Ita Guise 1

[15:33] Ita says, "Uh...Shoot. How do I ask about this..."
[15:34] The young woman looks thoughtfully down the bridge of her nose into the pool below and at the sewer fish. She taps her chin with her index finger.

"So...you know about altering perceptions? Do you know how er...How viable it is to alter your own appearance in little ways? Maybe with illusion magic? I've seen plenty of folks make copies of themselves."
(Ita)
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[15:35] Ita says, "Saw someone change his face just enough once to make him look different too. But. Not sure if that was just to me."
[15:39] "Subtle differences! Something like that is a more one-on-one kind of thing. To do so to a crowd of people would be a challenge, however...!" Tossing the staff from one hand to the other, Nox would twirl the staff around for a moment before letting it drop onto the ground. "Subtle, little differences are pretty easy. I mean, look at me for instance."

Their free hand raises, tugging at the collar of their robe as they spoke before doing a little twirl before Ita's eyes.

"Looks normal, right?" Tap tap! The staff collides with the concrete a few times. Before they began to move in a slow, pacing movement. Soon enough the Wizard's physique looked less androgynous, the robes delicately hugged around their hips, a subtle hint of a curve upwards suggesting a more immaculate and feminine build than what was originally put on display.

"Now, I look more womanly- but not by much." Even the voice seemed tinted somehow, as if that weird mix between male, and female, was melting away. The tone familiar, yet lighter than what it once was.

The staff snaps into place once more, and Nox was back to being.. Well... Nox.

"Small things are easy. Quite possible to do! Drastic ones are less so. Except for brief moments or to a small group of people. But even than, there's always an inconsistency to the mind. An illusion done too well, enters the Uncanny Valley. where the natural human mind goes 'Something feels... Wrong... Here'."
(Nox)
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[15:45] Ita is an attentive study, something she's learned by necessity in her life. For very, very good reason. She nods, all looks in order, normal by Nox standards-

Then, as they display, it's a subtle difference. The curve of a hip, of a different build beneath the robes, the lilting change in tone. They don't escape her notice and it serves as a fine example for what she's asked.

The young woman has to do a double-take as the illusory details appear, and then fade back into nothing with a snap of the sewer wizard's staff.

"I...wow. That's. Pretty good," she comments, even giving light applause. Performance is an art too, after all.

"But something like that would be...easier to get a large group of people to see? So long as it doesn't do anything too weird? Like, make you ten feet tall or something?"

She knows how to craft an illusion or two herself, no slouch, yet this is a little different. It's not a copy, nor is it a shroud of warped perception, neither is it a veil that's cast solely over one person.
(Ita)
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[15:50] "Usually it's best used when you're not looking yourself. For example, nobody knows what gender I really am! Maybe I AM a woman! Maybe I'm a man! Maybe I've dipped myself in sewer sludge and became hybrid, manwoman!" The Wizard would say with but a tip of their hat. "The obscurity of clothes, assists in this matter. But I need something a bit more in depth on what you're looking for."

The staff tilts somewhat towards Ita. The end of it lightly tapping against her forehead. "Hair color? Easy enough to change." The dark blacks bled into vibrant greens, than oily greys, and snowy whites- a mirror held in Nox's hand showing such transformations.

Wait where did they get a mirror- It was gone.

Maybe it'd never even been there.. Maybe the transformations she'd seen, hadn't even happened.

"Eye color? Sure sure. But facial structure? Bit harder. Most that I believe illusion mages can really twist there for a grand scheme of things is making oneself look smooth, unblemished, or adding subtle aged scars and the like. A full on 'transformation' of the face? Well..."

A raise of the shoulders follows soon afterwards.

"Way out of my league, that is. Least- in like crowded groups and the like."
(Nox)
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[15:58] Whether or not the wise sage of the sewers knew it, they'd hit the nail on the head. To 'not look like herself' was ultimately going to be the point. Perhaps unintentionally Nox gives her some solid advice.

Small changes, obscuring clothing, the task seems a little less daunting. Phew.

"I, well-"

And just like that Nox is already launching into changing her hair color; the coarse, jet black locks flow seamlessly from one color to the next, and she's able to see it thanks to the mirror. Wait, where did that come from?

She doesn't even get time to ponder that question for long, how cruel and complete is the magi's deception. They're good at this.

"No, no. I probably wouldn't want anything drastic. I'm uh. Just looking for subtle. That's all."

Subtle, boring Ita. That's her shtick. All this illusion magic though is making her dizzy and disoriented. Gosh, she really ought to be used to it by now.
(Ita)
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[16:03] "Subtle. Are you seeking a...."

