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Post by DornKoon on Sept 26, 2024 6:47:02 GMT
"You're most welcome," Sun Nao replied with a bright grin. "Food is meant to be shared; that makes it taste better, or that's what my Nainai says." He downed another mooncake, curiously looking at the other partygoers as Bai and Jun continued to talk about gambling; it was not his thing; he'd have more fun with other things.
"Huh?" He was pulled back to reality by Jun's question, and it took him a few seconds to notice she was asking him... more like him? "Like me? Well- if you mean if my father has other children, I don't think so; he's not one to get around.
But perhaps that was not what she meant. He felt she changed what she would say at the last moment.
"If you meant Demigods in general, I've met Wonder Woman or Diana. She's one of the strongest female superheroes in the world, and her mother is the daughter of Ares, the Greek god of war. I've not met her mother because she doesn't talk to guys; she's the queen of an Island Paradise just for women, Themyscira" He sipped at his drink to let the words sink in before continuing. "And I'm sure there must be more of us out there; gods do be that way. What about you? You're also connected to the divine." He tapped at the side of his eyes. "If I'm not mistaken, do you have connections to the Kami of Japan? Don't worry, I just have my father's eyes, I've got a very good eyes for things"
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Post by lvsphinx on Sept 26, 2024 18:44:23 GMT
Bai listened intently as the other two spoke, not wanting to be overbearing in a conversation, but also curious at their questions to each other. It was useful to be aware of greater trends in the mystic world, and Sun Nao was a welcome source of information. Bai didn't know Doctor Strange even had an apprentice before meeting him. At the mention of Wonder Woman, Bai arched a brow, appearing impressed. Sun Nao knew the Wonder Woman? The Sanctum's esteemed guest seemed very well connected.
As the other two spoke, Bai quickly meandered over to the playing table, wanting to spend equal time with everyone here. At his friend's insistence, he smoothly shuffled the deck and dealt a fresh hand of cards to everyone who was seated. After dealing, and at someone else's suggestion, Bai then picked up an ornate looking bottle from the refreshment table and poured the card players some shots of a strange liquor that gave off vapors.
"Kami? That would explain the faint aura you have," he said to Jun. "If you are connected, then we should count ourselves blessed tonight between the two of you."
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Post by darkkon on Sept 26, 2024 23:33:29 GMT
- ”Huh? Like me? Well- if you mean if my father has other children, I don’t think so; he’s not one to get around.” - Not quite what she meant. Jun gave herself a bit of a mental kick for not asking more clearly. Though, before she could correct her inquiry, Sun Nao continued. - ”If you meant Demigods in general, I’ve met Wonder Woman or Diana. She’s one of the strongest female superheroes in the world, and her mother is the daughter of Ares, the Greek god of war. I’ve not met her mother because she doesn’t talk to guys; she’s the queen of an Island Paradise just for women, Themyscira.” - Now that was what she meant.
Jun listened with rapt attention. Wonder Woman? Like some of the toys and knick knacks she’s seen? Grand-daughter of a God of war, yet a hero? Island paradise just for women? How do they maintain their population? Do women move there or is it another realm? Many questions floated about her mind. She was lost in thought as Nao paused to sip his drink, though his continuance would pull her free. - ”And I’m sure there must be more of us out there; gods do be that way. What about you? You’re also connected to the divine.” - Her? Jun’s eyes widened a little, her face started to flush.
- ”If I’m not mistaken, do you have connections to the Kami of Japan? Don’t worry, I just have my father’s eyes, I’ve got a very good eye for things.” - He could see that? Her face flushed even more, eyes drifting down and away and she held her once bitten mooncake with both hands, bringing them close to her chest. ”I...” Faint, barely audible, was all she could muster before Bai spoke up. - ”Kami? That would explain the faint aura you have. If you are connected, then we should count ourselves blessed tonight between the two of you.” -
”I... am connected, yes.” Jun started, shyly. It was not something she discussed outside of the Shrines at home, and she certainly did not expect to get found out so easily. Jun took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. She didn’t have to be so nervous, she was in good company. Like company. At least, so far as she could tell. ”Sorry.” Jun started, exhaling and returning her attention to her company, her flush calming a little.
