outer_divide | [Video: Rumors of my Death Were Precisely Accurate]

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[Video: Rumors of my Death Were Precisely Accurate]

[Chime is in his groundling form, so it's only a little difficult to read his expressions. He seems quite frazzled and very tired, but if anyone saw him while he was sick, the difference is startling. He was wasted away to skin and bone, but now he's himself again, strong and solid if naturally lean and long-faced.]

Um... Hello, everyone? Some of you might have heard that I was... gone. And I was. But I'm back now. But not back in the city. I would probably get sick again. So I'll be up in the mountains. I'm alright there. There's plenty for me to catch and eat. I'm even still helping with the hunting, and sending it back with a friend. I don't think I could have visitors. Even if someone wanted to travel as far out as I'm staying, I could get sick again. But, well, it's... It's very empty out here. I'd like to hear voices at least. If you're not busy doing anything else.

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[Haruka is frowning at the screen, from her sickbed, looking rather the worse for wear herself-- but nowhere near as badly off as he did before he went. Something about that guy's face just doesn't look right.... And she can't really make sense of what he's saying, either.]

You were gone?

[What the hell does that mean, anyway?]

[He's never met her... Him? He's not entirely certain of the lines between human males and females, and it's very confusing, since the females seem to be smaller, for some reason. He'd probably avoid making more than a polite reply, but he needs someone to talk to rather badly.]

I was... Trying to be subtle. I don't think I ought to get into detail on the network.

[Lyall had been very closed-lipped about the situation, after all. He'd follow suit if he could manage it.]

Subtle.

[It takes her a beat to translate that in her head, and then she makes an annoyed noise.]

Wait a minute. I can lock this....

[And she disconnects before making a secure connection. Haruka might not be the technical whiz that Mizuno is, but she can at least manage that by now, on this particular network.]

There. Now can you be clearer?

Oh, that's clever.

[Chime always does his best to be agreeable, and it really does seem like a useful trick. But now he'd better get on with it.]

I died. I was sick, you see, and... Well, then I woke up in the pods just like when I'd first arrived.

You died.

[She looks blankly at him for a minute.]

And then came back in the pod. That... huh.

[It isn't as if she's unfamiliar with coming back from the dead. She's done it, once or twice. She frowns and scratches at the back of her head.]

Well, that is interesting. I wonder if it is some kind of power.

[He's not quite sure he's following her ruminations.]

I remembered everything. It was just like when I first woke up here. And the fever didn't do me any favors, but I was whole and healthy again, too.

If it was going to bring you back to life, I do not think it would bring you back to life sick again. That would be... a little bit stupid.

[She smirks a bit at him, at that comment.]

Wonder if that was all science, or if there really is some power here.

[...She's a bit difficult.]

I'd be impressed anyway. I would certainly guess it's magic, though nothing I've ever seen before.

[You have no idea, Chime. Difficult barely begins to describe Haruka. She looks thoughtful now, though.]

Yes, that. I have never seen things like that done with science, but there are people here who seem to think most of it is science. Just more advanced than anything I have ever known.

I'm not really clear on the difference.

[At home, there's no distinction between natural and magic. There are a few machines or concoctions that don't rely on any particular magic and some races manage spells better than others, but the very rocks have their own power. It's hard to divide out anything to call science.]

[Haruka has never actually explained that, actually. She takes a moment to think it through.]

Ah. Well. I suppose... science is done with machines and electricity. It is easier to explain where it comes from and how it works. Power, or magic I guess, is done with a different kind of energy and using the right words to guide it.

[Chime doesn't really follow, but he suspects it wouldn't help to ask for clarification.]

Well, I don't know much about the one and I can't do the other anymore, so...

[Haruka chuffs a little laugh, which promptly turns into a spat of coughing. When she can speak again, she sounds vaguely amused.]

I only know enough about the one to fix a car if not broken too badly. You used to do magic?

I used to be a mentor. They're healers, oracles, maintainers of the mountain tree... Not like groundling sorcerers. But there were too few clutches of any kind in my colony, but particularly aeriat. I changed into a warrior, and I don't have access to those powers anymore.

[He's fairly clearly unhappy about it, too.]

[Though Haruka doesn't have any idea what a mentor is, and she doesn't actually recognize the English word "Oracle" or "groundling", she can at least guess about his disappointment and unhappiness. Still, if it was needed, it was needed.]

