prismatica | text; username: ambivalenceblack

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text; username: ambivalenceblack

[Caim has spent over a month contemplating exactly how to address the network or even if he should. Part of him thinks subtlety is the right pathway to take. Another part of him is convinced that he doesn't care. What does he have to hide, really? Who can really stop him?

The best thing about text is that no one can detect the uncertainty in his words or in how he phrases them. But maybe his texting is a little too perfect. In a world of shorthand and acronyms, written habits remain habits and do not die easily.]

This land is full of madness, I see. Its beasts prowling as the moons transform.

[It's a wonder the streets don't fill with blood during the cycles, considering he's of the opinion a Moonblessed beast is hardly any different from a feral one in the wild. He has yet to experience his own changes, though he doesn't feel a particular investment for or against that concept.]

I must know if there is a smithy in Lunatia.

[Obviously to defend himself against said 'beasties.' (Untrue.) He'll get a sword in one way or another. Even if he has to have someone custom make him one. Although it's probably wisest not to let Caim have a sword.]

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[Considering Caim has no personal bond with the sword in question, he easily chooses to relinquish it, which is perhaps far more positive than striking his immediate companion down, though the truth of things is that he's been eerily more subdued. Maybe because he's finally getting it together. Killing won't get him out of this mess. At least, killing anyone in the same mess, won't. The people responsible for said mess, however... He just has to get to them. Whoever they might be.

He offers Dextera the handle, raising his eyebrows, as if he's waiting for something to finally catch his interest beyond that of simple blade and edge. The crystal isn't what he has in mind. Another 'divine' relic, perhaps? This guy is just too much for him to handle. Someone needs to educate him more properly. But that's very presumptuous on Caim's part, and rather close-minded, too.]

...

[He doesn't put up a fuss, as much as he could. Perhaps even Caim is capable of learning something or two.]

[ dextera slots the crystal into the sword, and almost immediately, it begins to change. the shape, the size, all of it is first consumed by a glow so purely white that it’s hard to look at directly, but if one were to watch it, the transmogrification of it still might not make sense.

when the light fades, the sword has taken on a new form, just as promised.

the blade of it, if it can be called a “blade” at all when it looks more like an oversized, too-long needlepoint, is now covered in white snakeskin. the hilt of the sword, which dextera holds carefully, now sports two long fangs that curve over his hand. compared to the crystalline sword of before, it’s now an entirely different make, material, and weight. the only similarity is that the orb he withdrew earlier pulses warmly under his palm.

even he seems a little surprised by the shape of it. ]

Oh. It worked.

[Even Caim, who turns away from very little, shies from the light, using a hand to block its magnificence. Looks like magic. Talks like magic. Walks like magic. Must be magic, right? The kind of magic that isn't summoning underworldly creatures to be cut down, and for that, Caerleon's prince is admittedly... torn between relieved and disappointed.

As the light fades, he's left only with Dextera, the sword in question, and the crystal which has provided a... Well. A certainly noticeable change in the blade. Caim has absolutely no idea what he just witnessed, the how of it, or the why. All of it is a grand mystery to him, but a fascinating one. It's something similar, he thinks, to the bond he's shared with the various weapons he's had at his disposal. That's almost what it's like. Dextera's bond to a weapon, causing it to evolve...?

He's... intrigued. Perhaps there's more to the sword than he thinks. But Dextera's words to follow gain his attention nigh immediately.]

...!

[What does he mean 'oh, it worked'?]

Was that not the anticipated outcome.

[Is he trying to make Caim his guinea pig or something?]

Ah…

[ dextera winces, made suddenly aware of how that must have sounded. the surprise was from something else, something that may have been a mystery to only him, but it was never a dangerous gamble. ]

No, it’s— [ he falters, if only briefly. ] I didn’t know if this one would actually change.

[ that does not serve to explain much, but for dextera who has the backstory, it seems sufficient. ]

[...Dextera, you idiot.

