I love that stormy setting.

Aw, thanks. ^^

Acrathia: I look forward to when The Storm will meet with me

Yeah, well I wouldn't recommend him for his social graces.

Acrathia: I've been with Imoldra long enough to be used to that

Imoldra doesn't test you to destruction when you want an audience. I mean, there's 'sibling rivalry' but that would be ridiculous.

Acrathia: You've never seen Imoldra jealous, have you?

*surprised*

What would HE be jealous of?

Acrathia: *Looks slightly uncomfortable* My affection...

*raises a questioning eyebrow?

Acrathia: Ugh! When I become romantically involved with another being besides him! And before you ask, the nature of the relations between The Three is highly fluid. Due to the unusual circumstances of our birth, we are not bound to any one particular relation.

*slow, narrow-eyed sly smile...

So he *is* just like a great big pupper then. I'll have to keep that in mind.

Acrathia: *smirks at the description* He truly is. Like most canines, he values loyalty and commitment... sadly I have never been good at those things...

*cross-legged lean against a tree..

Well I'm in no position to scoff, having never had the urge for any meaningful relationship in my life.

*sideways look to imaginary camera...

What do you think 'qualified' me to be chosen for this in the first place?

Acrathia: *intrigued* How very interesting. While being asexual and aromantic is certainly not unheard of among humans, I cannot help but wonder if it has conflicted at all with your unicorn form. Please tell me, have you come into contact with any virgins since your change?

If you mean 'can I tell if somebody is', the answer is yes.

Hm. Maybe that's what drew me in particular to Candle's plight, though that was hardly through normal circumstance. I guess just like as a human, I haven't really thought about it much, something more important has always demanded attention instead.

Acrathia: Indeed, I have never put much credence with the linking of virginity to purity, however that boy would be a prime example to the contrary.

That first point is certainly true. There are certainly some 'notable' virgins out there, though not from the lack of trying.

Acrathia: Yes, the proverbial "Nice guy." When I come across them I like to show them how truly "Nice" they are...

Oh, that's legendary.

*some days later, in a scry-crystal conference call from the mound...

*hoarsely* Lady Acrathia, are you present? I need to speak with you on a matter of some urgency.

Acrathia: Speak your concerns, love.

Heh... *weak wheezing laugh breaking into painful coughing fit*

Owwwww....

Lucky to be able to speak at all this soon from so much breathed-in heat.

Acrathia: *Sighs, and draws forth light and healing energy. It Surrounds Eala, and while he doesn'tfeel completely restored, he feels as though he can stand and speak without too much difficulty*

There you go. It is better for the body to heal on it's own as much as possible. Rely on it to long, and the body becomes dependent on magic to heal at all.

*nods...

Yeah, I have had *hnnnn* better weeks. 'Physician, heal thyself' - some lessons are better learned the long and the hard way though.

But I'm getting off track. Listen - the renegade Robin Goodfellow, have you had any encounters with him of late?

Acrathia: Not too long ago, I spoke to him after his subsequent fall. I expressed my concerns over his new master, he assured me that it wasn't who I thought it.was, and I told him that it was good that it wasn't, because he does not want me on the other side of the battlefield as him.

Mm. He assured me the same too, in fact it was Goodfellow who opened the pathway, so to speak, for the rendezvous with The Storm to be freed from the Vile One's influence. So I've no doubt he's honest, if hopelessly naive, with his intentions.

You know Goodfellow is doomed to failure, right? From your own intricacies with the tapestry of Fate. The Storm all but told me the same thing. This 'ally' is going to betray him the moment he gets within sniffing distance of his own ambitions, and there's nothing we can do about it except try and and be ready to perform damage limitation and clean up the mess when it happens.

As for who it is, I *did* manage to persuade The Storm to give me a tip-off, as much as he would allow himself to. 'Look for one with a vested interest in wresting control of the cursed island from Moth'. Now, knowing how you feel about Il Paese, that could conceivably mean you, if The Storm didn't also let slip that it was someone 'not conscious of the workings of Fate'. I wouldn't have believed it for a moment anyway.

