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—What?

[ It's a question that's both disbelieving and demanding, Katsa's voice just a little more high-pitched than she usually ever speaks. Of course, since this is her first time using the TAB and among her first days in Thisavrou, it's not a detail that too many people should recognize, but still. Squeaky.

It's especially obvious once she continues speaking—lower, but no less demanding, with the look and tone of someone who's accustomed to getting answers when she asks them. ]

Is it a common welcome here, then, to offer some sort of poor beast's heart as a gift? Or does someone imagine they'll disturb others for amusement? A gift from a king, perhaps?

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You mean to tell me no one in the Middluns ever offers a heart as a gift? How incredibly unromantic.

[He's teasing, honestly.]

I've heard about it, though. You're not harmed, are you, Katsa?

Perhaps they might, rather less literally. But I wouldn't wish it anyway. [ She wrinkles her nose. ] As though I'd allow myself to be harmed by someone who doesn't even have the courage to confront me.

I was hoping it was more metaphorically than anything else. [He pauses.] They remind me of the cases of murders we have in Paris every now and then. Some of them are rather unique, from what I remember.

At least they're considerate enough to make it interesting. [ this is gallows humor, katsa ] How so?

[He sees that.]

There was one case where a man committed suicide, and his neighbors were constantly told of a "red ghost" that sought vengeance on the living and roamed within the halls of that building. Most were simply content to leave it as it was and not pursue it, but I heard one officer wasn't convinced. Last I knew, it wasn't exactly as it had looked.

... A ghost.

[ Doubt. But then, of course, she can't remember if such a thing existed in France, as it might have in the Drabwurld; and she screws up her face in thought. ]

Was it a ghost?

Do you remember seeing any ghosts in our time in Paris?

[He may just be teasing with that tone.]

[ She knows. She forgets that he can't see her and fights back a smile. ]

In the short time I was there? They didn't see fit to show themselves to me. Perhaps we frightened them.

Well, for one, I should certainly hope that we wouldn't run into any back home. Secondly, knowing how we both are, even if they were around, I doubt they would want to meet us.

But to answer your question, no, there was no ghost.

[ She hums. ]

If I ever met a ghost, I wonder how I might fight it. I suppose I'd try to burn it—it's a shame I've forgotten how to use the magic of the Drabwurld like I once could.

Can you actually burn a spirit, Katsa? Unless you had a blade or something created to harm ghosts from the start.

[He pauses.] I still have my journal full of wards, and I remember how to cast them. I haven't tried mostly because I'd assume it needs magic from the Drabwurld to do so.

Edited (PHONE TAGGING) 2017-02-26 17:52 (UTC)

[ she thinks about this ]

Could I? It seems to me that fire would burn, no matter what it is. I thought I'd encountered something of the sort... before.

[ there she falters a little, eyes flickering before pushing through. ]

I tried to cast once, soon after I returned to the Middluns. I couldn't—though perhaps you've a point, that it isn't necessarily something I've forgotten.

I wonder if we could manage it here.

[He snorts.]

Physical things, yes. I wouldn't say a ghost is physical. And perhaps you did.

[Arno sighs, thinking.] Maybe. I wouldn't know if I would remember my time here or back there, and I haven't taken the time to truly look over my wards when everything here is considerably not-magic.

[ She waves a hand. ]

It exists, doesn't it? Magic or spirits or no, seems physical enough one way or another. [ Katsa raises her eyebrows and taps her TAB with a fingernail. ] And this at least certainly seems magical. Instant transportation across worlds, flight, communication like this—it's different from the Drabwurld, but it's still the same, Arno.

It's not exactly magical- it's more scientific. [He doesn't know if she knows what scientific is.] And yes, these are similar; but they're created by different means.

If magic were possible here, I don't think the Savrii would enjoy us using it.

[ It's a vague term, "scientific." Raffin had used it occasionally. Hiro had mentioned it. Katsa merely hadn't paid it much attention. Her tutors as a child (when they'd stuck around) hadn't included science in her studies, and Katsa hadn't been too upset about that.

She snorts. ]

And if it were possible, I'd like to see them try to stop me.

[He huffs a little at her response, trying not to grin and shake his head. He's missed this kind of banter, honestly.]

You don't know what they have here- for all we know, they could turn us into squids.

Poor Arno. It must be quite boring, to live on "if"s and "maybe"s. It's a wonder you leave your house every morning.

[ it's a good thing he has, because she's diving into it headfirst, only the subtlest upward twitching of her lips through her deadpan expression. ]

Don't worry—if you need someone to hold your hand, I'm sure we can arrange something.

It's quite a terrible thing, let me assure you! I'd say it's a miracle I can get myself out of bed.

[He can't help the amused, facetious tone that comes from his words.]

Oh, I couldn't trouble you with that. Truly! I think I can manage with being terrified of everything at once.

Just in case, we'll make sure you're protected. And you can always scream if you hear any loud noises, and this way you can rest assured someone will come running.

How thoughtful of you. [He pauses, chuckling.] What would I ever do without your assistance, Katsa?

Perish, I'm sure. [ She covers the smile that threatens her face with a hand. ] How lucky for you that I've come when I have, then.

Indeed! [A snort.] Though most would wonder exactly if you were a friend of mine or a caretaker of sorts, if we're not careful.

But fear not, I shall do my utmost to not tarnish your perfect reputation.

[He's trying to say it with a straight face. Keyword: trying.]

[ Even if Katsa tried to keep a straight face she'd fail. She bursts into laughter. ]

My reputation. Yes, I'm sure that's something that needs protecting. How kind of you to care—my reputation for violence, and that such an act of kindness on my part would dispel any fear upon hearing my name.

[ This isn't said in a way that's asking for pity: she means it with all the genuine amusement in her voice and face. She's teasing herself now, too. ]

It's a risk I'm willing to take.

I'm glad to hear it. I'd be rather upset if I had to go find another woman in a torn dress who refuses to dance at a local Samhain.

[He's muffling his own laughter, trying to be serious.]

Maybe by pure chance, they'll like arguing with people as much as you do.

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