Test Drive Meme #3

[changelinged]

TDM #3 - May/June 2025

🦋 Introduction

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🦋 The Party

You wake up at a party.

You're not sure how, exactly, you got here. You may have just been walking in the woods or at a meeting for work or doing any other normal activity for you. But you know you weren't supposed to be at this party, you're fairly certain.

Anyone you ask about it will say the party is for you. You and the others also waking up and looking confused. Further questions will lead to the partygoers insisting you have something to eat. You're starving and others are eating the food without repercussion, so you figure there's no harm in a bite. You finish your portion.

It's another garden party near a large hedge maze in the middle of the night. With his penchant for games the Ruler of the Spring Court decided it would be nice to hold an actual game for all the Adopted present. None of that dreidel game a couple of parties ago. This time, he wants more spectacle with higher stakes. Forced to participate and host aspects of this gathering as well, the Ruler of the Dark Court wanted nothing to do with this, so he figured his participation in itself is for the party to happen at night, during his rule, when his mood is at its most pleasant.

Of course, there is no shortage of light sources such as candles and torches, much to the Earl's chagrin, as well as no shortage of food. This time, the fae decided to try their hand on some pasta. They heard it's a good delicacy from the mortal plane. Thing is, sauces look and smell bizarre. One's purple, while another's bright pink, and they taste fruity, as well as flowery, much like the cookies from the last gathering.

As the party winds down and everyone's eaten, a tall, stately woman stands up and speaks. You feel her voice more than hear it.

I am the Lawspeaker of the Fae, elected by Seelie and Unseelie alike, and you are all, now, subjects of Faerie. You cannot leave this realm once you have eaten our food, and even if you could, there is no saying how much time has passed back where you're from. Your loved ones are likely dead, your problems have likely played out. We require assistance in various matters, and each of you has been chosen for your talent and skill. You will be adopted by one of the Seelie or Unseelie Courts based on your strengths and personality. Your Court will decide what to do with you from there.

As suddenly as she stood, she sits back down.

🦋 Feeling on Hedge

So, what about this hedge maze that seems to have appeared out of nowhere and looming quite eerily beside this night's gathering? For one, peculiar noises can be heard whenever one's near its entrance. From the rustling of leaves to a woman crying, everything seems to be coming from inside.

Of course, the Adopted's participation is required and paramount. Anyone who refuses will be met with harsh penalties and consequences, whatever those may be. They also hint of a prize to anyone who comes out victorious on the other side. It's unclear what it is, though.

The fae know that while the Adopted have been very useful so far, they are also vulnerable and susceptible to fear, so to mitigate that, they have some colorful shots on a table marked LIQUID COURAGE near the entrance to the maze with such effects:

• Gold: Essentially a strong drink that gives you profound energy for 24 hours.
• Red: Downing this will make you feel warm like an aphrodisiac.
• Blue: Basically functions like a normal tequila shot. Or three. Comes with a little bag of salt.

These shots are not compulsory for the Adopted to take, but they will be highly encouraged to do so before entering. Once inside, the rustling of leaves and the sounds of someone crying become louder and even more evident. There are also a few key things that seem to be very clear the longer an Adopted is within the maze's walls:

• The maze is moving. How it's doing it, nobody knows. But it appears to be alive somehow, much like the castle grounds, so finding a clear pathway is almost impossible.
• Whenever an Adopted turns right two consecutive times, they will see a more positive outcome from a terrible event in their lives. Lost someone? They're now here and alive. Gave up on a dream? You find yourself currently living it.
• If an Adopted turns left two consecutive times, they will see someone, a family member or a friend who's still alive and had a deep impact on their lives, bleeding and dead on the ground.

It would be great if no one else can see an Adopted during their most vulnerable, but since the maze moves constantly, another Adopted or two might be able to see them trying to parse out what they're seeing, even if their fellow Adopted can't see it themselves.

🦋 Can't Unseelie It

CW: dismemberment, body horror, forced body transformations, mild gore, asphyxiation, drowning of children, death

The Spring King only wanted some good-natured fun within the maze, but unbeknownst to him, some Unseelie creatures and Unseelie magic have appeared inside, threatening the safety of the Adopted traversing every nook and cranny. Surely this will not have any lasting consequences between the relationship of the Seelie and Unseelie court rulers. Not at all.

