aterat | [Log] Same Shit, Different World

Entry tags:

[Log] Same Shit, Different World

Who: Nida, OTA
What: Explorations and Seeking Magic Out
Where: Around the city
When: July
Warnings: None planned, will update as needed

There's a lot to be said about how weird it was to be in a place like this and still be able to feel. Feel in a way he had lost so long ago, the world feeling warm and distant somewhere in himself that didn't... didn't fully make sense. Which of course only led to him wandering, his head spinning with a sense he had forgotten. With the curl of a voice caressing his mind, cradling him with warmth and promise, the touch of a seaside breeze caressing him with all the comfort he could offer.

Magic. He can taste it in the air, and as he wanders the city, Nida will sometimes stop, abruptly, to look at people near him, or some bauble on display. Sometimes his head snaps up quickly, and he moves quickly down an alley or behind a building, only to be visible walking the top of the structure moments later. All of it with an aura of someone watching. Seeking.

"Hyne," he curses as he moves through the Historium, trying to find just what was setting his senses off there.

Or he's there on the top of the Red housing building, his eyes flirting over the city as he draws a map of the place from the high vantage, mumbling under his breath in another language.

There's even a moment when he nearly trips over someone in the market, dancing quickly aside at the last moment because his eyes had been caught up toward the path leading down toward the Curio shop.

In the end, though, he settles down near the fountain, sitting in a meditative position, eyes closed. Until, though, someone started to get close. Then his eyes flashed open, a brief flash of bronze light in his eyes before it settled back down, leaving attentive dark eyes gazing at whoever has approached.

"You feel like magic."

[OOC: Nida is capable of sensing magic, and because of his own abilities, drawing magic from the people around him. That means everyone not-native to the Aterat pings on his senses some because of a natural spell welling up from them in his senses. He can draw a small amount of that power from them, but only with permission which he will seek in-character permission every time. Feel free to message me here or on

churbooseanon to discuss.]

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Holding attention, keeping it fixed on one aspect of him and off of others (lot of good that did today). Accessories were a glamour in their own natural way, with no need for effort or focus on his part. It also helped with impressing the mark, a human noble was far more likely to try to impress if they thought you were like, show off things that they shouldn’t be showing off... and missing the strangeness that followed him. Sleight of hand here, a candlestick turning into a rat there, or a crab scuttling along the floor under doorways.

And of course, it helped that he just took to liking how they looked. Too much time among humans and other silly-minded fae, his father often said.

“Well if you like the taste enough to savour it, who am I to discourage you further?” He responded with a little dramatic lift of his shoulders, smirking a little despite the curiosity and concern over this little conversation. “Maybe I walked through an enchantment around the city, you did say you didn’t feel it before?” A weak excuse given Nida’s next words, of course... To draw from a well of power was definitely not something you could do with a spell casted on one by an outside party.

“You say much that I’m not sure I follow, Nida. I’m starting to wonder if this is what a jellyfish caught in a whirlpool feels like.” He keeps the charade going, curious but at least a little cautious for now. Caelan liked the guy, he had proven to be fun company and he was definitely becoming more intriguing the longer he knew him. “Just what do you mean by draw, and what would you do once you had?”

Oh boy, there is a lot to... say about this. How did he even explain magic? Nida closes his eyes and holds a hand before him. And light starts to coalesce around his hand, before he releases the spell, uncast.

"I mean calling part of the magic that wells up within you, and using it as a spell. I maintain a few. Healing spells, protective spells, elemental spells. That's what you feel like. Not like an enchantment. That feels more... like a blanket curled around the shoulders, not like a fountain when you're pushing its button."

Caelan is careful to keep his reactions genuine, like he honestly hadn’t much of an idea about magic beyond what he’d seen since arriving here. His reaction to the light being surprised but intrigued, without being too over the top. His head tilting slightly at the sight in some awe, before he shifted his focus back to Nida and the conversation once it had disappeared.

He draws up a gloved hand, tapping his fingers on his chin lightly as he seemed to be connecting the dots and forming his next question on the subject. “I think I follow? So you're saying that it’s something I’ve got naturally, that you could tap into and use for a spell?” He hummed lightly, before tilting his head to add, “What kind of element? Or can you not tell that much.” And, the more important follow up questions, “If you're drawing it from me to use, would I notice? Would it affect me somehow?”

"I don't know. Until I call to the magic in you, I won't be able to tell. Touching the magic will feel like warmth flowing through your body from your heart and outward from there through your veins. If I draw, it will feel like a pulling that... That you really can't define."

You have to feel it, the way it pulls at the essence of the soul without damaging it. It's not the most comfortable, but it's not truly PAINFUL and definitely not harmful. He hopes. Because here, in this world, he doesn't know how it would work.

