9th Taunt | Video/Action

[misterbrief]

[He'd thought a lot about this, long and hard. But even with all the evidence presented to him over the past year and a half, that still was never enough for him. He didn't want to rely on anything else to fight, he had his own power and his own strength. But being caught like he did so many times on the draft by shifters, relying solely on his own natural strength to survive- there had just been too many close calls.

And he had needed help more than once. How much that ate at his mind was unfathomable except to a few. One day no one was going to be there to help him, even if he hated the very idea of needing help. And if he wasn't ready, where would he be? Put into a position that he allowed for himself to be in, to die. To be sacrificed, like he was already by that bomb the cultists used on them. And next time, he wouldn't be so lucky and he knew it. He still had his reservations about contacting the spirits. But, he felt as if he couldn't avoid it much longer.

Too many what ifs. What if even something so small from the spirits would have helped him? He was sick of it, sick of knowing that might be the only thing he could rely on against their enemy. The only thing that worked when all his other powers were disabled. But even so, there's still more he wanted to know. Because if there's anything he hates, it's wasting time on things that are pointless.]

Video:

[The video feed flickers on, revealing the face of the prince, looking as serious as ever. He gets straight to the point.]

I must know. For those of you who are in contact with the spirits here, what use do you find in their power? Especially in combat. I might even have the patience to listen to a story or two regarding that, as I find it incredibly important in this matter. [He glances off to the side, knowing how this goes in Luceti.]

I know some of you would prefer to speak in person about such things. I'll be at Mythoria Café later tonight. But I won't stay long.

Action:

[As always, he's easily found. During the day, either at House 29 or the Battle Dome training, with both his sword or with his abilities. He does keep his word, appearing at Mythoria Café after he's done training and showered for the day.]

Comments

[misterbrief]

That boy Shikamaru. Unless he was misinformed.

[windandrain]

It's similar to some of the things the enemy uses, but I wouldn't consider it technically the same, as the origins of it are bound up with the spirits. Which we know are contained inside our barrier.

[misterbrief]

Well, I don't know where he got his information from but it would make perfect sense to call it the same thing. Just not nearly as powerful.

[A power not able to be disabled, can be used anywhere on this planet- sounds like shifting to him.]

[windandrain]

Well, I don't see why there's an issue with that, even if you label it that way. And if it is, that just means it's even more important to learn to use it, honestly. An open doorway into the power of this world could be useful later.

[Practicality.]

[misterbrief]

That's just the thing. I've always pondered if that same power would drive the user mad one day. Or be the start to something else.

[Maybe getting a hold of that thing they were sacrificed to.]

[windandrain]

That's why it's important to remember the reason to seek power, I believe. And to never, ever let the quest for that strength override that reason.

Power without restraint corrupts. But the magic granted by the majority of the spirits is so limited I doubt it'd be strong enough to corrupt you or me. It has a narrow use, and the purpose you want to learn to wield it for isn't for the power itself.

[misterbrief]

[He stays silent, thinking back. This power they were talking about was very little, but he would love to be more powerful, just not at the cost of getting it from somewhere else unless absolutely necessary.]

I hope you're right. The last thing I need is to give them another soldier in their army.

[windandrain]

And the last thing I need is for my champion to become my enemy.

[Because that would be a horrific fight.]

Would it help that, if I see you acting oddly, I'd stop you? The same as I'd expect from you.

[misterbrief]

I'd much prefer that. Get to me before it's too late. [He'd rather be dead.]

Anyway. I've still got to think long and hard on this before I go and do anything of the sort. Shifting, magic, whatever you want to call it, I'm not exactly thrilled with the idea. Nor know any way of how to use it. And then learning from a spirit I cannot see or touch? The idea itself is unreal.

[windandrain]

I feel the same, dear. I expect it.

[She takes another bite, chewing her tonkatsu thoughtfully before replying.]

I know, and it's not really something I'd say you'd absolutely have to use. I feel that it'd be useful and possibly eye-opening for you but if it's something you, personally, aren't comfortable with then I wouldn't say it's worth it. There are plenty of other people here who can use that power. And so much of it either you've already surpassed or would have no need of, aside from Nala.

[She sets down her spoon and shrugs.]

That's my honest opinion. I think you'd find some of the abilities useful, but rather niche. If that's all you were considering it for, and the thought of magic makes you uncomfortable, a gun might be something to consider.

