[PUBLIC CHANNEL] DAY 51

[criticallyfucked]

Has anyone found anything substantial?

Because I've been reading for hours... every day, mind, and all I'm finding is peas.

Just... peas.

And I know there's more.

[Pause.]

We're dozens of eyes, at least some of which are... looking for relevance.

[Shima.]

So if you've found anything to share, it might be faster to combine what we do have, rather than combing over the same things multiple times?

[Listen. No one said he was good at team work.

But if everyone's combing out individual peas and grains in the dirt, then at least combining them might make some sort of passable salad.

Or maybe someone is holding out.]

Comments

[anti_nonsense]

Call me curious. What's this 'Mother of Invention'?

[prazerbutterfly]

Good day, Miss Mordio. [He knows her voice now.]

It speaks of her as a 'marvel in of herself.' As one of the Winter Court, she sought to rise above her weakness to iron. She put a lot of years, 'eons' it says, into looking for the answer to this problem in order to 'make the Court of Winter truly undying.' I still have the book in my possession as I make sure to pick it back up every morning.

[anti_nonsense]

A way to counter their weakness to iron...? Is that even possible?

[It's plausible, she has to admit, but the idea of a fae court getting that kind of protection doesn't sit well with Rita. There's some tension in her voice when she continues.]

I'd like to get a look at that text, or even a copy.

[prazerbutterfly]

Even if it isn't, a will that strong to do so is just as deadly. From my early conversation with Strange, I learned that she used several of her own to experiment on. If anyone is able to do this, it would be her. Spending eons on any goal especially that determined seems like a future possibility.

[He hums in thought and it is hard to read body language or voice over the radio. He himself would not like for fae to not have any weaknesses.]

Of course. Find one of my Tease, the purple butterflies, if you give up looking for me or I can meet you somewhere.

→ action

[anti_nonsense]

I'd like to think that if it's taking her eons to succeed, maybe she's not the most effective inventor...

[But if she's got limitless time and ample resources, there's nothing stopping her from succeeding eventually...]

I'll keep an eye out.

[Time passes as Rita continues browsing the library, but it isn't too long before she comes across one of those purple butterflies. She stops and gives it a long stare. That's a 'Tease'...?]

[prazerbutterfly]

Given Carnival's track record, perhaps we might be ever so lucky. Very well then, Miss Mordio. Enjoy hunting.

[Yes, that's a Tease. It flits there in the air idly as if waiting for instruction, dancing in small circles, and when stared at for too long or spoken to it'll gently start to flit away in the direction of its master.]

[anti_nonsense]

So what the hell is a 'Tease', anyway...?

[She just mumbles that as she stares at the creature... or is it a construct? It sure looks magical.

Whatever it is, it starts moving and Rita follows after it.]

[prazerbutterfly]

[A question he'd be all too happy to answer once she arrives. Thankfully it doesn't take long to reach him and at the sight of the Tease approaching his fingers will lift gently so it may perch against his forefinger lightly, it's wings opening and closing methodically.]

Ah, I see you made it with little to no trouble. [He pulls the small bound book from his side bag and presents it to her, after opening it to the right story that is.]

[anti_nonsense]

Thanks. [Rita takes it, then pulls out a small notepad, which she sets atop the page. Holding the book in one hand and a pen in the other, she copies down the information in front of her.]

So what's the deal with the butterflies? [Her eyes are fixed on the text, but she goes ahead and asks while she writes.]

[prazerbutterfly]

Most welcome, young miss. [His manners are always on point despite how ungentleman he can seem compared to other nobles.

He looks at his Tease settled there on his fingertips.] Hmm, you can sense something about them too? [Other than the most obvious designs of poker suits displayed all over them and the off coloration.] They are actually golems. They only look like butterflies because the Earl thought it was cool. It's his design choice when he chose to gift them to me.

[anti_nonsense]

Golems!?

[That pulls Rita's attention away from the book, prompting her to stare at the Tease with renewed fascination.]

So this 'Earl' created them? What are they used for?

[prazerbutterfly]

[He moves his hand slowly so it flattens out and the Tease takes his direction and crawls down his fingers to his palm to settle there gently.]

Yes, golems. My Earl is the head of our household and he is quite the inventor. They can be used for a variety of things. Tracking, observation, small deliveries... The more mature ones can be utilized in combat for both offensive and defensive means.

[anti_nonsense]

For offense? How does that work?

[Rita draws closer to look over the Tease. She's never heard of such a small golem... and such a sleek design too. Maybe she can sketch it, or...

That's right! Rita's eyes light up as she remembers something. She sets the pen down and reaches into one of the large pockets of her tunic, producing a small, yellow camera. She holds it up, and with a click and a flash, she photographs the Tease as it sits in Tyki's hand.]

[prazerbutterfly]

[He holds his hand steady so that she can take a picture. He then lifts his fingers so it flits into the air near Rita, now locked into idle mode without any real command issued to it.

Another Tease appears in his hand without warning but it is much larger, checkered with a tiny skull in the middle. It sits upon the back of his hand with the same methodical beat of its wings. He folds his hand downwards until it rests in his palm and without a second of hesitation, he pours his Dark Matter into it and it transforms into a massive blade against his arm.] Please don't touch it. I don't want to cut you.

[anti_nonsense]

It transformed...!?

[Rita's stunned, but not too stunned to snap another picture. She heeds his warning, and though she stays close enough to examine the transformed golem, she makes no move to touch it.]

It looked like you infused it with some kind of power. Is that how you control them?

[prazerbutterfly]

[There are far too many curious people at the carnival that would reach out and try to touch something that looks both beautiful and dangerous. It courses along his arm and he's instinctively keeping it at his side away from her touch.]

They listen to me even without this magic. It is their purpose. But, I did force my Dark Matter into its body and used it to transform it, if that is what you are asking.

[anti_nonsense]

Dark Matter? Is that what you call that power?

[The power to transform matter and manipulate it at will, in addition to Tyki's other abilities... In some distant corner of her mind, Rita's suddenly glad this guy's on the same side as her.]

[prazerbutterfly]

Perceptive so far, you are right. The power I wield is Dark Matter.

[It gives him his strength, his speed, his longevity. Along with his unique power to choose it was a deadly combination and yet could be used for so much good. She's curious and in his world that would be a horrible thing. Here, he doesn't mind indulging.]