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sphere 01 ᘓ video

[Well, someone has embraced this tin foil hat thing a little too enthusiastically. That hat is probably the first thing everyone notices about this broadcast. Goddamn, look at that thing. As if he didn't already look ridiculous enough in those robes.

The person who's wearing it -- a man, with a long, well-aged face -- is smiling, all warm and serene and welcoming.]

Greetings. I am Braska, a... mage hailing from the world of Spira. [He almost said summoner. Whoops. That's not the important part of his announcement, here. And, besides. Technically, he used to be a summoner. But all that ended... a while ago.] I am offering my services as a healer to Blackstaff. While it is true that I am an experienced White Mage, I am also skilled in the way of natural remedies -- that is to say, the creation and use of herbal cures. So, if you are not comfortable with magic, then there is an alternative for us to use instead.

I accept many forms of payment, so if you are low on gi -- [gil] money, then, fear not, we may trade instead. "Trade" is a... loose term. I do not speak merely of goods; I'm willing to even accept deeds, such as helping me gather the herbs I need for my remedies. [♥]

That said, this is more than an advertisement. [Braska laughs.] As I said, I am offering my services. Should you feel the need, you may come to me for help with your neuralflu. As you can see, I am well-prepared, [he adjusts his hat, grin widening,] and I would appreciate the opportunity to get a better look at the illness myself. The better acquainted I am with ailments, the better I can aid in easing their symptoms, if not curing them altogether. [He holds up his hands, bowing his head placatingly.] No experimentation needed, if you are uncomfortable with the idea; I merely need to watch, and to study.

Ah, and one last thing. [... and then, right at the end, his professionalism drops, and his smile becomes -- goofy.] Does anyone happen to know where I might purchase some grubs from that advertisement?

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[Braska doesn't entirely manage not to grimace. He'd been hoping this wouldn't be what Narvin decided to go with. He understands, he does, he understands the logic behind it, and something like this will hardly be difficult to fix, but... sigh. Still.

Braska holds Dreamwaker loosely in his right hand and breathes out. There it is again, that uncomfortable prickle under his skin, magnified with his focus: This is not a world with pyreflies. There is something -- else -- and he has meditated to try and better acquaint himself with it, but -- They are not pyreflies. Even the water of this world is different, so different, in ways he does not know he could describe to someone else if he tried.

But, he sets his discomfort aside. His meditation has, at the very least, helped him easier attune himself with this world. It still takes that extra breath, these extra moments, but he does not struggle as he otherwise might.

Life energy is life energy, even as it is different inside the man standing opposite him.

And almost immediately, Braska has to blink a few times rapidly in surprise. Ah. He is not human. It is -- again, the difference is difficult for Braska to describe, but the closest he can manage is to imagine reaching for a mug of tea, expecting it to be floral, only to find it fruity instead. Tea is tea, regardless, and as far as Narvin's little cut goes, everything still, for the most part, functions the same for the White Magic. But that doesn't make it any less startling nonetheless.

Meanwhile, all that happens externally as Braska focuses? Braska shifts the end of his staff in towards his body, tucking his elbows closer as well... And a soft light begins to glow: A small blue pulse, a gentle swirl of light green wind, a quiet sound...

Braska makes a lazy gesture with his right arm, waving his staff mildly, and the spell activates. Another light blue pulse of light emits from the center of Narvin's body, a starbust of white rays of light curling outward, and -- yes -- those certainly are sparkles, complete with a soft tinkling sound, almost like windchimes.

It feels like a cool, gentle wind under his skin -- all of it, not just his arm -- and the cut seals up, just like that, the skin feeling a little more chilled where it used to be.

And that? Is that. Braska is still smiling, as gentle as the spell he just cast. He says nothing.]

Edited (mistyped words) 2014-06-18 08:36 (UTC)

[Narvin flinches as the light appears. His heartsrate speeds up. Magic was antithetical to modern Gallifrey, it was a relic of the barbaric past and associated with all the corruption and evil of that. He thinks for a moment that he was mad for trying this. He'd honestly expected it to turn out to be a hoax, and then he could have uncovered it and shamed the so-called magic user cum fraudster. But it isn't a hoax and now the only thing that keeps Narvin from pulling away is desperation. As much as he doesn't like magic, he's willing to consider anything that might get him his regenerations back.

Still, by the time the spell is ended, Narvin is tense and his jaw clenched tightly.]

[Braska's expression does not change, but a sparkle comes to his eyes.

lightly teasing:] Did my worst live up to your expectations?

Edited 2014-06-20 00:43 (UTC)

Well, I'm still alive, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I still can't say I'm entirely comfortable with the procedure.

[It unnerves him. But it works. And that's what's important to Narvin. Ends over means.]

Is the effect permanent?

[Braska bows his head.] You need not partake of my services if you'd prefer not to.

Of course. It wouldn't be very practical for us to use it if it wasn't.

Yes, I know that. [He snaps. Nervousness makes him more irritable than usual.] At least I should hope you wouldn't force your powers on others against their will.

Some medical techniques serve only to hold the critical effects of an injury at bay long enough for the body's own mechanisms to heal itself. It's effective enough for wounds, but useless against degenerative or incurable diseases.

