IC Inbox for Asgard Genesis

[lethechained]

Hello. Thank you for calling, and I'm sorry I wasn't here to answer.

[Pause.]

--Leave a message, please, if you want to.

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Audio - UN: GallowsCallibrator

[mindseer]

Hey... uh, so... I'm ok. Promise.
Everything's fine, Naminé. We ... we uh got back.

...

[Siiiiiiigh. Oh man she was holding things back. She wasn't any good at this.]

[lethechained]

[ If there was anything that promise told Naminé, it was that everything was not, in fact, fine. She'd been quick to pick up once she realized who was calling, not exactly eager for news but searching for it in a fretful kind of way. From her end of the line there was a brief pause as she processed Terezi's voice. Then, ]

… What happened?

[ Naminé didn't sound accusatory - if anything, her voice was gentle despite the undercurrent of worry. For the sake of her moirail's own excuse, the blonde tacked on an only slightly belated, ]

While you were away, that is. [ The whole thing bore describing, regardless of what it was that had the other girl so hesitant. Only just remembering herself, ] And-- welcome back.

[mindseer]

[She was keeping a level voice, but an undercurrent of anger was in there when she did. She had issues with the orcs because of what they hadn't told the party that was about to leave. There might have been very different plans made had they been made aware of the actual problem and risk. She kept her voice level, but there was an edge.]

Those guys who came by asking for help? They... didn't tell us the whole story. There was a plague of some sort in the cave. That's why it was walled off. We... we kept it sealed in there, Naminé. I made sure it stayed sealed in so none of it got out.

[She cooughed into her hand. It didn't sound like a sick cough, more of a clearing of one's throat. Her voice calmed considerably afterwards.]

Some of the folks inside called Sigyn. She... uh... removed the disease from us when she sent the people inside back to the palace. So... we got kind of a really fast free trip.

[By, ya know... dying, which she was pointedly trying to avoid saying. And while that detail might not have been obvious, she was holding something back.]

[lethechained]

[ Even without the benefit of being able to see the other girl's face, Naminé could sense the displeasure under those words. It made her brows lower, drawing closer together as her eyes shifted with her thoughts. ]

That isn't surprising, [ was her only audible comment, soft and non-interruptive. The whole situation had seemed a bit suspicious to her, even from a distance - but that hadn't been enough to cause her to try to convince anyone not to go and help. Otherwise she was silent, save for her startled, 'A plague--?' which began a different tone of quiet on her part.

It all sounded pretty concerning, and yet-- even while telling her they'd succeeded in curtailing the issue, Terezi didn't sound quite right to Naminé. There had to be something more to it, of that the blonde was certain - although the cough did give her a momentary start before she registered it as unlikely to be related to illness. Through her patient, somewhat bemused listening, Naminé worked at the problem, the question of what it was that didn't feel quite right-- and then, ]

What do you mean... [ There was a cold feeling in her stomach, one that formed quickly as the possible implications of those words stretched out before her. ] … A 'fast trip'?

[mindseer]

...

[Maaaan, she was no good at lying. It wasn't in her nature to do it. She preferred half truths, and she never could tell a lie without giggling like an idiot. Part of why she could trick John and Dave was that one was too stupid to notice usually, and the other found it amusing to just play along in his boredom, not because she was really fooling them.

She gritted her teeth and grunted.]

When... we got sick, Sigyn came to the barrier that had us all sealed inside. I touched her hand, and then I woke up at the palace, feeling all warm and not sick anymore.

[She frowned.]

... I... I think I died in there, Naminé. I just didn't want you to worry. But no way was I risking you getting that disease! It was awful!

[lethechained]

[ Frowning, the girl listened for an answer, and once it came continued her silence along the course of it. It didn't sound so bad, exactly, but the context, the meaning of that experience still had her sucking in a breath. ]

You didn't have to hide it from me, [ she promised, more than admonished. ] I would have wanted to know...! It's-- my job to know what happens to you, isn't it?

[ And to worry, for that matter - that was part of being friends as much as it was a part of moirallegiance. None of it sat well with her, of course, and for a long moment she was quiet, trying to digest this development. Perhaps the first thing that came to mind and actually made it to her mouth, whether appropriate or not, was a concerned, ]

… Did it hurt?

[mindseer]

Yeah, I know... I just felt like I screwed up. I should have insisted on being there for the interviews with the orcs. I would have smelled something being up, but other folks did that part... so I'm kind of embarrassed and I did't want to make you worry too much.

[She scratched at the back of her head and sighed, smiling to herself.]

I should know better though. Sorry... uhhh, it didn't hurt. I mean getting sick was something awful. Coughing, wet, aching, painful and a bit of blood. Nothing fun, trust me. But what Sigyn did didn't hurt at all. Think that was the point.

... I still feel funny, though. They're sure I'm not sick, but something feels weird. not 'missing' weird. Just weird weird. Haven't figured out why yet.

[lethechained]

You can't do everything yourself, [ Naminé consoled, keeping to herself the part about it being a necessity to trust the others, too. Not that she disagreed entirely; Terezi's powers would have been a big help in a conversation like that one, but it didn't seem right for the troll to beat herself up about it.

Humming quietly to indicate her unstanding, Naminé might well have had other questions coming to mind, but that last comment of the other girl's gave the blonde pause. ]

Funny... [ There wasn't much she could do about 'funny,' not without her powers from home, and even those might not have done the trick. ] Funny, like... some part of you has changed? If Sigyn really did bring you back...

[ Did everything actually come back the same? ]

[mindseer]

[She wasn't being 100% fair there. At least one of them had had truth detection powers themselves, it had turned out. The orcs hadn't been aware of everything that had been going on, so in the end it was as much tragic as anything else. Still, she appreciated Naminé saying it, even if she grumbled a little before sighing and speaking.]

