Of course. I haven't had the chance to study anything like it before. It's deeply fascinating.
The substance that powers its central mechanism seems to be quite volatile. Powerful and versatile when controlled, but dangerous when not. I don't believe the risks are great enough to outweigh the potential benefits yet, but I've been taking the proper precautions to keep it contained at all times.
It's a rather different beast from the magecraft I'm more accustomed to. I presume its roots are more corporeal, rather than spiritual. Adapting it to my purposes may take some time, but I'm confident I should be able to find a way.
Ah, unfortunately, giving you something more spiritual would require me going against my word to my dear nephew. And much as I like you, I wouldn't do that! Blood, water, all that. It does do my heart good to hear you being so carefully interested in my work! I should like to see it sometime, and what I can feel of the changes, if any. If you're amenable, of course :)
Of course. I'm capable of working with what you've given me. I won't trouble you any further in that regard.
[ Admittedly with a little reluctance. He's sure he could work a little more efficiently with a sample he's more compatible with ... but he needs to be mindful of consequences. He won't get greedy. ]
I've been working with your sample at my own workshop, given it's a personal project rather than one for the Lunar Scientia. You're free to visit when you wish.
[ Sending along an address in the quiet residential area.
He wouldn't normally give this out so freely, but he feels like he owes it to Ardyn. ]
[ Well, that went far more smoothly than he had expected. Caster wasn't a friendly man, but he was polite, and he seemed to value skill. Maybe that was what let Ardyn get past his terse defenses.
Humming to himself, he made his way to the address that had been sent to him and knocked on the door. ]
[ The door swings open after a few moments and, for once, it's Avicebron answering the door himself instead of leaving it to his golem. Ardyn should be honored. ]
Good evening.
[ A small nod to accompany that brief greeting, and he gestures for Ardyn to enter.
The apartment looks pretty spartan from the entrance, the short hallway into the living room entirely unadorned and the bedroom they walk past containing only the most basic furniture. But even from the doorway, Ardyn might be able to spot the sprawl of tables and books and equipment in the living room, the area serving as Avicebron's workspace. ]
I hope you aren't expecting anything too extravagant.
Extravagance might suit you, my good man, but not in this department.
[ Ardyn swept into the apartment, amused to see that it was much like his own. The original furnishings were largely unchanged, and any personal touches were relegated to things that actually mattered. The table of books and the sprawl of equipment were a sight to behold. He couldn't help but smirk. ]
Busy, busy! I see you haven't kept your hands idle. Good for the soul, that. Or so I've heard.
I wouldn't know what is or isn't good for one's wellbeing. [ Said mildly as he led the way around a table piled high with papers. ] But I've always found solace in my work, yes. And in that regard, I owe you my thanks. Your sample has given me much to think about.
[ Said sample takes center stage on a large table, surrounded by a delicate metal cage carved with complicated symbols. Wires and metal parks extend from the cage, connected to chunks of minerals and raw gems. The sample of magitek periodically pulses with energy, and several gems glow in time with it.
A humanoid golem stands nearby, frozen in place, holding a wire in position. It moves aside only when Avicebron takes the wire from it, carefully inserting it into a slot at the cage's base. ]
It's been a fascinating process, learning to handle what you gave me.
[ Ardyn couldn't say what he was really looking at. Verstael's sublimation hadn't been one of pure daemonification, and thus he only knew what he learned while working with the man. He couldn't precisely tell what was happening to the piece of magitek, especially as he'd never seen Caster's gems used on a piece before.
It was all quite interesting. If he really reached, he could feel the daemon that made it up. He didn't care to at the moment, and instead watched the man at his work. ]
Oh, I am glad to hear! And what have you learned, if you don't mind sharing your secrets?
'Secrets.' [ There's just a hint of dry amusement in his voice. ] I wonder if anything I discover would surprise you.
