XOqNI

[tongueamok]

Hello, this is Carlisle. I mean, it's not Carlisle as in I'm actually answering you right now, so if you're trying to reply to me at the second, you should probably save your breath because I'm not really here. This is some kind of a recording of my voice, but this is my communicator. I'm going to assume these devices are as common here as they are in other places — not my world, but others, ones more technologically advanced than where I come from— so if you'd like to leave me a message, then you may do so here, or er... Right. Here is fine. So just leave yo— [beep]

Comments

[puzzlingly]

「As familiar as he is to use the power of his soul, Carlisle's way is unknown to him, thus he does seem a little hesitant.」

You don't get to use it in a way that you leave a piece of it in the things you work on, do you?

「He's also unfortunately familiar with that too.」

[tongueamok]

Cisth, no. That would be perverse.

[Hence his opinion on phylacteries, Kate.]

The energy is not trapped within the glyph upon activation, lad. See—

[He digs for another piece of paper, scrawling a very simple glyph onto it. Digging into his pouch, he produces a single, clawed leaf from one of his paw plants. He drops it onto the stage of the glyph, then presses his fingers to the contact point, activating it. The lines light up for mere seconds, the leaf in the center of the page turns blue, and the glyph evaporates away, taking most of the ink with it.]

It returns to its natural form and the body that housed it. Mere aether.

[puzzlingly]

Ah...!

「Atem's expression turns a little more surprised if possible. To see it work, the suddenly brightness of the glyph, to see the energy at work, it brings him an elating sensation. Not all magic in Hadriel worked that way, this is more to what he's used to, primal, yet clean and simple, almost elegant.

Mahad would surely love it as well...」

What did you do to the leaf?

[tongueamok]

I made it blue.

[Very astute, Carlisle.]

[puzzlingly]

...!

「He can dye things....!?

Carlisle, you're a hero!」

Can you make it purple?

[tongueamok]

[He gives Atem a puzzled look.]

Well, yes, but why? Do you really need another demonstration?

[puzzlingly]

「Please?」

N-no, it's fine... Um... It doesn't affect anything else, right? Why would you need this for?

「It's pretty cool but... why?」

[tongueamok]

Need what for? Changing its color? It's used for dyeing. And showing how glyphs work, apparently.

[puzzlingly]

It seems like a lot of effort just for such kind of effect.

「Maybe this isn't as mystical as he had anticipated. It's not less cool because of it.」

Anyway, do you think I could try? Is there anything that could go wrong?

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle honestly considers rattling off the long list of what could go wrong with a failed glyph, but to be fair, the one for dyeing is one he'd recommend testing the aural waters with, as any magical backfire that could result from it is benign, at best. He pushes a sigh through his nose and redraws the glyph on the now-blank sheet of paper, adding in another symbol with the ones he had initially. Not exactly the same glyph, but very close.]

There. Now place your hand upon the contact point here, and hold it there until finished.

[puzzlingly]

「Carlisle should probably not sugarcoat things like this, last time someone he knew ignored what could go wrong with practicing magic, it practically wiped the world, but he's the teacher.

He does as told, trying to mimic Carlisle's earlier movements — as soon as his fingertips touch the glyph, he can feel it. It's not quite what he's used to, but it's the sensation, he can recognize that little tug. It's no too different from him channeling his soul into the Millennium Puzzle, he allows the little glyph to gather what it needs from him, this unspoken acceptance makes the shaky lines on the paper to glow momentarily, the leaf turns a vibrant purple and the glyph evaporates just as it did in the earlier demonstration.

And Atem? His grin couldn't get any bigger than it is. He did it... He did it!」

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle isn't entirely sure how to react to that grin, but he offers up an uncertain one of his own in return.]

Congratulations, lad. It's purple.

[puzzlingly]

「Carlisle wouldn't understand (or maybe he would) how terribly useless he's felt ever since he arrived to Hadriel, and to be able to do something, anything at this point feels like a victory of its own. He sighs, content with himself.」

This is great...

「He takes just another second while he contemplates the leave, then, he straightens and looks at Carlisle with a bit of a more serious demeanor.」

So, how do we stop the demon?

[tongueamok]

Stop? [He raises an eyebrow.] Stopping a demon takes a lot more than a mere enchantment. You must excise them from this world, as one would a festering tumor from the body.

[Realizing he shouldn't be so literal, he shifts in tone to something marginally more encouraging.]

But something to ward away their energies -- now that, I can do. It'll take some time to come up with the appropriate glyphs, to weave the right words for the inscription. It'll have to be something quite... powerful.

[He nearly trails off there, feeling the weight of his own limitations.]

How many of these do you need, again?

[puzzlingly]

「Isn't that right? But this is his job, isn't it? The Pharaoh's job, to keep darkness and evil away, no matter what. But he's right, don't get carried away. Baby steps.」

Two.

