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Deer Country Mod ([personal profile] reddosmod) wrote in [community profile] countryclub2023-01-25 12:08 am
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JANUARY TEST DRIVE MEME!

JANUARY 2023 TDM
Another month, another test drive meme! Our test drive memes are open to anyone interested - regardless of whether or not you join our game!

All Test Drive Memes are game canon. Players can choose to keep their TDM threads canon or not. TDM threads can be used for AC and can be used as your writing sample for your application.

Our TDMs serve as a way to build into the actual lore and worldbuilding of Deer Country and we strongly encourage everyone to enjoy and participate! Current players are always welcome to pull prompts from the TDM to reference on the Network or bring into logs as well as tag out to new characters top-leveling on the TDM itself.

Characters will always be able to actively die during TDMs as this is an extremely dangerous world. You can still have this be game canon! Check out how character death in Deer Country works here.

If you have any questions about the TDM, please ask down below!

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Prompt One
[Image One: Bloody Candles]
[Image Two: Anatomically Correct Chocolate Hearts in a Coffin]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Woman in restaurant, dressed in pink, surrounded by mannequins.]
[Image Two: Creepy looking mannequin staring]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Hands touching and holding at sunset]
[Image Two: Girl Screaming with her Mouth Fused Shut.]

A TYPICAL ARRIVAL WITH A SWEET TWIST
WHEN: Last Week of January through all February

WHERE: The Shores, Boardwalk and throughout Trench

CONTENT WARNINGS: Mild Body horror for arrival, additional warnings for Blood Bonds and the Chocolatier:
* Blood Bonds: Blood ceremony, bodily ceremony, telepathic/empathetic connections, possible forced/coerced relationships.
* Choclatier: Themes of temptation (non-sexual and/or sexual), addiction, blood sacrifice, severely warped personality/reality including temporary amnesia, inability to use body, paranoia, vomiting organs, homicidal feelings, mild body horror.



For those who are arriving, they are fortunate. The worst of the ice and chill of the Season of Bone is fading. Any ice flows are breaking up and it is safe for little squidlings to come to shore, wakers present to help them with cups of hot cocoa and heavy robes to ward off of the cold. Nothing, however, removes the almost bleak and dreary state of the world. All of the beach seems washed with a sort of white that remindes the mind of bleached bone. Transformation from squid to the sleeper's natural form is slower, because of the cold, but does not pose any real difficulty.

Warm Food is prepared in the form of stews, complemented by bread that tastes heavily of mushroom. Unlike prior years, no roses are given to the new sleepers, though there are roses found throughout the city of trench. All of them, however, are black as midnight and there is an ominous sense to them should a sleeper think to reach out and pluck the blooms. Should someone do so, they will feel an increased paranoia about their relationships for the next few days and the natives of Trench will give them a wide berth, refusing to sell them anything at the shops and shooing them away, though there is no outward sign of anything being amiss. Whispers in town hint that the Doorway is in a poor mood this year.

Nevertheless, the patron pthumerian of the month can be seen around Trench. Bonding Rituals remain very popular this month and many seek to curry her presence during their rites. She shows no outward sign of discomfort or disapproval, yet there seems to be more blood than usual on her ivory blade as she stands in silent vigil wherever a ritual is performed.

Anyone who yearns for a bit of sweetness that they might associate with the waning chill of winter will find themselves meeting a sudden and disturbing fellow (CW: Some Blood/Disturbing Content in some chocolates. Please check warnings in prompt). The chocolatier, who was seen in past years, still wanders about and appears to any who yearn for a happier time in the otherwise gloom of the month. His offer is simple. A little bit of blood, for a little bit of sweet. What is the harm in it? Why his sweets even have mystical properties to make life interesting!

FAQ:
* The Chocolatier option remains identical to what happened in 2023, and is available throughout the last week of January and into February. The chocolates offered have not changed this year.
* Blood Bonds are available all year round, and the method of getting one is easily learned from any local in Trench, or from a Sleeper. While they can be performed every year, they are more powerful if performed in this month (Player discretion) and the Doorway is more likely to be present to bless them personally.

