[03:22] Taetl'tel glides up and plants his feet in the grass- noting that Fool was probably already explaining what he was here to.
(Taetl'tel)
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[03:22] Fool isn't explaining anything else. She's done.
(Fool)
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[03:23] Taetl'tel notes the silence and scratches his ear.
(Taetl'tel)
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[03:23] Taetl'tel says, "Ahm- Dan got hurt pretty bad. Ran in to Ikkaku with Saenis and Ilonnia it seemed like-"
[03:23] Taetl'tel says, "And then some big thing with Eidolon and New Sarradia but-"
[03:23] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Well, heck."
[03:24] Taetl'tel says, "Yeah"
[03:24] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "...So who's Ikkaku's friend?"
[03:24] Taetl'tel says, "I didn't see em- or hear much about them. I think Fool understands that bit more than myself."
[03:24] Fool says, "Someone with a blade, I figure. You'd have to ask Dan."
[03:24] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Wow. Cryptic."
[03:24] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Useful info, guys."
[03:25] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Five stars."
[03:25] Fool says, "Thanks I try."
[03:25] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Two thumbs up."
[03:25] Fool asks, "Seen Alvi around?"
[03:25] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "Around here?"
[03:25] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Nah."
[03:25] Fool exclaims, "Very well!"
[03:25] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "...What was the thing with Eido and New Sarra?"
[03:25] Fool departs, grumbling that she should've gone after him. But, alas, the jester is merely an attack dog.
(Fool)
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[03:26] Taetl'tel says, "Seems like a big fight broke out between them."
[03:26] Taetl'tel says, "And from the sound of it- Eidoilon lost."
[03:26] Taetl'tel says, "Stella wasn't happy."
[03:26] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Well, heck."
[03:26] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "Anyone hurt? Captured?"
[03:27] Taetl'tel says, "Not that I know of- though Lucilius hurried in to the fort they have there pretty fast once they got back."
[03:27] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Hmm..."
[03:27] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Considering they were planning an attack soon, I can see why Stella would be upset."
[03:27] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Especially if they lost men..."
[03:28] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Oh, hey Solix."
[03:28] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Sorry to interrupt whatever Khaine was supposed to help with."
[03:28] Taetl'tel says, "Yeah- though, she's been speaking with the Raven Demon. Who knows what that's about though."
[03:28] Solix Nolte says, "its fin"
[03:28] Solix Nolte says, "He a idiot"
[03:28] Solix Nolte says, "But he is like a younger brother also"
[03:28] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Well, he stole from Crafthold. Can't really just let people walk around after that."
[03:28] Amoxtli Lelhua asks, "Oh! Tae?"
[03:28] Solix Nolte says, "I agree"
[03:28] Zoldak Lelhua says, "...Although I do hate scaring away business."
[03:28] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Ah, whatever."
[03:31] High flee
(Solix Nolte)
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[03:32] fat legs
(Zoldak Lelhua)
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[03:32] Caught
(Solix Nolte)
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[03:34] Taetl'tel asks, "Hm? Yes?"
[03:34] Amoxtli Lelhua asks, "How's ta' business been?"
[03:34] Taetl'tel rubs the back of his head and shrugs.
