Firmament

> Can guess lot. Want adventure. Something bout Mother. Academy for adventure. Difficulty with magic. Might be fault our. Have bad time cause. Hurt cause can't magic. Time hard. Maybe can magic now know us. We "Spirit-Gate" saw. Pneuma flow from I gate and from You gate. Linked now. Maybe.

> Garudan... think hard, hurt... Garudan like Garuda. Mythical bird-person from... can't. Bird or bird-like being be king of birds. Ruler. Sun.

> Human. Know human. Human. Primate. Homo sapiens sapiens. Industrious. Violent. Destructive. Kind. Creative. Ignorant. Apex.

> Kishi... not know. Knight? Knight what? Dullahan? Why cycle moon? Cycle moon make think person wolf. Wolf-person?

> You must curious too. Want know us? Try not whelmover. Promise. Assumptions incorrect. Leave you can't. Not easy. Hurt. Maybe kill. Not want do. Much able, much not. Don't know. Not pushed. Not tried.

> Want know? Relationships. Who important? Why? Know dad. Aware mom, sad. Heard roommate, annoyed? Not want pry. Want ask, but not pry. Can pry but not do.

Say, you said in your nightmares there is a sharp pain in neck, is that right? Or was that just an example and the pain goes wherever it feels like?

Your mind-body tether appeared when you figured out that we were a different mind. Perhaps your pneumous is out to lunch because our souls are similarily entangled?

So I take it you would be very embarrassed if you licked someone? Or is it specifically out of place to lick faceless people?

..you probaby will have to eat something in the future to live, so I'm not gonna try to stop you from doing that, but maybe you could ease us into it with something liquid?

Is this confusing? Should we be reffering to Cassie as I, too?

Hum. Rainboa? Is interesting name. Better than Many-as-One for all of... For Rainboa. Yessinks.
But, no questioninks? Then could go back to being of sleepink of spirit-ache...
But, might lose hint of memory. So. Better idea.

Rainboa is of used to patch soul, fix problem, yes?
But, One-of-Many think problem not have symptom, but symptoms.
Very, very easy to miss little symptom when big symptom overshadow, and is understandable.
Why fix little problem when big symptom spell doom? No point!
But, big problem is... Patched? Buy time for better solution to be made, yessinks.
In meantime, we are stuck together. So, gettink to point...

Am thinkings Rainboa can solve little symptom too.
Cassie no can use magic, yes?
Am thinking source of big problem also gave you little problem of no magic.
No, sorry-sorry. No magic fuel.
But, makings One-of-Many coherent brought thread of memory, and give idea. And spirit-ache.

One-of-Many want bargain.
One-of-Many give little task to be done when convenient, and will try to let Cassie use magic-fuel for castings now whether or not Cassie get to task.
Simple, yes? Maybe even have more for Cassie when... If, memory returns.

So, bargain. Crystals. Jewels. Glass. Mirrors. Stones. Metals.
Find, handle, use senses as best can. One-of-Many not picky, but suggest usinks common sense before other senses.
Task is not time-sensitive, do not go out of way for shiny gem!
...And do not eat rock. Safe-guess most rock not part of... Garudan diet? One-of-Many old diet maybe, but not garudan.
So, use best judgement. Cassie know more about garudan than Rainboa.

Some of us may not want to go to the cafe because we’ve had some bad experiences with it. I didn’t really come into consciousness until after, but I know some basic details. Oh, and also, we know well what a Hunam is. They come in pink and brown and everything in between and are covered with nothing but skin, save for a hat of hair. Oh also I’m guessing a Garuda is birdpeople on this planet, am I right or horridly wrong? And a Kishi seems to me like some werewolf thingy. Also, is there a war going on? We have a hunch that there’s something craptastic going on right now. A war, or a plague, we don’t know what it is, but we know it is shitty in an especial way.

Oh and by the way, if you need me to... sleep? Sleep’s probs the correct term. If you need me to sleep for a couple hours while mental health day happens that’s fine by me.

SpoilerShow

Does this count as a friendship point? Maybe?

oh heck yeah! Rainboa is a great name!

Pretty sure that setting the ramen on fire was your idea, ours was just a suggestion to pull the fire alarm if I remember correctly, sorry, I'm the forgetful bit of us.

also heck yeah there are humans? cool. and did you say worlds? like more than one? is this a space age civilization? with magic?

I'm sorry. about taking control from you. I thought I was giving suggestions, guidance. this is your body, your life. I can't speak for Rainboa as a whole, but your free will is something I will never take away.

Well, we did suggest to pull the fire alarm. Someone also did suggest to cause a fire after that.

Oh, and also, we remember literally nothing between some weird hospital thing in a pond and now. Are hospitals like that here?

I'm sorry for suggesting that you set some noodles on fire to get you out of the building. In retrospect, it's still a great idea and I'm proud of it.

If you ever need some more advice on Legal Crimes, just ask (us?)