A few of these Unseelie beings and Unseelie magic roaming around the hedge maze that the Adopted will have a chance to meet are as follows:

• Manananggal: Capable of severing its torso from its legs, this vampiric creature usually preys on sleeping pregnant women and unborn babies. But not anymore. Due to magic put on it, this manananggal will strike anyone it comes across. Better pour salt on its severed lower torso once you find it, or else.
• La Llorona: Remember that woman crying? Well, somewhere in the maze alongside the eerie sounds of water flowing, you'll come across a weeping woman cloaked in white with her back turned against you. Be careful not to approach her because once you do, she'll try to choke you to death, reminiscent of how she drowned her own children.
• Jersey Devil: The first thing you'll hear once you turn is a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream then the sound of bat wings flapping. You better run as fast as you can to the other direction because this devil is out to attack anyone it sees on its path.
• A fountain: How odd. Running from the jersey devil or the manananggal might have made you thirsty so perhaps there's no harm in drinking from it. But just coming in contact with its water will make any Adopted soon realize they have transformed into an Unseelie creature.

Fighting off these creatures might be best with a fellow Adopted. After all, there's power in numbers. Just be careful not to die within the hedge maze. There might be some dire consequences.

🦋 GEIS

You feel a vibration in your pocket sometime after the Lawspeaker addresses everyone. When you search for the source, you will pull out your Leaf, the device the Fae use to stay in touch with each other. Anyone who's used a smart phone will easily recognize how it works.

Greetings, Adopted. This is your Lawspeaker.

To be on theme with our festivities for tonight, we want to know a time in your life when you felt lost and wandering about. Perhaps the most compelling story will receive a reward from us.

ｎａｖｉｇａｔｉｏｎ

code

Comments

verso | clair obscur: expedition 33

[lementeur]

[ There may be Act 2 spoilers within Verso's tags. I will do my best to avoid or be vague when it comes to Act 3 spoilers, and put extra warnings should they come up.
Potential CW for suicidal ideation, depression, death, and grief. ]

✘ party

[ Wherever this is on the continent, it’s…not somewhere he’s seen before. Nor has he heard about fae of this nature. Some of them could be mistaken for Nevrons, but they aren’t attacking. They’re…socializing? With…people?

When was the last time he’d seen so many people in one place? Certainly never outside of Lumiére.

Pasta that smells like fruit isn’t the most appealing offer at the moment, and a single bite is all he needs to flinch away from it, but even he would be sore to turn down a quick drink of wine to steady his wits before moving on to seek a familiar face. The others have to be around here somewhere...don’t they? This isn’t a dream, right? It’s been awhile since he’s had dreams, or nightmares, but Verso is certain that his mind couldn’t conjure anything like this up at the best of times.

The ragged man stalks the fringes of the party, unable to relax until he can spot someone he knows, or someone who can give him more information beyond a ridiculous claim that the celebration is for him. Does he look ready for a party? His clothes are worn, ‘well-traveled’ being a generous description, and splattered with dried blood and dirt that mar a face already worn down by heavy scarring. The mess of travel and battle even tarnishes the white streak in his otherwise dark, tangled hair.

Despite all that, he can do quite well to summon up what might be considered a charming smile, should someone approach. He isn't going to get answers by being unfriendly, after all. ]

Been to many of these parties?

✘ hedgemaze

i.

[ Never has he seen her like this. They both have lived several lifetimes over, but either through her own capabilities, or the dogged protectiveness of Renoir and Verso, Alicia’s immortality is not meant to be tested with such violence.

Now she’s on the ground in a tangle of thorny vines, with the sanguine chroma that's spilled out a beautifully tragic contrast against the pale white of her skin and hair. She looks like a broken doll. At her side, the mask lies in pieces, but there’s so much blood that it could be easy to miss the ruination of the old burns scarring her still face. ]

No, no, no... How—

[ He’s at her side in a flash, on his knees and ripping at the vines until his hands are torn and bloody. They fight him, and he fights back, uncaring as the thorns rip at his skin. She’s dead already, but that should be impossible, and so it must be some kind of trick. A stasis that he can’t yet explain.

When pulling at the vines isn’t enough, a dagger materializes into his bloodied hand with a haunting shimmer, and then he’s cutting her free, or attempting to. The vines may not be too happy about this assault, responding by beginning to wrap around his limbs.