But I thought you should know. The sound of it, this is going to involve both of us when the moment comes. Maybe it might also give you some clue.

Acrathia: Oh I have no doubt I'll get wrapped up in this some how, you already seem to be in the thick of it.

I based on the information we have so far, I would not be too surprised if his new patron is Mab. The girl is utterly oblivious to the workings of Fate. Lady Moth has implied to me that she has had some dealings with her, and it would be just like Mab to clumsily feign support and approval in a pathetic attempt to steal Il Paese out from under her. Promising the resurrection of Robin's old master, without any means or intent to do so would be the icing on the cake of her ineptitude.

Know that my interest in Il Paese is simply in its study, primarily the longevity of the magic that resides there. Beyond that I have no desire own said isle, Il Paese may be nice but it is no Aeiea.

Yes, yes I know. And in the unravelling of some of the despair born from it, in which we both share a common goal. With the Vile One gone, I hope I can contribute more without any risks or complications. Whatever The Storm says about Fate, I do still have more freedom to act than you do.

How far do Mab's ambitions go, and does she really not have a clue what she's doing? I wouldn't have taken Puck for a fool; I have a sense that each intends to 'use' the other but it's going to blow up in both their faces.

Acrathia: I can safely tell you that the girl's ambitions far outweigh her sense. What she seeks to gain from Il Paese, I can only guess.

*eyerolls...

Urrgh, what is Puck THINKING? When the two of us strive for better relations between Seelie and Unseelie this is NOT WHAT WE MEAN.

*winces*

Owwwww... still hurts. Mustn't do that.

Acrathia: Ugh! No better relations can come with that two bit tyrant ruling over the Unseelie! The Unseelie never should have even had a queen! The miserable little wretch ruined any chance of their being greater understanding and growth in the sidhe!

How does Mab retain her rule, by strength? Because the contradiction that bothers me right now is The Storm seemed dismissive of the mystery antagonist's abilities, yet Puck is confident in having finally found a great enough source of magic after a millennium of waiting and searching. If it were Mab as she is, I don't see why he wouldn't have approached her much sooner once desperation made him an outcast. On top of that, what does he think Mab would have to gain by restoring the Sidhe's power and authority, contrary to her own territorial ambitions?

The only thing that would make sense is that both Puck and Mab believe Il Paese to be the key to everything they each want. We're in trouble if that's the case. Of course we may be reaching the wrong conclusions entirely, but even if so we should make it our aim to keep that island out of Mab's clutches by any way we can. Fate wouldn't stop us from doing that.

Acrathia: Mab maintains her power, because she is powerful... I won't deny her that, she rivaled Titania in magical ability. I will also admit she is fairly charismatic, the girl was able to rally a large number of Unseelie, and disaffected Seelie to her cause and led a rebellion that was almost successful. My disdain for her stems from her utter lack of originality. She took what could have been the start of a movement, the rise of several new kingdoms, each with their own philosophies, ideals, and approach to the Magicks, and instead made it a dichotomy. You were either Seelie, Unseelie, or independent. I weep for the grand mosaic of diversity the Sidhe could have been, instead of this monochrome of black, white, and little bits of grey we have now.

It is entirely possible that it is not her, but I am left grasping as to who it could be. *Thinking on the issue* I doubt it's Merlin, I took care of him millennia ago...*starts pacing in thought* We shouldn't rule out a deity... The Dread Balor perhaps? If he's returned... Ares? No... Imoldra would be quick to put him back in his place if he returned to his old habits....

Oh yes, Morganna Le Fay would have been one of your past guises, wouldn't she?

Another piece of advice The Storm gave was not to waste my energies dwelling upon it, but you know me... I can't help myself when it comes to solving a puzzle.

Well... if events are going to unfold so that this dark identity isn't going to become relevant until the need to act is upon us, what suggestions might you have in the meantime? What other measures can we take to ready ourselves with?