[ He gets the sense that Ardyn knows far, far more than he lets on, after all. Still, he won't turn down an excuse to talk about his work, so he delicately twists the wire into position, then looks to Ardyn as the crystals glow brighter. ]
The substance at the core of your magitek is quite unstable. Corrosive, and with a strange reaction towards light. In exchange, it's dense with energy. Incredibly long-lasting and powerful if harnessed in the right way. And ... [ A cant of the head as he ponders the little metallic cage he's built. ] ... it seems to have a will of its own, to some degree. Which could potentially make it more dangerous. But a will can also be swayed or reasoned with. It's something I've yet to grasp the nuances of.
[ A pause as he looks to Ardyn afterward. Was that the sort of answer he was looking for? ]
I'm not too old to be surprised. [ Nor was he even too full of knowledge and experience. Really, he was just too tired. Still, if anyone here were to know that, it would be Caster, or possibly Emet-Selch. They had shared minds, even if only briefly.
He watched as Caster twisted a wire and the crystal grew more brightly. He wasn't a fan of crystals, by and large, but to complain about them in a place so stock full as Planet Prismatica would be an exercise in misery. It was fitting, however, to see a piece of magitek surrounded by the things. He even allowed a wry smile. ]
Oh, very good. Yes, there is a will there, to an extent. [ He didn't mind throwing him that bone. It was fairly deduced. ] Not much of one, but there's a base instinct for survival there. [ The MT Troopers that had been programmed to self destruct could only have done so if the Scourge within didn't use even that as a chance to propagate. Ardyn's wry smile deepened, disgusted by the thing that was a part of him, and that he was a part of. ]
The particles are photophobic, as you likely deduced from the 'strange reaction'. They'll function under bright, artificial lighting, but they don't much care for the sun. [ He cocked his head at him, the twist to his lips darkly amused now. ] Something to keep in mind for your reasoning, I'm sure.
Sunlight in particular. I see. [ He promptly looked aside, scrounging up a sheet of paper to note that down. ] It must be rather sensitive to be able to make the distinction. Unless it responds to the radiation present in light, rather than the light itself. Regardless, it's useful to know.
[ He certainly understood Ardyn's weariness, at least to an extent. Heroic Spirits were ageless by nature of their very being, forever divorced from the normal flow of time and made to witness humanity's developments from a distance. But for Avicebron, the tireless pursuit of knowledge and development was in his very nature.
So it was with great sincerity that he looked up from his notes, coolly meeting Ardyn's gaze from behind his mask. ]
I'm not the type to care about figuring things out for myself if there are ways to expedite the process. I care most about progression and end results. So -- if there's anything else important you can reveal to me, I would appreciate it.
Would you? Ah, well then. [ Ardyn scratched his cheek, the stubble rasping under his fingernails. He pretended to be thoughtful for a moment, the expression painted on his face. ]
The heart of core is tight wound by something called miasma. It's an energy exuded by things afflicted with the Starscourge. [ His smile was now a sickle's edge. Caster would remember that, he was sure, from his sojourn into his mind. ] As of right now, it's the only piece of sublimated organic matter in all of Planet Prismatica... and it will rest in dormant state, having been used so.
But, of course, the Starscourge does love to absorb things into itself. Perhaps you could have a little fun with that, and see what other energy it responds to.
[ Avicebron waited patiently while Ardyn hemmed and hawed over the matter, pen-tip hovering over the sheet of paper. ]
Testing the effects of allowing it to absorb other matter. [ Avicebron did automatically note that tip down, but as that information sank in, he gave a thoughtful cant of the head, tapping pen on paper. ] ... I see. It certainly seems worth experimenting with. Though in exceedingly small doses to start with. I wouldn't wish to risk sparking a dangerous reaction.
[ A small nod to himself before he set the pen down and looked back up to Ardyn. ]
I'll proceed with caution. But I'm grateful for the information regardless. If there are any other avenues you'd like me to pursue, you need only let me know. I do owe you for gifting me the sample.