He might need a bit of help, lest he become a victim of the maze while he’s too focused on trying to free a lost cause. ]


ii.

[ Given how many women he’s been traveling with, it’s natural for Verso to feel the need to follow after the sounds of one crying in the distance. All of them have lost so much, now plagued with further mysteries, it's possible to consider that their grief has caught up with them once away from the crowds. He’s mostly positive that it doesn’t sound like someone he knows, but nothing is a sure bet.

Already, this maze has played cruel tricks on him, and he is suspicious by nature.

The sight of the woman weeping in the distance only gives him further pause, and should someone else approach with similar interest, Verso will give them a once-over with the slightest shake of his head.

Something about this doesn’t feel right, but then maybe he’s a bit biased after having had his fill of a variety of sirens. ]

I’m not so certain that we’re going to be any comfort to her.

✘ wildcard

[ Surprise me, or plot with me through a PM or over at cherto. ]

party

[amurderofcrow]

Too many, if I'm being honest.

[Next to the perfectly put together Goro Akechi, Verso looks like a mess, dirty and blood-splattered, with tattered, filthy clothing, looking like he's just dragged himself straight up out of hell. The teenager, meanwhile, is sharply dressed - in well-fitted clothing in light colors, all embroidered to his specification, each piece flowing into the next, topped off in his leather gloves and a few flowers weaved into his braided hair - eying the man with obvious distaste for his whole everything.]

You look like shit.

[lementeur]

[ Verso looks like a mess compared to most people, and creatures, here, but this teenager is particularly put together in a way that only makes his dirty appearance all the more stark.

The insult doesn't needle as much as it should. Even his vanity can excuse circumstance, and Verso isn't about to pick a fight with a teenager over something like this. Instead, he half-grimaces, with a shrug at his own expense while looking down at his own clothes, as if he hadn't already fully realized his poor presentation.

To be fair, he cleans up quite nicely, but whatever is going on here had to catch him at the worst of times. ]

Yes, well, it would have been nice to have more of a warning if I was going to be invited to...whatever this is.

[ Folding his arms, he's careful to look the young man over. Flowers in the hair... ]

If it's been too many, why attend at all? Do they force everyone?

[amurderofcrow]

[There's no convincing the teenager that Verso isn't just normally covered in filth like this until he finally manages to clean up and prove the boy wrong in person.]

Something like that. Mostly, we've puzzled out that newcomers like yourself are only drawn here during parties like this. My companions and I attend only in case others from home decide to show up. Otherwise, I'd avoid them completely. Nothing good has ever come out of them.

[Akechi can go down the list of all the Bullshit that he's been through during these parties (even if 99% of it was started by him).]

[lementeur]

[ Well, that's...troubling. It doesn't bode well for thinking on an expedient exit. He can't imagine having to attend several of these parties, wondering what faces from his past are going to appear and point accusingly in his direction.

Only slightly paler, he clears his throat and shifts his weight. ]

Does that mean nobody's succeeded in escaping? Has anyone managed to fight against those in charge? It's hard to imagine everyone just...going along with this.

hedge

[maellum]

hedge i

[She's lost. It's disappointing, but Maelle's sense of direction has abandoned her in this maze. Nothing to do but keep walking, walking, walking. Either she'll find an exit, starve, or find someone else.

It's the latter, when she turns a corner that may or may not have only just formed. The shock of white hair is unmistakable, and Maelle is equal parts overjoyed and alarmed when her mind catches up to what her eyes see.

Verso!

[She sprints towards him, rapier materializing in her hand, even if she's not quite sure what he's fighting.]

[lementeur]

angst and spoilers

[ Few voices would be enough to snap him out of his frenzy, but Maelle's is one of those able to break through the haze. When he looks over his shoulder to blink through his panic, Verso is caught between relief and anger. For her, at them.

He should be glad to see her, to not be stuck wondering what's happened to her, but now he has to figure out how to keep Maelle safe in a situation he had never prepared for. It's still unknown if this has been caused by Aline, Clea, Renoir, or something else entirely, but whatever is happening has already thrown him completely off-kilter.

His voice sounds so far away to his own ears. Pathetic. ]

Stay back. I need to get her out of here. She's—

[ Dead? Yet she looks nothing like those who usually die on the continent. It's hope wasted, to think that means anything. Her one good eye might as well be made of glass, and she's torn up far worse than Verso is.

