So it seems, which is in keeping with the supposed gift part of them coming from bloodlines going way back.
[ He knew this was probably coming, but there's still a Sigh upon reading it. ]
I've often wondered that myself - about the assigning part, that is, since it seems to be referenced so often let alone it being all over us in the Horizon. One dangerous part of the Crests is that those without them can be exposed to crest stones resulting in them... transforming. The Demonic Beast that was over in Solvunn around the same time as our particular monster friend was a result of that.
[ And it's difficult to not think of their arcana as potentially leading to that, especially even more so after Steve's resonating. ]
[ Oh - right. That's probably one of those horrifying things he shouldn't drop casually in conversation. ]
I do. There were... stones that were fragments of Crests, more or less, and they were used to turn either unsuspecting or supposedly willing people into the Demonic Beasts roaming about. That or more horrifyingly, if someone picked up a relic meant to be used by someone with that Crest, they could also turn that way. Unfortunately I witnessed the latter once.
Yes, among other things when it comes to the stones. The Relics were... it was a surprise when we saw one such transformation back when we were students. I've seen a lot in my life, both before and after it, but any of the darker sides to Crests and what can be done with them isn't the sort of thing you forget. Easily, or ever.
It's alright, Steve. If I didn't want to tell you, we wouldn't be talking about it. Sometimes I wonder if we shouldn't be talking about what the arcana symbols might mean if they hold some sort of weight in all of like what with happened with the monsters.
[ That comes without hesitation. If there's any chance of something else generating that apology, what he really wants is to wave it away. They only know what they know, and he certainly meant it about avoiding something he didn't want to share.
There's more he could add, but. Maybe it'd be best to talk about in person sometime amongst all the other topics they tend to cover. And they could probably use a bit of levity again, so - ]
Promise there's no secret magic in the eyebrow routine. Well, other than it being just that good.
It does feel like there's more to the arcana symbols than we understand. The fact that they appear on us when we first go to the Horizon, the interaction between us and these monsters that came through the Rift... I agree that it would be good to look into it more.
[ The Singularity is the one that assigns the symbols to them, isn't it? It's the only thing that makes sense.
And Steve does appreciate the shift back to levity. It's true that Claude wouldn't have spoken of any of this if he wasn't willing to, but Steve still figures now is the time to circle back. ]
You're really talking it up. Well, I'll think about it.
Maybe there's another Summoned with a theory about it all we could ask sometime. I'd rather be ahead of knowing something than only finding out about it until it's too late.
[ Something he thinks Steve shares with him based on all their other past conversations and now this one, too. Istredd and Wanda are who come to mind with that, but: so many other Summoned have been here for some time now as they themselves are looking at a couple years' worth of time here in Abraxas coming up soon. There must be some other theories out there put together by those just as curious - and wary - as them.
But at least the latter adjective doesn't apply to Steve and the eyebrow treatment any longer. (Probably.) ]
I'll hold you to that if Hilda doesn't beat me to it first again.
I know Wanda has an interest in it and has been studying up on it. I know if she made any sort of breakthrough, she'd let me know, but there's no harm in asking around either.
[ Steve echoes Claude's thoughts about the whole thing without even realizing it. But Wanda tends to be his go-to person for anything magic-related. He would be fine with asking Stephen or Istredd too. ]
Sounds good. Thanks for the chat, Claude.
[ These kids are going to be the death of him someday... ]
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[ He knew this was probably coming, but there's still a Sigh upon reading it. ]
I've often wondered that myself - about the assigning part, that is, since it seems to be referenced so often let alone it being all over us in the Horizon. One dangerous part of the Crests is that those without them can be exposed to crest stones resulting in them... transforming. The Demonic Beast that was over in Solvunn around the same time as our particular monster friend was a result of that.
[ And it's difficult to not think of their arcana as potentially leading to that, especially even more so after Steve's resonating. ]
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[ Steve didn't interact with the Demonic Beast here in Abraxas, but he's pretty sure he remembers seeing it in Claude's nightmare.
Having that additional context is unnerving, to say the least. ]
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I do. There were... stones that were fragments of Crests, more or less, and they were used to turn either unsuspecting or supposedly willing people into the Demonic Beasts roaming about. That or more horrifyingly, if someone picked up a relic meant to be used by someone with that Crest, they could also turn that way. Unfortunately I witnessed the latter once.
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[ The fact that this happened multiple times is the most unsettling part. ]
When you say used, you mean that some people were purposefully setting things up so that people transformed?
[ Well, maybe he shouldn't be shocked. Hasn't he seen this sort of atrocious villain behavior countless times himself? ]
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[ To say the least. ]
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[ They've come a long way in this conversation from... tinting eyebrows. And Steve wonders if maybe he pressed a little too hard on an old wound.
What Claude describes sounds like the hell Bruce has had to live with as the Hulk (until he learned how to control it), except worse. ]
no subject
[ That comes without hesitation. If there's any chance of something else generating that apology, what he really wants is to wave it away. They only know what they know, and he certainly meant it about avoiding something he didn't want to share.
There's more he could add, but. Maybe it'd be best to talk about in person sometime amongst all the other topics they tend to cover. And they could probably use a bit of levity again, so - ]
Promise there's no secret magic in the eyebrow routine. Well, other than it being just that good.
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[ The Singularity is the one that assigns the symbols to them, isn't it? It's the only thing that makes sense.
And Steve does appreciate the shift back to levity. It's true that Claude wouldn't have spoken of any of this if he wasn't willing to, but Steve still figures now is the time to circle back. ]
You're really talking it up. Well, I'll think about it.
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[ Something he thinks Steve shares with him based on all their other past conversations and now this one, too. Istredd and Wanda are who come to mind with that, but: so many other Summoned have been here for some time now as they themselves are looking at a couple years' worth of time here in Abraxas coming up soon. There must be some other theories out there put together by those just as curious - and wary - as them.
But at least the latter adjective doesn't apply to Steve and the eyebrow treatment any longer. (Probably.) ]
I'll hold you to that if Hilda doesn't beat me to it first again.
no subject
[ Steve echoes Claude's thoughts about the whole thing without even realizing it. But Wanda tends to be his go-to person for anything magic-related. He would be fine with asking Stephen or Istredd too. ]
Sounds good. Thanks for the chat, Claude.
[ These kids are going to be the death of him someday... ]