nerdeology | IC Communication

I think it's pretty funny. [Which is what really matters here.

Sorey's going to do that thing where he leans over and watches Mikleo write, though.] Should I be taking my own notes?

[Mikleo tilts his head up to lift a brow at Sorey.]

You don't think I'll be neutral about it?

[He says, after a solid hour or so of arguing his bias.]

[He feels an immense surge of relief when Mikleo replies. Belth isn't even worried about the dragon part. He's just happy that his friend is okay.]

I tried my best. I made him a very large cake in hopes of stoking his appetite. I am... not sure if I succeeded, though.

[ANYWAY MOVING ON.]

I understand. Are you... having trouble cooking? I was thinking we could try the sundae... project, sometime. When you are better.

Er...

[There's probably no way around this; if he hasn't gotten himself properly sorted by the time they have this potluck - assuming he can even attend - it'll come out then, anyway.]

I haven't... been able to eat since I came back, so I'd prefer not to have anything to do with food. I don't know when we can cook together... I'm sorry.

[There's a stunned moment of silence, but if he puts the pieces together it makes sense.]

... Ah... I'm sorry for bringing that up, then.

[He's learning to just smile through it.]

We can do other things besides cook. I'm-- considering picking up frost magic again. But you are still recovering, so... it can wait.

Is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all?

[He's glad for that- the waiting, that is. He hasn't had the strength to use any seraphic artes since returning, either, but that's a physical issue, rather than psychological. No sense in bringing it up and disappointing his friend further, though.]

Well... have you been to the waystations at all since we landed? I'm in need of some new materials, but I'm mostly bedridden these days... if you happen to go, and see anything interesting, I'd gladly reimburse you for it.

[He hates to be inconveniencing people, but he doesn't really have a choice while he's recovering.]

[Belth is absolutely eager to help in any way he can. Being given a chore is very, very good; he spent five years or so apprenticing a magister, and often found himself running these sorts of errands.]

I haven't, but I can certainly look.

Only if you feel so inclined, and if it's safe to do so. I can send you a more specific list of things to look for.

[He'll attach it, since he's already given one to Sorey, but he suspects Belthazar will have a better eye for quality with this sort of thing.]

Please don't feel obligated or anything- there's no rush. And if you want to take time to explore the planet instead...

[Sorey had been so excited to go- he doesn't want to rain on anyone else's parade.]

I can handle myself. [... Mostly. But he perks up again when he gets a shopping list.]

You want me to document everything, right? I always do that! If I still had my notes from the last time we were on a planet like this, I would absolutely give them to you. [A sigh.] But it disappeared when I did.

I had so many recipes for magical elixirs...

You... disappeared?

[Was he around for that, or was it long in the past? He doesn't recall.]

And wait, you know how to make elixirs?

... Yes. Hiro and I both vanished from the Bishop in March. The common theory is that people go home when they do, but I-- I don't know. I woke up on the Marsiva two months later or so, around June, and everyone said I had gone. All of my things were gone, too... except for the amulet my father gave me. I had that.

[There's a gentle flipping of pages. Someone's looking through his journal.]

Yes. I've studied alchemy and herbology for a while now. I've never been able to use healing magic, so I compensated for it by making potions and salves.

Edited 2016-10-12 06:46 (UTC)

I see... I'm sorry that you lost your notes, then.

[Hmmm. Well, he can't do as good as an elixir, but...]

They're nowhere near as powerful as elixirs, but- do you know Stefan? He and I were able to piece together a recipe for curative gels. They're useful in a pinch, especially when you're without magical alternatives.

It's all right. My memory isn't perfect, but at least I have that. I can tell you about the planets I've seen if you are curious.

I don't know Stefan... [Belth doesn't know a lot of people, though.] That sounds like something I should look into until I've replenished my stock. I'm getting there, slowly.

