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@Force and Fury

I am close to being done with my character. Tonight should be finished.

Ysilla Al-Nader




The excitement was over almost as soon as it began. Her companions were moving on and the silent puppeteer, Ysilla, followed in silence. Her cloak pulled around to cover her so only her face had to bear the worst of the cold this night. She would have been fine making the trek in silence but her companions were quick to break into conversation. They each had their musings of exchanging bits of themselves. Most were uninteresting topics to her aside from the novelty of just how each person acted. Ayla's infectious positivity was drawing the others to her like moths to a flame. It made sense, being a moth herself, but it was intriguing to watch from afar... even though Ysilla's mood drifted to jealousy. Those moths could find their own flame.

Speaking of the others, they mostly left Ysilla alone. Her sister was obvious but the others, at least Ysilla suspected, were disarmed by the fact she never liked to talk. She'd even let questions asked of her go by unanswered if she counted them as the "small talk" sort. It wasn't out of malice but rather there was nothing interesting or revealing about a person in small talk. It was another border put in place to protect people from revealing who they truly were. A waste of time. That's what made Ayla more appealing to her. The girl loved to talk, putting others at ease, and it apparently never bothered the little lioness that Ysilla didn't talk back. Might have even enhanced their relationship in a way, but that was Ysilla's belief rather than a fact.

So when she offered nothing in response to the Snakewood suggestion, they understood each other, at least Ysilla hoped. Her smile was the bridge she created to express her interest. Snakewood could be used as a medium for a puppet although the pattern would be utilized with a snake. The only wooden snake puppets she knew of were the ones constructed out of many segmented pieces allowing the figure to slither. The issue was that the segments were spaced out with nothingness in between them, like a snake's skeletal structure. That was the only way it could move, though maybe you could...

"Sand Wyrm!"

Sand Wyrm?

That wasn't good judging from the tone shift from the jovial mood earlier. Some of them knew this was bad. Ysilla's mind went to planning escape for a moment before Ayla brought her attention in. Dança-Alsahra A game? Curious time to be-oh. It made sense. A character in a play might often make a connection to something that they are familiar with if it helps them in a given situation.

Instructions on what to do next came. Bigger was something she could do. The school of Magnetic magic had been her mainstay for years now. She practiced on always sensing and maintaining her creations around her. She naturally had a sense, like a magnetic pull, where her puppets were and could relate that to actual magnetic objects. At this stage, Ysilla's range was about fifty meters to sense magnetic objects and buried in the sand she could feel all sorts of natural or lost material that fit the description. Necessary because Ysilla believed Ayla didn't just want size but weight, too. While Kaspar drew sand, Ysilla drew all the objects buried around them. Remnants of weaponry and armor, buried stones, and all others she could find buried around them were pulled from the sand and offered to their enlarging tuning fork.

When her part was done, Ysilla stifled her breathing and did her best to remain upright but keeping her cloak closed, her legs wobbled in weakness from the draw threatening to give out. It was her natural reaction when exerting herself, like the first thing to go would be her sense of balance.

She did her part, however, and now it was to them. Watching carefully as Ayla's plan was enacted before being left to stand perfectly still amid her weak knees...

I heed Thine call and rejoice,
For I have known nothing else

Ysilla Al-Nader




Conflict was such a prominent feature in stories that you would be scarce to find a performance without one taking shape in some form. Physical conflict was an easy way to display the narrative device but it was not a limited method by any means. Ysilla understood that and while those stories had their charm, she loved stories that didn't feature physical conflict, stories such has Hassum's Climb and Last Flower in Yu's Garden. The former dealing with Hassum making one last offering at the top of a holy mountain. He wasn't dying but moving on with his life, setting out for a new land and moving past the hinted at trauma. The latter was more solemn with a drought killing all but one flower in a garden. Yu was willing to do whatever she could to preserve that last flower. Not once did they have to physically fight and end a life. It was more about cherishing it.

