21:48] Kateto Espero exclaims, "Ah! Maria!"
[21:48] Justia says in telepathy, Sterling has a Telepathy class
[21:48] Maria Malibu exclaims, "!!!!"
[21:48] Maria Malibu hugs Kateto!
(Maria Malibu)


[21:48] Maria Malibu also hears someone in her head!
(Maria Malibu)


[21:48] Justia says, "The weaker dens give one token each"
[21:48] Justia says, "But give me just a moment"
[21:48] Maria Malibu exclaims, "!!!"
[21:48] Shirin Shigenobu exclaims, "Alright..!"
[21:48] Maria Malibu says, "W-h..."
[21:49] Maria Malibu says, "W-..."
[21:49] Maria Malibu says, "..."
[21:49] Justia says, "Kateto"
[21:49] Kateto of course returns the hug. "How have you been lately? Been a bit."
(Kateto Espero)


[21:49] Maria Malibu stares at Justia. Why...was she tiny?
(Maria Malibu)


[21:49] Maria Malibu says, "Erm-..."
[21:49] Kateto Espero asks, "Oh, and what is it Justia?"
[21:49] Justia says, "There is a Telepathy class."
[21:49] Justia says, "I imagine Maria would want to participate."
[21:49] Maria Malibu ponders, "So we're not going to talk about Justia being 5 inches tall right now?"
[21:49] Justia says in telepathy, I can hear you.
[21:49] Kateto Espero says, "Oh! I'd like to participate as well probably. Even if I already know it."
[21:49] Maria Malibu buzzes, "Why are you so tiny!!!"
[21:50] Kateto Espero says, "And Shrinking Draught, Maria."
[21:50] Justia says in telepathy, I drank a potion
[21:50] Maria Malibu ponders, "A-also...where is the class located?"
[21:50] Maria Malibu thinks, "Aww. Look at you..."
[21:50] Justia says, "Come"
[21:50] Maria Malibu says, "...Cute..."
[21:50] Justia says, "I'll show you"
[21:50] Inanitry says, "I suspect that it be best to attend, Ms Espero "
[21:51] Maria Malibu picks up Justia with her hands..
(Maria Malibu)


[21:51] Justia says, "I-"
[21:51] Maria Malibu says, "..."
[21:51] Maria Malibu ponders, "Can we keep her?"
[21:51] Kateto Espero says, "It doesn't last forever unfortunately. Also she's Gloomlight's so we couldn't keep her if we could."
[21:52] Maria Malibu says, "Aww-..."
[21:52] Maria Malibu puts her down...sadly...
(Maria Malibu)


[21:52] Winterfrost says, "..."
[21:52] Winterfrost says, "Cat."
[21:52] Justia chuckles.
(Justia)


[21:52] Kateto Espero says, "Oh hey there again Winter. Hope you've been good."
[21:52] Winterfrost pokes Katet's forehead.
(Winterfrost )


[21:52] Maria Malibu thinks, "Thank you, by the way Justia."
[21:52] Winterfrost says, "I've been better."
[21:52] Justia says in telepathy, You're welcome
[21:53] Maria Malibu thinks, "You scared the shit out of me sneaking up on me. You're lucky I didn't step on you."
[21:53] Maria Malibu thinks, "...Really thought you were a rat for a sec there..."
[21:53] Justia says in telepathy, This is why I am floating...
[21:53] Kateto Espero says, "Oh Justia, Maria says thank you...although I'm not translating that latter part."
[21:53] Maria Malibu thinks, "Anyway! Thank you for telling me about this."
[21:53] Kateto Espero says, "Oh right, sorry, force of habit."
[21:53] Justia says in telepathy, I am going to help someone now
[21:53] Justia says in telepathy, I'll help you more later if you like
[21:53] Winterfrost says, "I wish Justia's tiny forever."
[21:53] Winterfrost says, "Sigh,"
[21:54] Maria Malibu says, "Tiny..."
[21:54] Maria Malibu sighs.
(Maria Malibu)


[21:56] Kateto's forehead is poked. Not the worst thing to happen to their forehead, but they rubbed it afterwards nonetheless. "What was that for though, Winter..."

Now properly in the middle of class, however, they'd pay attention to Sterling. Or rather what they could catch from the telepathic messaging they walked in on. Their own circuit was forcibly reopened. Brought from atrophy once more by borrowed power, however they wished to forgo it since it wasn't a power they could hold forever themself.
(Kateto Espero)


[21:56] In silence does the Priestess listen. A small notepad is produced, and a quill soon thereafter. She starts to write down the words of the winged teacher, in elegant script and fluid motions. Scribing for her future reference, the events of this night.

"Atrophied...Why is it that exercising it into working order impotent compared to these Symbiotes? Wouldn't forming it on your own make it more rooted in you?"

A tilt of the head, as she finally looks up towards the psion. Her pen stops, a space set aside for the answer.
(Briar Ainsworth)


[21:58] Grit would stand across from Sterling, besides his other question about the brainworm he'd keep his silence, waiting for whatever instruction that Sterling had to offer.

She'd start with a short speech, giving a brief history of how telepathy, and psionics were as a whole. Maybe it would be useful to know this in the future, or not, either way, Grit was really just interested in the actual application of Telepathy. Afterall if he is cleansed there's a good chance that he will lose his voice once more.

Just with that thought, Sterling's third eye would open, prompting the boy to just briefly stare at it, then shrug. His time spent at Atrellya had made him more shock-resistant to the oddities of some of the different races and bodies of people who inhabit meranthe.

Following that however, was the next part of the instruction, this time brought to him by some odd form of telepathy. Before, when he was at Atrellya, interacting with people who could read minds was nothing new to him. Having been a mute before his transformation, this was the more optimal way to communicate.

He'd just silently follow along to the telepathic instruction he was receiving, receiving more information on how the brain worm, that he had heard about before, and, had heard rumors about in general was. Admittedly, with his somewhat blind assumption on hearing the term 'brain worm'...It was not a comforting thought, before this instruction he would think of them, much like a horror movie. Digging into people's heads, controlling them, a hivemind, that sort of thing.