[ He had to imagine that Ardyn had some sort of goal in mind, after all. True, selfless generosity didn't come easily to most people. And Ardyn didn't seem the type to be so saintly without reason. ]
I don't need much. A moonlacing partner to call on in times of need perhaps? [ He gave a faint smirk, wondering if that would happen. Perhaps if Grimm, Emet-Selch and Midna went the same way that Junpei, Dorian, and Hal had done. A distant fourth wasn't a foolish idea to have around. ]
In truth, I'm curious myself. I've no real desire to spread miasma anywhere, but it's always interesting to know how it reacts to things.
[ He reached out and clapped a hand on Caster's shoulder. ] Keep me in the loop with what you find, will you? If your golemancy works with it, I'd very much like to know.
[ That flippant answer earned a raised eyebrow behind the mask, and Avicebron glanced at the hand that laid on his shoulder. And after a moment, he nodded. ]
Of course. I cannot promise my progress will be swift, but I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I discover anything.
[ That aside, he gave a cant of the head, briefly considering his words. ]
... I'm not the sort of person most would look to for moonlacing. But assuming you did not intend it as a joke, I suppose I've no reason to refuse you, either. You're free to look to me if you're ever in need.
[ There was about a 50/50 chance of it having been meant as a joke, he'd guess. ]
[ Ardyn kept his hand there, though he did lightly increase the pressure moments after Caster had spoken, as if affirming the gesture in light of this new information. He let his expression flicker to one of mild surprise, and then settle into something a little more intimate and friendly. ]
Ha, if I meant it as a joke, it was only because I assumed you would turn it down.
[ He squeezed his shoulder lightly, and then let go. ]
Of course I will keep you mind for such. And - presuming you have no others you would prefer - you are welcome to come to me, should you find yourself running low.
[ He notes that small squeeze to the shoulder somewhere at the very back of his mind, even as he automatically shakes his head. ]
I've no particular need -- ...
[ Though his words trail off thoughtfully after a moment.
It's not like him to look to people for help. Especially for such intimate matters. But given what he knows of Ardyn's nature, and what they hold in common ... It's a somewhat grim line of thought, but with Ardyn, there's no worry of tarnishing him. Morally speaking. Avicebron clears his throat after that awkward pause. ]
No, I'll accept your offer. Thank you. I'll keep it in mind.
[ He says it plainly enough, but reflexively touches his mask as he speaks, just a touch embarrassed. Talking about these matters to bluntly still feels a little strange. ]
[ Ardyn's tawny eyes marked that reflexive touch. Caster was so collected and put together that it was interesting to see cracks in the metaphorical mask. ]
Well, until then.
[ Just before he turned away, he reached up and brushed his thumb over that self-same spot. The touch lingered for a beat longer than it ought to until his thumb slid off of the mask and Ardyn half turned.
He raised his other hand in a jaunty farewell, as if he hadn't done anything out of the ordinary. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text; un: adagium
Penny for your thoughts?
Or demichroma, I suppose.
un: castera
I've been tending to my personal work. Between the sample you gave me, and other subjects of interest, I've had much to keep me occupied.
Did you need me for something?
no subject
Has it been piquing your interest?
no subject
The substance that powers its central mechanism seems to be quite volatile. Powerful and versatile when controlled, but dangerous when not. I don't believe the risks are great enough to outweigh the potential benefits yet, but I've been taking the proper precautions to keep it contained at all times.
It's a rather different beast from the magecraft I'm more accustomed to. I presume its roots are more corporeal, rather than spiritual. Adapting it to my purposes may take some time, but I'm confident I should be able to find a way.
no subject
And much as I like you, I wouldn't do that!
Blood, water, all that.
It does do my heart good to hear you being so carefully interested in my work!
I should like to see it sometime, and what I can feel of the changes, if any.
