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[hauntedking]

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[hauntedking]

I want to stop whatever they are, too. I want all of this to end.

But I won't let this happen again, either. And I'll take whatever steps I need to tonmale sure of it.

[ Dimitri sounds determined, but also very weary. ]

If you find anything... I'm willing to be a line for you. Like I said, I want this to end... I want to solve this.

[semicharmed]

I understand.

Thank you.

[ Matt's not really surprised to hear Dimitri express such immovable conviction. It feels of a piece with what impressed him the first time they spoke--how totally devoted he was to the people of his world. ]

And seriously ... if I can help in Springstar, I will. Casting a spell to ward a whole city against attack would probably take me months, but at least I can do small things. And I can keep my ear to the ground for Zenith people who feel the same way I do.

[hauntedking]

I'll hope there are more than the alternative. Otherwise this war will be long and hard... harder than it already has been.

[ Dimitri doesn't sound hopeless, though. Just grim. ]

Be wary, Matt. There are those on both sides who would hurt you terribly for what you're going to do.

[semicharmed]

Long and hard, [ Matt agrees on a mental sigh, ] and ... again, whoever wins might just wind up shadow food for their trouble.

[ He pauses a moment to consider Dimitri's warning. Silco would definitely not approve of any pro-Meridian activities, it's true. And many on Meridian's side would likely rather shoot first and ask questions later.

As it were. ]

Oh ... thanks. I'll be careful. But don't worry about me, okay? [ With an attempt at whimsy: ] Have I mentioned I have magical powers? When I'm out in Springstar, I'm usually invisible.

You won't get in trouble for talking to me, will you?

[hauntedking]

You hadn't mentioned it, but I believe you.

[ Magic is, after all, common where he's from. There's a long pause at that question, though. ]

...if anyone wishes to make trouble with me about it, we will have a very frank discussion.

[ AKA they can try. ]

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's answering pause is much shorter by comparison: just long enough to process the remark. Then comes a spill of carbonated laughter, sparkling across their connection. ]

Oh you will? [ Maybe Matt just desperately needs something to find funny right now, but the euphemism is irresistible. ] That's a relief. I saw how frank you can get in Alenroux.

[hauntedking]

...did you?

[ He seems a touch amused himself. ]

Well, I'm glad to have your faith in me. I'll try not to let you down.

[semicharmed]

[ The impression of laughter lingers in Matt's psychic presence, only slowly feathering away. ]

And I'll ... try not to get in too much trouble while I'm still in town, so you don't have a reason to. Call all that a solid Plan B.

[hauntedking]

As solid a plan as any. Please do be careful...

[semicharmed]

Totally, [ Matt assures him. And then, after a pause to consider that maybe the stakes are a little bit higher than that, he adds, ] I promise.

[ There's another considering pause. Dimitri is treated to a hint of the wheels turning in Matt's brain, though exactly what he's thinking about isn't clear at first. ]

While I'm still here, I could make you something. A charm, I mean. I can enchant objects to do little things--give you restful sleep and pleasant dreams, make your memory sharper, make your emotions more, um ... resilient.

Now that I can use my magic again, the applications are pretty broad.

[hauntedking]

A... charm?

[ There's a little laugh. ]

Last time it ended up not going so well. [ There's no explanation for that, although the flicker of a scent - something medicinal, covered by perfume. ]

But... you're yourself. Someone new. And... you mean well. I'd be willing to accept a little token like that, if you think it's safe for you to stay here much longer.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's mental landscape sharpens with concern at last time, and everything that follows. ]

I know ... you have no reason to trust me, really. [ Still, he tries to communicate a sense of his magic: the warmth, the right. The soft, forest scent of herbs in a sachet; nothing to hide, only the thing itself. A whirligig twirling gently, and bringing a sense of peace. ] And I don't know--if it doesn't work as advertised, I'll come back here and you can kick my ass.

[ matt you have to stop telling people they can do this ]

What would you want? Good sleep is one I suggest just because most people need it.

[hauntedking]

I don't think I'd say no to something to help me sleep.