[Braska just kind of slowly raises his eyebrows. He'd meant that as a gentle reminder, to remove pressure. It seems to have worked a little too well. That certainly is a lot of pressure built up there.

He doesn't comment on it; he doesn't reply at all. He'll just leave that there.]

Ah, of course. My apologies; I misunderstood. That varies on the level of the spell. Sometimes, a simple Cure -- which is what I showed you -- is not enough. But it has more powerful forms in Cura and Curaga; however, these spells are to heal injuries. They are not helpful when it comes to combating illness, disease, and other maladies.

That is when we turn to Esuna, which is something of an all-purpose spell in that it can be used to cleanse poison and magical blindness, but even so, it is far from all-powerful. There are some spells and conditions that it cannot counter, either due to the opposing spell's strength or the nature of the ailment. In the latter case, this stems from a lack of understanding on the part of the healer. Research is necessary, even in the presence of magic. [And unfortunately, Spira is woefully behind in its understanding of science and technology due to the teachings of Yevon.]

Ah. [Narvin's shoulders slump a little.]

So you can't cure unknown diseases or restore...[how to explain it without actually explaining it]...restore life.

[Braska looks at him curiously now.]

No... Unfortunately not. If we could do such a thing with White Magic, Spira would not have suffered as it has.

Right.

[Narvin's lips are thin. The test was for for nothing then. Still, Narvin manages to dredge of up a bit of appropriate gratitude.]

Well. Thank you for your time, in any case.

Any time. [Braska gives a full bow now, folding an arm across his waist, just barely managing to avoid performing the prayer.]

Is there anything else I may do for you?

No.

But, just for the record, should I be injured, what are your rates?

I am in the business of easing suffering, not making profit. My concern is first and foremost that those in my care do not have to choose between food and healing.

If that is the line they walk, then I charge nothing. If they have the means, then they are invited to pay what they feel is fair for the treatment. If they feel it necessary to repay me but do not have the funds, then I accept trade of any kind; for deeds, for goods, whatever they can manage.

[Braska knows this is going to sound like bullshit, and it shows; his stance may be relaxed, but his shoulders are set and he maintains eye contact through the entire explanation. You seem like the kind of guy that's gonna challenge an answer like this, Narvin. He's ready for you, and not concerned about it in the least.]

Edited 2014-07-02 14:58 (UTC)

[And challenge it, Narvin does. Especially since the last doctor of Narvin's acquaintance was very much about profit and self interest.]

So you do all this purely out of the goodness of your hearts...heart, is it?

[easy as breathing:] Yes.

You say that as though it is a bad thing.

No, it isn't a bad thing.

I simply don't believe anyone when they claim it as their motive.

[All the cynicism, right here.]

What reason would I have to lie?

[Braska still doesn't seem all that bothered.]

I don't know. You tell me.

[You, sir, are too damn nice and agreeable. Narvin does not trust it, not at all. No one is that nice for real.]

[Braska spreads his free hand.] I make less profit than others might. I take no information. There is nothing for me to gain from doing this.

But it is... [Braska's smile changes -- fond and nostalgic and regretful and maybe, just maybe, distraught. All he can hear, now, is Jecht's voice, even as he says it:] The right thing to do. [... Jecht...

Braska takes a deep breath to bring his focus back.] I am a healer. I was once a priest. I was once a summoner. It has always been my purpose to ease the suffering of others. If there are those who cannot care for themselves, why shouldn't I offer my hand?

Hmmm.

[Nope, he's still not sure about this altruism business. And not sure about people of religion. Time Lord history makes him automatically suspicious of priests and priestesses.]

A priest? So after you miraculously cure them, you try to push your religion on them, draw them into the fold, is that it?

[Braska laughs. He can't help himself. And it isn't... exactly a happy laugh. It isn't mean, either, though.]

My religion is what I believe is called defunct, Mr. Narvin.

[He wants to say "good." He doesn't like religion. But he's developed just enough tact to stop himself.

He is curious, though.]

Conquered and replaced by another, or simply went out of fashion?

[Braska's smile becomes a little more strained.] Neither, but the latter is, I suppose, closest to the truth.

[He pauses, considering. ... is this something he wants to explain? He doesn't have to. He could simply say that it is still very personal, confess that he's not entirely comfortable talking about it.

But?... It would explain everything that Narvin seems to want to know about him. And the idea of having someone, even if they do not hold a high opinion of him, knowing... Without burdening someone such as Wander -- Yes. Yes, he thinks he will tell him. ... if, of course, Narvin wants to hear it.]

I could explain more fully, if you'd like.

Please do. [Narvin is never one to turn down an offer of information.]

The short version is that the highest ranking members of the church and the leaders of our society, the maesters, were discovered to be perpetuating the cycle of death and suffering of the people they vowed to protect. Once the cycle was ended and the truth revealed, the public cast the faith aside in its entirety.

[He pauses to let that sink in. Given Narvin's attitude, he's probably feeling validated right now.]

Edited (latest typo fixing ever) 2014-07-30 00:26 (UTC)

gomen tl;dr

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1/? STORY TIME WITH LORD BRASKA