Sixth: Cold Night (Video; un: Caster)

[colchismagecraft]

[Caster's sitting with her back to the window when the feed begins - which probably only makes her look all the more suspicious with the moonlight shining behind her and shadowing her face.

One day, maybe, she'll do a network post with the lights actually turned on in her room, but today is not that day.]

...Good evening. I've noticed a number of new faces here recently- for those I haven't encountered yet, I am known as Caster.

[A small pause. How to get to the point...]

I'm interested in speaking with anyone here who is skilled in painting or drawing portraits from descriptions. I'm willing to pay, of course.

Also, if anyone else is studying potion brewing and wants to exchange notes, please send me a message.

...I look forward to hearing from you.

Comments

video; un: beaumains

[beaumains]

Who are you commissioning a portrait of, my lady? [ Gareth asks, blithely, her usual smile betraying total ignorance of what she might actually be asking.

Look, she just thinks it might be something exciting! Or possibly romantic, who knows. ]

[colchismagecraft]

[She was rather glad for the poor lighting conditions, as her cheeks went a little red at the question. Amazingly, at least one of Gareth's assumptions was right.

If it were a stranger asking, she'd snap that it was none of their business, but surprisingly, Caster's voice seemed awkward as she replied.]

I'd...assume you'd be able to make a reasonable guess, given our first conversation here.

[beaumains]

[ Ah... so it was something like that, then. Gareth's look softens, and she gives a small nod. ]

I hope you can find what you're after, then. Something... to make this place a little less lonely.

[colchismagecraft]

[She's glad she understands.]

Thank you. After...all the illusions I've been subject to the past few months, I thought it might offer a little comfort.

...You seem to be fairing well.

[beaumains]

I'm blessed to be here with my King, and to be able to make some friends...

[ A small sigh. ] There's still a lot about this place that bothers me. It's too familiar, but too alien at the same time. But... I'm not alone in it, so I'm glad, for that.

That includes you, Caster. [ No escaping now. ]

[colchismagecraft]

It must be strange for you, to see all the differences between this Camelot and the one you left behind.

[Oh, that was... Gareth really did see her as a friend? Caster was still entirely unaccustomed to the warmth people showed to her, here.]

Me...?

...I suppose it would be amiss to call this simply 'a truce' at this point, wouldn't it?

VIDEO | UN: HAMMERTIME

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I'm not an artist but I do a lot of sketching and drawing in my free time.

I could try my best if you'd like.

[colchismagecraft]

[She studied the man on the other end of the call. It didn't sound like he was too experienced, but there was no harm in trying right?]

...Very well, I'd appreciate it. But first, what can I call you?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Oh! I'm sorry!

Name's Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith at your service. Pleased to meet you~

[colchismagecraft]

A pleasure, Darin. A blacksmith and a sketcher, hm? Interesting combination.

...I don't suppose you have an example of your work I could look at?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Well, I usually start my forging process with a concept sketch.

But, yeah! I got something! Let's see here...

[He reaches into one of the pouches on his belt and pulls out a well-worn notebook. He flips through it for the camera, showcasing detailed sketches of the areas he's explored of Avalon. Sketches of people he's met, weapon and armor concepts, and even some ideas regarding his magic.]

[The sketches are remarkably detailed. Weapons are broken down to components with notes beside each one, and sketches of people are usually plain two-thirds perspective with some other things from memory. He's actually rather adept!]

[colchismagecraft]

[Caster leans closer to her phone to take a look at the sketches he's done- certainly, he had a good body of work.]

You are good at this... I see what you mean about your weapon sketches, now.

It's not too dissimilar from drawing out the components of a sigil, before weaving it with others to form a magic circle. I used to do that often when I was starting out in Magecraft.

[arcsplainist]

[ Well, this is someone who likes to set a certain mood! Not that it causes Alphinaud to shy away; if anything, her message catches his attention. He's never sold a painting, but... with gil being as useless as it is here, he and Alisaie could use for a bit of money... And he should be doing his part, so: ]

Good eve, Caster; 'tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Should you still be seeking out a painter, I do believe myself to have a modest skill with a brush.

[colchismagecraft]

Good evening. A pleasure- although, what can I call you?

I am still looking, yes... I don't suppose you have an example of your work I can take a look at, do you?

[arcsplainist]

Oh—forgive me my manners! I am Alphinaud Leveilleur, and I... do not, I'm afraid. I have only been present in this world for but a moon's time, so I have been rather occupied, you see. But—hm... if something quick may suffice?

[colchismagecraft]

Nice to meet you as well, Alphinaud.

[At least he was polite!]

...Yes, something quick will do nicely as a demonstration.

[arcsplainist]

Very well. Do you mind giving me a clearer image of your face, Miss Caster?

private; video; un: crimsonflame

[crimsongirl]

[Homura usually looked a bit more composed, though at seeing Caster...well it was hard to forget what happened in the dream. She hadn't been hugged in such a way in years, not that it stopped some people from trying.]

So...not an artist or anything, though I know a thing or two about making poisons from back home. Not really magic per say, I mean more ninja stuff, but--[She was blabbering. Had to get back on track.] Uh, but I was more hoping you may wanna...talk? About the whole dream thing I mean.

[colchismagecraft]

...It's you. Homura?

[Caster's eyes grew wide beneath the hood of her cloak. She hadn't entirely discounted the idea that the dream was linked to someone else in Avalon of course, but was not sure how to seek out said person even if that were true.

It was a stroke of luck, then, that she'd spotted her network message and reached out.]

Yes... I was hoping I'd be able to speak with you.

[crimsongirl]

Oh yeah, that's good! Very good! I just uh...[Crap, what did she want to say again?]

Video's private and all, and of course I'm sticking to Caster because of course you want that, so...ya know, maybe you should go first?

[She hated being this flustered. Should be easy, yet why wasn't it!? This was harder to control than magic!]

[colchismagecraft]

You can make messages like this private? I thought you could only do that if you- ah- private messaged someone directly.

[Guess which Sorceress hasn't worked out how to lock threads yet? Technology is not her strong suit.

She took down the hood of her cloak to talk properly.]

...More importantly. So long as you keep it to where we won't be overheard, I don't mind you using my true name.

Assuming you saw the same as I did- your fight with myself and my Master, the temple, and our conversation afterward- then what you experienced was the world I came from.

[crimsongirl]

A-alright. Seems to make sense with what I overheard from people.

[Least no one seemed to visit her world, so the most guarded secret was still safe. Medea bringing this up somewhat helped her own nerves, though Homura still looked a bit off. Mainly since recalling her world and her own memories felt...so weird, so hard to explain.]

Yeah, it was like a puzzle piece being forced into spot, even carved up. Mages in your world really don't screw around. Some details from there don't match what I really experienced, which is why I wanted to talk to you, so you know the real story about me.

audio; un: jean

[rustyhonesty]

[Uh, right. Potions.]

I just received Alchemy as my secondary magic. Any tips on how to get started would be appreciated... but I haven't got much to give in return.

Video -> Audio

[colchismagecraft]

Good evening.

[She'll switch to Audio to match.]

I don't have Alchemy magic myself, but I've been trying to teach myself how this world's potion making works from scratch, so I could share some of my notes- provided you do the same once you get going in earnest.

How does that sound?

[rustyhonesty]

That does sound reasonable and I would be thankful. I was planning on making notes anyway to learn easier.