[ She sure does, and she's completely unashamed by it all the same. ]
You would need to select your location appropriately. A place that is likely to have something worthwhile, yet unlikely for an attacker. [ A pause. ] Unless you have interest in stopping an attack.
[She stirs the cup with a small hum, watching the liquid part and settle. It's part meditative, part a habit. Not that she suspects Y'shtola in the slightest; one just gets used to looking for things where they don't belong.]
The umbrella I found in the chapel is very sturdy. I don't doubt it'd hold up against a few attacks. But as I am now, I don't know if I feel up to finishing fights. I already find it an unpleasant waste. [And yet it's probably rather obvious that she would intervene in one, even if another person transformed.] I would prefer to help the infected before they reach that point. Anyone who might be at risk should sleep peacefully.
[ She watches Cantarella stir carefully, and while she can't quite pick out her expression, she wonders if it's a result of her tendency to brew concoctions. ]
Very thoughtful of you, Matriarch.
[ In spite of her words, she does mean it. ]
Though it bears great risk, we may yet see good reason for its use at some point. If you intend to follow through in spite of it, that is.
Given that I only have one chance to use it, I won't throw it away until the perfect moment presents itself. My curiosity may be gnawing, but I do admit to finding the thought of oblivion...rather frightening.
[She will have to find her enrichment in other ways...like blowing holes in the road and whatever odd endeavors she and Y'shtola manage to fall into.]
I plan on it. I'm counting on knowing when that time is.
[Every step at the proper time in the proper order... She still believes that, even if she's been too late a few too many times to do everything she once hoped she could.]
So...now I'm the one chasing after forbidden knowledge. What have you managed to unearth?
[ She smiles, glad that Cantarella seems eager to find out that information. They're similar in that way, after all. ]
I'm confident that the dead remain among us in some fashion. For a while now I've made attempts to trace where the aether is most potent... I've narrowed it down to two locations—the central area and the well. Of course, the well has captured more of my interest than aught else.
My opinion of the well remains mixed at best. [She's seen a few too many things that make her hesitant, make her worry that the exchange and the reward are not worth the risk that comes with engaging with that dark pool of water.] But there are many others who have found the call of those waters more comforting.
[She doesn't yet feel the need to caution Y'shtola to not do anything terribly stupid with the well until they know exactly how it functions.]
The Central Field, however... Is the energy concentrated there tainted by the same "absence" you detected, that vacuous hunger?
A shimmering aether. That is what I have seen there, and what led me to wonder if the dead truly remained.
[ She crosses her arms, leaning her weight onto one foot as she thinks. ]
You may have some interest in the well water's appearance, now that it is top of mind. 'Tis that same negative space. Shimmering, and yet I cannot otherwise place it.
[That does make her think, and it also brings Cantarella to remember something she'd seen a while ago.]
Have you ever seen someone who jumped in? [Which, sigh, but:] They glow, though in my eyes it was much more vibrant... [Sparkling and almost golden, but maybe that can all be chalked up to what happens when you pull iridescence from darkness.]
[Let's hold hands and get mad at other people for sticking things in their mouths when we will do the same. Y'shtola's knifecat response will only see Cantarella crossing her arms, though.]
"It throws things back if it doesn't want them," is how I believe Kaios described it. What will you send down?
[She sighs.] I'm content to let you all do your work with it, but I'll overcome my aversion if it's necessary.
[It just seems like many people are tossing their coins into the well basked, as it were.]
Mayhap if you accompany me, your aversion will dissipate.
[ Don't listen to her Cantarella, she's just teasing. ]
I will send down a broom that I have charmed, with a note attached requesting that it be sent back up. I admit I am quite curious as to where it will end up.
The question of the hour. If it comes back intact, that's proof we're not so far apart, so that would be my hope.
[For better or for worse... It would also prove that Y'shtola's magic can survive slipping through whatever boundary is between them, even here, where most abilities are diminished at the very best.]
If it's replaced by something, that would be intriguing...but a much more complex riddle. I've never anticipated a gift from the well.
[Is she looking forward to it? Cantarella's eyes, slightly widened, blink.]
Well, yes. Though I'd certainly still be cautious of anything that emerges from the other side. There's always a thrill when a previously undiscovered option becomes available.
[The circumstances are too dire for her to really be so reckless about it, but there's that natural experimental curiosity bubbling just underneath.]
As am I. The opposite coin face of uncertainty is excitement.
[Enrichment for Y'shtola! Though Cantarella had mentioned accompanying her, she's certain they'll both be busy enough over the next few days following through on those prompted clues. It's a pity... she feels a small pang of wanting to satisfy her curiosity and have a bit of company, both.]
You will yet convince me of the well's usefulness and perhaps even its beauty in this ecosystem.