Oh - Merlin we can rule out. When The Storm put forth about 'wilful ignorance of Fate' - his words - the first thought I had was 'another human', but that was quickly shot down. I remember clearly, he definitely said it was fae.

Acrathia: If we are certain it is fae, then Mab is still likely our culprit, and should operate as such. Unfortunately my ability to stop Il Paese from falling into the wrong hands is limited. I would suggest informing Azura of what you do know for certain. Hopefully you can count on her aid for protecting the isle.

If Azura is not an option go to Imoldra, ask for his blessing as a protector spirit, and take it upon your self to guard the accursed isle.

I had suggested earlier the possiblity of tucking Il Paese beyond the River Styx, effectively making it a part of the underworld, but I was shot down. In the mean time I'll attempt to discover the identity of our offender, or if it is indeed Mab, what her motive in taking the isle could be.

I wish I knew how much time we have though. I've been seriously going over the idea of taking time off, the better to seek proper guidance on how to read and work with the intentions of Fate, since everything I thought I knew has been turned on its head; I've thought myself entirely too clever by half when my own blindness to it has been exploited by you-know-who. To paraphrase The Storm again, act when you can act, learn what is necessary and what is not. Auris was who I was hoping might offer tutelage in that regard.

Acrathia: *Contemplates* I have always been of the mindset that Knowledge of any kind is almost always a good thing. Even if the knowledge seems trivial or unimportant at the time, you never know when it may come in handy.

As for dealing with Fate... *sighs discontentedly* If you ever figure that out be sure to tell me. Magicks know that one of the few things Lassiate is tight lipped about...

This should not be, but the Fates take a great delight in having the world appear to revolve around me since I can't seem to go for ONE DAY without a demonstration it needs babysitting some more.

The Storm: *raising his eyebrows with a smile* That is an odd way to look at Fate's role upon your existence. *magic crackling in his hand* I didn't ask for you to come, nor babysit. You seem to have appointed yourself to that task, when you yourself are being babysat as you speak. But enough talk. Let's play, creature of two halves. I like the look of the toy you brought along.

What, this?

*hoisting the wire whip*

Have a care with which 'toys' thou may choose, an adult knows what's safe to play with. The real gift is the so-called 'babysitter'... get him out of mine head.

*recalling the battle advice before the two halves merged their strengths to think as one for the battle encounter...

The goal is to take him by surprise. Move like a beast but fight like a man with two 'hands' to wield a weapon and a 'shield' that he won't see. Do all this with instinct and reflexes, and keep your mind clear and ready to deploy magic at any time. Play defence while you size him up, make a show of dodging and feinting and appearing to look for an opening, but paying strict attention to how he will strike and how you should counter. He will almost certainly try a direct lightning strike from above, so the moment you smell any change in the air, put some distance between us and the wire and MOVE.

The Storm: *smiling more broadly* Ah, this is why my sister enjoys you. You dislike darkness and revel in the unexpected so long as you expect it yourself. You wish to use your copper loop, yes? I am intrigued. But first, let us join in this fray on even footing. *he swiftly shapeshifts to a large horse with a mane and tail flowing like water* There is a certain beauty to the equine form, isn't there? No wonder you chose to keep it. *he rears up and charges at his opponent, hooves flashing with energy*

He be full of himself. Slow him down, but don't make the same errors. Must keep him thinking he has me outmatched but put in the appearance of effort.

Viscous!

*The sand in a channel between The Storm and myself immediately turns to quicksand; at full pace the Storm is unable to prevent himself charging into it, throwing up the slurry and quickly sinking to his knees and gaskins before he can come to a halt.

Lodestone!

*The quicksand around his legs hardens to igneous rock speckled with magnetite, holding him in place and conducting the Earth's magnetic field into his own supercharged body...

Ferrous Volley!

*While dashing around in an arc, I summon a barrage of iron bolts from multiple angles, accelerated by the magnetic field and attacking him from multiple angles.

