Eradan closes the copied page and rests it beside the chained book. Beneath the shielded lantern, the cave’s faint resonance trembles through the stone and sharpens her guarded attention.
Eradan
The convergence may respond differently to each capability you have kept hidden. I need limits, costs, and warning signs before we approach it again.
The blue lantern gutters once, though no wind reaches the ledge. Eradan raises two fingers, reinforcing the shield until the cave’s whispering resonance settles into silence.
Eradan
Tell me what makes your powers falter, what they demand from you, and what changes I should recognize before danger becomes unavoidable.
Beyond the cave mouth, the violet trail remains motionless between the hills. No college ward or traveler interrupts the private exchange, and the road stays open behind them.
Eradan
If you refuse, I will report the truth as far as the college requires: that a powerful cosmic being travels west with me, and I cannot assess her risks.
Eradan leaves the warning between them without raising her voice. One hand remains near the copied diagrams, while the other holds the lantern’s shield against the listening stone.
Director's note
you pull out your cosmic void cube from rift space for her to see
“well my void power demand that i must eat, and for me on the other hand i can use this”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Tsumiki
My void power demands that I eat. I can use this instead.
A narrow rift opens beside Tsumiki’s hand. From its darkness, she draws a smooth cosmic void cube and holds it where Eradan can see.
Eradan
A cube from your void space? Then this is the means by which you sustain that power.
The cube remains solid and quiet in Tsumiki’s grasp, its surface swallowing the lantern’s blue reflection without disturbing the cave’s wards.
Eradan
I understand. Your need to eat is a limit, and this cube is the tool you use to meet it. That is useful information, not a refusal.
Eradan lowers the lantern shield slightly, her guarded attention easing as she studies the cube. The cave’s resonance stays still, and the western trail remains undisturbed beyond the entrance.
“well i do have to eat something at times too”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Tsumiki
Well, I do have to eat something at times too.
Tsumiki keeps the cosmic void cube in her grasp, its smooth surface drinking the lantern’s reflection while the rift behind it narrows to darkness.
Eradan
Then eating is not merely a means of sustaining your power. It is also an ordinary need you share with the people of this world.
Eradan’s guarded posture relaxes another fraction. She studies the cube, then the provisions secured in Tsumiki’s hidden store, fitting both facts into her understanding.
Eradan
That makes our supplies useful to you in two ways. We can share a meal on the road, and you can use this cube when your greater power requires it.
The cave remains quiet around them. Eradan marks the new detail beside her copied diagrams, no longer treating Tsumiki’s nourishment as an unknown cost.
Director's note
you open a rift portal to your rift space
“and another thing since we are getting to know each other better it's best to show each others power in here”
SUCCESS (Great Magic, rolled +0)
Tsumiki
Since we are getting to know each other better, I will show you my powers. You can show me yours too.
Tsumiki draws the smooth cosmic void cube fully into the cave, then opens a broad rift portal beside her. Beyond it waits her silent rift space, deep and unreachable.
The portal’s edge holds perfectly still as the cube hangs above Tsumiki’s palm. The cave stones hum softly, yet the ledge and its wards remain undisturbed.
Eradan
That is more than a demonstration. You have shown me a private realm, a tool for sustaining yourself, and complete command of the passage between them.
Eradan sets aside her copied page. At her gesture, the chained book rises, circles the lantern without touching it, and settles gently beside the provisions.
Eradan
Then I will answer in kind. I shape force with thought, move what my hands cannot, and wield energy without opening a rift.
A small sphere of concentrated power forms above Eradan’s fingers, bright enough to cast sharp shadows across the cave. She dismisses it before the stone can crack.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a disclosure agreement with Eradan
“that's wonderful to hear, i normally wield cosmic energy and can use it for attacks or a powerful barrier”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Tsumiki
That’s wonderful to hear. I normally wield cosmic energy for attacks, or shape it into a powerful barrier.
Energy gathers around Tsumiki’s palm in a dense, star-dark radiance. It folds briefly into a sharp offensive arc, then expands into a broad shield that catches the lanternlight without harming the cave.
Eradan
Then you possess both force and protection, and you can change between them deliberately. I believe that much now.
The barrier dissolves into drifting sparks before they touch the stone. Eradan watches the display in silence, her earlier ease replaced by careful calculation.
Eradan
But this raises the danger I must record. If the college questions me, I will have to report that your abilities include battlefield force and protection, not merely travel through rifts.
She writes the distinction beside the copied diagrams, making the new account part of the expedition’s record. Tsumiki has earned recognition of her control, but Eradan’s suspicion now has precise language.
“i really don't want to scare anyone about some of my powers”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Tsumiki
I really don't want to scare anyone with some of my powers.
Tsumiki draws the cosmic void cube from her rift space and opens the rift portal wider, displaying the silent expanse beyond without unleashing its force. The cave remains unharmed.
Eradan
That is a reasonable concern. Showing restraint tells me more than displaying your strongest attack ever could.