If sometime down the line you find some kind of rare, potent magical ingredient... I am sure I could make some amazing things with it. Whether it's an innately magical flower, or a powdered unicorn horn-- something like that.

Most of the herbs I've collected are fairly basic medicinal ones, and a little magic goes a long way.

Edited 2016-10-12 07:53 (UTC)

See, again. Undue suspicion of ulterior motives.

I'll keep an eye out. I'm pretty good at finding medicinal herbs, actually.

[With how often Sorey used to get into trouble, and how many years it took for him to really perfect healing spells, it was a useful skill, growing up.]

Don't think I've ever heard of powdered unicorn horn, though.

[w o w so untrusting, you cruel man. ~~he's not wrong though~~

With a small shrug Mikleo turns the journal sideways and slides it towards Sorey's designated half of the desk.]

Fine, then you take notes. But you've got your own bias, so I'll be checking them over.

Just make sure they don't attack you. That happened to me, once.

[Fuckin singing planets.]

I've never seen it myself, but I read it in a book once. Just about anything with magical properties can be utilized if I get my hands on it.

[???? the plants? holy crap.]

I'm not sure how to keep an eye out for something I've never seen before... but if I notice anything on display that bears the name, I'll let you know.

[Writes very clearly 'SAVED JAMES FROM CERTAIN DEATH' and underlines it twice.] Okay, I'm ready. Let's continue.

[Mikleo quietly writes "ALLEGEDLY" in a column beside Sorey's note and returns to reading the novel out loud. Let the games begin.]

[Sorey keeps the notes mostly impartial, though he misses a few key moments where the guide disappears for great lengths of time or seems to know something that might be peculiarly helpful. Whether or not he's doing it on purpose, well...most of it, no. He doesn't like being suspicious of people but he and Mikleo make good foils. It's better for the overall good if they disagree.

Plus, like, maybe he's keeping secrets for their own good? Maybe.]

[At the end of each chapter, Mikleo checks on the notes, adding his own details, scratching out and correcting some of Sorey's, which of course leads to a handful of debates (heated and otherwise) over the validity of certain points. Thankfully it's not a lengthy book - young adult mystery fiction! short but meaty - and Mikleo is an experienced reader, so it isn't too long before they're a good ways into the book. Mikleo's getting tired, but the extended debate session is only serving as fuel for his energy pyre.]

"'What I have yet to deduce,' muttered James, growing increasingly irritable, 'Is how the killer came to know that we had found the location of the secret chamber?'
Sebastian's only response was a quiet hmmm, and it was easy to see the gears working overtime in his head. 'Interesting,' he finally said. 'It occurs to me that we would have discovered it much sooner had you not been spared from your unfortunate fall the other day.'
'You can't possibly mean-'
Abruptly, his words were cut short by a tremendous crash. Sebastian lunged forward, tackling his partner to the ground just in time to miss being shot. They rolled as one behind a crumbling pillar, and James chanced a peek as they heard the sound of a rifle being reloaded. Sure enough, standing in the doorway of the only known exit of the ruins, was-"

[Mikleo stops. Sets the book down. Slides it along the desk towards Sorey. His expression is an unflappable mask of calm.]

Read it.

Uuuuugh, Mikleoooo. [He doesn't want to read it but Mikleo won't let it go. They've done this before.

Sorey rolls his eyes and pulls the book closer, reading out in a bored tone,] "-was the tour guide, Domingo. 'You could have lived if you'd only left when I advised you to,' shouts Domingo. Stone flecks from the pillar as the shot strikes above their heads. He-" Okay, okay, fine. [Sorey slides the book back.] You were right. This time.

I was right.

[Mikleo smiles, visibly pleased with himself, and reaches over to draw a little check next to his column in the journal.]

I'd call that a mystery successfully solved. It's not a bad genre, after all.

So if you successfully called a mystery-romance, would you think that's a good genre too? [Mystery-romance has to exist. Sorey will wean Mikleo onto the sappy shit.]

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