There's so much I need to know

*busily reading* {part of outrealmgates}

[voodoobloodmagic]

As Canas spoke about his brothers and the understanding he developed, Tharja frowned and shuffled her feet.

"…I can’t say I’ve ever experienced anything like that. Whatever my parents didn’t teach me, I learned from books. Understanding other people has never been much of a priority for me. I’ve been told I’m a bit…" She trailed off, tapping a finger against her lip in thought. "Abrasive. Not that I care."

"But maybe…this is what you mean. Perhaps it’s because of the bonds of dark magic we share, but you’re very easy to talk to. It’s almost uncanny."

[spectacledshaman]

"You haven't? Really? How interesting..Oh, I certainly wasn't finding you particularly abrasive..either way I am happy to apparently be easy to talk to! I find that incredibly reassuring."

Canas paused a moment before his face lit up

"Say! Since we have such an impressive connection, you and I simply MUST collaborate on some works together! It'll just be the bee's knees! I'm certain with our respective backgrounds, with elder prowess but different teachings and time periods, surely we could come up with some outstanding ideas!"

[eliwod]

#1 Nerds || Eliwood & Canas

Before Eliwood knew it, he had his own stack of books to read that Canas could give to him. He made sure he didn’t drop a single one as the pile became heavier- these books were rather thick but Eliwood didn’t mind it at all.

"They all sound fascinating if I do say so myself! Thank you." He said with a smile. "But you are right about me being most interested in legendary weapons. Swords are my specialty, after all."

[spectacledshaman]

"Are they! Fascinating! You'll have to tell me more about swords some time. Well then yes I'm sure you would certainly enjoy it most. It was very good, the weapons themselves were interesting, like how they were made and everything, and the lore behind the pieces was quite exciting it was a really incredible. So definitely, absolutely must read. I really hope you enjoy it. Oh after you finish them though we should absolutely talk about them, I would love to have someone to discuss books with if you would be interested!"

[hekutoru]

Who Reads? || Hector and Canas

Interested in his books? That was funny. Hector honestly couldn’t remember the last time he had picked up a book out of interest… if ever.

"Uh… I’ll pass. You can just tell me what they’re about, if you want. That’s all I really wanted to know."

[spectacledshaman]

"Oh. Well I'm not sure I would do the authors any true justice to their work, but I certainly could try if you were inclined to listen! I'd be happy sit down and retell anything you'd like to know! Oh or I could read some to you? Interesting segments or even whole books if you like! I don't know how much you'd enjoy non-fiction works, although I'm sure I could find some about interesting topics to you..but if you don't like non-fiction I'm sure I could tell some exciting fictional tales about great heroes or warriors that you'd probably like better!"

[spectacledshaman]

A Learning Experience ll OPEN

Like seemingly so many other unwilling time travelers, Canas had found himself in the Shepherds company. He might have worried about the war that he would have to assist with if the excitement of having an entirely new world to learn about and explore was not so enticing. 

Canas was just returning to camp from the direction of town. He carried a nearly comical size stack of books in one hand, keeping the lower part of the stack pressed against his body for support.  His other hand held open a book which the shaman's nose was buried in. He was so focused on his reading rather than where he was going that it really wasn't a surprise that moments later he crashed into some poor passerby. Canas shouted with surprise and fell back on his butt on impact, the books he was carrying raining down on him and scattering about nearby.

"Ah! So sorry, terribly sorry!"

He looked around at the scattered books before looking to see just who it was he had crashed into.

[ettseru]

An Uncanny Resemblance | Canas&Etzel

[ettseru]

"No, no… Not at all." he replied, almost as though he thought he’d already figured everything out himself. "I too find that this is not my own land. It certainly resembles it, though…” He looked around to observe the similarities one more time before returning his attention to Canas.

"Your feelings are understandable. I too find the thought of a world absent of any acquaintances of mine to be… unusual. Unlike you, however, I have no one in my life who I hold dear to my heart. I suppose I couldn’t feel the sadness you feel at the idea of them being gone even if I wanted to."

[spectacledshaman]

"Oh I see..well I'm terribly sorry. I actually would imagine your situation to be quite sadder than mine. In truth I am not so very sad. I mean I'm sad certainly but more..perturbed perhaps. As it was I found it rare that I would see them anyway, engrossed in my travels and learning. The odds of them even knowing of this incredible absence are unfathomable..although knowing my mother I wouldn't doubt it if she did.  Either way the most sensible way I can look at it is that I wandered into this situation, I will likely someday wander back out or figure it out someday myself and find my way back!"