(Taetl'tel)
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[03:34] Taetl'tel says, "To be honest- it kinda sucks right now."
[03:35] Taetl'tel says, "I was telling Reka- I really wish people would give me normal messages- all this political intrigue has gotten me "
[03:35] Taetl'tel says, "Well- in a bit of trouble I think."
[03:36] Amoxtli Lelhua asks, "...ah. Yah aight?"
[03:36] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Yeah, no, I feel you Tattle."
[03:36] Taetl'tel says, "I mean- physically yeah. I almost got caught by a guard in New Sarradia today who wanted to take me in for questioning but I was too fast for him."
[03:36] Zoldak Lelhua says, "I used to be able to go anywhere I wanted as well..."
[03:37] Amoxtli Lelhua asks, "..who? New Sarradia?"
[03:37] Amoxtli Lelhua says, "When we stopped by, no one was 'round."
[03:37] Taetl'tel says, "Setzer's new place. They don't seem very friendly after the way things are going."
[03:37] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Well. You know."
[03:38] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Shouldn't go back there..."
[03:39] Taetl'tel says, "Nah I know- but that's just another place now. Can't go there- can't go to Gehenna-"
[03:39] Taetl'tel sighs.
(Taetl'tel)
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[03:39] Amoxtli Lelhua says, "..'t's all dumb, I suppose."
[03:39] Taetl'tel says, "I thought I could sneak around with a disguise on- but it seems most people are smarter than that."
[03:40] Taetl'tel says, "That's how the guard got me at least- he sensed something was up and I dropped the illusion."
[03:40] Amoxtli Lelhua asks, "..hmn. Yah could change yah name whenever travellin' somewhere dangerious?"
[03:40] Taetl'tel says, "Maybe- I was asking around to see if anyone knew where I could maybe even get a mask. It's a shame Vyse has been out for as long as he has or else I'd probably ask him to make me something."
[03:41] Taetl'tel says, "Or if there was a way to make my illusion disguises better or something."
[03:41] Amoxtli Lelhua says, "..I saw Vyse eariler, last night."
[03:41] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "Oh, really?"
[03:41] Amoxtli Lelhua says, "I gave him wine 'nd he left."
[03:42] Taetl'tel says, "Mm.. I haven't seen him as often as I used to I guess."
[03:43] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Hmm..."
[03:44] Zoldak Lelhua says, "I was working on a trick before. When I lost access to Ardent."
[03:44] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "...Wanna see it?"
[03:44] Taetl'tel says, "Yeah- sure."
[03:44] Taetl'tel tilts his head to the side, a curious look on his face.
(Taetl'tel)
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[03:44] Zoldak claps his hands together, and motions for Taetl'tel to follow him.
(Zoldak Lelhua)
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[03:45] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Right! First thing we need to do is find a chicken."
[03:45] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "Coming, 'mox?"
[03:47] Zoldak Lelhua says, "...Unfortunately, all the chickens were wiped out."
[03:47] Zoldak Lelhua says, "After that blinding light."
[03:47] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Following Valerie's death..."
[03:47] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Shine bright, girl."
[03:47] Taetl'tel says, "Oh-"
[03:48] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "But... Heck there's got to be one somewhere, right?"
[03:48] Taetl'tel says, "Somewhere- for sure."
[03:48] Zoldak Lelhua says, "YES."
[03:48] Zoldak Lelhua exclaims, "HE LIVED!"
[03:50] Zoldak gestures towards the chicken, sleeping quietly in it's little hen house. Setting his feet down on the ground, he starts giving a speech. It sounds a little rehearsed, almost like something he's done before.