Caim has no idea what he even means and it shows in his expression. Of course it does. He probably couldn't hide it if he tried.]

Explain yourself and speak plainly.

[He's intense and he knows it, but he's getting the distinct impression from the current and previous conversations with Dextera that he has to be in order to get any straight forward information out of him.]

[ it is true. even if dextera has much more of a spine than he once did, and it’s progress he’s proud of, there are certain personalities that he can’t help but cow to. he isn’t incapable of standing up for himself, at least—there’s just a time and a place, and he was already quite aware that he hasn’t made the best case for himself.

he nods, and moves the hilt so that the crystal can be seen. ]

The sword transforms… using the crystallized soul of once-living creatures. [ that also requires a long explanation, but dextera really can’t sit down and detail the entirety of his powers, not least of all because they’re complicated. ] I wasn’t sure if the creatures here could actually make it change… but it did. That’s all I meant.

[Caim dips his head to get a better look at the crystal in question. Dextera's explanation actually only leaves him with more questions, which seems to be an ongoing thing with the man. Caim's spent almost every moment with him questioning something.

Reaching over, he taps at the crystal in muted thought.]

It empowers it then? Or adjusts attribute. How did you manage to make use of the creatures here?

[WHAT IS THIS SOUL SUCKING CRYSTAL BUSINESS.]

[ in the sword, the crystal is thankfully inert as an influencing force—really, now that he thinks about it, he’s been more than useless in not explaining any of this. he’s been reckless. caim under the influence of some hungry monster’s purest impulses could end in dextera dead on the floor. he doesn’t have to have known caim for long to understand this. ]

…I don’t know how it works.

[ the most honest answer. ]

But when I… destroy something… [ he does mean kill, and it’s evident in his own hesitation ] …I can turn its essence into something physical. That crystal.

[Caim... just blanks. Seriously? He doesn't know how it works? He's just using it without knowing anything about it? When has that ever worked out well for someone? How old is this guy? Is he a kid? Because this is the kind of foolishness he'd expect from someone too young to know better.

That's all mean and somehow, Caim doesn't just type all of that out. In truth, he probably realises that would be of absolutely no help. But he can't let Dextera off without a hard scolding.]

Where I come from, not knowing how something works could kill you. [Which is a very thinly veiled way for Caim to say he's extremely lucky to still be alive.]

[A nigh silent sigh later and he reflects on Dextera's further words. So he essentially kills things, in Prismatica or his home world and comes out with a crystal, or something like it. It's not the strangest thing he's heard. But it explains why his sword only transforms for him. If no one else has that ability then no one else would have the catalyst necessary. The sword truly is bonded to him, and it seems without the showmanship, it's a relatively ordinary weapon.]

What you ought to be doing is studying the changes made to your sword when it transforms. You have beasts at your disposal here. Plenty to experiment with. It may very well be worth the effort.

[ dextera came here on the premise of an offer to just hand over his sword, but what it’s starting to sound like is that caim wants him to learn how to use it. it’s not a mentorship, exactly, but dextera can’t help but feel that caim would refuse the weapon now, even if dextera insisted—an unpleasant sort of “waste not, want not,” mentality.

it’s probably true that he needs to keep a weapon for himself, with the way monsters from beyond the realm of the city find their way in. ]

…

[ he nods, feeling a little guilty and a lot silly, as he plucks the crystal from its holding space in the hilt of the sword. as before, in reverse, the sword transforms under a veil of light. ]

I don’t like fighting.

[Caim eyes him plainly, not even sure where to begin. If he doesn't like fighting, why does he have a damn sword. That's a stupid question, though. Caim knows that not everyone is like him. Some people have had no other alternative than to fight. Maybe Dextera is one of those. All the same, why hold onto something he doesn't intend to use? The issue is that sometimes the only answer is to fight. One can't get away with just running from everything.

His sword returns to normal fashion and Caim looks it over again before he gives his next words.]

If cowardice is the path you choose, then just die.

