Communion | OTA.

[dreamflowers]

[Is it cold in here all of a sudden? No, that's just Jade's first attempt at opening a line of Communion to the people of Springstar. Instead, it ends up going out to whoever is willing to listen as she's still trying to get a handle on this method of communication.

[Her presence is like freezing saltwaters, with the scent of sea and earth.]

Blazes. It still blows my mind that you people use Psionics to talk to each other here.

[As someone who's pretty adept in Psionics herself, it should be normal, but not like this.]

Anyways, in light of the absolute shit timing of my arrival... I need an outlet. By now I think I've learned the streets of this city well enough to navigate my way around. Buuut I'm looking for some obscure, holes-in-the-wall kinda places or favorite establishments to get a drink at and relax.

Don't think I need to explain why.

Also any tips on how to procure a home would be nice. Think I'm starting to get on the nerves of some of the folks living in the barracks... thing.

[Hi Meridian. Sorry you're stuck with this natural disaster of a woman.]

Comments

[hauntedking]

Well, as for a home... you can get one the usual way or you might be awarded one for services rendered.

[ He's a little weary, but trying to be friendly. ]

I don't do much drinking, so I can't help you there... but I know a cafe with tea and baked goods, if that might help? Or offer my own. I do have a house and I'm willing to play host.

[kaientai]

Hello!

[ Ryouma appreciates these vibes. He arrives in Communion like a sharp gust of wind off another sea from another world, curious about this stranger who also resonates with salt and earth. There is something else with him, too, a secondary presence coiling around the edges. It's difficult to determine what it is, but it gives the impression of scales. ]

I showed up at a weird time, so there wasn't much to do but go around and explore. I can think of a few good places you might be interested in.

[ If nothing else, he can be counted on to know where in the city to get drunk. ]

I'm not sure I'd be much help on the home front, though. I got pretty lucky and ended up with a ship, so that's where I live.

[dreamflowers]

I see. What kinda "services" are we talking about here? I did mercenary work in my world, but I'm guessing they probably expect more than just daylabor.

[It sounds preferable to simply purchasing a deed from condescending bank pricks, at least.

[His offer surprises her, though.]

You'd open your home up to a stranger like that? [She can't help that she's a cagy person by nature. Has good reason to be.]

[dreamflowers]

[Odd. If she wasn't predisposed to similar magic already, adjusting to these sensations might be more jarring. Granted it's never been so... vivid, so it's taking some getting used to.]

Pff. Weirder than being tossed in the middle of assassinations and civilian massacres? [It shouldn't sound like a joke; she's just trying to keep the conversation light.] But color me interested.

[Also interesting is what he says next. Jade arches a brow.]

You live in a ship? How the heck did you manage that?

[kaientai]

[ Ryouma accepts things as they are because he has no choice, but he wishes this Communion business involved less undesirable sharing of feelings. ]

Honestly? Yeah. I came up in a time that saw plenty of both, so, unfortunately, much of this is more familiar than I'd like.

I got here a little after the last Oracle wrapped up, so that's all anyone was talking about. The entire trial had been broadcast, so everyone had an opinion. Then, the winter holidays happened a little after that, so there wasn't much to do, but I guess I lucked out since I was the only Shardbearer whose face nobody recognised for a while.

[ Having explained that much, Ryouma can't contain his excitement at being asked about his ship; it's his great pride and joy, after all. ]

As for my ship, it was Santa, naturally.

[ Which he says in complete seriousness. Someone would always become Santa around the holidays in Chaldea, so it came as no surprise to Ryouma that it also happened in other worlds. ]

Gifts are handed out around the holidays, so I ended up in possession of the paperwork. [ nothing weird about that. ] If you ever want a look at her, just swing by the docks in Springstar. She sort of stands out compared to the locals.

[ Compared to Springstar's triremes, Ryouma's ship looks like a miniaturised version of something out of the mid-19th Century, so it definitely sticks out. ]

[hauntedking]

Participation in the Oracles, work for the city... that sort of thing.

[ A bit more than day labor, yes. There's a pause and then a sort of mental shrug. ]

We are all in this together, are we not? And you are a person, in need of help.

[a_noble_flame]

I wouldn't say you're getting on the nerves of anyone but I do understand wishing for one's own space. It would feel more ... grounding here, I think?

[dreamflowers]

[Some of that is just nonsense to someone like Jade. Winter holidays? Santa? The fuck? But she just accepts that there are going to be some barriers of understanding between herself and these people from other Eventualities -- worlds so far removed from her own that of course there's going to be a learning curve or things she just doesn't get at all.

[The good news is that she's pretty keen on context clues, so she gets the gist of what he's saying.]

Huh. I've heard about these trials, but admittedly don't know too much about them.

[At least she'd asked about the Oracles themselves since, well. Being the "Prophetess" of her world, it would be hard not to draw some correlation. Which is there is none, from what she's gathered, but she's still been pretty mum on the specifics of her role.

[Former role. She doubts she can claim to be some Prophet in this world as well, not that she went around announcing it on the regular.]

That's... interesting. So, what? D'you have a crew manning the whole thing or something? Is it seafaring?

[dreamflowers]

Got it. Makes sense.

[Yuri helped get her foot in the door with lending aid to the orphanages, but she wasn't exactly looking for esteem when she started that, and she still isn't. Mostly because it was less about being magnanimous and more about her guilt for being such a damned coward when she knew people were dying around her, and hid anyway.

[She sighs.]

