video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

Hey there, friends! I have a little poem I wrote for you. Yes, you.

[Well, he actually wrote it for Merlin, but who's nitpicking? He reaches for a piece of paper he composed his masterpiece on, clears his throat, and recites:]

My magic is green,
But also dark,
After hearing my terrible poetry
Are you feeling a little spark?

... No? [There's a lingering grin on his face, before he screws up the paper and tosses it over his shoulder.] Oh well! I'll think of something catchier next time.

Anyway, now that I've got your attention, I just wanted to let everyone know that earlier last month, me and a couple of pals did a little exploring in the desert on the north side of the island. It was a long journey, but eventually we found what I can only call a huge whirlpool of sand.

I would have loved to have gotten closer to see what was causing it, but the sandstorms around it were way too strong. My guess has to be some powerful being hiding inside it, or maybe some strong magics were cast on the area to keep out intruders. For now, it's a dead end.

It did get me wondering, though: has anyone done any exploring of their own around the island? What did you find?

Comments

video | un: arcturus

[theleadingman]

No doubt you did your level best, Claude.

[It was An Attempt at poetry, at the very least.]

If you ask me, an obstacle like that is just begging to be overcome. Not very inconspicuous, is it? I'm curious to know what lies beneath those sands, myself— and, admittedly, humbled that you found something of that nature before I did.

[He may have been dragging his heels about exploration because he's grumpy about not having a ship. Perhaps.]

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

[He'll just give a little bow at the compliment. It was, indeed, An Attempt.]

Even the god of the desert himself could do anything to get us through, I'm afraid, so we'll just have to contain our curiosity for the time being.

Maybe now I've thrown down the gauntlet, you can find some exciting secrets of your own, though!

text; @rose_of_gloucester

[silky_bearing]

That isn't even poetry. It's an abomination.

text; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

No need to hold back your critique on my account.

video; un: resolver

[gunmettle]

[ If by spark, you mean the soft glow of embers on the end of Juzo's cigarette as he takes a deep inhale, then sure. Otherwise, he seems largely unimpressed. He exhales a plume of smoke at the camera. ]

Don't quit your day job - not sure what that is, exactly, but I'm assuming it's not "poet".

In any case, I'm more interested to hear why you went on your little expedition in the first place.

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

It isn't, but everyone can have a hobby on the side, can't they?

[As for that second remark...] I first saw the edge of the desert when our resident ambassador brought me to see the Calamity, and I got curious. Deserts can hide all kinds of secrets.

video; un: pinkmemory

[inemeraldfaith]

Is that really poetry?

[Aerith doesn't feel convinced.]

I guess it rhymes, but I'm not sure I'd really classify it as poetry.

[But that's probably why he called it 'terrible poetry.' It's pretty awful. And Aerith is no poet herself.]

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

Hmm, what would you classify it as, O Arbiter of all Literature?

video; un: tachibana.i

[currysseur]

( okay, it did make her laugh, a little. which is good because Izumi is still a little pouty about her fluffy hair and new rabbit ears. and honestly, after trying to understand Homare's poetry... )

Well, it was clear and easy to understand.

( that's the nicest thing she can say about it. but as for the rest of this post... )

I didn't know people explored out there. Was that all you found?

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

[Everyone's a critic...!]

Well, they do now. I also saw what looked like a river in the distance, but it was too risky to press on to reach it.

voice; un: rokumon

[garyoutensei]

First; don't quit your dayjob.

[ She doesn't even know what that is. Don't tell her it's poet. ]

Second; if you make a second expedition out there, I could try some of my siphon abilities to see if I can't pull some mana from whatever magic is making that thing churn. Could be useful.

voice; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

Gentle maiden... My heart is shattered. Did my words not move you?

[As for her suggestion, he drops the obnoxious poet act to give a more serious reply--] I think we'd need a whole army of siphon mages to even make a dent in that thing, and the journey itself isn't an easy one. You're better off siphoning your magic elsewhere if you want a power source.

video; un: cherrypit

[polterguide]

I feel like I’m back in high school listening to my classmates struggle.

[It is nostalgic in the worst kind of way. The faun scratches at the base of their horn, making a face.]

But I guess props for doing a reading.

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

Ooh, I remind you of an old classmate? Could it be that you're feeling... a connection?

video; un: b.eisner

[hegemonwings]

...It's a start. I might have some books to offer, if you've an interest in verse.

[ she's begun taking an interest in prose and verse herself. really, though, she seems more interested in the report about what he found. that raises a lot of questions. she may not be quite the byleth he knew, but that deep well of curiosity remains, even if it might be overshadowed by some of her other traits at times. a thoughtful look flickers across her face, as she reaches for a cup of tea from just out of frame. ]

It sounds like the sort of magic Indech used to hide himself, but... Who cast it and for what purpose? If we can uncover that, it could give useful insight for our situation as a whole.

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

Er, that's okay, Teach, but thank you for offering.

[He never actually expected such a serious response, though maybe he should have from her, in hindsight.]

Oh, so you know about Indech, do you? I suppose it's not far off. Maybe someone amongst the fae knows something, but where I should start asking is anyone's guess. From what I could tell, no one lived or travelled out there.

Voice; @rose_of_gloucester

[silky_bearing]

Professor, do not encourage him. I beg of you.

Video; un: astrologistmegistus

[lunarchain]

[ Ignores the poem completely. ]

Have you been to the Archivists Home and could you tell me more about your exploration?

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

I've been there once or twice, yeah. The different accounts about Arthur and his knights are the most interesting texts there, at least to me.

As for my exploration, what else do you want to know? Maybe about the giant sand worms? The cute wild camels? The disappointing lack of lost treasures?

video; un: animalfriend

[sereneadherent]

[Marianne is giggling as she responds.]

It sounds like you did your very best with that, Claude.

[He did no such thing, and they both know it. But that's besides the point.]

This desert that you went to... this is the same place where you can see the edge of the world, isn't it?

video; un: stargazer

[leicesters]

[He made Marianne laugh!! Screw Merlin, this post was worth it just for that.]

That's right. The first time I went to the edge of the world is when I first saw the desert, and I was just dying to know what was out there. I can't say yet whether the trip was worth it, but it's at least information that we didn't have before.

Who knows? Maybe I really have a nose for these things, and that maelstrom is hiding something just like the Wind Caller.

text; un: birdofprey

[notquitetamed]

Don't quit your day job there.

Curious about the sandstorm. How high up does it go? Or did someone already try flying above it?

[leicesters]

You know, you're the third person to say that. [The day job thing, that is. Popular catchphrase here?]

Have you seen a sandstorm before? Up close it's impossible to guess how high they are. We didn't have the means to fly above it, either, and I doubt it'd be safe to do so except from a distance.

video;

[reloves]

[ Wow, what's this? Cute guys poetry day? Sign her right up.

Aka, apparently Claude has found the best way to grab attention indeed, because Minako is listening with wide, sparkly eyes, totally charmed by that awful poetry. ]

Wow, you're smart and creative! What a perfect guy!

[ But okay, okay-- she shakes her head. Minako can be serious too for a moment! ]

But.. that whirlpool of sand.. You mean the sand was moving around?

[leicesters]

[He winks, enjoying the praise, however seriously it's meant (or not).]

That's right. Like a maelstrom out at sea, except it was made of sand. I bet a lovely lady like yourself is clever enough to help me figure out what it could mean, right?