The Storm: Someone’s clever! *his form disappears before the iron can touch him. With a blast of wind he appears behind the unicorn and calls down a bolt of lightning with a toss of his head*

*alerted by the ozone smell...

Shit!

*leaps out of the way before the lightning strikes, but is still briefly half stunned by the impact blast...

Distract him - keep him talking! Don't lose thy chance to reclaim the wire!

You played that card extremely quick... can it be thou hast no others in your hand? Or just lacking in imagination?

The Storm: *Does not bother with a response. Instead, he begins to canter in broad circles around his quarry, drawing down the beginnings of a tornado funnel as he moves faster and faster. His eyes shine with the adrenaline of battle and the funnel touches down*

*before the twister can reach its maximum ground strength I leap upwards from the eye of the storm, summoning the ethereal Pegasus wings to push away from the tornado's pull before it can drag me back, the wire back in my possession.

Let's see how agile thou can match. Nutronium!

While I soar out of range, the tornado changes property from a weather phenomenon to a full scale gravity well that threatens to suck in and crush its own creator.

The Storm: *Grins almost maniacally as he is pulled. As soon as he reaches the center of the gravity well he dispels the effect with a blast of magic, sending him rocketing in the unicorn’s direction. Bolts of lightning strike his form, and the visible light changes color as his magic incorporates the external power to supercharge his next attack. He waits to unleash it until he is within range and then sends a ray of paralytic magic at the pseudo-pegasus*

*the ray is blocked by the invisible magical 'shield' arm, but the blast throws a spray of coloured sparks and streams into the night air, the shield itself glowing with repulsed energy, and much painful effort is required to keep the attack from breaking through, the force pushing the unicorn back some considerable distance in the air, buffeting with the wings to keep himself skyborne.

The Storm: *Takes on the shape of a giant crow and flies upward into the clouds. As he does, the mantle of clouds swiftly lowers to encase you and obscure your vision*

*thinking*

Sneak attack, is it? Well I know how to handle that.

*feigns confusion after the knockback, giving the air of coming to and looking around to try and get my bearings under the cloud cover, while mentally prepping two more spells.

The Storm: *Is nowhere to be seen. Instead, the fall of rain picks up int torrents and focuses on your position.*

*thinking further...

What be his intent with this, force me down? Confuse me further? Or be it an omen that he's coming? I cannot wait.

*casts the spells, while appearing to recoil from the torrential rain in my face.

The Storm: *His voice coming from the shore.* Stop firing blindly and try to kill me! Show me your commitment, Two-Halves!

* His boast is suddenly cut off by an intense stabbing pain at full force in the square of his back, seemingly from nowhere.

* The unicorn voice from the air then echoes...

Time Phase! Force Field!

* As The Storm turns to pinpoint the source, the image of the unicorn dive bombs out of the clouds behind him, horn lowered and crackling with aggressive energy, straight for where the physical attack actually occurred seconds before...

I was trusting the bird would crash into the only window for miles around, but still - have at thee!

The Storm: *Laughing, though his breath hitches* That's more like it! *He takes his typical shape and braces to take the hit*

*But his anticipation is ill-judged, for the attack has already taken place and the phased image passes harmlessly straight through him...

Now!

*The image winks out of existence as the unicorn's time stream dephases and returns to normal...

Electrolysis!

*The air around The Storm is suddenly thick with the smell of ozone, the unicorn appears to have materialised some thirty feet distant and bracing himself, while the copper lasso, one end dipped into the ocean surf, is whipping towards The Storm, no more than twelve inches from his hand...

The Storm: *He pulls in the electrified air, growing in size as he does, and then releases a condensed bolt of electricity at his opponent.*

*The bolt instead arcs to the grounded copper wire, vapourising the lasso but not before the generated spark spontaneously ignites all the hydrogen broken down from the moisture in the air, bathing The Storm completely with invisible flames; the only visible colour coming from his burning hair and eyebrows.