「Three...」

How can I help you? 「After all, it's him who is asking.」

[tongueamok]

I don't rightly know just yet. The biggest problem is the energy required for such enchantments.

[Even when using the Mote, the cost would be significant for something so complex, particularly if it were to be effective against a powerful demon. Beyond that, the limitation lies with Carlisle himself, as he's unsure of just how much additional inscription he can do on his own. Some words in what languages he knows fail to capture the exact essence of what is needed in such a limited space, but—

Hm. Emily once crafted inscriptions in her native tongue. Could it be done again, with someone else?]

Those Words of the Gods you once spoke of. Hieroglyphs. How do they work? Are they written?

[puzzlingly]

「Carlisle mentions the energy and Atem connects it with his problem, he probably shouldn't be asking so much out of him given his state.」

Yes, 「Atem perks up immediately if he seems taken aback by the question, he doesn't show it. It's his time to grab the closest pencil and sheet of paper.」 These are not exactly like your glyphs, they can represent a single letter — or sound — or a whole idea.

「He scribbles some as he speaks, writing whatever thing that comes to his mind first in a series of intricate yet obvious figures, a hand, an eye, an owl, more organic than Carlisle's own, just as examples.」

The simple fact of using the symbols already gives the words some power, they carry their own heka. But only very few knew their meaning or the full extent of it, because even if someone could recreate them or copy them they also rely on the intention and, unlike your magic, not everyone could activate them, just those chosen by the Gods; those with a strong connection to them were able to channel their ba into them. For more tangible things than a prayer, like imbuing tea, our sorcerers or priests trained all of their lives, but I think I can do it just fine.

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle leans over, adjusting his glasses as he watches Atem write, inspecting the symbols for himself. An eye, a bird, some kind of hand. They're pictures, obviously, but less obtuse and vague than those used in traditional glyphcrafting.]

The fact that they can convey many things is promising... particularly in the right hands.

[He leans back, hesitating, discomfort etched into his brow and weighing at the bags under his eyes.]

My former student used her native tongue for her own inscriptions. There were times where her language was more capable of imparting an idea than any of mine.

[puzzlingly]

Sounds like it.

「Can't say that it is the reaction that Atem had been expecting. Carlisle is not one to know it but the young man is very good at reading people, not that the older one seems to be hiding his discomfort.

Atem leaves the pencil and leans back as well, but he keeps his eyes on the taller man.」

What's going through you mind, Carlisle?

[tongueamok]

[He pushes a sigh out of him.]

I am merely wondering if a combined effort would work, and if it is worth training another student.

[puzzlingly]

「Certainly, if he's already doing that... Atem has to wonder how it'd be if Carlisle actually took him under his wing but, no, that's not the first thing that comes to his mind, if anything Carlisle's answer makes him tense with a little flinch. Is he... truly considering it?

He hesitates in his own way, dragging the question for as long as he can.」

What could make it worth it?

「What could make him worthy?」

[tongueamok]

I don't know.

[That answer was immediate, but unspoken ones flit through his mind: the ability to craft a proper inscription, the energy required for such a task, the promise he won't be absolutely demoralized when his student inevitably vanishes and his hours of teaching are utterly wasted. He's sure Atem can't give him that last one. He can do it, certainly, and it would be appropriate for him to help in this situation, but is it worth the exertion it would place upon his mortal frame? His life is limited as it is, and he doesn't even know anyone who is going on this voyage.

Or he does, but he just doesn't realize it yet.]

These people you wish to protect. Do they deserve it? Do they even want it?

[puzzlingly]

Deserve it? 「That's a bit of a loaded question, it makes Atem frown, not quite at Carlisle.」

They don't know it yet. I was planning on giving whatever was possible to make before they went on that trip to retrieve the Door parts. One is Trafalgar Law, and the other one is Rey.

「He's not sure if Law deserves it or not but, maybe he doesn't, but Atem is not going to let him just go there with that demon just so it stabs him in the back, and Rey, well, she knows better. His third one? Maybe that'll come up later, way later.」

[tongueamok]

[Oh, how the mention of a single name can change his attitude. Carlisle's eyes flick to Atem immediately.]

Miss Rey will be going?

[Oh. Oh oh oh. He rubs at his chest as indecision crosses him, and as he takes comfort in the feel of the talisman beneath his vestments, he seems to find his resolution.]

I... suppose such an endeavor for her safety is a noble one. Though if you prove an apt pupil, it could be worthwhile to all of us.

[puzzlingly]

「it's hard not to notice the change of demeanor there.」

She seems to know what she's getting herself into but... I fear for her. 「For everyone. He makes a little pause, before speaking quietly.」

I'd be honored to be your pupil, Carlisle. I... will try my best.

「He cannot promise he won't disappoint him, he's let down so many people here, broke promises, and has been unable to save those he cares about in more than one occasion. It's needless to say that the confidence in himself (and others) has been fractured badly after all these months, all he can do now is try.」