They way Sterling explained it, actually made it sound like getting one was...interesting, a thought for another time, as he'd just shake his head in response to Sterling, and her asking if there were any questions. He would just quietly stand there, waiting for the next part of the instruction, assuming there was one.
(Grit)


[21:58] Back into unreality, more of a journey for her than most, as she didn't actually live here at all. The last time she was here was rather recently though, one of her many ventures into the Realm of Fire, a plane of which she has spent quite a long time within. Regardless, there were things to pay attention to, now.

At least for now, this was mostly repetition of things she already knew, little to gleam in terms of knowledge she could gain. The muscle that Sterling mentioned, it had already been stimulated before, within the drakanite. As such, there was little struggle in being able to hear the Montelione.

How long had it been actually, since she was last in this room..?

Nevertheless, she had been somewhat consistently nurturing the muscle- she does interact with several telepaths every day, even moreso than when she was younger.

For the moment, Niaelyn lean against what was offered behind her, her head craning to face Sterling. Despite how long those wings had been present, she never did get used to so many eyes staring back at her, let alone the one present on Sterling's forehead. Though, things out of the ordinary in such a capacity were more than commonplace, at this point.

"Questions... no, not from me. Though- it's unfortunate Ikonocles isn't here, the lack of hammers is staggering."
(Niaelyn Bargiel)


[21:58] Natrix looks at floating, winged, horned, haired people. Wow a lot of various peoples, Natrix would wanna Fly! Float! Has wings and has horns, also hair, sadly he's bald and just an ordinary human..

But Natrix is not ordinary human! He's a knight!! A knight with greatsword!! Oh, we're listening to the lesson? Sorry got too taken in the thought of getting nyeshk dentures. Natrix thinks.

Natrix takes a look at Sterling Montelione, her doing something, opening her eye on a forehead, wow. And some strange things happened on the eye, even more strange Natrix seen his reflection at the eye when it was locked onto him, Natrix was not expecting that, is he just going to make eyes and make the insides of them dance? HOW COOL!!

Natrix then listens to what Sterling says and nods, 'This circuit.. Dead, limbs without muscles, some dead guys looking like worms. Spirits.. They are spirits. Hmm.. Spirits. A lot of spirits.'

"WILL I BE EYE MASTER? CAN I MAKE EYES ON MY GREATSWORD?"
Natrix asks, clearly wanting to get an answer.
(Natrix)


[21:59] Winterfrost arrived with the group, but with the purpose of seeking amusement since he never had such aspirations to use Psionic magic. Even then- he has little room for such, and even now- he believes he's too strong to even rely on such a thing.

Special magics and divine boons were a setback to him. He took pride in mastering his elemental magic to the extremes and use it in ways people couldn't.

A single poke was given towards Katet. A bone chilling index finger extended outward to press against the forehead, lightly offering the poke before taking his hand away from their face.

"When I care about someone, I poke their foreheads."
(Winterfrost )


[22:01] Maria, as pained as she was to put down the small Justia, would figure that there are more...important things to pay attention too at the moment.

She places Justia down, eyes now focused on Sterling as they spoke. Luckily, she came just in time to hear their brief explanation on Telepathy.

An extended branch of psionics. Of course, Maria figured as much as of late. Spiritual awareness, and the ability to echo one's thoughts into another.

"Mm..."

A magical circuit that everyone has? So it's possible that anyone with magi circuits can learn telepathy? The thought would interest her, canary hues flicking about as she heard the explanation from the winged Montelione.

"!!!"

She'd hear Sterling loud and clear. Did it make sense for Maria that she had already tapped into this circuit already? Her experience speaking over thoughts with so many others such as Justia, Kateto, and Yuki, would explain as such. All she needed to do now was simply harness the circuit. For the opening was already there, thankfully given to her by Yuki multiple times.

The woman wonders if her circuit was already active by now, considering that she has heard the thoughts of so many. Perhaps it was true that all she needed was a little push and practice. A connection of circuits had given her great success in Telepathically speaking with others. But how can she project her voice without touching another and connecting circuits?

She speaks with her thoughts echoing loud. Maria envelopes a more...scholarly side of herself. Something the Gunslinger no doubt had harbored from her other siblings such as Lavenza and Majora.

["And how does one 'project' their thoughts onto someone else? I've had success with Telepathy by touching people and 'connecting' my magi circuits to them. But i still do not understand how to project my voice like so many others."] She offers her query. For the telepathic, her thoughts would be loud and clear. Maria opening her circuits and her heart once again. But for those who cannot hear her thoughts, who did not awaken to that circuit? She'd merely be the silent mute she always was.

["Also...are there...r-really worms in my head?"]

She blinks, that thought absolutely terrified her....
(Maria Malibu)


[22:03] The newcomer raising their hand for a moment whilst the others speak their own questions, waiting patiently for the din to die down before they'd ask their own. The cat's voice was soft and would've been easily overwhelmed by the collective voices of the class otherwise.

"I have...heard of these circuits forcibly being opened once again through certain magics. Is that not similar to what the symbiotes do, or rather does the symbiote replace those circuits altogether in a way to strengthen it?" They asked with a tilt of the head.

However their attention was soon drawn back to Winterfrost not long after. The cold was always unnerving to the cat, but they were able to hide it well. Slight discomforts were something the cat was used to, given the restraint on their wrist.

"Oh myyy, then I'm honored to be poked, Winter. Glad you've been doing better as well. Still doing my usual on my end."
(Kateto Espero)


[22:05] Winterfrost says, "Glad to hear. Good luck on the Psionic lessons. We can hang later."
[22:05] Natrix asks, "Eye.. Can i make eye balls out of thin air and eat them?"
[22:05] Winterfrost says, "So uhh."
[22:05] Winterfrost says, "Nevermind. I guess I'm staying."
[22:06] He laughs in embarrassment.
(Winterfrost )


[22:06] Kateto Espero asks, "Do you...not know how to leave this place?"
[22:06] Winterfrost says, "No....BUT. I don't mind staying."
[22:06] Kateto Espero says, "I can show you if you'd like real quick. It's not that far away."
[22:06] Natrix exclaims, "I'm all injured. Bleeding and i have bones coming out of insides of my armor!"
[22:10] Maria Malibu says, "..."
[22:10] Maria Malibu nods at Natrix. She can see that.
(Maria Malibu)


[22:15] Maria Malibu thinks about tiny Justia....
(Maria Malibu)


[22:15] Maria Malibu thinks, "...I miss her so much."
[22:17] Kateto pats the gunslinger on the shoulder. "It's alright. Do not be sad tiny Justia is gone, but rather cherish the memories we had with tiny Justia."

