❝Of course, my abilities are on a different level to begin with.❞

[clinical]

[This morning, Jade woke up feeling strange. It did not take him long to realise that, while fonons were moving through him at the usual rate, he wasn't able to perform any artes. That was unusual. What was more unusual was the power that complimented the absence.

It was not unusual how easy it was for him to think of things he could do with that power.

Obviously, there are three ways to stop oneself from using phenomenal cosmic powers to alter history and correct a past of death and suffering. He starts with way Number One:]

[Jade pops up on the Astral Plane, holding the letter he received in hand.]

It seems I've kindly been invited on a scavenger hunt. Should anyone else have also been asked to participate, may I humbly request that they take over for me? I'm afraid such energetic activities strain me these days.

Comments

[clinical]

Are you able to try it here?

[darkercalling]

[He thinks for a second, then drops from the plane.

When he returns, he's standing beside a pretty decent-sized boulder. He backs up a few paces, holds out his hand... and the boulder is suddenly lifted into the air. It moves a good distance to the right before dropping once again.]

I have never been able to do that.

[clinical]

[Jade considers it for a moment. That almost looks like control of Earth, even if it wouldn't pan out that way for the Second Fonon.] Are you able to demonstrate any control over air, water, or fire? [He already knows control over darkness is right out.]

[darkercalling]

[He shakes his head.]

Just the ground. [Pause.] You have an idea?

[clinical]

You said you'd lost the ability to control darkness. I assume you felt some kind of connection to that element before? Do you feel any connection, similar or different, to earth?

[darkercalling]

Now that I've noticed it's there, yes, I do. But it's different.

[It's not like control over dirt can get into your heart and mess you up.]

[clinical]

[He has a rocky heart.

Er. Jade observes, but doesn't comment on anything but the technical matters.] If there is nothing similar in the world you're familiar with, it could potentially be from one of the other worlds.

[darkercalling]

And everything will go right back to normal if I figure out what thing I lost, and go find it?

[clinical]

That seems a likely interpretation of the letter. It also fits with my experiences, after all.

[darkercalling]

[He sighs.]

Then, I'm back at square one. What did I lose...?

[clinical]

Do a look through your inventory and immediate surroundings, and keep an eye out for anything absent or anything present that shouldn't be there. It's possible you might have something that belongs to someone else.

[Speaking of, Jade just took a manacle out of his pocket and started casually spinning it in hand. Happy birthday to you, Kilgharrah.]

[darkercalling]

[Because spinning a manacle around isn't at all strange. Really, Jade. It doesn't bother Riku, apparently - he just watches, curious.]

It was just... somewhere in your world? Where you could find it?

[clinical]

[This is why Riku is cool.] As I found it in my office, I'd guess it isn't somewhere too out of the way.