I'm sorry. At least you can help in a way that is necessary, though, at least? If the change happened because it was needed?

Actually, it was just before we discovered the cause of the curse and moved to a new home with every hope of prospering, and I'm a terrible warrior.

[So he can be a bit sour.]

Oh.

[Sympathy is not really Haruka's strong point, to be honest. She considers giving it a try, but winds up not bothering.]

What do warriors do, then? Fight?

[Shrug.]

That and any flying that needs doing, so long trips or ferrying arbora for repair jobs. And females are much better at both, of course. It's not the most interesting way to make a living.

Better if you enjoy it, I guess. I like fighting. So it sounds just fine, to me. Would give a lot to be able to fly, actually.

[She is, after all, the senshi of the wind, and running or driving has always been the closest she could get to flying.]

You'd make a better warrior than I do. I could take you flying after the plague passes, if you like.

[He can be a little useful that way.]

[That surprises her, and she blinks at him.]

You can take people flying?

[Just how does he do that?]

Unless you're much bigger than you look. Though most people don't enjoy being flown much.

[But for arbora it's just sort of a chore. Groundlings who didn't grow up used to the idea, in his experience, usually think it's interesting, at least.]

Flying myself would be better, I am sure, but I cannot see why anyone would protest. It must be amazing to fly.

[She even looks eager at the idea.]

How do you do it? Do you carry a person? How big are you?

Well, it's cold and disorienting. Most arbora don't like it, and even warriors tend to complain if they need to be carried by Stone...

[He remembers that much from when he was an arbora. Thankfully, he has yet to be in circumstances where he needs to be toted around by the line grandfather at top speed.]

I just hold on, and you'd hold back.

[He'd hold very carefully, of course. Humans seem small and certainly didn't grow up needing to be carried every so often.]

I'm bigger in my winged form.

[So he changes shape, it's not just magic. Huh. If she wasn't already familiar with transformations that resulted in short skirts and lipstick, she'd be confused, but Usagi herself even got wings when she transformed.]

Sounds pretty unstable. No ropes or straps or anythin'? Or you just strong enough to hold onto somebody?

[Not that she's remotely nay-saying this idea. She sounds intrigued, and just working on details, now.]

I suppose we're all used to it at home. Well, everyone else is used to it. When I was a mentor I was the one being carried, but I've done it plenty of times since and no one's really come to grief.

[Well, that was reassuring.]

Heh, none of them were me.

[She can just imagine herself letting go to enjoy the feeling of flying more-- to easier pretend she was the one doing it-- and falling. Because Haruka's a daredevil in some things.]

When we're both well again, and this whole plague thing is over... you're gonna hafta do that. I've never been flying when it wasn't in an airplane or helicopter.

[She pauses, then realizes that not only did she say those words in Japanese, but he probably wouldn't know what they were, anyway. So she clarifies.]

Or I guess-- a very big flying machine. Not near as fun as it sounds doing it with wings.

Flying ships? No, it's not really the same thing at all. Though they are nice to rest on when it's quiet.

[Chime is picturing actual boats fitted with magical stones that levitate them above the earth to be propelled along the lines of power that link the Three Worlds, but talking past each other isn't new.]

It's much faster to fly with wings, but less comfortable.

[Haruka doesn't do anything to correct that assumption, either.]

Sorta. Flying with wings is probably a lot more exciting, too. And do you mean uncomfortable for me or for you?

I mean for you. Especially compared to traveling by ship. It's cold and unsteady. I didn't like it very much when I was still arbora.

Well, cold you dress for. Unsteady... we will see.

[She grins, optimistic about it despite Chime's negativity.]

Now we all just have to get well, ne?

Oh, yes, good luck. ...I don't recommend my method, though I do feel much better.

Heh, I will not be letting a sickness kill me, I am sure of that. But thank you. You have had enough conversation for now, I hope?

[Since that's what he'd been after, and she probably ought to get back to work, anyway.]

I suppose.

[Difficult creature, this one. He's smiling wryly, by Raksura standards.]

[She gives him a quick little salute and grins.]

Maybe I will call you again later. We can talk more about flying. Ja.

[And, after that mostly-teasing remark, she's signed off and back to work.]

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[Video: Rumors of my Death Were Precisely Accurate]

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