001 ▲ video.

[sylvan]

[The video comes at an odd angle, all wild waves of vivid green hair, occasionally rocking nauseously to reveal pale, creamy skin and the flash of dark blue eyes or part of a nervous but friendly smile -- much like the voice that comes over the airwaves.]

I've... never used something like this before, so I hope it's working! [Her laugh comes soft, chiming a few times before dissipating. The screen shakes and a slender hand comes into view, gesturing as she speaks. Slowly her appearance becomes a little more visible; a sideways angle of about two-thirds of her face comes into focus. Though the angle is odd, it's clear that she is an attractive woman and while uncomfortable, she radiates warmth.]

I'm not really sure where I'm going with all of this, I hadn't had much of a plan in mind when I started. [Another soft laugh that implies she's lost in more than one sense of the word. It doesn't reach her eyes, nor does the smile any longer.]

I do have a question, though, if no one minds it. What now?

Comments

[notquitedracula]

[No skin off his back, you're not treating him any different than he's used to. Actually, you're probably the first person since he got here that *has* treated him like people did back home...]

Something to that effect, yes. You're quite welcome; do feel free to ask if there's anything else you need help with.

[sylvan]

[ All she knows is that silver hair means he's a good guy. Or, at least she wants to believe that. Everything always came back to Cecil. ]

I appreciate it. I just am not sure where to start. It's really strange and... um. I don't know. [ She wasn't usually the sort to be lost for words. ] Oh! I have a question! Is there anything I should know about taking care of -- [ She turns the camera to her Meow Wow. She is still a bit cautious of it, though it seems friendly enough. All bark and no bite (sort of like her). ] -- him?

[notquitedracula]

Well... same as any kind of pet, really. Make sure he has enough food and drink, they seem to prefer the junk food you get from defeating Nightmares. Play with him regularly, they love companionship. They're pretty easy to train, within limits, and they can get stronger over time. Oh, and for some reason, it seems you can't have more than two of them out at any given time; the rest hide in some kind of pocketspace until you call them. They're kind of like familiars, really.

[sylvan]

I've never had a pet before. [ Her confession comes a little sheepishly. All her Eidolons were friends, not pets. Even Chocobo and Bomb. She just wasn't sure how they operate or what they eat -- or what they should eat. ]

I see. Thank you for clearing that up for me! He's really cute, so I look forward to playing with him. I guess I should probably figure out a name first. [ She isn't so good with naming, though. And naming him after Cecil or Kain might be insulting... but he does get the same sort of huffy little look on his face that Kain is so well known for, hm... ]

Have you been here very long, Soma? You seem to know a lot about this place!

[notquitedracula]

That makes two of us. [A wry smile; Soma's never actually had a pet either, but Mina had a cat so he knows the basics.]

I've only been here a few weeks, but when I arrived people threw a lot of information my way, and I have a really good memory. I only learned the bit about the keyholes a few days ago, though, when we fought the monster guarding the one on the ship.

[sylvan]

I guess I'll have to come to you with all my questions, then! You seem to be getting on just fine! [ She really likes the bat one. She's a little envious. But... again, it's just the outside. Her new found friend seems wonderful on the inside, she thinks. ]

I must have good timing. New information and I get to sit out of a fight. Hopefully I'll get into the swing of things quickly. I'd like to go exploring tomorrow, maybe. Are there any places you would recommend?

[notquitedracula]

Well, there's the newest world I mentioned before, the one where you become a pony. Fair warning, most of us are finding it hard to adjust to walking on four legs, let alone all the other nuances. Luckily there are some natives here that are willing to help.

There's also the Mother of Invention, the ship I mentioned before; it's a very sterile environment which has already been cleared of the bigger nasties. You could consider it a mid-grade hunting environment, if you want to hone your Dream Eater's skills.

And last but not least, there's Traverse Town itself, which is where we are now. It's reasonably safe; there are low-level Nightmares you can whack around to get money and dream pieces if you want to make another Spirit.

If there are any other worlds, I haven't been to them yet; someone else will probably know more.

[sylvan]

That's... [ She doesn't want to be insulting, but it's strange. A little scary, too. Even if she were certain that she wanted to go there, she's not sure that she's ready for that sort of thing! ]

I see. Thank you for the advice.

