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[2018-01-08]

Watching the entirety of Karma’s poor wolf demon’s prosthetic attachment, Hadwin would finally pull Karma aside for a brief talk. Leading the Chief to his home near the Cruxati area, the silver-haired Ezmaran would seem a bit paler than usual as he occasionally coughs as the two walked.

“So, Karma. You’re pretty astute right?” He blankly asks as the two arrive at Hadwin’s doorstep. With the key inserted, he opens the door for the Ezmaran Chief as the two enter. Closing the door behind him, Hadwin would place his staff on a post as it would seem to be made into a bird’s post as the brown feathered avian would now stand in the corner of the room, intently watching.

The room itself was homey. A dining table stands by the wall as papers and books pertaining to magic and other Gehennan texts would litter the tabletop. It seems to be used for studying more than dining at this point. At the corner would be a few crates, the usual groceries as it would seem like this was the pantry. Lastly was typical looking bookshelf which holds rows of books, a few gaps signifying that a few of them are currently in use by the table.

Putting aside his usual things, he would walk to a nearby bookshelf as he seemed to be looking for something specific. A second later, he pulls out one of the bigger tomes at the bottom of the shelf. He lightly places it on the table as a resounding thump would be emitted. A few of the papers shift from the impact of the book on the table as Hadwin begins to flip through the pages. “You can keep a secret right Karma? Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad.” He says as he seems to be scouring the pages. The book itself seems damaged as some pages are half singed. Some seems to pertain to certain elements, but it was hard to tell with how fast Hadwin was changing the page.
(Hadwin)

The walk to Cruxati territories was a short one. With his hands slipped into his pockets, the Chieftain casually strolled behind his tirbesman until they were at his doors. He'd only raise his eyebrows at the question, mumbling out a low "kinda...?" before letting himself in.

Walking over to the chairs, the yellow hues scanned the house---- quite spacious, with handful of books---- something he could appreciate, if not kind of like. Though he'd glance at the bird for a moment longer---- weird thing, always following Hadwin around. Kind of eerie, to be honest. 

The Chieftain would only wait as Hadwin went through the bookshelf, coming back with quite a large one. Karma would only cock his head to the side, eyebrows raised as he wordlessly nodded in response. Another moment of silence, and his lips finally parted.

"Right... didn't know you were into arcane tomes and all---- not very Gehennan-like, but guess we have one common ground, then."
(Karma Vindict)

“It’s something I’ve gotten an interest in when I arrived in Agartha.” He would say as he finally seems to have found what he has been searching for. “You know of Danbur right? There was talk that before he died, he was bound to a wraith.” He would shakily say as he lets out a gurgled cough. As he coughed, the bird seems to be taken off guard as it twitches back for a second.

“That got me thinking. What if the spirits were not just to guide us, but to aid us?” He would offer quite an interesting take on the idea of spirits as he turns the book to Karma’s direction, sliding it on the wood surface. The book’s paper was a bit singed in the corners on the page as most of the page’s text seems to have survived. Barely. The page pertains to a few vague points about the elements, partnered with equally vague photos of different figures, some animalistic, some humanoid and some just plain abstract.

Hadwin crosses his arms as he allows the Chief to have a quick read. “This book, it pertains to accounts of people bound to spirits of the elements. Look.” He says pointing to one of the drawings. It was crude, yet the form of a humanoid magi can be seen as a powerful being made of lightning would stand behind them, arms crossed. “This book, is actually Valmasian by decent. This is apparently a thing on their homeland.” He would say with a bit of concern in his tone. He would pause, allowing Karma to say his thoughts before Hadwin continues.
(Hadwin)

Raising his eyebrows, the Chieftain merely placed a palm onto the tome, sliding it over to himself and scanning through. It looked ancient---- though readable nonetheless. Taking his time, Karma would flip through the pages.