A pause for dramatic effect. The staff twirling in the air, floating a few inches from Nox's hands as it bobs up and down in the air. They'd lean forward and whisper, voice still muffled by the wrappings around their mouth...

"A disguise!?"

Before whipping their face back away and- wait, when did they get by the railing. Within a blink of the eye, the eccentric magus was now sitting precariously on the railing overlooking the fish's nest. Staring down at Septia with a hum and dip of their head.

"If you're just trying to make yourself stand out more, or look a little more 'prettied up' without going through the effort of makeup and the like, than it's all fairly simple stuff."
(Nox)
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[16:08] The very notion of hearing it spoken aloud just about gives Ita a heart attack. Granted given where she is and what she's asking? It is probably just a touch obvious.

Still, there's no denying such a thing could be a boon. To do the things she wanted, or even needed to do, without drawing attention to the actual Ita. Then there's considering the benefit it could bring in her trying to help her very obstinate, bull headed brother who thought it was a good idea to throw himself into danger...

She clears her throat, then sighs.

"I, well. I've been learning the magic. It's good to know its limitations and applications. To have options, y'know?"

Not the whole truth, but not really necessarily a lie either.

"Me? I'm not really one for standing out. Never really have been."
(Ita)
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[16:20] "And that, wherein, lays the problem."

Leaning precariously backwards, they'd pretty much flip over the edge of the railing and into the waters below with a splash.-

Except, they didn't. Now they were just lounging in the tub, fully clothed of course. Arms outstretched on either side. A hand reaching out to touch upon a bright pink rune and the tub was now a hot tub, jets, bubbles, the like filling it as the magus begun to slowly slouch deeper into the water. Till it was up to their throat.

"Everyone knows Ita is subtle, and quiet, and not really noticeable. Gan calls you Drip for a reason! It is as one says, Illusion is making someone believe in something else!"

Gravity waves forward, causing the sudsy water to splash over the edge and onto Ita's shoes.

It was... Weirdly clean. Pristinely clean, and that wasn't an illusion. Clearly the Magus knew a thing or two about purifying water.

"Your brain is stuck inside of the box. When you need to push it open and think outside of it." Evidently, they weren't taking that answer, as the answer. Merely opting towards baseless assumptions instead.

"To be something you're not, you'll need to observe, or have a taste of it. Sometimes, to be subtle, you must be loud. To fit in, you musn't 'blend' or be 'invisible'. But know the roles that come with it. Theatrics, Performance, the art of theatre! Mimimimiiii~" They'd chant as if they were on the verge of singing.

"Certain clothes hide the appearance. But hiding the appearance does little, if people whomst know you, can read you."
(Nox)
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[16:29] Ita leans forward, wide-eyed as Nox plummets over the railing.

Except there's no splash, no uproar of sewer water, because, in fact, they hadn't fallen over the railing. Her head whips up and instead the robed sewer magus is lounging in the contrastingly opulent tub nearby.

...Evidently still in full regalia.

Yet somewhere amidst there ramblings is a point, is wisdom.

"You're saying that...if it were a disguise. It'd have to be more than just the clothes. Right?" she asks, touching upon a query to clarify the lesson to be gained here.

She looks down, into the dark waters below, and can just barely see a dim reflection of herself illuminated by the torchlight on the walls just behind. Ita takes the time to examine the distant, watery copy. Touching her cheek, running her fingers through her hair.

Once upon a time being drab and meek had been a necessity. Was it really needed any longer?

"Yeah...yeah. Like acting. I've heard Bert talk about that. He used to work out of the old theater."
(Ita)
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[16:37] "When I was young, my brother and I would do such silly things. He'd write screenplays, and I'd perform them! The trouble is, not becoming the person you're pretending to be." They'd say with a slow twist of the staff, now floating in-between the jets of water, from left to right and side to side. They'd listen in and out from Ita as they'd hum.

"You might find yourself getting into the muse so potently, and than coming to the realization that- maybe the disguise was you all along, and that this is who you really are..." Their train of thought was lost as the soaken magus began to rise from the pool, sloshing about and sitting at the edge. Feet kicking back and fourth.

"Whatever you intend to do, Drip. Do it with flare, and passion. Act out not only as someone you aren't, but within an attitude of your wildest dreams. You're an illusionist, yes?" They'd step besides her.

Standing there, a drench, soaked mess.

