[ It's true that the denizens of Etheirys need not worry about how manipulating aether will harm them or the world around them, assuming they're doing it properly and responsibly. But Thancred is a special case, and he isn't surprised that Cid's picked up on that. ]
Ah. [ He drags his mug across the table toward him and cradles it between both palms, eyeing the amber liquid within for a few moments. ] Well, that's a more specific issue. I used to be able to cast spells much like anyone else, but a certain incident and the dangerous yet necessary use of a spell scarred my internal aether, meaning that I can no longer cast magic.
[ He pauses for a moment, then glances up to Cid and shrugs. ]
It didn't bother me much, as I had plenty of skilled mages around me to make up for that particular shortcoming, and martial combat was always my preference. Granted, the Singularity has given me some abilities in spite of this, which is a strange little mystery.
[ To say nothing of how that scarring must have healed over entirely as he became a god, according to those visions of a supposed future. It makes him wonder if these magic-like abilities he's earned are only the start, which leaves him uneasy. ]
'Scarred your internal aether'? Interesting. [ Cid rubs at his chin, thoughtful. He hadn't realized that such a thing might be possible.
Himeka was nearly certain that Valisthea was related to Etheirys, and Cid is in relative agreement. They share a number of marked similarities, even despite their differences. A part of him wonders if the people of Etheirys are simply capable of channeling aether in a way that the people of Valisthea are not, some subtle physiological difference that makes it less costly for them. ] I haven't got any real proof of the idea, but I suspect that the physical changes wrought by the Singularity's magic are a part of what allows us to channel it, even if there might be some difficulty with doing so normally.
[ He hasn't seen any of these changes himself, but the dream had given him abilities that surpassed even a Dominant's, and for little cost... not to mention what he's seen of the other Summoned and their new abilities. He's tried to keep an open mind about the magics at work in this place but, in truth, it unsettles him. Whether or not that dream was a real vision of the future, the Singularity seems set on turning them into gods.
Cid shakes his head before taking another swallow of his ale. ] Himeka's told me a bit about Etheirys and how she got herself into such an adventurous life. What of yourself? It seems you've gotten your nose into no shortage of trouble, and you haven't slowed down at all.
[ He's curious about the circumstances of this spell that Thancred's mentioned, but he'll hold on to that for the moment. ]
[ It seems that they've both come to the same conclusion, then. The Singularity is physically changing them, altering them in ways that in Thancred's case has lead to the slow healing of his aether. They have some sort of proof of this compliments of that dream, but it's not a reality that he's that thrilled to acknowledge.
Still, it doesn't have to unfold the way it did in those visions. He'll remain steadfast on that point. ]
That seems a fair assumption, given what we know and the visions that the Singularity shared with us. [ He heaves out a sigh and shakes his head. ] That doesn't mean I much like the implications therein.
[ But they've circled back to more of the specifics about Thancred, and he doesn't mind sharing if Cid is truly so curious about him. Granted, it's natural to want to know more about someone who he'd mainly gotten to know through a strange, vivid dream. They can't be certain how much of that was truth and how much was embellishment.
After taking another drink, he launches into an explanation. ]
Himeka and I met when she joined the order I was a member of, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. We were dedicated to protecting the realm whilst also avoiding any direct political ties. Our leaders always believed that it was in neutrality that we would best be able to do our jobs.
[ Which isn't to say that they hadn't become caught up in politics all the same, but still, that was their stance. ]
As for how I joined said order, it was quite literally by chance. I attempted to pickpocket the wrong man — or the right one, I suppose.
[ He flashes a grin. Mayhap this won't be so shocking to Cid. ]
That's the two of us. [ Cid raises his mug a few inches and gives it a weary tap against Thancred's before he takes a drink himself. If nothing else, it's good to know that they're on the same page, even despite the potential upsides that present themselves.
There's sense in ruminating on it in the present moment, however. Without more concrete information, all they can do is speculate.
