036 -- [Voice]

[endgames]

((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.

Comments

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

Yes, it does, I think. Not everyone is inclined, even if it would be something that could help them. Though I do admit that outside the people I spend time with, it may be different. After all, most of my friends are magicians in one way or another.

Honestly, I would say it's foolish to ignore them.

[Voice]

[endgames]

[Magicians, feh. Their take on spirituality fluctuates, common ground found sometimes in nothing but the word itself. Still, he'll entertain it. It's frustrating to narrow down, but not without value.]

In your words, you've sought out at least six of the lot. Do you think there's something greater than skill to gain from it?

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

Of course there is. The spirits share a lot with us beyond magic. There's a level of connectivity to it. To the world around us, and since we're stuck here I can't ignore that any more than I would at home. That's not what a miko is supposed to do.

[Voice]

[endgames]

Don't suppose it'd include explaining what that means, to anyone less inclined...

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

Of course. When you use the spirit's power, you're borrowing a piece of them and growing more in touch with the element of that spirit. For me, at least, it's like becoming closer to that element. I think that understanding the spirits may help us understand the world here better. I can't help but think that maybe if we were able to attain better connectivity with them, we'd be able to learn more about this world.

[Voice]

[endgames]

Maybe. [He rests his chin in the palm of one hand. To be honest, he's following this well. Part of why he first sought out the spirits, years ago, is because he felt the same as her.] It's true they've been here the longest. By all accounts, they'd have the most to offer. But if that's so, doesn't that make it interesting that few people outside of the Cultists seek them out outside of our enclosure?

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

I don't know, to be honest. [She sighs] I wish I did. But given that Twila seemed to be sealed in our enclosure, maybe that has something to do with it? Or maybe it's due to the fact that Luceti just comes across as so different from the other enclosures I've seen. I know we have a...reputation...among them.

[Voice]

[endgames]

That's more of a consequence of our attitude, than anything the spirits have done. Even if it were... It wouldn't just be Twila, I'd think.

[Though he's often wondered if they're available to learn from, outside of here. Can any of them leave?]

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

I don't know, I mean...maybe you've been on more missions than me. Do other enclosures use them at all? I'm sort of assuming they're native to the entire planet, not just our enclosure.

[Voice]

[endgames]

They can't, no.

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

So only we can? Then I guess you're right. They are all probably contained here.

[Voice]

[endgames]

The interesting thing about it is, it can't have been so long ago. The cultists are well familiar with all of the magic - all but one.

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

Twila?

[Voice]

[endgames]

[He nods.]

It's possible they're familiar and choose not to use it, but whatever the case, I've never seen a single Cultist who uses the power.

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

[That is curious, and if Shikamaru could see her, he'd see furrowed brows.]

Then that does suggest it's only here. Have you really interacted with Twila, yourself?

[Voice]

[endgames]

I have.

[He says it simply, not proud nor bothered. It is what it is.]

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

What was she like?

[There's nothing in her voice but curiosity. Twila is a spirit like any other, and darkness not inherently evil, not in her mind anyway.]

[Voice]

[endgames]

It... [Since Twila has no gender. He pauses for thought.] It's like an adult that never grew up, in some ways.

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

What makes you say that? I'm curious because I...haven't tried contacting Twila yet. When I said I'd interacted with most of them, I left her out. I'm not sure about it, and I'd like to know more.

[Voice]

[endgames]

[Oh? He thought she'd included Twila before. Well that makes more sense then.]

You could start by not calling it a she, then.

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

I just ascribe she to most of the ones here. There's definitely gendered aspects to each one, but alright. It, then.

[Voice] 1/2

[endgames]

[...what. ...why.

No, he won't question it. But maybe he-- NO. No. He's not that interested. He doesn't want to hear any weird theories. He doesn't.

...seriously, why all women though.]

[Voice]

[endgames]

Before, when you said you sought them out, you said all of them but Sona and Kipinn. What had you leave Twila out?

[Voice]

[faithfulflame]

To be honest, because of the time we were all possessed. There's an element of fear in contacting darkness in any capacity, even though in my world we're taught that darkness isn't necessarily evil.

It doesn't make me less cautious about Twila, of course, and I left it out because I honestly am still unsure. I'm certainly open to the idea, but given that Twila is new, I'd rather be cautious before contacting it.

[Voice]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru drops his chin into the palm of his hand. He was expecting an answer like that - it seems to be the concern of everyone.]

It's not unwarranted. [Given what he's experiencing, anyways.] But not for the reasons you think, I'd say. The other spirits had just as selfish motives for possessing us as Twila did, after all.