anyway they don't seem to mind polaris, though they do almost immediately and probably annoyingly wiggle their feet under their belly. most animals tend to find aquila very annoying.
polaris IS annoying. off the leash, he's a floppy rat and just seems to enjoy the bothering, letting out a happy little series of grumbles at the tummy massage...? ]
Either. Float Like a Butterfly, or Sting Like a Bee, unless you're capable of doling out other's menu items... I know it's a bit of a first come first serve situation.
I'm the Frostwind Swordsman for a reason, Aquila. And a Knight of Favonius. That sword was made with the spirit of our order in every blacksmith's strike. If anyone can wield it, it's me.
If you need to test my capabilities, I'm happy to show you just how fantastic I am with a blade in hand.
It has a number of them, but I understand we might be limited on what is possible. It's a blade that heals the wielder if they're struck by an opponent...
...Sounds like one of mine. I can't give you any of those, though - it'd just be your weapon, and it'd vanish after an hour. There are a couple minor effects I could apply to it, if you wanted, but you only get one, and they'd only be enough to give you a little bit of an advantage in a split second moment. It'd have to be a tactical decision on your part.
If that's something you could handle, Frostwind swordsman.
One of three things. [ they count them off, one at a time on gloved fingers: ] Short stun effect. Temporary blindness from a flash of light. Short strength boost.
I can't emphasize enough for you that these aren't additional powers. [ so basically, nothing on an ooc level is as strong as something from another room service power or the gift shop might be. ] Just tactics.
[ kaeya lifts his hand to his chin, eye upwards as he thinks. a stun effect could cause an unrelenting attack to cease, long enough to make a snap decision. temporary blindness would allot for quick escape... a short strength boost is very simple, but effective, really. they're all good choices, and as he's about to make one
there's just a sudden shower of stardust that pours downwards. kaeya shouts in surprise as a memory swarms through like a fever, hot and stifling, swarming the both of them. when it ends, kaeya is just blinking slowly down at his coffee, knuckles pale for a moment. he's fine, maybe, but it's... a lot to remember all at once. he has to breathe a bit.
there's the quietest comfort of xie lian having being there in his memories, bright as the sun, even in the throes of battle. he can't help but keep it with him now as he sits as still as stone to gather himself up just to chuckle dryly. ]
Mmm. It was certainly something I'll never forget.
[ he looks up from his coffee finally with an easy-going smile. he hates these sorts of effects. it's one of the worst... because it isn't like you can avoid the goddamn dust from above. at least in otamo, you could avoid most shards if you tried hard enough.
all the same, he laughs then. ]
Skepticism, hm? [ gently nudging aquila with his foot under the table, a playful, soft kick. ]
[ they're preening a little, returning to their coffee. also, rude? they nudge him back with their foot, freeing it from polaris. ]
That was as good as a reference as any, I suppose. Pick your effect, and explain to me why you want the power so we can get this going, and then we can talk about your volcano adventures. Maybe we can swap stories.
Alright then. [ and sip their coffee. ] Then, let's consider it official. To get my power, I want you to confess your biggest regrets to three people. None of the ones from your earlier experience, either.
[ there's a little mischief there. a little knifecat energy. ] Difficult power requires difficult storytelling, I think.
Now - [ they open their mouth, to start to ask questions about kaeya's fascinating memory, but, as it turns out... there's another little shower of stardust.
you have had trouble throughout your life resisting a temptation. you allow yourself two particular vices, both of which come with consequences. but this vice is your survival - good or bad or otherwise, you need it like a drowning man needs air. you have to have it. your chance is coming, and who knows how long you'll be trapped here? it has already been weeks, and you're playing the game with a handicap.
you can't have that.
truthfully, you've known from the start that this was going to end this way. there was no other story where you did the unselfish thing; where you listened to advice, where you took their offer, their kindness, where you put yourself into their capable hands, because your closely guarded self is so vulnerable, and you can't allow anyone else to solve it for you when the solution is right there. you couldn't resist at home. you can't resist here. the ability to have a taste of normalcy is just one kill away.
you choose carefully. a target that needs to be eliminated. it's nothing personal; you have something you need, and you'll strike the target down with precision to ensure that it becomes yours. you've always been a planner. you've started the seeds of your trap days in advance.
when the night comes, you take an unfamiliar weapon. the world around you is pitch black and quiet - but you're used to that, aren't you? not being able to see. not being able to hear. but maybe just the feeling of anticipation that makes everything seem faint. you take a deep breath, and focus on the wind, on the way the air moves through the vents, through the hallways. on the slightly sterile smell of this place you've grown used to. turn left there. turn right there. there's a jut in the hallway right here. keep up appearances. keep moving. there's something else, too - something just unnatural. just this side of iron tinged. you stand in that little room with the weapon in your hand.
and when the doors open, you feel the wind and you know your target is in front of you. you are unhesitating as you dash forward. you are skilled, and even if your target is just as ferocious, you will survive this. you will survive this. you will survive this.
(what's a promise made to three, four people, when you're used to carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? where does your fate lead you?
not to your deathbed, here. not to your capture in a trial. you'll pull this off. you'll get away with it, you'll do what needs to be done, no matter how heavy the burden, no matter how difficult the task.
you'll survive.
you always do. )
when the memory ends, they blink, surprised, holding very still in their chair. ]
[ kaeya lets the memory wash over him in a fall of stardust and for a moment after, he sits in the silence with aquila. sometimes, that's all one can do when confronted with something like that.