”It is not something I speak of often.” Jun continued, her voice steadier, a shy smile upon her lips. ”I do not think I am a demigod. My parents are human, but...” As she spoke, Jun brought her right hand out a little in front of her with her palm raised to the sky. A glimmer of light would spark into existence a few inches over her hand, pale yellow, miniscule, but it would rapidly grow into a small sun about eight inches in diameter. Bright, but not enough to hurt, warm like the real thing, but more. It gave a sense of inner warmth, of comfort and serenity.
”Amaterasu gave me life.” With that, Jun threw the sun high into the air. It would fly high into the sky, till it was naught but a speck of light, then poof. An explosion, muffled by distance, and a feathery nebulae of translucent light would take the shape of a mooncake adorned with a flowery emblem, then fade. She would watch the light with a fond smile, thinking of home, when a thought occurred to her and she would return her focus to Bai and Nao. ”Sorry, was that allowed? I did not ask.” Jun spoke, a tone a slight concern, worried she had broken etiquette.
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 27, 2024 20:29:34 GMT
So, he was right; it was good to know that his senses had not lied to him.
"No worries, such things are not something we make a habit of sharing all over the place," he said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry if I put you on the spot; that was not my intention. What little I know, the Kami are generally honourable, so being connected to them is by no means a bad thing, much less Amaterasu."
Sun Nao watched as Jun sent her little sun into the sky and how it exploded into the shape of a mooncake.
"Allowed? We're having a party; of course, it's allowed." He grinned, "That was very cool, and looking at that, it makes sense you're connected to the Goddess of the Sun."
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Post by lvsphinx on Sept 28, 2024 20:28:08 GMT
Bai listened intently to Jun's explanation, giving her a small sympathetic smile at her apology. She seemed shy, or seemed to prefer to keep things close to the vest. Whether it was out of self-preservation or simply her nature, he wasn't sure. He watched with clear curiosity as Jun conjured a miniature sun above her palm. Fascinating. Did the sun provide power like the real thing? The scholar in him immediately started wondering about the applications of such magic.
And then, when Jun launched the sun upward and created her own luminous display for the festivities-"Oho!"-Bai clapped at the marvelous spell, awe on his features. "No need to apologize! That spell was marvelous! There are very few nights where we magic users can show off our spellwork for the general populace, so tonight's actually one of the few times it's allowed," he said with a small laugh.
Bai's mind lingered on Jun's explanation. ”Amaterasu gave me life” could be interpreted a few different ways, but meant a very divine source of magic. Jun seemed to be a soul favored and blessed by her deity. Was Amaterasu somehow involved with the conception? Had Jun been stillborn and revived? Questions swirled in his mind. Maybe Jun could teach him that sun spell if he asked.
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Post by darkkon on Sept 29, 2024 0:11:43 GMT
- ”No worries, such things are not something we make a habit of sharing all over the place. I’m sorry if I put you on the spot; that was not my intention. What little I know, the Kami are generally honourable, so being connected to them is by no means a bad thing, much less Amaterasu.” - Jun met Nao’s apology with a soft smile and a nod of gratitude before returning to her ‘firework’ of sorts. He was simply commenting on what he saw, and considering he was comfortable enough here to be in the open about his divine nature he had no reason to think she wouldn’t be either.
Poof. - ”Oho!” - A few oohs, ahs, and some light applause. Once more, Jun would have reason to blush a little, though this time it would be accompanied by a wide smile as her host and his companions enjoyed her luminary display. - ”Allowed? We’re having a party; of course, it’s allowed. That was very cool, and looking at that, it makes sense you’re connected to the Goddess of the Sun.” - ”No need to apologize! That spell was marvelous! There are very few nights where we magic users can show off our spellwork for the general populace, so tonight’s actually one of the few times it’s allowed.” -
”Thank you, both of you.” Jun replied kindly, her face simply beaming. It wasn’t often she had the chance to use her powers as such, and she was truly glad she could add to their festivities in a way they enjoyed. Then, remembering that she still had food in her hand, Jun took a moment to finish off her mooncake in a few bites before turning to address Sun Nao. ”I would love to hear more about Wonder Woman sometime, and your father as well. If you would be comfortable sharing, of course.”