"Creatures of pure elements, residing within spiritual plain... can interact and lend mages their powers, huh..." was all he'd mumble out, summarizing the writing with faintest of frowns gracing his tanned features... it was familiar... way too familiar. The image of that night was more than clear in his head... a loud boom, followed by lightning so huge that it split heavens apart, and within the light which blinded the entire region, a shadow----- one embraced within sparks--- if not entirely made of it. Crimson red eyes, bloodthirsty, chaotic smirk... and mana too wild and powerful it was terrifying in every sense. Karma hadn't caught any words, but he had felt it----- the surging lightning, massive gusts of arcane winds, and sudden moisture embracing the air.

...almost like his own magic.

Sighing, the Chieftain would close the book, sliding it back over to Hadwin.

"I'm intrigued----- honestly? This was something I had been wanting to look into..." he'd pause for a moment, running a hand through the snow hair. "Did you hear of Dr. Stein's death? By my hands? When I launched my final attack which incinerate him, in the blinding lightning, I saw something---- a shadow, one not resembling a human in any sense whatsoever... it was more like--- a bird? A beast? I'm not sure, to be honest..."

His eyes would gaze over to the brown avian sitting by the side, before once again finding Hadwin's figure.

"But I was certain it was there---- the shining red eyes, and the grin... and ever since that incident, I've been having dreams---- or nightmares, even. I don't remember much of them, other than the fact... I always see the same figure, embraced within the blinding light before I find myself waking up."

Another pause.

"And when I do---- for some reason my body is engulfed within my own magic--- it never happened before, and even while asleep I have full control over my mana most of the times. What do you think...? Could it be what is written there? Honestly? I was wondering if there's a way to... directly communicate with these... beings."

He'd lean back onto his chair, tapping his chin a couple times. "Oh--- and are you sick? You seem to be coughing a lot."
(Karma Vindict)

“Uh, had a run in with the locals.” He would comment towards his sickness. “You know, that plant infestation Ezmara had a few days ago? I guess the spores got to my lungs. It’s a bit hard to breathe sometimes, but I can manage.” He says shrugging. “I’ve asked Rei to look into the demon’s, uh, ‘plant part’. Hopefully she finds something. Hopefully. It’s really irritating when I talk for too lo-“ As ironic as it gets, he begins to have a coughing fit for a second or two before sighing.

Back to the conversation at hand, Karma’s story definitely intrigued Hadwin. It was definitely something that has caught his attention. Quickly he begins to shuffle through the pieces of paper on his table, most of it written hurriedly. As he does this, if one were to look at Hadwin’s bird in the corner, it would seem to be leaning forward, staring directly at Karma. Unblinking, unmoving, very eerie. Before anyone could react though, Hadwin would quickly pierce the silence. “I’ve been asking around the tribes. Asking some of the elders about any stories that kinda resembles the one I found.” He spoke as his eyes remained trained on the table and the papers scattered on it, oblivious to his familiar. He coughs before continuing. “I’ve gotten a few tales out of them, so I started keeping notes on them.”

It would seem like he was organizing the scattered papers on the table. A sign of courtesy to keep the table clean for his guest. “That, that book and the few stories I remember my dad telling me when I was a kid is all I have about it.” Finally, he sets aside the pile of papers to his side of the table. “I guess I’ve ‘tried’ doing it.” Making airquotes gestures as he said tried. “But I guess it’s stupid to try to call on the spirits when I barely know anything.” He chuckles, in a grim way. “I guess that’s why I’ve gotten this cough.”

As he finishes his monologue, he walks over to his bird and begins to warmly pet it. It seems like while he spoke, the avian seemsto have averted its gaze as it seems to act like just another ordinary bird now.
(Hadwin)

Leaning back into his chair, a faint grimace embraced his tanned features as Hadwin spoke of the run-in with plant daemons... Karma should've been there. Shaking his head, he'd only nod, listening as Hadwin's lips once again parted.

Only for a brief moment did the Chieftain's eyes drift over to the bird... and to say it was eerie would be an understatement--- though his attention was stolen by Hadwin once again before he could say something. Finally, as the younger Ezmaran concluded his words and went over the "pet" bird, Karma stood up, following after, albeit slowly with his hands still slipped into his pockets.