[Although it may be like jellyfish, delicate but dangerous.]
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You would need to select your location appropriately. A place that is likely to have something worthwhile, yet unlikely for an attacker. [ A pause. ] Unless you have interest in stopping an attack.
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The umbrella I found in the chapel is very sturdy. I don't doubt it'd hold up against a few attacks. But as I am now, I don't know if I feel up to finishing fights. I already find it an unpleasant waste. [And yet it's probably rather obvious that she would intervene in one, even if another person transformed.] I would prefer to help the infected before they reach that point. Anyone who might be at risk should sleep peacefully.
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Very thoughtful of you, Matriarch.
[ In spite of her words, she does mean it. ]
Though it bears great risk, we may yet see good reason for its use at some point. If you intend to follow through in spite of it, that is.
no subject
[She will have to find her enrichment in other ways...like blowing holes in the road and whatever odd endeavors she and Y'shtola manage to fall into.]
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[ Y'shtola isn't afraid of oblivion, but even she knows that the risk must be well worth it. ]
I have information that may be of interest for you, if you should like to hear it. Something to sate your curiosity for the time being.
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[Every step at the proper time in the proper order... She still believes that, even if she's been too late a few too many times to do everything she once hoped she could.]
So...now I'm the one chasing after forbidden knowledge. What have you managed to unearth?
no subject
I'm confident that the dead remain among us in some fashion. For a while now I've made attempts to trace where the aether is most potent... I've narrowed it down to two locations—the central area and the well. Of course, the well has captured more of my interest than aught else.
no subject
[She doesn't yet feel the need to caution Y'shtola to not do anything terribly stupid with the well until they know exactly how it functions.]
The Central Field, however... Is the energy concentrated there tainted by the same "absence" you detected, that vacuous hunger?
no subject
[ She crosses her arms, leaning her weight onto one foot as she thinks. ]
You may have some interest in the well water's appearance, now that it is top of mind. 'Tis that same negative space. Shimmering, and yet I cannot otherwise place it.
no subject
Have you ever seen someone who jumped in? [Which, sigh, but:] They glow, though in my eyes it was much more vibrant... [Sparkling and almost golden, but maybe that can all be chalked up to what happens when you pull iridescence from darkness.]
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[ But they glow, huh... That's something to think about. ]
Does it last?
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[She tries to remember when Nala's glow faded. She'd spent so much of that week in the pool, using the water to comfort her new jellyfish traits.]
I do hope you're not getting any ideas between those fluffy ears.
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[ She smiles, like she's been caught. ]
I do intend to experiment with it. I may drop something down the well and see if it returns to me in time.
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"It throws things back if it doesn't want them," is how I believe Kaios described it. What will you send down?
[She sighs.] I'm content to let you all do your work with it, but I'll overcome my aversion if it's necessary.
[It just seems like many people are tossing their coins into the well basked, as it were.]
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[ Don't listen to her Cantarella, she's just teasing. ]
I will send down a broom that I have charmed, with a note attached requesting that it be sent back up. I admit I am quite curious as to where it will end up.
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Since you faced your discomfort with jellyfish to meet with me, maybe I should travel there at your side.
[Of course, Y'shtola can handle herself.]
Will it return a normal broom, or are you hoping to see it become more powerful than before?
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A charmed broom. I intend to send it down the well already charmed so as to grab their attention... if it manages to make its way there, of course.
[ But she's pretty confident it will. ]
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[Cantarella was more curious simply because:]
I just wonder what will come back up.
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As do I. Have you any hopes for something in particular?
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[For better or for worse... It would also prove that Y'shtola's magic can survive slipping through whatever boundary is between them, even here, where most abilities are diminished at the very best.]
If it's replaced by something, that would be intriguing...but a much more complex riddle. I've never anticipated a gift from the well.
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Are you looking forward to it?
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Well, yes. Though I'd certainly still be cautious of anything that emerges from the other side. There's always a thrill when a previously undiscovered option becomes available.
[The circumstances are too dire for her to really be so reckless about it, but there's that natural experimental curiosity bubbling just underneath.]
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Indeed, something could go awry in the travel between both realms.
[ But… ]
I myself am eager to discover if it might return without anything amiss.
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[Enrichment for Y'shtola! Though Cantarella had mentioned accompanying her, she's certain they'll both be busy enough over the next few days following through on those prompted clues. It's a pity... she feels a small pang of wanting to satisfy her curiosity and have a bit of company, both.]
You will yet convince me of the well's usefulness and perhaps even its beauty in this ecosystem.
[Although it may be like jellyfish, delicate but dangerous.]
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Quite the accomplishment indeed, given your dislike of it. Dangerous as it may be, it has its uses. We must simply use its power against it.