So far.

He only notices that the vines have taken hold of him as well when he tries to shift to cut Alicia's legs free. Fuck. Whoever set this as a trap, they knew just how to catch him. ]

[maellum]

my bread and butter

[As she draws closer, his appearance more than his words give her pause. He looks frantic. Frightened, she would dare to venture, and it's only when she comes to a stop that she sees the full picture.]

Wh--what are you... I'll help you. Stop moving. Please.

[Those vines are going to cut into him more than they already have. Whatever he's saying has to be put on the back burner. He's alone, clear as day. Maybe there's someone else he encountered, or...

She steps in close to find a spot to begin. The root, maybe. Her eyes keep flicking to his face, concerned. This is unlike him. She knows that.]

What happened?

[lementeur]

with a side of fruity pasta

[ What happened? While it isn't unusual for him to withhold answers, in this case there's no secret knowledge to draw from. He shakes his head, but it's up for debate whether that's at the request to stop moving or at his own cluelessness.

Of course, she wouldn't listen to any request to stay away, but if she's going to insist on interfering, then their priorities should at least be aligned. At least...in this. ]

Not me. My sister.

[ He'll pause in where he's been cutting, so as to nod in the direction of the ruination that is his Alicia's body. Of course, Maelle is only going to see a pile of vines that seem to have reacted in self-defense to Verso attacking them. She ought to be careful, if she's thinking of doing the same thing. ]

She's already been hurt. We need to cut her free, first. Just—

[ He takes a trembling breath. Maelle being here is splitting his focus, but it's allowing him enough sense that he knows he can't risk her more than she's already risking herself. Whatever the vines are doing to him can be dealt with once Alicia and Maelle are clear of the danger. ]

—don't get too close.

ii.

[deprime]

[ Going into the maze hadn't been one of his greater ideas. It hardly ranked on the list of good ideas and Gustave liked to imagine that was because he had a penchant for them, but he didn't, if recent events were in the running. Plenty of bad ideas had crossed his mind since they landed. There were a few still rattling around in his head now.

Maybe that was why he went in.

Going in was just... something to do. A way forward. At least he hopes that it was.

The sound of crying does catch his attention, as does the sound of running water. That wasn't a feature he expected in the middle of a maze and his curiosity is getting the better of him. And the company in the pursuit of this new bad idea meant he wasn't the only one crazy enough to wander off the path to investigate. ]

No. I think you might be right.

[ Gustave doesn't look right away, something in his guy telling him not to look away from the woman, but when he does, he sees the Expedition uniform, looks away, and then right back. ]

Are you... who are you? That's—Where did you get that? [ Now he's gesturing at the 33 armband, completely forgetting he meant to keep his eyes on the weeping woman. ]

[lementeur]

heckin spoilers

[ Out of every potential fucked-up scenario he could happen upon, this one may be hard to top. It leaves Verso utterly speechless for a stretch, while he tries to formulate an explanation for the man standing beside him and asking a perfectly reasonable question. Reasonable, at least, if it weren't coming from a dead man.

It's Maelle's, may not be so well received, but it also seems ludicrous that he's even in a situation to explain himself to this man of all people. Verso should be the one asking the questions here.

But before he can think of how to respond, the woman takes advantage of both men taking their eyes off her, and she lunges straight for Gustave.

Verso, for a moment longer than any proper person should, hesitates to interfere. This time he isn't at a loss for words, but something else entirely. Would this...be the worst thing? ]

...Merde.

[ In a flash, both dagger and sword materialize into his hands, and he's spinning to try and slice at the woman's arms to free Gustave from her hold. If she's a Nevron, it will take more than just that, but at least he's doing something this time. ]

[deprime]

just in case

[ The silence didn't sit right with Gustave and the longer it stretched out, the deeper the pit in the center of his chest felt. As he stared at him, shifting his feet slightly, Gustave started to notice things — the stripe of white in his hair, the almost familiar scar across his face — and that pit became a chasm. ]

Who are you? [ He's more forceful this time, his distrust beginning to seep into his voice. Gustave might have crowded into the man's space if arms hadn't grabbed him from behind, sharp, bony fingers biting into his neck and shoulders.

Twisting in that grip, Gustave felt his fingers start to close around his pistol, only for hands to grasp at his wrist.] Shit. Shit.

