shellphones | [open]

Entry tags:

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Type: Video
Sender ID: hasapoint (Lashan)
To: Public
Subject: waterproofing charms
Warnings: none!

[FIRST: You get a very close shot of Lashan's eye as she squints at her shellphone. We have here that double-doozy of a medieval and an old person and while she's pretty sharp, these devices are not intuitive to her.]

'S it working? The bead's glowing.

[aka 'the light's on'. The video pulls back a bit but like, it's still pretty close and the angle is unflattering. This whole thing feels completely unnatural to her and the lines between her brows are deepened in a frown.]

I'm Sister Lashan. I'm a lay sister, not a nun. I've made some charms for waterproofing. They're not well-tested though. If you help me with that I'll give you one. Want to know their tolerances and if I have to tweak anything before I start selling them. I'm on Elrut.

[yeah this has made her feel ridiculous and stilted. She prods at the phone with a finger.]

...How do I- [she found out how to end message! this was Not guaranteed.]

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[Not long ago Alhaitham wouldn't exactly have an answer to that question, but now...]

When you return its back to the exact moment in which you left. [He tells her simply, since its not like there is any reason to sugarcoat any of this.] You don't remember anything, either.

[And that is... well. Its something he and Kaveh don't agree with, mostly because of everything that they've worked to have for each other here. Even if they know that they'll eventually get there back home... they don't want to lose the memories that have helped them down that path.]

Hm. [Yeah, that's weird.] So, nothing done here matters, except to here? There's a thought. Wonder what that means.

[Bizarre as this place is - and it is bizarre, if Alhaitham watches closely Lashan is carefully not staring at a lot of the people she passes - it seems very real.]

My Sisters wouldn't have been happy if I disappeared, but they could've gotten on. I suppose it's as well that I don't, though, they'd have to step up producing manuscripts to make up for the revenue I wouldn't be bringing in and that's hard on you.

That is the status quo as we understand it at present.

[Keyword being 'at present', of course. There's still a lot about the rifts and themselves as riftfarers that is not understood, and while Alhaitham has always been interested in wanting to find out more, recent events have made it more of an investment—because now he has a personal reason in seeking that knowledge and understanding.

As they walk Alhaitham does notice, a bit, that she doesn't seem to regard the other people that pass by, but he'll chalk that up to nervousness rather than any specific reason. He can understand how much all of this is to take in, especially when its all so sudden. He was lucky that Kaveh was already around when he first came here.

But that aside, her mention about producing manuscripts piques his interest as a scholar. Though, when he combines that with the fact that she'd mentioned her 'Sisters'... some kind of religion, then, maybe similar to what Mondstadt has in reverence to the Anemo Archon.

Had it been anyone else Alhaitham may have perhaps prodded at it a bit, but considering how Lashan is an elderly lady he is... being more mindful than usual, so he will not try to pry.]

If you desire a job to keep yourself occupied most riftfarers tend to turn to the Manta board. There are other avenues, of course, but the jobs from the board are fairly direct, and they don't ask questions.

[Just do the job, show proof, and get paid. It's about as simple as it comes.]

[She doesn't want to goggle at people like a rube, but where she's from 'people' almost exclusively means 'human' and are dressed quite differently, and everyone's on solid ground and etc etc. Lashan really wants to visibly take things in stride and be in control of herself, not to be confused and overwhelmed and wildly homesick. At least, not where these strangers can see her.]

I'm a little old to go out adventuring. I'm not incapable, mind. [she taps the sword on her belt] But some things are better left to the young. Or younger than me at any rate. There's a reason I retired as a merc, and even that was a long time ago.

[Fighting, running, struggling takes so much out of her these days. Lashan can augment herself for it, but that's wearing too.]

I'll check the board, though. If there are less-strenuous options, I'll think about them.

[Alhaitham did surmise that the weapon at her hip isn't for show, but he's also familiar with the ways of the retired mercs; there's more than a couple of them that live in Sumeru City after all, and many others out in Aaru Village, which he goes to every once in a while when he has to take a trip out to the desert. Even if they no longer work in those lines, they carry with them a wreath of information and experience that is always useful to have in any situation.

But putting that aside, he can also understand where her concerns come from.] A good number of jobs do involve some degree of combat, but there are others which do not. [Alhaitham doesn't go out for the fighting ones as much as he used to now these days himself; not that he isn't willing, but some of the creatures here are beyond anything that he's used to and he's not so foolish as to risk his chances.] Of course, its still your choice to take them up or look at another avenue of work.

[A pause here as he ascertains where they are and where they need to be, and once he's made the required adjustments he continues to lead the way.]

I'll have to go and keep busy somehow. A lull's great for a few days but it's no way to go through life.

[Even if nothing really matters here, it's better to act as if it does. Lashan looks around in the pause.]

So is this going to be a building or just out on the harbor?

