Wise man, what do you know? (EM, D7)

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

"Oh, is he yours?"

She had wanted confirmation, but took up her instrument, jostling the crow a little, and then interposing her fingers between bird claws, the bow held in one hand.

"If you stay there, you'll feel this before you hear it, little bird."

Ryoko smiled whickedly, and began to play, a playful tune that was light and airy, perfect for birds up to no good.

----

1 raise - https://orokos.com/roll/810373

[Crow]

Karasu seemed to enjoy the music, his feathers puffing out as he swayed from side to side. He remained firmly rooted in place until the last few notes drifted away, at which point he hopped up and nestled in Ryoko's hair.

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

For her part, she found the bird rather charming, though she hoped it didn't poop, and the claws were kind of painful.

Still, it was not common, despite what future illustrators of moving pictures might have one believe, to have wildlife being so friendly, and so she just quietly enjoyed the moment, slightly uncomfortable though it was.

[Shinsei]

"Well, he seems to be placated for now. I guess he has an ear for music." Shinsei's smile suggested that he was thoroughly amused by this idea.

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

"Perhaps, though he does seem strongly opinionated as well..."

Ryoko smiled faintly, remaining carefully steady.

"An interesting companion you have, indeed."

[Shinsei]

"That he is, that he is. Even a mystery to me at times, if I'm honest." He chuckled, watching as the crow practically fell asleep on his current perch.

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

Ryoko wondered if the man planned to return to their prior conversation, or if he had chosen to let it go for a reason.

Sitting in silence, instrument in her lap, bird on her head, she allowed the quiet to spread out, quietly contemplated the things that she felt, the doubts and curiosity.

[Shinsei]

Shinsei, too, seemed eager to let his mind be at peace, listening to the sounds of wind and nature around them, hands resting in his lap, eyes closed, breathing steady, and posture loose and relaxed...

He didn't seem to be snoring this time, at least.

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

After a time, she fidgeted slightly. She ached to flex this strange new muscle, for lack of a better term.

Maybe if she let go, just a little?

A nagging voice told her not to, but she was growing more and more tired of heeding it.

[Crow]

Karasu shifted slightly, at if in anticipation.

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

Almost like someone moving an arm they had been sleeping on, clumsily, and without much precision, Ryoko flexed that invisible strength.

Pressing her hands together, she felt the earth under her, not just where she touched it... but the entire stone. Resting her hands on it, for a moment she felt a warmth, like pressing down into mud, and recoiled.

In shock, she stared at her hands, which seemed to be wearing gloves of solid rock, which flexed with her as she moved her fingers. Her left horn ached with a strange intensity, and though she could not see it, it now shone like refined copper in the morning light.

Confused, she couldn't help a surprised gasp at the solid stone which wrapped her hands like fabric, and then, as quickly as that moment, her concentration was gone, the muscle spasmed, and the rock slipped from her hands like water, flowing back into the seat stone as if it had never left.

Her horn faded back to the normal hue, and Ryoko felt a soreness coming on... but not a bad one. Like something had just been exercised which would only grow stronger with time.

After a protracted silence, she muttered, "What... was that?"

[Shinsei]

Shinsei opened up one eye slowly, observing the strange occurrence from start to finish, then closed the eye again as Ryoko asked her question.

"Power," he said simply. "Something that was awakened, and it seems to come with a heightened sense of the elements around you. I have not seen anything of the sort in my time, and I have seen much. You walk a new path little one, and not even I can guess where it may take you."

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

"I... I don't know how."

She grimaced. "How could I do a thing, and not know how I've done it?"

[Shinsei]

"That sounds like a question for Agasha, sure thinks in those terms all the time."

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

"Who is Agasha? Another wise man?"

Ryoko looked confused, rolling out her shoulder and looking pensive.

[Shinsei]

"Wise, yes, man, no. She's more inclined towards direct magical study than I am."

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

"Perhaps I will seek out this Agasha then..."

Though with a bird on her head, maybe not right away.

"I will have to learn how to... control... what I did. I wouldn't want to do anything strange or dangerous."

[Shinsei]

"Control would be a good asset to have in developing new talents. I think Agasha may also have advice that could help with that. Plus, she's not one to shy from danger. It might be with it to her to lose an arm or a few fingers discovering a new form of magic."

[Ongaku no Ryoko]

"Oh, I wouldn't want to hurt anyone!"

Ryoko looked mortified. "Do you think that could happen?"

[Shinsei]

"With Agasha many things are possible..."