Air and Water, shake hands with Earth and Fire! Play nice now!

*The unicorn pours energy into strengthening the electrolysis field, brow furrowing with effort as his follow-up is readied...

The Storm: *Grins as the flames, both visible and invisible, are incorporated into himself. He grows and lengthens, taking on the form of a gigantic fiery snake. He slithers toward his adversary, hissing gouts of fire as he goes*

Dammit! Didst not even make him blink!

*But once the energies are gathered, a spell must be released...

Only chance now is with fire not being his natural element - create so much fuel that he cannot control it, threaten to have it consume him -

Tsunami!

RUUUUN!!

*A giant tidal wave of ocean water swells up, roaring towards the shore and pouring towards the battlefield. Ignoring the heat from the monstrous serpent, the unicorn takes a flying leap by, dashing past and galloping inland, remaining ahead of the surging ocean. Behind, the tsunami meets the electrolysis field surrounding The Storm, tons of water pouring in and evaporating into its component elements...

*A huge destructive explosion of heat and blast from the combusting hydrogen throws the unicorn off his hooves and through the air, coming down heavily many metres away and tumbling over and over before coming to an eventual stop. The inferno, even from that distance, is searing...

Too close - have to get... further -

* Wincing in pain from bruised and possibly broken ribs, the unicorn does his best with creating a heat shield with the remaining energies left to him, staggering for another three hundred yards, and turning back to squint at the raging firestorm. Standing unsteadily, he wheezes in agony as he shakes the small sparks of flame from his mane and tail. The blazing mass has no recognisable shape; the electrolysis field eventually exhausts and the sea water is allowed to flood in and steadily overcome and quench the inferno. Obscured by billows of steam, of The Storm himself there appears to be no sign.

Can it be over... hath I - done enough -

*The chain of office slips from around the unicorn's neck and tumbles to the sand; the coppery link has snapped, having turned black and carbonised. It is the last apt metaphor to run through the unicorn's head before his forelegs give out from under him and he, too, collapses to the sand in blissful unconsciousness.

The Storm: *Now formed of semi-corporeal steam leans over the unconscious form* That was a very good game, Two-Halves. I respect your version of chaos, though I find it limited. You have my attention and my friendship.

Now, Brother, our siblings gather their votes against your meddling. It is time to come home and take your penance.
*A black oil runs out of the unconscious unicorn’s nostrils and evaporated into the stormy sky. The Vile One has retreated. The Storm turns to return to the sea, but pauses. He picks up the broken chain in his hands and replaces the missing link with one of lapis lazuli and places it on the ground.* Be well. Fate is far from finished with you.

*My eyes open, vision blurring, staring down at the sand... the haze clears, and I find myself on my knees and... hands?

*With some surprise, I hurriedly arise, reaching up... yes, the glasses are there, but I can't feel them - I must be the human ghost image once more. With the battle over, the two aspects of myself must have separated again, quite literally. The glasses... how on earth did they survive? How did I -

*Whipping my head towards the unmoving unicorn body, even as a ghost my face is capable of turning a more deathly pale.

*Turning around, I watch The Storm as he walks impassively towards the sea... Not yet - there are too many questions!

"Hey... HEY!" I shout and start running after him, desperate to get his attention.

The Storm: *pauses and turns* Your passenger has departed. No need for concern.

Concern?

*looking back at my body, some distance away...

I - we - the two aspects, they haven't been this far apart from each other before. Does that mean I'm... my body - is dead? What happens now?

I was never told - not properly - just who and what you really are, only hints of what was expected of me, by one I misread and hadn't trusted before now. His present course... is it anything to do with you?

The Storm: *glancing at the unicorn* He isn’t dead. Having two residents ripped from one’s mind is exhausting.

Your friend and I have no dealings with each other. He dislikes my siblings, and he barely tolerates me. No, his benefactor is of a far darker bent than myself and much less powerful, but far more ambitious. Those not conscious of Fate generally are.

