avalononline | < thearchitect >

[ Sometime in the middle of the month, a video is uploaded to the network. It's pre-recorded and opens with a man in his late 20s (Emet-Selch) setting up his phone so that it will stay in place and upright. Many will recognise the scene behind him as being one of the generic kitchenettes belonging to an inn room.

On the table before the camera are a few sheets of paper with alchemy circles drawn on them, heaped with small piles of raw, natural ingredients such as salt and clay and the like. ]

Hmm... It appears to be functioning as intended. Good.

[ Retreating from the camera, he crosses his arms. His posture is quite lax, attire casual, but his manner is quite austere. ]

This is intended for the man I met almost a moon ago, who proposed to me the idea of creating a a book - a grimoire, if you will - filled with pages of alchemical circles that I might easily access spells I need instead of drawing them anew time and again. But I am sure there are others who may benefit from this knowledge as well.

[ He gestures, drawing attention to the pages on the table. ]

Here, I have drawn some simple transformations. Observe--

[ At his whistle, a dog-sized, shadowy, dragon-like creature hops up on to the seat next to him. Emet-Selch focuses on the pages and his familiar follows suit. The first circle begins to glow.

A snap of his fingers, a flash of light, and suddenly there is a ceramic plate sitting on top of the page in place of its raw components. It is plain and unfired of course, but it is certainly a plate.

He repeats this process for the next two sheets of paper, producing a square of cloth and a short, wooden rod respectively. ]

I have yet to see if this transformation can be done without placing the raw materials within the circle itself, but for now, it seems promising.

[ END TRANSMISSION. ]

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[ His tone grows snappish. ]

Must I have a reason for every request I make? Can you not simply accept it and do as I ask?

[ Lucky for him, she's no longer into protesting, even if she does fold her arms and fix the screen with a firm look. ]

I'll accept it since you're asking, and not commanding it.

[ He knows very well as a Matriarch and Keeper of the Moon, she won't ever bend to a man. ]

But asking for reasons is what someone who cares does. Wouldn't you be curious if your friend was asking for something that needs not be hidden from someone he's close to? Or are you afraid he'll tease you if he finds out?

I don't see why I have to answer that.

[ Basically: yes. ]

[ Do you see these mischievous ears wiggling, Emmy. Do you. ]

By Menphina, you're being cute. Never thought I'd see the day when you'd be this obvious about it.

[ Not that she blames him, Hythlodaeus is a cutie and a half. ]

Well, I suppose I can't fault you for it. But whether or not I tell him isn't going to change his nature, now will it?

[ i.e, he's going to tease him regardless... ]

His nature is precisely why I don't wish him to know about this. If you understand then there is naught else which needs to be said.

You know it's how he shows his affection. One of my boyfriends does the same with me—

Actually, I don't blame you at all. It's still humorous though, but I don't like showing it in front of them! You could admit to liking it in front of me, though. I'm not teasing you.

[ Yet. ]

[ Yet. ]

I don't much care for those who amuse themselves with talk of other's relationships, Matriarch. Do consider that a warning.

[ His tone is defensive and belligerent. ]

[ That is just going to get him a deadpan look. ]

You do know that "talking about others relationships" is what everyone does, don't you? Especially when it's with people in them. Private moments don't have to be shared unless people want to speak of them, but talking about others relationships ensures that friends are cared for.

It isn't for amusement, but love.

[ This is actually something important for her, not just as a follower of Menphina, but as a Matriarch who ensures people communicate when they can in relationships! ]

I know you're being contrary because that's how you are when it comes to your own feelings, but just be careful not to deny things too intently. Even if you don't mean it, you could hurt the feelings of someone you actually love.

[ Silence from his end. Then these bitter words-- ]

Gossip serves no-one. I have heard such excuses more times than I can count, of men and women driven apart by 'well-meaning' tongues wagging to those who have no business knowing what they do. I don't believe you to be that sort, Matriarch, but whatever I may feel for Hythlodaeus is not for you or anyone else to know.

I'm grateful you think better of me in that regard, but what would you have me do if Hythlodaeus brings his affections for you up to me? Tell him not to speak of it? That's not what friends do, and you know it.

[ She sighs, shaking her head and staring at the monitor. ]

I won't bring your feelings up to anyone else involved with you unless they speak of them first, and I'll not continue the subject any more than I have to with anyone that isn't involved. How about that?

[ She respects his feelings, of course, so she wants to be able to resolve any discussion in a way that helps everyone out. It's her duty, after all! ]

[ He wishes he could tell Hythlodaeus to reign in his effusiveness but the man is as contrary as he remembers. It would likely backfire if he tried. ]

...Fine. And I'll not dictate how you speak to Hythlodaeus either. I simply want for things spoken in confidence to remain in confidence.

When have I ever broken your confidence? You need only communicate as much, Hades.

[ She smiles after that- ]

You're happy though, aren't you? That he's here?

[ There's a longer period of silence as he grapples with how he feels. Pleased. Grateful. Relieved. Resigned. Anguished. Wishing wholeheartedly that Hythlodaeus had never come. ]

...'Happy' is not how I would describe it. He and I are relics of the past. There is no place for us now.

Aye, but you're here already and existing with the rest of us, you may as well enjoy the ride, aye?

[ She knows a millennia of sadness can't just go away in a small period of time like this, but even someone like him deserves these small joys.

But it's a subject for another time, for now... ]

By the way, since you'd transformed before me once before... unless I dreamt it— think you could aid me in figuring out how to change shape?

Ah... Because you are a shapeshifter, correct? I'm not entirely certain the method will carry over but I suppose I can attempt to advise you.

Aye. I can turn into different beasts, but when I tried it, I was stuck as a coeurl and couldn't get down from on top of the cupboard.

[ Let's be real, that's happened to her as a miqo'te too. ]

I feel like the animal I took form with overwhelmed mine own thoughts and it was difficult to be clear of thought in that state.

You must have a clear image of your sense of self lest you let the thoughts of others overwhelm your own. This is true for any intelligent creature - not only passing souls but animals as well. The form you witnessed me transform into in the other city involves taking upon the souls of those departed. If my focus or will were to waver, they could very well consume me.

< thearchitect > | video

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farewell 69th comment...

it was Nice knowing it

8)

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