empatheias: mailbox

[slavecrowned]

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[slavecrowned]

Of course!

[Her answer almost comes a little too quickly, enthusiastic.]

Your sister has told me a lot about you, and Y'shtola has told me about so many of her friends and family from home— I was a little sad when I thought that I might never get to know any of them, but I'm glad that's not the case with us.

[Even if it means being kidnapped to another world. It's probably fine.]

You have a natural affinity for magic, too, don't you?

[arcsplainist]

[ Well, good to know Alisaie can speak fondly of him; she's rather chatty about those dearest to her, so long as they're not within earshot.

Yet the topic quickly changes. Funny it should be brought up, and the way Alphinaud briefly flicks a glance at his folded notes might be a hint as to why. ]

Indeed, I consider myself something of an accomplished arcanist. I do recall you conjuring up the magical arts for yourself—something of an interest of yours, I presume?

[slavecrowned]

[Between the notes and the bits and pieces Terra has heard about some of his exploits back home, this is something she's been keen to talk to him about for some time, though shame regarding her behavior shortly after his arrival had delayed it until now.]

Yes! That is— most people where I'm from can't use it, so until I came to this place, I never really knew anyone else who could, at least not naturally.

[There was Celes, but even that situation had started out forced, even if Terra considered her a friend now.]

Coming to this world and finding there were so many people who could use magic in so many different ways was incredible.

[arcsplainist]

—Truly?

[ He sounds a touch surprised. While there were some back on Hydaelyn who lacked the ability to attune to their own aether, or simply did not walk the path of magic, the fact is that you would not be hard pressed to find someone who knew something of it. ]

The nature of our home worlds must vastly differ. The peoples of mine own have been able to manipulate aether since... well, beyond recorded history, most likely. I would assume your own lacks an ample resource such as aether to draw from, in that case.

[slavecrowned]

Y'shtola and Arthur have both told me some about magic in your world— it must be nice to come from a place where almost anyone can use it.

[It means that their abilities are viewed as talents, rather than a curse or a weapon.]

For a long while, the only people who could use magic back home were Espers— some of them seem to have parallels with the primals of your world, although they're not nearly as destructive. Magic is something most people have to be born with.

[arcsplainist]

[ Parallels with primals... That earns some raised brows, but they don't last long. Maybe that isn't quite as bad as it sounds. ]

Such as yourself, I presume? [ He chuckles softly. ] Ere we delve too deeply—fancy yourself some tea in the meantime? Concern yourself not over the cleaning for now.

[slavecrowned]

[She nods— yes, such as herself, but he's right. This could end up far too heavy a conversation for the hallway at the bottom of the stairs, and her smile turns just slightly sheepish.

The cleaning will be there later, she reminds herself, shoving down the urge to protest. Now that they've resolved to move forward, it seems like as good a time as any to take the time to get to know one another better.]

I'd love some— you're sure it wouldn't be interrupting your work?

[She glances towards the papers he'd been looking at on his way downstairs.]

[arcsplainist]

[ He waves his free hand dismissively. ]

'Tis nothing on a deadline, rest assured. Come now.

[ Without missing a beat he walks past, heading into the kitchen. ]

Have you any preferences?

[slavecrowned]

[There's only a brief moment of hesitation before she scoots after him, cleaning forgotten for now as he'd suggested. They've spent so much time being careful around one another that she's eager to make up for her own efforts not to engage. Once in the kitchen, she goes to put the kettle on even as he asks about choice of tea, which she's able to answer without giving it much thought.]

There's one Y'shtola made for me early on that I've become very fond of— it's lavender and vanilla, although of course if you don't like those, there are plenty others...

[She has difficulty speaking of what she wants with confidence in most situations, really.]

Whatever you like is fine!