crystal

[pathlit]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Jason Talons & Viktor Tendercrisp
RECIPIENT: One thread private to Cosima, Marcus, Yseult & the current Diplomacy representative; otherwise, open.
NOTES: Context under the cut.

[ It's an ordinary day in post-sieged Kirkwall. The air is muggy with intermittent summer showers that dampen dirt and stone, invoking the scent of earth and, in the lower streets, aerosolizing the stench of a crowded populace. Reparations continue, maneuvering around them normalized.

So it's an ordinary day in Kirkwall up until the exact moment that a workshop in Lowtown erupts with a brilliant hue of blue light bursting from every open window, door and crevice. The blast is felt more than heard; a subtle drop in pressure 'round the block seconds before acute release, its pulse strong enough to rattle the foundation and knock an average-sized human off their feet.

A pillar of fire shoots out from the building's chimney, high enough to be seen from The Gallows for all of a few seconds before abruptly vanishing. Light blue particles glimmer in its wake, as if suspended amongst the humid air, then gently float downward to vanish the moment they alight.

No casualties (aside from whatever creature may have been naïve enough to roost upon the chimney's crown). Mild property damage. Elation. ]

( open )
[Viktor's voice, broadcast to Riftwatch at large, is at first distantly quiet.]

What should I—

[Suddenly much closer and clearer:]

Ehh— should anyone happen to have noticed a combustion event on the mainland just now, please be assured it's nothing to worry about.

( closed to Division Heads )
[ Minutes later, the sending crystals of the division heads light up. ]

Hey! Hi, uh-- [ Jayce clears his throat. ] Hello. It's Jayce. Jayce and Viktor. Research div. There was a-- an incident in Lowtown. That was us, not an attack. Everything's okay. Could you let the Viscount know?

[From a few metres away, raised thin with excitement, Viktor's voice:] Tell them! Tell them what we've done!

[ Jayce, with a breathy laugh and an excitement scarcely backdropped by the worry of reprimand (and-or shock of success): ] Yeah, we've-- we've got it! Runic enchantment. Viktor and I figured it out. How to do it ourselves, I mean.

Comments

[laruetheday]

You guys just got yelled at by like five people. You should be grateful I didn't join in.

that icon

[grindset]

[He is, truly; however, he's also feeling a bit cheeky, so:]

Don't hold back on my account.

it's very good

[laruetheday]

Why should I?

[ he's cheeky, she's just contrary ]

[grindset]

Why not?

[tennis, anyone]

[laruetheday]

Tell me you just blew up something I give a shit about and maybe I will.

[pathlit]

[ In the background: ]

We didn't blow up anything!

[laruetheday]

[ the giant pillar of fire seemed pretty explosionlike if you ask her ]

[grindset]

Not this time—unless you harbour some affection for stone chimney caps.

[laruetheday]

They're not really my thing.

[grindset]

Then I'm afraid you must simply enjoy this.

[laruetheday]

I am.

[ There's a brief pause, and then: ]

Hey, would you guys want a telescope?

[grindset]

A telescope?

[A sudden, notchy change in gear; a look to Jayce on reflex.]

[pathlit]

Wh-- For stars?

[ That kind of telescope? ]

[laruetheday]

... Yeah. [ Are there other kinds? News to her. ]

It's just. I have Ellie's, and I wouldn't get any use out of it.

[ She doesn't know why it's weird, but she is definitely feeling the weirdness and trying to back out of the situation now. ] But you're busy. Forget it.

—> private;

[grindset]

No, no—

[A hasty gesture tells Jayce to keep his crystal away for the moment; Viktor then gets on his own to lock this exchange to Clarisse.]

I know the one you mean. That's... that's quite a generous gift.

private ∞

[laruetheday]

I guess so. But like I said, I won't use the thing.

[pathlit]

[ After a beat of hesitation, Jayce unclasps the crystal-made-pendant from his neck and sets it aside—between the pages of a book, actually.

Leaning into Viktor’s space, hand perched on his shoulder: ]

Keep it safe for us? Until we’re back and… settled.

[ Whatever ‘settled’ might look like once the division heads have been debriefed. ]

[grindset]

Yes, that might be best for now. Or, [if she'd rather not have to look at it,] ehh... you could bring it to the library. It's up to you.

[laruetheday]

I can hold onto it for now.

[ It's in a case, so it's not like it's taking up a ton of room in her tent. Especially because it's just her and Abby in there now.

Well, and the dog. ]