Not... uh, sick funny. Just funny. It feels like it wants me to do something with it. I don't quite get it?

...does that make sense?

[lethechained]

[ From Naminé's end of the feed there was a beat of concerned silence, but afterward, ]

Yes - I think I understand. [ Her voice was careful, not entirely free of concern. ] Sometimes you just have an instinct. Something that tells you that there's more you can do.

[ Like her own powers, both in her own worlds and here. ]

But... even if that's the case, do you think it would be a good idea to listen?

[mindseer]

I... think it might be a good idea, but I don't want to test it unless I'm sure nobody's going to be at risk. So, I might just... take it a step at a time. Be careful before I actually try to do something with it.

Might ask and see if someone could look into it. To be sure.

[The only problem being that blood magic was kind of new.]

[lethechained]

[ The girl gave an audible hum, sounding as though she was mulling it over. ]

I trust your judgement. You're the one who's feeling it, after all.

[ And surely it was an issue those in charge of Asgard would see fit to take personal interest in, which seemed to make it less likely to become a more serious problem. ]

And I'm sure the gods would want to know about it, too. Maybe they can help you test it in a controlled environment. [ A subtle falter. More gingerly, ] If... you don't mind talking to them about it, that is.

[mindseer]

You know... if it's something wrong with the folks who came back, yeah. They probably and almost definitely want to now about that. I'm a little nervous what they might do with the info... but it's not like any of us really knows what's going on here.

[lethechained]

[ Naminé frowned, head partway bowed as she admitted, ]

Me too.

[ There was plenty of cause for concern, especially considering-- ]

After how they handled the problem last time... [ Which wasn't necessarily the wrong way to handle it, and seemed to end up relatively consequence-free... or so they could hope. ] I suppose I shouldn't say, 'it couldn't turn out much worse for you,' should I?

[ Literally dying was frequently considered to be at one certain end of the spectrum, but in this case, given its impermanence, it might have occupied a different part of the scale. She wasn't particularly inclined to tempt fate and find out. ]

But I don't think they'll do anything that might harm you unless they have to. Besides, if you're not the only one who feels like they've changed, then they'll come to ask you about it sooner or later, won't they?

[mindseer]

I mean, yes. that's sort of part of it. This could have been a whole lot worse? And I know that they're not out to get us, Naminé. I just don't want this to be something bad.

...

Maybe it's something good? Like a new superpower? [She frowned.] That might be asking too much, right?

I could also ask the others.

[lethechained]

Hiding from it won't change what it is.

[ The melancholy undertone of her words suggested that was a concept she was all too familiar with, though of course her voice was not without sympathy.

And despite her serious demeanor, Naminé failed to fight down the breath of a wry laugh that rose in her throat at Terezi's suggestions. Weak and short-lived though the blonde's smile was, she could at least appreciate the sentiment. ]

Maybe. It wouldn't be the strangest thing I've ever heard.

[ But that didn't mean it seemed all that likely. Still, one could hope, futilely or otherwise. ]

But... yes. I think maybe it would be best if you talked to them about it. It might give you a better idea of what to expect - and even if it doesn't, it... helps, to talk to someone who knows what you're going through.

[mindseer]

Alright. I'll ask their advice. I trust you on this, and it sounds like the best idea under the circumstances. I've just... you know, kind of been fretting about it is all.

It's hard to know for sure what to do, and I'm sorry we worried you. I really am.

[She could hear the melancholy and deep down she hoped that she hadn't screwed up horribly somehow, but Naminé wasn't giving bad advice so she could take that. One way or another.]

[lethechained]

It wasn't your fault.

[ The response was gentle, and yet it held a firmness underneath. It was an attempt at reassurance, surely. ]

You didn't know what you were getting into. [ There was always a risk in the decision to go out of the city at all, of course, but that didn't, to her, assign any blame. ] Even if you had - you were trying to help. I could never be upset with you for that.

[ No apologies necessary. ]

And I'm glad that you told me about everything that's been going on. That's what I'm here for... right? So-- if you still feel worried later, you can talk to me then, too. Any time you need to.

[ Whether or not that would be any help she was not so bold as to assume, but that didn't stop her from offering. ]

[mindseer]

No, you're right. We didn't do anything wrong. I just don't like being trouble, even if it's not my usual kind. Haha... I guess... for once I got into a mess by doing the right thing, right? hehe... wow. Irony, that.

I'm going to talk to them. See if maybe I can figure out what's going on.

[And later, she could tell her that she'd be able to protect her even better thanks to her blood.]

[lethechained]

It happens more often than you'd think.

[ Her voice had a tired sort of surety, and it sounded as though she was wearing a weak, wry smile as she spoke. Firsthand, secondhand - she had experience with both when it came to finding trouble. ]

Chances are if you keep doing the right thing, it'll keep happening. But it's worth it, in the end.

[ Mostly. Hopefully. In any case, ]

Alright. Then I guess-- for now, all that I can do is wish you luck.

[ Even thought it felt like that was not enough. ]

[mindseer]

[She sighed and smiled a little through the feed at Naminé. Her? Do te right thing? Not necessarily her style. She didn't do the wrong thing usually, but the right thing usually got her killed.]

You're rubbing off on me, Naminé. Heh. You're going to make a hero out of me yet...

I'll let you know, ok? What they said.

[lethechained]

[ Without needing to mean to, Naminé smiled herself. A soft, slightly melancholy sort of smile, but a good one all the same. ]

You don't need me for that. You've been trying to make things right since before we met.

[ Or so she'd heard in a story or two, anyway, regardless of where Terezi might have fit into the scale of morality before then. ]

Okay. [ There was a gentle firmness in her voice, a silent attempt to be encouraging. ] I'll be waiting to hear about it.