• Closed • To Speak With Spirits (Tristan)

[Ashling]

”I will agree, Chester, if Tristan wants it. It’s his decision.”

Ashling didn’t hesitate even for a trill. She had absolutely no objections to Tristan rising to the role of speaker of The Circle. The opposite. Her fiancée would contribute to the best for Melrath.

As Chester seemed to understand and buy Kyrie’s conditions she had no problems with the diri of communication. It seemed nice enough. Kyrie seemed to think so too. The spiritual familiar withdrew and left the rest to Ashling.

“It’s for you to decide Tristan. I want you to know that I will stand by you whether you accept the offer or not.”

Ashling believed in loyalty. Loyalty to Melrath and loyalty to family and friends. She would love to see Tristan take on an important role that would require whole-hearted loyalty to Melrath. Still, she didn’t say it. She didn’t want to influence such big decisions. It was two big decisions now. The bonding with a diri might change Tristan’s life on a very personal level. Rising to a position in The Circle would change it for sure, on a social level. The ramifications were impossible to know, also the ramifications for her, Ashling.

Would he become another person than the Tristan she had fallen in love with? She couldn’t know. Her own experience of bonding with Kyrie hadn’t turned Ashling into another person though. It had enhanced the one she already had been and added a spiritual dimension. She imagined that Chester might mean the same to Tristan. Her fiancée was already a very communicative person. While the spirit-speech potion had enabled the contact randomly, it was maybe not random at all that it was a dirt of communication that had approached Tristan. It seemed like a match. Maybe Chester had been drawn to the person Tristan already was, not to change him, but to enhance him. It seemed reasonable. She had no idea why a diri would want to bond with somebody that wasn’t a soul mate.

Only one problem ... she wasn’t sure if Tristan would be able to say anything more than “Meow!”

There was nothing she could do now, except for waiting for Tristan's answer.

*

Meanwhile, the grey cat Musablot had taken advantage of the diversion Chester’s appearance had provided to sneak closer to his intended new caretaker, Ashling. Musablot wasn’t going to miss out on the opportunity to rise to a pampered personal pet. The days of working as basement rat-hunter living in the hold of Magnus but belonging to nobody in particular would soon be over. He would lay on velvet pillows and eat cream and shrimps...

Only one problem ... the alley-cat Stripes was also advancing on the couple. Musablot felt the hair on his back rise. He was tempted to growl but held back. Stipes was a street-fighter and had so far won all their encounters. Musablot wasn’t scared ... no way ... he was just not keen on getting his grey fur ruined by scratches and blood right when he wanted to charm Ashling and win a forever home.

Unfortunately, Stripes detected Musablot. The alley-cat didn’t hesitate to growl. It was ready to attack. “I will tear your ears off this time, you grey loser, you” he mewled at Musablot in cat-speak. “Meeeeeooooow!”

[Tristan Venora]

"I'm honored to meet you, Chester", Tristan remarked in a polite tone of voice when the diri introduced himself and even bowed. He really was that - honored rather than simply pleased like you usually were, or at least pretended to be, when you met someone new. He absolutely loved cats, and he was quite fascinated by spirits. The fact that a Diri of Communication (He wondered what exactly that was!) had offered to bond with him was amazing. He had been dealing with the rich, famous and powerful since he had been a little boy, and thus being in the presence of important people didn't affect him much, but a cat spirit?

Oh my!

When Chester considered Ashling's terms and turned out to not have much of a problem with them (although he called them "peculiar" for some reason), Tristan beamed at him because he was so happy to hear that. A moment later, when the diri stood on his hindquarters and walked towards him and Ashling, Tristan's eyes widened. He had never seen a cat move like that, apart from the cat people of the Misty Miasma. Maybe Chester could walk because he was a diri rather than an actual cat though?

Either way, it was amazing, and it distracted him a bit from the fact that he unfortunately still meowed.

When Chester mentioned a counter condition, one of the young man's eyebrows rose as he couldn't help but wonder what exactly the diri wanted from him (Daily deliveries of fresh salmon, catnip and milk? A dozen mice that he could chase for his entertainment? A pretty cat lady that he could flirt with - provided that diri were interested in flirting?).

Upon hearing that Chester wanted him to become the new Speaker of Melrath, Tristan was taken by surprise for the umpteenth time within a couple of bits, but in a very positive way. He loved his new life in Melrath, and he was very happy with Ashling, but sometimes, he missed politics, as strange as that sounded (There were probably a lot of people that didn't like politics at all!).

He hadn't considered getting involved in Melrath because he had only just become a citizen, and he had a couple of Immortal marks besides that, but with the help of a diri, he might just stand a chance. He wanted to get involved and give something back to his new home - and prove his loyalty - and the position of Speaker sounded like it would be perfect for him.

He was a citizen of Melrath now, but he had spent most of his life outside - he knew what the world beyond Melrath's borders was like. His experience could be quite valuable!

Apparently, he concluded, Chester was a very political diri!

He was quite happy about those new terms - he knew that bonding with a spirit would change him, but in his opinion, it would be worth it - but he turned to Ashling again regardless in order to consult with her.

When she told Chester that she agreed, and that it was his, Tristan's decision, he smiled at her. He wanted to thank her and tell her how much he loved her, but since he wasn't sure what kind of sounds would come out of his mouth, he decided to take her hand in his instead.

Hopefully, she knew what the gesture meant - and how much he appreciated her support!