WAIT FOR ME
WHEN: Anytime in February

WHERE: Anywhere in Trench

CONTENT WARNINGS: Body Horror, Loneliness, Depression elements, Being Trapped in One's Own Body, Psychological Horror



Sleepers have been working to put an end to the strange plague afflicting pthumerians. Still, while there has been success, something seems off this month nevertheless. Even if she is not ill, the Doorway appears to be in a foul mood and it is felt by many. There is a moody, brooding sense that permeates the whole of the city, as if something were supposed to happen that did not. It's the awful sense that one gets when they expect to meet up with someone for something important and, without warning, that person does not show and there's no explanation. That light gnawing at the pit of the stomach when worry or irritation sets in grows steadily worse. Is this about someone specific, or a general malaise? It's hard to tell what sets it off. For some, it comes waiting by the coast in the hopes a loved one arrives this month. For others, maybe someone was just busy and ended up late for lunch. It might not even have a visible cause.

Whatever happens, the dreadful reality settles in almost immediately. As they wait, the person begins to feel their body stiffen. It does not feel like the lockjoint disease, but rather a sudden and whole-body hardening of the person. Within seconds, they feel their body solidifying into a state almost like a mannequin. Unable to move, they can feel a dread cold leeching into their heart as they are forced to watch, to wait for whoever was supposed to be there. Why aren't they here? The longer that they are there, the colder that they feel, and if they are in a secluded place it could feel quite perilous. However, no monsters can seem to harm the person, their body nigh indestructible. The frigid state, however, denies them the ability to sleep or even blink, forced to watch the world as a prisoner in their own mind.

Palebloods are somewhat fortunate in this state. All palebloods trapped this way find themselves able to telepathically communicate with loved ones or people close, regardless of distance. Their voices, however, are always in a state like the wail of a ghost regardless of their mental state. For anyone else, they can manage to mentally connect through the network to plead for help using an omni on their person, though only in Text form until they are released. So, at least they are not trapped without escape, unless by chance they forgot their omni, but you wouldn't be so foolish as to leave home without your phone would you?

HOW TO CURE THE CONDITION:
Several options exist. Anyone with a "Blade of Mercy" (a gift given last February) could use it to sever whatever connection caused the person to feel like they are waiting, though that might very well sever the emotional connection entirely! The very person that they are waiting for could arrive, in which case a kiss (on the cheek, on the lips, gallantly on one knee to the back of the hand. Whatever works for you!) or an apology for tardiness should suffice to warm the heart. If there is no source, or if that person cannot arrive (or chooses not to), any friend or even new acquaintance can try to help the person not feel quite as alone in their waiting through some reasonable means. Any cure-all for corruption will also help with this condition.

The locales do not have any idea officially how to cure the condition, but they may suggest some of the above simply because it seems helpful at the time. At the worst, the condition does eventually fade with time.

FAQ:
* This can happen in a public location, or entirely remote, wherever you wish.
* The above "Cures" are not exhaustive. Any reasonable act that establishes or re-establishes empathy for the person trapped will cure them.
* Paleblood Telepathy is not limited by distance. However, non-palebloods must have their omni on their person in order to mentally link to it.
* This condition does not lead to death, but if allowed to persist is a reasonable source of higher corruption.
* If untreated, it will usually clear up in a couple days, or at most a week. If a player wishes to use this as a form of hiatus in February, they may, in which case it can last all month.

YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY
WHEN: The First Week of February

WHERE: Anywhere in Trench

CONTENT WARNINGS: Choking, Asphyxiation, Body Horror, Dependency, Possible Death



Self-reliance is a powerful tool in the city of Trench. You have to be able to take care of yourself, lest the dangerous elements on the fringe of the city overtake you and claim you in the night. Right?

The Doorway could not disagree more. To her, people depend upon each other. Corruption is only cleansed through the presence of others and conversation, connection. Cures and potions are, in her thought, unreliable. Even going to the Blood Ministers is more of a last-ditch effort when all else fails as she sees it. Sometimes? People need a little gentle reminder, a push to get them to rely upon each other more. Unfortunately, what a Pthumerian considers a gentle push to be tends not to be so gentle.

