endgames | 036 -- [Voice]

((Backdated to February 4th))

[It's been a long time since Shikamaru's failed a mission. All right. Failure might be too strong a word for this one. He can actually laugh at that. This isn't like when he was twelve. It's a personal embarrassment, not something that's going to keep him up at night, sick to his stomach.

A failure is a failure though, and that makes it a pain in the ass. He'd apologized to the MSF personnel profusely, and requested to be put on a different mission to make up for the screw-up. They'd looked nonplussed about the whole thing and stuck him back in Luceti, but eh. Shikamaru decides to keep his journal close to him anyways, in case they take him up on that. It's for this reason he doesn't go out to do any of the things he probably should. He passes the time by flipping through the journal instead, and thinking over the last mission.]

[Voice]

When I first came to this village, I remember going out. Left or right, it seemed anywhere I looked someone was using that so-called "filial magic". ...Haaa. [He scratches his head, and there's a smirk in his voice.] That's an exaggeration, but you get it. That was years ago, though. It seemed like it was becoming less common until that incident last year, when everyone got possessed.

Anyone learning anything from those guys now? Seems like the kind of thing that would spark interest, especially with one extra spirit hanging around.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It could also have something to do with my usual elemental affinities as well, though I'd need more time to study that to be certain...

Nala?

[He's being purposefully shortsighted here.]

Filial magic aside, I primarily use artes that are for healing and light magic. In my world when you're more attuned toward one element, the opposite element sometimes can prove more difficult to master. I've noticed similarities with the filial magic as well. With time and persistence, sometimes those difficulties can be overcome, but not everyone is patient.

That could be, maybe.

[He thinks about how he's never had any luck even contacting Hyt, even if it was the spirit he'd set out to meet in the first place, when he wanted to learn these things.]

Everyone seems to gravitate towards what elements they're familiar with here too, anyways, if they already have one.

It's only natural to go toward what you're more familiar with. Those without any particular pull often seem at a loss for what to start with. In which case they'd try to go for whatever was considered "easy", instead of going by necessity. Though there are too many individuals involved to make a clear case for it. And the spirits themselves, are individuals with varying methods. Twila and Nala are more eager while Hyt is not, Eferin and Sona are more selective, and so forth.

So basically you're saying I really need to contact Albert.

Albert has mentioned not feeling a particular pull toward any element before. From that perspective he may be able to help you find a few answers, depending on what it is you're actually seeking.

[What a funny way to define Albert. Funny, but fitting. After getting to know someone, it's not hard to pick out which spirit they'll be drawn to the most. Personality and temperament seems to play a role, which this post could testify to.

Albert Silverberg's never been as easy to read. There's no universe wherein he'd fit a mold so neatly.]

I'll let you know if I find out.

Heh. Very well. I'm sure we'll have more to talk about later. [And preferably not on these books.]

[Yeah. Preferably.]

036 -- [Voice]

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