wizardmanor | Floor 4, Room 4

[ He shakes his head. ]

It's alright. I was awake anyway.

[ Sleep is hard for him in general anyway. With a soft click, he shuts the door behind him. Jing Yuan is welcome to sit on his neatly made bed, his small couch, or a plush chair. ]

It was difficult, to tell you the truth. We had to battle some ghosts, and we struggled to meet them in terms of skill.

Very well, then.

[ He will seat himself down on the small couch. ]

...Ghosts, is it? That sounds troublesome already.

I assume they may have attempted to even take control of some of you. But you all fended them off successfully, I presume.

[ He nods, taking a seat on the chair. ]

There was a cursed object that we needed to purify. I believe it was similar to what the Southern wizards brought back from their mission.

...Then, this object was also some kind of rock?

[ Interesting. Not a coincidence at all. ]

How did you all purify it?

[ Same method? ]

Through intention put into the spells we aimed at it.

[ So, the same method. ]

And it was. A rather large rock, too, about the size of a cat.

[ At least there's a consistent theme. Shouldn't be difficult for them all to follow it given that, huh. ]

...About the size of a cat? It wasn't cat-shaped either, was it?

[ That seems like, extremely specific? ]

Also, were there any other abnormalities you witnessed besides the ghosts and the rock?

Edited 2024-05-04 00:56 (UTC)

No, but I've been seeing a lot of cats around the manor lately...

[ So. That's where his mind went.

But he shakes his head. ]

There was a lot going on... is it an abnormality that they actually let us stay at the castle overnight?

[ He will nod.

It seems he will unironically understand Kurapika's comparison. ]

You were staying at the castle overnight during this?

[ Their first mutual understanding... ]

Yes. After we finished our mission, they allowed us to spend the night.

[ Their first and last mutual understanding (okay no, just kidding.) ]

It could have been something like a reward. Unless you noticed something odd while you were staying here.

[ He shakes his head. ]

No. The only thing odd, I think, is how I feel. The rooms were nice and quiet... the beds were comfortable.

You feel odd? In what way?

[ Kurapika looks just tired to him but he will leave it up to him to elaborate. ]

Something in me broke. I don't know what it was, but... I'm not the same.

[ He's been changed in a way he can't describe and for someone like Kurapika? It's hell. ]

[ ... ]

When on the mission did this happen?

[ It's definitely something worrisome, considering that not knowing what kind of ramifications exactly is the opposite of ideal. ]

The moment I touched the cursed rock. I felt pain tear through my entire body.

[ He can still feel it now, never having felt anything quite like that. ]

I saw images of the moon, too.

Have you had anyone take a look at your magical or life energy?

[ Jing Yuan doubts it, but he figures he'll just ask anyway, just in case. He doesn't want Kurapika to suddenly drop dead on them or something. ]

And what kind of images? Simply just of the moon? Or was there something notable about these images?

Edited 2024-05-04 03:53 (UTC)

[ Jing Yuan would be right, because he hasn't! And Kurapika even shakes his head to indicate as much. ]

The moon shattering into a bunch of shards... I saw myself reflected in them.

I'd like to look. It'd be best to check on the status of whatever happened with you.

[ Jing Yuan believes it simply a logical course of action, even if he has no earthly idea on what to do about it for the moment. ]

...You saw your reflection, and how did you appear? As you are normally? Or, was there some distortion?

I saw myself reflected in the shattered pieces, which I suppose correlates with the feeling of something inside of me breaking.

[ Ugh. He hates even thinking about it. ]

You're welcome to look me over, though I doubt you'll find anything significant. I feel normal.

...I suppose it would.

As for the other matter, better to confirm that than to miss anything obvious.

[ Jing Yuan does an in-depth check, but despite everything, that results in nothing, even though he is certain that something is wrong.

He just simply sighs, though, and leaves it at that. This isn't exactly his level of expertise, and yet he knows it's bound to cause trouble in the future. It's not something to 'ah well' about... ]

...It seems you were right about nothing being 'apparently' off. You should have the Sage and his assistant see to you.

[ Ah, exactly what he thought. Kurapika lets out a sigh. ]

I think I will, at least once I feel less exhausted.

[ His exhaustion isn't a side effect of what happened to him, but rather all of the energy he's used up with his magic. The knowledge that something is very much wrong with him has only made it harder for him to recover. ]

[ Jing Yuan gives a nod, though he figures Kurapika needs his rest, so he will rise to his feet. He has questioned all that he had in mind, and any other topics even to him seem superfluous in the moment. ]

I should let you rest. Let us hope this too can be dealt with swiftly, given our current circumstances.

[ He doubts Kurapika is pleased about this himself, so he doesn't bother saying it. Jing Yuan understands the existence of tact.

After that, he will move to head out! ]

[ But as he moves, Kurapika reaches out for his wrist, capturing it briefly in his hand before letting go. ]

Jing Yuan. Thank you. For coming to check on me... for listening.

[ His words are always sincere, but there's an undercurrent of vulnerability in them this time. ]

[ That surprises him enough to stop, before turning back to face Kurapika. He doesn't think it is something that needs thanks, though Jing Yuan isn't about to callously disregard it either. And not just because of the way the other's tone sounds, though he acknowledges that as well. ]

Even though I believe it is only what most would do, I know it is not necessarily a given. Therefore, you are certainly welcome.

[ He just wishes he could do more. At least...before anything happens. ]

Maybe it is, but I should at least acknowledge it.

[ He smiles, and though it isn't a big smile, it is soft. ]

I won't take up more of your time. Not right now, at least.

[ But he will remember Jing Yuan's kindness, the sort that is understated yet sincere all the same. ]

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foresightis2020 - 2024-05-06 06:32 (UTC) - Expand