It happens at random, though it seems to happen most of all when it involves people who might not want to be close. You come into contact with a person, and just as you start to speak, you feel your throat throttle. It is like there is an invisible noose around your neck. No visible rope exists, but the air is cut off. You double over, gasping for air that will not come. Even if you don't or can't breathe you find yourself choking like a flopping goldfish out of water! As you reach out for help, you can see to your horror that the person you are trying to meet is choking too! What do you do? There is only one cure to this situation. You have to get to the other person quickly. There's still time. Maybe you can find some sort of solution if you get there. Deep down, you know you just need to be closer.

The moment that the two choking sleepers make contact, they will be able to breathe. The relief of oxygen entering the lungs comes instantly, though there is a problem. Any time you break contact, you begin to choke again. So long as you are able to stay in contact, you're safe but any attempt to break that contact is potentially life threatening. There is no solution other than to hold onto each other, hold hands, whatever it takes to maintain contact. For how long you ask? Oh, for at least an hour. But it's not like anyone's actually going to give you a timer on this. Will you just put up with it, or will you keep experimenting only to be choked repeatedly.

FAQ:
* Anyone can be affected by this, no matter physiology. It defies magical powers, biology and even blood powers.
* The effects last no more than 6 hours at the absolute max and most of the time it will end within 1 hour.
* Effects will cease when the two participants go to sleep (No accidental chokings). As a result, the effect will always start at least an hour before you might normally go to sleep.
* Yes, you can choke to death if you want.
* There is no knowledge of the effect amongst the locals and no warning about it, so there is no real warning on how to "cure" this other than the compulsion to get close to the other choking person and trial and error. Or Patience!
* No, the Doorway isn't sorry.

CODING
cynomorpha: (pic#14865933)

[personal profile] cynomorpha 2023-02-28 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Tsk.

[ He sucks his teeth because he knows that this is true. None of them would have survived the cavern without rooting themselves deep in their bonds to each other. It had been no small ask of him... but he had done it. If Hawk were here, he would not hesitate to leverage their bond.

Hawk is not here.

Creeping Dust's silence is telling. ]
chenqing_player: (oh i see!)

[personal profile] chenqing_player 2023-03-01 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Wei Wuxian isn't the best when it comes to understanding silence. If he had perhaps he would have known the feelings of Lan Wangji a lot sooner then he did. But he does understand silence in general. So he can at least understand that Creeping Dust doesn't want anything to do with bonds. At least not with a stranger.]

The bonds are strongest when formed during this time. But they can honestly be formed at any point. Give it some time to figure out and perhaps you'll find someone who you can trust.
dracomachina: (there's gotta be a better way)

[personal profile] dracomachina 2023-03-01 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
You need not worry. It is what... any noble worth her title would do.

[she may as well come out with it. if it's an issue, then she can simply let go and leave hlasoh like this, and succumb to her own wretched monstrosity twisting black within her chest. but she doubts that it will be one, and may the gods be thanked for that, as she is without gravinet or dragon at this moment. should hlasoh take offense, excella would be defenseless.]

I can see your lips beginning to move. [why was she looking?] You are definitely beginning to thaw.
nihilmancy: (pic#12979853)

[personal profile] nihilmancy 2023-03-04 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
< Titles, nobility… I suppose that they do mean a lot to people. >

[ Her newly freed arm makes a vague gesture, signalling her ambivalence. All at once air bursts into her lungs. She pants, taking in deep lungfuls, staggering but managing to catch herself before she falls on the hard winter ground. Relief floods in. She hates being bound. Well, she hates the boring kind of being bound, anyway. ]

You were right. It looks as though you did not have to go so far after all.
knows: (pic#16129790)

[personal profile] knows 2023-03-05 10:11 am (UTC)(link)
Well that's a blatant lie for someone that's the spitting image of Alucard. Trevor pockets the second whip and then starts patting him down for other weapons before the spell completely wears off.

"Do you know what's going on?"
whipinheritor: (pic#16232328)

[personal profile] whipinheritor 2023-03-05 04:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Juste doesn't like where this is going. If he's wrong and this isn't Trevor, it's going to be unpleasant when he finally returns to normal.