The thought of drinking a Shrinking Draught themself did cross their mind for a moment, but they perished the thought.
(Kateto Espero)


[22:17] And to Briar, Sterling's head shifts. A subtle nod, a cant of the head, wide. Their horns rest, one by their shoulder, one by his... well, nothing.
Sterling's definitely taller than they were before. Four and a half feet? A little more? If anyone's keeping track, best to keep it in the back of their head.

"[You'd think, Briar, no? But the circuit are a part of you. Think of it like the difference in 'learning how to ride a bike' and 'being given forty years of professional bike experience, and the most bicycle bike of all time.'
When you bond with a symbiote, you are contracting a spirit. There's no reason not to, because psionics is spiritual itself. It's like learning to swim, and opting out of being able to breath underwater. You're only shooting yourself in the foot.

But it's very doable, and to some, preferable.]"
Winterfrost's forehead poking care amuses the bird, while they turn to regard Natrix. Almost disappointed, somewhere, somehow, on that face of his, did they watch with two closed eyes.
"[I mean. Yes. Maybe? You could. But why? Sure, sure, yes. You can put eyes on your sword. Why not.]"

He's a great addition to class.
To witness the latecomer, Maria, drift inside, Sterling passes a nod and another pupil of his eye splits apart to regard them. Kateto, too. They all get a little piece of real estate on that ever-most metaphysical eye. Just to communicate a tad better- Maria is heard, and then her thoughts, too, are echoed in the others. A little repeat of everything the mute said.

And then she responds, having forwarded that 'mental mail' to the rest of the class.
"[Awareness, manifested control, and then a guiding direction. The difference between muffled listening, humming, and speaking- being telepathed to, thinking, and telepathing yourself.
And there are no worms in your head, no. They're not even worms. They are symbiotes.]"

Kateto is regarded next, with a more curious, familiar, although still largely passive stare. 'Not worth it,' someone once said. Someone respectable. Maybe that'd changed. Either way, the pupil swivels in place before he think-speaks again.
"[Symbiotes bridge the gap for you. They cross that link, they give muscle back to your circuits. They... 'puppet' it for you, at first, and you feed it with a bit of your own focus. Dull headaches- hardly even annoying on the day to day- persist, until it is evolved.
I, for one, have no headaches.
...I think, I am, among psions, at least- the third most profoundly proficient. Behind Loramelian and Fauste. And maybe Matthew.]"
He shudders, the last words trailing off with a chill.

Sterling definitely got taller somewhere in all of this.
"[All that said, hopefully succinctly...
The best way, I've found, to expose this muscle to activity, is not merely 'speaking' to it, but giving it a more practical 'exposure.']"

His hand lifts, pointing upwards- but not towards any specific object. Their finger curls, a little, half-resting while a gravitational force coalesces. Something they can't see, individually, but it draws their attention toward it all the same. Niaelyn probably remembers what comes next. In fact- they could already feel the echoes of that mist crawling into reality from Not.

"[I'm going to open a little incision to Unreality.
A small one. Far-removed from the step that involves evolving the symbiote.

You will hear traces of the unintelligible.
Do not think so hard about them.

This is your time to ask, preferably, any short questions, about the immediate future.]"
(Sterling Montelione)


[22:26] More notes to be taken, as the priestess starts writing down the answer to her question, as well as the answers of the others. Though, Natrix's is notably left out. Swords on eyes, what a silly idea.. Right?

"I see.. Hmm." She begins to mutter to herself, resting the quill against her lips for a moment, "Impressive. I suppose that's to be expected.. Mm.."

She offered little more in regards to the rest, watching and learning as she went.

Though, she does squint at the mention of 'making an incision in unreality'.
(Briar Ainsworth)


[22:28] Grit would continue to stand there, and wait, remaining still and quite, even as the rest of the class speaks up. He'd just notice how Sterling seems to regard each member of the class who stated one thing or another.

Grit had learned, a great deal of things in his time with Gloomlight, often challenging some of it's member to debates of philosophy or even, like when he spoke with Ksceniya, played devil's advocate to probe what they really thought. Compared to the lonely days in Atrellya, only lively when Rebecca was around to hang out or dote on him, he had been, comparatively, a lot more outgoing.

Maybe the boy's objective in asking all the questions, getting into the debates he had with the people around, was for a reason besides simple curiosity. He had thought, that after Loramelian successfully cleansed him, he wouldn't have a chance to really talk to them again, having to go back to his ways of just nod, shaking his head, and spellingout simple sentences and statements using his blood magic, turning it into letters.

And now, he's learning a skill that he was told that could be offered through signing away his very soul, without having to do any of that. While he wasn't sure he would sign it or not before, and it wasn't just for the telepathy or not. He is glad to have the opportunity to learn it at all.

Still as his mind began to get distracted with his past, and how he wasn't able to communicate efficiently with those around him, he'd quickly snap out of it, looking back towards Sterling, unsure if she knew all that he was just thinking, but shrugged, she likely did anyway, oh well, he has nothing to really hide about himself at this point. He'd simply focus on the lesson once again.

He wasn't sure what, unreality was or is, or what traces of unintelligible were, but he'd remain focused all the same, trying to mentally prepare for the unexpected.
(Grit)


[22:28] "Hmm, a curious process to be certain. Though ultimately gentler than what some undergo." The cat themself evidently didn't have a symbiote despite their usage of telepathy. Though they could most definitely agree with the 'Not worth it' part of that. Their own process was strange enough as is.

"Seems the decision to get the symbiote or not is more dependent on your goals ultimately. Someone who merely wishes to learn telepathy might opt out of it because it's unnecessary." They glanced away with a sigh and continued to speak. "That is, of course,if we divorce ourselves from the ever present discomfort many feel with the very concept of the symbiotes. That's not a can of worms I think is necessary to get into though."

There was one last question from the Cat for the time being, however. As they looked around the room worriedly at the mention of unreality.

