according to visions

DEIMOS

ache first, but then let the cuts close
spit out the blood

The Sword had a natural curiosity; Caido just instigated it further with every alteration and change. After a back and forth from land to land over a series of days, he opted to return, Idalia strapped to his chest and in tow, to do some quiet investigating. Perhaps seeking something that had caused the interim of slumber, marks and pathways of bizarre figures, or other individuals looking for the same information.

Instead, he found the usual Peepholes and his own fussy infant, unhelpful in both regards, and turned to another portion of the Oerwoud’s interim. The Leap of Faith was always a sight to behold, despite a lack of details, particulars, or directions from the latest incident – at least it was beautiful to survey.

Belial scouted overhead while he stuck to a lingering trail by edges of mist, tilting his head to the sounds of the waterfall. It nearly drowned out Idalia’s squeals, this time of contentment, as he patted her back and soothed whatever had been bothering. “Do not think we could surprise anything here,” he murmured to her, mostly out of levity, shaking his head as she gurgled a sentiment in return.

watch your body pull itself back together
then let your soul do the same

Alys

The Leap of Faith was a sight to behold. Alys had never been before, unless one counted seeing glimpses in passing from far below. Today, though, she had made the climb from Tanglefoot, up above trees and clouds until she was so high that she thought she might crest the top and be amongst the stars. It was a strange feeling when she finally crested the top of the climb to look out over the Oerwoud far below. It was beautiful, to be sure. Awe-inspiring, certainly. But she couldn't help but feel that she was missing something - or maybe someone to share the view with. But her partner was back home and it was only Alys and Sascha who had made the climb today, and she would have to be content with that.

Drawing closer to the edge - though not too close, for fear she might tumble right off the side of the cliffside - Alys peered down at the dense mist laying at the bottom. She could see forever, it felt like. What would it be like to do a reading here, so high above the weight of the world far below?

Stepping back, Alys meandered along the cliffside, keeping a respectable distance from the edge. Before long, she spotted a familiar figure. Surprised and pleased, Alys smiled as she approached Deimos and his newest addition to the Ignatius family. Sascha padded along beside her, bleating a soft greeting as the pair neared. "Dei!" Alys said. "What a pleasant surprise! How are you? Who's this little one?"

gather 'round, here's how to get what you want
introduce a new religion of feeling like a boss

DEIMOS

ache first, but then let the cuts close
spit out the blood

For a few seconds, he glanced out at the mist, then maneuvered it outward, intertwining the Air incantations until they were wholly in his possession. Then, much like moving a cloud out of his way, he motioned the foggy intervals towards his right, leaving the environment without the falsifying additions. From there, one could see the intervals of pathways configuring around swirls of water, rather than stepping outwards to their death. Idalia squealed, eyes going upwards to watch the ascension of vapor and droplets, before another approached.

Though not a stranger at all; he’d know Alys immediately. The surprise on his features, briefly registered by the escalation of his brows, and then an amused grin, didn’t remain for too long. “Busy,” which was a usual answer, but with direct pathways to infants on his chest and leading an entire region while trying to puzzle through the latest perpetual state of ‘something afoot’. “How are you? It has been a while.”

At being mentioned, Idalia’s wide gaze slid from her father, and then to Alys. A curious expression stayed, as if taking every single detail and movement in, before narrowing slightly, seemingly keen and suspicious. The Sword tried to withhold his laughter, and instead composed himself into some orchestrated diligence. “This is Idalia.”

watch your body pull itself back together
then let your soul do the same

Alys

The brief flare of surprise was expected; Alys hadn't seen Deimos in some time, and certainly hadn't anticipated running into him out here, of all places. Not that she was that surprised - he did have a tendency to show up just about everywhere, for any multitude of reasons. He'd always been someone who stayed busy, and she wondered if he'd ever taken that vacation they'd once discussed. "As per usual," she joked, smiling fondly up at him. "But hopefully with good things, or at least not Caido-in-danger-again things?"

As for herself, she'd kept herself busy, but it had been the kind of busy that became monotonous, the kind of busy when someone was just looking for work to do rather than doing something meaningful. Now she meant to change all that. "I have been well. I took a bit of time to stay home and rest after the Family left, but now I think I'm ready to venture back out into the world again."