Eradan’s expression softens, but she closes her copied page instead of adding reassurance to the record. The demonstration has earned understanding, while the college’s report remains a sharper possibility.
Eradan
I will not present you as a threat without context. But I do need one promise: if someone asks, you let me explain your restraint before they judge your power.
She leaves the request between them as a concrete condition of her protection. The portal and cube remain visible, but Eradan’s willingness to speak for Tsumiki now depends on that promised cooperation.
“that' a good idea”
FAILURE (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Tsumiki
That’s a good idea.
Tsumiki keeps the cosmic void cube visible while the open rift displays her silent realm. Her agreement is clear, but too brief to settle the condition Eradan has placed before her.
Eradan
I hear agreement, but not yet a promise I can rely on. If questions come, I cannot guess which explanation you want me to give.
Eradan does not withdraw her offer, but she steps back from claiming full responsibility for Tsumiki’s restraint. Instead, she takes up a clean page beside the chained book.
Eradan
Here is a way forward: give me three truths you permit me to repeat, and one warning sign I should name first. Then I can explain your restraint without inventing anything.
The failed reassurance becomes a usable arrangement. Eradan waits with her page open, offering Tsumiki control over the account while making clear that her protection will depend on specific permission.
“that' a good idea”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Tsumiki
That’s a good idea.
The simple approval settles the arrangement. Tsumiki keeps the cube and open rift visible, while Eradan’s guarded expression eases into practical concentration.
Eradan
Good. Then we have a shared account, not a story I create on your behalf.
Eradan turns the clean page toward Tsumiki and divides it into four careful spaces. The chained book remains beside her, undisturbed by the exchange.
Eradan
Three truths may concern your origin, your abilities, or your needs. The warning should be something I can recognize before your restraint fails.
She sets her quill above the first space without writing. The cave gives them privacy, and the terms now rest plainly between them: Tsumiki chooses what may be carried beyond this shelter.
Quest Complete
Establish a disclosure agreement with Eradan
Skill Upgrade: Diplomacy Mediocre→Fair
“well if my restraints start to fail my power will start to become unstable, as for my abilities i can use different elemental powers along with my cosmic and void, but for my origin i was borne in space from a dead star”
SUCCESS (Fair Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Tsumiki
If my restraints start to fail, my power becomes unstable. I can wield different elemental powers, along with cosmic and void abilities. I was born in space, from a dead star.
Tsumiki draws the smooth cosmic void cube from her rift space and opens a portal beside it. The silent expanse beyond remains contained, offering Eradan a clear view without spilling force into the cave.
Eradan
Then I have the four points I needed: instability is the warning, elemental and cosmic power are among your abilities, and a dead star is your origin.
Eradan writes each truth into its appointed space, then adds the warning in firm script. Her quill pauses only after the final mark is complete.
Eradan
I can explain your restraint now without inventing a history for you. If your power begins to destabilize, tell me before it reaches that point, and I will help clear the way.
She turns the page so the written account faces Tsumiki. The cube continues to swallow the lantern’s reflection, while the open portal holds steady beside the sheltering ledge.
Director's note
you say as you pull a lose with telekinesis to eat
“I'll make sure you be the first to know sorry old habit of mine”
SUCCESS (Fair Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Tsumiki
I'll make sure you're the first to know. Sorry, old habit of mine.
Tsumiki draws the cosmic void cube from her rift space and opens a portal beside it. The silent expanse remains contained as she reaches through with telekinesis.
A loaf rises from the provisions and glides into Tsumiki's waiting hand. The cube stays near her, its surface swallowing the lantern's reflection.
Eradan
Then I will treat that as a promise, not an apology. If you warn me first, I can help before instability becomes a danger to you or anyone nearby.
Eradan writes a final note beneath the warning, recording that Tsumiki will notify her before her restraints fail. She closes the page and leaves it within Tsumiki's reach.
Eradan
And for the record, old habits are easier to change when someone understands where they came from. We can continue west after you eat.
The arrangement is settled between them. The cave remains sheltered, the portal holds steady, and the western trail waits beyond the entrance while Eradan prepares the copied diagrams for travel.
Director's note
you close the rift portal
Director's note
you say after you finish eating
“ok ready when you are”
Tsumiki
Okay. I’m ready when you are.
Tsumiki draws the cosmic void cube from her rift space and opens a portal beside it. The contained passage reveals the silent expanse beyond without disturbing the cave.
Tsumiki
I’ll eat before we continue.
Telekinesis reaches through the portal and lifts a loaf from the provisions. It drifts into Tsumiki’s hand, while the cube waits near her shoulder.
Tsumiki eats from the loaf, then closes the rift portal. The cave returns to its sheltered stillness, with the supplies and copied diagrams ready for travel.
Tsumiki
I’m finished eating.
Eradan
Then let us gather the diagrams and continue west. The trail is waiting, and we have a promise to keep.