The only other weapons on him are in his satchel-- a few spellbooks and a dagger.

He snaps his fingers twice, again.
dracomachina: (got to clean my hands of this mess)

[personal profile] dracomachina 2023-03-06 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
[excella kneels on the ground shortly after hlasoh falls, and she wraps her arms around this woman she's just saved like it all might revert to the way it once was should she let go too soon. there's no way to prove that it won't. still, she needs to be careful; her armor is heavy and cannot be especially comfortable, but she isn't about to remove it all so easily.]

I suppose not. Are you able to stand, or—[her face flushes slightly as the realization of what she's doing settles in her mind, and she pulls her arms back.] My apologies for overstepping. I simply want you to be well. And arriving as a squid has made me... uncertain of what actually counts as "well" in this place.
knows: (pic#16129834)

[personal profile] knows 2023-03-06 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
Trevor thumbs through the books, his literacy is poor, but he can recognise magic when he sees it. That explains why he's only got the whip and a dagger. Unfortunately this also does make this a lot more dangerous now.

"I think that's everything you can answer right now."

Then he steps in closer, his sword drawn and pointed directly at his throat.

"You can introduce yourself when you can. I'll be patient."
whipinheritor: a mid-range image of Juste Belmont holding a whip (Default)

[personal profile] whipinheritor 2023-03-06 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Please enjoy a solid minute-long staring contest with a statue.

Then, Juste blinks. It doesn't take long for the rest of his face to retun to normal. He doesn't look frightened or angry, just a little weary.

"I am Juste Belmont of House Belmont. I am not a vampire nor do I know Alucard personally; however, he is known to my family."

He moves his hand but only to brush stray hair out of his eyes. "Those were all of the questions, correct?"
decentsort: (mood; hmmm)

[personal profile] decentsort 2023-03-08 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
They walk, and Kanan listens. It's all good until Ezra says Maul's name. Kanan doesn't seize up. Maul's presence isn't a surprise because Kanan shared a memory with him. It still—

stings. or the memory of a sting.

"Who did Maul make amends to?" Kanan asks, curious. He's not judging, yet.
decentsort: (profile; eyes closed)

[personal profile] decentsort 2023-03-08 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
The man, this user of the Dark Side of the Force looks in pain, something about this situation hurting him. Illiana doesn't know why that is or what he can or should do about it. Perhaps it isn't wise, but someone in pain is someone in pain.

He looks at his apprentice, who is concerned about the explosions and not concerned about the intruder, someone who is reliving this experience like the inquisitor. "I will be right back," Illiana tells him.

He approaches the man in pain slowly, hands before him, lightsaber again at his waist. "You are in pain. I would like to help you."
ezra_of_lothal: (Default)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2023-03-08 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Ezra replies, steadily, "Anakin Skywalker. There's, um, a number of kinds of psychic bonds here that anyone can make. Maul forced a kind onto Anakin that let him steal some Anakin's strength in the Force. And left Anakin in - well, I'm still not sure Anakin's examined how much it was his own fear and anger and hate versus Maul's but it was...bad."

Ezra swallows hard. "One of the few things Maul is really clear on is that he hates his former Sith Master and how his master treated him. Which doesn't always stop him from treating people the same way, obviously," Ezra says, with a soft snort. "But he listened when I told him that he had, in fact, treated Anakin exactly like his master would have, by forcing that bond. So. He let the bond go when we found a way to cut it. And tried to apologize. I mean. Badly, but he tried."
decentsort: (mood; thoughtful)

[personal profile] decentsort 2023-03-08 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Behind his mask, Kanan's eyebrows shoot up. Maul let the bond go? He let that source of power, some of Anakin's strength in the Force, go? Even if he apologized badly—Kanan can readily believe that—going along with returning that power is a step that impresses him, one he finds shocking and surprising for the Sith lord. One that, only a short time ago for him, he might not have believed so readily. At least, he wouldn't have given Maul as much credit.

"That's a big step for him," Kanan says, "I am glad he was able to make it." Objectively true, no matter his personal feelings.