Boundaries? Excision? No. Learning, reconciliation. Us learn to Cassie. You learn to Eidolon. We learn to live. Yes? Groovy. Things Eidolon do will, others not so well. Cassie also. Good and bad but sharing to avoid is Double Good!

Two minds very powerful, but twice the hunger. Cafes have food? Let's eat!

To be honest it's more like twenty-seven twenty-seventh minds and one full one.

Yes. Rainboa is awesome. This voice likes it. Others seem to like it too.

We have to command ourself to do stuff. We don't do stuff until we say that we do it. "Imperatives".

Yes. Let's go into the Cafe. Have itched to go in a cafe, but other voices not want. They fear, they scared, but I want see cafe.

OwO UwU Hello!!!
New voice! New voice!!! New friend!!!!! :3
Rainboa is a clever name!! >w< I love it!! ^w^

> Some clatrification about this symbiosis partnership: Do not believe we "make you do" stuff

Merely suggest. Speak among oujrselves. We sugested and our state of link, those suggestions became compulsions.But of the many things that were said, you refused or resisted many, other you almost immedialty did even when among ourselves they were controversial.
You are still you, own mind, own memories, capable of filtering and chosing at level above, what you wanted or could rationalize to do on a deep level. You choose to skip class on your own by the way. One of us may have suggested to jump through the window or light the noodles but I suspect it is not the first time you take an impulsive risk.
Answer honnetly: Am I so wrong to assume you are fairly impulsive, even when we were alseep for most of your life ?

Mitigating hypothesis: It is possible we influenced 'you' before and do not remember. it is possible through our link, part of our own unfocussed, split, naive even natire influencd you. We are not.. fully whole. Sorry if true. Many in one but more of screaming mob than an organised democracy. Alway one to shout some weird stuff.

But in the end I posit that for better or worse you were and are the one ultimately in control. Even more so that conciousness are split again. We merely ride along.

> Of excision: It is unknown what it would do to any of us. Or if it can even be practiced safely. Only she who praticed the operation in the first place would know. I only know that, it saved us both from death or, I quote "worse" and oblivion respectfully.

> Cause of woking up this day unknown. But perhapscould be good to you. Your accident, your soul was damaged, our graft, cannot remember what we did then. Probable reason you cannot practice the spirit arts... But now that we are awake we might be able to bridge that gap. Cannot promess anything but worth exploring.

>NOw tell us about Theia. Many concepts: familiar. Not sure from where. Not sure from when. "ShitPosting", "forums" means Internet means telephone and computers means electronic. revolution level of tech at least. Colleges, cafee. Same road, cars all familiar. Human kown. Pyschotic apes with delusion of grandeurs and big imagination. Not "soul arts", Not "Carudan" , not "Kishi".

>:[

Hmm?

n..

:(

What's up?

no no no no NO

"No" what? Use your words!

not. the c...afe

Uh, pardon?

Did you just completely change your mind or something? Because we kinda already did all this stuff to get out of campus unseen. And personally, I really need to relax for a bit. Like... learning that my Dad asked a Demon to install some kind of memory-ghost in my head is actually kind of a lot to deal with? So, why do you have a problem with me wanting to relax all of the sudden?

Some of us may not want to go to the cafe because we’ve had some bad experiences with it.

Have itched to go in a cafe, but other voices not want. They fear, they scared, but I want see cafe.

Okay... for one, don't worry. I was still planning to go into the place when we get there. But seriously, why is this is such a big deal for some of you? Because... the feelings I'm picking up on from you are... weirdly heavy, and...

...pretty terrible, actually.

On second thought, I don't understand what the deal here is, and if this is serious I probably shouldn't press you about it. But if you're scared, there's no reason to worry. Cafes are perfectly safe. They're just quiet places you can grab a comfy seat, do some work, read and write, get pastries to eat, and stuff like that. Don't stress.

you probaby will have to eat something in the future to live, so I'm not gonna try to stop you from doing that, but maybe you could ease us into it with something liquid?

Burning perfectly good noodles earlier reminded me that I haven't eaten anything since yesterday's lunch, so I'm definitely gonna get some food with my coffee. But... if this entire experience is going to be a big ball of unpleasantness for you... I mean... I don't...

if you need me to... sleep? Sleep’s probs the correct term. If you need me to sleep for a couple hours while mental health day happens that’s fine by me.

Actually Rainboa, I appreciate it, but... please don't? I'm going to want to talk, or... whatever we're doing right now while I work through all the... this? And if you go silent again, I'm gonna start thinking I was just hallucinating from stress. So, if you really aren't part of some mental illness I didn't know I had, please stick around.

If you need to not be reminded about the fact that we're going to be in a Cafe and eating food though... how about I just... continue to not... share my senses with you for a while? Because I think I've been keeping my eyes and ears to myself since we... split. I'm not even sure how to... be the same person, like we sorta were doing before? But, uh... important part is that you won't have to see where we are, or know what I'm doing. If that's still not enough, and the idea of being in that place honestly just gets unbearable at some point, just... let me know, I guess. We can work it out then.