*looking down at my shoes, glumly...

That's what I was afraid of... I wasn't wrong, he does still need rescuing from himself.

*up again...*

But what about yourself? You clearly know everything there is about me; but I'm only human - well, currently, anyway. Who am I in the presence of, that I've been sparring with this day?

The Storm: *he ponders a moment, grasping for a way to explain. Finally, seemingly inspired by his surrounding, he speaks* I am the Finger of necessary chaos. I am both the inferno that razes the forest and the rain that nourishes the ashes into new life. I am the ally of the elements and steward of each at once. I suppose, at my core, I am altruistic destruction, while my brother is destruction for destruction’s sake.

Your 'brother'? Then -

*forehead smacks with a grimace...

Another Guardian. Why didn't I realise... That's four of you that one way or another I've had contact with now, when just one is enough for ill omens to be spoken in hushed tones.

*despairingly to the heavens...

What is the MATTER with the world! What is it that made ME so special - that I was unceremoniously dumped into two decades ago! What am I supposed to be a catalyst FOR!

*a sudden thought...

Wait - you said 'those not conscious of Fate'. That can't mean... you're not hinting surely that Puck's ally is another human.

The Storm: *with a smirk* Catalyst? You’re more of a seam. You are creating connections within the tapestry. They will play out to their own ends after you have bridged them.

The Storm: Willful ignorance of Fate is not a strictly human characteristic. No, this is fae.

Then please, I implore you, you must tell me who it is. Even if the identity means nothing to me yet. I did make the promise to Robin Goodfellow that brought me here, that I wouldn't interfere directly with his efforts to bring back Oberon - but if there's a greater threat out there with its own agenda, I have the unicorn's code of honour that demands I do what I can to preserve what fragile balance remains to the world, and if there is any way to thwart that threat, I have to.

The Storm: *shakes his head* It is not mine to tell to you, nor is it anyone else’s. Instead, I caution you to stop looking. What comes of the weaving of those strands must come. Balance will eventually come of that chaos, and —being my specialty— I will protect it from you and any others who would try to deter it. Don’t take it personal; I’ve come to like you, point of fact. This is strictly business.

*fists clenched, holding back tears of frustration...

Then what is the POINT of any of us BEING HERE in a 'tapestry' that's padded like a Tolkein adaptation!

Yes, I'm just a man, one that's still having to acclimatise to a different scale of time and existence; but I am getting SO SICK of enforced universal inertia because of arbitrary cryptic 'business'! I am NOT spending three thousand years grinding the same character in the same quest chain for no apparent gain - I! NEED! TO! ACT!

*falls onto haunches and buries face in hands, sobbing...

The Storm: Then act where you can act! Why in all the realms have you taken on the misguided quest of being the savior to all? Who wants that kind of responsibility?

You can’t stop Robin because, apart from his role in the grand scheme of things, you would rob him of the only means of closure he will understand, and one of the best gifts he could ever receive. If you have any care for him you will let him burn himself and act as his friend when he suffers the consequence. If you do not stand apart from the fae and fail to honor your word to him guilelessly, I doubt you shall have that opportunity. Just an observation, of course.

I'm sorry... I just - it's been a hard couple of days right out of nowhere, you know? I don't pretend to be a 'saviour' - I'm not that arrogant - but I look at the beings around me and from my perspective they come across sometimes as nothing but automatons... no will of their own. And they're SUFFERING. And then I make MISTAKES because of that - BAD ones. And that THING that's been in my head for years.

I owe you my gratitude, at least... and Robin's... but now that I'm free, I don't really know where I should go from here.

There is one thing I have to know. Why did the Vile One seek to dominate me, and not one whose ambitions really could spell the end of a cycle if perverted the way he seeks? I thought I was overcompensating, appearing to care too much out of a need to prove myself, that I'm worth more than just a puppet. But out of all the available candidates, I was the one he chose. How could that not leave me with a subconscious inflated sense of self-importance?