If you're amenable, of course :)
no subject
[ Admittedly with a little reluctance. He's sure he could work a little more efficiently with a sample he's more compatible with ... but he needs to be mindful of consequences. He won't get greedy. ]
I've been working with your sample at my own workshop, given it's a personal project rather than one for the Lunar Scientia. You're free to visit when you wish.
[ Sending along an address in the quiet residential area.
He wouldn't normally give this out so freely, but he feels like he owes it to Ardyn. ]
no subject
I'll trundle along when work is over.
That is, of course, if you'll be there this evening.
no subject
I'll be expecting you.
sorry for the delay. feb was a rough month.
Humming to himself, he made his way to the address that had been sent to him and knocked on the door. ]
Coo-ee! It's me! Do open up.
no worries, you're good!
Good evening.
[ A small nod to accompany that brief greeting, and he gestures for Ardyn to enter.
The apartment looks pretty spartan from the entrance, the short hallway into the living room entirely unadorned and the bedroom they walk past containing only the most basic furniture. But even from the doorway, Ardyn might be able to spot the sprawl of tables and books and equipment in the living room, the area serving as Avicebron's workspace. ]
I hope you aren't expecting anything too extravagant.
no subject
[ Ardyn swept into the apartment, amused to see that it was much like his own. The original furnishings were largely unchanged, and any personal touches were relegated to things that actually mattered. The table of books and the sprawl of equipment were a sight to behold. He couldn't help but smirk. ]
Busy, busy! I see you haven't kept your hands idle. Good for the soul, that. Or so I've heard.
no subject
[ Said sample takes center stage on a large table, surrounded by a delicate metal cage carved with complicated symbols. Wires and metal parks extend from the cage, connected to chunks of minerals and raw gems. The sample of magitek periodically pulses with energy, and several gems glow in time with it.
A humanoid golem stands nearby, frozen in place, holding a wire in position. It moves aside only when Avicebron takes the wire from it, carefully inserting it into a slot at the cage's base. ]
It's been a fascinating process, learning to handle what you gave me.
no subject
It was all quite interesting. If he really reached, he could feel the daemon that made it up. He didn't care to at the moment, and instead watched the man at his work. ]
Oh, I am glad to hear! And what have you learned, if you don't mind sharing your secrets?
no subject
[ He gets the sense that Ardyn knows far, far more than he lets on, after all. Still, he won't turn down an excuse to talk about his work, so he delicately twists the wire into position, then looks to Ardyn as the crystals glow brighter. ]
The substance at the core of your magitek is quite unstable. Corrosive, and with a strange reaction towards light. In exchange, it's dense with energy. Incredibly long-lasting and powerful if harnessed in the right way. And ... [ A cant of the head as he ponders the little metallic cage he's built. ] ... it seems to have a will of its own, to some degree. Which could potentially make it more dangerous. But a will can also be swayed or reasoned with. It's something I've yet to grasp the nuances of.
[ A pause as he looks to Ardyn afterward. Was that the sort of answer he was looking for? ]
no subject
He watched as Caster twisted a wire and the crystal grew more brightly. He wasn't a fan of crystals, by and large, but to complain about them in a place so stock full as Planet Prismatica would be an exercise in misery. It was fitting, however, to see a piece of magitek surrounded by the things. He even allowed a wry smile. ]
Oh, very good. Yes, there is a will there, to an extent. [ He didn't mind throwing him that bone. It was fairly deduced. ] Not much of one, but there's a base instinct for survival there. [ The MT Troopers that had been programmed to self destruct could only have done so if the Scourge within didn't use even that as a chance to propagate. Ardyn's wry smile deepened, disgusted by the thing that was a part of him, and that he was a part of. ]
The particles are photophobic, as you likely deduced from the 'strange reaction'. They'll function under bright, artificial lighting, but they don't much care for the sun. [ He cocked his head at him, the twist to his lips darkly amused now. ] Something to keep in mind for your reasoning, I'm sure.
no subject
[ He certainly understood Ardyn's weariness, at least to an extent. Heroic Spirits were ageless by nature of their very being, forever divorced from the normal flow of time and made to witness humanity's developments from a distance. But for Avicebron, the tireless pursuit of knowledge and development was in his very nature.