Thancred carries on, and Cid raises his eyebrows, bemused. A neutral party with that sort of power must have been a delicate balance to maintain, though perhaps the power was a part of it. ]
Your skills must have been impressive even then. [ Cid replies with a laugh. It's a bit tongue-in-cheek, but he doesn't think Thancred will mind. ] You know, 'Scions of the Seventh Dawn' rings a bit ominous. Something tells me you don't take six rest days before you get to the business of saving the world. This mentor of yours — I suppose he had something to do with the name?
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Ah. [ He drags his mug across the table toward him and cradles it between both palms, eyeing the amber liquid within for a few moments. ] Well, that's a more specific issue. I used to be able to cast spells much like anyone else, but a certain incident and the dangerous yet necessary use of a spell scarred my internal aether, meaning that I can no longer cast magic.
[ He pauses for a moment, then glances up to Cid and shrugs. ]
It didn't bother me much, as I had plenty of skilled mages around me to make up for that particular shortcoming, and martial combat was always my preference. Granted, the Singularity has given me some abilities in spite of this, which is a strange little mystery.
[ To say nothing of how that scarring must have healed over entirely as he became a god, according to those visions of a supposed future. It makes him wonder if these magic-like abilities he's earned are only the start, which leaves him uneasy. ]
no subject
Himeka was nearly certain that Valisthea was related to Etheirys, and Cid is in relative agreement. They share a number of marked similarities, even despite their differences. A part of him wonders if the people of Etheirys are simply capable of channeling aether in a way that the people of Valisthea are not, some subtle physiological difference that makes it less costly for them. ] I haven't got any real proof of the idea, but I suspect that the physical changes wrought by the Singularity's magic are a part of what allows us to channel it, even if there might be some difficulty with doing so normally.
[ He hasn't seen any of these changes himself, but the dream had given him abilities that surpassed even a Dominant's, and for little cost... not to mention what he's seen of the other Summoned and their new abilities. He's tried to keep an open mind about the magics at work in this place but, in truth, it unsettles him. Whether or not that dream was a real vision of the future, the Singularity seems set on turning them into gods.
Cid shakes his head before taking another swallow of his ale. ] Himeka's told me a bit about Etheirys and how she got herself into such an adventurous life. What of yourself? It seems you've gotten your nose into no shortage of trouble, and you haven't slowed down at all.
[ He's curious about the circumstances of this spell that Thancred's mentioned, but he'll hold on to that for the moment. ]
no subject
Still, it doesn't have to unfold the way it did in those visions. He'll remain steadfast on that point. ]
That seems a fair assumption, given what we know and the visions that the Singularity shared with us. [ He heaves out a sigh and shakes his head. ] That doesn't mean I much like the implications therein.
[ But they've circled back to more of the specifics about Thancred, and he doesn't mind sharing if Cid is truly so curious about him. Granted, it's natural to want to know more about someone who he'd mainly gotten to know through a strange, vivid dream. They can't be certain how much of that was truth and how much was embellishment.
After taking another drink, he launches into an explanation. ]
Himeka and I met when she joined the order I was a member of, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. We were dedicated to protecting the realm whilst also avoiding any direct political ties. Our leaders always believed that it was in neutrality that we would best be able to do our jobs.
[ Which isn't to say that they hadn't become caught up in politics all the same, but still, that was their stance. ]
As for how I joined said order, it was quite literally by chance. I attempted to pickpocket the wrong man — or the right one, I suppose.
[ He flashes a grin. Mayhap this won't be so shocking to Cid. ]
no subject
There's sense in ruminating on it in the present moment, however. Without more concrete information, all they can do is speculate.
Thancred carries on, and Cid raises his eyebrows, bemused. A neutral party with that sort of power must have been a delicate balance to maintain, though perhaps the power was a part of it. ]
Your skills must have been impressive even then. [ Cid replies with a laugh. It's a bit tongue-in-cheek, but he doesn't think Thancred will mind. ] You know, 'Scions of the Seventh Dawn' rings a bit ominous. Something tells me you don't take six rest days before you get to the business of saving the world. This mentor of yours — I suppose he had something to do with the name?