[Open]

[spellcollect]

[ Frieren's mind opens up; as before, on the surface it's a calm, smooth pond. She's not quite used to this, so the connection (at first) is a touch tentative and then as she feels her way forward it opens more until she thinks she's finally ready. ]

I have a question for all of you. And you may consider it a simple matter of curiosity; I won't take offense at being ignored.

[ There's a pause, as if she's collecting her thoughts. ]

How many of you are long-lived species? Or long-lived by virtue of who you are? My kind are rare, even in my world, so I can't assume others will be particularly more common here, at the end of the universe.

[ It's an open question. ]

Comments

[spellcollect]

I don't think so. I could look at your mana and that might tell me something, but I'd need to very thoroughly examine you to know more than that. And life or healing magic has never been one of my strong areas.

[ Sorry, Shez. ]

[sheezit]

[ Hey, it was worth a shot! But also: ]

Yeah, I don't think that's got to do with any healing magic, though, as least not by magic standards where I come from. In my world, that would be connected to white magic, whereas what those guys use is definitely dark magic.

[ And... some other stuff. Like dead bodies. Anyway! Moving on!! ]

Never heard about mana, though. What's that?

[spellcollect]

I see.

[ Interesting. She's not sure can comment on white versus dark magic. ]

Mana? It's what allows one to cast spells and power them. It's life energy and the energy of the world around you both.

[sheezit]

[ Time for some interdisciplinary, multicultural learning?? ]

... huh. [ A most honest, most dumb sort of response. ]

Y'know, I'm not really a magic expert or anything, but I don't think it was ever addressed like that in my world. Mostly, our spells are powered either by Faith or Reason, so who knows if I even have any Mana, to begin with. Or maybe they're similar principles with different names...?

[spellcollect]

It's hard to say, honestly. I imagine it could be a similar principle with different names - I'll probably be able to say more if I can see you or your spellcasting in person.

[sheezit]

[ ... hm. ]

Guess that depends on what all seeing me entails. You're not gonna pull off some kinda weird experiment, right?

[ Y'know. With Aetos and all, that could be turning into a trend... ]

[spellcollect]

No. I can perceive the flow of mana in people.

[sheezit]

Right.

[ That... still doesn't mean she wouldn't try something weird, but he does hate to be so distrusting of people... ]

Sorry if I sound a bit too cautious-- it's sort of a lesson learned from history in Kenos. [ Maybe he doesn't even mean only recent history, either. ] But, I don't really feel any ill intent coming from you, so it should be okay.

Still, probably best if we at least exchange names beforehand, huh? That way, if anything happens to either of us, our friends will know who to look for!

[spellcollect]

No, it's quite alright. We're all strangers from different places.

[ She pauses and after a moment: ]

You may call me Frieren. You are?

[sheezit]

I'm Shez! It's nice to meet you, Frieren. [ No-last-name buddy? Hell yeah! ]

Now, about meeting up in person, how do you wanna do this? Can you make it to Skysong? Or maybe old Springstar would be easier?

[ A not too covert way to check whether she's a Meri or Zenite. ]

[spellcollect]

[ No last names! ]

Skysong might be difficult.

[ Question answered. ]

Old Springstar would be suitable, I think.

[sheezit]

Gotcha.

[ Ah. Awkward, but manageable. ]

Since the area is more neutral, you shouldn't have too much trouble navigating the place-- as long as you avoid the shadier people, too. No reason to get into trouble if we can help it, right?

[ It's also a bit of a safety concern, but he figures Frieren shouldn't be that helpless if she's got spells to use... ]

[spellcollect]

Of course. I think I can handle myself, though.

[ She's got her magic. ]

No one has bothered me so far, anyway.