If Caelan were being smart, he’d probably halt this line of conversation. He probably should have before getting to this point.

Let it be known, Caelan was only smart sometimes. When involved in a plan that mattered to him and others, or when someone reminded him to pull back a bit before he ended up in trouble. The rest of the time he was a curious idiot prone to entertaining ideas that seemed interesting and worth pursuing regardless of any risk. The risk today being the fact that he was still trying very hard to be a Human™ until he felt secure enough to trust someone with the fact that he wasn’t.

Instead of discouraging further exploration of the matter, he let himself wonder just how much Nida could work out from his talent for feeling magic and drawing from it. So much of what he was, was tied to magic, tied to natural elements. He wants to know more about what the man could do, so why not? Could be useful at a later date, after all. “Well now that you have me properly curious about this, I find myself wanting to see how it works. Maybe I’ll learn something, yeah?”

Learning wasn't hte purpose, except for Nida's learning whether or not he could get more spells here. But with the man's agreement he nods. He closes his eyes temporarily to get in tune with Siren and then opens them, his hand glowing a soft blue for half a moment before he held his hand out toward Caelan without touching him.

Which would be when the warmth started in Caelan, and maybe even a gentle tingling in his skin. Then the pulling, as light rose to Caelan's skin and then gathered into larger points that pulled off of the man and took on a pale purple-blue glow before sailing through the air to Nida's palm, where they mingled with the magic there before it all sank into his skin and he could feel the thrill in Siren at what they had found.

He could practically taste the ocean on his tongue, and nodded with pleasure at what he'd found.

"Water spell," Nida muses aloud as the light faded and he felt the new spells settle in next to the old. "Three charges. Not very much compared to home, but the magic is weaker here, so it could be you're a very powerful source of it. But now you feel... I don't know. Not inert. But like a draw point that's temporarily tapped out. Like the magic needs time to build up to the point of me calling for it again."

Caelan blinked, not really having to work to keep an air of curiosity and surprise in his expression as the sensation hit. That was... odd. Not unpleasant, simply strange and unfamiliar. A sense of something being pulled away, not much but definitely something. The concentration on his own magics might slip for a second, before he hummed and came back to himself as he watched the pale glow moved from him to Nida.

That was definitely a new experience, he knew of fae that bestowed favour and magical aid to others, but even that was rare and it was something that a selkie generally couldn’t do. Their gifts were usually for those without magic, aiding fishermen with a catch and the like.

If anything, it was interesting to learn how Nida’s abilities worked and what sort of things it would grant the man. At the very least, it was nice to know he could do it without getting too much information. Just a spell then, the element and... apparently that he carried a decent sized reserve of power. Or at least more than the average in a world like this did. Unsurprising given what he was, but as he’d hoped, a vague sort of knowledge.

“That was an interesting experience? Never felt something like that before...” Relaxing, folding his arms lightly and keeping his tone light and curious as he continued with interest.“And a water spell? Hmm... I suppose that’d make sense. I did live very close to the sea before. How fascinating, what can the water spell do? Is it useful at least?”

"Not everyone who lives close to the shore has water magic. It's actually quite rare," Nida admits with a shrug. "Fire, ice, electricity, those are more common."

Still, he loves the fell of it in his head. Water magic was one of his specialties, and someone here might have it so he can bribe them with whatever to access it was... nice. Now if only he could find wind.

"It's one of my specialties, but the shore isn't my thing."

“Really? That seems odd, you would think water magic would be more natural in those near the water.” He grinned though, amused by something. “If it’s so rare, I suppose that makes sense. I have been known to be quite elusive, after all.”

As long as Nida continued to be an agreeable and interesting person, Caelan wouldn’t be hard to bribe. There were a few ways to earn the man’s disdain, but he would know it if it happened. The dramatics tended to get worse, and shifted in mood quickly. So far, Nida seemed like the kind of person he could get along with.

If anything the way his magic worked was new, and so very different from what he’d seen before. “What is your ‘thing’ then?”

"Spells tend to fall in line more with personalities from my experience," Nida shrugs.

How did he even begin to explain how weird the whole situation of magic in his world worked? There were entire Garden classes on paramagic? Perhaps just the bullet points.

"My thing is wind magic, though I have water skills too. A touch of healing too. I could... show you?"

Caelan was happy for the basics, if only to learn about how Nida’s magics all worked. Wind and water though... It would make him useful on a ship, that’s for sure. Not that there were any in the docks that were seaworthy, but the point still stood. He could think of a few crews in his own world that would have loved to have a person of such talents on board.