Time seemed to be running out though - Chester had mentioned that the bond was waning - so Tristan turned away from his fiancee again and replied in a firm tone of voice, inclining his head as he did so and trying not to think too much about how he sounded like a cat, "I would be honored to bond with you, Chester - and I will become the new Speaker of Melrath!"

Having said that, he bowed his head slightly and waited for Chester’s reaction, wondering what exactly bonding with a diri would feel like – if it actually felt like something, that is.

~~~

Tristan was so focused on Chester - when you were facing such a magnificent being, as the Diri of Communication your entire attention should be on them in his opinion - that he didn't notice what was going on between Ashling's newest admirer (Musablot) and Stripes right away.

He only realized that something was happening when Stripes meowed loudly. He didn't know if the two cats would understand him, or if the cat-speech potion only worked on cat spirits after he had modified it - but he had to give it a try and calm Stripes down, nevertheless.

"There is no need to argue", he told the leader of the cat colony. "Musablot will behave, besides, we have company. You really shouldn’t tear each other’s ears off in the presence of a noble diri!” he pointed out. It only occurred to him belatedly that Stripes and Musablot might not be able to see Chester – or care about good manners. They were cats!

[Pig Boy]

It was a strange feeling that came over Tristan when Chester completed his bond with the mortal noble. It wasn't unlike the sensations that came over him when he tried his modified cat-speech potion, turned into a spirit-talk potion. The first thing he, and Ashling, would notice, was that he was now not talking like a cat anymore. In fact, should he overhear anyone speaking a language he was unfamiliar with or even just mumbling loud enough to hear in an unintelligible voice, he'd find himself able to understand them clearly, as if they's spoken it plainly in his first language. He could no longer speak with the cats, as his modified potion had just run out after chastising the alley cats that were fighting among themselves. But this was part of the diri's power.

From there, he and Ashling would be set to return home with the secret of the spirit-speak potion. It was up to them what they wanted to do with the knowledge from here on, but it was clear their future may lay in Circle politics.

Player Name: Ashling

Points awarded: 20 xp
Magic xp: none

Knowledge:

Medicine: x4 (for using her herbalism knowledge to aid in discoveries)
Fieldcraft: x4
Resistance: x6 (For taking drugs)
Animal Training: x 4 (For inadvertently herding cats)
Detection: x 2


Renown: 15 for taking part in a grand discovery, that will surely have consequences.
Loot: The acquaitance of two alley cats.
Injuries/Overstepping: A little hung-over from the effects of the drugs she took during this thread.
Wealth Points: n/a
Consequences: If and when Tristan starts to pursue a career in politics in the Circle, Ashling will become a focal point for those wishing to influence the budding politician. Many will make suggestions and offer support (which clearly comes with strings.). Some will offer outright bribes even. All just to get their suggestions and ideas into the ear of the Duke.

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriately to PC's level

Player Name: Tristan

Points awarded: 20 xp
Magic xp: none

Knowledge:

Alchemy: x 10 (for making an amazing discovery)
Medicine: x 5
Politics: x 3
Persuasion: x 2

Renown: 20 for being the one to make a grand discovery, which surely will spread when/if he makes it public.
Loot: A new recipe for a spirit-speak potion.

Chester, Diri Familiar of Communication:

Appearance: Takes on an appearance of a cat ensconced with an aurora.

Personality: Chatty, friendly, and sometimes pushy.

Diri of Communication's Abilities:

Omnilingualism: Three times per trial, for a break each in each instance, Tristan can speak and understand any language. Language barriers don't apply while this power is active.

Perfect Communication: When people whisper, mumble, or even make the slightest sound that's detectable to Tristan, he can overhear them and understand clearly what they say and what they mean by what they say. Even coded language will hold no secrets from Tristan.

Bridging the Gap: At any time, Tristan and Ashling can communicate with each other, although this communication is gated by a willingness from either one of them to receive or give the communication. They cannot read each others' minds against their will, but can share thoughts seamlessly when there is a mutual willingness. Chester will not intrude upon Ashling's mind at all, through this link, nor will Tristan ever be able to perceive or communicate with Kyrie without that spirit's consent.

There may be other powers that can be unlocked, to a maximum of five including these three. Should you wish to pursue other abilities, submit them to the PSF including stories where Chester appears, and his concept is utilized/satisfied. This power acquisition works much like mark progression.

Injuries/Overstepping: Tristan will speak like a cat for about a few bits after bonding with Chester. Then he will return to normal speech.
Wealth Points: n/a
Consequences: A task from Chester to pursue a political career in Melrath.

Skill Review: All Skills used appropriately to PC's level

Notes:Thanks for letting me drop into your thread! I enjoyed playing Chester very much, and hope you have fun with the new spirit buddy.

The thread from beginning to end was very quirky and fun to read, and I enjoy how Ashling and Tristan interact. I thought Ashling's conditions were very true to character, she's a very fiercely independent woman, and wouldn't let the spirit Chester fool her into letting it uninhibited access to her mind. That was very clever of her, in my opinion, and made the character feel very real unto herself. I also enjoyed Kyrie's appearance and their song!

Tristan is a fun character, and he seems to have come a long way from the Duke he was in Rynmere, to the newly naturalized citizen of Melrath. I wonder how he'll use the spirit he's bonded with, if at all, or if he'll actually go through with the political career. I look forward to seeing much more of these two in the future.

Thanks again for your trust in letting me oversee/modbomb this thread! I enjoyed it greatly.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this review, feel free to PM. Enjoy your rewards!