Inbox for sticksandbones

[sesa]

I will make this pretty later

(Spoilers I won't, I always say I will but I won't-)

===

INVENTORY:

-Grenade Launcher with 3 ammo stacks (refreshes monthly)

-Nondescript gaming console (it's an offbrand Nintendo Switch)

-Some glowing star rocks from an investigation with Elsword in the Deep Woods

-A little knitted dragon from Elsword that I forgot to link and am too lazy to find now

-1 Kotatsu that he keeps in his room at the lab. It's red with light beige birds on it

-His toolbox from Rhodes

-A workshop that connects to Gnosis' lab via a breezeway. He lives there with Passenger now

-3 erythrites, used to make Passenger a pair of earrings

Comments

[sticksandbonesmods]

[... Man, y'all are weird. Sunshiney weird. They don't hate it but it's very strange, especially when they've made their reputation to the outside world known through eating people polluting the seas and intimidating oil rigs. He didn't even agree! ... But she didn't disagree either.]

The Stars made their shrines up above in the woods, to aid mortals against the wretch who controls the fog. As we in the waters here consumed star magic alongside sun and moon magic, we are kin. We all can feel them.

I have no name, only a title. Call me as you will, but do not presume to have tamed me.I will indulge you, for a while.

[mooninthewater]

[ So all totally normal things??? Mizuki doesn't understand, he'd do this, too- ]

Ehe, "Tame you"? We're asking to be friends, not have a pet, silly. Sesa and I promise only to bother you sometimes, and you can always let us know if you're too tired to hang out, we'd totally understand! Maybe when the fog 'round here clears up, I can come take a nap with you, even?

Oh, and... umm, hey, Sesa found these... sort of broken star shards. Do you know what those might be about?

[sticksandbonesmods]

Let me see. I have my suspicions, but I will not presume.

[sesa]

Ah, yes! Of course...most of the ones I kept are back at my workshop, but I do keep a few in my pocket for situations such as these.

[Like obviously you never know when you might be speaking to a diety who could have information on them.

He rummages around in his pocket until he's able to locate a couple, holding them out on his palm carefully for the serpent to inspect.]

[sticksandbonesmods]

[The Cosmic Serpent rears back before leaning back in- except this time it is smaller, more like a regular nurse shark's size as she looks at the darkened stars.]

These are star shards that lost their magic. It comes with overuse, or neglect- perhaps the ambient area absorbed the magic, but they are nothing more than hollow shells now. Perhaps... they could make some decoration or another. But that is all.

[mooninthewater]

[ ! A shark! Oh how cute. Mizuki would hug it if he knew it’d be okay. ]

Do… all the shards run out of magic eventually…? How much magic is condensed into one shard??

[ Sorry, Cosmic Serpent. He’s very inquisitive. ]

[sesa]

[Shark…we loev shark.

Also feel free to skip Sesa here he has nothing to contribute he’s just listening like a good boy.]

[sticksandbonesmods]

It depends on the Star who made the shard, when it comes to how much is in one. Humans could earn themselves a lifetime of magic by consuming one. If they go unused, the magic will seep out back into nature. The forest you reside in was always a fae forest, so it would thrive with star magic.

[mooninthewater]

And in turn, the creature, right? Should we be trying to get the stars out of there, then…? Is there any way to help them?

[sticksandbonesmods]

It's much too late. These shards are hollow- they have long since been drained. They might make a particularly crunchy snack, or some pretty decoration, but the magic is gone and will not come back.

[mooninthewater]

What about the ones still in the forest? Are they still there?

[sticksandbonesmods]

[The Cosmic Serpent tilts his head slightly.]

Stars, or star shards?

[mooninthewater]

Er... I guess both? S-sorry, I don't think I'm smart enough to understand what exactly is goin' on out there...

[sticksandbonesmods]

There are many stars remaining within the forest, but none of the star shards that are not in the turtle woman's care carry any spark.

[mooninthewater]

...Alright. [ Just alright. He supposes they don't know a lot about the stars yet, anyway, so he isn't sure what he should be asking, but... ] Well, sorry for waking you up, Hoshibi. Thanks for talking with us, though. We'll come and visit sometimes and make sure you're doing alright.

[sesa]

[As this conversation is happening, Sesa has been staring at the shards in his palm, because them being likened to a “crunchy snack” has done things to his brain. They are forbidden candy…]

Hm? O-oh, yes! Yes. It has been a pleasure speaking with you, Hoshibi. We would be happy to visit any time.

[sticksandbonesmods]

[If Sesa does eat one he'll find that it's salty but sweet.]

If you must. The Forest's master cannot touch me, though, so worry not. Or rather... it fears the sea and it's masters. And I am no exception.

[mooninthewater]

...Why is that, exactly? Do you know?

[sticksandbonesmods]

Mortals call it "Thalassophobia." The Silver Moon has mentioned he never liked her oceanic creations, and thought them frightful. Perhaps some of the Leviathans are. Not to me, of course. But to others...

The one that is white as the moon and just as ethereal is the most dangerous of all. Not unlike their maker. Perhaps he also feared her, in turn.