fate_has_spoken | (no subject)

How truly kind.

[He stretches his arms above his head and his back pops to what sounds painfully. He sits down at a table and begins eating.]

So what would you like to do now?

It just so happens I was asking about the area. Nothing sounds familiar to me -- no surprise -- but there is a place I'd like to take a look at, if you're up for it.

[Taking his gun and sliding it across the table.]

Then this I return to you with my thanks. I doubt all the monsters that would come across a path will be wolf in nature.

[Flexing the fingers of one hand.]

Much to my relief, I am feeling better. Perhaps even to the point where not every Creation will cause me effort.

[He takes the gun and tucks it away.]

Now, what do you mean by "creation," exactly? Some facet of your magic, I assume.

Yes, 'tis the root of it. No need to worry about the particulars. Shall we depart after breakfast?

That suits me.

[He does pause and think. Emet-Selch can be cagey, but it probably won't hurt to ask his question, right?]

Speaking of your magic, though -- while I'm glad that getting enough rest seems to improve your condition... [He pauses. How to put this?] If we found some source of the right kind of magic, would that also help? For curiosity's sake.

[He looks at him confused.]

I don't understand. What do you mean?

Look, I don't understand all this business with magic and souls and -- how you work.

[He waves a hand towards Emet-Selch's chest.]

However, when we were in that grandmother's hut, you talked about... What was it, your soul? You scattering or burning away. Using magic seems to put a strain on you, and as far as I know, only magic can put a soul together or take it apart.

So, I was wondering if finding you a source of magic would help. Topping off the tank, so to speak, so you might be able to close up that hole in your chest, or use magic more easily.

A kind thought, truly. It's almost as if you were concerned.

[Unconsciously digging his fingers into his shirt where the hole would be.]

Though your words ring true. There should be some remedy, some magic that would aide in healing. Unfortunately, I know not what that would be. Never have I been so grievously wounded. I often wonder how I'm still alive.

Souls are ---- well, to put it simply, nothing is simple when souls are involved.

Complicated, hmm. I'm not surprised. It's troublesome if you're the expert here and even you don't know what to do, but not knowing how to fix something doesn't mean there isn't a way.

You seem to know when the wrong kind of magic is being used on you -- or at least, you complained about it when that grandmother tried to help -- so perhaps we can find something that has the right magic, and go from there.

I was not implying there wasn't. And I stopped her because I didn't know the nature of her magic --- I still don't as I did not have enough time to examine it. To mix them would without prior knowledge would be akin to swirling together to unknown alchemical components and hoping they don't combust. You can appreciate how poorly that would have gone for me.

Ah, but I will keep my eyes open as much as I can. Should the affliction be on someone besides my person the solution would be easier to grasp.

I doubt we're going to find someone else around here with your... peculiar constitution, let alone your same condition. Sometimes you need to take a few risks to make progress, too, but I can't fault you for being reluctant when it's your life on the line.

[A sigh. Not in irritation, but from taking the weight of wondering what to do and dismissing it.]

No point in thinking about it for too long without a lead, I suppose.

None at all.

[He holds up his glass.]

To the adventurer life. By His Grace, I can't believe I'm saying this.

[He holds his glass up as well with a laugh.]

Come now, no need to be like that. Maybe you'll find out that this sort of life is the one you were meant to lead all along.

Absolutely not! If I had my choice, I'd stay in my bed surrounded by all that I care about for all eternity. Seeking thrills is the farthest from my mind.

Oh? Lazing about in comfort sounds grand for about half of eternity. What is it you care about that wouldn't run out or grow tiresome eventually? Most people need variety, or so I should think.

The alternative of excitement if one could even call it that, I've already seen. I would take my chances.

Excitement isn't the only alternative, you know. Newness. A change of pace. Something different, even if it doesn't get the blood pumping.

Have you never wanted to change something for the sake of change?

Ah --- now we are getting into private matters. Matters I would not like to discuss out in the open. Would I but ask, perhaps tomorrow might be a better day to depart. There is still much I would like to learn of you and yours.

My apologies. I wasn't trying to dig too deeply; I was only trying to learn more about you, myself.

If you'd rather put off traveling for another day, I don't mind.

I do not fault you. It is simply personal.

And it appears as if we are of like mind. Shall we move to the guest room?

[He stands to head there.]

After you, then.

[Nodding kindly to those gathered in the main cabin as he picks up his plate and takes it with him into the room. He kicks out the chair for Tyki, and sits down in his pile of furs.]

You mentioned change for the sake of change before. Might you clarify?

[He sits down, leaning back as he folds his arms and crosses an ankle over his opposite knee.]

I was only thinking of travel and the like. Seeing new sights. You seem have something very different in mind, however.

[Shaking his head, but with a rueful smile.]

Homesick does not even begin to describe the ache that I have felt for what seems like forever. Should I ever reclaim that place, well, I imagine I would never want to leave it. Even if I was stuck there for a thousand lifetimes.