Heaven's BBS

[reformedsinner]

From: Li Tieguai
Posted: November 20

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In the aftermath of recent troublesome events, I've been reminded that I was going to ask this of all of you.

How many of you have abilities, whether natural, supernatural, or recently acquired, that can be used to track someone? Furthermore, if you're willing to explain it to me, can you tell me how those abilities work?

After all, if someone else goes missing, it's best if we all know who can help us find them, and don't waste time and energy.

Comments

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ On one hand, he'd rather not air the fact that he's come across this kind of knowledge to everyone. On the other, there's someone else in the Far Shore that he hopes sees this and understands exactly why he made this public.

Two curfew-breaking someones, to be exact, as far as he's aware. ]

It's useless if we get into another situation where magic is pretty much sucked away, but I've come across some spells that let me see the truth of events.

Which could be used for tracking.

[reformedsinner]

Yes, unfortunately, the effects of that forest meant that such things weren't very useful.

What do you mean by "see the truth," though, precisely? Can you see things that happened in the past, or is it more like answering questions truthfully?

[kuroi_taiyo]

Mostly that first one.

One of the others I wrote down might be for making sure someone answers truthfully, but seeing what happens for yourself is more reliable. Especially if they count sneaking out, instead of staying where they were told, as resting.

[ What with truth being subjective when it comes to answering questions. ]

[reformedsinner]

My goodness, that almost sounds like you've tried this particular spell on someone before.

[He'd take it personally, except that he didn't sneak out. He might have gone back to work a bit early, but he'd been clear about it.

Negotiation works better than sneaking around, so long as negotiation is defined with sufficient lenience.]

[kuroi_taiyo]

It should sound exactly like I've tried this spell on someone, because that's the only way I know for sure what a spell does. Decoding them still leaves some room for guesswork.

[ Thanks for helping him call his god out, along with that god's buddy, Hakkai. ]

[reformedsinner]

[You're welcome. He always tries to help others let their passive-aggressive flag fly, so long as he's not the target.]

My, my. I hope their sneaking out didn't cause you too much trouble.

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ This is what makes you a good neighbor. ]

Oh, I'm not the one they have to worry about. It's what'll happen if the others hear about this.

[reformedsinner]

Why, in that case they're very lucky that you're only discovering such things in order to test your spell... aren't they?

[kuroi_taiyo]

Depends on your definition of luck.

[reformedsinner]

I suppose it does.

Would you say they're lucky?

[kuroi_taiyo]

Seeing as I'm involved?

Far from it.

[ Which may or may not seem more ominous than intended. ]

[reformedsinner]

Ha ha, well, at least they can hope their luck will improve, then.

[kuroi_taiyo]

Which is useless as long as I'm around.

[reformedsinner]

Now you're starting to sound a touch self-deprecating... oh, or is that a threat? I'm not sure.

[kuroi_taiyo]

It's supposed to be closer to the second of those. Something of a promise, I guess.

[reformedsinner]

That's much better, then.

[kuroi_taiyo]

Do I really seem like the self-deprecating type?

[reformedsinner]

No.

But then, you never know, do you?

[kuroi_taiyo]

Never know when I'm going to turn around and constantly belittle myself?

Nah. Not my style.

[ He's not perfect and may, in fact, have a cursed presence that brings bad fortune to those around him, but there's far more that outweighs that. Like his abs, and his magical ability. ]

[reformedsinner]

[One should never underestimate the power of great abs.]

I wouldn't say 'constantly,' but doesn't everyone enjoy a bit of self-deprecation once in a while?

[kuroi_taiyo]

What? No. That sounds dumb. Why would someone enjoy it?

[reformedsinner]

Ah, never mind!

If you don't understand, I doubt I can explain.

[kuroi_taiyo]

Oh. Is it some weird modern trend?

[ That's usually the kind of thing he doesn't understand. It's certainly not a kink. ]

[reformedsinner]

No, just differences in personality.

[kuroi_taiyo]

Definitely a kind I don't understand. It's not masochism- that's enjoying having pain inflicted upon themselves, but that wouldn't include demeaning themselves or anything like that.

Is there some kind of type that's into boasting and insisting how inferior they are for attention?