Also... since you guys can't see the world around us anymore, should I just... narrate what I'm doing, so you know where we are? I can avoid the stuff that might make you upset. Like, right now I'm just walking down the sidewalk. I'm starting to be able to see the barrier, so we're getting close to the edge of town. I don't know where exactly the Cafe is, and I don't know what it's called either since it's new, but... our turn is... West Perimeter road. I think.

...we might be walking for a while. So, did you still wanna talk about anything?

OwO UwU Hello!!!
New voice! New voice!!! New friend!!!!! :3
Rainboa is a clever name!! >w< I love it!! ^w^

oh heck yeah! Rainboa is a great name!

Heh, thanks. Can't believe you guys passed up an obvious play on words like that! Stick with me. I'll help you weirdos find your wit.

I'm sorry for suggesting that you set some noodles on fire to get you out of the building. In retrospect, it's still a great idea and I'm proud of it.

I thought I was giving suggestions, guidance. This is your body, your life. I can't speak for Rainboa as a whole, but your free will is something I will never take away.

So that was you guys. Well, like I said, don't worry about that. A fake fire alarm is totally harmless, and harmless shenanigans that get me out of trouble like that have my full support. Like, as long as we don't get caught. And don't get expelled.

So I take it you would be very embarrassed if you licked someone? Or is it specifically out of place to lick faceless people?

Uh... what? People don't typically lick other people here. Period. I mean, I'm sure some people are into that, but... uh...

...next question please?

heck yeah there are humans? cool. and did you say worlds? like more than one? is this a space age civilization? with magic?

I'm literally at school to major in "magic," so yeah? Is it illegal where you come from, or something? And I don't know what a space age is, but there's plenty of worlds and world-lines too. I'm actually new to this one; my Dad and most of my friends are back on the Theia I grew up on, before I crossed here for school. As for Humans, I take it you're from a worldline where they're rare or something? Please say you're not gonna be weird about it. I'll be really pissed if you make me say something racist again.

Oh, and also, we remember literally nothing between some weird hospital thing in a pond and now. Are hospitals like that here?

I can't say I've ever seen a hospital in a pond, no. Though... now that you mention it, I do sorta remember what you're talking about? It's a memory, but it's from your perspective, looking at me. I think that was when we first met... I was younger. And it really did look like I was on a hospital bed floating in a pond, huh. Only I don't think that was me so much as... some kind of aura or spiritual aspect of me?

Man, remembering memories that I know aren't mine is... still really weird.

Anyway, I don't think I was actually in a half-sunken hospital? The scraps I can remember from the years I was sick are always surreal and messed up like that. Like, parts of them are impossible, or don't make much sense. So, if you were tapped into my mind or soul back then, maybe... you were just seeing things the way I was?

Say, you said in your nightmares there is a sharp pain in neck, is that right? Or was that just an example and the pain goes wherever it feels like?

I... don't think that was one of my nightmares. Don't remember it at least. Maybe it's another memory of yours?

> Some clatrification about this symbiosis partnership: Do not believe we "make you do" stuff.

Merely suggest. Speak among ourselves. We suggested and our state of link, those suggestions became compulsions. But of the many things that were said, you refused or resisted many, others you almost immedialty did even when among ourselves they were controversial.

Answer honestly: Am I so wrong to assume you are fairly impulsive, even when we were alseep for most of your life?

Impulsive? Do you really think so? I mean, I do what I want, or what I have to to get by, sure. And I don't really care about following rules, or doing something someone says to do, just because they're in charge. If that's what you mean.

Like, I know rules are meant to protect people, and they're generally really important. But sometimes, the reason a rule got made up doesn't really apply, you know? And, if breaking it doesn't hurt anybody, and following it would only cause you or somebody else trouble... I mean, don't those kind of rules miss the whole point of having them in the first place? So yeah, I'm a fan of rules that make sense. But if the rules are bad or pointless, and people still want you to follow 'em just because "They're The Rules," I could honestly care less.

Anyway, I don't think that makes me impulsive, but maybe that answers your question. What else d'you want to know?

> Can guess lot. Want adventure. Something bout Mother. Academy for adventure. Difficulty with magic. Might be fault our.

> Want know? Relationships. Who important? Why? Know dad. Aware mom, sad. Heard roommate, annoyed? Not want pry. Want ask, but not pry. Can pry but not do.

Uh... huh. I think I get what you're asking? And I guess you might not know why I enrolled here. Or a lot of stuff about me, in general. I can talk about myself a bit.

I don't know if you could remember it, when we were talking to Dad? But, my Mom was a Wayfarer. Before she died, I mean. And Wayfarers are like... they're these teams of specialists from all kinds of fields. They get hired to patrol roads and places outside the cities, or investigate monster problems, or research how the Wilds have changed lately, or protect folks when they need help. Stuff like that. Basically, Wayfarers help make the outside world safer for people. Even stubborn people who won't move to the cities, where it's already safe.