It leaves him with his concerns and his feelings for Ezra and Ezra and Maul. Kanan can never forget what Maul did to him. Ezra guides him down the street because he's blind because Maul blinded him. Kanan struggled with being blind a long time. He's come to terms with it, but coming to terms with Maul having blinded him because Maul meant to steal Ezra to be his apprentice and Ezra continuing to have a relationship with Maul as Maul continued to attempt to kill Kanan at every opportunity— one with the Force or not, that's a different matter.

"How would you reflect on what your relationship with Maul is like for you?" Kanan asks, sitting comfortably in the realm of the wise teacher asking questions instead of the hot blooded Jedi bossing Ezra around like Ezra doesn't know how to make decisions for himself.
ezra_of_lothal: (Ezra thoughtful by recadreuse)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2023-03-08 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Ezra assumes Kanan must have complicated feelings about it all. But he trusts Kanan to do his best not let his personal feelings cloud his judgement, when a person or situation has changed. After all, he'd welcomed Kallus when he defected, easily enough.

Ezra mulls Kanan's question over. "More complicated than I'd entirely like. He's never actually been the guy we stumbled across on Malachor; he's over a decade too young. This place is wonky enough he's seen some glimpses of events from our end of time, but he doesn't entirely get why I can only deal with him in small doses. And I don't care to give him any bad ideas by explicitly spelling it out."

He's silent for another pensive beat. "We're not friends. I don't think we'll ever be friends. But at this point, I am one of the few people he trusts to be blunt with him in a way he can...take in. I legitimately think he'd lay down his life for some people here I care about a lot."

Usagi. Luke. In a truly bizarre turn of events, Obi-wan.

"So. Weird allies, that trust each other in specific ways, I guess."
decentsort: (action; talk w wolf)

[personal profile] decentsort 2023-03-09 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
It's not great when you can't trust someone enough to be open about why you set the boundaries where you do in your relationship. Then again, when maintaining a relationship with a Sith lord, the usual standards are probably strained at the best of times.

"He witnessed our duel with the Grand Inquisitor," Kanan says first, so Ezra can update his personal tabs of what Maul knows about them and their times. It's Ezra's memory too.

"If he will respect the boundaries that you set, even if he does not understand them, and respect when you do not want to explain them, that is a good sign for being able to maintain a sustainable relationship," Kanan says, "With that, you have to determine what boundaries you need and enforce them. By the Force, you cannot rely on him to do that for you." Or Kanan, honestly.

That's the best he has.

"The rest, I trust to you, Ezra."

Has anyone ever realized how much of being a wise master, even one at one with the Force, involves mentally screaming your head off or is that just him?
ezra_of_lothal: (Default)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2023-03-09 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Good to know," Ezra murmurs about the memory sharing.

"It's a work in progress, but I think I've got a handle on pushing back at him if I need to." Maul has a whole network of people who's good opinion he cares at some amount about. That helps.

"I'm, uh, more worried about Anakin at this point, for several reasons. But he seems to be hovering at quietly miserable and self-absorbed, not, um. Vader."

Exhausting. Not terrifying and murderous. Usually.
decentsort: (D:)

[personal profile] decentsort 2023-03-09 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
Kanan nods on Maul and gladly lets him pass.

"Anakin killed a bunch of clone troops in my memory of the end of the war," Kanan says with a frown. "I— I know it's a memory. I know he didn't really kill them, but I knew those guys."

He pauses.

"Not to save Depa Billapa. She was dead. I don't know how I feel about it. They killed her, but they'd been our friends before that. They weren't a threat to him, and they weren't about to kill me. They would have searched for me."

He shakes his head and sends the memory away.

"He confused me in the memory. He confuses me now. I spent a long time looking up to him, as a lot of us did. Right now, when my focus is you, with my concern as you," it's odd to say this directly after discussing Maul, "my advice would be to stay away. Anakin doesn't know himself. He may not be Vader, may not be dark like Maul, but he can still be a darker, more dangerous influence."

"It breaks my heart a little, but that's what my gut instinct, my faith in the Force is saying. I can handle a little heartbreak to do the right thing by you."

