Taller, broader of shoulder, and abnormally male, You are Cain, King of New Arcturus.
Marigold, in the form of Ishelda, is pulling you to your feet.
"You're... a lot stronger than I am." Marigold said, in your voice. "I could never have pulled you up, if I were... me.

Prince Belethor of Sosaria re-entered the room, looking down at his hands- only a few scarce minutes after he'd fallen through a wall as if it wasn't there.
"What was that?" He asked. "I- I- That was ..."
"She did say your talent had awoken." Mar says, in your voice, jerking her head toward you.
"... Right. That was my talent." He said.

>>20698290
In an obviously teasing voice
"Cheater!"

>>20698290
"Congratulations! You're such a sore loser that your talent awoke so you could beat a little girl unconscious!"

"Cheater!" You say.
"... Right, right." He said, after a moment. He clapped you on the shoulder. "I didn't mean to use my Talent right then, so ... you defeated me. I was disarmed, and I only had two blades on me. The buckler wouldn't have lasted much longer, and then I'd have been weaponless."
"You're such a sore loser that your talent awoke so you could beat a little girl unconscious."
"A little girl who's currently in the form of a man, who *also* challenged me to a duel." He said. "But. . .But yeah, I'm sorry for that. You're not too badly hurt, are you?"
"You forgot I was here." Marigold said. "No such thing as 'hurt' when I'm around."
"Right." He said, nodding to her. "No offense, but it's very strange to hear you talk in Ishelda's form."

>>20698290
"Congratulations Belethor, later we will have to have a celebration. But now.... There is still more fun to be had, let's go 'Ishelda' We have to find Kali next."

>>20698357
"Heh. I think it's kind of fun, and Mar is pretty good at being me."

>>20698357
"We should have a party later. And call up your family, they'll want to know."

"Heh. I think it's kind of fun, and Mar is pretty good at being me."
"I think I'm the only one who could." Marigold says. "Henrietta never paid enough attention to the way you talk, and everyone else was always scared of you."
"We should have a party later. And call up your family, they'll want to know."
"I'm ... not actually sure I want to tell my family." He said. "For... well, reasons. Because every time my brother makes a comment at me about not having a talent, I can just grin back into his face. I'll tell Aowyn and my mother, but. . I'll keep it quiet."

>>20698431
"Keep him guessing, huh? Sounds like it'll be fun."

"Keep him guessing, huh? Sounds like it'll be fun."
"That's the plan." He said. "But first... I need to find out what it actually is. I'm not sure how to use it, but I'll go figure it out. Maybe I can talk with Kris- He's been learning to use his talent, too."
You nod.
"Good day, your highness. Your Majesty." He chuckled, bowed, and made his way out of the hall.
"But now... there is still more fun to be had." You say. "Let's go, 'Ishelda', we have to find Kali next."
"Kali?" Marigold asked. "But aren't you and her... Well, together?"

>>20698474
"Yes, and I know the brother thing won't work. Hmm... If I go find a helmet, I can probably pretend to be a knight, but the accent will give me away..."

>>20698474
"Yes! That will make all the more fun."

"Yes, and I know the brother thing won't work. Hmm... if I go find a helmet, I can probably pretend to be a knight, but the accent will give me away..." You say.
"No, I meant, uh... I don't want to pretend to be you to your lover. That just feels... wrong." She said, folding her arms behind her back. "I mean, what if she kisses me?! Or... something?"

>>20698539
"Does that really matter? It'll be adventurous!"

>>20698474
"That's why it will be so funny. Also, what do you mean people were afraid of me? Who and why?"

>>20698539
"I very much doubt she tries to kiss you when I'm standing right next to you."

>>20698539
"She probably won't... You can sit this one out if you want."

>>20698559
Almost everyone and because we were the princess of the most powerful kingdom in the world and could throw lightning when angry.

"Does that really matter? It'll be adventurous!" You say. "And I very much doubt she tries to kiss you when I'm standing right next to you."
"Yeah, but... it just doesn't feel right." She said, frowning.
"Also, what do you mean people were afraid of me? Who and why?"
"Back in old Arcturus." Marigold said. "The first few balls we went to together, every time someone asked you to dance, you'd just. . stare at them until their courage failed them. Eventually there was rumors that you used your power on people who displeased you." She giggled. "You looked like this."

She suddenly gave you a disdainful stare, almost a glare- Something that dared you, asked you why you were even in the princess' presence, you worm. Go back to the muck, where you belon- and then Marigold giggled, and the glare was broken by her grin.

"She probably won't... but you can sit this one out if you want."
"I. . kind of do want to sit this one out." She said. "I think I should go back to my normal form, too. I don't want someone like Nahzit or Redglare running into me and finding out I'm an imposter, and then throwing me in the dungeons or something." She said.

>>20698633
Aww, ok. But we should find Zeke on the way back and make him wonder why there's two of me.

>>20698633
Well, let's undo the spell then go find Kali.

"Aw, okay." You say. "But we should find Zeke on the way back and make him wonder why there's two of me."
"Right." She said, and took the lead, as you usually did. The two of you walked through the halls, and Marigold, in front of you, turned the corner.
"Ishelda." Zeke said. "The spell wore off already?" He asked. "I expected it'd last longer. You did the alchemy spell perfe-" He froze as you walked around the corner.. and then did a double-take. "Uhm. What?"
Marigold giggles. "I'm Marigold. We were teasing Belethor."
Zeke chuckled, and nodded. "Right. Did he fall for it?"
"He did." She said. "But we're going to remove the shapeshift on me real quick."
"Right." Zeke said, and nodded to you. "Ishelda. For the most part, you're strong in everything except for Enchantment. It isn't exactly a 'weakness', like what I have with Abjuration, but you're not as naturally proficient."
"What was enchantment again?" Marigold asked.
"Communication across distances, mind magic, illusions. . that sort of thing." Zeke said. "It's all about subjectivity."

>>20698793
remove Marigold's spell and then see Kali as a boy. Don't say anything, just give her a big kiss.

>>20698793
Is it metagaming if I point out that Marigold wont, uh, fit in Ishelda's dress, but I want to see it anyway.

>>20698793
It's weird that I can do it with sorcery but not with wizardry. And then divination I'm rubbish at with sorcery but apparently good at with wizardry.

>>20698892
That's why we're going back to our room to undo it? Don't want to ruin a perfectly good dress by having her growing tits rip their way out of the front. Ok maybe I do slightly want to do that. But we shouldn't.

