01 ★ video

[spellspeak]

[When the video turns on Natsume appears to be outside on the street somewhere, standing in front of a darkened building. It's... A little creepy actually, not at all helped by the fact that he's wearing a dark robe.]

Good NIGHT~ ★ While I have made myself known to some of you there are just as many whom I am not acquainted WITH, so allow me to introduce mySELF.

[He curls his fingers in the air, something like green light seeming to glow around them just briefly before he places his hand to his chest dramatically.]

My name is Natsume Sakasaki, and I am a magician and fortune tellER. In my endeavor to enrich the lives of those here with the allure of enchantment and the occult I ask you to allow me to announce the opening of Chymica Esoterica!

[He grins and snaps his fingers. Instantly the building behind him lights up, revealing what appears to be a small shop. The windows are hung with tasteful string lights and somehow candles seem to be flickering inside, although it's hard to tell exactly through the curtains that are made of some shimmery and slighty-sheer fabric.]

In addition to offering my services as an advisor and fortune teller I also can provide you with brews of all SORTS, as well as items to grant your own special magic power for a short WHILE. If you happen to be of the more discerning and particular type I would even be open to making something special just for YOU.

I now welcome any quesTIONS, but until then let all enjoy the darkness and stars of the evening together until we meet aGAIN...

[Natsume winks and waves before snapping his fingers again and the video ends.]

Comments

[demachi]

Nonsense. Even if I'm not easily impressed, I'll show appropriate wonder at the things you have here that are new to me. A proportionate response!

[Maybe Wataru seems Amazing, but sometimes he'd like to have a tiny bit of wonder for the world, too. And here, Natsume seems to fit right in. It's wondrous in and of itself. He'll be sure to keep a close eye on him, of course, but... oh, watch him spreading those wings to fly!]

I do think I should sample a bit of everything... How delightfully overwhelming.

[spellspeak]

There's no need for you to go that FAR, I would prefer for you to judge what I do thoroughly instead of just "proportionatELY".

[Unlike some students of Wataru's he welcomes critique and would much prefer it to praise. He's had praise heaped on throughout his life for doing things that he considered boring and simple, so actually being face with challenges is more engaging. Plus he wants to break the other Oddballs' habit of trying so hard to shield and coddle him.

But he also doesn't want to be a poor host, so he moves over to pick up a small bag filled with powder. He gathers a little between his fingers and then snaps with it, creating a small spark that turns into a colorful floating flame that doesn't actually seem to produce heat.]

This is a similar spell to one I created for the live the Switch did with valkyrie, although thanks to the resources available to me here I was able to improve upon them a LITTLE.

[demachi]

[Shaking his head, he makes a disapproving sound.]

I'm a paying customer. You should accept my feedback, good and bad.

[An honest critique. He hasn't a negative or constructive thing to say about Natsume's shop itself so far. It's a unique venture, and he'll make some suggestions in due time, but for now he's still sampling what there is already.]

It's definitely an improvement. Do you have other colors available, or is it a one-size-fits-all? You ought to consider going into a stage effects, with the value placed on entertainment here. You could surely come up with something lucrative and useful if you tried hard enough.

[spellspeak]

I do have other colORS, as well as one that is more prismatic and looks like a rainBOW.

[He hums thoughtfully at the suggestion, allowing the flame to linger for a few moments before waving his hands and making it vanish.]

I hadn't considered stage efFECTS. I admit that I geared my spells towards cosmetic enhancements given the number of festivals that seem to occUR, figuring that such things might be coveted as a way to make statement during performances THERE. But you're right that it could be another avenue to consiDER.

[demachi]

[Wataru gives a little polite applause as the flame disappears, but the gears in his head are turning. Oh, what he wouldn't give to have his own troupe right about now! Alas, it's impossible. But someday...]

It's merely a suggestion! You're on a good track with that, too. Still, think outside the narrow confines of what people here want, create demand for something new... they'll never forget you.