Kanan means it.
ezra_of_lothal: (Ezra eyebrow raised by redacreuse)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2023-03-09 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Welp. Not encouraging, that Anakin jumped to lethal violence so quickly, no.

He takes in his master's advice quietly. "I completely agree he doesn't know himself. Doesn't seem to want to let anyone in to know him, either. Both of which is always dangerous, but especially here."

Another pause. "I know myself," he says, even more firmly. "And Kanan - he's family. Even if I wrote him off as such, he'd still be family to a whole list of people I count as family."
decentsort: (action; removing mask)

[personal profile] decentsort 2023-03-09 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Kanan moves his hand to Ezra's shoulder, resting it there. To Kanan it feels heavy, though it is only a hand. The heaviness lies within him. Heavy but calm. His confusion does not lead him to flail about. Instead he reflects inward and turns to the Force. It's easier now, as a part of it, than before.

"I am not saying to cast him aside, Ezra. Seek balance with the Force. Don't push yourself so far you take on burdens that are not yours," Kanan says.

They're in a quiet spot. Kanan stops and turns toward Ezra, waits for him to do the same. Not wanting to loom over Ezra, Kanan quietly, well as quietly as one can, calls up a tower of dirt, held solid, and sits so that they're closer in height. "If I were to be concerned about you or to worry about you, as your master, your family, and your friend," Kanan says, "I would worry about your tendency to take on burdens, particularly emotional ones, for the people you love, for your family.

"I am so happy for you that you have found family here in Trench. In my brief time here, I also have no doubt that they are put through the wringer regularly, whatever form that takes. As a result, they carry trauma and must process issues. They carry that with them, and you want to help. You help, I am sure of it.

"I only wonder what cost you take on, whether you hide it from them, and how you handle it. I don't mean this to sound like I don't have faith in you. I do. It's... worry hour. You know I worry."
ezra_of_lothal: (arms crossed looking down by malagraphic)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2023-03-12 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
Ezra flops on the mound heavily.

"I know you worry," he replies, with soft acceptance. He cross his arms, and looks down. "Master Kenobi has said similar things to me...more than once. Every version of him that I meet, to be honest."

Even back home. That is not your responsibility, the wizard of the wastes had told him, about dealing with Maul.

"We're supposed to help people," he says eventually. "It's difficult to know when to...stop."

cynomorpha: (pic#14865865)

[personal profile] cynomorpha 2023-03-12 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ He contemplates this. A physical shape according to a soul's envisionment... His eyes flick to the leopard. ]

Vigorous, incisive, but vain.
cynomorpha: (pic#14865887)

[personal profile] cynomorpha 2023-03-12 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ He pushes his mess of hair off his forehead impatiently, then he pauses and studies the other man. ]

Who are you?

[ And should he even be listening to you; that would be a convenient out. ]
chenqing_player: (showing respect)

[personal profile] chenqing_player 2023-03-12 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[Putting his hands together and encircling his arms he gives a little bow with his head. It's not often that he goes back to using the traditional greeting of his home but every once in awhile he throws it out there just for the reaction.]

Wei wuxian. Long time resident, researcher and user of demonic cultivation but who does not recommend too many of the rituals of this place.

[He's learned better. Of course peple would suspect he would be all over the dark arts this world plays with but that just isn't what he is about.]
cynomorpha: (pic#14865930)

[personal profile] cynomorpha 2023-03-13 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's not the greeting of his temple, but he is aware of another that denotes itself this way. So he simply returns the gesture out of habit, he wasn't even intending to be so polite... Creeping Dust looks annoyed with himself, hand going back to his hair again. He supposes he's introducing himself now, great. ]

Creeping Dust. They call my area of study 'ghost scholarship', but it covers a variety of topics.
chenqing_player: (You amuse me)

[personal profile] chenqing_player 2023-03-13 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
Ghost scholarship? And what kind of topics is that? I have some experience with ghosts, spirits and the like.

[Some as in...his entire life has been wrapped around learning how to deal with them. And even more recently, in learning how to control them. But that's a deeper conversation than newly introduced.]

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