Anyway, I've apparently got a good capacity for learning Spirit Arts. Even if, like you said, I'm also apparently terrible at actually using them? Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if you being in here as part of my Soul just... made my aura look like I'd be better at this than I actually am? Like, maybe you being here confused people, and I actually shouldn't have been accepted into the program at all because my Mana Gate was broken when I got sick or something, which is...

...actually, I'm gonna stop thinking about that right now.

But, uh... like I was saying, everyone used to say I'd be good at magic, so I figured I should probably study that, and maybe use it to apply with a Wayfaring Company. So, that's why I'm working on getting certified as a Spirit Artist right now. And, I guess, if it turns out that I really can't actually do this for some reason, then I have some fall-back plans. Like Dad was saying, there's other programs I could enroll in. I could switch to a pure Technical or Research program, since I'm still pretty good with Astral Theory. There's plenty of Wayfarers who do Research too, but I'd rather be... I mean... I like the idea of being able to keep people safe, you know? I don't want to be stuck taking samples in the Wilds or something, while other people have to keep me safe.

Other than that, there's some other options. Kiri... uh, do you remember them? That's my friend, who's recording the Cosmology lecture I'm supposed to be at right now? "Moondog?" Anyway, Kiri likes to spar with some friends in the Martial Arts program, right? And they've been talking about dual-majoring in Spirit and Martial Arts, if their parents let them. So, maybe if I can't do Spirit Arts, I was thinking maybe there's room for a natural flier like me to be some kind of Martial specialist? Or, maybe I could find something else.

I... honestly I'm not sure on all this. It's been on my mind a lot lately. I either have to hope for some kind of breakthrough in class, or switch programs like Dad says, or just... drop out and get a townie job. I honestly don't know what to do...

Learning, reconciliation. Us learn to Cassie. You learn to Eidolon. We learn to live. Yes? Groovy. Things Eidolon do well, others not so well. Cassie also. Good and bad but sharing to avoid is Double Good!

Two minds very powerful.

Huh. That's a good point. We're stuck together, but I guess that means we can learn from one another, and help each other out too. And... I mean, this is still all pretty weird. And I still kinda don't know what to do about school and all that. But this situation with us might not be so bad after all.

Does this count as a friendship point? Maybe?

Sure. 1 Friendship Point for you. For us? Yeah, whatever! We're good.

Hey, sorry it's taking so long to get to the Cafe, by the way. I really should've looked up directions before we left the dorm. Maybe... I wonder if I should just ask somebody in one of the shops here if we're actually going the right way to get to the...

Cassie no can use magic, yes?

Uh... yeah?

I mean, I can't manifest my Pneuma. That's the first thing my professor wants us to be able to do before we start channeling with our Mana Gates, since it's safe and easy. The rest of my class can, and we're moving on to more advanced stuff.

...why are you asking, all of the sudden?

Am thinking source of big problem also gave you little problem of no magic.
No, sorry-sorry. No magic fuel.
But, makings One-of-Many coherent brought thread of memory, and give idea. And spirit-ache.

One-of-Many want bargain.

Hey, hold up one sec. I don't mean to be rude Rainboa, or One-of-Many, or... whoever all I'm talking with right now? But could you guys please work on being more... coherent again? Half the time your words are all wrong, and it's kinda mucking up my head. Or... like, it felt like we were having a bonding moment for a second there, and... well, I'm sure you're doing your best as a memory-ghost hivemind or whatever, but... can we work on it?

Anyway, it sounded suspiciously like you were just about to offer me a Contract or something.

One-of-Many give little task to be done when convenient, and will try to let Cassie use magic-fuel for castings now whether or not Cassie get to task.
Simple, yes? Maybe even have more for Cassie when... If, memory returns.

So, bargain. Crystals. Jewels. Glass. Mirrors. Stones. Metals.
Find, handle, use senses as best can. One-of-Many not picky, but suggest usinks common sense before other senses.
Task is not time-sensitive, do not go out of way for shiny gem!
...And do not eat rock. Safe-guess most rock not part of... Garudan diet? One-of-Many old diet maybe, but not Garudan.
So, use best judgement. Cassie know more about Garudan than Rainboa.

So... uh... if I've got this straight, you do want to form a Contract. You're... saying you think my Mana Gate's broken, and not letting me channel my energy, right? And you think you can fix that, or work around it, or something? And in exchange, you want me to agree to... find you some valuables, basically? Like, metal and jewelry, or whatever?

First of all... are you the memory-ghost of a Dragon or something? Because this sounds like some Dragon-tier shit right here. Secondly, if you really think there's a problem and you can fix it... well, maybe? I mean... I'll think about it.

We haven't exactly gotten to Contract Magic in class yet, but everybody knows this stuff can be really dangerous. Especially if you don't know what you're doing. And you're an Eidolon, which is some kind of Spirit I've never even heard of before. And you worked with a Demon. And we're literally talking about a Contract that lets you mess around with my Soul here. I don't feel any malice from you here, so... I wanna trust you. But this is kind of a lot of red flags, for a lot of reasons. And you can really mess yourself up by modifying your Soul, which is why that's generally off limits, and...