[And though he states it so forward, he does actually pause momentarily before he continues.] That sword, based on its abilities, is worthless in any other hands than yours. You have something that could protect you. Make use of it. If you do not know how to properly wield it, I will instruct you.

[ “just die.”

dextera straightens up, just a little. his shoulders get tense, only for a second, and he forces himself back into the slumped posture he had been wearing a moment before. of course caim would say something like that, because that’s the kind of person that dextera always seems to reach out to.

what dextera doesn’t expect is that offer to instruct him. ]

I…

[ he’s quiet. he’s thinking. ]

I can use it. I just thought… someone who wanted it might be better.

[Caim shakes his head. How does he explain this? No matter how he words it, it'll sound a little strange. But maybe that's to be expected from a guy who's taken to the company of weaponry over that of other people. Not that he isn't trying to slowly change the latter.]

This is no ordinary sword, Dextera. It is a sword seemingly and specifically bonded to you. [Yes. He's stated bonded. Clearly Dextera and the sword are going to become life partners.] Thus, it is at its best used when wielded by you. You may not want it. You may not like it. Yet here it is and it has chosen you. Whether you choose to rain destruction or use it to defend yourself or those close to you, still it remains yours.

[Gesturing between the sword and himself, Caim continues.] Even were I to use it, its capability would be lacklustre by comparison.

[ it does sound strange, but dextera is also comfortable with strange. it’s a kinder version of a speech he’s heard before, about the powers that make the sword work at all. caim preaches a little differently, though—he offers dextera a choice, in how he might use what he’s been given. the archangel only ever demanded things of him. ]

…thank you, Caim.

[ such is the conclusion he comes to, after expecting to be berated and getting a speech about swords instead. ]

I don’t know if it’s “bonded” to me… but I think I understand what you mean.

[No matter how many times he might hear it, Caim has no idea what to do with one's gratitude. Although he supposes he heard it back in Midgard, too. That's a little bit different from the current scenario, however. Awkwardly he shifts. Don't do that, Dextera. Caim doesn't know how to be a friend or how to act the way friends do. And he's just not worth the effort.

He shakes his head before he continues.]

All of us are bonded to something. Swords. Obligations. You may not feel particularly bonded to this weapon of yours, yet it is undeniably yours. There is no other in which it could bond to. Perhaps you did not take notice of it before.

[Although considering Dextera being less than eager to wield it unless necessary, it would make sense that he wouldn't perceive it as a bond. Caim has to consider that for some moments and he chooses, then, to better explain his own situation. Dextera has likely earned it.]

Our happenstances are different. I grew with a sword in hand. Found I rather preferred the company of them to people.

[He looks nostalgic for just a moment. Only one. But there's humanity in him still, it seems.]

[ dextera is not surprised at all to hear that. naturally, he wonders what kind of circumstances would lead someone to wield a sword from youth, but it doesn’t always have to be as dire as his imagination supplies. it could merely have been a hobby—though in all honesty, dextera doubts that generous interpretation.

all that matters is that it’s ended up with caim like this. preferring swords to people. his core is probably something to behold, but dextera thinks he must still be a little off from needing purification. that nostalgic look is yet human. ]

…

[ he nods. ]

There isn’t as much a need for swords here… I hope you can find your comfort somewhere between the world and your weapons.

[Really? Does Dextera believe that? Caim has seen a few situations where swords or weapons of any kind have been necessary evils. More necessary than evil people, anyway. Although naturally 'evil' is rather subject to interpretation and Caim's definition of the word is... Like many, a little questionable.

He cocks an eyebrow to his fellow sword-toting companion—friend?—and he almost laughs. Almost. It's a horribly awkward and stunted sound.]

Untrue. I can think of a few situations where having a sword would have been beneficial. I would concede, however, that the times in which such things are practical are far and few between in comparison to one who has emerged from war-torn lands.

[He'll give you that, Dextera, You're not completely wrong, but you aren't completely right, either.

Maybe it's Caim's place to find the centre between those two concepts. What lies there, however? What can a man like him do...?]

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