[If you ask Alhaitham he is all for relaxing for as long as possible—which is more or less what he's been doing. Relaxing and pursuing things that are purely in his interest, rather than from a place of obligation. It's very freeing, if he has anything to say about it.]

It's a pond that's closer to the outskirts of the main hub. [He answers, in response to her question.] It should be deep enough to serve our purpose.

[Sure it might not be actual seawater but. Unless the amount of salt in the sea is going to affect the effectiveness of these charms Alhaitham isn't going to fuss too much on this.]

Is this somewhere that people go and swim in?

[She's trying to seem neutral about it but there's a bit of distaste that gets through. Swimming in a pond is better than going into the sea, it's just. why would you want to go in water, people drown doing that. she never learned and frankly it feels too late now.]

Not to my knowledge. The wildlife that dwells in it has proven to be a rather effective deterrent.

[Alhaitham has no real opinions about swimming since its just something that needs to be done to get from point A to B. ~~The perils of being a character from an open world game.~~ He isn't fond of getting his clothes soaked though, but if these waterproofing charms work as well as claimed then that might soon be a thing of the past.]

Ergh. [Another of the reasons why she doesn't like the idea.] Well, you're the one going in.

So part of the use of these is that they've got to be sort of 'taught' what to work on by touching them to whatever it is first. They don't 'know' otherwise. They don't work as well on living things because that's better than if they worked too well and dried them out. You can see how that would be a problem.

[Alhaitham is indeed the one going in, and he can deal with one set of soaked clothing if that's what it takes to make this charm work the way its intended to. Which, considering what has just been explained to him, sounds fairly important.]

Yes. [He returns, without any other fanfare, seeing their destination coming into view now.] Is there anything else I need to keep in mind?

If your mouth or eyes itch, tell me.

[Lashan is fully confident that her waterproofing charms won't cause injury, but if her calculations are off one might dehydrate Althaim slightly, enough to irritate those wet, sensitive regions. She's working alone and with slightly different materials, in a place where the rules are different, and is too cautious to assume that won't make any difference.]

What do you want kept dry? Clothes, skin, hair, gear? I'm going to stand where I can see. After I give you one and show you what to do.

[There's a small hum and nod to her answer before he goes on to respond to her question back in turn.] Clothes and gear, mostly. We can focus on that if its the inorganic that's easier to work with.

[He can just dry himself out if its skin and hair so it should be fine... hopefully. Won't know until an attempt is actually made, but that's what this is for.

There's not much distance left between them and their destination now, so it only takes a bit more walking for them to arrive. It turns out to be a pound that's... maybe on the outskirts of a park? There may or may not be some sheep roaming about, but they're all far enough that it won't pose any sort of issue.]

[Ah, sheep. Lashan takes a second to look their way, having a mingled fondness and exasperation for such animals. These are bigger than the ones in her Sisterhood's herds or those kept by the clans, as she'd seen while warding off those flying sheep when she first arrived.

Anyway. She gets two talismans out and gives Alhaitham one, keeping the other and hooking thumb and finger through gaps. It's a circle of heavier wire with a letter-like shape made of lighter wire within, with four-ply wool thread wrapped and tied around and through it. It feels slightly heavier than it looks, but not by much.]

Here, to set it, you'll want to squeeze these two closer together, like this, and run it along what you want to protect. Let's say I wanted to keep my tunic dry, I'd do this.

[Lashan touches the talisman to her breastbone, dips it down almost to the hem, back up to the upper edge, down one sleeve and back, then transfers it to her other hand to run it down her other sleeve and back. The two elements that had been held together ease back apart into their previous configuration.]

Then you'll want to keep it on you or it'll wear off quickly.

[Alhaitham easily takes the talisman that'd been offered to him, and he studies it for a moment before he turns his attention over to her hands, gaze turning sharp as he watches what she does, also making sure to pay full attention to her words at the same time. That same level of attention persists when she goes on to demonstrate what to do, gaze fully affixed to the movement of her hands, only breaking when it becomes clear enough that she's done.]

Hmm. [A hum, mostly out of acknowledgement, and Alhaitham looks at the talisman in his hand for a second more before he follows after what has just been shown to him—holding the talisman in the same way as she'd done and then pressing it to his clothes to drag it across the fabric.] Do I simply have to keep the talisman on myself in some fashion? Or is there a specific way in which to do so?

Might have to stand on one leg to get your trousers and footwear, depends on how flexible you are. You can do it to things you haven't put on yet, too. I think of it as sort of painting these things with wax.

[Hard to say if it feels like anything's happened. Maybe a slight prickling in the wake of the talisman, but it's faint enough to possibly be imagination.]

I'm partial to necklaces but I don't think it really matters as long as it stays put. Things can end up falling out of pockets underwater, can't they?

[While there are certain things which Alhaitham is sensitive to, enchantments and such don't really count in that, so he doesn't really feel anything beyond the sensation of his own fingers pressing down into his skin through his clothing. Speaking of which...]