Yes, well. In my experience, people who seem like they're all working towards the same goal aren't always worthy of trust.

[dreamflowers]

Maybe not for you, but I definitely wouldn't blame the other sods residing in that place.

[But thanks, Alice. You're a good egg.]

Still. It would certainly beat living on the streets again. I'd like to avoid sleeping under any more bridges if I have options.

[hauntedking]

...I suppose that's true. But I like to think the best of people until proven otherwise.

[ There's the impression of a wry smile. ]

Maybe that doesn't work out for the best at all times. But it works for me, I think.

[dreamflowers]

Hm.

[Probably better than the response she was dreading. If she heard "trust has to start somewhere" one more time, she'd have screamed.

[For now, she'll just take it for what it is.]

...

What kinda tea and baked goods do you usually have?

[hauntedking]

Most of the tea I have is herbal and I admit that I'm still not all that good at baking... but I do know a place that sells some delicious ones. Although I'm not sure if they're open again after everything...

[tresemme]

[ the use of the word “psionics” gets his attention, since no one else he’s mentioned it to up to this point seems to have any familiarity with the term.

instead of being helpful, he butts into communion with a brash attitude. ]

Are you a Mu?

[dreamflowers]

Can't say I'm much better of a baker, myself. Probably worse, actually.

[It would require having access to an oven, which she rarely had during her time on the streets.]

But if you give me the location of this place, I can check and see if they're still open for you? And maybe bring something over. For tribute, or whatever. [Jesting, of course. Save for the part that she's actually willing to check and see the condition of this bakery.]

[dreamflowers]

[She hadn't heard any mention of Psionics or her version of magic, either. Which may or may not have been the reasoning behind dropping the word. She's not about to ask openly if anyone here is from Vyn.

[That isn't to say she understands the question, though.]

Say what now? Are you calling me a cow?

[That's Mu, not moo.]

[a_noble_flame]

[At that Alice winces a touch.]

I can't say I'm experienced that myself but I have seen much the same in my own world. ... Residing under bridges, that is.

[Tilting her head some she considers.]

... If you like perhaps we can collaborate on this? I don't wish to be a burden to the dorms anymore than is necessary myself. I will admit however I have never lived utterly alone before.

[It's mostly just a thought really. Alice has always lived with family -- the perks of nobility and being the youngest unmarried daughter. While she's not scared of being alone it seems a good way to support a fellow Shard-Bearer as well.]

[hauntedking]

Of course. I can give you directions. Hopefully they're still operating... and directions to my house, of course.

[ There's a little mental map he sends over - it should be clear enough, hopefully. ]

I'd be happy to have you. Although - I don't think I properly introduced myself. Dimitri Blaiddyd.

[dreamflowers]

If you can avoid it, I would always recommend against it. Even if there are other vagrants around, you can't always be certain if even one of them will have your back.

[Spoken from actual experience during her life in her home country, and the earlier days when she first washed up on a new one where she had no friends, family, or connections. She was rather surprised at how willing Endraleans were to do business with her kind, that they'd even sell her a small house.

[Jade is quiet for a moment, thinking. She hadn't much considered the possibility of sharing a space with someone again.]

You'd be okay with that? Even with my "condition"?

[Well, at least Alice has an inkling of what she's signing up for.]

[dreamflowers]

Oof. That feels weird.

[She winces, clutching her head a moment. But she "reads" the map well enough and sets out to follow it.]

I'm Jade. I'll get back to you in about an hour or so to see if this place of yours is still intact. [Or if they might need help. She seems to be fixing doors a lot these days, maybe they'll need one as well.]

[tattooism]

An outlet...

[The sense in Communion is of smoke, wreathing about without form, seeping in and permeating... or, perhaps its just a woman smoking in the corner of the room. Definitely a woman Jade has never met before. That, surely, is certain.]

My recommendations would change depending on what sort of things you find relaxing... and how hard you like those drinks.

[a_noble_flame]

Now that I know about it, yes.

[Alice pauses a moment as well, considering how she ought to explain herself here.]

I have served in the military for several years now. My country went through a prolonged war with a neighboring country. The aftermath has led me to encounter many people with differing conditions as well.

[There's the slight feeling of flustering warmth through Alice's communion. She's blushing a bit it seems.]

I can certainly promise you I won't batter in anymore doors at the very least.

[hauntedking]

Alright. I'll make sure I have tea waiting.

[ Friendly sort, isn't he? ]

[dreamflowers]

[Oh, that is... interesting. Jade blinks as this particular sense of Communion slips though, before collecting herself again. Focus!]

That would depend on the company I'm in. I'd never turn down a nice, strong drink... or a fun night with someone not looking for any kinda commitment afterwards.

[Or "earthly pleasures", as Jespar would so eloquently call them.]

[dreamflowers]

[Excellent. Thank you for coming to her TED talk.

[Jade thinks on Alice's words a little more. She knew a bit about her military background, but didn't ask for specificities. Heck, Jade herself was a refugee of civil war, before her former countrymen decided to invade the land she had fled to.

[But still. There's solace in knowing that there's someone who at least Gets It.]

Pff, no worries. At least it'd give me more opportunities to work on my door installment skills.

[Another pause.]

But really, I... think I'd like that. I was thinking of just finding a place to myself, but having a familiar face to share it with doesn't sound half bad.

[After all, Jade wasn't always the lone wolf. It's just that her companions have a way of dying or leaving her -- or Jade leaving them for whatever reasons she had.]