Turning her attention towards the infant, Alys smiled indulgently. "Hello, Idalia," she said. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Gaze flicking back up to Deimos, she added, "Congratulations."

gather 'round, here's how to get what you want
introduce a new religion of feeling like a boss

Bright streaks flash between the trees, bursts of colour weaving through leaves and vines at impossible speed. Treeflits zip past in chaotic arcs, too fast to follow individually.

They twist and turn in midair, leaving momentary trails of colour behind them as they dart through the jungle.

The flits never stop moving for long, turning the forest into a living canvas of motion.

---

Treeflits Areas Found: Oerwoud — Common Jewel-toned, rainbow feathered creatures the length of a human arm, treeflits are legless lizards that can extend two small pairs of feathered wings to flutter and glide between branches as they seek out their favourite foods of insects and flowers. They have bright black eyes and communicate by songs. A treeflit can harmonize with itself and can mimic a vast array of sounds from its environment. They are clever and mischievous creatures that will steal shiny objects from travelers and replace them with tasty beetles in a form of trade. It is thought that they can see through illusions. Challenge Rating: Easy HP: 34 | To Hit: +30 | Dmg: 9 Movement: Slither 20 ft.; Flutter 20 ft.; Glide 40 ft. (branch to branch); Climb/Coil 20 ft. SPECIAL SKILLS Polyphonic Harmony: a single treeflit can harmonize with itself, creating haunting duets; Illusion Sight: thought to see through illusions, often ignoring glamours and mirages; Trinket Exchange: offers beetles or blossoms in place of stolen shinies, especially when watched; Nest Caches: secret hoards of glittering finds hidden in knot-holes and woven leaf-nests

TRAITS Legless Lizard Form: long, supple bodies with two small pairs of feathered wings; Jewel-Toned Plumage: rainbow feathers flash between leaves; Song-Speech: communicate primarily through layered songs and trills; Mimic Aptitude: can reproduce a vast array of environmental sounds; Keen Bright Eyes: glossy black eyes miss little in the canopy; Mischief Trader: steals shiny objects and “pays” with tasty beetles; Canopy Agile: deft at fluttering and gliding between boughs while foraging flowers and insects ACTIONS Flutter-Glide: a short, fluttering leap that becomes a smooth glide to the next branch; Mimic Call: imitates voices, whistles, or creature cries to distract or tease; Harmony Chorus: layers two tones at once to calm companions or startle predators; Shiny Swap: drops a beetle or flower while snatching a trinket in the same motion

DEIMOS

ache first, but then let the cuts close
spit out the blood

“A mix,” but he gave her a wink in regards to mostly good things. There was always Halo itself, the guild, and any other anomaly combination of both, then his own family and friends who kept him tethered to multitudes and litanies. At least he wouldn’t have to indulge her in any recent ongoings with the Family or something else barbaric, but Caido had its way of causing chaos in little bits and warnings, before the inevitable implosion. “We recently had a strange experience in the Peepholes. I was being nosey and investigating around here. Just in case,” at which he wrinkled his nose again, hoping it would feed more into humor than whatever crisis could be brewing underneath palms and alms.

While Idalia surveyed Alys up and down, either because she was an infant or she’d inherited both parents talent for scrutiny, Deimos listened to the Seer’s antics, nodding along at the notions of staying close to home, then venturing outward. While Deepfrost wasn’t the usual season for it, sometimes restlessness had no timeframe. “Seen anything noteworthy? Though I will say you missed our skijoring. You will have to come visit and try it out.”

The youth’s preference for greetings lately had either been scowling, ignoring, or napping, so she blinked at the mage again, still wide-eyed, before glancing up at her father with one signature squeal. “Thank you,” he returned instead. Then there were flits of color all around them, and he arched a brow, watching as the jewel-toned creatures flickered back and forth. Idalia was more than eager for that, a smile soon appearing on her face, little hands outstretched for portions she wouldn’t be able to reach.

watch your body pull itself back together
then let your soul do the same