"The chicken. Every illusionist's standby for imitation. A classic. The original. You just can't go wrong with it."

Clapping his hands together, a quick puff of dust erupts from him. After it clears, in his place now stands a chicken.

(Zoldak Lelhua)
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[03:50] Eloxochitl says, "You're already quite familiar with imitation, of course."
[03:51] Eloxochitl is now just squawking out his words, using his little chickeny vocal chords.
(Eloxochitl)
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[03:51] Eloxochitl says, "So I won't bore you much with this."
[03:51] Amoxtli Lelhua says, "..huh, maybe I should build yah'a birdhouse, Zoldak."
[03:51] Zoldak Lelhua asks, "Would you stay in it with me?"
[03:51] Taetl'tel laughs as he watches Zoldak with the chicken and nods.
(Taetl'tel)
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[03:51] Taetl'tel says, "Yeah- I'm following"
[03:51] Another puff, this time a cloud of feathers. Zoldak returns to his original form. As soon as he once again has legs, they are hovering off the ground.

"Now, here's a query. What would happen if you tried to turn into a flying chicken?"
(Zoldak Lelhua)
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[03:51] Amoxtli Lelhua asks, "..is that'a pun?"
[03:52] Amoxtli Lelhua says, "I'd trap yah in my wings."
[03:52] Taetl'tel asks, "You would- not be able to fly?"
[03:52] Zoldak Lelhua says, "Mmm..."
[03:53] Zoldak snaps a finger and points to Taetl'tel.
(Zoldak Lelhua)
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[03:53] Zoldak Lelhua exclaims, "You're on the right track!"
[03:53] Zoldak then snaps a finger and point to Amoxtli.
(Zoldak Lelhua)
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[03:53] Zoldak Lelhua exclaims, "You're cute, and let's do that later!"
[04:03] "Now, obviously chickens cannot fly. That's common knowledge. You already caught on to what I was getting at, Tattle. You're quite a good student!"

Hovering over to the coop, Zoldak quickly scoops up the chicken.

"Kraus, in his infinite malice for these pitiable creatures has made it so that reality itself denies them the ability to fly."

Grabbing a wing, he stretches it out and makes the chicken do a little wave to both Amoxtli and Taetl'tel. It's looking pretty agitated right now.

"They look just like every other bird. The wings are there, the feathers. They just can't fly."

Releasing the wing, the chicken flaps uselessly, attempt to get away from the bird enthusiast illusionist.

Now, form imitation is not simply morphing into something the caster envisions. It requires a target. A real, solid entity. That is why the imitation is so perfect."

Looking at the chicken kicking and flapping in his hands, he smiles, before looking back up at the pair outside the chicken pen.

"So. What would happen if you tried to turn into something that the fabric of reality itself denies? A non-entity? Something that cannot be?"

This time, rather than clapping his hands, Zoldak simply snaps a finger, his other hand still holding onto the angry chicken. Another puff of smoke occurs. This time, however...

He vanishes. The chicken is still there, flapping angrily, and Zoldak's shadow on the ground. But there's no Zoldak.
(Eloxochitl)
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[04:03] Taetl'tel blinks at Zoldak disappears.
(Taetl'tel)
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[04:07] The ookami's eyes widen and he looks to Amoxtli beside him excitedly. He laughs at the chicken still freaking out in the air and grins.

"You're saying- something like being a chicken that can fly? Something that stops being there?"

Tael thinks for a minute more and looks rather pensive over the concept. It seemed to good to be true almost; something that would allow him to move around without being detected?

"But- does that mean you are now a flying chicken? Or are you something else- something limited in another way?"
(Taetl'tel)
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[04:13] "Mmm. Here's the thing, Tattle. You've fooled people plenty of times with imitation, yes? That's how you gather information in enemy territory... Reminds me of myself, when I was younger, but... Heck! You're way better at it then I ever was."

He finally releases the chicken. It flaps the whole way to the ground. Upon landing, it jumps up into the air, beating its wings and attempting to claw at whatever was holding it. But after a few seconds of that it stops, unable to find its harasser, and struts off back to its coop. It's feathers have been thoroughly ruffled.

"So, let me clue you in on how it works. How it really works."

The sound of a finger snap as he continues to squawk in a decidedly chicken-sounding voice.

"Well, first off... Has anyone ever seen through one of your disguises before? If so, tell me about that."
(Eloxochitl)
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[04:16] Tael nods, remembering all to well the lesson he'd learned in Ashvale on his visit: he'd gone to spy on Ragnar. And while the illusion failed, somehow the messenger had gotten exactly what he had set out to get.

"In Ragnar's throne room- I was trying to make him thinking I was a new comer to his settlement and he poked my forehead and made the whole thing dissipate. It was rather- ah- disappointing to say the least. He still told me everything and let me go for some reason but... yeah there was that."

Tael remembers even just earlier to day, the story he'd already explained of the New Sarradian guard who had come after him.