So it was with great sincerity that he looked up from his notes, coolly meeting Ardyn's gaze from behind his mask. ]
I'm not the type to care about figuring things out for myself if there are ways to expedite the process. I care most about progression and end results. So -- if there's anything else important you can reveal to me, I would appreciate it.
no subject
The heart of core is tight wound by something called miasma. It's an energy exuded by things afflicted with the Starscourge. [ His smile was now a sickle's edge. Caster would remember that, he was sure, from his sojourn into his mind. ] As of right now, it's the only piece of sublimated organic matter in all of Planet Prismatica... and it will rest in dormant state, having been used so.
But, of course, the Starscourge does love to absorb things into itself. Perhaps you could have a little fun with that, and see what other energy it responds to.
no subject
Testing the effects of allowing it to absorb other matter. [ Avicebron did automatically note that tip down, but as that information sank in, he gave a thoughtful cant of the head, tapping pen on paper. ] ... I see. It certainly seems worth experimenting with. Though in exceedingly small doses to start with. I wouldn't wish to risk sparking a dangerous reaction.
[ A small nod to himself before he set the pen down and looked back up to Ardyn. ]
I'll proceed with caution. But I'm grateful for the information regardless. If there are any other avenues you'd like me to pursue, you need only let me know. I do owe you for gifting me the sample.
[ He had to imagine that Ardyn had some sort of goal in mind, after all. True, selfless generosity didn't come easily to most people. And Ardyn didn't seem the type to be so saintly without reason. ]
no subject
I don't need much. A moonlacing partner to call on in times of need perhaps? [ He gave a faint smirk, wondering if that would happen. Perhaps if Grimm, Emet-Selch and Midna went the same way that Junpei, Dorian, and Hal had done. A distant fourth wasn't a foolish idea to have around. ]
In truth, I'm curious myself. I've no real desire to spread miasma anywhere, but it's always interesting to know how it reacts to things.
[ He reached out and clapped a hand on Caster's shoulder. ] Keep me in the loop with what you find, will you? If your golemancy works with it, I'd very much like to know.
no subject
Of course. I cannot promise my progress will be swift, but I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I discover anything.
[ That aside, he gave a cant of the head, briefly considering his words. ]
... I'm not the sort of person most would look to for moonlacing. But assuming you did not intend it as a joke, I suppose I've no reason to refuse you, either. You're free to look to me if you're ever in need.
[ There was about a 50/50 chance of it having been meant as a joke, he'd guess. ]
no subject
Ha, if I meant it as a joke, it was only because I assumed you would turn it down.
[ He squeezed his shoulder lightly, and then let go. ]
Of course I will keep you mind for such. And - presuming you have no others you would prefer - you are welcome to come to me, should you find yourself running low.
no subject
I've no particular need -- ...
[ Though his words trail off thoughtfully after a moment.
It's not like him to look to people for help. Especially for such intimate matters. But given what he knows of Ardyn's nature, and what they hold in common ... It's a somewhat grim line of thought, but with Ardyn, there's no worry of tarnishing him. Morally speaking. Avicebron clears his throat after that awkward pause. ]
No, I'll accept your offer. Thank you. I'll keep it in mind.
[ He says it plainly enough, but reflexively touches his mask as he speaks, just a touch embarrassed. Talking about these matters to bluntly still feels a little strange. ]
no subject
Well, until then.
[ Just before he turned away, he reached up and brushed his thumb over that self-same spot. The touch lingered for a beat longer than it ought to until his thumb slid off of the mask and Ardyn half turned.
He raised his other hand in a jaunty farewell, as if he hadn't done anything out of the ordinary. ]