[misterbrief]

A gun. [He's never held guns in high regard either, but that blaster she was using was certainly impressive. Frieza's soldiers had their own hand blasters too, he remembers now.]

I can lose a weapon, or it can break. I cannot lose filial magic. That's the advantage it has. [Though using a gun isn't out of the question either. He just doesn't have one.]

[windandrain]

Yes, though...there's your personal preference and comfort too. And the same can be said of a sword. I still count on it.

[Getting a gun shouldn't be hard. After all, she has one now.]

Again, this is sort of a balancing act. You can't be prepared for everything, neither can I. Filial magic has disadvantages, too. Given that it's fairly limited in scale and scope and despite my affinity for it, for example, I've learned to use a gun. It just doesn't have the same punch, unless you have a lightning storm to draw on or are willing to use fire.

[misterbrief]

One of the responses I received earlier gave more of a reason than just fighting to have them. While we were out there, supplies were limited- and I myself went without eating or water for quite some time. I could have pulled water out of the air with Sona had I had it available. And that's just one example.

[He doesn't disagree with her, but there's more benefits too.]</small.

[windandrain]

Well, the water is an issue I could deal with. I...forgot...but now that you mention it.

[She looks a little embarrassed as she reaches into her little belt bag and pulls out a water bottle.]

Take this. It won't run dry, ever.

[Whoops.]

[misterbrief]

...

[He takes it. And looks at it for a second.]

You...forgot. [THIS IS KIND OF IMPORTANT.]

[windandrain]

Well I thought I'd given you one already, actually.

[Ehehehehe.]

On TERRACE, I gave out a lot of them.

[And her memory is spotty at times, he knows that by now.]

But there, you have one now.

[misterbrief]

[He grips it and puts it in his pocket. He really could of used that, one more than one occasion.]

This would have been very useful to have, how do you forget something so important? [He's being a jerk, but he doesn't care because IT'S IMPORTANT.]

[windandrain]

[She sighs and closes her eyes, reaching up to finger her locket. A nervous gesture, she opens and closes it over and over.]

I...don't know. I thought I'd given you one before...and I'm sorry.

[It's fine if he's a jerk, she realizes now she screwed up.]

I could have...sworn I...did last time. [Her voice cracks as frustration with herself starts to take the forefront of her emotions. Her memory was getting bad again, as she hadn't performed the Rite in a while, and she knows she needs to but she doesn't want to, figuring it's better to go through things a little befuddled sometimes...

But then it's also affecting other people, people who need her help.]

Is there anything I can do to make up for it? I...really...truly had no idea.

[misterbrief]

Just try not to forget something so crucial in the future, okay? [It hadn't been life or death or anything, but still. He's still a little angered.]

[windandrain]

[She nods, obviously bothered by all of this and more than a little shaken. But since he's not pressing the issue? She's really somewhat grateful. Being reminded of her memory problems is not a pleasant thing.]

I'm sorry. I won't forget something like this again. Food, I...can't do anything about though.

[misterbrief]

I'll figure that part out on my own. [He'll just start bringing supplies with him, or something. He's never had to before, but it doesn't hurt to start.]

In the meantime, I should mention something that I'd forgotten about before when we were discussing this; the first time I'd ever really heard of the spirits was back when the lot of you returned from meeting the General. I was told the magic was far more powerful in the dream world. It just adds to the pile of situations that it might be useful.

[windandrain]

[It's a good idea, bringing supplies.]

Oh? That? Well, frankly, that had nothing to do with the spirits. From what I understood, it was just a part of that dream world. I was able to use magic from spirits I still haven't contacted.

[misterbrief]

Well then. [Guess that's not a concern after all.] That's a relief. To think I was actually concerned. [Kotetsu had not explained shit well, but who's surprised by that.]

[windandrain]

Yes, I used Eferin's magic and I've never touched fire before.

[She pauses, because yeah, Kotetsu was dumb.]

Regardless, learning to manipulate magical energy for a dream shift wouldn't be a terrible idea.

[misterbrief]

Hmmmm...... [Maybe he should suck it up and just give it a try. He did use it during that crazy week that he was a wizard for a few days. But still.]

I guess I could give it a shot. It can't be any harder than it was a few months ago.