"Anyway, I'll leave you two be." Zeke says, and nods, before walking off. He stops, and turns back. "By the way, Kaliel's just about done building Cassie's body. She'll be down in the cistern."
And then he continued on his way. You make your way back to your room, and turn around as Marigold undresses. Eyes closed, you bring your magic forth and return her form to normal, magic streaming from the silver lines on your arms.
Returned to her normal body, Marigold puts her dress on again. "Okay." She says. "You going to go visit Kali?"
You nod, and she grins. "Good luck." She says, and you make your way down the keep, taking to the servant passages, and finally reaching the Cistern.
"My tail feathers are longer than that." You hear Cassiel say. "Any my crest is smaller."
"Right, sorry." Kaliel responds, as you open the door. A fully corpreal, opaque version of Cassiel stood there, eyes closed and arms spread. Grinning, you wrap your arm around her hip, turning Kaliel around, and give her a kiss.
"Ishelda." She says, grinning as you pull away. "Your eyes and hair are the same."
The spectral Cassiel, standing still in the circle, grinned.

>>20698932
"Spoilsport. Marigold and Belethor totally fell for it."

"Do you need to get the body exactly the same? He can just shapeshift once he's in it like Eidolon did."

>>20698932
"Awe, you knew it was me. I thought I could have some fun with that. I should have known I couldn't fool a shape shifter that recognises people with magic."

"Spoilsport. Marigold and Belethor totally fell for it." You say.
"They aren't trained to recognize alternate forms like I am." She said, and kissed you again. "I don't even need to see someone's alternate form to know what they might look like, if I know their base form. If I examine people with magic, sometimes I'm even able to tell how their parents looked. . .but I need to get better at that." She said.
You examine Cassiel's body. "Do you need to get the body exactly the same? He can just shapeshift once he's in it like Eidolon did."
"He could, but . . Cassiel's horrible at shapeshifting." Kaliel said, and giggled. Cassiel frowned. "He was only able to turn into the sea serpent because he used a temporary form, instead of a permenant one like everyone else uses."

>>20699011
Giggle. "Well everyone has things they're bad at."

You giggle. "Well, everyone has things they're bad at." You say.
"Of course." Cassiel said. "For example, Kaliel's very bad at divination, evocation, and abjuration."
"Hey, I'm much better at Divination than I was." Kaliel said, pointing at him. "Had to, in order to use this crystal, and to learn more about my specialty."
"Right, right." He said. "She's horrible at Evocation and Abjuration, then."
"Much better." She said, and grinned at him. She knelt toward Cassiel's body, and placed her palm against his torso. You feel shapeshifting magic emanate from her, and then the body twisted, subtly, the talons, tailfeathers, and crest shifting.
"There." She said. "That's you, Cassiel."
". . There's no chance you couldn't make my tailfeathers a bit longer, could you?"
Kaliel sighed. "If you want to change your features like that, you'll have to do it yourself. Especially if you intend to try to seduce Neiriel with them."
"Aw, fine." He said, and frowned.

"By the way, Ishelda." Kaliel said. "How long does that form last? Is it permenant, or temporary?"
Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed your hand, and through her heartbeat you feel divination magic, welded together with shapeshifting magic, pulse from her.
"Temporary." She said. "And only a few more minutes."

>>20699114
"Good to know. Though I suppose I /could/ cast it again if you're interested in that, Kal.
I inadvertently got Marigold pretty flustered before she realized it was me."

>>20699114
"You'll have to tell me which form is the better kisser."

*Grab her and pull her into a kill.*

>>20699114
"Only a few more minutes? Zeke said it would last longer than that.
I should probably go back to my room before these clothes don't fit any more..."

>>20699114
I assume that the clothes she's wearing still fit?

>>20699156
>pull her into a kill.*
This is why I should proof read instead of relying on spelcheck to point out any mistakes.

>>20699183
I just assumed you wanted to suplex her or something.

>The clothes you're wearing are still your own clothes. Though the pants are a bit short in your Cain form, they'll still fit.

"Good to know." You say. "Though I suppose I *could* cast it again if you're interested in that, Kal. I inadvertently got Marigold pretty flustered before she realized it was me."
Kaliel giggled. "Well, you are fairly handsome, but I prefer you as you. And in kalak form."
Cassiel started to say something.
"Sorry, but she doesn't have as much of a crest as you like." She said, and he frowned again. "Also, she's *mine*. You're stuck with Neiriel. . unless you talk Marigold into turning into a kalak or something."
"I don't even know Marigold." He said.
"You don't even know Ishelda, either." She added.

>>20699205
"That can change. You do smell delicious, Cassiel."

>>20699205
"I've been told my crest is actually pretty tiny by Kalak standards. I'm much more proud of how beautiful my feathers are in that form."

>>20699205
"Oh, I just had an idea. Why don't I turn into a Kalak before the duration on this spell wears off?"

Time for swag

>>20699228
Would that be insinuating that the jerky made from his corpse smells good? A little too creepy.

>>20699156
>>20699183
Who let the newfag in here.

>>20699251
Second!

>>20699251
Male kalak time.

rolled 15 = 15

>>20699274
Also, guess we should roll for this

rolled 61 = 61

>>20699263
Well maybe if he gets a good roll he'll stop being a newfag.

rolled 74 = 74

Rolling for genderbent kalak

rolled 1 = 1

>>20699287
It was stated that the dc is 100. I'll help too.

>>20699302
>nat one noko'd roll
Hahahaha, sure. Whatever.

>>20699205
"Plus, I was involved in your demise, Cassiel. Doesn't that put you off?"

rolled 1 = 1

>>20699306
>that's the joke.

"Oh, I just had an idea." You say. "Why don't I turn into a kalak before the duration on this spell wears off?"
"Because doing two consecutive shapeshifts usually don't stack on eachother." Kaliel said. "And I don't know how Sorcery will do things. . so I'll do it." She said. She closed her eyes, and put her hands on your cheeks. Strangely, you slowly start to feel her heartbeat emanate from her palms. . and magic bursts through, twisting your form. You spring upwards, as you gain nearly two feet of height- much, much taller than your female version, and your plumage bursts free, something sliding across the ground. Your talons felt sharper, but your beak, duller. You turn back, and you see your long, thin tailfeathers long enough to run to the ground. You swish them back and forth- it almost felt like an strange version of a tail, you suppose. Kaliel grinned.
"You're very manly." She said, and kissed the side of your beak.

>>20699334
Preen her.

>>20699357
Perv

>>20699334
"Uh... What's manly for a kalak?"

>>20699334
I have a hunch about those tailfeathers. Flare them out!

"Strange. I'm almost like a peacock; I remember them from an Eastern kingdom's bestiary back on old Arcturus."

>>20699287
Awe fuck. Who forgot to put the troll spray down?

