[ The window is already unlocked when he lands on G'raha's small balcony. A more careful ascent this time however, in deference to the glass jar in his shopping bag. He opens the window only enough for him to slip inside, not wanting to let the cold in too much, and then takes his lance and his coat off and sets them to one side. ]
G'raha.
[ It's a greeting and an announcement of his presence in one so as not to accidentally get blasted in the face by G'raha's magic. It has been a while, after all, since he was last here. Not even to pick up his sandwiches, which has been somewhat disappointing. However it was imperative he get a handle on his transformations—plural now, with scales and teeth to go with his tail, making it clear that none of what is happening to him is mere happenstance—and remain vigilant for any slips in control, any loss of memory. Now he's starting to believe that maybe the changes are merely... cosmetic, in a sense. Irritating, but not inherently dangerous.
So he has returned, this time bearing gifts: a cheese he has never tried before, a jar of some small fish in brine, and a packet of hot peppers. The man at the shop had also forced a loaf of crusty bread on him in thanks for the aid Estinien had rendered to his sister, and Estinien himself had picked out a number of condiments. He is eager to see what G'raha will make of it. ]
[ It isn't the first time Estinien has deigned to use the window rather than the front door, and by now G'raha assumes that's just his preferred method of entry. Being on the higher floors of the building makes leaving the latch unlocked when someone is "home" to be less dangerous, just in case he and the twins have any similarly inclined visitors. (It's only Estinien.) But still, G'raha does jump a little from his spot on his bed where he's surrounded by notebooks spread across the mattress.
It's a surprise, but a pleasant one. ]
Estinien!
[ He sets one book aside and pushes himself off of the bed. The changes in Estinien's appearance haven't ebbed, but he doesn't seem any worse for ware. Still, G'raha has to ask. ]
It's good to see you. How are you faring?
[ His eyes do look at the bag with open curiosity. Treats? Those seem like treats. ]
[ He peels his lip back to show off a wicked set of teeth. After how... almost gently his scales grew in he'd foolishly thought that the worst had passed, but these teeth growing in were definitely an ordeal. His teeth had popped out, one by one, and new teeth had grown in their place, so sharp they shredded his gums, his mouth. They still shred his mouth now, when he talks or when he eats, so G'raha might see a little blood there when Estinien flashes them. He also holds out the arm not holding the bag to show him the scales. They start as a small spattering on his forearm that very quickly coalesce into a second skin up my his shoulders, jagged edged and tough as any dragon hide. ]
As well as can be.
[ His tone is dry, a far cry from how he was the last time, and there's a faint lisp as his tongue attempts to navigate around his teeth. ]
I'm still no closer to any answers but it does not feel like Nidhogg is stirring.
[ And then, noting G'raha's gaze: ] For lunch. If you are amenable.
[ Oh, yes. That's certainly a new development. It is enough to simper G'raha's smile into a look of genuine concern. Estinien will certainly weather what he can and G'raha assumes if this change were terribly unpleasant, he might have come sooner with the same sense of urgency as he had the first time. He chooses his words carefully... ]
[ Though it still begs the question of why this is happening in the first place, if it isn't related to Estinien's previous draconic transformation. That was logically the most sensible conclusion.
But as for the bag, G'raha nods, a bit of his smile returning.]
Yes, yes of course. You're always welcome.
[ He motions for Estinien to follow him to the small kitchenette. A single portable burner and a toaster oven have been added to the usual set up. G'raha has been expanding his questionable culinary skills. ]
[ Estinien follows G'raha into his kitchen and sets his bag on the counter for G'raha to help himself to. Given the small space, it's clear to see that his control over his tail has improved in leaps and bounds. Estinien slides past G'raha to inspect the new additions. ]
The scales came through a couple of weeks ago. The teeth, a mere couple of days. Each time seemingly due a diffusion zone.
[ He won't rule out the possibility of it being some hidden catalyst, but that the changes start as he enters a diffusion zone is consistent. What it means, he'll leave to the great thinkers. ]
Obviously, not every time I enter a diffusion zone do I endure some kind of transformation. But every transformation has come as a result of entering a diffusion zone. What does this do?
[ If G'raha looks over it's to see him pointing at the toaster oven. ]
[ Hm...that is relevant information. So there is clearly something in Estinien's aether, then, that is reacting when he enters a diffusion zone, though it is equally curious it's not every time. G'raha starts to form a question, but it hangs on the edge of his tongue as Estinien quickly switches subjects. ]
That? Oh—that is what they call a "toaster oven". Apparently it's mostly used to warm and toast bread, which we can employ for sandwiches.
[ Estinien did bring a loaf of bread. Will this make it too crunchy? Maybe! Only one way to find out. G'raha gets out a cutting board and a knife to deal with that. But quickly before Estinien moves on again— ]
Is there any similarity to the diffusion zones where you do see a change in?