"I suppose we should ask first if anyone has any sensitivities to Unreality that they know of. It's a rare condition, but one I'd rather not have to deal with if possible..." They were a doctor, of course they'd have to deal with it if something happened.
(Kateto Espero)


[22:29] Natrix hears some tiny sounds to his ear, muted by the pain of a lot of wounds, but he almost heard something from them.. Ahh.. 'yes sure', Wow.. Hmm..

Natrix finally understand that the voices into his head could say something really nice, not just 'I am a man, go away weirdo.' like he was taught by some unknown voice in the wilderness when Natrix clearly stumbled upon a real girl! Possibly.

"[CAN I MAKE GREATSWORD WITH LEGS, EYES AND MOUTH? I WANNA GET A REAL FRIEND, FLYING GREATSWORD IS GREAT, BUT GREATSWORD WITH LEGS EVEN GREATER.]"
Natrix thinks.. But then he sees Sterling's hand lifting, pointing upwards? What? Natrix didn't hear anything, probably muted by the intense feeling of pain. He looks at that direction. Uhh, the celling looks nice, Natrix ponders. Oh wait, a ceiling must be something! Natrix remembers how he was thrown into a big hole of nothingness when he was just standing on the ground and he had awaken in the forest alone, and attacked, curse them!

It seems like the ceiling is no special one and it wouldn't be that, Natrix sighs with relief.
(Natrix)


[22:29] Several late additions, a mix of faces she both did and didn't know. Amethyst hues regarded them briefly, before returning towards the center of the room.

As she didn't ask any questions herself, she pondered on the answers Sterling had given out- though it seemed mostly to pertain to the symbiotes. The drakanite had long since upheld a stance that she would not receive a symbiote, one she still intends to hold.

Oh, she absolutely remembered. The last time she was here, alongside many others, she was enveloped within a mist that made her, for lack of a better word, hallucinate vividly.

"Ah... the purple hallucinogenic mist... Such a fond memory. Though- I'm not as addled by nightmares this time, so perhaps I'll gain more through it this time..?" It was true, the last time Niaelyn was here, she was hardly able to think straight, let alone peer into unreality. This time would be different, however. Therewas a mite of instability within that skull of hers, but for the most part she seemed to be rather cognizant.

"I fear I'm slightly used to the unintelligible..! I wonder if that's a bad thing?" It was nothing to scoff at though, the illusions that Unreality conjured were rather intense, putting it mildly.

Still, this was something she had experienced before. However, this time, it was being done in an entirely different state of mind, so who was to say what would happen?
(Niaelyn Bargiel)


[22:30] Maria was on the verge of tears. The memories she had with tiny Justia were cherished just as they were fleeting. She missed the little knight, and would hope that their tiny adventures would bode her well in the coming future.

She had missed her, more than anyone...more than anything.

Even her siblings..

"..."

"!!!"

Anyway, she'd forget about tiny Justia as soon as Sterling spoke.

The metaphysical eye is taken in her purview. A curious glance from the little Gunslinger who's wish was to speak as easily to others as other's could speak for themselves. This meant more to her than just a neat trick she can use to tease people every once in a while. But it was a method of speech that would grant her what she had always wanted in her fleeting life.

A voice.

["Thank the gods..."] A sigh of relief, realizing there were no wormies in her head.

Or...perhaps that was what the deep state wanted her to think...

["I see. So it's all about...awareness..?"] An interesting thought. Something she'd had to practice with in the near future. Lucky for her, it already seemed her Magi circuit was and has been well open for a while now.

She listens intently, nodding at the man's words with intrigue.

["Practical exposure?"]

A nod, as she ponders...

Crossing her arms, the metaphysical magi herself would have interest clear across her hue as Unreality is upon in front of her gaze. Her eyes widen, a plethora of voices echoing through that tear in reality.

"...Am-...ready." Maria says softly, preparing herself for the exposure.

A smile across her face.

Something about a connection with 'symbiotes' would interest her. It was as if she had a natural indication toward such a thing. Perhaps she'd ask more about it sooner than later.

But for now?

She'd watch.

And listen...

"..."

(Maria Malibu)

[22:32] Natrix asks, "So what's above?"
[22:34] Justia stays perfectly still on the table behind Niaelyn as she just listens in.
(Justia)


[22:36] Maria Malibu exclaims, "!!!!!!!"
[22:36] Maria Malibu exclaims, "Hwuh!!!"
[22:37] Maria Malibu notices tiny Justia! In the flesh!
(Maria Malibu)


[22:37] Justia waves
(Justia)


[22:37] Maria Malibu smiles and waves at tiny Justia. Resisting the urge to put her on her shoulder.
(Maria Malibu)


[22:38] From Maria's sudden exclamation, Kateto also notices the now even tinier Justia. Waving at her alongside Maria.
(Kateto Espero)


[22:44] Their finger hooks and curls on the air.
"[This is how we will find out, Kateto.]"

He tentatively ignores Natrix' inner thoughts, loud as they are, and as equally unpleasant to think about, in favor of concentration. The eyes that scattered gazes across the room fold up and snuff out. Candles all cast into darkness, while reality bends, cries, and then weeps.

A tear runs down the air, both as a weeping droplet and as the incision of incisors on flesh, sundering side from side whilst an absence is let in. They do not observe a black darkness, or an off-purple hue, but the absence of such. Can you stare at a thing, that does not exist? There is Nothing, capital 'N,' beyond that rip in spacetime. There is no time, either. Hardly even space, one can quantify, where it does not exist. The narrative itselfis let in, only in part, and in the realm uncontested, dominated, solely ruled over by the Mind Eater for generations, there is plenty of psionic presence.

Sterling is focused, wordless, without pause and with great effort- they pull a wisp of that nothing into the air. And, suddenly, every bit of focus diverted to the Not becomes given to something. After all- to take Unreality into reality is to make it... real.
You can't have Unreality in the usual sense, here.
It becomes something close. It begins to exist. It is a task that is not easy, it mimics the very act of Creation from the dawn of time. Yet, it takes no shape, and Sterling's silhouette slightly wilts while something is taken from the Bedrock of Reality, even if it's little more than a stone.

Or a sphere.
Shape.
What is she holding?

It still defies names and expectations. It is a sheer mote of potential. It is drawn from the Not and becomes ____.