Taking a seat on the edge of the fountain, he decided to get settled for this little conversation. Caelan nodded for the man to continue a moment later. “Yes, I think a demonstration would definitely be in order if you’re up for it.”

With how his magic worked, perhaps he wouldn't be useful on a ship. He wasn't a Sorceress. His spells were para-magic and thus they had very specific forms they took.

"We'll need to get up and walk to somewhere a bit open. I don't want to be accused of trying to break things," Nida admits, frowning.

Ah, he can’t deny that does sound sensible... “No, I imagine they would consider that counter-productive after bringing us here to ‘rebuild’ everything.” He responded with little shrug, lifting himself from the fountain and gesturing. “Let’s see if we can find a place where you have a little more space.”

He supposed they could follow the canals out to the shoreline, there wouldn’t be any buildings to worry about there. Then there was outside the city, on the outskirts of the odd forest perhaps. Caelan was happy to follow to wherever was Nida’s preference though.

"More space, and nothing to destroy. Shore if it's water spells you want to see, outside of the city for wind. Or, well, you could punch me and I could heal it."

Because that one doesn't damage anything. But him. WHich is a big 'whatever'

Raising a brow at option number three, he shook his head with a little grin. “Well, you have yet to give me a reason to punch you. Maybe one day, but not this one. So let’s take a stroll down to the shore, shall we?” Besides, he was probably going to end up there later on in the day anyway, and he is curious what sort of water magic Nida can work.

"So kind, not seeking to harm me," Nida teases before starting off and expecting Caelan to follow him. "Still, it's going to be nice to play with some water now."

Especially with a possible source of it. He can practice his magic.

“Well I can be a civilized fellow when I feel like it, Nida.” He responded with a little laugh and trailed behind, falling into step next to the man a moment later. “Have you not gotten to in a while then? In all those other place you were before?” He added a moment later, making conversation as they left the fountain square behind.

"The other places took my means away from me. But now I know she was always there, just... hidden."

Even now he can feel her swell and sing in his blood, familiar and welcome. Oh he missed her.

"I grew sued to having her, back home."

“So you have a partner of sorts, then?” He’s not going to assume, of course, but it sounds almost like... a beneficial relationship between a being of magic and a human to him. “Your magic is very interesting, how does your partnership work? She stays with you?”

"Oh, there is a cost for her, but yes, we're partners. She resides in my mind, but she needs sustained. They draw power and sustenance from memory."

But there is no way he can store her without keeping her within him. There were means back home, but not here.

There’s sense to be found in that, power always comes with some form of restriction or a price. Even his kind, beings of nature and magic, have their limits and drawbacks, after all. “Sustenance from memory, does she eat them or...?” A bit of an odd question, perhaps, but memories were valuable things after all.

"She consumes them. Usually long term memories. In time I'm going to have to find another way to keep her with me."

But there isn't a rush. Not yet. He keeps walking, trying to process that realization. If this place keeps him as long as the others, then he'll need a solution.

Caelan’s eyes widen a bit, wow... That’s a lot to give up for magic, especially a human... Short lives meant a limited amount of memories, and Nida was far from old. “In time? I’ll say...” Did she have to consume them often? How many memories could the man afford to lose? The selkie certainly hoped the power the man gained was worth it, because that seemed like a very steep price.

It’s been a while since something has genuinely surprised Caelan, especially concerning magic. So, Nida could pride himself on that if he knew. He trails along, following Nida away from the crowds and closer to the shore. A small thought strikes, one that he thinks needs asking, “Does she need to consume one whenever you use your magic, or is it a slower process?”

Because, as curious as Caelan is, he’s not sure a demonstration would be worth speeding up that process.

It was not a surrender that they had been informed of in the beginning. And by this point, Nida accepted the bargain, even knowing the price. Besides, he now had a wealth of new memories, nearly two years, that he saw no reason to retain.

"It's a slower process than that, though it is not well studied. But I have associates that have slung far more spells than me. They still remember their names, so we're probably okay."

And in his world, with the monsters they deal with, it's probably reasonable that some take the weight for the sake of the world.

He eyed Nida curiously for a moment, before humming with a little shrug. “I’ll trust your judgment on that then, you do know more on the subject than I would.” Which wasn’t wrong, Caelan was terribly unfamiliar with this sort of magic. Fae who helped humans with spells did generally require a price, but that was usually a one time thing aside from the occasional partnership. This was something else entirely.

Smiling again, his eyes taking on a different light as he takes a breath as they neared the shore. There was the sea air he loved so... The call from the waves just a touch stronger, reminding him that he could always return to them in. That he was welcome to use it as a surrogate in place of the sea he left behind.

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