She’d address the young demigod in earnest, finishing a bit shyly. Was he actually young or just youthful in appearance? ”I am also curious.” She’d start, tone enquiring, splitting her attention between Bai and Sun Nao. ”Who did the displays from before? The man of fire and the lightning? There were quite breathtaking.” Jun would ask, before focusing on Bai. ”You did the eye, yes?” She’d finish, making eye contact with Bai and pointing a finger at her own forehead to indicate the symbol upon his.
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 29, 2024 11:29:10 GMT
"I'd be happy to tell you more," Sun Nao replied brightly. "I'm not uncomfortable with it at all. I might not know everything about them, but I can certainly tell you things I know."
At the question, he did not hesitate before pointing at Bai.
"I don't do my magic in that kind of way," he commented, "Mine is less about cool lights and more about destroying things, so it would not be as nice and pretty. I have a few tricks I can do, but... not fireworks." As he said this, he reached out and plucked a strand of hair from his tail, flicking it into the air... and with a poof, there was now another Sun Nao on the roof, looking in every like the original, down to sensing with magic. "Say hello to me." Sun Nao said with a grin as his clone gave a polite bow. "Hello." The clone said equally brightly.
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Post by lvsphinx on Sept 29, 2024 20:27:31 GMT
Bai nodded at Jun when Sun Nao pointed at him, smiling slightly as he snapped his fingers, violet electricity racing down his arm. "Guilty as charged." Bai was curious when Sun Nao said that his magic was more suited to "destroying things". As an Evocation specialist, Bai greatly appreciated a strong explosion every now and then. He would love to see what Sun Nao was capable of.
At the summoning of the clone, Bai let out a soft "Oooh..." and stepped closer, curiously inspecting the clone. Sun Nao had created a clone from a strand of hair, instead of with an incantation, hand signs, or ritual. Also fascinating. "I bet that comes in really handy."
"As for the eye," said Bai to Jun, tapping the violet outline of an eye on his forehead, "It's just the Gaze of Agamotto, a powerful Divination spell. I use it to keep watch over the city, in case there are any crimes or emergencies that the authorities can't address."
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Post by darkkon on Sept 30, 2024 0:21:54 GMT
- ”I’d be happy to tell you more, I’m not uncomfortable with it at all. I might not know everything about them, but I can certainly tell you things I know.” - Jun returned Sun Nao’s bright smile with one of her own, before shifting to ask her other question. Even if it’s just a little, Jun was eager to hear about the Divine and the Demidivine from a first person perspective. Tomes, legends, and scrolls can only capture so much. ”Oh?” - ”Guilty as charged.” - Jun followed Nao’s gesture back to Bai, her tone impressed and donning a look to match as her host confirmed with a sparking snap of the finger.
- ”I don’t do my magic in that kind of way.” - Jun shifted her attention back to Nao, a look of genuine curiosity upon her face. - ”Mine is less about cool lights and more about destroying things, so it would not be as nice and pretty. I have a few tricks I can do, but... not fireworks.” - She certainly understood that. Many spells simply were not fit for... Did he just pluck a tail hair? With great interest, and a bit of confusion, Jun watched as Sun Nao flicked his freshly plucked tail-hair into the air Poof, another Sun Nao was born, eliciting a soft gasp of surprise followed by rapid glancing between the two.
- ”Oooh...” - ”Say hello to me.” - ”Hello.” - ”He...Hello?” Jun would respond, almost reflexively, with a somewhat confused tone as she joined Bai in examining the new Nao, though from a polite distance. Was it physical? It looked physical. Definitely not your standard illusion. Did he puppet it? Or did it have its own will of sorts? - ”I bet that comes in really handy.” - No doubt. How many could he make? Could he also cast spells with them?
- ”As for the eye,” - Jun shook herself from her double vision and turned her attention to Bai, realizing that he was addressing her last question. - ”It’s just the Gaze of Agamotto, a powerful Divination spell. I use it to keep watch over the city, in case there are any crimes or emergencies that the authorities can’t address.” - ”Agamotto?” She inquired curiously, Jun was unfamiliar with the name but they must have been quite the diviner. ”That is quite the feat, to host us and keep watch over the city at the same time.” She’d finish with a smile, her tone genuinely impressed.