You have to spray for them regularly or they'll come back.

>>20699383
Obviously you did, newfag

>>20699383
Only a newfag like you would forget something so basic.

You consider preening her, but not with Cassiel near. . and you aren't sure how you'd preen her while she's human- you'd just end up nibbling on her ear, you suppose. So you do that, and she laughs.
"Uh... what's manly for a kalak?" You ask.
"The tailfeathers, the broadness of your beak. . your crest is the same size, but the feathers on your cheek is larger, you have. . jowls, I suppose I could say." She said, tickling some of the feathers that drift down below the sides of your beak. You flare out your tailfeathers, and she giggles some more as they fan out behind you.
"Strange." You say. "I'm almost like a peacock."
"We have those here, too." Kaliel said. "They're in the elven lands. And yes, yes you are."

So why does brushing against the grain of the feathers feel so weird to them?

>>20699445
Same reason petting a cat the wrong way feels weird (and almost painful) to the cat.

>>20699422
"It's interesting, but I definitely prefer my natural gender."

>>20699445
I assumed it was an erogenous zone

>>20699466
What, their entire body?

>>20699422
"So... If I'm like a peacock does that mean I need to do a dance to attract my mate?"

*Flair out tail feathers and do some sort of peacock dance. Try not to fall over laughing at our own silliness.*

>>20699422
So, does Cassiel know what kind of kalak we are? We never figured that out.

>>20699453
>Same reason petting a cat the wrong way feels weird (and almost painful) to the cat.

my cat enjoys getting ruffled the wrong way.....

>>20699498
We were going to show Azariel. I don't think Cassiel will know any more than the other siblings but it doesn't hurt to ask I guess.

>>20699481
I meant the crest feathers

>>20699491
Actually that is one half of how male Kalak try to be attractive. The other half is singing a half-dozen songs at the same time, because Kalak vocal cords.
It works too, Kalak bitches have their panties just disintegrate at a good song and dance. The male who can do it the best is basically a rockstar he's covered in so many bitches.

"So... if I'm like a peacock, does that mean I need to do a dance to attract my mate?" You ask, and shake your tailfeathers, making the entire fan shake.
"... Yes. You don't *need* to... but it helps." Kaliel said, her cheeks going red.
"It's interesting, but I definitely prefer my natural gender." You say.
"I'm actually not sure what I prefer." She said. "I've always been a girl."
". . .I am very confused." Cassiel said. "I'll just. . drift off until you need me again. Just, uh, say my name."
Cassiel, very suddenly, lost cohesion; You still feel the totem, pulsing with necromantic energy (and still delicious smelling), so you know he could come back any time.

At the same time, your form shrunk, the tailfeathers sucking up back into your butt, and your talons dulling, beak sharpening, and your crest twitches and flares out, before settling. You're still kalak- but you're a woman now.

>>20699533
>sucking up back into your butt
>sucking up your butt
>sucking your butt

I came.

>>20699557
No, bad. We do that in the afterthread.

>>20699533
"There goes the spell. I should probably find out what they do before casting them in future."

"There goes the spell." You say, and your voice is yours again. "I should probably find out what they do before casting them in the future."
"You didn't know what it did?" She asked. "And you still cast it? That's... not normally a good idea. Did Zeke make you cast that one? I wonder why..."

Suddenly, she grinned, and touched the sides of your beak again. You feel that familiar pulse of her heartbeat, and then your kalak form twisted back, and you were human once again, your hair wildly disheveled. "So anyway, how *was* your training with Zeke? What schools are you good at?"

File: 1347481550860.png-(96 KB, 600x481, IMG_0253.png)

>>20699557

>>20699603
"All of them except Enchantment apparently."

>>20699603
"Apparently, all of them. Less good at enchantment, but he said it's not quite a weakness. We've also yet to try alchemy though."

>>20699603
"Every single one. I am the greatest."

>>20699697
Alchemy was the genderbend, wasn't it?

"All of them." You say. "Less good at enchantment, but he said it's not quite a weakness."
"Even Divination?"
"Even Divination."
"Huh. Most have problems with enchantment if they're not good at metamagic. It's a lot more difficult for most people to cast without using their hands or their voice." She said. "Like, Zeke doesn't need vocal components, but he has to emphasize the somatic ones. Cassiel's the opposite- he uses only vocal components. I was the best at it, when I was learning." She said. "I don't need any components- I just need to memorize the rune, and I can cast."

>>20699708
No, that was transmutation.

>>20699713
>Transmutation, alchemy, and shapeshifting are all the same school.

>>20699719
Oh, well okay then.

>>20699712
"Well, if I want to cast without components I have sorcery I suppose."

>>20699713
I'm fairly sure transmutation is a type of alchemy. Lead into gold and all that.

>>20699712
"Well, yeah, I can cast even without runes!"

"Well, yeah, I can cast even without runes!" You say.
Kaliel nodded sagely, and then pulled you into another kiss. "Well." She said. "Now that Cassie's body is built, should we get Marigold, Zeke, and Raz, and get this started? I think we have all the preparation we can."

>>20699809
"Sounds good. I'll call them all down."
On the ring to the aforementioned parties: <Guys, we're ready to do the ritual. Come down to the cistern, please.>

>>20699809
"Might as well."

"Sounds good." You say. "I'll call them all down."
You raise the ring. <Guys, we're ready to do the ritual. Come down to the cistern, please.>
<On my way.> Zeke said.
<I'll be there in a bit- I have to finish this foci real quick.> Raziel added.
<Ritual? What ritual?> Marigold asked. Oh, right- you'd forgotten to tell her that you planned on bringing Cassiel back to life.

>>20699890
>this foci

<Oops, I forgot to tell you with all the shenanigans. We're bringing Cassiel back to life.>

>>20699890
Narrow to Marigold <I'm so sorry - with all the fun and excitement of the transformation I forgot to tell you. We're bringing Cassiel back to true life. Will you help?>

>>20699890
I'm so very tempted to go with "when your queen commands, you obey", but that's not really in-character for Ishy.