"Oh but really? So you are displaced as well!! Absolutely fascinating. I have yet to see much of the land but what I have observed is a radically different take on magic than what I'm used to! Its absolutely incredible really, they have those which can wield Elder AS WELL AS Anima magic here! I find this especially fascinating because from where I am from such a feat is ENTIRELY unheard of! Or I suppose maybe its simply that I have never I mean surely if it is possible here there must be some way for it to be possible all the time..But just as well I have yet to see any traces of Light magic in this world either and I find that especially peculiar. But either way that we should both be displaced does raise incredibly interesting questions."

[voodoobloodmagic]

"Mmm, if you’ve experienced one brute, you’ve experienced them all." Tharja smirked and laughed, as if she’d just told a joke. "Frederick is nice enough, I suppose. He has some strange ideas about physical fitness, so don’t mind him if he makes you go along on a run with him."

She perked up at the mention of before-his-time spells. “Breaking out the really ancient stuff, are we,” she said, a devious smile crossing her face. “Oh, that sounds interesting. Let me know if you need any ingredients or spellbooks to get you started. I keep myself well-stocked.”

"If I don’t have what you need, Henry, the other dark mage, might. I don’t think he keeps as many supplies as I do, though. Henry’s a very…carefree…individual."

[spectacledshaman]

"Duely noted! Ah no I shouldn't need anything but thank you kindly for the offer! I imagine you both must be incredibly well stocked though if you travel together! Even if he does bring less. You're quite lucky getting to travel with another elder magic user! My brothers and I used to trade ideas and magical concepts off one another all the time, its really a fantastic method for completing new spells quickly but also understanding people as well!"

[spectacledshaman]

Stick Around For a Spell ll Canas & Soren

"You could say that." Soren commented, knowing well how powerful his magic was. It took no spirit seal to provide him that. But that was unimportant, and this stranger never needed to know the truth behind the mark on his forehead.

"Soren is my name." he answered, not giving Canas much room to further push their conversation. He still doubted it helping him in the long run. The man still appeared interested and would likely find more to ask. 

"Well it is wonderful to meet you Soren, and if I may apologize again for the intrusion. So you are a Sage then? You must use Anima magic then! Simply fantastic isn't it? Anima magic that is. I can't use it myself but my wife does, sometimes I wish I could as well. You see I'm a Shaman so regrettably I'm not able to wield it but I do enjoy learning about it when I can and such. Although thats not to say I don't enjoy Elder magic too, as of course I do, ah but anyway more about you, so a sage! Do you have a preferred set of tomes? What kind of spells do you like?"

[voodoobloodmagic]

Tharja hummed, putting a hand to her face. “If you want to learn about forms of battling, go talk to Frederick. He’ll be the knight stuck to Chrom’s side. Try to catch him during his ‘Fitness Fanaticism Hour’, or whatever it’s called. He’ll help you out…so long as you don’t mind learning by example.”

When Canas mentioned that he would like to talk more with Tharja, she stared quizzically at the shaman. She knew she wasn’t the easiest person to get along with. Hearing that Canas wanted to tell about his family and teach her ancient, forgotten techniques felt odd, but pleasant too. 

"Ancient elder magic, you say? How could I say no to a demonstration of lost arcane arts?"

[spectacledshaman]

"Frederick, alright, understood! I'll talk to him about it then! Not to worry about me, I already have some physical training from an old brutish friend of mine, I should be able to take  some of whatever this fellow can dish out!" Canas kind of flexed his non-existant muscles, chuckling at his own joke of physical prowess before turning the conversation back into a direction he DID have a foot in the door for.

"Yes I do say! It's our specialty. It's rather dangerous but I'm sure I'll be fine. Besides a demonstration gives me the perfect excuse to try out some particularly before-my-time sort of spells that I have been itching to experiment with."

[spectacledshaman]

"Well met, Canas!" he greeted, curiously looking over the books in Canas' hands. "Have any good books to read lately?"

"Eliwood! Well met indeed." His eyes lit up as he went through the pile in his arms "Ah, but yes I did! I read the most splendid book on ancient tongues! Were you interested in borrowing one? I would be happy to lend some out?"

