[action | Giza Plains | OTA]

[howlingmoon]

[Nanaki has been here only a few days, and not only has he been spat out by a magic portal, his materia is useless, and he wound up in a city full of clans that would happily mistake him for a monster and turn him over for a bounty. Needless to say, he fled the city before he'd live up to his feral appearance and have to fight anyone.

So, he headed south through to Giza Plains, and while the area and the nomad villages remind him a little of home, he avoids those, too. He's caused enough misunderstandings already, and there are enough wolf-like monsters in this area that he could easily be mistaken for.

He's reached as far as one of the Sunstones and flops down in the shade it casts when a thought occurs to him -- his phone! Why didn't he try that before? He pulls it out, and delicately tries to use a paw to call Cloud. (He succeeds in bringing up games twice, and then accidentally texting a string of gibberish to Tifa and hitting 'SEND' before he can stop it. Then a message pops up: 'NO SIGNAL - MESSAGE NOT SENT'.)]

I really should have gotten Reeve to design a phone I can use...

[A long-suffering sigh. He must have broken it.]

Comments

[transcendthestars]

Materia? I have not heard of it before.

[He's examining the crystal himself, but he takes the time to glance toward Nanaki, waiting for an explanation.]

[howlingmoon]

[Nanaki frowns up at him. Not hearing of phones was one thing, but Materia...?]

It is crystallised Lifestream, the life force of the Planet, and can grant various abilities and magic when equipped. Don't you have it, where you come from?

[transcendthestars]

No materia, and certainly no Lifestream.

[If anything, the idea is disturbing to him. Magic only capable with an item equipped? Certainly, there are items that when properly used can create effects like spells, but they're nowhere near as powerful as a true mage.]

Magic comes from the memory and ability of the caster. I can demonstrate, if you like.

[howlingmoon]

But the planet cannot survive, if not without Lifestream. [And how can anyone but a Cetra use magic without Materia? He has many questions, but instead nods eagerly at the offer for a demonstration.]

By all means.

[transcendthestars]

There is nothing of the sort that I've observed, on the planet.

[But right, a demonstration. Calling a spell to mind is no difficult task- a low level lightning spell was in his head the moment he suggested the demonstration. It ought to be more than enough to prove his point, and won't waste too much energy in the process, should he need that power later on. A moment to focus, and then he casts Thunder on a nearby patch of ground, the electricity crackling and charring the ground.]

[howlingmoon]

[Nanaki watches, surprised. As far as he can tell, the man doesn't seem to be hiding any Materia on his person, either.]

Are natural aptitudes for magic common, where you're from?

[transcendthestars]

Relatively. I am slightly more predisposed to it than some, but it is common enough.

[It's one of the benefits of his mixed heritage, as far as he's concerned, but no need to get into that. Even most of the people of the Blue Planet don't know too much about that.]

That was but a sample of the abilities of a mage.

[howlingmoon]

I see... Your homeland must differ a great deal to mine.

[No Materia, no Lifestream, and people able to naturally use magic like the Cetra... How curious.]

If I had a Bolt Materia, I could call lightning in the same way. For now, it seems I'll have to rely on nothing but my own strength.

[transcendthestars]

I have no doubt.

[The fact that he's never seen anyone quite like Nanaki except Eidolons explains that much, to him, especially if Nanaki isn't particularly magical on his own.]

Nevertheless, it is entirely possible that this crystal has properties like your Materia. Do you know of a way to test it?

[howlingmoon]

If my Grandpa were here, he would know at a glance if it was Materia.

[He looks at the stone wistfully, then over to Golbez.]

The simplest thing to do would be to take a piece and attach it to some equipment, and then attempt to use it.

[transcendthestars]

If it is materia, would it react negatively to being broken apart?

[Golbez glances over the both of them with a wry look.] It seems we may not have much choice, in that case.

[howlingmoon]

You would only need to take a small piece, no larger than your closed fist. That shouldn't harm the integrity of the rest of the stone.

[Then he considers Golbez's size -- he's so much larger than most humans! -- and adds as an afterthought:] ...Half your fist should be enough.

[transcendthestars]

[That earns a chuckle from Golbez. As Nanaki might guess, he's used to his size making things interesting.]

I find myself reluctant to use more magic to break it off. Perhaps there is a part already weakened.

[howlingmoon]

[Nanaki pads around to have another look, then rears onto his hind legs, placing his front paws on the stone to steady himself.]

What about here?

[He noses where there seems to be a small crack in the rock, either done intentially or weathered there from the changing climate on the Plains. It's too high for Nanaki to be able to reach, but should be no hardship for Golbez to manage to take a piece.]