Although physical conflict was not her in her palette, she nevertheless familiarized herself with the act though she distanced herself as best as she could. She isolated herself and remained a distance away from her walk while the others did their performances. She did hers, stalling for a time as Hoopoe carried Khamsei around one of the Halassa. The porcelain jester's continious laugh egging the rabid beast to an even further madness, she mused. The creatures jaw snapped in the air missing the pair of puppets flying around. This one was 'hers', she continued to entertain the idea of companions' stories beginning here with this test.

She could give her puppets half a mind, leading the creature away as she glanced over at the others. They were all succeeding or in the process of doing so in their own unique way that melded with their character. A study for later because she did not want to tarry long.

Turning her full attention back to her Halassa. She finally gave the creature it was so hoping for. Hoopoe swooped towards the snapping jaw, releasing the laughing puppet to dive bomb towards the creature's mouth. In the enraged state, it thought nothing of snapping its mouth around the small figure that presented itself. It was almost swallowed nearly whole save for the left wrist of Khamsei which was caught by the jaw of the snapping turtle. Ysilla winced at the sudden strain her body felt as she maintained the thin repulsive field around her puppet. It might have been more prudent to let Khamsei lose his hand to punish him for his foolishness of throwing his arms up in excitement but he couldn't be fully blamed. Not yet, anyway.

The Halassa opened its jaw again and lifted its head, plunging Khamsei down its throat. Even though Ysilla couldn't see her puppet anymore, she could sense where it was like a magnetic pull towards her creation. She didn't wait long after the swallow before Ysilla concentrated, her hands twisting and fingers curling around an imaginary orb in between her hands. It was a way for her to concentrate as the magnetic field around Khamsei intensified, and the puppet inside reached out stopping himself in the Halassa's throat. If the creature felt this agitation, it made no sign of it as it pursued Hoopoe who continued to drone around it.

The field around Khamsei continued to grow in strength but the Halassa would feel no change until Ysilla believed she had enough magnetic strength stored. The magnetic charge based around the Halassa's neck would be given the opposite charge of Khamsei's and him, bearing such incredible magnetic charge, would repulse the flesh around himself. The end result was near instantaneous and messy.

The Halassa's neck exploded in a violent decapitation, showering blood in the nearby area and sending the head flying. Khamsei pulled Hoopoe towards him through the shower but both were protected from the mess as drops of the creature's blood hit and illuminated the thin layer of magnetic repulsion both had. The puppets collided but the Ysilla dropped the intensity of her channeled magnetic field so the two, after crashing together quickly spun out of their impact and back to Hoopoe carrying Khamsei back, this time returning to Ysilla.

Ysilla lifted her hat and threw open her cloak as Khamsei was released to fall into a cling on the creator's waist while Hoopoe came to roost on her head. Both were quickly concealed as Ysilla replaced her hat and closed her cloak after Khamsei crawled around to her back once more.

The puppeteer would return to her now congregating party to the offer of coffee by her sister. Quietly refusing the offer with a lifted hand, she tucked herself in her cloak again. Though she showed no sign of it, she was quietly lamenting the waste of life aberration could cause. Such a shame that it had to be this way but it was better a creature than the more valuable life of a sentient being like her companions...

Oh well, the Writer may favor Tragedy now but in time, Ysilla may be able to deny even that.
Ysilla Al-Nader




Tick,
Tock


The freshman dormitory had been enveloped in silence for the past hour aside from the subtle hymns of a ticking clock. It was a silence born from the intense focus required for the task. Under the light of an oil lamp and zoom of a few magnifying glasses, Ysilla worked on just one part of her craft. A drop of golden paint nestled on the end of the tiniest brush you might have ever seen. Delicately she worked to apply that drop across the raised ridge on the wooden carving of a lion's mane half-painted mane, denoting a single hair in that mane.

