spellgrinders | ( TDM #7 )

TDMs can be used for anyone interested in the game and/or testing out a new muse.

Test Drive samples are encouraged to be used for your application sample, though they are NOT a requirement.

Feel free to use one prompt, multiple prompts or make up your own!

These threads can be considered game canon upon game opening if you so choose.

Telepathy and magic can be used at any point in time on the TDM, from Prompt A to your wildcard prompt. A specific prompt exists, however, that makes sure all characters have an equal chance to use this mechanic within the TDM. You're encouraged to have characters use telepathy and their magic accidentally or even purposefully on any TDM prompt.

If you aren't set on your character's power yet or want to try out a few, you're still able to use the test drive. Maybe your character is a late bloomer and hasn't fully unlocked their intuitive drive yet. In the case of multiple powers, only prompts that contain the power you choose for your application will count as potential game canon threads.

While only one character can be apped or reserved during a cycle, feel free to post with more than one character if you like! This is for those who are uncertain of their first choice or who would like to try out different characters within the setting.

IMPORTANT: This world is low-frequency. No canon powers or abilities are allowed! Also check out the setting information for more info about Shehui.

You blink and that's all it takes. At first, the picture doesn't come in clear, like you're waiting for a screen to fully load -- more aptly, it's like you're waiting for a camera to focus so you can find image clarity. Before you happened to rapidly close your eyes and open them, your life was normal...well, normal for you, anyway. Fighting an alien, making a quesadilla, dying. And then that blurry picture suddenly takes over.

There's a lot to take in here -- you feel weird, your surroundings are weird. Everything is just weird. For starters, there's that new piece of jewelry inserted in the space above your chest. That certainly wasn't there before you opened your eyes.

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[Velvet would be able to pick him out of the crowd in a heartbeat, regardless, but the struggle with his new magic immediately draws her eyes towards him. A second passes – though it feels like longer – where she stops in her tracks and stares. Then she dashes in his direction, shoving past anybody in her way, making dead certain that she doesn't lose sight of him. Once Velvet is close, she shouts his name.]

Phi!

[In just a few more seconds she's standing right in front of him. Did she forget how big he is? Has he been growing? No, something is off.]

What– [She shakes her head, cutting herself off.] Are you OK?

Velvet!

[ He'd recognize this voice everywhere, even in another world. Where they in fact are.

However, being the same height as Velvet is a weird experience, especially when she stands right in front of him. ]

I think so...? I'm not sure. Is this what they call a growth spurt?

[ As far as he knows they aren't supposed to be this sudden, but... ]

[It's pretty damn weird on her end, too. Velvet shakes her head and steps right up close to him to get a better look, checking if there's anything else visibly wrong with him.]

Does it hurt? Do you feel normal?

[She's still rather surprised by the fact that he's shown up here, so she's slow to consider that this is likely the Qri's magic at work. It's not great for him to be attracting attention this way. She'll make the logical leap soon enough, though.]

No, it just feels funny not having to lift my head up to look at you.

[ This is a change of perspective he could only dream of before arriving here. ]

Why is everyone looking at us? Should we get going?

[ Well, Laphicet might have an idea why—he was much smaller just a few minutes ago, after all. ]

[As soon as he mentions the crowd, it clicks. Obviously it's odd to see someone growing at such a rapid rate, and it looks like magic, which is banned from Shehui.]

Yeah. Come on.

[She takes his hand and hurries him along in the direction of the apartment building that houses the coven. En route, she speaks to him in a low voice.]

There are a few things I have to explain. The most important right now is that you have a new power, or magic, that you can use. That's why your body grew. If you get too big you're going to make a real scene, but I can't help you control it. Maybe… try concentrating on keeping yourself the same size, for now. You can practice more once we get to my apartment.

New magic?! [ He might want to keep it quiet, especially after seeing the look one of the passersby gave him after shouting that. ] Sorry...

[ It's just...you don't get new abilities just like that every day, no wonder he's a bit excited. ]

I'll try to go back to my normal size.

[ Now, contrary to shouting from before, Laphicet's whispering to make sure that no one besides Velvet will hear him.

