Phantom Glass Gem

The supercentenarian Neries hobbles around her workshop, basking in the warm sunlight shining in through the slatted roof of her lodge. Her tools were already lain out on her work table. The glass gemstone of Geist Sand was now a lump in a mold. Still kept at a temperature suited to changing its shape, she took it in her hand and held it out near the fire. In her palm was a watery film, protecting her skin. The gem sizzled, yet she did not balk at the contact.

Iosefka, using a pole, jabbed into the glass's side and began to spin it in her palm, shaping it into an ovaloid in her palm. Water continues to sizzle off her skin, but she doesn't balk at the process. In fact, she has a calm look of concentration as she shapes it properly. The imperfections pop and disappear as she works, until the entire thing is an incredibly smooth circular shape.

Slowly, she removes the pole from its center and works around the divet, until all the flaws and pockets were gone. Finally. It was vaguely crystal shaped.

…

So she dumps it into a vat of water.
(Iosefka Coza)
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[20:16] The water sizzles on contact with the super-heated glass, but more importantly the glass began to cool at a rapid rate. Soon the orange glow and steam surrounding both would dissipate, leaving only the thick crystal. This would do for now.

She removes it from the water and examines it in the light. The entire thing had a particular opacity that made it difficult to peer through, but light still caught in the glass crystal, with wisps of energy moving in and around it. She furrows her brow at the light show, before placing it down and taking an arcanium knife from her tool belt.

Iosefka hunches over her workbench now, and with long, careful strokes of the knife against the crystal, carved long flakes of the glass off the side. Looking at the diagram that Adar had hoped she could replicate, she squints at the cut of the crystal and continues her work. Each stroke of the knife close to shaving off her own skin as well, but never managing to make contact with her flesh.

She hums a ditty, a half-forgotten tune from her youth. Sea shanties involving demons and the high seas. The sort belted out by those with no concept of a 'singing voice', but sung proudly all the same. Her brow furrows in concentration, as more flakes of the glass were cut from the crystal, and soon, the thick, heavy Geist Sand Glass was set down on the table.

She licks her lips and tuts, before looking up from her desk.

"Hello?" She calls out.
(Iosefka Coza)
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[20:46] In her concentrated trance of meticulous labor, the Artificer could've soon started to make out a separate voice chanting out the familiar tune, only a third below, with a vaguely elegant air of aloofness in every vowel sound. As if Adar's jaw would freely hinge loose dramatically.

Having barged in heeding the call of a good old shanty, the navigator couldn't resist the urge of getting down to the anthemic ringing of a brutal tale of sea. It was almost second nature. Sometimes books weren't enough to fill one's quota of leisure.

Eventually, upon being regarded, his response would be a weird mixture of tense and lackadaisical, by casting a shaky hand upwards in faint embarrassment. As if he didn't mean to start singing to begin with.

"H-Hi. The door was open." He explained, awkwardly turning to the Qilin for a spare moment. "I should've knocked but… I heard the singing… figured you wouldn't hear."

What a load of bollocks.

"Sorry." Within seconds, his exorbitant gaze would widen and dart towards the direction of the product carved. "Is that…!?" A hesitant pause of shock.

Clear euphoria, as his metaphorical sight looms over the gem with bliss and awe.

"Is it ready?!? I-Is this it!?"
(Adar)
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[21:00] She hobbles her way toward the desk, though half-turns as Adar brings up the crystal she had just cut. She arches a brow and returns to pick it up, examining it in the light once more before she heads to her table.

"Just old songs from a long forgotten time, Adar. No need to worry." She'd crow, sitting down at her desk and inviting the group to come in. She sets the crystal on the table for Adar and his friends to examine, as she wipes her hands.

"Yes, that'll be it. It's ready for enchantment and for exposure. Not exactly READY ready, but ready enough by my hands. And really. Don't worry. I left the door unlocked for a reason, didn't I?"

Iosefka sighs wistfully as she taps the crystal with her finger-nail, a small smile on her lips.

"... Mm. Working like this really does bring me back."
(Iosefka Coza)
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[21:04] Xeph gazed upon the crystal with curiosity admiring her work as a artist would any piece of work that came their way. It was a marvel to say the very least, and he was honored and thrilled to be able to witness it.

He stepped forth giving a friendly gesture to the woman before speaking in kindness. There was a hint of admiration to his voice, alongside his usual respect.

"Let us begin then, I am ready and have ample energy to spare. We can begin whenever you are both ready for my additions, merely list the specifications once more just to ensure there is no flaws when I finish."
(Xeph Remira)
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[21:15] A hand sways off to the side in the direction of the blue-lined woman, beckoning her over to the rest of the group.

"You remember my friend, Setsuna, right?" He'd inquire, reminiscing the first plan out of the original sextant plan. "Well - friend is a vast understatement. Either way - she's been here before."

Then, pivoting over to the Remira, he'd offer a slow nod in a resolute response. His opposite appendage had started to flutter about theatrically as the explanation moved further.

"We'll need to take this to the lighthouse, then either to the arcane tree or Sanctuary. That way we'll tune it up correctly to where we need it to function."

A meditative pause would see the scholar weave forward in the assembly.

"I don't mean to be pushy but… would getting started on the actual length and body of the staff be an option while Xeph and I handle the geistorb?"

Adar's chin was rubbed sagely, as he'd pivot over to the Qilin's figure once more.

"You'd have that extra set of hands, you know… Setsuna is a real boy scout. A true soldado. Follows instructions as tightly as a machine. No one rivals her."
(Adar)
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[21:25] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[21:33] "I question your phrasing, but I think I understand what you mean."

The Neries pushes the crystal toward Adar, and leans back in her seat soon after. Her glance finds its way to each of her guests in turn, before settling on Setsuna. She furrows her brow, and looks down at her own hands. Nowadays, was she truly so incapable? She actually had no idea.

She was pretty sure she could do it solo.

"... Err. Yes. Take that away and get it prepared. In the meantime, yes, I, uh, I suppose I can work on the bone. I'm not about to start casting it in arcanium and orichalcum or anything, but yes. I suppose having a Qilin help me might be. Beneficial."

She sighs and gets up out of her seat.

"... Now, what was I doing with it again...?" She mumbles half to herself.
(Iosefka Coza)
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[21:50] A hum, as Adar finally takes the sturdy piece of glimmering glass, a faint halo of spiritual density would buzz between the palms of his hands. A refined, unearthly quality to it's surface would instigate a fervent feeling of euphoria and urgency. The project was finally within grasp. The raw, inactive centerpiece of the Tele-Caster was no more a work of theorizing, mathematics and hopeful thinking. Iosefka's hand, hammer, forge and knife had welded it into reality.

A grin is shot towards Setsuna. One that very much resembles a hyperkinetic, cheery infant's in some regards. Then, the set of impaired eyes would bolt towards Xeph with an equally outgoing smile.

"Alright, alright. To Sanctuary, we go. Follow me, Remira! On my trail - chop chop chop."

Pretty much hopping from his seat, he'd dart towards the door to the lodge.

"Sorry, Suna! I really need you to give us a hand with this! Consider yourself entitled to a favor!"

More thespian chants, as he walks through the door and shouts from the outside.

"I'll make it up to you, love. I promise! I promise!"
(Adar)
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