Distillation of Apurist's Trade

[Storyteller Joy]

Zurumama smiled softly and canted her head to one side. "What kind of magic would make you beleive I wonder. Not something that can be illusion or slight of hand, but something that is obvious... Yes yes.." She thought to herself and slowly urged her old body out of the chair she had sat in and toddled over to the gardens. "I'm of the Earth. My powers, thus, come from the Earth. There are, of course, many strengths to a person's magic. Some may never rise above basic things, like calling a plant to sprout earlier then it's time, or being able to sense different types of earth from another. Still too, is the ability to craft and hone one's particular magic into a style. There are as many warriors of earth as there are weavers of earth or plant callers. It is not the magic that changes, but the eyes of whom the user of the magic sees the potential for it. I got my name because I always made sure that anyone who came to my pot was fed. I raised, nurtured and grew my crops... and when needed, made sure the ground was fertilized with those who didn't respect my magic." She busied herself around a small cupboard. "I do not like killing. I believe that it is something that should be avoided. People do not learn after they are dead. However, some people simply can not exist without destroying others and they in turn must be destroyed."

She came back toward him carrying a small Lima bean. "And then there's the complications. On Earth there is very little magic. Only near a portal can I even attempt to use magic that I naturally could use on Harpeah. The strongest of us on Harpeah can only do basic magic on Earth. For the weaker it's an exile away from magic and trapped into the form of a human. You, being human always, may not be able to imagine the horror that is for someone who is used to feeling the earth like a heartbeat that mirrors their own, or to not be able to take flight into the wind knowing it will catch you if you falter. It's like being blind and deaf and voiceless."

She motioned for him to open his palm while she spoke. When he did, she placed the ordinary bean into it, in the direct center of his palm. She gave him a moment to look at it, study it.. whatever he wanted (No Roll Needed, it's really an ordinary seed.) She stepped back and smiled to him. "Grow." It was a one word command.

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Zuruama's smile faltered as at first, the lima bean did.. nothing... then, after a few trembling heartbeats, it rocked, slightly in his palm. It took another moment for one little green string to slowly rise up out of the seed. After another moment that little string, the birth of a new plant, uncurled one leaf, then another before it stopped doing anything obvious. Zurumama let out a soft breath of exhalation and smiled toward him. "Magic is considerably weaker on Earth, even for me." �

[Bashkim Shori]

"Magic of Life is more valuable than Death. Life can overcome Death by sheer numbers, by sheer virtue of a thousand different thoughts being able to overcome the single thought to kill." Casval had an empty expression as he watched. It was alive. Truly alive. It was above and beyond what he believed himself capable of processing. Newtype theory was subtle, yes the Flash existed, but that was as much intuition as it was foresight and calculated trajectory and ITWASALIVEINHISHAND. He was transfixed. For someone who remained distant from all life, refused to truly allow his living nature to grow, to see this? It was... Disconcerting. But also something fascinating. "The New Moon? Is that when the Way opens?" Nothing more than that. "You have proven yourself admirably. It would seem I have need to make travel plans." He could tie up his loose ends with no small amount of haste. "Are there any specific preparations I will need? Is... This Place simply Earth with Magic, or has the culture developed differently?"

Use the information you can get now to plan, be prepared, blend in with local elements, and use them to your advantage. Do not let them in.

It was alive.

Casval would be wary. Magic meant Telepaths.

And that meant someone might see behind the mask.

He did not look forward to that.

[Storyteller Joy]

Sue chuckled softly and gently plucked the seed out of his hand with thick fingers. She carried it over to a small pot of earth- there were many in her apartment- and planted the seedling with a few sure flicks of her fingers and a sprinkling of soil. "The Eclipse will be a sign between both worlds of a thin veil. Through the veil I will petition for a way to open and, in tradition with our peoples, there will be a portal or two opened to accommodate those who wish to cross over. There is a lot of differences between this world and the other world. Humans however are humans regardless of where they are from. There are many mirrors of cultures there as here, as well as forgotten cultures and people."

She moved back over toward him with a slight wobble in her step. "Mythology... would not be amiss to study. The old ways are not as forgotten to those who are still alive who are strong in magic. And myths are not so mythical in Harpeah. Equipment to help you survive and be comfortable like you were camping... Try to stay away from newer technology and guns, as many times such circuits and the like rarely make their way over well."

She canted her head slightly. "There's also something to be said for going over with other people, and not alone. I can make inquiries if anyone else has a group going, or you can go it alone. It's of course, your choice."

[Bashkim Shori]

"As tempting as allies would be, I am not keen on having to explain who I am to others until I have had a chance to settle in." He bowed his head to the Grain Mother politely. "Your advice in all other areas will be of great assistance, Grain Mother." Casval Rem Deikun was nothing if not polite. "Do you intend to cross over back into the... Other Realm?" He asked with a hint of curiosity. He would gladly travel with her, but she also had the prescience to seek him out, to offer without expecting recompense. That meant she was worth his time.

In the meantime, he began working on ideas. He needed to file his two weeks, and explain it was a family emergency, then do the same with his apartment. He needed to acquire camping supplies. He needed to study up on every bit of myth and lore he could get his hands on... Probably would be useful to pick up a few survival books. Matches. He mused on that. It was primitive. It almost rankled him, giving up the technology he was comfortable with. But would Casval have balked if sacrifice got him what he wanted? Was he Char, or was he Casval? The answer was obvious. He would not be the one who died at the White Devil's hand.

"... Is this affinity for another world a function of Biology?"

[Storyteller Joy]

She gave him a soft smile. Parcel for Parcel this young man before her contiued to give her hope. "I will in the fall when the growing things underground will need me there, until then i will contiue to seek out and test possible candiates to our realm."

She tapped her chin with a finger and then shook her head. "I will, of course, arrange a guide for you. It wouldn't do for you not to have some assistance where you are going. A note if nothing else to get you assistance. And... of sorts, though if it has a way that could be measured by science, I would love to know it myself."

She shooed her hands a bit at him. "My home is yours now, if you have need of it. Here or there, that is... I won't stop you from leaving now to get what you wish. You can find me here, or if not here, I'm oft by the farmers market selling a few things to keep the Government of this world happy."

[Bashkim Shori]

"... Then they might be suitable..." The faint look of unease in those eyes was only present an instant, before the Red Comet shook off the hesitation, and exhaled. "If you have a way of seeking out others in... Other places. There are two women related to me by blood that would bear investigating. Celeste and Elena Emile." He smiled faintly. "I was not always Deikun." He chuckled warmly. "They might be helpful to you, they might not. But if I was... It bears a chance." He would update his disguise, and make sure to carry a few bottles.

And for when his hair grew out, he would carry a few more of blue. Griffith was such a charming fellow. He would not mind if Casval borrowed his appearence in a pinch. He added hair dye to his mental shopping list before this... Eclipse. "Thank you for the offer, Grain Mother. I... Might be in need of taking you on it the night before the eclipse, just for a place to prepare myself." With all the gear he would be carrying... Likely safer that way. "And thank you for your offer of a guide. I am grateful for your assistance." There was a resonance here, something about her that Casval clicked with for lack of a better word. Bowing to Zurumama, deeply, and making effort to NOT turn it into an insult, to show respect, and honour, the Newtype held that for a few seconds, and then straightened.

If she needed nothing else, the man handed Zurumama a small card with his particulars for contact information, including his address and phone number. He was not sure if it was truly of assistance, but it did not hurt to be better prepared than necessary. Forewarned is Forearmed... And then he slipped out. He was exhausted, emotionally. It was a hell of a lot to absorb. Sleep would do him good tonight.