Silence lingered for a couple more, long, moments before his lips finally parted, a hand reaching out to scratch the back of his head.

"Say... we can always go talk to Adsila---- or perhaps one of the Shamans, honestly, I have little idea as to who could help. I'd say Zahhual would be good, but I doubt she hasany actual... connections, if you get what I mean." a shrug would follow as Karma stepped to Hadwin's side, reaching out to hesitantly pet the bird.

"Rituals would definitely help... I'm not the most religious one, though, much like yourself, I guess... though, Adsila or perhaps seeking Xomac---- or any of the Dryads would definitely be best course of action." he'd pause, tapping the tip of his nose. "Where did you find this bird, though. Kind of weird creature, it is--- not in a bad way, I guess."
(Karma Vindict)

“I guess. I haven’t asked them yet. I’ll toss the question at them when I get the chance.” He bends down. On the floor was a small pile of seeds in a basin. He scoops up a small pile as he offers it to the bird, which quickly begins to feed. “Maybe. But something else we could do. That dream you had. It might be the spirits talking to you.” He offers a sound hypothesis as the feeding finishes, dusting his hands from any excess seeds.

The bird caws as it spreads open its wings, though it seems it was simply doing so as a means of stretching its muscles as it quickly furls them back up. “Oh, this one? It was a gift from my father.” He says petting the bird once more. It seems to like the continuous affection! “I guess it’s not really a bird. I don’t know how he got it, but one day he just came home with it.” He pauses. His blue eyes warmly staring at the bird’s nape. By now, one would notice that the bird isn’t exactly a bird. Its legs haven’t moved an inch despite Hadwin constantly wielding his staff. The bird also occasionally seems to breathe out dust as its eyes seems to have not blinked even once. “He gave it to me as gift before departing to Agartha. Maybe I should send a letter to him. We can do those right?” He asks.
(Hadwin)

Cocking his head to the side, the Chieftain merely slips his hands back into his pockets, blinking. "I suppose... though, I don't remember most of those... dreams. I just remember that the same figure was there... but it's very vague, and faint, and when I wake up it's just a chaos of magic flaring around---- usually the Arcane Art of Storm..." he's drift off, watching Hadwin feed the... creature.

"...it seems kind of smart, to say the least... disturbingly smart." a chuckle escaped his lips, which curled into a soft smile. "Pretty tamed as well---- and yeah, we can send letters back home. Just send one during the next voyage from home to Agartha---- they make the trips quite often, ever two years or so, sometimes sooner. I'm thinking about sending a letter back to Council myself..."

He'd only shrug, another pause.

"Anyhow---- let's go find Adsila when we can, then... I have little idea what I can do with those... dreams, honestly." pausing, he'd scratch his chin. "Thanks for letting me know of this, though--- I'm really intrigued now. If the spirits are as powerful as the books say, it'd be nice to know more about them. I suppose that'd be all you wanted to talk about for now?"
(Karma Vindict)

Cocking his head to the side, the Chieftain merely slips his hands back into his pockets, blinking. "I suppose... though, I don't remember most of those... dreams. I just remember that the same figure was there... but it's very vague, and faint, and when I wake up it's just a chaos of magic flaring around---- usually the Arcane Art of Storm..." he's drift off, watching Hadwin feed the... creature.

"...it seems kind of smart, to say the least... disturbingly smart." a chuckle escaped his lips, which curled into a soft smile. "Pretty tamed as well---- and yeah, we can send letters back home. Just send one during the next voyage from home to Agartha---- they make the trips quite often, ever two years or so, sometimes sooner. I'm thinking about sending a letter back to Council myself..."

He'd only shrug, another pause.

"Anyhow---- let's go find Adsila when we can, then... I have little idea what I can do with those... dreams, honestly." pausing, he'd scratch his chin. "Thanks for letting me know of this, though--- I'm really intrigued now. If the spirits are as powerful as the books say, it'd be nice to know more about them. I suppose that'd be all you wanted to talk about for now?"
(Karma Vindict)


NOTE: We end up don't finding her. This is the end of the scene.