<We're resurrecting a kalak, I'll explain it later. Right now we need your talent.>

<Oops, I forgot to tell you, with all of the shenanigans. We're bringing Cassiel back to life. Will you help?>
<Cassiel? The kalak that everyone said was abnormally kind? Yeah, I'll help. Bringing someone back to life, though... I don't know if I can do that.> She said. <Not alone, at least. I'm on my way.>

As you wait, Zeke eventually makes his way down the stairs. "Ishelda. Kal." He said. "Spell wore off, I see. It lasted a bit longer than I thought it would."
"I think by turning her into a kalak I shortened the duration the spell." Kal said. "Him, whatever."
He chuckled, and eventually Raziel made her way down the stairs, with a strange, eight-pointed star engraved into a pendant on her neck, eerie runes carved around the rim. "Just got this finished in time." She said, poking at it. The runes, you see, are identical to the runes she carved on her totems.
"Enchanted?" Kaliel asked, examining it.
"In a way, yeah." She said. "It should let me do some... fearsome things, especially with that dragon totem. Anyway."
She took it off, and tossed it in the corner of her room, alongside the staff.
"We'll need to take the body and the totem into the center of the cistern itself. None of you mind getting wet?"
Kaliel started to say something, then nodded.
"Then we just need to wait until Marigold gets here. Then I'll explain what everyone needs to do." Raziel said.

>>20700016
>eight-pointed star
DEATH TO THE HERETIC

"I'm here." Marigold said, tapping down the stairs. She looked from the ritual circle, to the small chunk of flesh in the center of it, and finally to the lying down body of Cassiel.

"Here's the plan." Raziel said. "We're using our family's blood and pouring it into the cistern, and then floating the body in the center." She said. "And then I'll need Kali to shapeshift the totem into a heart. . and then I'll need to cut out that body's heart with a dagger. Zeke, your job will be keeping the cistern spinning, and to keep a force spell going so we can walk on the water without falling in. Marigold, when it comes time for me to transplant the heart, and I start chanting. . just start forcing life magic into the body. Ishelda. . just. . do what you can to help everyone."
"Uhm. . right." Marigold said. "I can do that."
"Make sure to keep it steady." Raziel said. "And we can't have any artifacts, foci, tools, or anything even made of metal in there. Cloth should be fine, and so should stone, and leather."

She untied her hair, throwing the bangle into the corner, slipping off her boots. Zeke tore off his bracers, and Marigold undid her earrings.

>>20700165
Check our shit, remove in appropriate items, like Rikar.

>>20700165
Take off anything we have, obviously. We won't have any jewellery because of the Cain disguise but we might have a belt or something.

rolled 26 = 26

>>20700165
Remove magic and metal, then establish power links with everyone.

rolled 99 = 99

>>20700214
Establish the links via physical contact so we can use our signature magic control spell.

>>20700227
We have to use wizardly links because they're more stable, Control Magic is sorcery.

>>20700227
I'd argue that this is why we just learned the magic transfer spell, but that 99 seems to imply it'd be okay.

>>20700243
>>20700251
We roll for wizardry as well.

You remove your belt, and Rikar belted to it, and your boots, as both have metal components, and quickly check yourself- other than the baggy clothes that remained when you shapeshifted out of Cain's form, you weren't wearing anything you shouldn't be.
"One second." You say, and bring your magic forth. The silver lines on your arms started blazing silver, and you touched each person, using Control Magic to sustain powerful, magical connections with them. Now, if anyone needs more power, you can fuel it to them.
"Clever." Kaliel said, examining the glowing, temporary sigil on her hand. "I think those things on your hand made these stable."
". . .I don't even know why I taught you the magic transfer, now." Zeke said, the glowing sigil on his beak. "This is going to be way more useful."

"Cassiel." Raziel said, and the ghost appeared. "Are you ready?" She asked.
"I'm ready." He said. "When I come back to life, I'm making you all cookies."

Raziel thought for a moment. . and then turned to you. "Ishelda. I want you to spill your blood into the cistern, as well. If you wish."

>>20700279
"I'd...I'd be honored!"

>>20700279
"If you think it will help, sure."

>>20700278
Sure, but he wasn't rolling for wizzading, he was rolling for sorcery.

rolled 77 = 77

rollan for wrist slashan

>>20700279
"A-all right."

>>20700279
"I'll do it if you think it will help, but I hardly know him so I doubt I count as family."

>>20700309
The first one was me, and I was rolling for wizardry. Not that it matters now, of course.

"I'd... I'd be honored." You say.
"You are part of our family, after all." Zeke said, and clapped you on the shoulder.
"Who first?" Kal asked.
"The youngest, first. Which would be you." Raziel said.
"But isn't Ishelda. . "
"Not to the forces of magic." Raziel asked. "Based on that and her divination. . she's older than we are."
"Right." Kaliel said. Raziel handed her a stone dagger, and Zeke walked through the doorway, into the cistern proper- it was a large, circular pool, with floodgates on either side. Zeke waved his hands, and then raised them. Criss-crossing lines of magic appeared over the pool, and Kaliel walked out above it, as if it were solid ground. Once in the center, she knelt, and slashed her wrist, blood pooling into the water. Faintly, the cistern started glowing, blood red light shining through Zeke's spell.
"Now, you, Zeke." Raziel said. "Marigold, don't heal the wounds."
"Right." She said, as Zeke took the dagger from Raziel, and slashed his own wrist. Raziel went and took it, and cut her own.

You walk over to the center, like they did, and Raziel hands it to you. Trembling, you take the hilt of the sharpened stone dagger, bite your lip, and draw it swiftly across your wrist.

Immediately, you feel like you just... lost something. Not magic, and not life force, but it feels different than every other wound you've had. As your blood drips into the cistern, the water inside started spinning, rushing into a whirlpool, small bursts of red light flashing from inside the depths.
>Continued.

Raziel slung Cassiel's body into the center of the whirlpool, and set the chunk of flesh just above it.
"Get ready, Kali."
"I'm ready." She said.
And then Raziel shoved the stone dagger into Cassiel's chest, chanting. Kaliel took the totem in hand, peeled off all of the objects, and put both her hands on it.
"Now, Marigold!" Raziel called. Your cousin nodded, putting her hands onto Cassiel's body.. which twitched as she shoved life magic into it.

Simultaneously... everyone started running out of power. You reach into your connections with them. . and started feeding them with your own energy.

>Roll 1d100

rolled 39 = 39

>>20700486
For the love of a family

rolled 18 = 18

>>20700486

rolled 50 = 50

>>20700486

rolled 77 = 77

>>20700486

rolled 38 = 38

>>20700486

rolled 66 = 66

>>20700466
>you feel like you just... lost something
Is that the same 'lost something' feeling as when we returned Kyvann's magic?

>>20700486
rolling

rolled 65 = 65

>>20700486
EVERYBODY ROLL

rolled 47 = 47

>>20700486
>>20700486

rolled 45 = 45

>>20700486
Rollan

rolled 11 = 11

>>20700486
Here comes a 1

rolled 66 = 66

>>20700554
Pretty close.