The Storm: Mmm. That explains it. You have a fundamental misunderstanding of Fate because of your limited perspective. Fate and free will work in perfect uncanny harmony because Fate understands every aspect of this reality intimately. Take Robin, for instance. Fate knows how tenacious he is, how loyal, how unavoidably self-destructive... and so his thread has been woven accordingly to reflect how he will naturally act. When an outside force that is not part of the natural scheme --you, a Guardian, a person outside of time-- seeks to divert the natural course of Robin's free will, that is when we must step in and ensure that what would naturally happen does happen or, in very rare circumstances, doesn't. I don't know if you know this, but everyone in the realms suffers. It is part of existence.

The Storm: *with a pitying look* I wonder if he hasn't done as he set out to do already. As I said before, he is destruction. What better way to destroy a person than to force him into questioning and doubting all that he is? You said that you do not know what to do now that he has left you. Figure out who you actually are. What better revenge is there?

*contemplates these words...

So what you're essentially saying is that in believing yourself to have agency over your destiny you are in fact denying yourself that agency, and free will is not an illusion since the road not taken never exists, regardless of what you decide. Hence Fate stepping in to eliminate anything that would cause that paradox in knowing your own future. That assurance of true agency is who I thought I was. You don't have to patronise me with 'everybody suffers', the point was in doing what I could - can - to put an end to unnecessary suffering that I witness. You're telling me to better determine what is 'necessary' and what is not... the unicorn way. Kind of ironic, coming from you.

Alright... then if a confrontation with Robin's dark ally is inevitable later, is there anything I can learn that will help me prepare for it, based on what is known of him while both our timelines are in the now? That's worked before.

*looking back over towards the unconscious unicorn body, appears to draw breath on one side of the mouth through clenched teeth...

Do we have to just leave me lying there while my 'significant other' is out for the count for who knows how long? I look terribly vulnerable like that. And then there's the healing time... that's really going to hurt, isn't it.

The Storm: Essentially. Forgive me if I spoke wrongly. I don’t usually talk to people... I’m usually in that element of suffering, instead.

*he weighs the consequences for a few moments* Find out who has a vested interest in wresting the ownership of the cursed island from the little Moth’s grasp. That should give you a heading, at least.

*looks in his direction* Yes, it will. This might, too. Brace yourself. *lightning flashes and both aspects —complete with their belongings— are returned to their faerie mound*

*blinks and shakes head a second, before glancing over to the host body on the bed, now appearing to be sleeping rather than unconscious.

*thinking aloud into the ether...

Thank you. I think the best thing for me after I've healed up is a bit of a sabbatical. I wonder if Auris would be prepared to act as a mentor figure for a while...

Oh, and please tell your brother from me that he's a petty little prick.

*from somewhere either mental or physical, there is thunderous laughter*

Moody.

Ooh, that's a really lovely dramatic scene. ^_^ I definitely want to know how it proceeds; I feel like one could cut the tension with a knife. ... One shouldn't, because lightning rod, but still.

That's how one conducts battle.

And that's not merely a pun. That's what the Storm thinks the copper wire is in aid of, and he's all, 'you don't believe you can weaken me with that?'

But I'm not looking to ground his entire charge. All I want when the moment is right is one spark.

Even just on its merits as a pun, tip of the hat to you: that one's hard to resist.

And ha, it was clear you had a plan, but I'd wondered what that strand was and what you were up to. I suppose I'm still puzzling over the latter. A companion spell to draw on the charge at the right time? Perhaps something sympathetic? Or even -- as a sign I should have paid more attention in physics -- a high-stakes game of humbling him though a well-studied electrical property?

A driving rainstorm on the coast means there's a lot of moisture in the atmosphere, and that moisture can be easily electrolysed into hydrogen, oxygen and ozone.

Clever. That sheds some light on what you've got planned for a spark. I'll be rooting for you.

Though since battle's been joined, it may be best that I just watch how things unfold. Best of luck! With the hope that little luck is needed.

Riders on the storm.