That pulse thrums throughout their thoughts, while the difficult to comprehend remains slightly comprehensible. And the seal of the barrier into Unreality shuts close behind this shapeless mote of essence, before it fizzles out in Sterling's hand. It transforms into mist, and billows out in and endless font. It curls around their feet, wisps through the air, becomes the very air that they breath. And, as if having rekindled her strength in the very same motion...

"[Breathe.]"
(Sterling Montelione)


[22:55] Briar's eyes opened wide upon exposure. Golden hues usually held at an unaffected half-gaze of poise, opened wide enough that one could see nearly a normal gaze. Almost.

Colors unimaginable strike her consciousness. Her mind is forced to attempt to comprehend the incomprehensible. To see this wild and uncaring beyond, this abyss that they were saved from by...whatever it was Talguth had done to the Twilight City.

"..." What do you say to the indescribable? What could you possibly do to internalize something like that?

To her, its black. It is nothing at all. Then, it is white. Nothing but. It fades and slits. Forms into two perfect halves. Duality. She can almost find it beautiful. Serene.

Then static forces its way in and there is little to see but it. Things mold and shift, her only perception of reality faltering.

And when she returns...

What was it she heard now? Thoughts? Images? Dreams? Nightmares?

"Hmm..."
(Briar Ainsworth)


[23:02] Justia waves to Bonbon from the table.
(Justia)


[23:02] Bonbon doesn't see her cause she tiny
(Bonbon)


[23:02] With her attention unfortunately turned away from tiny Justia. It was now fervent on the tear in reality.

Why did it seem so familiar?

Maria had toyed with the Lifestream before. She had opened portals and studied the realms beyond reality and Unreality. Of course she'd be familiar.

But this?

Perhaps she was a little too familiar.

"Mgh-...ngh...agh-.."

"Aaah..."

'Breathe.'

Cast into darkness, her hues gaze upon the plethora of hues scattered about. Reality bends, crying and weeping, echoing upon the poor woman's psyche like a mad array of screaming souls.

She felt so...

Familiar.

"Wh-..."

Why?

Why did it feel so familiar?

A tear runs through the air, a sweeping droplet, observing the absence of nothing. Plenty of psionic presence, nevertheless, aching souls tearing through that rip in time and reality, echoing into the void that was simply...

Nothing.

And one voice was all too familiar.

'Darling...' It would call out.

"!!!"

Maria widens her eyes, her breathes grow wary, eyes gazing into the abyss where one would rule. She felt an unwavering, unfaltering familiarity to that abyss. So much so, she couldn't help but want to reach out and...-

"..."

Maria stops herself from reaching into that tear. As much as something from beyond would echo and ache for her to touch it in her skull. Of that plethora of a million, trillion, uncountable voices, one would ring out. Begging her to reach out.

To be reunited.

And yet she stops. Perhaps it was because Kateto was there, a light in her life, that she stops herself from reaching out into Unreality.

Into that desolate, hopeless void.

An echoing scream of an echo, fervent in her psyche. She couldn't make out it's words except that one. A smile of...something in the glimpses of her eye. A cat? A bear?

Maria focuses, ignoring all of those impulses to instead focus on that singular voice. To open her circuits, and allow psionics to take the front of her mind. That smiling beast that she could have sworn was in the corner of her eye? A mere illusion.

Still, that shape that Sterling would form defies expectations. Perhaps it is because of that, that Maria's brain would have a difficult time deciphering what it was seeing. Those echoes were mere hallucinations, that smile was nothing but her brain trying to put two and two together.

...Right?

Alas.

What does one see, when gazing into nothing?

Into the unexplainable?

Why would they not want to be guided?

It was human nature. To understand. Even the things that you could not.

That were impossible to perceive.

Maria lingers forward. She feels a hand clasp her shoulder. It wasn't Kateto's. But a lithe, long hand with painted red nails. It grasps her gently, delicate words whispering in her ear.

'Don't you want to come home, darling?'

Hallucinations, right?

Of course it was...

Of course, of course, of course...

Maria holds herself steady. A mote of potential is raised as Sterling draws from this nothing. A pulse thrums, echoing in the woman's psyche. Perhaps it was because she was familiar with this odd energy, that she'd remain steady and close.

Suddenly, as soon as it would begin? It would end.

Nothingness, closed into a mist, fizzled out before her very eyes. Wisps echo, sealing the tear in Unreality as the world becomes what it once was.

Why didn't she feel scared?

In fact, the little Gunslinger felt more intrigued than she had ever been.

Who was talking to her? Was it simply a hallucination?

She blinks, as the tear is closed. A soft breath, leaving her lips. A hand on her heart, as she opens herself up once again. With exposure to these energies and this reality, she finds it easier to express herself.

Her voice.

As that wisp billows out into an endless font, as the very air finally remains stagnant.

She'd wonder why it felt more familiar than reality.

"Mm."

She nods to Kateto, as if to tell them she was okay. The exposure would help Maria understand more about Psionics, and perhaps someday, allow herself to speak telepathically.

But for now?

She'd wonder.

Who was that voice, echoing in her skull...?

"..."
(Maria Malibu)


[23:03] Natrix looks at the ceiling once more, seeing there's nothing, Natrix then looks back at Sterling pulling something out?

Natrix takes a hard look and sees nothing there, but then.. Sterling just does the pose of holding something? Natrix doesn't understand. What is she holding? Natrix uses all his physical magic arts to buff his eye balls. Wow. It was actually the sphere? Still can't understand what is she holding.

Natrix then sees how the sphere disappears and it.. It became the air! It was the mist around Natrix feet, wisps through the air, becomes air.. What?

Natrix then hears 'Breathe'. Natrix was already breathing, and Wow, Natrix breaths like average, nothing special, just fine heavy breathing sound coming out of the holes of his Knight helmet. But then..

OH MY GOD, IRON MAN?! I AM YOUR HUGE FAN!! IRON!!!!!
IRON!!!!!What a dream come true, iron beneath us, right guys? Natrix tries to take one, but he couldn't, it seems Iron rejected his arms.. Depression.

"i breathed, AM I GOOD?"
(Natrix)


[23:04] Another venture into nothingness, although she already knew to expect as much. Once again is she made to witness... well, nothing technically. Where this differed from before, however, the pulling of a wisp from nothing. A furrowed brow, did this happen last time and she just forgot..?