>>20700554
Oh noez, a double one.

rolled 70 = 70

MAGIC.

rolled 14 = 14

>>20700486
Well, I can't exactly do much damage here...

rolled 64 = 64

Worse, or better?

rolled 69 = 69

>>20700486
Rollan

rolled 72 = 72

>>20700598
Who knows?

Other than Exabyte.

rolled 60 = 60

>>20700615
I suspect we will shortly.

You clasp your hands to your sides, clenching your fists, close your eyes. . and bring forth your magic.
Like a storm, it tears from your body, funneling into . . . the void.

The spell... it's failed. Like so many times before, your focus wasn't strong enough, or your willpower too weak. Now, he'll be trapped within a body he cannot escape, unable to move, or think, or speak, until the body dies... and with it, the destruction of his soul. All because of you... he'll be nothing.

No.
For the love of a family, you can't let this fail. It was your fault this man died in the first place, and so if you'll have to-

The blood leaking from your wrist starts dissolving, turning into smoke, drifting down into the cistern, as you force more and more magic out of yourself. The world starts to spin, and your limbs go weak-
You fall to your knees, and involuntarily, you start trembling. The cistern is cold...

You hear your name, spoken in a familiar accent. . and then magic bursts free, tearing out of your body. Raziel takes the beating heart from Kal's hand, and shoves it into Cassiel's chest, the four winged figures standing over Cassiel.
Four?
Oh, right- Marigold's life magic is streaming from her back, exactly like wings...

The world swims.

Something explodes, and shatters, and next thing you know, you're in the water. You try to take a deep breath, but instead, you choke on the water, trying to claw your way up, but your limbs are still weak, trembling... and everything is so cold...

>>20700648
fuck

>>20700648
Right, do not panic, calm down, slowly make our way to the surface and evaluate the situation. Don't breathe in any water, we're a queen, we keep our head when things go chaotic.

<is...is everyone..ok? Kal? M..Mar..>

>>20700697
Seconded.

>>20700707
I think we should not disturb them.

rolled 65 = 65

Quick, levitate up out of the water

>>20700648
We can't drown now, think of the cookies.

As you fall, drifting through the water, you keep your mouth shut, forcing yourself not to breathe. You need to make your way to the surface, slowly and calmly. You reach for the ring-
But the ring's gone. You'd removed it.

You slowly start to make your way to the surface... but the world swims, and your arms won't move. You reach for your magic, but it was gone. Not unreachable. . simply gone.

The darkness overtakes you, and consciousness recedes.

Someone's talon snatches you, pulling you out of the cistern, into the light, and you cough up the water. Dripping wet, you get hauled out of the room, and set onto your back. Something pushes on your chest, and you cough up more water. Blearily, you open your eyes, and Cassiel's sitting there, his eyes glowing white, as unnaturally as kalak eyes were.
"Zeke had to drop the force spell at the last moment." He said. "We didn't see you were still above the water."
"Are you okay?" Marigold asked, kneeling near you. She rubbed your shoulder. "Raz is running to get Fellwind."
You took a deep breath- your first breath, in what seemed like forever.

>>20700754
"D-did it work." If so, smile and fall unconcious.

>>20700754
"I'm okay. I-I think I used all of my magic..."

>>20700754
"I'm... not sure."

Try the magic again.

>>20700754
"I'm okay, Cassiel's back, my magic's gone but ought to be temporary. Oh, and Belethor found his talent earlier.

I'm gonna take a nap, Kal I expect you cuddled up to me when I wake up."

Check hands for spell lines before fading to black

"D-did it work?" You ask.
"No, I'm just a trick of your mind." Cassiel said.
"I'm... not sure." You say, and reach for your magic-
Your lungs, arms, and legs burn, from magic exhaustion. You grit your teeth, and whimper from the pain. You feel Kal squeeze your hand.
"I'm... gonna take a nap." You say, and mumble something about Kal being cuddled up to you when you wake up. For the second time in you don't know how long, consciousness recedes.

When you wake up. . you're warm, lying in your bed. The first thing you notice is the long, black lines on your arms- like they were charred, or burned.
The second thing you notice is someone whispering in your ear.
"How do you feel?" Kaliel whispered. You pry your eyes open. Other than your arms and legs still aching badly, as your body is starved for magic, and a bruise on one of your upper arms from Cassiel's talon, you don't feel that bad.

>>20700832
"Exhausted, sore, but more than anything else - happy."
Then ask for some tea.

>>20700832
"I hurt all over, but not abnormally." Hold up a hand, "I'm not sure I like the look of this, though."

>>20700832
Very carefully reach an arm out to Kal, give her a hug and a kiss.

"I've felt better. I need a stack of pancakes the size of my head and a gallon of mana tea. But it worked so I'm happy.

I'm somewhat worried about my arms though."

>>20700832
"I need a little magical kick-start; I've got nothing, not even fumes, and that'll hurt me in the long run. Just a little so it can heal properly. Aside from that, I'm... I'm alright, Kaliel. I think I died back there, though."

>>20700832
I haven't properly passed out from magic use for ages. I used to do this all the time...

"I hurt all over." You say, and raise your hand, as it still trembles.. "I'm not sure I like the look of this, though."
"It's going away." She said. "It was... worse, earlier. Like all your skin was cracked and charred... but the cracks are going away."
"I need a stack of pancakes the size of my head and a gallon of mana tea. But it worked, so I'm happy." You say. "Aside from that, I'm... I'm alright, Kaliel. I- I think I died back there, though."
"You did." She whispered. "But. . I don't know how she did it, but Raz. . She said she tore you back, in Cassie's wake."

She kissed you on the cheek, and then got up off your bed, opening the curtain. . and then closing it, as no light came in.
". . It's past sundown. didn't notice." She said, and then served you some mana tea. You sip at it, but you still don't feel much better. It tastes like it'd been steeped much, much too long.

>>20700894
Drink it anyways, then ask for some more.

>>20700894
Drink it anyway, it's probably more saturated with magic that way and we fucking need it.

>>20700894
Finish the mana tea, just because we aren't noticing the effects doesn't mean we shouldn't give it a shot. Drink it all, ask for more.

We'll talk to Raz about this later, we have a lot of mana debt to cover and we don't know if getting Necromanced back to life is bad for you magic.

We'll investigate the charred lines after that, hopefully once we have a bit of magic back to investigate them.

>>20700894
"I think it might take a while for me to recover from this... so, can the rest of the family come and visit? I never had the chance to hug cassiel."

>>20700894
Grimace, "This is much too strong." Finish it any way.