...well, I guess you already did that when I was younger, didn't you.

But... still. You're basically a second part of my Soul already. I have no idea what might happen if I took you on as a Patron, or a Familiar, or whatever you'd call it. Like, would I be my own Familiar? Would I be making a Contract with myself? Can you even do that? And... why am I asking you? Do you even know what you're doing?!

...

...what I mean to say is, this is... honestly really tempting. But I'm not sure I'm in a position to be getting involved in a Contract right now. Maybe let's talk about this later, okay? At least some time after the Cafe.

Which... actually, the Cafe might be up ahead? Little brick place in front of us? Got a "Yes We're Open!" chalkboard out front? With a mug doodle on it? Looks like... baristas and machines and cakes and stuff inside the window? Uh, yeah, so... Rainboa? If we can put the Contract thing on the back burner for now, I think this is the place.

Are we good to go in?

It's not too busy, if it helps. I see a quiet spot in the corner by a bookcase we could just sit at for a bit. I could go set up my laptop, while you see how you feel. Or, we could say hi to the friendly looking kid with the big ears behind the counter, so you can see that there's no one dangerous in there. Or, if you still wanted to try a drink before I get some food, they've probably got hot or cold coffee drinks, teas, water, smoothies, and other stuff. If any of those sound good? I could let you pick out a sandwich or a cake or something too, if you want. Or, if you don't know what any of those are, you could just... tell me some of the foods you like, or some of the flavors you like even, and I could pick something? Or... I could just... not tell you what's going on, and handle it all myself. So you don't have to worry?

What's it gonna be, buddy?

.. don t.... no not eat please..
>.<
>curl into a ball in cassie's head. silently cry.

But could you guys please work on being more... coherent again? Half the time your words are all wrong, and it's kinda mucking up my head.

> Being fully cognizant consistently is difficult, if not impossible. Not enough me there, just us. Forcing it, as I am now, may have... Consequences.

> Hopefully nothing more than a momentary headache. For you, at least. For us, though... Well, what will be will be.

> I suspect that, as you grow, learn, and interact, those of us who are less than put together will eventually be able to, how to put this... Better emulate a functioning individual.

> Ah... time... limited. *Urggh*... pain come. Pain and the Hunger. So empty.
> The Hunger. The Hunger. The Hunger. The Emptiness. Emptiness. Emptiness. Very. Very. Very alone. ...help...
> Hard think now. Again mean. Need rest. Others fine likely. This one renew need. Go. Be self. Join others with. C-c-c... *nhhh* Connect... (*oww*) with peo-pe-people. *Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhh.*
> Feed. Devour. Consume. Satiate. Slake. Gorge. Abrogate. Expunge. Bereft. Despair.

Heh, thanks. Can't believe you guys passed up an obvious play on words like that! Stick with me. I'll help you weirdos find your wit.

:p Oh! No, you misunderstood, OuO! I said rainboa is clever because of the wordplay! =3 uwu

Hey, hold up one sec. I don't mean to be rude Rainboa, or One-of-Many, or... whoever all I'm talking with right now? But could you guys please work on being more... coherent again? Half the time your words are all wrong, and it's kinda mucking up my head. Or... like, it felt like we were having a bonding moment for a second there, and... well, I'm sure you're doing your best as a memory-ghost hivemind or whatever, but... can we work on it?

oof. sorry Cassie. some pieces of Rainboa whole enough for speech, others not so much.
Like me! ow ow ow...
ahem. right. One-of-... Rainboa will find better sorting means. Maybe coherent-speech hurt less, is easier with practice and wholeness?

So... uh... if I've got this straight, you do want to form a Contract. You're... saying you think my Mana Gate's broken, and not letting me channel my energy, right? And you think you can fix that, or work around it, or something? And in exchange, you want me to agree to... find you some valuables, basically? Like, metal and jewelry, or whatever?

Ehhhh. Not quite. Not need be valuable, just soil, rock, crystal, gem, or metal. Things-of-earth.
Even beings near enough for Rainboa to reach will do if pull strong enough.
Rainboa not understand why want sense earth, but very good feeling about this!

First of all... are you the memory-ghost of a Dragon or something? Because this sounds like some Dragon-tier shit right here. Secondly, if you really think there's a problem and you can fix it... well, maybe? I mean... I'll think about it.

I beg pardon?
Dragon?
...
.....
.......

Dragon?Show

DRAGON?
Loathsome slaves of wealth, jewel-grubbing knowledge-hoarding oversized vessels of avarice!
No understanding of the value of earth, discarding the earth that matters while proudly displaying the shiniest bauble of their misbegotten gains!
Tearing apart the lives of others for what, to add another ten inches to the pile? Fie! Fie I say to those draconic fools and their incessant folly!
Lacking the decency to respect the needs of others, demanding others suffer indignities that the scaled fiend might fill a vault with gold, ne'er to be spent!
Were I still alive, I woul-
I woul-
I...