She was in no way attuned to the metaphysical, she was operating purely on instruction and instinct when it came to anything psionic. As such, the incomprehensible nothing that Sterling pulls from... still appears incomprehensible. When the mote dissipates, as mist fills the air- only then does Niaelyn remember how this came to pass.

Her eyes lulled shut, a deep breath taken in. It didn't particularly smell or taste like anything, at least not to her. What was mist created from nothing supposed to smell like anyways? Still, her breath was taken in, held for several seconds. Only once those moments pass, does she exhale, eyes slowly creeping open.

It was a familiar sight, from long ago. Nightmarish images that tormented her in time long past, a raging inferno sweltering through the air. This time, however, she was much more in control of her psyche, flames extinguished with little effort. It was almost amusing, to quash what once horrified her so easily.

This time, however, whispers permeate her mind, much in the same matter that Imbrixium had nearly a decade ago. With the fire now silent, she could hear what lay beyond it's crackling instability.

An ear was perked, an attempt to listen, but to no avail. The unknowable remained unknowable. It would be frustrating, if hearing was the point of the exercise. No- instead, she opened not her ears, but her mind. The muscle that dealt with telepathic thought- stimulated, almost as if a channel was opening in her mind.

Something grasped her, a nonexistent hold upon her mind, yet there was nothing there at all. A voice, far too intense for her to grasp, far too loud for her to comprehend-

A wince, rapid blinking as her hands rose to rub at her eyes. Was this even the same thing that plagued her before, or something else entirely? If it was the damnable sword again-

Her eyes lulled open, returned to the spot from which she previously was. She looked around, a quick surveying of all present, before rubbing at her temples. Surely it was only the unknowable whims of unreality, rather than anything malicious.

Probably.

It wouldn't be the first time she had to deal with a nonexistent force resting within her mind.

"Mm... I think I gave myself a headache. Too many whispers... Perhaps I breathed too hard."
(Niaelyn Bargiel)


[23:10] They were going to respond to Sterling's words, however, they did not get the chance before they were steeped in darkness.

Perhaps they should've probably prepared for the sudden descent into Unreality. Noises echoing throughout their perception as the cries, weeps, and breaking of reality sang out in a chorus which assaulted the Cat's mind. Seeming ever so familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. As if it was deja vu for something which hadn't happened yet, or perhaps would never happen at all. Cries which were ever familiar and whose source they could visualize in their head for but a moment before they realized they didn't know who they visualized so clearly.

Perhaps they were things to be, or rather things which could be. Voices they had heard perhaps in another life, or just mere fabrications of a broken mind. Though no...Kateto could feel it. They were coming from within the Witch. Whispers of essence which still remained in their system. Those memories and feelings which weren't theirs, yet they held within even now.

Yet from overstimulation they were suddenly thrust into an absence of any such feeling. Utter sensory deprivation as nothingness overcame them. A relief at first, or rather what they thought was a relief. Merely an absence of pain, or anything at all. Their mind, body, and soul were outside of their own reach or even perception in this place yet, they were still conscious in this absence.

Rather, perhaps it was the void within their soul which they now reside.

Feeling every second of sensory deprivation as they tried to grab hold onto something in their perception, yet each grasp was only met with the disappointment of nothingness, before vanishing into the void as well.

An existence of utter helplessness, unable to move, suffer, or even scream their lungs out...yet after what felt like forever, they were finally thrust back into their own body.

They grasped at their own heart as their perception returned and a pain in their chest echoed through their body, the reality of unreality saving them from that eternity of helplessness. Eyes darting around wildly as they hunched over for a moment, Sterling's reminder to breath had allowed them to pinpoint the problem.

They had lost the ability to subconsciously breathe for a moment. Only regaining it once they saw Maria was alright, easing their heart a little as they held onto the gunslinger. Coughing as breathing returned.

"Ggh, a-at least you seem to have done a bit better...maybe I should've prepared a bit more..."
(Kateto Espero)


[23:11] Grit now having prepared for the unexpected, at least to the best of his ability, would stand there, looking directly ahead, towards Sterling. But just as he did, the room would go pitch black, this would prompt him to be, a little on edge. It wasn't that he was afraid of the dark, as typical as that might be for a twelve year old. It was jut that, given what Sterling had said, he didn't know what would happen..

Grit would reach to his back for his sword...remembering it wasn't there. This would only cause his already gnawing anxiety to grow, as he the only recourse left is to let his bloody aura surge fourth. He'd try to spot all that he could in the darkness...but there was nothing just pitch black darkness, yet his gnawing anxiety still only grew.

It was then, he almost felt a tapping on his shoulder, prompting him to immediately turn around, nothing was there...he'd feel it again, turn around, nothing was there? Was someone messing with him...Did winter wander back in to fuck with him? Grit would shake his head, no he already left, and he didn't hear the door open, what was going on?

He'd turn around...and strangely enough he was able to see in the darkness now. He'd see, a giant cat's paw...morphing into a black scaled, dragon's claw, four yellow eyes would then look down at him...was it, Zetian!? How? She's dead!? Grit would take a step back, and hear a squish, looking behind him, he'd then see a sea of red blood, at it's center was a corpse...Long white hair, grey brownish skin, and arachnid like arms sticking out, it was...Ereshikiga?

At this point Grit was starting to feel his own breath accelerating, he'd be looking for a way out...but there was none, only pitch black darkness besides the looming black dragon, and Ereshikiga's corpse...Just then, something would come from the sea of blood, a hand, all skeletal without skin...the blood would then begin to boil, and then...

It would swirl around the hand, as bones would soon be created from the swirling sea of blood. In the next moment, his eyes would jolt open wide, as he'd slowly look down...he had been impaled, a bone-like sword, he'd then bring his attention back up, he felt his blood be drained from the wound, dark-pruple blood bleeding into and being absorbed by the sword and on the other side of the sword was a skeleton holding the sword...

As the sword drained his blood, the skeleton would slowly gain muscle, then skin, and then...her visage was all to clear. It was Rebecca.