[ At G'raha's question, Estinien stops where he is about to poke at the 'toaster oven', pausing for a moment as he casts his mind back. He admittedly wasn't paying much attention to the zones after the... changes started, and the ensuing pain blotted out all else for a time afterwards. He recalls nothing of the zone that gave him his tail, but for the zones in which he gained his scales and teeth... ]
No, not that I can think of. Perhaps they are from the same culture if not from the same period, but it would be hard to discern such a thing without an expert— [ Or a scholar of G'raha's calibre. ] —or more time spent there and unfortunately, I was not in a position to investigate more after.
[ He sounds truly regretful that he's not able to provide G'raha with more information. ]
[ G'raha nods, accepting that sometimes there is no data when you want it. And it's understandable that Estinien may not have thought, at the time, to start to catalogue these changes when they simply began to happen.
So rather than show any regret, he smiles encouragingly at the other man. There's a pang on his chest, if only because he wants to be able to help now as much as possible, and the elezen will feel that as well as the stark sincerity of his support. ]
There is often quite a bit to take in when out in the Fringes. May hap from now on, we can make note of what sort of zone you have visited and when? Then we can begin to see if there is a rhyme or reason to why this is happening.
[ He cuts off a few slices of bread and holds them out to Estinien. ]
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no subject
G'raha.
[ It's a greeting and an announcement of his presence in one so as not to accidentally get blasted in the face by G'raha's magic. It has been a while, after all, since he was last here. Not even to pick up his sandwiches, which has been somewhat disappointing. However it was imperative he get a handle on his transformations—plural now, with scales and teeth to go with his tail, making it clear that none of what is happening to him is mere happenstance—and remain vigilant for any slips in control, any loss of memory. Now he's starting to believe that maybe the changes are merely... cosmetic, in a sense. Irritating, but not inherently dangerous.
So he has returned, this time bearing gifts: a cheese he has never tried before, a jar of some small fish in brine, and a packet of hot peppers. The man at the shop had also forced a loaf of crusty bread on him in thanks for the aid Estinien had rendered to his sister, and Estinien himself had picked out a number of condiments. He is eager to see what G'raha will make of it. ]
no subject
It's a surprise, but a pleasant one. ]
Estinien!
[ He sets one book aside and pushes himself off of the bed. The changes in Estinien's appearance haven't ebbed, but he doesn't seem any worse for ware. Still, G'raha has to ask. ]
It's good to see you. How are you faring?
[ His eyes do look at the bag with open curiosity. Treats? Those seem like treats. ]
no subject
As well as can be.
[ His tone is dry, a far cry from how he was the last time, and there's a faint lisp as his tongue attempts to navigate around his teeth. ]
I'm still no closer to any answers but it does not feel like Nidhogg is stirring.
[ And then, noting G'raha's gaze: ] For lunch. If you are amenable.
no subject
How long ago did this happen?
[ Saying "so it's gotten worse?" feels in poor form. ]
Well, we will consider that a good sign.
[ Though it still begs the question of why this is happening in the first place, if it isn't related to Estinien's previous draconic transformation. That was logically the most sensible conclusion.
But as for the bag, G'raha nods, a bit of his smile returning.]
Yes, yes of course. You're always welcome.
[ He motions for Estinien to follow him to the small kitchenette. A single portable burner and a toaster oven have been added to the usual set up. G'raha has been expanding his questionable culinary skills. ]
no subject
The scales came through a couple of weeks ago. The teeth, a mere couple of days. Each time seemingly due a diffusion zone.
[ He won't rule out the possibility of it being some hidden catalyst, but that the changes start as he enters a diffusion zone is consistent. What it means, he'll leave to the great thinkers. ]
Obviously, not every time I enter a diffusion zone do I endure some kind of transformation. But every transformation has come as a result of entering a diffusion zone. What does this do?
[ If G'raha looks over it's to see him pointing at the toaster oven. ]
no subject
[ Hm...that is relevant information. So there is clearly something in Estinien's aether, then, that is reacting when he enters a diffusion zone, though it is equally curious it's not every time. G'raha starts to form a question, but it hangs on the edge of his tongue as Estinien quickly switches subjects. ]
That? Oh—that is what they call a "toaster oven". Apparently it's mostly used to warm and toast bread, which we can employ for sandwiches.
[ Estinien did bring a loaf of bread. Will this make it too crunchy? Maybe! Only one way to find out. G'raha gets out a cutting board and a knife to deal with that. But quickly before Estinien moves on again— ]
Is there any similarity to the diffusion zones where you do see a change in?
no subject
No, not that I can think of. Perhaps they are from the same culture if not from the same period, but it would be hard to discern such a thing without an expert— [ Or a scholar of G'raha's calibre. ] —or more time spent there and unfortunately, I was not in a position to investigate more after.
[ He sounds truly regretful that he's not able to provide G'raha with more information. ]
no subject
So rather than show any regret, he smiles encouragingly at the other man. There's a pang on his chest, if only because he wants to be able to help now as much as possible, and the elezen will feel that as well as the stark sincerity of his support. ]
There is often quite a bit to take in when out in the Fringes. May hap from now on, we can make note of what sort of zone you have visited and when? Then we can begin to see if there is a rhyme or reason to why this is happening.
[ He cuts off a few slices of bread and holds them out to Estinien. ]
Would you like to do the honors?
[ He motions to the oven. ]