...Sorry, seem to have blanked. Dislodged memory-of-anger.
No, not memory-ghost of dragon. Too much greed. Too much blind avarice.
Rainboa, this aspect thereof, not memory-ghost of dragon. Would be bad joke.
...
Am not remembering much more, but can feel pull to earth stronger.
Bad, good, memory is memory. Jagged, though. Is memory really mine?...
Perhaps is best not remembering what would make anger fit.
Strong reaction for not knowing much of dragon though. Fluke?
More words might bring more memory-snippets. Wouldn't count on it though.
Gah, new memory pull-apart put-together strange. Rainboa Sleep for real soon. Re-configure. Reach understanding.

What's it gonna be, buddy?

Quiet corner, but don't tell more. Some of Rainboa could handle, others, not so much.
Will attempt sleep now, let rested pieces of Rainboa handle talk. Will leave one last thought first though.
As prosthesis of soul, Rainboa should be able to fullfill role of missing piece.
If Rainboa has magic to give Cassie, then Rainboa can give magic.
Now, as prosthesis of soul would think ineligible for familiar...
But if enough Rainboa broke off, say, a soul restored and seperated from Rainboa; then that could serve.
Am assuming though, yes. Could be wrong on familiar workings. Could be breaking new ground!
hrrrm. Oh, Idea. Cassie, you know magic. And am guessing library may have book on magic.
So... Help keep Rainboa mind off Cafe with magic-lesson?

???Show

1/5 ???

Sharp thing hits the neck, back hurts. Maybe that means the neck doesn't hurt, or the pain itself isn't sharp? Or maybe that really was a bit of us.

I suppose you could just not tell us you're eating. Somehow?

Just pick something you like for food, but maybe avoid eating living things? It'd probably be garudan-racist to assume you'd enjoy live worms or mice but if there's an aquarium with a fish in it, try not to order that particular fish.

Being friendly is good but maybe talking with someone while you try to sort us out will cause problems.

You certainly should try to get familiar with yourself, but it's probably bad to sign a legal document to do it. There could be fine print.

I'm not human racist. I think i used to be one, part of one? and i think magic was made up. stories. I don't know what world lines are, space age just means that you got the tech to travel through space and go to other planets and stuff.


I'm not sure I want to talk more about this. I'm not me, not like i remember. I'm Rainboa. we're Rainboa.

Tea! Smoothies! Want!

Magic is not illegal in where we from. I think. In where we from, magic is not real. Fiction. Fake. Trick. Unlike here where it is. Real. True. Actual. Where here you freely bent the solid laws of physics, there we had to skirt round them lest they crush us with their heavy omnipresence. We had to make tools that let us prop up the physical laws' weight without snapping.

No. I think I may not be a memory ghost of a dragon. I think. Like them, ideas is I have. Mayhaps some things of sentimental value is needed, and use it as conduit of magical power. Yes. Yes. Caw! It's like going through a staff door rather than opening the maybe broken gate. Yes. Yes. The sentimental valued thing will be that staff door. If the gate is inaccessible then we shall make a doorway we could use, and that something will be that door.

Or: through the power friendship we shall lend you our strength where yours fail and are inaccessible. FRIENDSHIP POWERS AHOY! Caw!

No extra deals or contracts or whatever, so much LOUD in here, just relaxing time please Mr other voices. Drink tea. Eat. Be less hungry.

Be of the 'chilling' emotion. Chill is good.

I could switch to a pure Technical or Research program, since I'm still pretty good with Astral Theory. There's plenty of Wayfarers who do Research too, but I'd rather be... I mean... I like the idea of being able to keep people safe, you know? I don't want to be stuck taking samples in the Wilds or something, while other people have to keep me safe.

More than a single way to help. Well done research may not save lives on the instant but can be key to save millions.

But could you guys please work on being more... coherent again?

..
... Still damaged in our own ways, different ways each, some more than others. ...Some minds ... better left broken
Still we mostly seem more coherent as a whole. Theory: as the collective grow healtier each part has more energy to devellop.

Interesting, tho. You only seem to hear, react to part of what each of us, no matter of coherence, say. Only afe wkey sentences. Suspect filter of your own mind to avoid overwhelming your thoughts.

First of all... are you the memory-ghost of a Dragon or something? Because this sounds like some Dragon-tier shit right here. Secondly, if you really think there's a problem and you can fix it... well, maybe? I mean... I'll think about it.

... Dragons. So much power, so much knowlege.. all so easily wasted on ego and obsession with baubles. Much more interesting source of both knowlege and power than overgrown lizzards, if you take the risks, find where to look. Beyond...

Anyway. Summed up benefit and risks of 'contract' for yourself pretty well (do not think a contract even needed, for now we are yet in state symbiosis weither we like it or not). Yes dangerous, and uncertain but repairing soul is something we've already done, once. We can probaly find how, again. I will also say this, remember how you saw though your/our eyes when we were connected ? Saw your perisprite, Saw your mana gate, even saw hints of you Pneuma. All the parts seemingly there, make it easier to patch up.