THUD

He was back in reality, and had fallen over, straight on his back, and his breathing still ragged...What was all that? Was it just in his head!? Was that what this Unrality was!? Whatever it was...Grit did not want to experience it ever again...He'd quickly stand back up, and try to control his breathing, both his bloody aura, and his...dark and almost sinister feeling, black aura would surround him as he still tries to regain his earlier composure...not amount of preparing would have prepared him for that...or so he thought.

Either way, a little bit after all that had happened, his composure regained and his breathing back to normal, his auras would dye back down, and he'd regain control of himself "...I'm fine." He'd simply say, with the same cold and detached tone he'd usually have.
(Grit)


[23:11] Maria Malibu grabs hold of Kateto!
(Maria Malibu)


[23:11] Maria Malibu says, "..."
[23:12] Maria Malibu asks, "...O-...okay...?"
[23:13] "Y-yeah, I'm...I'm alright, no worries." They said to the girl who they were currently relying on to not collapse as they caught their breath. Smiling to try to reassure her of their condition, but honestly probably not very convincing.
(Kateto Espero)


[23:14] Maria Malibu holds Kateto steady, leaning them onto her.
(Maria Malibu)


[23:14] Maria Malibu says, "...Sit..."
[23:14] Maria Malibu gestures for them to sit, softly placing them on the ground.
(Maria Malibu)


[23:15] Reluctant at first, the Cat sat down for a moment, looking up at Maria once they were on the ground with a chuckle. "C-come on. I'm...I'm fine, really. You're acting like you're my caretaker or something, heheh."
(Kateto Espero)


[23:16] Maria Malibu says, "Mgh-..."
[23:16] Maria Malibu furrows her brow! She meant it!
(Maria Malibu)


[23:16] Maria Malibu sits down next to them, delivering one single scritch to their ears.
(Maria Malibu)


[23:18] "Yeah, yeah I know I know. I'll listen." They said, slowly regaining their breath as they sat down. Head scritched, they rested their head on their knees as they awaited Sterling to continue the lesson.
(Kateto Espero)


[23:19] Natrix summons big flying greatsword.
(Natrix)


[23:20] The mist subsides.
Their thoughts, too, ebb away.

It comes as personal struggles, for some. Issues of trauma. Delusions of grandeur. Taint of other minds.

But his wings draw out, wingtips gracing the ground, before the mist's final wisps draw away. A little breath is taken in, slow, long, steady, and quiet, sapping the rest of the psionic motes of power from the area. Drawing in their experiences as little half-memories, sort-of-recollections. Nothing that could be drawn into the metaphysical metamaterials they so often use and cherish amongst the Mind Eater's artifice, but, close-ish. Just a snack to tie Sterling over in the wake of that performance. A little tithe paid, for the lesson. Or... maybe the 'exercise.'

"You think different things.
You look different directions.

If you thought and saw only 'yourself,' or something relevant to you in that vision - it means that you are too at turmoil to grasp ahold, firmly, of your atrophied limb with all that is not. And then, another step, to actually use it.

Still, this is a push in that direction, regardless of what you saw. What you remember, or don't, remember seeing."

Another deep breath in, another deep breath out. A mote of that psionic force dances across her breath in the same motion.

"That will be all for today.
But I can entertain any questions and idle semantics since we've the time, and space to do so."
Sterling definitely wasn't this tall at the start of the lesson. They're like, six feet even, now.
Just don't question it.
(Sterling Montelione)


[23:21] Justia presents a Bonbon to the room.
(Justia)


[23:30] Regardless of his outward appearance, internally, he had...a lot to think about after the things he saw...While he was fairly well spoken, and maybe even had some...odd life experinces from his time spent at Atrellya, his life was still fairly short lived. There was much he didn't know and even more that he hasn't experienced. This lack of maturity left him at a loss for answers when dealing with his issues, especially his mental ones.

All he really knew, is that he needed a change of pace...and the past five or so months he's been a captive of Gloomlight...has been that. Still he'd look down at his palm, letting mana flow into it and turn into blood. Thinking back to that horrible vision, and even all the times he had slashed at or even cut off body parts using it...maybe he should use something less symbolic of...death? He'd just shake his head, maybe he should talk to Justia about it later.

Then...he'd remember he was trying totake a lesson in telepathy, he'd shake his head trying to clear his thoughts, and refocus as Sterling further explains potential meanings of what everyone saw, he'd scan around the room at all others currently present. Including a Teeny Tiny Justia and Bonbon, he'd just blink at them for a moment, before walking over to said teeny tiny Justia.

Even as small as she was, her presence was...comforting considering what he just saw. Still he'd look towards Sterling, "Thanks for the lesson..." Grit would say, his voice remaining the same as he crosses his arms, and keeps scanning around the room. It's not as if he blamed him for what he saw, she couldn't have known all that inside of his head....Could he?
(Grit)


[23:32] Eventually, the mild pain within her head subsided, enough that she no longer felt the need to massage her temples. She turned to face Sterling, a small tilt of her head.

"Mm... I think I'm mostly free of turmoil, just some residual nonsense I could solve rather easily..." It was mostly true, her nightmares have fled, but there was still very trace amounts of them left. Still, she was bid a push forward, something she had already planned to do regardless. After all... lots of telepaths to talk to.

It was a better showing than the last time at least, wherein she was entirely unable to focus on the matter at hand. This time, she was very clearly able to focus on the mental connection between her and... nothing, so to speak.

As for any questions...

"I'll be quite honest, I wonder how many more times I can breathe in that mist before it becomes a problem. Even twice is- perhaps a bit excessive." Ideally, the amount of times you would breath it in general was zero, but that was neither here nor there.

After blanking out for a moment, Niaelyn nodded her head once towards Sterling. "I appreciate the lesson, even if it was a long wait. Also, if you heard anyone or anything else in here-" The drakanite tapped her head twice. "Kindly pretend you didn't, please."
(Niaelyn Bargiel)


[23:32] Natrix sees how the mist's final wisps go away so the IRON MAN and IRON, and IRON MAN left Natrix, he's now sad and then listens to Sterling, Natrix nods, some 'different directions.. things, what do i remember?'

Natrix then completes all of his thinking in lesson and gonna lock the memories of it, he'll remember and try to use the lesson he was taught about telepathy, spirits and some ones, but it seems like he'll only remember IRON.