I can use my own abilities to fight Nightmares, can't I? [ Not that she won't use the Meow Wow (that she's now mentally referring to as Highwind, but isn't set on). ] That might be a bit easier for me. For now, anyway.

[notquitedracula]

Yeah, sure. I do a lot more fighting than this lazy little furball ever thought about doing. Just make sure your abilities actually work before you rely on them too heavily, and be ready to improvise if there are places where they don't work as intended.

[sylvan]

I can feel magic coursing through my veins, but I'll take your advice and give them a try.

[ But where is a space open enough to test out Meteor? Not that she plans on using it anytime soon... ]

[notquitedracula]

Pretty much everything anyone has tried works in Traverse Town, but some of the other worlds have rules of their own. The vast majority of my own abilities don't work in the newest one, for example.

[sylvan]

Which means testing them out individually in each one so you don't accidentally find yourself stuck. [ She figures that's why she had the cat-dog thing. At least that's something to start on. ]

...would it be too forward to ask what you can do?

Spoiler: Soma is secretly a blue mage

[notquitedracula]

For every monster or demon I defeat, I have a chance to gain one of their abilities. I've beaten a lot of them, so... my repertoire is pretty varied. Everything from fireballs and shields to transformations and summons, and a few unique abilities that don't really fit any other category.

if only I'd apped Quistis, they could talk about it forever

[sylvan]

Wow. That's really amazing! You must be really powerful, with such varied abilities!

[notquitedracula]

Not so much as you might think. I can only use a handful of them at a time; more often than not, I end up relying on a sword instead of a spell. I do have a lot of adaptability, though, so I can handle pretty much any situation I get myself into.

How about you?

[sylvan]

I think adaptability is more important than raw power. Something weaker used repeatedly as a battle tactic can end up working more in your favor than something a bit heavier, especially if what you're up against is immune to that one specialty.

I use Black Magic. And I'm a summoner, too. I haven't tried everything out yet, though. Oh and I'm pretty handy with a whip!

[notquitedracula]

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you don't mean black magic as in sacrifices, high rituals and the many forms of devil worship. If you do, we're going to have to have an unpleasant talk. Now, if you mean it as in... say, attack magic as opposed to healing, then I don't have any problems with that.

...I have a friend you'd get along well with. He's good with a whip, too.

[sylvan]

Oh gosh, no! I just use elemental, offensive magic! [ She genuinely looks perturbed by the possibility of this, although she doesn't quite know what "devil worship is" beyond perhaps the worship of imps or something of the sort, she's certain that the combination of the rest and his tone implicates something rather nasty... ]

Ah, really? Are they here?

[notquitedracula]

Good. You may want to be a bit more careful about your phrasing; not everyone has as open a mind as I do. Some of them can be downright nasty about the subject. [Why no, Eraqus, he's not talking about you; you can totally ignore the burning ears and sneezing fit.]

The main thing to remember is that 'black' magic has some really, really bad connotations to some people, so you may wanna be more specific in the future. Calling it something neutral, like elemental for example, is much less likely to get you odd looks or worse. [How much worse? Well, people used to get burned at the stake for practicing even healing magic where he's from...]

Sadly, no. I wish he was; he might not be able to make any more sense of this than I can, but at least I can rely on him if things go bad.

[sylvan]

But that's what it's called. I used to be able to use White Magic, too, but I lost the ability when I became a more powerful Black Mage. [ It honestly didn't even occur to her that there was anything wrong with her phrasing. ]

I... [ It's a little scary to her. A world where a skill that practically defines who she is happens to be uncommon? And worse, the name of it has been stolen and misused? ] I understand. It... It never occurred to me that there was anything wrong with something I spent my whole life learning, using, and helping others with...

[ She likes the friend conversation more. ] Oh. Well, maybe he'll come here, too!

[notquitedracula]

It's not that what you know is wrong - it's that the name has different meanings in other worlds. Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it - just be ready to explain to the more zealous ones what it is you actually mean when you say black magic.

[Yeah, the friend part is definitely more palatable.] Maybe. There are a few others I'd like to see here, as well; or better, who I'd like to be back home with.

[sylvan]

That's so strange! [ She has some difficulty believing this, if only because it goes against everything she knows. ] But I'll be careful. I don't mind explaining my abilities, especially when it means something negative elsewhere.

I think I can understand that.