Eat and drink for now. You need sustenance, the most broken of us will have to adapt.

Actually Rainboa, I appreciate it, but... please don't? I'm going to want to talk, or... whatever we're doing right now while I work through all the... this? And if you go silent again, I'm gonna start thinking I was just hallucinating from stress. So, if you really aren't part of some mental illness I didn't know I had, please stick around.

Can do.

I'm literally at school to major in "magic," so yeah? Is it illegal where you come from, or something? And I don't know what a space age is, but there's plenty of worlds and world-lines too. I'm actually new to this one; my Dad and most of my friends are back on the Theia I grew up on, before I crossed here for school. As for Humans, I take it you're from a worldline where they're rare or something? Please say you're not gonna be weird about it. I'll be really pissed if you make me say something racist again.

It's not illegal in our worldline, per se, rather it simply doesn't exist. We have to abide by the laws of physics, else what we're trying to do won't work. No ifs, ands, or buts. And our worldline is packed with hunams. As in, there are only hunams. And the space age was when we decided Earth began to get boring and shot big science missiles into the sky. We soon figured out that the sky ended somewhere really high up and decided to put beep boops in orbit to do science for us, so we wouldn't risk our own lives doing so. Soon after that we shot people to the moon and gathered moon dust. After that we went everywhere else with beep boops including but not limited to: the sun, planet hell, planet red, planet big and with-a-buncha-gas, gas planet yellow and ringy, gas planet yellow moon with a buncha methane, planet not-a-planet, a ring of big fat rocks that will kill your ship if you hit them accidentally, another ring of big fat rocks except icy this time, and out of the solar system itself. We learned a whole lot. Unfortunately because we sent beep boops everywhere many times we clogged up Low Earth Orbit, where, due to wonky orbital planning, one satellite collided...
Um. Sorry, I am prone to digressions.

I don't know if you could remember it, when we were talking to Dad? But, my Mom was a Wayfarer. Before she died, I mean. And Wayfarers are like... they're these teams of specialists from all kinds of fields. They get hired to patrol roads and places outside the cities, or investigate monster problems, or research how the Wilds have changed lately, or protect folks when they need help. Stuff like that. Basically, Wayfarers help make the outside world safer for people. Even stubborn people who won't move to the cities, where it's already safe.

That's pretty cool! Where did the term "Wayfarer" come from? How did they crop up? What's a monster? Have there been any particularly cool Wayfarer missions? Sorry if I'm asking way too many questions, but I want to learn the lore(?) or exposition(??) of this world.

Which... actually, the Cafe might be up ahead? Little brick place in front of us? Got a "Yes We're Open!" chalkboard out front? With a mug doodle on it? Looks like... baristas and machines and cakes and stuff inside the window? Uh, yeah, so... Rainboa? If we can put the Contract thing on the back burner for now, I think this is the place.
Are we good to go in?

Yeah, sure!

It's not too busy, if it helps. I see a quiet spot in the corner by a bookcase we could just sit at for a bit. I could go set up my laptop, while you see how you feel. Or, we could say hi to the friendly looking kid with the big ears behind the counter, so you can see that there's no one dangerous in there. Or, if you still wanted to try a drink before I get some food, they've probably got hot or cold coffee drinks, teas, water, smoothies, and other stuff. If any of those sound good? I could let you pick out a sandwich or a cake or something too, if you want. Or, if you don't know what any of those are, you could just... tell me some of the foods you like, or some of the flavors you like even, and I could pick something? Or... I could just... not tell you what's going on, and handle it all myself. So you don't have to worry?

I want to go see the counterkid. What clothes are they wearing? Are they wearing anything purple? Oh and I want to feel(?) the feeling(??) of citrus again. Specifically, hot chocolate dissolved in citrus. I remember that my favorite drink, before I died and became a part of this Eidolon, was hot chocolate made with Citrus. I remember that, when heated, orange juice with pulp formed a "film" of the pulp and became a hell of a lot sweeter. At first it's stupidly sweet, but one can become accustomed to it, eventually.

So Rainboa, anything last words, or are you ready to head into the Cafe?

Eat and drink for now. You need sustenance

Drink tea. Eat. Be less hungry.

That's what I'm thinking too. Let's get inside.

...man, the interior of this place looks pretty nice. Definitely got that Brand New feel, the way everything's still clean and shiny and un-stained. Even that Loppe kid working behind the counter looks happy to be talking to a customer right now. He obviously hasn't been working long enough to have gotten jaded by the service industry. Enjoy that innocence while it lasts, kid.

Anyway, there's someone else ordering a drink right now, so we've got some time. You guys figured out what you wanted to get?

I want to feel(?) the feeling(??) of citrus again. Specifically, hot chocolate dissolved in citrus. I remember that my favorite drink, before I died and became a part of this Eidolon, was hot chocolate made with Citrus.