"THIS IS ALL? SADLY BUT OKEY-OKEY. THANKS FOR THA LESSON."
Natrix says, nodding, and wanting to go out and mine some iron to bite and chew.. He was quite too focused on that thought.
(Natrix)


[23:33] Sterling Montelione hucks some nyeshk at Natrix.
(Sterling Montelione)


[23:33] They listened to the teacher speak as they recovered from the visions. It was their first experience with Unreality, yet they didn't know what to make of it, really. There was a blockage for certain, that connection to Helheim which tainted their mind with that corrupting essence. The taint of other minds rather than an understanding of others, followed by that utter nothingness.

They weren't ready to reignite their circuits once their contract was severed, yet it was one step closer...

There was a moment of hesitation from the Cat as they debated on getting up. Deciding instead to stay there next to Maria for the time being, nodding to Sterling as they finished the lesson.

"Aye, thank you for the lesson. I've really gotta get this stuff out of me before I attempt something like that again though..." Speaking with some manner of exhaustion in their voice, despite their body having recovered at this point.

A turmoil of the soul was far too much of a hindrance in these matters. Yet that was a matter for them to speak of to another. On another day.
(Kateto Espero)


[23:33] Natrix takes nyeshk.
(Natrix)


[23:33] Maria Malibu says, "Mm..."
[23:33] Sterling Montelione says, "Yes, a few of the people here invariably have..."
[23:34] Sterling Montelione slowly pans a gaze to the ENTIRE west side of the room.
(Sterling Montelione)


[23:34] Sterling Montelione says, "Issues."
[23:34] Sterling Montelione says, "But they are rectifiable."
[23:34] Justia presents a Bonbon to Sterling.
(Justia)


[23:34] Maria Malibu remains clouded in her own thoughts. For now, she picks up Kateto, smiling at Sterling as thanks for the lesson.
(Maria Malibu)


[23:34] Sterling Montelione says, "Personal endeavors, largely."
[23:34] Sterling Montelione says, "Hoh."
[23:34] Maria Malibu ponders, "Issues...?"
[23:34] Niaelyn Bargiel says, "Ahaha... Issues puts it lightly, I imagine."
[23:34] Bonbon says, "Hello"
[23:34] Maria Malibu thinks, "...You can say that again..."
[23:34] Maria Malibu says, "Hmm..."
[23:34] Sterling Montelione says, "Hi, hey, hello."
[23:34] Maria Malibu buzzes, "Thank you, Sterling!"
[23:34] Bonbon says, "I am angy"
[23:34] Justia asks, "Angy?"
[23:35] Kateto Espero says, "I think we all have issues of our own..."
[23:35] Sterling Montelione says, "My pleasure."
[23:35] Sterling Montelione asks, "Angy, what for?"
[23:35] Bonbon says, "Angry but not serious"
[23:35] Sterling Montelione says in telepathy, Glad you could catch it.
[23:35] Maria Malibu smiles.
(Maria Malibu)


[23:35] Bonbon says, "Ouka keeps basically saying how he wants to punch me each time he sees me, or gets aggressive"
[23:35] Sterling Montelione asks, "...what for??"
[23:36] Bonbon says, "Cause Cassia told him what I told her"
[23:36] Maria Malibu looks toward Justia now. She does what she was always meant to do. Fate had it in store, and it was impossible to deny. She picks up Justia, placing her on her shoulder.
(Maria Malibu)


[23:36] Sterling Montelione asks, "And what'd you tell -her-?"
[23:36] Sterling Montelione is a firm 5'6''.For now.
(Sterling Montelione)


[23:36] Bonbon says, "...."
[23:36] Bonbon says, "Your still taller then me, hehehe~"
[23:36] Justia doesn't seem to protest or struggle.
(Justia)


[23:36] Maria Malibu gently, of course. She picks her up gently!
(Maria Malibu)


[23:36] Kateto Espero says, "Tiny Justia..."
[23:36] Sterling Montelione says, "...."
[23:36] Maria Malibu says, "Tiny..."
[23:36] Bonbon says, "Anyway"
[23:37] Sterling Montelione asks, "Do you -want- me to be taller?"
[23:37] Bonbon says, "No I was just teasing"
[23:37] Natrix asks, "Can you make me gigantic?"
[23:37] Sterling Montelione says, "I'm working on making myself gigantic and it's taking -time-."
[23:37] Natrix says, "Sadly."
[23:37] Justia says, "Someone I know said she would be upset if someone made such a thing..."
[23:38] Sterling Montelione asks, "...eh?"
[23:38] Kateto Espero says, "I'd be upset if someone made such a thing..."
[23:38] Kateto Espero says, "I'm already small enough compared to everyone as is...except you right now of course."
[23:38] Maria Malibu says, "Ah-..."
[23:38] Sterling Montelione asks, "...what thing?"
[23:38] Sterling Montelione asks, "A 'giant' potion?"
[23:38] Sterling Montelione says, "No, no."
[23:38] Sterling Montelione says, "This is an arcane ritual."
[23:38] Maria Malibu thinks, "I have to go. Things to do."
[23:38] Maria Malibu thinks, "Here, she is yours now."
[23:38] Sterling Montelione is a solid 6'.When did that happen?
(Sterling Montelione)


[23:39] Maria Malibu thinks, "Protect my Justia."
[23:39] Justia says, "..."
[23:39] Maria Malibu gently holds Justia, placing her in Kateto's palms.
(Maria Malibu)


[23:39] Kateto Espero asks, "That I shall, Maria. Stay safe alright?"
[23:39] Justia chuckles.
(Justia)


[23:39] Maria Malibu says, "Mm"
[23:39] Maria Malibu buzzes, "Goodbye, you two!"
[23:39] Justia says, "Stay safe."
[23:40] Kateto takes Justia and sets her on their shoulder for the time being. "I'll see you later!" They said with an excited wave towards Maria.
(Kateto Espero)


[23:40] Maria Malibu thinks, "It's a little version of Justia, Kateto."
[23:40] Maria Malibu thinks, "I want you to have it."
[23:40] Maria Malibu says, "Bye!!!!~"
[23:40] Maria Malibu waves!
(Maria Malibu)


[23:40] Justia waves back.
(Justia)

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Pub: 20 Sep 2024 06:30 UTC
Views: 47