[SE] it's a mud, mud world

bring me your suffering
the rattle roar of broken bones

Celebrating her successes had always been a mostly-Melita venture, unless she told Flora or her uncle, and then that was mostly it – savoring her victories with a smirk, a grin, and smug sense of satisfaction as monsters were felled at her behest or she overcame some asshole’s whims. Iskra being proud of her accomplishments was something else altogether, and her eyes widened for a fraction, something pounding in her chest before she blushed and looked away, staring at the mud in the distance. “Well so far I’ve been able to use Flora’s channeling and Sunjata’s water…so maybe!” There were a whole host of possibilities, and she’d been intending to strive and try.

The grin faded a little when she turned back at his offer though; understanding it for what it was worth, but uncertain how much she’d want to relive some segments that still bristled, still wore a little at the edges. “Oh, I don’t-,” she hesitated, repressing a shudder, lodging and locking it away. “Probably not today.” She'd loathe to admit there were a lot of fears to get over first.

As for the applause effect, she only shrugged, pretending that it was nothing, because she might want to use it for the future on other contortions. “Problem is I may not get the water, and manage y’know, ducks instead.” That maybe Goose would like, but still wouldn’t be getting them any cleaner. “Probably a stream nearby? I’ll send Sila and she can look around.” The dragon obliged, bronze wings soaring into the air and meandering, hovering, on a passing thermal.

the honeybee

Bring me the riot in your heart
angry, wild, and raw

JUST STARING AT THE SUNRISE
ABOVE THIS HOLLOW TOWN
BEEN CHASING EMPTY MEMORIES
THE KIND THAT'S KEEPING YOU DOWN

He's never been much into discovering what exactly magic can do, content with the traits he'd known since birth, not even feeding those until recently. After seeing some of what she can do though, it is admittedly awesome the reach of the potential abilities, and hers are especially astounding. "What! You even copied channeling? I never would have thought such a thing possible," he gapes, honestly shocked that she could mimic the pact that Accepted seem to have with spirits and deities. "That's really powerful," he commends with a sweep of his hand through his hair, imagination running wild. "Wonder if you could copy creation magic too then?" Not that there were any current pressing needs, but there have been times he knows where items have been backlogged.

He doesn't press any further the moment her response begins to unsettle. His hand eases from his pocket, the woolen cloth within remaining untouched. "Another time, then," he offers easily, grin coming in to soften the moment. "Conquering the world is best done one step at a time. Can't give you too much power at once or it'll go all to your head anyway." His tease is followed with a bump of his shoulder against hers.

Absolutely certain she's up to something, but not knowing what, he lets the strange sound of applause fade to the back of his mind. "Ducks and naps would not be helpful," he agrees with a mild laugh. "I could always try and toast it off us, but likely to set us on fire in the process." Maybe with a bit more mastery he'd manage something better than a trip to the healers. Thus her suggestion for a scout is a fantastic one. "Oh, would you look at that, how helpful Sila," Iskra calls out after the dragon, rounding a look that speaks to how unhelpful Goose is as it settles on the muddy dog.

THIS SENSE OF INDECISION
AIN'T WHAT WE HAD IN MIND
THE DREAM THAT I ENVISIONED
I AM STILL HOPING TO FIND

bring me your suffering
the rattle roar of broken bones

Melita was certainly one of those who intended to push limits, so the thoughts of rising potentials gave her pause – humming a little under her breath, both self-soothing and contemplative. “I’m not sure, it depends on what others try too. We’ll see,” came on a grin, though a little less feral than before. She only knew so much about incantations – she’d mostly ignored them previously as an Accepted, for she’d had no reason to concentrate or focus on it when she embedded the abilities directly into weapons instead. Now that they could unfurl simply from her, the prospectives were keen and delightful.

Even if lightning could be one of them. Smiling a little at the bump to her shoulder, and much less uncertain at the acceptance, she snorted at the insinuation. A light roll to her eyes followed, but then she brushed her lips against his cheek. “Thanks for the offer though. Maybe later.” When there was more courage than fear. Unfortunately or not, she was already a bit too overconfident in her abilities…unless it came to that particular element.

But then there was water to find, and she skipped ahead, following Sila’s trills and calls, turning back to ensure the rest (including Fangorn, who’d been pouting from the skyship), did the same. “She spotted something, so I suppose we’re all off the hook,” before they could do exactly as kinda-sorta planned.

[FIN]

the honeybee

Bring me the riot in your heart
angry, wild, and raw