voice

[corundrum]

[A ponderous, quiet sound of crystal tinkling against crystal comes through the feed for a moment or two before someone takes over. It's a deep, androgynous voice, calm and somewhat light, as if with no concerns to speak of.]

I think that display earlier in the month taught us all a little bit more about these "talents" we grasp in coming to this world, huh? But I wonder if anyone knows even more than that yet. Do you think Dreamfolk past have written about this for us?

A strange thing happened recently, too. I felt as if I'd been leaving aside this so-called talent of mine, almost...but in my absence from it, it seems to have become ten times as powerful. It seems like even a neglected talent can flower unexpectedly.

Now I'm wondering whether all the people training so hard earlier this month know that as well. [There's a slight, rolling laugh before the message ends, with another shimmering sound like falling ice.]

Comments

[rutility]

Hmm. I believe you are right, but I don't want to rule anything out just yet.

[A pause, and then their words are deliberate. The truth is that they haven't considered it beyond some passing thought.] I haven't. I don't have the faintest idea what it could be, either. It's clear to me that I must have one, but I wouldn't know how to begin seeking it out.

What did you do?

[corundrum]

[Padparadscha gives a very soft laugh, though it's one that isn't quite genuine.] Someone encouraged me to try and find out what it was, and it happened accidentally when I touched them. It's a little annoying to be introduced to something that's not quite in your control, huh?

[Obviously now that they're more aware of it, they can exert more command over it, but that first time hadn't been one they'd much appreciated.]

[rutility]

[It's a shame they're not on video, because Padparadscha would be treated to the comical grimace that twists Rutile's features. Instead, they'll have to do with Rutile's sullen reply.]

I've had quite enough of things that aren't in my control lately. I don't know how keen I am on finding another. [They sigh.]

[corundrum]

I think it'll find you one way or another. At least searching for it yourself means you choose when it comes.

[Padparadscha certainly knows the feeling, and they can understand Rutile's exhaustion with that, but it seems to be a fact of life here, unfortunately.]

[rutility]

... You're right.

[Padparadscha is always right.]

I'll have to be more active about it. It would probably be safer too to discover it on my own, instead of the middle of the city where windows can break. Just in case it's dangerous.

[corundrum]

I've heard quite some tales of talents already, so a dangerous one is certainly something to consider. But then again, maybe you'll avoid sharing my kind of talent.

[Padparadscha's tone seems faintly amused at that, though it had been somewhat less so when they'd finally discovered the meaning of their marking to be that of Destruction.]

[rutility]

[Excellent. An opportunity to talk about something other than Rutile. They spring at the chance.]

What is your talent, anyway? Besides being cryptic and mysterious, of course. It's rare that skills increase when unused.

[corundrum]

[There's a soft laugh at the jab, but Padparadscha answers the question eventually.] It's not an easy one to describe, but when it's in use, I seem to jolt living things when I touch them. It used to just preoccupy them for a moment, but it seems to actually hurt them a little now.

[Which is...unfortunate, and makes them even more reluctant to train the power, but it is what it is.]

[rutility]

[Rutile's somewhat confused, but it's more from the lack of detail than the complexity of what Padparadscha describes.] A jolt? Such as with force? That hardly seems new, truth be told.

[Is that reluctance in Padparadscha's voice? Perhaps, but perhaps Rutile is hearing things. Even so, they ignore it.] Perhaps you should have taken the Tourney opportunity to practice it. Most people entering that seemed to know what they were getting into, at least.

[corundrum]

A jolt of electricity. [A jolt of force absolutely wouldn't be anything new, but at least Padparadscha has been here long enough to know how much force to employ against softer things. This is different, and not in a way they like.]

True, but the Destruction talents seemed to have other things on their mind than simply competing. [The showmanship would've been a dream for someone like Red Beryl.]