is reminded of the advanced martial artists from home, who were able to focus their qi to do all kinds of seemingly impossible things. When the first shoot of one of the plants appears above the soil, she recognizes it immediately as ma huang, one of the ones she'd brought with her, and gasps in astonishment.]

That's... [She doesn't reach out to touch it, but stares at it with some awe before lifting her head to examine Julius more closely.] That's amazing.

[ ....

.... it's rare, to receive this kind of acknowledgement from an older person. once again he's reminded of how little experience he has in talking to older people, especially older women - she's gentle, but she doesn't have the unnatural grace that rachel had. the woman who had called herself his mother looked no older than thirty, but spoke with a manner that implied she was much older than that. this lady, on the other hand, has none of that inhuman aura. she's normal.

pity that he only realized his own mother's machinations, her crafted mask, when it was too late. ]

It's the least I could do.

[ he cans the 'it's nothing' back down his throat, opting for something more appropriate, more humble. his calm doesn't waver even as he opens his eyes - though, his golden irises seem to glow, just for a moment. maybe, it's just a trick of the light? ]

I was given this magic when I came here. I'm glad it can serve a good purpose.

[Her eyes hadn't left his face even as he seems to shake off the concentration necessary to utilize this incredible ability. His was actually the first of these strange powers and magic that she'd consciously witnessed since arriving here, and the first with such an obvious effect and use.]

So this isn't something you were able to do before arriving here? [She looks curious now, and thoughtful, her fingers twitching unseen within the recesses of her long sleeves as she observes his expression.]

[ julius nods - his expression is quiet, but there's an earnest honesty in his eyes. he's a person easily read, when it's something that benefits others ]

If I'm not mistaken, everyone receives a unique ability when they come. I've had this ability for a bit longer than some people, so I was able to familiarize myself with it beforehand.

Is that so? I haven't been able to find what my own ability might be just yet. At home I was quite ordinary compared to those around me.

[Strangely, at those words, she holds out her hand in an almost coaxing gesture.] Would it be possible for you to try that again?

[And well...] I know this might sound strange, but at home I have some training as a physician. One of the ways we diagnose patients is by feeling their pulse. I wouldn't want to tire you out, but I'm curious...

[ ah.

he thinks he has an idea of what exactly she is seeking to elucidate. while he would have ordinarily obliged such things, the incident in shehui impressed him with the importance of not letting other people touch him. even if astoria sealed his more monstrous powers, he can't be sure. ]

It doesn't have too much of a toll on me. [ though... ] What would you do, then?

[ he's not hostile, just... curious. ]

[Well, it's not going to change too much of what she'd be planning anyway...]

I see. [She lets her hand drop back to her lap as she glances down at the seedlings again, Julius' blase dismissal framing them in a different context for her eyes now.] I can't say I'm an expert in magic, but I do have some experience with different illnesses and the treatment of various human conditions. There's a lot you can find out just from feeling for the quality of someone's pulse, and that might be able to inform treatment.

[ ...... well.

there are two things he has to grapple with here. one is his inhuman nature, which he is loath to expose to strangers - but on the other hand, she deserves some sort of explanation for her kindness. but how to balance the two?

he closes his eyes, just for a moment. ]

Please forgive me for not telling you this earlier. [ without a beat ] I am not human. I try not to advertise it to avoid alarm, but - I am not sure if you would be able to read the same signs from me as others, as my body works in different ways.

[ ...... he's giving her a bit more than he would usually have preferred to, but - well. you know, it takes some sacrifice to build valuable connections ]

[She absorbs his words thoughtfully, her expression mostly serene and composed, giving him a chance to finish speaking before she even begins formulating a reply.]

There's nothing to forgive. There are so many different kinds of people here, and such variation. [But his words speak to some expectation of rejection, and that is worrying to her.] I wouldn't want to attempt anything if it makes you uncomfortable in any way. [She can't help being a little curious though.]

[ he's attentive to her expression, watching for any signs of revulsion. there are none, something that he's very grateful for; feeling a weight loosen from his chest.

julius dips his head before replying. ]

If you are curious about me, I can answer some questions; but I would prefer not to be touched, if that is amenable.

[She nods, still considering his words and the circumstance. But he'd outright admitted that using the power took some measure of toll on him, and she's not so confident that she knows what any treatment for it might entail (though neither is she convinced that it will be very different from her usual experience).

So in the end, she settles on:] I suppose... Just that you must tell me if using your ability is taking too great a toll on you. [She can already tell he's that kind of person, and there is an odd authority to her tone now that seems at odds with her usual demeanor.] Rushing the plants too much may not be best for them either. We can reach some sort of balance.

[ it helps that she clarifies it is out of concern rather than something else; it had been a little difficult to identify her intentions, and how much he can trust her. but it's okay now. ]

I will. [ this he appends with a slight, honest smile. ] I'd like to learn how to most effectively use my ability, too.

I can likely help you as far as plants go, to assess their health and overall well-being. I'm afraid I'm sadly lacking in military and fighting knowledge. [That's...not entirely true.]

[ they're not so different, then. he who only knows how to fight is hard-pressed to perform well in other areas. ]

I would appreciate that very much.

[ hopefully, he can ease the uncertainty about his own future ]

[She nods and dips another polite curtsy.]

Then I look forward to working with you in the future, Julius.

[[ooc: we can wrap it up here, I'll try to find Julius again in one of the El Minha logs! Let me know if you want to handwave any additional meetings/development before/after the world jump!]]

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[video]

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