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 30, 2024 6:24:53 GMT
"For sure," Sun Nao replied with a grin. " Making copies of yourself can come in handy; I told you I'm still at my father's party and my mother's. Like I said, I'm still there, just not... me" He left that in the air to let it drop his meaning. "We're the same people, but also not at the same time; I know what they are doing... right now, I'm listening to my father making a joke, not a good one either." The clone nodded. "We try not to think about it too much," it said.
The clone waved at Jun when she said Hello to it; it did not seem upset about being examined; if anything, it seemed to like the attention, which might reflect more on it being Sun Nao. "Not to brag, but I'm almost as good as my original; I just can't take a beating like he can. It's a little sad, but such is life. Besides, everything that is me returns to me when I die." Sun Nao did not mention he liked to use clones when going to school, not that it was vital for them to know at this point.
"Agamotto was the first Sorcerer Supreme," Sun Nao said, " and also founded Masters of the Mystic Arts."
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Post by lvsphinx on Sept 30, 2024 20:27:00 GMT
Bai smiled at Jun's compliment. "I do my best," he said modestly, not wanting to own up to the feat but not wanting to lie either. Like Jun said, it was a bit of a task for him to stay aware of all of Hong Kong and keep his attention on the party at the same time, though if it were difficult for him, he didn't show it. The spell's user experienced their vision taking in a thousand screen multi-display, with a "screen" becoming prominent whenever something of note happened in the view. However, Bai didn't seem distracted by anything else so far. "I'm just lucky it's a quiet night tonight as far as emergencies go."
He listened attentively to Sun Nao's explanation, stroking his chin and taking a few steps around the clone as he inspected it. "Very impressive...Very fascinating..." murmured Bai, the eye on his forehead blinking as if reassessing the clone. Multiple clones with shared consciousnesses and senses. The multiple sensory inputs didn't seem to overwhelm Sun Nao either.
At the explanation of Agamotto, Bai lightly tapped his fist against his palm, before spreading them apart, an image of a sculpted metal eye with an emerald jewel in the center appearing in the air between his hands. "The most famous part of his legacy is the Eye of Agamotto, a relic able to manipulate time, or so the legends say. Man, I'd love to take that for a ride," said Bai with a mischievous smile.
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Post by darkkon on Sept 30, 2024 23:28:04 GMT
- ”For sure. Making copies of yourself can come in handy; I told you I’m still at my father’s party and my mother’s. Like I said, I’m still there, just not... me.” - That’s three clones right there, and at least one in another realm. Very impressive. - ”We’re the same people, but also not at the same time; I know what they are doing... right now, I’m listening to my father making a joke, not a good one either.” - ”We try not to think about it too much.” - Fascinating. It sounded as if they all have his will and act independently as he would, but share perception amongst each other. Tremendously useful as a one man team.
- ”Not to brag, but I’m almost as good as my original; I just can’t take a beating like he can. It’s a little sad, but such is life. Besides, everything that is me returns to me when I die.” - ”Amazing.” - ”Very impressive... Very fascinating…” - Jun would respond under her breath as Bai complimented Sun Nao, imagining what it must be like to live multiple lives simultaneously then assimilate that knowledge when a clone dissipates. - ”I do my best, I’m just lucky it’s a quiet night tonight as far as emergencies go.” - Jun would return Bai’s smile with one of her own, one of respect. Humility was viewed in high regard in her culture, and it was certainly good that the city was not in peril.
- ”Agamotto was the first Sorcerer Supreme, and also founded the Masters of the Mystic Arts.” - Sorcerer Supreme? Now that was a title of vague familiarity, the one who holds the greatest sway over the mystical forces of our realm. There was mention of one that had visited her home in ages past in some of their records, though not what for. But, the Masters of the Mystic Arts was a new order for her, was that who they were? The Sanctum Guardians? - ”The most famous part of his legacy is the Eye of Agamotto, a relic able to manipulate time, or so the legends say. Man, I’d love to take that for a ride.” - With great curiosity Jun observed the image of an emerald adorned eye of metal Bai had conjured between his hands.