"And then like I said today- guy thought something was up with my disguise. I had to drop it just to ease his sense that something was wrong. Then there was another time this kid said something was off about me- soI ran. Yeah it seems like people just get a vibe for it- but only if they really pay attention to me."
(Taetl'tel)
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[04:26] With a cluck and a chuckle - a cluckle?... - Zoldak continue squawking out his little lesson.

"That's because the magic doesn't morph you into the target, or even put up an image of them over yourself... All it does is make people think you're whatever it is you're imitating."

The sound of flapping wings can be heard, yet the shadow on the ground is clearly just Zoldak moving his arms around. Weird.

"It's why if you're acting strange, doing something that person wouldn't do, being where they wouldn't be... It fails. It affects the minds of those around you. So when they put the pieces together? It falls apart."

A snap, as the shadow now points... Over in their general direction. The sun is at a weird angle by this point.

"That's what this is. The illusion is trying to show you something that can't be. And so your mind... Can't even process it. After all, even though you can't see me, you know it's me, yes? Of course, you can put more effort, more focus into it, to make it more effective. But at the end of the day, if someone knows something is up, they'll see right through it."

A pause, as Zoldak just continues to point towards Amoxtli and Taetl'tel. Presumably.

"Anyways... Why don't you try?"
(Eloxochitl)
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[04:28] Amoxtli Lelhua says, "..I'm not 'n illusion mage, dear."
[04:30] Eloxochitl says, "R-right. I was talking to Tattle."
[04:36] Tael considers Zoldak's words and thinks on the instruction. He considered the idea of what his simpler illusions were; things that were something else, a mimic. But this he realized was something different, something he'd have to put some focus in to.

The courier considers his instructions to himself from earlier; a desire to become no one to others. A desire to disappear in moments when he didn't want to face what he was up against even. A desire to be overlooked and unassuming, as he normally strived to be.

He focuses on that feeling, closes his eyes and hones in on it.

"I want to be nothing." he think, over and over. But alas, it seemed as though it would take practice, as Zoldak had said.

He sighs after some concentrated effort and shakes his head.

"Hm.. seems like- something I might have to keep at for a bit."
(Taetl'tel)
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[04:42] Amoxtli and Taetl'tel can't tell what Zoldak is doing, exactly, but his shadow, stretched out and distorted by the setting sun, is clearly folding its arms and tapping a foot.

"...You're jumping the gun, kid. One step at a time. Illusion is all about tricks. And this right here? This is tricking the natural order."

The shadow's arms unfold, and seem to be making an up and down motion in their diection.

"Fly, my child. Fly and become a chicken. It's as simple as that. Become used to the feeling of being something others cannot see. Cannot perceive."
(Eloxochitl)
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[04:45] Eloxochitl says, "Also, sorry for wrangling your chicken, 'mox."
[04:45] Amoxtli Lelhua says, "It's fine, yah."
[04:46] Tael nods and imagines he's a chicken. The feathers, the beak, the whole damn bird. Feeling sort of silly, the courier even tucks his thumbs in between his armpits and starts flapping slightly. At first it's a hesitant, slow movement but he begins to ascend into the air as he speeds it up.

In the air- now to be a chicken.

Something clicks and he understands part of what Zoldak is saying; if he can already ascend in to the air, all he'd have to do now is become a chicken in the air. Put the two together so it would seem.

Tael focuses on the chicken, bringing his illusion magic to focus around the animal. The image wraps itself around the ookami and soon- he's taken the shape of the chicken before them. It floats in the air, near where Tael's midsection was before his form shifted.

He lets out a laugh that can be heard a foot above the imaginary farm animal.

"Like this? Is this sorta working?"
(Taetl'tel)
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[04:48] Eloxochitl asks, "Hey, 'mox. You see either of us now?"
[04:48] Eloxochitl says, "Alright, Tattle."
[04:49] Eloxochitl is laughing despite being unable to be seen.
(Eloxochitl)