>>20700894
"So I died... I don't know how to feel about that"

You drink it anyway, reasoning that it's probably full of magic, which you need.
"I think it might take a while for me to recover from this." You say. "So... I died. I don't know how to feel about that."
"You shouldn't worry about it." She said. "Cassiel's magic is just as strong as it was before. Raziel made him test things out, while you were asleep."
"So, can the rest of the family come and visit? I never had the chance to hug Cassiel."
"You got your chance." Kaliel whispered. "When he pulled you out of the water, you hugged him. But. . I think they're asleep by now. I can go see if they are, if you want."

>>20700966
"No, you don't need to. I can wait." Embrace her and don't let go. Then go back to sleep.

>>20700894
Aw man. We went to all the inconvenience of dying and still didn't get to see this afterlife everyone's so secretive about.

I think this is a fitting moment for Ishelda to be a bit more morbid in front of Kaliel. Maybe she should be a bit shaken up about fucking -dying-.

Something along the lines of 'I though being dead would be comforting... Finally meeting my family again, my father. But this felt worse than anything I've experienced yet'.

>>20700966
"No, that's alright. I can wait awhile."

>>20700966
"Let them sleep, Calliel will bake me my cookies in the morning. I'm talking hundreds of cookies just for me.

So I died. I was wondering what it'd be like. I don't remember anything, maybe I got to meet my dad again. Maybe next time I'll be able to tell him that I'm rebuilding, he'll be proud of me."

rolled 7 = 7

"For a second there, I thought the void was going to swallow me whole"

>>20701018
Good thing the void only rolled a 7 for that, eh?

"No, you don't need to." You say, embracing her tightly. "I can wait."
"...I thought being dead would be comforting." You say, absentmindedly. "Finally meeting my family again... my father. But this felt worse than anything I've experienced yet."
Kaliel kissed you on the cheek.
"You probably did." She said. "You just don't remember it. Cassiel doesn't either, and he was dead for years. It's something that the living isn't supposed to know, and it's something that even divination can't reach."
She kissed you again, on the forehead.
"I was worried." She whispered.

>>20701041
MOAR HUG

>>20701041
Now seems like a good point to just hug her and cry for awhile.
Then later, makeouts in order to feel better.

>>20701041

...I'm sorry. *weak laugh* One of these days, I'm not going to come back from my shenanigans. Big power, big trouble and all that.

>>20701041
"I'm sorry. I just couldn't allow myself to fail. Not when it comes to my family. Not again."

>>20701041
"I must be more careful in the future, if I can just kill myself so easily"

>>20701041
"It's okay Kal, not even the gates of hell could stop me from coming back to you. You still need me, New Arcturus still needs me, I pity whatever guardian they place between the realms should I die."

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't allow myself to fail." You say. "Not when it comes to my family. Not again."
"I felt it." She whispered. "I didn't tell anyone. . .but I felt it. I felt you tear into the void."
You hug her more tightly, surprised at how feeble your arms are, and you cry, for a long, long while.
Kaliel doesn't interrupt you, until the time you dry your tears.
"I love you." She whispered.

>Wat say?

>>20701111
"I love you too Kal."

>>20701111
"I love you too, Kal."

>>20701111
Don't say anything. Give her a kiss and fall back to sleep.

>>20701111
"I love you too dear."

Kiss the girl, take another nap.

>>20701111
THE VOIDQUEEN ACCEPTS YOUR LOVE

<OM NOM NOM NOM>

>>20701111

We've been on the Kal train a while. May as well make it official.

>>20701134
this.

Say "I lo-..." then pass out again.

Because we love tea.

>>20701171
That made me grin. Very much seconded.

"I love you too, Kal." You whisper back, and give her a kiss. Hugging her tightly, you settle down, and once again, fall asleep.

When you wake up... you smell something delicious. Kaliel is squirming in your arms- apparently she's unused to smelling things so strongly, and you feel much better. The lines on your arms are still there, pure black, and charred- but it looks much less charred than it was . . last night?

Someone knocks on the door, tweeting happily.

>>20701195
"Come in."

>>20701195
"Come in."
Pull the sheets up if necessary

>>20701195
"Who is it?"

Make sure we're decent and nothing scandalous is showing.

"Come on in."

>>20701111
I… love… zzzz

"Who is it?" You ask, after making sure you're completely dressed... which you weren't, other than that... nightwear you bought in Sosaria.
"Cassiel, here with some of the cookies I owe you." He said, happily.
"Come in." You say, pulling up your sheets.
Still tweeting under his breath, Cassiel opened the door, his eyes still glowing white. on a tray in his hands is an enormous pile of cookies, much wider and thinner than you're used to.
"They might be a bit tough, because they're made for a beak to crunch into, but I made them extra fluffy." He said. You look down at them, and they look like they have tiny hunks of chocolate in them.

>>20701252
"Bird-Baking. Smells delicious"

>>20701252
Ask him how he's feeling. We need to be first to show concern!

>>20701252
Try a cookie. It better be to die for.

"Why are your eyes glowing?"

>>20701252
"It smells delicious Cassiel."

Eat a cookie.

"It's good to see you alive, how're you feeling? No lingering aftereffects of death? You don't remember anything from while you were dead?

Sorry again about killing you."

>>20701252
"They look delicious! Would you mind staying a bit?" And have him trow us something decent from our wardrobe. I bet Ishelda is sore from all the time in the bed.

Hmm...mana cookies?

>>20701252
"I still feel rather bad about the circumstances of our meeting... And yet you're baking scores of cookies for me, as casually as a fine howdy-doo. You forgive rather easily, Cassiel. I'm taken aback by how magnanimous you are, the stories didn't do you justice."

"They look delicious!"
You try a cookie, and you nearly moan at the taste.
"They are!" He said, and stole one. "Mmmpfhgold 's b'mm mmgm me." He mumbled, a cookie in his beak. Crunching it, he swallowed. "Marigold, I mean. Has been helping me. Acclimate, and cook, and such."
"It's good to see you alive." You say. "How're you feeling? No lingering aftereffects of death? You don't remember anything from while you were dead?"
"Not at all." He said. "Other than darkness, and a gray fog. I remember knowing more, but I'd forgotten it all."
"Sorry again about killing you." You say.
"Don't worry about it." He said. "You helped make up for it, and you're close enough to my siblings for me to consider you a sister too." He said.
"You forgive rather easily, Cassiel." You say. "I'm taken aback by how magnanimous you are. The stories didn't do you justice."
"Well, you're sorry." He said. "And it wasn't even your fault. The forgiveness has to start somewhere, so it might as well come from me."
He took another cookie, and started munching on it.
"Kal. Cookies." He said, and she suddenly sat up awake, as if she were programmed to. You're jealous... and you're not sure why.
"G'morning." She mumbled, and took one.