[ Dimitri admits, with a feeling of wry amusement. ]

I still have nightmares from time to time.

[ You know, about, uh, stuff. ]

[semicharmed]

[ A gentle sigh in answer. Sympathetic, a little relieved. Matt likes to make himself useful, and he's grateful to make an offer and have it accepted. ]

Nightmares are hard. I get them too sometimes. [ Usually about the demon. Sometimes Vincent. ] Normally I'd counsel that our dreams are trying to tell us something, but if it's something where you feel like, you know, "message received" ... I think I could make something that helps with that.

Gimme an hour or so?

[hauntedking]

Of course.

If you need to know where to find me, let me know.

[semicharmed]

[ Matt wishes he had some nicer things to make charms with. Jewelry or something. He'd seen some pieces while he was out shopping, but all his Bearer stipend had gone towards the orphan project.

The good news is he has plenty of leftover herbs and other materials. About an hour later, he comes psychically knocking again: ]

Okay! Package is ready. Where should I deliver it?

[hauntedking]

I've a house in the city.

[ And with that comes a set of directions - or an address, depending. ]

[semicharmed]

[ The directions are a little easier than just the address. Matt knows the Akadimaïkós District best, and even that he doesn't know well. He hadn't spent that much time in Springstar before the attack--and now, he supposes his opportunities to get to know the city will only get rarer.

Matt gets what he believes is the right street eventually. Invisibly, with quiet footfalls, he heads towards the house. ]

I'm here, I think.

[ Matt tries to send a mental image of the front of it. It's a bit ... painterly, perhaps? A little impressionistic. But it's got all the right shapes and landmarks. ]

[hauntedking]

[ It's a small house with a garden out front. Cozy looking. Dimitri responds to the mental ping with a flicker of acknowledgement and then the door opens. Dimitri looks tired; he hasn't slept much in the last few days. But he's on his feet and that's the important part, isn't it? ]

Matt.

[semicharmed]

[ As the door opens, Matt's already untying the ribbon around his neck that holds his invisibility charm in place. He blinks into view: also tired, though more like somebody who's just come from a workout than someone who's missing sleep. (Though he also has been missing sleep.) ]

Dimitri. Hey. [ He moves towards the door, gaze passing over the little garden with an herbalist's appreciative eye. ] This is really nice.

[ He starts to rustle around in his rucksack, which is now hanging much emptier than it was when he first arrived in Springstar. ]

[hauntedking]

[ That's handy. Dimitri blinks as he flickers back into visibility and he offers a little shrug as Matt approaches. ]

...I find gardening relaxing. I like being able to give something life.

[ He inclines his head. ]

Do you want to come in?

[semicharmed]

I love gardening, [ Matt enthuses, ] or--at least I love working with plants. Back home I was mostly stuck with what I could grow on my windowsill.

[ He nods for the invitation, though he doesn't want to bring the mood down by observing it's probably safer to do so. Now that he's actually here on Dimitri's doorstep, looking him in the eye, conflict and war feel impossible.

Anyway, Matt proceeds inside, still fishing around in his rucksack. ]

I might need to invest in something with interior pockets ...

[hauntedking]

[ Dimitri nods and ushers him inside, shutting the door behind him. In here, it's a cozy little place. He gestures for Matt to sit. ]

Would you like something to drink?

[ He's being a good host! ]

And... pockets are very useful, I've found.

[semicharmed]

Oh, that'd be really nice, [ Matt says, sinking into the indicated seat. He's more tired than he thought he'd be, but in his defense, Dimitri's charm is the last in a pretty marathon spellcasting session. ] Maybe just some water?

I didn't need that many pockets when I first landed here, [ Matt protests, arm vanishing to nearly the shoulder as he digs around. ] All I had was notebooks and the clothes on my back. Now, though ... ha.

[ He emerges with a little cloth sachet clutched triumphantly in hand. It smells gently of herbs. ]

[hauntedking]

Water is easy enough.

[ And he's back in a moment with a cup of water for him. He sets it down and then pauses as he regards the little sachet curiously. ]

What does it actually do?