It was a level of commitment that was unnecessary but a self-exam of her abilities, nonetheless. The truth of it was, wood was not the best material to carve a lion puppet out of. It would only ever be life-like, not alive. The hair she just painted would never flow in the wind like that of a proud lion catching a breeze on a windy day. Aside from that, it was far too small to represent something proud being no larger than a common housecat. Yet it, along with the many other figures that sat in this room, watching their creator work on a new addition, were all prized for the lessons learned in their creation.

The eyes of animals, monsters, and even people were all simulated in Ysilla's dormitory. All given the same amount of care as this lion but only a handful were ever given more. Two of such acclaim, hung onto her, a passive extension of her unconscious will. They were kept close because they were far more than mere figures but tools to be used by should the need arise. That need was coming and she was ready the moment it arrived. She hardly went out anyway.



She was one of a small number to arrive. Her presence came without sound, quietly but respectfully bowing the Paradigm as she separated herself the concentration of others, preferring to maintain a silent vigil over this sudden meeting. She sat, one hand layered over the other and listened to each as they talked. Details of what they were called her for and exchanges between the others were as equally important to her. How were they reacting and acting? It was curiosity of hers, not that she didn't react or act. Quite the contrary, she loved to do so when the moment was right but she could never break her more monotone expressions without it seeming too forced. It was her way and very much unlike her sister.

Ysilla accepted her sister's offer of coffee just as wordlessly as it was offered. There weren't too many words exchanged between the pair these days. Ysilla never was a conversationalist but there was little she had to say to her twin sister. Little she wanted to hear from her as well. With a focused stare, she'd watch her sister offer others coffee silently wondering what she has been up to lately.

It wasn't a very occupying thought as Jocasta took that attention as she politely refused a cup. Such a curious character to be present at this meeting. Sure wizards and witches didn't need strong constitutions but there was something disarming about seeing one in a wheelchair. She was such a small figure and yet as the meeting went on, she had such strong opinions despite her frailness and even timidness in her voice. Many plays would feature a character with such fragility. An apparent shortcoming that was made up for by a strong and noble heart and yet...

Zamira

Ysilla had been sitting near motionless, except to take the occasional drink of coffee, this entire meeting. At the mispronunciation of her sister's name, however, she tilted her head, expression bending into one of a mild ponder. It was a note far beyond the usual noble heart character. Her sister didn't even have a difficult name for non-native speakers to pronounce and yet here it was, passing the lips of someone that in the very next breath applied an extensive curtesy. Was it deliberate? Ysilla pondered for an answer, believing that it was but she tried to rationalize that belief by looking at who Jocasta was as a whole. Passive aggressive to make up for unintimidating appearance? An intriguing personality quirk.

There was little else in the meeting from that point on. They were given a blessing and a portal to go on their way.

Emerging out into the sandy dark terrain of a desert night, Ysilla pulled her cloak closed in front of her, a subtle display of the cold bothering her. She made no sound of the discomfort as Jocasta announced the alert of incoming danger and being in the back, witnessed Ayla's struggle with the cold or fright. Delicate would be more suited to the lithe and small character falling onto the sand. The thought slipped into Ysilla's mind to help her up and even offer her place inside her cloak if it was truly the cold. They could be warmer huddled together but it wasn't the practicality that made Ysilla want to ask. She yearned for the Torragonese to be close to her. When the moment came to ask, her throat dried and she did not speak, letting the moment get away.

Regret was quick to follow as she watched her friend jump to her feet and move headlong into the encroaching Halassa.

Oh right.

Stepping forward, Ysilla made no urgent movements as she stood next to Jocasta. Watching the approaching beasts, she finally spoke. "Five encounters five." The towering Virangish would turn her head down at her sitting companion. "One for each of our party to trial against." She held the other's gaze, unmoving as if searching for something but her tone was as stern as it could be. This was not an observation but a demand. They were tasked with something dangerous and one that could be a liability wasn't worth having tag along. "Agreed?" She cocked her head ever so slightly to the side, towards the beasts.