[ Gustave grit his teeth, eyes darting back to the other man, watching that moment of hesitance. That is being filed away. But he's instantly grateful in the next moment, one of his own hands cradling his throat as his other summons the pistol again, aiming right for her and pulling the trigger. Once, twice, three times. It's enough to make her stumble backwards and give him a second to catch his breath. But to put his back to her again or this other man was the question. Cautiously he choses neither, putting himself off to the side where he could see them both. As she stutters and starts to lunge for them, he pulls his own sword out of the aether, still panting. ]

What is this thing?

[lementeur]

dodgy and hidden like verso

[ Verso is no stranger to feeling regret for past actions, even if they were necessary. There are very few lines he won't cross to meet his goals. In this case, the consequences may find him sooner than later. Which will cost him more? The hesitance, or not hesitating for long enough?

He'd seen that look in Gustave's eye. The man had made some sort of connection, and now he'll only have more questions that Verso doesn't want to answer.

It's quite possible that Gustave would have freed himself in the end, only making Verso's abandonment that much worse, so at least this way he can claim he'd been held up by something like shock. And if he hadn't freed him? Can Verso really be the one to hurt Maelle that particular way again? Not without good cause, and in this case, everything here is too much of an unknown factor.

He can't set up the board when he doesn't yet know what game is being played.

Teeth grit, his pale gaze flits between Gustave and the woman who's looking far less sympathetic at the moment. She's been injured, but it seems the fight isn't going to be quite that easy. Worse yet with both men needing to keep one eye on the other. ]

Not sure. Not any sort of Nevron I've seen before.

[ At least Verso's responding to one of his questions, even if it's something of a useless answer.

Keeping his attention on both, Verso will circle around, hoping to crowd the enemy between the two of them. It's easy for him to steal attention and take a hit, if it leaves Gustave an opening.

If it helps put some distance between him and the other man, well that's just a bonus. One can't be too careful. ]

ii.

[viennoiseries]

[ She's been trailing fingers along the leaves, trying to make her way through the maze in the most logical manner possible. As if Lune would ever let herself do anything else.

But she knows by now that this is not a path that follows the rules. Several times, she's certain it should have crossed a place she has already been. This puts her on edge as much as the sounds in the maze.

It means she's trapped.

When she rounds a corner to see Verso considering a weeping woman, it's almost instinct to step into a flanking position with him without questioning why he is also here, tipping her head as he offers his assessment, and answering quietly.]

Comfort's hard for anyone to come by. [It's Verso. She could offer him a bit of humor. She's inclined to lean into her pervasive practicality instead.] We could double back, but I suspect the path will change to be sure we cross her again.

[lementeur]

[ The voice is something familiar in an alien world, and Verso has to nearly smile when he glances back to her. It's creased with a weary despondency, but that's to be expected under the circumstances, even if Lune would have no reason to know why.

True comfort is always just out of reach.

The weeping woman reminds him of more than just the dancing sirens, but that's yet another memory to keep locked in the vault. Instead, he's careful not to take his eyes off of her for too long, quick to return his attention to the creature while considering Lune's suggestion. If she's here, then that means the others can't be too far off. They've been separated, but not without chance for reparation.

Though he's ready to defend himself, it seems tactless to summon a weapon just yet, as he looks the woman in white over, trying to see if the exit could potentially be beyond her. The fact that she hasn't reacted to their presence is entirely suspicious, as is everything else about this set-up. ]

You hear that, too, don't you?

[ Not the weeping—the running water. Is the woman making that sound, or is there some sort of creek around the corner from her? ]

[viennoiseries]

[Lune understands finding somewhere private to let grief run its course, as well as a few other ways to find an outlet. But in her experience, it doesn't look like this. Yes. This is something to worry about.]

Hear what?

[She tenses, focuses. Wait, Verso is right. There's more than just weeping and foliage in the wind. There's the babble of moving water. Is there a creek running through the hedge? They should have noticed an inlet or outlet if there is. Maybe something contained. A fountain, or some other contained decoration?]

Wait. I hear it.

Can we make it there? If it runs out of the maze, we could follow it. If not...at least we get a landmark to go by.

cw: suicidal ideation

[lementeur]

Let's find out.