>>20701399
"So, you wake up for cookies, but not for me, dearest Kaliel?" Pout, eat more delicious cookies.

>>20701399
"Is that how you wake her up? I've been trying to find a way that doesn't involve putting something wet into her ear."

>>20701399
Assert our position, Kaliel is ours not his. Show this by giving Kaliel a hug and a kiss.

"Morning sweetheart. Did you sleep well?"

>>20701399
"So THAT's how you wake her up."

>>20701440
Eh, I'd say just cling possessively for the moment.

Grab a cookie from kali's mouth with yours without realizing the romantic subtext

>>20701474
While I agree with the action, even Ishelda's not that dense.

>>20701495
She is hungry, though, and that can excuse things slipping your mind.

"Is that how you wake her up?" You ask. "I've been trying to find a way that doesn't involve putting something wet into her ear."
"It only works for me, sadly." He chuckled. "Raziel kept trying to wake her up by yelling 'chocolate' or 'cookies. And it worked at first, but it slowly stopped. Now she's programmed only to listen to me."
Kaliel was too busy happily munching down to respond, as you cling possessively to her.
"Anyway, I'd best leave you two ladies with these." He said, and set down the tray. "If you ever want any more, just ask me. Mari wants to introduce me to some hobgoblin, so I can help him with armor or something. Ciao, you two."
He raised a hand, and then made his way out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Kal scrambled into your lap... to get closer to the tray.

>>20701474
hmm... Instead of DENSER THAN LEAD Ishelda, lets do that with
"Don't try to seduce my Kal with cookies."

>>20701515
"You really love those cookies... should I feel jealous?" Giggle. "Don't worry Kaliel, I'm okay with it."

>>20701515
NOW we take the cooking from her mouth with our own.

"Maybe I should learn his baking secrets."

>>20701515

We should probably feel a little put off, considering cookies seem more important than us being up and alive.

>>20701535
This

>>20701515
Sit her on our lap, hug her, feed her cookies in between munching them ourself.

"So you really like cookies don't you? I'm happy I was able to bring your favorite brother back."

>>20701515
We need to learn how to make these... Find Cassiel later.

>>20701515

"hmm, seems I need to learn to bake..."

You steal the cookie from her mouth with your own, and nibble on it contentedly. "Maybe I should learn his baking secrets."
"No can do." She said. "Not even with sorcery. He has like. . .a Talent or something about those things. He *has* to."
She set down her cookie and gave you a kiss. "How're you feeling?" She asked.

>>20701563

Better. Deliciousness has that sort of effect.

>>20701563
"Much better. But we might want to set these cookies aside. Send them to the larder, maybe. We can't well eat them all ourselves, can we?"

>Bad End: Fat Queen.

>>20701563
"I feel alright"
Magic?
>If yes
"and my magic is back!"
>If no
"but my magic isn't back yet."

>>20701563
"Exhausted, and my arms are still weird." Poke the lines.

>>20701563
"I've felt better. Cookies definitely help."

Check if our magic is back.

>>20701563
Not even with sorcery? When I'm back to full strength, I'll try it.

"Exhausted, and my arms are still weird." You say, and poke the lines on your arm. You try to bring forth your magic, but your muscles suddenly burn, and your lungs refuse to work properly for a moment. "And my magic isn't back yet."
She frowned. "Your eyes didn't even change color like they usually do." She said, grabbing your arm and wrapping it around herself.

>>20701628
"It usally takes some times to come back when I exhaust myself. I guess dying counts as a very exhausting action."

>>20701628
Squeeze her, hold her close, kiss her. "I guess I'll just have to take it easy for a while. That'll be weird."

>>20701628
"You have no idea how weird it is to not have Sorcery around when you get used to it.

Oh, I'm not sure if I got a chance to mention it. Belethor unlocked his talent, it has to do with wind, he flew through a wall."

You squeeze her, and hold her close, giving her a kiss. "I guess I'll have to take it easy for a while. That'll be weird.
"Scholar forbid you take a break." She said, grinning into your kiss. "Although I have the same problem, when it comes to my work."

>>20701658
"Hmmmm. I noticed." Enjoy cookies and company.

>>20701658
>Scholar forbid
Is she picking up habits from Marigold?

>>20701658
"Scholar forbid? Are you picking up Arcturan sayings from Marigold?"

>>20701658
"And everything's my work. Scholar? I think that's the first time I've heard some one other than Mar mention him, and she stopped after the events two years ago."

"Scholar forbid? Are you picking up Arcturan sayings from Marigold?"
". . Maybe a little." She said, and pushed another delicious, delicious cookie into your mouth. "She's been saying it a lot, and it sounds really familiar." She said.

>>20701729
Nom, kiss, "Huh, I thought she'd given up on the gods. Though this could be different."

>>20701729
"Well, I suppose coming back from the dead means that MAYBE I should take a short vacation, at least from magic. Promise to enforce it on me, Kal?"

>>20701729
"We'll have to look into that later. Any cultural cross-pollination between our cultures ought to be investigated.

Did you hear that Belethor awoke his talent?"

>>20701729
"So... what day is it? What's happened since the ritual?"

"Well, I suppose coming back from the dead means that *maybe* I should take a short vacation, at least from magic." You say. "Promise to enforce it on me, Kal?"
"Promise." She responded.
"So, what day is it? What's happened since the ritual?"
"It's only been a day." She said. "We did the ritual yesterday. We all talked in here while I got you changed into something dry, and. . I don't know what happened after they left. I'd been here, checking up on you." She said.

>>20701785
Hold up some nightgown. "This was origionally meant for you, you know. I thought you would look pretty in it."

>>20701785
"Well, even though I'm not in the best shape I still have duties. Let's see what's happening, don't worry I'll take it easy."

Get up, get dressed with Kal's help, bring the cookies with.

>>20701785

Umm... did I say anything last time I was awake?

>>20701785
"You're too good to me, Kal."

>>20701809
This sounds good to me. Seconded.

You hold up some of the nightgown you're wearing. "This was originally meant for you, you know." You say. "I thought you would look pretty in it. And, uhm... did I say anything last time I was awake?"
"You told me you loved me." She said, amber eyes staring into yours. She gave you another kiss.
"Well, even though I'm not in the best shape, I still have duties." You say. "Let's see what's happening. Don't worry, I'll take it easy."
"Right." She said. "Though we should get Kris, Leon, or Grayson to follow us. I'm wiped out on magic, and you're not allowed to use magic, even if you could."

>>20701857
"Ooooh, let's get all three. I've spent so little time with them, lately."

>>20701857
Stick our head out the door and yell "GRAYSON! Your queen needs you!"