I see. [That kind of makes sense, though having said that he's going to make a note of doing his shoes last now. It's just better that way for everyone.] And they are reusable?

[That hasn't been addressed yet but given its material it does seem to suggest some manner of long term usage... and if not it would be a bit of a shame to see these things discarded so soon.]

They are, but they'll come to pieces eventually and won't be good for anything then. I have the feeling full immersion and salt water will wear them out faster, and being damaged does that too, so make sure you check.

[she folds her heavy forearms over her chest, thinking back.]

My aunties taught me how to etch or stitch that word into things. The stitch would break or the lines would fray when it was exhausted. But we always put these things on the inside to keep them safe so that meant if you forgot to look...

[Reusable to a degree, then. Not the most ideal, but its better than the alternative of needing a new one every other time, he supposes. Far be it from him to comment on such a thing anyway, given how useful this will be if it does work.

He hums again as she continues to speak, crouching down while this goes on in order to run the charm down his legs over his pants on the front as well as the back, ending with his shoes.]

—if you didn't check then you could pick up the wrong one, I suppose.

[He surmises as much once she'd mentioned putting words onto things. Naturally, when you tuck it into something else then it only makes sense for the carving to be hidden, and from there its simple common sense.

He finishes rubbing the charm all over his clothes and then straightens back up, making sure to tuck the charm into his pocket. It should be safe enough in there, seeing as how snugly they fit on him. A brief dip shouldn't do much, especially if this charm works as well as it claims to do so. But with that in mind...]

Is there a time limit for how long it lasts?

[Yes he doesn't want to get his clothes wet here, but they're going to have to be able to be washed, and that requires them to be able to get wet.]

Or else you might not notice it was broken and then you'd have to get blood out of your gambeson the old fashioned way.

[she's talked about this being for rain, and that is a major feature, but there's a lot of uses for a waterproofing charm.]

Do you mean... ah. If it's more than a few feet away the effect wears off pretty fast.

[he's not rubbing at his eyes or nose so she's going to assume that if they're drying, it's slowly enough not to be too big of a deal.]

[There's a brief blink and glance at that first bit, but Alhaitham doesn't let himself linger on it since it doesn't really pertain to the conversation at hand. But its certainly something that he's going to keep in mind.

He nods though on getting the answer to his question, patting his pocket one more time to ensure that the charm is there, then turns to the pond and starts making his way over. Since the application is done he sees no other reason to hold it off—time to see if this works as well as it claims to do so.]

[Lashan posts a fist on her hip and settles back to watch. A pond isn't enough to stir that dread she has of the sea, of course. She's going to have to work on that.

It will be a little hard to tell if it's working, because the water will still wrap coolly around him and waft cloth about. But while there's still the sense of cold the fabric he's wearing won't darken or wick or grow heavier, and it takes longer for the water to actually reach his skin, infiltrating through gaps like between shoe and pant leg. And any fabric that has touched water comes out dry, with the water streaming off and beading on it, like the back of a duck.]

Well?

[Stepping into the water is very much a strange experience—one that Alhaitham will examine after and find himself unable to decide what he really feels about it besides 'different'.

Until then, he mostly lets it pass through him, even taking a breath before he goes to fully submerge himself underwater for a few moments just to really test things out. At the very least the one part about having returned to Sumeru for a year is that he's no longer as affected by his near drowning experience at Norhpip... a trip to Fontaine to swim in their lake certainly hadn't hurt either.

But all in all, Alhaitham doesn't linger for too long in the lake before getting out of it, and its really only then does he feel the difference. Since he didn't have the charm on any part of his actual body he can very much feel the water on his skin, but there's not so much as a lick of it on his clothes. He even wrings out some water from his thoroughly soaked hair onto his hand just to be sure, only to see for himself how it easily slides off the material of his glove.]

It works. [He says as much as he glances back up to her, gathering more water into his hand that he lets fall off just to demonstrate again.] Much better than I expected too.

[He wasn't sure how the parts of his body that are covered by his clothes would fare, but since they're all rather skintight he doesn't really feel anything having soaked through at all. The full effects might be better observed on Kaveh in that aspect, but even then its hard to find any fault in it.]

[Lashan nods, unsurprised.]

It's a talent I worked long and hard to cultivate. Pressing a spell into something and making it actually, flexibly applicable for someone else, that is, not dryness. This is just something for food and, regrettably, rent.

[If he wants to ask what other spells she can do this with - well, some come easier than others.]

Mind you, I expect salt water will be more taxing on it, but I'm sure I can sort things out.

[Alhaitham hadn't thought too much of the idea of other spells, really; at this point he's just taking in whatever has been said to him as it comes. And truthfully he's also the last person to really pry, even if the possibility comes to him. He's never been on to press others on what they're unwilling to share unless the circumstances deem it necessary.]

Taxing on the material, or the power of the charm itself? [He inquires at the second bit. It's hard to imagine why salt water would be so different seeing as they're both still water in the end, but he's hardly the expert here.]

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