”Time?” Jun would respond, shifting her attention to Bai with a raise of her brow and a fair bit of surprise behind her tone. ”If those legends are accurate, that is a truly powerful relic...” She continued, returning her gaze to the image of the relic. ”And a dangerous one...” Jun would finish, trailing off as she tilted her head for a slightly different perspective. Her last comment not so much at Bai’s musing of taking the relic for a spin, but at imagining the sheer scale of fallout that time manipulation could bring.
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Post by DornKoon on Oct 3, 2024 16:45:17 GMT
"Gosh, thanks," both Sun Nao said simultaneously before they laughed. "It took some getting used to, and I can only have nine at once. I suspect I could go for more, but that is... not something I am keen to test. At least not now; I got enough on my plate with my other training." He shivered slightly, thinking of training his father, before downing another mooncake.
He looked between Bai and Jun before furrowing his brow slightly.
"Like that weird eye thing Doctor Strange has on him?" Sun Nao asked curiously, eating yet another mooncake before he continued. "Looks made of gold, super magical... never thought to ask anything about it, just assumed it was some kind of decoration or spy amulet artefact." He shrugged, "I think I've had enough of a weird time; time passes weirdly at Dad's place. So, I guess his parties can last equally long."
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Post by lvsphinx on Oct 4, 2024 0:29:48 GMT
Of course Doctor Strange kept the Eye of Agamotto on his person. Bai wasn't too surprised by that. It made sense for such a powerful relic to be under the guardianship of the Sorcerer Supreme. Bai quickly disregarded any ideas of borrowing the Eye from its keeping place.
Bai was about to ask if Sun Nao had ever seen Doctor Strange use the Eye of Agamotto, but then Sun Nao said he "had enough of a weird time", which Bai interpreted as Sun Nao taking his leave. "Oh no, you're already leaving so soon? Was it something I said?" asked Bai quickly, appearing a bit surprised and self-conscious. "Don't leave without a party favor or something, at least," said Bai, going over to another table, this one with small bright paper bags and curious trinkets littering the surface. "The question is: what could I possibly give a demigod that he cannot easily get himself?" he asked aloud, mostly to himself.
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Post by darkkon on Oct 4, 2024 21:13:41 GMT
- ”Gosh, thanks. It took some time getting used to, and I can only have nine at once. I suspect I could go for more, but that is... not something I am keen to test. At least not now; I got enough on my plate with my other training.” - Nine! Possibly more? Sorting through that many sets of eyes and ears must be mentally fatiguing, even if they act on their own. She was also curious what other training he was going through, though did not have time to ask before the topic of Agamotto and his eye came up.
- ”Like that weird eye thing Doctor Strange has on him?” - ”Doctor... Strange?” Jun shifted her gaze to Sun Nao, a rather confused look upon her face, muttering the name(?) under her breath as she processed the oddity of it. Was that actually a name? A title? Nickname? Whatever it was, it was peculiar. - ”Looks made of gold, super magical... never thought to ask anything about it, just assumed it was some kind of decoration or spy amulet artefact. I think I’ve had enough of a weird time; time passes weirdly at Dad’s place. So, I guess his parties can last equally long.” -
- ”Oh no, you’re already leaving so soon? Was it something I said? Don’t leave without a party favor or something, at least.” - Jun’s confusion would now shift to Bai, who seemed to be in a bit of a fluster as he moved over to a table with an assortment of small bags and trinkets, gifts for partygoers presumably. Admittedly, English wasn’t something she was familiar with context wise, but she thought Sun Nao was referring to the Eye of Agamotto being used in conjunction with having a clone in his Dad’s realm, which already functioned out of normal time.
- ”The question is: what could I possibly give a demigod that he cannot easily get himself?” - ”Did you mean time here?” Jun would turn to ask Sun Nao, tilting her head slightly, a tone of polite confusion. “Or were you talking about the Eye?” She was hoping it was the latter, Jun really did want to hear about Sun Wukong and Wonder Woman, but she understood if he was feeling strained trying to be in several places, and two planes of existence, at once.
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