If Jocasta say anything other than stating her agreement, Ysilla would turn and walk away. Without stopping a step, she'd fling her cloak open, allowing the cold to kiss her along her silk outfit underneath. One hand would reach behind her back, the magnetic magic already being channeled to make the black and gold clothed figure, Khamsei scamper out onto her arm. Her other hand pulled her hat from her head, revealing the nesting pearlescent lavender bird, Hoopoe.

She'd lift Hoopoe out in front of her, the jester shaking his head with a monotone laugh. "Haaahaaahaa." He rose to his feet, reaching up. Hoopoe rose to her feet and stretched her wings with caw. The bird then leapt from the top of Ysilla's head, her feet dangling for Khamsei to grab them and the pair took off into the air. Khamsei's laugh hollered across the dunes as the pair approached the Halassa.

Hoopoe flapped her wings but something about how she flew seemed uncanny, like a bird caught in a wind. She was merely being pushed along by Ysilla's will. She watched the pair and almost passively, she made them move but even made moves ever so slightly. Like Khamsei's legs kicking wildly in the air like he was having a grand time, with his head turning to gaze at the landscape.

His laughs, distant, but still audible as the pair came swooping in towards the head of one of the Halassa.
There are various other, minor sorcerers, witches, wizards, magi, etc. for you to pull from within Marvel and DC. Ones that others will not likely use or care about, so you'd be free to reinvent them for your purposes. That way you keep your story beats and don't restrict other potential Doc Strange players to what you've established.


Anyone fun for me to read up on?

I would say that for characters like Dr. Fate and Dr. Strange, you might seek alternative plans. Those guys both tend to be pretty important cornerstones of the universe, and relegating them to side characters or supporting cast might be more detrimental than intended. It's a little like me saying that my supporting cast includes Daredevil or The Punisher. There's actually precedent for both characters to be Spider-Man related, and one even debuted under his banner, but they're too big for me to just use without applying for one of them as a second.


That's a lot more work when I am mainly just interested in playing Cindy. I wanted her to have no strings to anything going on and showing how that could be horribly depressing. Like if Spider-Man managed drop Peter Parker and just became Spider-Man. It is just crime fighting and that sounds awful. And yet it is something that I think that is thought of for the Spider-Man storyline. So I wanna show the opposite. There is Silk but she is slipping more into wanting to be Cindy Moon and progress on how she grapples that. She'd be in a perfect spot where she wants to help Strange with things. Easy and fun "mission" material for me to write.

I did watch the recent Doctor Strange movie and while I was playing around with the idea of having Cindy being tapped by Strange help him with some trippy magical encounters, it was secondary. So the plan was always to hardly touch him.

If that is still detrimental, I guess I can make Strange as my second character but I wouldn't do anything more with him. It would be a waste especially considering someone might join that wants to play him after seeing the movie.

It sounds like less fun for me but I could have Cindy just self-rescue and drop Strange out entirely. I lose a lot of fun ideas I have in mind.

I'll make him if you think it is vital, I guess.
Hey so I have an idea for Cindy.

Going with her bunker backstory. She gets bit as a child, powers discovered by Ezekiel Sims. Ezekiel believes Morlun is hunting her and stuffs her into a bunker for a few years. It isn't until Doctor Strange discovers her claiming there isn't a Morlun that he knows of so he takes her to the Sanctum Sanctorum until he can find out why someone put her down there.

I'll play a little into Doctor Strange but not a lot. It gives Cindy a lot more to do since she'll not only be adapting to life as a 'normal' kid but she can also jump into spider stuff with Strange's help.

@Master Bruce It affects Spider-Man's story potentially in the future with an Ezekiel Sims and maybe a Morlun. However, that is all very distant and I don't think would affect anything you have planned. Could be something to collab on in the future.

And for anyone else, if you wanted to play as Doctor Strange, the slot is still open. He'll just come with this caveat of having Cindy to watch out for.

If that's fine, I'll go ahead and finish what I have written out.



@Master Bruce

Can I play Silk again?
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