And seemingly unbothered by it. "Make your dreams a reality. Unless you really do like being seen as that plain, subtle little girl. I mean, growing flamboyant, letting yourself ease into other shells- not as Ita, but as someone else... It'll change ya, and maybe, one day, you'll come to the realization that being quiet and plain was the real disguise all along."
(Nox)
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[16:46] For as long as Ita can remember, she'd been small and quiet. At some point that had changed slowly, but the façade had stayed in greater and greater capacity. Surely she'd obtained some measure of confidence? The coat was worn less, she roved out on her own more and more.

And yet this is how she chose to present herself. Silent, meek. Life and observation had taught her danger and trouble came to those who made noise or stood out, and so the pretense had remained.

"I am, yeah. A friend taught me. Always thought it was. Well. Useful."

She struggles to think exactly to when it had first changed. When and why and how that first little spark of defiance had caught onto tinder.

Then she remembers. Maybe it wasn't the only instance that had shaped her, but it is the first that springs to mind. Ita looks up from the water and blinks, removing her spectacles.

"I think..." she says, her voice starting low and finding it was somewhere along.

"I think you're right. There's a lot I've dreamed of doing. Not even just my dreams either. I don't think I can do it like this."

Her eyes flick up and over to Nox. She finally musters a small and wistful smile.

"...Thanks."
(Ita)
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[16:52] "I used to never have dreams. Not big ones. Get by, live, be boring..."

Their shoulders shrug as they lean against the railing. Droplets of water dripping from the brim of their hat. "Than I met a bunch of people. People that made me feel like I wasn't really alone, or hated, or used. People that made me feel less like I was some sort of rune scribed onto a machine to make it work. But like an actual person."

The bars rattled slightly as they leaned against it. Old, rusted and coated in grime...

"But I couldn't be with them, as I was. So. Here I am." A bit of a confession in a way, their shoulders raising in a shrug before they peel themselves away from the railing and stretch their arms above their head.

"I hope you'll find what you're looking for. But, to sum it up as a sorta lesson of kinds. You'll need the attire, you'll need the persona, you'll need the name." They'd recite three things, wriggling their fingers about momentarily.

"But most importantly... You'll need the passion, and the drive. I hope you find what you're lookin' for, Drippy drips. But if you do! Make sure to have fun with it- yah? Even the serious bits. You may end up learning more about yourself than you could ever imagine."
(Nox)
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[17:00] Ita leans against the railings alongside the venerable sewer sage, and she does one of the things she knows best to do. She listens. The young urchin's always been listening and watching.

Contrary to popular belief and appearance, the young woman doesn't lack for passion. But, like many things, it is kept close and guarded. Confidants were few and far between for very good reason. When she'd stepped out of the slums she'd seen it so readily first hand-

Information and secrets were just as sharp a weapon as any sword or spell.

"It's good...When you can find people like that, huh?" she remarks with an empathetic smile. "Can't just pass up something like that and let it slip through your fingers. Not a lot of it floating around.

I found a brother like that. And a friend. A real good one. And we've all got dreams we share, have for a long time. Big ones too, but sometimes they're a little scary to think about."

It did feel odd to still call him a 'friend', but this was polite conversation.

A name, a persona, and new attire- a new face. Three key things, this conversation having given her the seeds for the second one.

"Think I owe you more than I can pay, Nox. So...thanks. I'm in your debt."
(Ita)
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[17:07] "You're family, Ita. Even if ya won't say ya are, or don't believe ya are." They'd make a slinging motion, gravity gripping around Ita's shoulder and giving it a playful little shake in the process. Before releasing her to stand on her own. "Family helps each other out, doesn't leave nobody behind. All that stuff." That, was what the sewer was to Nox.

A great big family.

"Anyway, if you're ever lookin' for more advice just let me know. Gan can also probs set ya up with like.. Trippy illusion markings on your outfit to make it just fit more y'know?"
(Nox)
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[17:25] That shake, though it rattles her slight frame, is somehow...

Heartening.

It coaxes and even greater smile from her.

"Thanks. It's. Nice to be somewhere that's good. Always liked the underground. Maybe it's something about the earth magic that makes it appealing," she chuckles. And the people. As strange and wayward as they were, they were always welcoming.

A pity the surface still had so much work to do.

"That sounds like a good idea. And if I ever need anything else? I'll be sure to let you know. And I don't look like much, I know, but...Same goes to you if you ever need a favor, right?"
(Ita)
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[17:26] Nox exclaims, "I'll keep that in mind Drip-Drop. Be safe now!"
[17:26] Ita says, "You too. Stay in the shade, Nox."