Then we will ride him around the castle.

>>20701857
"I think I shall ride Grayson. I have not done it in a while and I don't really feel like walking. He'll understand."

"Oooh, let's get all three." You say. "I've spent so little time with them, lately. I think I'll ride Grayson. I haven't done it in a while, and I don't really feel like walking. He'll understand."
"Fair enough." She said, and gave you another kiss. She scrambled out of your lap, and you quickly got dressed, with her help.
"... I should probably get dressed too." Kaliel said, and then raised the two leather gloves Marigold had worn while pretending to be you. "And. . you think you should hide those arms? If we have anyone spying on us... it'd probably be best to not let anyone know your magic is gone, for now."

>>20701881
seconded

>>20701945
"Ah, good idea, yes."

>>20701945
"You make a good point. You can never be too careful."

Put on the gloves, let Kal get dressed then shout out "Grayson, please come here."

>>20701945
If they do cover it up, knowing magic it'll show through. Do I have anything darker?

>>20701945

Put gloves on, draw rikar (hope blade is acting normal. Be reassured?)

"If they do cover it up, knowing magic, it'll show through. Do I have anything darker?"
"Uhm. . " She rushed through your clothing, bringing up long, fingerless black gloves that reached up past your elbow. "These?"
You nod, and put them on. . as Kal puts on some of your clothing, taking a liking to a rather short, red dress you'd never worn- it didn't look very good with your hair, you'd found after buying it.
You lean out of the doorway. "Grayson, please come here."
As you wait for Grayson to arrive, you reach down to Rikar, and draw it. Violet light stares out at you, as the blade is drawn normally. .
But the core of the blade is pure, utter darkness, with long cracks reaching out to the edges.
"That... doesn't look normal." Kaliel says.

>>20702055
Put it away. "No. No it doesn't."

>>20702055
"Do you think I brought something back from... you know, there?"

>>20702055
"No, no it is not. I think Rikar is telling me that my magic is not doing well right now.

I say one more day of light activity, lots of mana tea, evaluate the situation and if nothing's changed for the better we look into it more."

>>20702055
Oh dear.

Give it to Kal for a moment, and see if it goes normal. Or at least normal for Kal.

"No, no it is not." You say. "I think Rikar is telling me that my magic is not doing well right now. Oh dear."
You give it to her for a moment, and reluctantly, she takes it in hand-
And the blade goes ruby. That's it. No pulsing, no breathing, just a faintly shining amber core, shining through the ruby blade.
"It looks a lot more. . normal, now." She said. "Maybe it's because I'm low on magic, too." She said.

>>20702072 -> >>20702071 -> >>20702055

I think I need to talk to Raz about how she saved me and any possible...complications

>>20702097
"That's interesting. I think the first person we visit ought to be Raziel, she probably knows more than we do."

>>20702097
"Maybe. There is a lot about Rikar I still don't know."

>>20702097
"Maybe it's because you've changed somehow."

>>20702097
"Bloody Hellfire."
Put the sword away
"Well I'll sort it out later. When I have my magic back."

"Maybe it's because you've changed, somehow."
"I have changed, I suppose." She said.
"There's a lot about Rikar I still don't know. I think the first person we visit ought to be Raziel. she probably knows more than we do."
"Yeah, let's." She said, as Grayson stepped up to the open doorway, and harrumphed at you two. You're glad you built the hallways large enough for Grayson's massive frame.
"Do you mind if we ride you?" Kaliel asked. Grayson met her eyes. .and then huffed and leaned down, so that the two of you could climb up.

>>20702157
"You're such a dear, Grayson. Thank you."

>>20702157
Hug Grayson.

>>20702157
"I don't usually ask him, he's my knight, so he has to do what I say." Ruffle his neck-fur.

>>20702157
Thank Grayson, scritch behind his ears, climb on, embark on our journey to Raziel.

"You're such a dear, Grayson. Thank you." You say, and ruffle his neck fur. He nudges your ribs with his nose, and the two of you climb on. He trudges onwards to Raziel, while Kaliel hugs you tightly, her balance all but shot on Grayson's shifting form.
"I'm still not used to being human." She grumbled. "...Hmm. When I get my magic back, I have an idea..." She said, and giggled.
Eventually, Grayson found the long stairs downward that went to Raziel's new, underground chambers, necromantic burning torches on the wall. You climb off of Grayson, and give him a hug.
"Thank you." Kaliel said, and the bear nodded at her.
The two of you made your way down the stairs, and into Raziel's chamber proper.

You'd almost never been here, as it wasn't on the plans for the castle- she'd designed it herself. It was a long hall, with arches on the roof, and tons of tables and workshops on the walls, and at the very end was a humongous pile of blankets and pillows. Raziel was hunched over a table, working on something, her wings fluttering as she hummed to herself.

>>20702248
Call out "Hey Raz, Your magic still working?" from the doorway

Investigate the workshops and things. Look for shiny things

>>20702248
"Can I ask what your idea is?"

Let's wait till Raz isn't actively working on whatever she's working on. Wouldn't do to interrupt delicate work.

"Can I ask what your idea is?" You whisper.
"You can ask," She responded. "But I won't give you a proper answer."

You investigate the workshops- they're covered in carving tools, long tables, drills, silver wires. . as you look, you see more and more strange, arcane tools, for carving, cutting, chiseling. . it's impossible to tell what even all of them are. When you finally reach the bookcases, Raziel sets down her tools and turns around.
"Hey, Raz." You say. "Your magic still working?"
"I used most of it up." She said. "So not particularly. But I'll get it back eventually."

>>20702307
"I was wondering if you could give me any more details about what happened to me."

>>20702307
"My arcane tatoos are all black and miserable looking" Show her. "What are you working on?"

>>20702307
"We did it. We managed to bring Cassiel back to life." Hug Raziel, cackle madly.

>>20702327
Dr Franken-shelda?

"I was wondering if you could give me any more details about what happened to me."
"It's... rather hard to explain." She said. "When we did that ritual... we opened a door. After we brought Cassiel back... the door was still open, and you'd just hardly died... in fact, it wouldn't have been hard to bring you back without magic, if we'd been able to get your heart started. You weren't even completely dead, at the time. But... the water didn't kill you."
She shrugged, and met your eyes.
"It was using more magic than you had. You started to give away your life force, with your sorcery."

"Like blood magic." Kaliel said. Raziel nodded, solemnly.

>>20702391
"Oh. I should probably try to not do that, in the future."

>>20702391
"Blood magic? Is there a stigma behind it?"

>>20702391
"Oh. I'll try avoid doing that in the future, then."