Wind-up Mammets

[emet_sulk]

Type: Video
Sender ID: emet-sulk (Emet-Selch)
To: Public
Subject: Wind-up Mammets
Warnings: None save for it being the spoopy time of year

[ Greetings, Escordvi. It's your resident recluse, sorcerer, and magitech tinkerer, Emet-Selch. He has two mechanical figures on display in front of him, about the size of one's open hand: a bluebird and a tortoise. The bluebird goes through the motions of pecking at the ground strutting a few steps whilst the tortoise ambles at a more sedate pace. ]

As All Hallow's Eve is approaching, so too does the end of the year. I've developed these mammets lately together with the clockmakers of the Forge. Should you wish to commission a gift, I suggest you do so sooner rather than later.

[ The bird and tortoise abruptly go scattering as a copper, clockwork T-rex jumps on to the table and begins playfully snapping at them. ]

Oh, for the love of--

Comments

[emet_sulk]

I can be there in mere moments. Where would you like to meet?

[phoenixdominant]

[Impressive.]

The docks are fine, we can make our way to a safe clearing thereafter.

[emet_sulk]

[ The magic of teleportation! ]

Very well. I shall see you there.

[ And if Joshua happens to be there early, he may see Emet-Selch materialise, appearing right then and there in the dock. ]

[phoenixdominant]

[Joshua has had the privilege of using rings of returning before. But he's come to enjoy the classic joy of... using boats and ferries.

So, here he is, on the docks and he happens to see Emet-Selch appear. Joshua gives a small smile and nod.]

And hello again, Emet-Selch. A clearing lies just south of the city... should you not object to a brief walk.

[emet_sulk]

[ He waves languidly and gestures for Joshua to lead on. ]

I need the fresh air after all those hours in the workshop. After you, little lordling.

[ Said in a gently teasing tone. He's well aware by now Joshua doesn't like being called that. ]

[phoenixdominant]

[Again with the Little Lordling. What did Joshua call him back then...? Ah.]

Then you are welcome for the break, my lord.

[He smiles slightly before leading the way. Although he might not like being called a little lordling, it's still become something of a tradition now.

The clearing that Joshua mentioned is not too far away from the edge of town.]

I am curious... What is it you expect to see when I reveal my primed form? Though, I would advise tempering any comparisons to the phoenix you might know.

[emet_sulk]

[ He hums thoughtfully. ]

Well, I expect to see a fiery bird for one thing. 'Tis the quintessential form of the phoenix and I would hardly call anything less than that a proper one. My colleague, Lahabrea - the one who first developed the concept - made many iterations until he succeeded in crafting a bird whose flames healed rather than scoured. So, I suppose I only expect those three aspects.

[phoenixdominant]

[Joshua nods with a curious look in his eye. His Phoenix form won't be too far of from what Emet-Selch might be expecting ...

There's just the one thing. Which he'll show in a moment.

He steps out into the open area when they reach it. He turns back to Emet-Selch and nods.]

Then are you prepared?

[emet_sulk]

[ He nods and gestures for Joshua to proceed. Will he be surprised? Will it be as he expects? The anticipation has him oddly excited, although in his usual, muted way.

He's sure the boy will look absolutely splendid either way. ]

[phoenixdominant]

[He nods in return and closes his eyes. The aether surges almost at once, an ember-laden storm rising around him in a haze of fire and wind. Gentle, licking flames bloom through the air and wrap about Joshua like a cloak of living feathers.

Fiery wings burst from Joshua's body as he transforms, billowing outward like wind-tossed fabric. The feathers shimmer in shades of red and orange, with faint, flickering hints of blue and green dancing along the edges.

For something that slowly drains away Joshua's energy... it's too beautiful.

But instead of a massive, towering Phoenix that one might expect... Joshua appears in a much smaller form. Perhaps the size of a Summoner's Egi. Just Phoenix-shaped. Joshua's wings flap languidly in the air and his voice comes out softly.]

...Well? I pray you weren’t expecting something on a grander scale.

[He's so small!!! ... Because Escordvi nerfs Dominants unless they prime with intense emotions.]

[emet_sulk]

[ Ah... That is indeed...rather small.

Emet-Selch keeps that comment to himself and maintains a neutral facade as he takes in the entirety of Joshua's form. Yes, he can see where the energy flows now. The transformation does take a significant portion of the young man's life force.

But it is beautiful, as a phoenix should be. A beautifully tragic form. ]

I would be lying if I said I wasn't. I'm not surprised however. Even my magicks are constrained.

[ After a moment, he offers his arm to Joshua as a perch. ]

[phoenixdominant]

[He will flutter over, landing elegantly on Emet-Selch's arm. His feathers are fiery and warm, but they do not burn.]

So it would seem, for most of us. Were it not for such constraints, I would be... considerably larger.

[Not that size matters.]

[emet_sulk]

[ He dares to gently rub the spot beneath Joshua's beak, smiling faintly. ]

I'm sure. But this is enough to serve as a template for what you wish to have made. Ahh, I do miss my Creation magicks at times like these.

[ Having to rely on what one can pry out of the earth is irritating. How is he supposed to capture the beauty of the phoenix in mere metal and crude gears? ]

[phoenixdominant]

[He will be honest, no one has ever scritched him like this before. His wings flap once but he doesn't resist the touch. It feels... Nice?]

Will it still prove difficult without it? Or will you be able to work with what you have?