Salme @ Awoken

I just wanted to check in and let you know I … well. I’ve been really focused on Aury since we got here, and then very absent as I worked through some things for myself. I didn’t want you to feel like I didn’t still adore every inch of you. I do.

uhhhh yeah of course you would be focused on aury, he looks like he saw a ghost that was flesh and blood, which is unusual for a ghost to have

got your focus on saranzaya, or ‘zaya’, too? ;)

I think he probably more feels like the ghost? Or. I don’t know. A lot of feelings happening.

I—hm. I like Zaya. She’s very beautiful, and I think I’ll come to care about her very much indeed. That said, I’m not really interested in exploring other partners outside of what I have with you and Aurelius. If I were a different person, interested in simple physical connection, or even more casual sex between friends, I would easily say yes if she asked, but I’m not.

That is, of course, not a restriction on anything you might want to do, and I’d be your companion through very many such adventures. But I’d hope you know that by now.

Ugh sorry I don’t know why I’m being so formal with you. I’ve been thinking a lot. Anyway, sorry I didn’t come to bed last night. I stayed up all night, first with Aury, then just thinking. I think we’re out of the messy bitch mines, or at least on a less gnarly level, but it’s been. Weird.

Hope you’re causing some fun trouble.

Also. I had been intending to maybe suggest going shopping for new clothing together, but Zaya’s offered to help me out once we get to Queenstown, and I know you’ll enjoy the surprise, so I was wondering if you had any thoughts or opinions about my clothing. Outfits you’ve particularly liked, that sort of thing. Just gathering some inspiration <3.

patterns. beastly patterns. tufts. a dash of hued metal that compliments. bear your fangs at your hips.

I meant to ask you before you fell asleep, but. I’ve been working on. Hm.

So.

I know you aren’t allergic to gifts or gestures or wanting things, but I’d like to know more about. Little things that make you happy? Coffee. Provolone cheese. People being their uninhibited selves.

Sometimes, I’m trying to hard to pry things out of Aury I worry I’m neglecting you, but I love you with all my heart as well (it’s a big heart. There’s lots of room).

i like…

you <3

bold beginnings

storied middles

happy endings

i like… atmosphere. crafted or natural. you know what i mean, when you go into a space and it’s STRIKING to the aesthetic senses, to fully channel an emotion or vibe

i like the loud and ostentatious, of course! but also. the quiet. the secured. each beat has a place in a story. without levity, horror would be exhausting.

i like warm drinks with something sweet, cold drinks with something savory. there’s a cheese-based cake I sampled in almachadta- absolutely delicious.

i’m fond of many crafts, although sometimes i wonder if i should get something crystalline.

Hey what do you know I like you too <3.

Cheesecake! There are so many recipes. I’ll have to see if I can learn to make it for you.

Ooh? What are you thinking for something crystalline? Clothing? Weapon? Decor?

(Anything will be a delight, Sininen, but there are so many possibilities)

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

a ring? a necklace? a bangle? a circlet would be a bit much…

i’m not sure! a wearable accessory of some sort. or… maybe something to go in the library? it’s not like there’s a whole lot of places for a decoration. liminal space, sure, maybe, but… something that can be kept on a person.

the crystal is a sort of… when I think of crystal… it reflects, and refracts. it shows what is, and variations of what is. an expression of solidified multitude.

moreover, how about yourself, salme! speak a desire of the heart, and I will mold this world’s treasures into the form you wish!

A circlet would maybe be a bit much, but. Hm.

Well there are places for decoration, and if there isn’t we can make one, you know?I’m still working on the question of what a home is. I’m not sure if the library would be that—some place we could physically return, that’s our own. But until you find your own key, my atelier is as much yours as it is mine.

“What is and variations of what is” is … very you, I think. I love that.

I don’t … really know? The necklace I got at the bazaar is special, and the matching earrings are nice. The irrica bracelet you and Aury got me is still one of my favorite things anyone’s ever given me. Obviously my current outfit is very ornate, but it’s all for effect—none of these armbands really mean anything.

then we shall share several moments on the town! we gotta ride the giant wheel!!!

We do have to ride the giant wheel! The struggle will be stopping you from launching yourself off it probably if you see something that catches your attention.

Guess I’ll just have to be more alluring.

For tonight:

Fine dining or street food?

Hair up or down?