[eliwod]

"I’d love to!" He absolutely loves books and any sort of book for that matter. It was nice to have this interest shared with someone he knew.

Eliwood’s eyes carefully scanned the spines of the huge pile of books in Canas’ hands, “Do you have any recommendations?”

[spectacledshaman]

"Recommendations, lets see. Well obviously so the ancient tongues one I've already mentioned and thats this one here" He was already passing books to Eliwood as he continued "But if that isn't something you'd like I also have a book about Herbs that I found fascinating, or a book on Legendary weapons which you might like better."

[voodoobloodmagic]

"You’re certainly quick to adapt, aren’t you?" Tharja asked, her voice flat. "Time travelers here, time travelers there. If I weren’t so patient, I’d be getting sick of playing host to so many time travelers."

"Will I be here long? I honestly couldn’t say. I’m in an army, you see. We go where we need to go, when we need to go. As long as we’re in the area, I’m certain you’ll be welcome to stay with us. Chrom’s a bit of a bleeding heart."

[spectacledshaman]

"Well that certainly is quite tempting, why I haven't traveled with a group since I traveled with Lord Eliwood and his men! And I suppose it would allow for quicker information gathering to travel with a group of people who belong here, and it would certainly allow for easier access to learning about forms of battling that differ from those where I am from..so sure! If you think this "Chrom" might have me that certainly would be the bee's knees!"

Canas adjusted his monocle "And just as well I could discuss more with you. I feel like you are the sort of person that would enjoy the stories about my mother, and maybe I could even teach you about the ancient elder magic that my family and I wield. Surely someone as skilled as you say you are would find the information intriguing at the very least."

[ettseru]

An Uncanny Resemblance | Canas&Etzel

Etzel took Canas’ monocle into his hand carefully, holding it up in front of his own to inspect it. “Hm… It is a very good quality.”

"A nice story behind it, as well. Your mother sounds like an interesting soul, and your wife the kind sort as well." He held the monocle back over to Canas. "Are they both still in your life?"

[spectacledshaman]

"She most certainly is interesting, and my wife is as you say." He took his monocle back, fixing it on his face again

"They are indeed! Or..hm. Well thats more to say they were? Usually are? In the time in which I am from they are alive. But in this time I have every reason to believe that they are no longer with us. I would likely doubt even my son is but I cannot say that with as much certainty." It took a few moments for the notion to settle in, a small frown crossing his face.

"Hm...I can't believe I've overlooked that until now...I was so excited about being in the future and all the things I could learn-....Oh no I'm terribly sorry, that all must have been incredibly confusing." 

[ikesboyfriend]

"Excuse me, excuse me sir!" Canas quickly approached the sage "I'm sorry I don't mean to intrude, it seems I'm terribly lost, but that's neither here nor there. The point is in all my travels I don't believe I've ever seen a symbol quite like the one you display on your forehead. If it isn't so much trouble I would love to know its significance!"

Soren turned to the voice that approached him. Ugh. That man appeared far too excited. To top it off he had the nerve to ask about his brand. There really was no escaping the subject.

"It is known as a magic seal where I come from." he lied. "Magic users often make contracts with powerful spirits in hopes of gaining unbelievable power… I did not make the contract myself, but…" he paused. “My… parents did. When I was very young. They hoped to see me become a renown sage.”

[spectacledshaman]

"A magic seal! Absolutely fascinating! You must be very powerful. I imagine if my mother had had access to such things in my time I would be in quite the same place as you." He chuckled, shaking his head "Ah, terribly sorry though. I'm Canas! A pleasure to meet those likewise magically inclined!"

[voodoobloodmagic]

"No, I haven’t heard of her." And it was true. Tharja hadn’t heard of the woman. Perhaps she had read a name similar to it in some obscure tome about magical history once, but…it couldn’t possibly be the same person. Not unless time travel was involved somehow.

But come to think of it…

"Ilia," Tharja said slowly, rolling the word in her mouth. "You must have come a long way. Across time, I mean. That’s why you’re so baffled by my abilities. The method for using dark magic and elemental magic together must not have been discovered yet in whenever you’re from."