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anyway they don't seem to mind polaris, though they do almost immediately and probably annoyingly wiggle their feet under their belly. most animals tend to find aquila very annoying.
but, they tilt their head. ]
Depends. Which power are you interested in?
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polaris IS annoying. off the leash, he's a floppy rat and just seems to enjoy the bothering, letting out a happy little series of grumbles at the tummy massage...? ]
Either. Float Like a Butterfly, or Sting Like a Bee, unless you're capable of doling out other's menu items... I know it's a bit of a first come first serve situation.
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anyway. ]
Only those two, yeah. They're both still available, though.
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And the wings as well—any restrictions I should be aware of for those?
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[ they tap their fingertips against their cup, thoughtful. their usual easy, playful mannerisms vanish. ]
As for the weapon, it would depend. Did you have something specific in mind?
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The Aquila Favonia.
[ his fingers lace gently around his cup. ]
I can tell you about it... if you need.
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anyway they seem a little surprised, at first - and then they laugh, dropping their head for a moment and shaking it. ]
Tell me about it. First question - can you wield it? I've heard Aquila's pretty feisty. [ bad ]
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but kaeya just gives them a sly, playful smile. ]
I'm the Frostwind Swordsman for a reason, Aquila. And a Knight of Favonius. That sword was made with the spirit of our order in every blacksmith's strike. If anyone can wield it, it's me.
If you need to test my capabilities, I'm happy to show you just how fantastic I am with a blade in hand.
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aquila snorts, leaning back in their seat. ] 'Frostwind swordsman', huh.
I'll trust you, for now. [ a little teasing, and amused. ] Does it have any special abilities?
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It has a number of them, but I understand we might be limited on what is possible. It's a blade that heals the wielder if they're struck by an opponent...
[ bonk ]
And then sends the assailant careening back.
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[ they listen, for a moment, thoughtful. ]
...Sounds like one of mine. I can't give you any of those, though - it'd just be your weapon, and it'd vanish after an hour. There are a couple minor effects I could apply to it, if you wanted, but you only get one, and they'd only be enough to give you a little bit of an advantage in a split second moment. It'd have to be a tactical decision on your part.
If that's something you could handle, Frostwind swordsman.
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I can do tactics.
[ he leans back into the seat, holding his coffee and turning to look at them ]
I'm grateful whatever you can do to it, truly. What sort of effects would you be able to give to the blade?
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I can't emphasize enough for you that these aren't additional powers. [ so basically, nothing on an ooc level is as strong as something from another room service power or the gift shop might be. ] Just tactics.
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there's just a sudden shower of stardust that pours downwards. kaeya shouts in surprise as a memory swarms through like a fever, hot and stifling, swarming the both of them. when it ends, kaeya is just blinking slowly down at his coffee, knuckles pale for a moment. he's fine, maybe, but it's... a lot to remember all at once. he has to breathe a bit.
there's the quietest comfort of xie lian having being there in his memories, bright as the sun, even in the throes of battle. he can't help but keep it with him now as he sits as still as stone to gather himself up just to chuckle dryly. ]
Not this again...
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anyway. aquila's definitely surprised - they startle, a bit, and when the memory fades, they're left holding their cup and sort of frozen, surprised.
...
they laugh, a little. a huff of their own... and then whistle, one long hoooo. ]
... Guess that explains the eye illusion from yesterday. I'll take back any of my skepticism.
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[ he looks up from his coffee finally with an easy-going smile. he hates these sorts of effects. it's one of the worst... because it isn't like you can avoid the goddamn dust from above. at least in otamo, you could avoid most shards if you tried hard enough.
all the same, he laughs then. ]
Skepticism, hm? [ gently nudging aquila with his foot under the table, a playful, soft kick. ]
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[ they're preening a little, returning to their coffee. also, rude? they nudge him back with their foot, freeing it from polaris. ]
That was as good as a reference as any, I suppose. Pick your effect, and explain to me why you want the power so we can get this going, and then we can talk about your volcano adventures. Maybe we can swap stories.
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[ he taps his patch. as he's nudged back by them, he smiles. ]
And as for its purpose? There's someone I need to protect... especially after last week. And four others who I want to lend my aid to.
Besides, if it's me that wakes up having to play chase with someone... I want to have only the best in hand.
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Alright then. [ and sip their coffee. ] Then, let's consider it official. To get my power, I want you to confess your biggest regrets to three people. None of the ones from your earlier experience, either.
[ there's a little mischief there. a little knifecat energy. ] Difficult power requires difficult storytelling, I think.
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My biggest regrets? You drive a hard bargain. But I should have known. This is you we're talking about after all.
[ he chuckles. ] I'll see that it's done.
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Now - [ they open their mouth, to start to ask questions about kaeya's fascinating memory, but, as it turns out... there's another little shower of stardust.
when the memory ends, they blink, surprised, holding very still in their chair. ]
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he blinks softly.
and then, voice low: ]
Can we talk about yours?
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Depends on what you want to say.
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I'm not actually fit to be anyone's judge. Why I'm allowed to vote is beyond me.
[ but he does look thoughtful ]
Did you survive it?
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[ vague enough. ]
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