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[purrtagonist]

Soooo how's everyone feeling?

[THIS MESSAGE HAS A PURPOSE HE SWEARS]

Serious question, by the way. I talked to Astoria as soon as we got back, and she was pretty worried about the way I. . . felt to her?

[GOD PUTTING IT THAT WAY SOUND WEIRD]

She said that I brought something back with me from Struxta. Something dark, evil, heavy. . . wrong? I don't know about you guys but absolutely none of that is confidence inspiring. Wonder why.

[AHA]

She also told me that the wilting plants around the temple aren't normal. "Everything here seems to be just here. Present, alive, blooming," is what she said, word for word. She's never seen anything here die before.

[. . .]

I don't really know what she's talking about, especially because I feel just fine. I don't think she does yet either, though I imagine she's going to investigate. Just be careful, all right? And if you notice anything off about yourself, let me or someone else know.






Because if we all came back possessed by space demons or infected by robot tuberculosis I'm gonna be pretty pissed.

Comments

[teratias]

...I....well, okay, but still, I don't know if we should trust creepy shadows either!

[Waver's pace slows a bit as the shadows come into view. He isn't really convinced that they're friends.]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira doesn't slow down, which means he quickly outpaces Waver when he does. he slows to a stop, turning to face his companion with an arched brow]

Well?

You're going to have to do the asking. I don't know exactly what it is you're looking for.

[teratias]

Okay, okay. But uh, are there any particular approaches you have to take to these guys or can you be casual?

[Explain the ritual, Akira.

Feel free to just make it up so he looks like an ass too.]

[purrtagonist]

Nope.

Just walk up to them and ask. That's all it takes.

[teratias]

[Waver casts Akira a very uneasy look, but he does walk forward to address...well, the shadows. He clears his throat, then waves his hands over his head to try and get their attention.]

Uh. Hi? Hello? Shadow....people?

[purrtagonist]

[one of the misty servants whirls to face Waver, attentive and ready to help! it doesn't say anything, because of course it doesn't]

[Akira nudges Waver's shoulder. go on, go on]

[teratias]

I...so...do you guys having like, a microscope on hand or stuff to magnify at a really high degree or...?

[Waver looks back at Akira, the am I doing this correctly? look plain on his face.]

[purrtagonist]

[THUMBS UP. Waver is doing it correctly!!]

[. . . unfortunately, the mist servants don't really know what Waver is talking about. . . so they don't. say or do anything in response. they just stare at him like they're waiting for more of an explanation]

[teratias]

....A big, fancy magnifying glass that lets you see bugs like, 100 times their size?

[purrtagonist]

[no response]

[after a beat of silence, Akira speaks up]

. . . I don't think they know what you're talking about, Waver.

[teratias]

...Fuck. Akira, can you try...?

[purrtagonist]

[arches a brow, but he slides right up to one of the mist servants with a wave]

Ah, hey there. Can you get us. . . a piece of glass? About the side of his or my hand?

[that's the absolute most SIMPLISTIC way of putting it, and yet]

[teratias]

....Yeah, what he said!

[Waver's....not sure how to help? But he'll cheer in the background.]

[purrtagonist]

[that seems to register with the mist servants, and they vanish into ether as soon as Akira makes the request. and a few seconds later, one reappears! with a shard of broken glass about as big as Akira's hand]

[it is, uh. uncertain how helpful this will be in Waver's adventures]

[teratias]

...Akira, grab a blade of grass, would you?

[Waver is immature enough to yoink the glass out of Akira's hand, bouncing on the heels of his feet.]

I wanna see if it works!

[purrtagonist]

[with a nod, Akira meanders outside to grab a blade of grass. which he then hands to Waver. GANBATTE, FRIEND]

[teratias]

Let's see....

[Waver's careful to move the glass over the blade and...well. It isn't a microscope, but the magnification is far, far more than what he expected.]

Oh wow. C'mere and look!

[purrtagonist]

[!!]

[Akira leans over Waver's shoulder, peering at the magnified blade of grass underneath the glass]

It. . . kind of works?

[teratias]

It...it'll have to do.

[Waver looks back over at the shadows, waving the hand with the glass.]

Thanks!

[purrtagonist]

[with a bow, the mist servants disappear. Akira smiles]

You look so excited.

[teratias]

It's...okay, I guess I have to bug the shadow people for more stuff now.

[Waver pauses, then adds, sincerely:]

Thanks.

[purrtagonist]

[aw. Akira's smiles shifts into something softly sincere, too]

Anytime. It was a pretty mild adventure, but an adventure nonetheless.

[teratias]

[Waver just...this is weird. He's never had something like this happen before, it's a total novelty.]

Let me know the next time you head out here then. I might need a few more things too by then.