[spectacledshaman]

"Across time? Do you really think so? Magnificent! It certainly would explain why I am so lost! Oh my if that is true,I'll simply have to explore all of this new land then!" For a few moments he seemed overwhelmingly caught up in the probably otherwise preposterous idea of time travel. He quickly attempted to recover from his excitement, his hands busying themselves with the books he was carrying

"Will you be in this area long? Not right now necessarily as there is much I must do to prepare for this new journey, but in the next few days?"

[voodoobloodmagic]

Tharja watched the man approach the tree, smiling as she saw the fire and the delight dancing in his eyes. She decided she liked the strange man. He had spirit and she could appreciate that.

"No one can use both," Tharja repeated, quirking an eyebrow. "How unusual. It’s not uncommon here at all. Plenty of dark mages have some experience with using Anima magic. What sort of backward place are you from, anyway?"

When Canas offered his hand, Tharja took it. “Tharja,” she said, briefly shaking his hand. “I hope you’re not planning on making me into a research subject, scholar. I’ve been told I’m not very agreeable.” She chuckled softly.

[spectacledshaman]

"Well I wouldn't be inclined to consider it backwards, but I am from the land of Ilia. Which judging from the lack of commotion you've made from the mention of my mother's name I'll guess as much that you've never heard of her or it.."

Canas looked at her a moment before chuckling a little, shaking his head, a bit embarrassed

"Oh no no I have no intention of making any sort of subject out of you! No, you simply piqued my curiosity, my deepest apologies if I was leading you on to believe such a thing, Tharja."

[spectacledshaman]

"Well met, Canas!" he greeted, curiously looking over the books in Canas' hands. "Have any good books to read lately?"

"Eliwood! Well met indeed." His eyes lit up as he went through the pile in his arms "Ah, but yes I did! I read the most splendid book on ancient tongues! Were you interested in borrowing one? I would be happy to lend some out?"

[spectacledshaman]

"Hey, Canas!" Hector hurried over, grabbing the shaman's shoulder to stop him from walking any further. "Can you even see with that stack of books in front of you? You'll run into something if you're that reckless. Here--" Hector stepped to the side, taking majority of the stack out of his arms. "Where are you headed?"

Canas jumped and the sudden large hands clasped on his shoulders, nearly toppling the large pile of books in his arms

"Ah! Lord Hector, no that wont-" He watched as Hector took the stack and sighed, smiling a little "Just back to my tent then I guess, thank you. I guess it was a bit much.."

[hekutoru]

"I’ll say…" Hector shook his head as he adjusted his hold on the books in his arms. He looked down at the stack, attempting to read the upside title of the book on top.

"Well uh, lead the way then! Sorry if I’m not too familiar with which tent is where. They all look the same to me. I keep mixing them up."

[spectacledshaman]

"Oh no its perfectly okay! I'm sure nobody expects you to have all of the tents memorized!" Canas looked over, catching Hector's look at the books

"Were you interested in my books? If you see something you like you're welcome to borrow it!"

[ettseru]

"Hello sir! I'm sorry to bother you but I simply had to come over and compliment you on that wonderful monocle you're sporting! It's quite fetching and I dare say I really am a tad jealous!" Canas smiled, adjusting the books in his arms "I mean certainly mine gets the job done, but yours is really something else, if I do say so myself."

"Hm?" 

Etzel raised his eyes from his book only to be startled by the appearance of the man who stood in front of him. He eyed him up and down. He held a variety of tomes in his arms, wore clothes that were recognizable as those of a magic user, and oddly enough shared similar eyewear.

There was no doubt about it. The feeling that Canas gave off left it clear to the sorcerer that he too studied dark magic.

"Well, thank you for your kind words. I do appreciate them. However, I’m quite fond of your monocle. I’ve always been a fan of the rounder style. Not to say I dislike my own, but… you know how it goes.”

[spectacledshaman]

"Oh of course I understand perfectly! Ah here you could look at it if you would like-" Canas removed his monocle, unhooking its chain and offering it to the other man for examination.

"I received it quite some time ago from my wife while we were still dating as a cure for my poor reading vision. My mother wouldn't get such a thing for me, she was convinced she could simply hex my farsightedness away, but whatever good she did was never for long."

"Oh but no I'm sorry! Anyway I am very fond of your monocle. The half glass look in my opinion looks so..educated and sleek. I always thought it looked much cooler than whole circle."