communion | stargazer-focused but ota

[semicharmed]

[ The psychic presence is tactile, first. Like a hand fumbling in the dark, knowing his fingers could brush up against someone at any moment and trying to avoid unwelcome contact.

Then: ]

Oh.

[ Or whatever passes for oh in Matt's mind. In this case, it's something like if a stray puff of air managed to light a candle, rather than extinguish it. The eureka moment is followed by a laugh, soda-fizz of endorphins that rises and feathers away. ]

Holy shit, you're right there, aren't you?

I mean--I think I can hear you.

Hello?

[ ooc: As noted here, Matt is reset! So if you knew him in AT, you are more than welcome to recognize him; he just won't remember you. PM or hit up artistformerlyknownas to ask questions or throw ideas around. :3 :3 :3 ]

Comments

[hauntedking]

I wasn't much good with magic at home; I never took the time to learn. I didn't have the time, honestly. And... I don't know if anything we had could connect minds like this.

[ There's a huff of amusement. ]

It's difficult to shut off here, at times.

[semicharmed]

Most things that involve penetrating beyond the veil are difficult to shut off on one level or another, [ Matt breezes. All lights are green over here! He does pause, however, as his brain fumbles to form the right question. ] But magic was normal, where you're from? And anybody could learn it?

[hauntedking]

Yes, quite normal. Not everyone had a natural talent for it, but there was an academy of magic in my capital - one of the most renowned in Fodlan, as a matter of fact. Several of my friends use it for various things - or did, rather.

[semicharmed]

[ Before any words come, there's a sense of wistfulness. Matt's never heard of Fodlan, and doesn't particularly expect to recognize any of the worlds his fellow Shard-Bearers come from. But the idea of magic being so accepted as to have its own academy ... that sounds really nice. ]

I'm sorry. [ Stilted, but genuinely felt. ] Um, about the--you know. I know we're all in the same boat, but it sucks.

I would've loved having someplace I could've learned magic, though. Formally.

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri can pick up on some of that. He pauses for a long moment and gives him a glance and then a soft smile. ]

It afforded a great many people opportunities. I hope you do find that someday. Maybe you can come to Fodlan somehow.

[semicharmed]

[ Oh ... that's so nice. Like the fond memory of a smile, maybe? A little more immediate than that. ]

I appreciate that. Now that I've started exploring the cosmos, why stop, right?

I take it, [ after a slight pause--curious, and treading lightly about it, ] that you decided for Meridian?

[hauntedking]

Something like that. And... yes. I have a people that I need to return to. To protect. I can't simply let them fall by the wayside.

[semicharmed]

I see.

[ And Matt does, in his own way. Though his web of obligation to others feels diffuse, mycorrhizal as tendrils meeting under the earth or stardust in deep space, it still feels real to him. ]

And is the goal to just ... restore everything like it was before? Because I was wondering, as long as our worlds can theoretically be saved, if there's a way to make them better than they were when--

You know, it all went down.

[hauntedking]

I wouldn't pretend to know how to make life all the better. I would be content to see them whole again. Living the lives they deserve

[ He sighs softly. ]

That's my wish.

[semicharmed]

That makes sense, [ Matt agrees. Though frankly he has a laundry list of things he'd change about the world if he could. ] I guess I just keep trying to think of ways that everyone here could get what they want. What they think is right.

I'm sure you've all been over this already ... but I can't help it.

[hauntedking]

No, it's alright. You've just arrived. after all.

[ He nods his head, although he can't see it. ]

There's something to be said about that... we all grapple with it. Although I'd be lying if I didn't have my own preference.

[semicharmed]

It's my nature, unfortunately, [ comes Matt's voice, a bit dryly. ] There's this concept where I come from of "a note that strikes without the two parts touching." It means you can create harmony out of two forces that seem to be in opposition, even violent opposition. You just have to find the right way.

... I'm Matt, by the way. Did I tell you that?

[hauntedking]

I would like to find a way to do that, honestly. I don't think war is in the best interests of anyone, in the end.

[ There's a pause. ]

No, no you hadn't - I'm Dimitri Blaiddyd.

[semicharmed]

Dimitri. Hey, good to meet you. [ There's a slight hesitation on the other end of the psychic connection, before Matt decides to just go for it: ] I don't presume to be any kind of peace broker, but there is something I've been thinking of doing that's at least peace-adjacent. It might be a little dangerous for me to handle on my own, though.

[hauntedking]

Oh?

[ Dimitri's interest is piqued. ]

What is it?

[semicharmed]

I want to ask the people here how they feel about all this. And which way they want us to choose.

I know some of them feel strongly, but I don't have a sense for the region as a whole.

[ I mean like, obviously not Matt, you just got here. ]

[hauntedking]

That's certainly an interesting idea... and you need my help for it?

[semicharmed]

I hear some parts of the islands aren't particularly safe ... and I'm not much of a brawler, to put it mildly. I feel like the buddy system would be helpful.

[ It's not how he usually operates. But usually, he both knows the lay of the land and is in full possession of his powers. Needs must. ]

[hauntedking]

If you'd like, I can accompany you. I wouldn't mind.

[semicharmed]

[ Immediately, there's a flicker of hesitation over the connection. Not for making the offer (though honestly, Matt, you do not know this person so maybe ... think about that), but out of a fretful fear of imposing on his time and goodwill. ]

If you really wouldn't--I'd appreciate it. [ That's sincere, at least. Solid. ] I don't know when or if I'll be in a position to compensate you, but.

[hauntedking]

It's nothing. You needn't owe me anything. I'm just doing what I really ought to do.

[semicharmed]

What you ought to do? [ Amused, now. A little easier. ] What, babysitting damsels in distress?

[hauntedking]

Not quite. Helping others. That's something we all could use a little more of.

[semicharmed]

[ There's a listening pause, then a soft not-quite-noise of understanding. ]

Ah. Yeah. Well, it's a lifelong project. [ However long their lives end up being now, which might not be long at all. All the more reason to get moving, Matt figures. ] Anyway--I still have to finalize my survey questions, but when I'm ready to launch, I can reach back out to you. Does that sound good?

[hauntedking]

That sounds reasonable to me. Just let me know ahead of time and I can clear some space.