With every step they take, he gradually shrinks to his original size. Hopefully the change was slow enough to not attract other people's attention. ]

Velvet...do you really have an apartment here?

[ They haven't been separated for that long...have they? ]

[She can't blame him for the enthusiasm. It's good that he's catching on, though, even before Velvet explains why it's important for him to be discrete. She's also proud of him for figuring out how to control his magic this early on, if only a little.]

It's not exactly mine, I suppose. They're letting everyone in the coven have a room as long as we're here.

[The significance of his question doesn't register, so she moves on.]

You just need to be careful with your magic. Your artes and other malak powers aren't going to work here, so you should learn to master it, but in private. There's a ban here on all kinds of magic, and they're serious about it, so you need to be smart.

[ It's difficult to limit the number of questions he wants to ask, especially for someone naturally curious as Laphicet. At the very least, he's trying to speak as quietly as possible. ]

The coven? As in the coven of witches? [ With his eyebrows knitted together, he eventually lets out a sigh. ] Are we here because of Magilou?

[ He's used to her pranks but this might be a bit too elaborate. ]

I can handle this, I promise.

[ That growing and shrinking in front of other people was clearly just an accident. He'd like to ask Velvet about her magic ability, but this is not the place nor the time. ]

[Velvet grins after his comment about Magilou. She is a powerful witch, and a troublemaker, but all of this is beyond even her.]

Magilou is here, but it isn't her doing.

[Now that they've put in some distance, Velvet lets go of his hand and gives him a pat on the head. She's missed him a lot, but she doesn't like the idea of him being brought here against his will, or being used by the Qri. At least she can keep an eye on him.]

I trust you. [She glances down at him.] If you're hungry I have food at the apartment, but if you've got that magic under control, then we could stop to eat somewhere on the way, too.

[ Maybe that's for the best. At least, Laphicet doesn't have to fulfill the promise he made to himself—a promise not to say a single word to the witch if it's really her fault—which makes him smile a little. Magilou is Magilou all right, but it's kind of reassuring that she didn't such a thing. ]

I'm glad. She's such a troublemaker sometimes.

[ Not just sometimes, but he doesn't want to be that rude.

When it comes to the pat on the head, he has mixed feelings about it. It felt nice, but couldn't she do something more adult-like... ]

I'm fine, I don't need anything to eat. [ Laphicet might be trying to sound tough, but the moment he's done saying this, his stomach growls. ] Really!

[ So much for trying to act tough. ]

[Right, sometimes. Velvet thinks it's pretty hilarious when Laphicet pokes fun at the Magilou, but she wants to be a better influence now, so she won't encourage it – even if the witch does deserve it a lot of the time.

Anyway, after Phi's stomach betrays him, Velvet has to hold back a chuckle. She won't force him to eat – it's a good reminder to herself not to treat him so much like a kid – but, of course, even the toughest guys need food to fuel up.]

Really. Even if I know a place nearby that serves big portions of curry? Although I doubt it's as good as Tabatha's, so maybe you wouldn't be interested.

[ Surprised by her words, Laphicet tilts his head to the side. Is Velvet messing with him or is she really taking him seriously? It's difficult to tell for sure with her, but it might be the latter one as far as he's concerned.

Needless to say that her words catch him completely off guard. The chuckle, too. And another rather loud sound coming from his stomach isn't helping his case either. She had him at big portions, to be honest. ]

You could show me where it is, so I can go there whenever I feel hungry.

[ He's not giving up his tough act just yet. ]

How long have you been here? You seem to know the place well...

[ Maybe even too well for his liking. ]

[Call it well-meaning teasing. She'd like for him to get food if he's hungry, and she would be happy to treat him today, but it's his decision. More of a concern for her is that Laphicet looks and sounds a little nervous when he asks how long she's been here.]

It's been five weeks or so. The city is big, and I don't go out all that often, but we're close to my apartment so I know this part pretty well.

[Her expression when she glances down shows that she is taking him 100% seriously now, without question.]

If that time frame feels off, I wouldn't be surprised. Compared to what I remember, like the things we accomplished as a group, Magilou's recollection differs. Can't tell you why, but basically we have to accept it.

( TDM #7 )

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