[ With how this maze seems to shift, is a landmark going to be any help? Like everything else, there's little here to actually rely on, but nor can they stand around forever waiting to see what happens. They need to move forward.

With a nod, Verso will take a few chance steps, motioning for Lune to remain behind him as he hopes to edge his way around the woman without her reacting. Of course, the sounds of her grief are difficult to ignore—he's not heartless. It strikes a unique chord within him. But he trusts when a trap is sensed, and everything about her posture and how she refuses to even acknowledge them beyond her weeping is plenty to set off alarm bells.

Unfortunately, he steps a little too close when circling around, needing to close in to reach the opening on the other side, and he barely has time to summon his sword and dagger before she's wrapped her hands around his throat with a grip that is entirely inhuman.

Shit.

That shouldn't be a threat to someone like him, but everything about this place seems to break the rules, and there's a morbid curiosity as he hesitates to counterattack. ]

wildcard—

[dessendre]

spoilers!! don't click this!!

—geis, un: nevron

[ Once Clea's spoken with Maelle, you bet your ass she's messaging Verso. ]

You haven't told her.

[lementeur]

drag his ass

un: verso

What good would it do?

Before, it would have risked everything. Now
Now it would only cause her more pain. For what?

[dessendre]

oh she is. classic big sister.

And risk her finding out in some other way? Do you truly believe THAT to be the wiser course of action?

[lementeur]

spoilers

How else could she find out?

What have you told her?

party, also i'm only on act 2 but i'm okay with spoilers for act 3 c:

[soulsighting]

[There were many Adopted at the party, but Verso stood out. That attire, and overall appearance caught their eye, but they paid no mind toward the beginning of the party. However, that seems to change much later in the night -- being approached from the corner of their eye. Quietly watching the other man approach them with a charming smile, which doesn't really work on Caelus. They were quite friendly, regardless of the charm or not.

Verso's words make their head wings flutter, which might look uncomfortable, given the thorns etched in the crown of their head and around their head wings. There's blood dripping from the head wings, but it seems to dissipate mid fall as they turn their head around to finally face Verso eye to eye.]

I've been here for way too long -- this is the third party.

[Pained chuckle as the realization of how long they've been here sets in again. They ignore it in place of greeting a potential friend.]

If you have any questions, ask away.

I'll keep it vague! It's so much better to play without the spoilers

[lementeur]

[ Verso has met several interesting individuals in his long life, but never a human with wings on the head. And...thorns? It does look a bit painful, but it would be rude to ask.

Maybe it's one of the fae? That shouldn't be rude to ask, but better to figure this out through context, if he can.

It doesn't matter how friendly they are, Verso knows better than to trust everything shared with him. That doesn't mean he shouldn't ask questions. One has to start somewhere on the road to discovery. It's still something of a struggle to believe this could be an entirely different world, considering what he knows about his own world, but if he couldn't roll with the punches, he never would have made it this far.

At least they don't seem too put off by his sorry appearance. ]

The third? How often do these little gatherings happen?

[soulsighting]

[Verso also doesn't see to be put off by their own sorry appearance. Their body has turned into a horror show thanks to the fae. Verso definitely didn't look terrible, and really, Caelus notes that Verso is a good looking fellow. Although they don't comment on it quite yet, far too focused on the conversation at hand to give their fellow Adopted a compliment.]

Too often. I noticed that there's always new Adopted with each party that's thrown too. Sorry that you're here, but you're definitely stuck here now...

[There's a pause as they take a drink of their champagne, rummaging in their mind on what information they could possibly give him that could make his life. Well. Easier? Is that the word? Either way, they tap on their chin in thought.]

At the end of the party, you'll meet your court ruler. And then... I would check if your powers work here; they were able to seal some of my powers away while keeping others at a weaker level.

[lementeur]

[ His court ruler? No, none of this is making his life easier, but really when does anything make his life easier? The closest he's ever had to a saving grace since undertaking this journey was Maelle, but even she was both blessing and curse.

There's a lot to pick apart here, but Verso thinks he'll do best in figuring out what the other Adopted are doing here. If they aren't from the same world, then what's the connection?

Arms folded, Verso lifts a brow in consideration. ]

Your powers? What would those be, then, if you don't mind my asking?

[ He's not used to people referring to various abilities in quite that fashion, which makes him all too curious what they mean. Is it different from pictos and lumina? ]