OPEN POST; [ ERIK / DQ11]

[rubblerouser]

say “what’s your style and who do you listen to?” who cares.

Comments

[rubblerouser]

[Probably the latter, but who’s to say he wasn’t heading in the same direction? Erik has an interest in the towns in this area — what they can offer, what kind of company he can keep. Just like he knows all the backroads to take, heading from one to the other.]

Little place just up north, right? Same way I’m going, so it works out.

[At least the path is relatively straightforward from here on out.]

What do you need “foreign and unique” materials for?

[cheir]

Spirit evocation.

[ Well. He asked. And she replied, as calm and soft-voiced as before. ]

[rubblerouser]

Okay.

[As good as a non-answer for him, Fiore. Down the path they go, Erik’s pace casual.]

Meaning what, exactly?

[cheir]

Mm... you can think of it as magic, I suppose. To put it very simply.

[ Because fate/anything is irritating as hell to explain. ]

[rubblerouser]

Believe it or not, I’m familiar with magic. Plenty of people use it around these parts.

[Not so much Erik, but he can swing a spell or two if required.]

But ‘spirit evocation’, though? What kind of spirits are you evoking?

[cheir]

Animal spirits, mostly. They seem to be the easiest to work with.

[ And she gives the briefcase a fond pat, for some reason. ]

Do you not use magic yourself, then?

[rubblerouser]

Eh.

[It’s the sort of “eh” noise that couples with a flappy hand motion.]

Sort of. I know a little earth magic, but I can’t go flinging spells around like some people. If I get into trouble, I’ve got to rely on a dagger and my own wit to get out of it.

[A sidelong glance, back down at that briefcase.]

So what do you do with these animals spirits after the fact, huh? They fight for you, or...?

[cheir]

If they're willing, yes. I'm able to have them assist me.

[ In glorious, glorious violence. ]

But I'm also capable of fighting on my own.

[rubblerouser]

With your mysterious weapon all bundled up nice and secure in that briefcase, right?

[The path curves again, this time along a gentle downward slope, and the faint trace of a town in the distance can be made out along the hillside.]

When do I get to see it?

[cheir]

Truthfully? I hope you never have to.

[ Because she only pulls it out in the case of life-threatening fights. Sorry, good sir. ]

[rubblerouser]

You sure play hard to get.

[He rubs the back of his neck, sighing.]

All right, so when do I get to hear an explanation?

[cheir]

... You're really very curious, aren't you? Does that ever get you into trouble?

[ She's still very much amused. ]

[rubblerouser]

Trouble? Me? I’m a saint.

[He is not.]

But you said you’d tell me. And besides, I can’t help but be interested in rare and unusual items. They’ve all got a story behind them.