Casual or fancy?

fine street food!

hair up bangs down!!

fancy casual!!!

Ah. The answer of “everything” I see. I can do that.

Hey. Did you know you’re cute? ♥♥♥

I’m not sure how much you … want to know, but despite the fact that Duškomira doesn’t remember much, she was able to tell me a couple things about Valaïs and what … might be true of you. I’m not sure if they’re things you want to know, but I thought I should offer to share what I know. I also thought. You should have the choice to seek her out and ask her yourself.

One thing that is worth noting is that … I showed her a memory via methexis, and she … was extremely receptive to it? It was easier than with anyone I’ve encountered before, even Wolf. I think. If we have the time, it might be worthwhile to see if I can link the three of us, and if you and her might … I don’t know. Reach some kind of new understanding?

whatever you learned definitely seems juicy! please, sweet sparrow, do share your findings! anything fraught can and will be confronted, ten toes to the ground, staring down the path ahead! i can get dusky to elucidate after if anything seems particularly amiss.

i’d love to methexis with us three, if you think it’ll help!

You’ve grown very brave and thoughtful, rakas. Do you realize how much you’ve changed even in this short time that we’ve known each other? Of course you were always brave, but I can imagine a time when you might not have been so eager to hear any of this. I am not sure how fraught any of this will be for you, but I will be with you through it all, in whatever way you would like me.

At any rate, Duškomira is one of the “undead.” She seemed very … unimpressed with the way the traveler’s guide discussed the undead. The way she phrased it, she died once and then got better. I shared a few of the words that the Glory spoke to us when we cast Libra upon you, and she seemed to think that you also might be undead as well. It seems to have little bearing on her life? She said she can choose the shape she takes, but that seemed to be the only thing that differed between her and anyone else.

She also said you looked familiar to her, like she might have seen your clan before? It makes me think of when Aurelius and you both pointed out the similarities of the people in the Architect’s Sanctuary.

And also she noted that Valaïs does not have any kind of monarchy that she remembers, so your title may be more figurative than literal (or, I suppose, you could be the prince of something that is not Valaïs).

I’m not sure if methexis will help but it might be instructive? I’ve also been wondering if our travelers might be interested in what we can learn with Libra, but setting up a Rite has seemed … complex.

salme i have considered this information carefully. please give me a moment.

i tried shapeshifting myself to be taller and it did not work. nor did i sprout cat ears and a tail. nor did i change my hair color to irrica (doubtful without help from dyes. probably irrica ones). i think me being undead may not be accurate!

intersting that i looked familiar, but not altogether unsurprising- i do strike an unignorable figure! perhaps she saw one of the architect’s homunculi and mistook it for me?

valais not having a monarchy… then i must be princely of another kingdom! somewhere! upon a sunless road!

as for the bravery… one must run towards what one fears the most. fleet as foot as i am, i am all the more hasteful now that i have righteous allies and beloved partners.

I mean, Duškomira was not precise about the mechanicism behind how she could control her appearance, so I think your inability to sprout ears and a tail proves very little? I think it would be worthwhile discussing it with her? It’s not that I want you to be undead, just that it seems likely given what we know?

And I’m not sure when she would have seen one of the Architect’s … I still am pretty sure he can’t create life, but. The people we met in his sanctuary. It seems more likely that he might have stolen some of your kindred from Valaïs.

As for your royal status … why is it so important to you?

Anyway, you would make a fetching cat metahuman, though I’m curious why you tried to be taller. You’re perfect just as you are.

oh. maybe it’s not a part of the undead process? or maybe it’s a one-time thing? or maybe it’s a techne she knows? either way, if it doesn’t seem to be impacting her life much, then… i’d say it’s not really impacting mine either, yeah? i’m still full of energy and vitality, you know that well <3

maybe he did steal some of my kindred. were we interacting with my brothers and sisters and didn’t even know it? such things to learn!

royal status… we were told the truth, right? we believe what [Libra] tells us, and it’s not told in Narrator Text but Glory Text, so i’m inclined to give it a little more weight (talk about an unreliable Narrator!). i’m just settling in to my position. i don’t really think it’s important, just that it’s a fun detail!

i AM perfect, you are correct <3 as are you, alongside being fierce, sweet sparrow <3 i was mostly testing the limits of the shapechanging ability, which it seems i do not actually have (at the moment). we can ask dusky for more details!

