Fourth Curse

[bondsofsuffering]

[Anonymous Text]

Subject: Notes
Attached file: amd.doc

For those of you who do not wish to stand in ignorance.

During the time Visitors have arrived, certain events have been observed relating to earth's Astrology, or the constellations found in the sky as they correspond with different times. During these events, changes in personalities as well as the appearance of powerful demons are common.

In order to prepare for more of these events in the future, the above document was made listing any information known about the signs themselves as well as the effects of the events on individual signs. If you are unsure of which sign you are, the city ID you were provided with should have this information.

This document is a work in progress. Anyone who has access to this document can also edit it with any corrections or other findings they may come across.

As with the previous time, this post may also be used as a forum for discussion. Newer arrivals who have questions about these events are encouraged to ask, and Visitors who have been here for some time are encouraged to provide whatever answers they know.

[Video; 4 hours later]

[After leaving the network alone for a while, he makes an unassuming post with his name attached and everything.]

Hey! So a while back, this demon gave me this sword...

[He pauses to hold up a sheathe, pulling a rather nice looking sword out a bit for the camera.]

...Buuut, I don't know how to use it at all. And it seems like a huge waste, considering how nice it is.

[And the fact that it lights itself on fire every thirteenth hour is also pretty spiffy in its own unique way.]

So anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has time to train a guy in swordsmanship! I heard about some people who had a school or something a while back, but I don't know if any of them are around.

[And then, a grin.]

But anyway, if you think you could teach me or know someone who could, drop me a line here! I can pay at least a little, and I'm a fast learner, too!

((OOC: As noted in the post itself, there is a section for forum discussion where characters can discuss, anonymously or not! Characters are free to make their own sub threads for topics and threadjack as they please.))

Comments

[terminally_clever]

Yes, maybe another time.

[greyerrant]

Consider for a moment what you are taking the blade from.

A DEMON.

[ Yeah Garviel isn't getting past that. ]

[silvercoins]

Demons are known to have a sense of irony... On the other hand the Tetrabiblos goes back to the second century AD, it's not impossible for a city to divide itself up accordingly with no intention of being attacked by giant spiders and bulls and water-carriers.

[terminally_clever]

That's true as well, and probably more likely under Occam's razor.

[silvercoins]

I wouldn't dismiss anything out of hand...

[terminally_clever]

Of course not, but it's a useful guide for assessing theories.

[silvercoins]

Well, let's say there's no connection between the initial division of the city and the appearance of the monsters and the effects. Are they smart enough to show up where they fit, or does something direct them?

[terminally_clever]

That's the million dollar question, isn't it.

[In other words, she thinks both ideas hold equal weight.]

(video)

[heritors]

[ Nod. ] Of course. I often train in the morning, if that's a convenient time for you?

[ She's pretty sure she's got herself a wooden sword somewhere here... You know, for safety measures. ]

[silvercoins]

Then we'll see next time...

anon text

[bondsofsuffering]

cuz of different animals and beliefs rite

[bondsofsuffering]

...So? The demons here aren't all that bad. Most of the ones that hang around outside of the 13th hour even act a bit like humans.

And this one seemed to be rather, ah... infatuated with me, so I doubt it meant any harm.

(video)

[bondsofsuffering]

Mornings would be good! I don't usually have work then.

[terminally_clever]

Two is far too small a sample size to draw any concrete conclusions.

(video)

[heritors]

Great. As for a location... [ She often just goes over to Gemini, but it's a bit of a walk. ] ... A suggestion would be appreciated.

[silvercoins]

Ideally, we'd like to have the sample size as low as possible before we stop the experiment.

[terminally_clever]

You're correct on that account, unfortunately. Any experiment that places the subjects in physical danger isn't worth the results.

[silvercoins]

Hm... Well, that's all I've got right now. Astrology isn't my best subject anyway.

[Video]

[justanoutsider]

Something like that, if you can find one. Though there are some blunt blades usually used for decoration that work well enough. At least until you can get a handle on how it feels holding a sword—it's more than just an extension of your arm. Wood isn't quite like steel, but it's easier to learn how to control it if you have some form of reference.

(video)

[bondsofsuffering]

Hmm... Maybe Capricorn? It's a park, so that should probably give us plenty of space, right?

[Video]

[bondsofsuffering]

Getting used to the weight differences would probably be the biggest problem if I went from wood to an actual blade...

Well, I'll do some looking around! I don't suppose you have any other good advice while we're at it?

[Video]

[justanoutsider]

You catch on fast. It's good practice. Not every blade is going to feel the same in your hand.

[A pause.]

It looks like—if I'm even using this thing correctly—you've got a few willing hands to teach you. But if you need any more help or someone to train with, I'd be glad to help.

(video)

[heritors]

[ Give her a minute to glance down, probably at a map. Then she looks up, nodding. ] It would. I'll meet you at 7AM, by the entrance--

Ah, I apologize - I haven't introduced myself. My name is Lucina.

[Video]

[bondsofsuffering]

Not from a world that uses this kind of technology often, huh?

I'll be sure to keep you in mind! Think I could get a name?

(video)

[bondsofsuffering]

It's great to meet you, Lucina! [He gives a small bow with probably a little more flourish than absolutely necessary.] My name is Hizumi Mizushiro. That time will work out just fine for me. Should we meet every day, then?