khuioduan | video

Anyone know if there's a way other than the carriages to get back to Aifaran?

[Enki looks... kind of grumpy when the video pops up, pinched confusion on his face and chattering arguments fading in the background - though there's one little creature perched on his shoulder, shaking its tiny fist at somebody off screen and clearly part of the reason for the noise - though he grunts a moment later, rolling his eyes. At the brownie or his (partially self-inflicted) situation, is harder to tell.]

'Cause the two I passed earlier said they were full, or couldn't take me.

[They hadn't been full, either with people or other cargo, but whatever their reason for refusing, there clearly was one, so he hadn't argued. He's just lucky the brownies brought the yimo as well as his clothes when he finally managed to convince them to listen and just go, instead of arguing about how to do what he wanted them to. Actually, despite the surprise of them appearing and the discomfort when he'd first noticed the mark, he's now glad it's there.]

[locked to Elizabeth and Sheena]

I, er, hope these things didn't turn the room upside down while getting my clothes. I'll put things back if they did.

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[What didn't go wrong? Rokuta wrinkles his nose as he grimaces. He could lie, of course. Just because he is what he is doesn't mean he's incapable of lying, and being careful still seems like a good idea...

But telling someone the basic facts, especially one of the two people he lives with, might... be a good idea too. Though, since they have company, right now...]

I forgot things aren't like home. [He rolls his eyes and grins sheepishly. That really did happen, after all. You'd think that'd have been hammered home with a few weeks here by now.] And I also fell into the river. I'm lucky I can apparently summon those little guys now...

[A pause, as he gestures vaguely to his shoulder, where the strange mark is, then meets Sheena's eyes pointedly.]

But it'll be easier to explain when we're back.

[ She sees that grimace, Rokuta, and an eyebrow raises in concern. Though she gives him an understanding smile when he answers. ]

It does take some getting used to, doesn't it? And I kind of figured that something had happened to your clothes.

[ Her expression changes slightly and she glances at the driver before giving Rokuta a fast nod. ]

No problem. [ TOPIC CHANGE ] So, I take it you weren't a Summoner before you came here? How did you find out?

It does, yeah. First time something like this happened to me, I was a little kid, and then it's easy to get used to things.

[A shrug both to dismiss that and relax as she takes his maybe not too subtle hint and thankfully changes the topic, causing him to laugh.]

Not like this, no! Couldn't figure out what the mark was supposed to do, since it obviously was something. And it was just when I realised I'd messed up and wondering how I was gonna get my clothes and get a way back to the city. Guess they responded to the need?

[He frowns a little and shakes his head. He's still not entirely comfortable with it, but at least knowing what it apparently does is a weight off his shoulders.]

That something you're familiar with?

[ Sheena chuckles and nods. ]

Oh yeah. Kids are easily adaptable. [ She sighs. ] I wish some adults were, too. [ She's obviously not referring to him.

Sheena gives him a reassuring smile. ]

But like I said, give it time. You're already used to a couple of things, and before you know it, you'll be used to a lot more.

[ She listens intently, nodding as he explains almost her exact feelings about her own mark. The her smile widens. She likes talking to other Summoners. ]

You could say that. I'm a Summoner back home--and can also call them here.

[ Aaand cue a startled "what else can she do" glance from the driver. ]

Oh yeah, some people fossilise like they're a million years old as soon as they become twenty! [Rudely snorting in not-at-all disguised amusement at the pointed comment, he nods. She's probably right about getting used to it, and at least he's aware it's a thing that can happen. Others swept here don't have the same sort of awareness to build on.]

At least I know it can happen... others don't get the same. [A shrug, but he quickly drops that in favour of turning to face Sheena fully, leaning forward a little.]

Really? How does it work?

[And maybe he smirks a little past Sheena at the driver for that startled look and the way he shuffles away a little. Not that he's not at least a little sympathetic, whatever reason the drivers had had so far to decline him, but that doesn't mean he's not gonna be at least a little amused at their expense. Won't hurt them.

But he's honestly more focused on Sheena's little reveal. He's not really one, not in the way like he seems to be able to summon these brownies now, but there is still his Shirei and the way they're bound.]

[ Sheena gives him a wry look before laughing. ] Good thing I'm not one of them--since I'm 25! [ Or 590, thanks to Dream Time.

Her expression becomes solemn. ]

That's true. For some, change can be terrifying. For others, it's a step forward. [ Which can lead to some rather interesting results... ]

Like with my Summoning. [ Her gaze becomes unfocused for a moment. ] But you want to know how it works. [ She faces him. ]

Have you ever heard of Elemental Spirits?

[Scratching the back of his head, Rokuta grins wryly.] Probably not in the way you know 'em; there's lots of spirits and other creatures were I'm from, and some of them can be bound into pacts.

[... By a small handful of people but, details. He raises his eyebrows, studiously ignoring the driver on Sheena's other side.]

Something like that?

[ Sheena's eyes widen at the word "pacts" and she nods slowly. ]

That's pretty much how it is on my world--except there are only ten Spirits that you can make pacts with. And they're the ones who know if you have the Right to do so--before you have to prove yourself to them.

[ She scratches her head and laughs sheepishly. ]

So, maybe not like what you know.

Only ten? [Frowning, Rokuta listened, head cocked.] Guess that means there's nor many summoners either?

[Sure, there could be a lot and you'd just have to get there first and, ah, yeah, have the 'right'. He wasn't surprised to hear that part, and grinned wryly.]

Actually... Depending on the method of the 'proving', pretty similar. I suppose in essence it's similar enough either way. It's a fight of will; if your will's stronger than the youma, they'll consent to the pact.

[If it wasn't... well. Good bye kirin. No need to say that, though.]

Yeah, only ten. One for each of the eight elements, and then there are the Father of the Spirits, and the Ruler of Them. The last two can use multiple Elements. [ Which tells just how powerful the Spirits can be. His question, however, deflates her slightly. ] At one time there were a lot of Summoners, but it became a lost art over the centuries.

As far as I know, I'm the only one left.

[ She picks up slightly and starts to chuckle. ]

By "fight of will", do you mean an actual, physical battle? Because that's how it goes on my world.

[ And she'd hate to imagine what would have happened if she hadn't proven her worth. ]

Ah... [Frowning, he doesn't ask what happened, but reaches out to pat one of her knees. Then he ends up snorting, shaking his head.]

If it was a physical battle, I definitely wouldn't be here. No, just pitching your will against the youma. Actual battle, huh. Can't be easy.

Yeah... The Spirits were sealed away for centuries, so I guess that after a while, since the ability wasn't being used, it just faded away. [ And half-elves were probably incarcerated/killed, adding to the decline.

She looks at him in surprise. ]

The youma fight to the death? Not just to being defeated? [ Wow. She hadn't even considered that to be the case with the Spirits back home. She's just going to have to ask Origin about it some time. ]

And no, it wasn't easy. Especially when one wanted to be left alone because he had been betrayed by the last pact-maker.

Makes sense. [At her surprise, Rokuta shrugs, his smile lopsided.] Yeah. You lose the fight of willpower, you're dead. Makes it a kinda risky business.

[He's suspecting there's a slight difference between the types of beings they make pacts with. Youma are, after all, at the bottom wilder, more... well, hostile than anything else.]

Yeah, I imagine that wouldn't make it particularly eager to agree to a new pact, even after you defeated it.

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