Yes, I think speaking to Duškomira is the correct choice.

And I mean, I do think the “prince” title still could be metaphorical, but also as long as it feels like a fun detail and not necessary to your self understanding I … that’s all I ask.

Well as long as you aren’t bothered by your height. As much as I enjoy feeling very small around Aury, I also enjoy how well-matched you and I are in terms of height. I’d hate to think you were bothered by any aspect of your appearance!

Hi rakas, I’ve been told that you are the appropriate person to speak with for the project I have in mind.

Jae has suggested it might be a good idea to get an image of Mu’s sun to ascertain that it is indeed a sun. However, there are several problems with doing that and not being hurt by the sun more than the sun already hurts us. In order to do this, she directed me to one of her associates, who gave me some rough instructions:

(Feel free to read the whole ripple).

For this part, I have some paper the Zvahr use to make copies of texts using a flare of light that I’m certain will work, but for the rest of it—especially making it—I’m a bit at a loss. Aury said if he has blueprints he can help with the construction, but that you were probably better equipped to getting to the “construction” part.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

there’s a few glassworks furnaces and places i’ve seen about the caves, and with an overabundance of sand, we’re well set to make the lenses. lenses plural because i figure while we’re attempting to harness the form of the sun, we can also run it through several other filters while we’re at it.

the most basic lense will be the one that shields from the light, but i have an idea that we can use lenses tinted with materially-formed gnosis to gather different images. i figure it has to be a tint applied to a lense rather than pure-gnosis itself as the direct clash of pure-sun to pure-gnosis is going to create a lot of noise that is also dependent on whoever is providing the gnosis to keep their flow steady (different from my tenebrous shade as I’m just using that for cover, not figuring out each contour of the sun).

anyway of things i think we can look for from different gnosis-tinted lenses:

flourishing - the type of energy that’s being put out. yeah it’s definitely “ow ow really hot” but how does it compare if we were to analyze the Centrelight through the lens, or the moons of the beast?

pellucid - the form of the energy; we assume that it’s omnidirectional, but is it? it’d be kind of funny if the world was under a lampshade!

burning - the intensity levels. how much more powerful is it than a candle. is it as constant as it feels? can it be observed to be growing or ebbing?

radiant - honestly not sure what to think about this one. i guess if it’s not actually a sphere, and instead we get some kind of weird silhouette, maybe radiant can help us. i don’t know i’m bad with radiant

tenebrous - where does it draw its power? is it entirely internal? is it getting it from somewhere else?

liminal - this i’m curious about. how far away is it? is there anything else around it that we just can’t see?

…i bet with a really, really well made prism with tinted sides we could actually project all of these at once. sounds like a lot of work though.

either way, i have some IDEAS that i will transcribe and scavenge materials for in a bit!

Oh. You were the correct person to ask. Thank you. That’s … that’s fucking brilliant. But of course you’re brilliant.

Also I think Xsaieta would be happy to help if you wanted someone to brainstorm with. That’s … er, not me. But he seemed interested in the project?

Thank you again!

I’m back in the sietch, though I’m going to kidnap you and take you to the City soon. I told Aury he could tag along, but I’d like you to myself for at least the better part of a day.

Couple questions:

Xsaieta expressed some interest in your design for the sunscope. Is it alright if I share your blueprints with them, or would you like the honor?

The Elemental in the Red Column asked me to bring you to meet them? It was surprisingly … well. Part of it was surprisingly kind. The other part of it wants nothing other than violence. At any rate, any interest?

There’s another place in the city that I heard about from Vehru Zilze that I think we might find interesting for … tenebrous reasons.

welcome back sweet sparrow!! I look forward to being kidnapped <3

it’s more than alright to share the blueprints! i should also message them and thank them for the jumping off point.

yeah I have words I want to say to that thing. how did it know that i’d rather be flying!! it’s gonna get a flying kick for sure.

tenebrous reasons!! doubly excited about the kidnapping!! good thing too because I have some Tenebrous Questions to go with some actions

Oh so the interrogator becomes the interrogatee? I’m down for some Tenebrous Questions.

And … is that what you and Algol talked about? Huh. I suppose it was able to identify us as … hm. I’m not sure if it knew we were Angels or something else. You’d rather be flying, hm?

And if you want to message Xsaieta and share your own genius I don’t have to be the go-between at all. I just wanted to give you options.