That... sounds a little adventurous, even for me. Let's put a pin in that idea for now. Anyone else?

Tea! Smoothies! Want!

Oh yeah, a fruit smoothie does sound pretty good. So does an iced tea. We can see what they have. What about food though?

.. don t.... no not eat please..

Listen, we've already talked about this. I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon. I need food to live. If I keep not eating, I'll get sick and die. I'm even feeling a little lightheaded and weak, and I bet it's from going without food for so long. Ergo, doing what you want me to do will literally kill me, a person whom you just said was your friend.

Do you really want to be responsible for killing a friend by not eating?

If so, I'm gonna have to revise my stance on taking your advice. And take back that Friendship Point too.

Just pick something you like for food, but maybe avoid eating living things? It'd probably be garudan-racist to assume you'd enjoy live worms or mice but if there's an aquarium with a fish in it, try not to order that particular fish.

...

On second thought, Rainboa... how about I just handle the order by myself. Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it later, on my own.

For now, let's just... scoot around the counter, and pick out a seat. Those plush reading chairs in the back corner look like nice places to get set up, yeah? Comfortable, there's a nice view out the window, network connection is looking pretty strong, there's a little table to set up the laptop on... and there's even an empty power outlet. It's perfect.

I'll be setting up my machine for a sec. You got any last things y'all wanted to talk about? Ideally non-food related things?

I'm not human racist. I think i used to be one, part of one? and i think magic was made up.

Magic is not illegal in where we from. I think. In where we from, magic is not real. Fiction. Fake. Trick. Unlike here where it is. Real. True. Actual.

We have to abide by the laws of physics, else what we're trying to do won't work. And our worldline is packed with hunams. As in, there are only hunams. And the space age was when we decided Earth began to get boring, and shot big science missiles into the sky. Soon after that, we shot people to the moon and gathered moon dust...

Wow. There really is a lot you don't know, huh.

First of all, "Magic" can't just "not work" somewhere. Mana Gates and Souls are the only reason anyone can heal their bodies, connect to The Dreaming, remember anything, and generally do all the things you need to do to be alive! I'm not trying to make you feel stupid here... I know there's plenty of primitive worldlines out there, where science and technology isn't as advanced as it is here. The one you came from must just not have worked out basic Astral Theory yet. That, or your memory just got jumbled together in that Eidolon hive-mind thing you've got going on, like ususal.

That aside, I've never heard of a worldline where the people named their homeworld "Earth". You sure you're remembering the name right? Because that's literally just a word for dirt, and since you seem to have forgotten how to say "Human" right, I'm having a hard time taking that seriously. More than that, though, it's incredibly hard to believe that your people actually visited the Moon, let alone that they did so by strapping themselves onto missiles, and shooting themselves at it. I don't mean to offend whatever mythology or legends your pre-manatech civilization may believe, but... let's be realistic here. There's no way your people actually flew to the Moon. You'd have to be completely insane to think that plan would work, let alone to try it.

Quiet corner... Help keep Rainboa mind off Cafe with magic-lesson?

First of all, anyone with any self-respect doesn't call it "Magic". Magic is what you call card tricks and sleight of hand, or made-up rituals from Ye Olden Times that ususally only had placebo effects, or other phenomena you don't understand yet. What I study are the Spirit Arts, and Astral Theory. And though yes, I could spend my whole day off giving you an entry-level course on "Magic"... turns out I don't actually want to do that today.

If you wanted to learn about "Magic" so bad, you shouldn't have skipped class.

Anyway, think I've got the laptop set up, there's no customers at the cafe counter, I'm still feeling a bit woozy, and the barista keeps looking at me and making me feel guilty for not buying anything yet... so I'm going to go place an order already. If you don't want to go with me because you're deathly afraid of food or whatever, you can just... stay here and watch our stuff I guess?

Actually... hmm. I've got an idea.

As an Eidolon, you're obviously some kind of Spirit, right? And I know you're sorta... disconnected from my body, and my senses, and all that right now. Or whatever is going on, where we're not being part of the same person anymore, and can only sorta hear one another's thoughts? But even Spirits without physical manifestations can usually sense and interact with concentrations of Mana. And my Compad and Laptop are both Manatech, so... theoretically, I think you should be able to use them, even without me?

So yeah, if you want to try, I bet you could figure out how to use my Compad or Laptop, while I go talk to the kid behind the counter. If you really do want to learn something, Kiri's live video of the lecture we're skipping should be streaming to my Compad still. Today is supposed to be about the Branching Worldline model of Cosmology, I think. If that sounds fun for some reason, the link to it is in my chat history with Kiri. Just don't send them any messages while I'm gone, alright? Alternatively, the laptop's got Beast Hatchers 3 installed on it. Feel free to start a new save file and play that for a bit, if you want. And if you just want to take a nap or whatever, that's fine too.

Just, whatever you do... try to stay out of trouble, okay?

I'll be right back.