fourth bolt ⚡ open january log

[ramuhs]

Who: Cid and anyone!
Status: Open
Where: Everywhere
What: MANTA board prompts: Beta Testers; In Superior Nogard, Treasure Hunts You; Lore Accurate Jellyfish
Warnings: None at the moment


⚡ a » beta testers

[This is a catchall post for the BETA TESTERS quest on the MANTA Board!! Anyone who is interested in contacting Cid either through the network or in person can tag into this post. Feel free to handwave any preliminary phone conversation if want to skip to in person meeting.]

NETWORK PORTION:
Greetings, this is Cid.

As some may have seen, I've made a formal request on the MANTA Board for anyone who may be interested in testing a few "gadgets" I've been working on these past few weeks. I know the scope may be a bit strange, but let's just say I had a lot of time and a lot of motivation in working on both.

So, if you have any cats or dogs that might could use some new entertainment, I have a few test products you can try with them. Don't worry, they're safe. My cat's already been through most of them so I can at least attest to their durability.

As for the other devices, unless I personally know you I'll want to have either myself or one of my assistants be involved in the testing to supervise how they handle. I have a few other conditions but those can be discussed in person.

Should you have any further questions, feel free to shoot me a message. Otherwise, if you're interested in helping me test these, contact me so we can arrange a meeting point.

LOG PORTION
[For those who want to skip to right to meeting Cid and trying out any of the devices, you can choose either to meet at his workshop or already have them out somewhere trying out the device. You can also use this post to skip all that and go right down to the results and follow-up testing. Here is a copy of what was on the MANTA Board for easier reference:

PET TOYS & SUPPLIES:

• Automatic ball thrower: A device that will take in a ball and will automatically shoot it out. Add a bit of lightning to make it go farther.
  
• Feather Chaser: A motorized device that will wind up like a top and spin a feather around over the floor.
  
• Mouse Launcher: Similar to the ball thrower, only with a mouse and with a bit of lightning magic the mouse will "run" over the floor to encourage chase. Attached to an invisible string that will reel the mouse back in.
  
• Roll Up Yarn Ball: Made of durable cord safe for cats, this "ball of yarn" will extend out as the cat plays with it before automatically rolling back up.
  
• Foldable Cat Tree: A special cat tree that can fold in a different ways to help fit most spaces as well as change things up to keep cats entertained. (Or fold it into a box.)

MAGITECH DEVICES::

• Non-lethal Electric Type Grenades: All grenades will produce some type of electric based method to stun, paralyze, and/or contain a target. Help test effectiveness: 1) non-lethal stun (medium to large targets); 2) non-lethal cage (medium to large targets); 3) non-lethal electric field (varying area sizes).
  
• Elemental Net Shooter: A handheld device that will release a net based on the magic element infused by the user. Would like to test the different results from varying elements.
  
• Close Contact Stun Device: A small, handheld device that when triggered will stun or paralyze someone.

The pet related devices will be handed out freely and without too much issue. For the grenades, Cid will have conducted an interview of sorts as he doesn't want these to be misused even if they are all non-lethal. While he would prefer to be there himself, he has a few people working for him (ie, NPCs) that can go in his places so others can make threads elsewhere.

All devices will need to be returned, and he did install something of a "self-destruct" feature on the grenades where they will cease to function if not activated by his own levin after a certain time. The net and stun device will have similar features.

As for success, failure, and everything in-between, go wild! Some will work great, some not, the pet related toys will either be a hit or a dude depending on the pet's attitude, and all of the non-pet devices will have electric wiring and lightning magic at their base so expect a few shocks while handling them. Feel free to have weird outcomes especially with the nets!]

⚡ b » toothy treasure chests

[So you just have to kill or dismantle a monster treasure chest to get the treasure, can't be that hard, right?]

Bit of lightning should at least stun it a bit. Don't want to risk damaging whatever treasure could be inside.

[These are also great tests for his devices as he continues to develop them.

And once the chest is defeated... Hmmmm.]

...So... Should we just cut this thing apart?

[A rough kick to turn the now dead chest over. Would have been nice if it just spat the stuff out.]

⚡ c » be more afraid jellyfish

[Yet another prime specimen to try either of Cid's grenades or the net shooter. But first they need to actually "fish" this thing out.]

Hm... Since this thing seems to be musically inclined, d'you think music would also lure it out?

⚡ d » wildcard

[Kept it a bit small this time, but open to other prompts! I have my plotting comment here or you can hit me up on through PM, Discord, or laenavesse.]

Comments

[ramuhs]

[He's certainly not helping himself.]

What, you'd think I'd make fun of you and your octopus lover?

[empyrean_mirror]

Please, he's not actually as cephalopod, I have better taste than that.

[Kaveh that is a sliding glass door you're walking into. Kaveh--]

[ramuhs]

[MmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.]

So what's he like?

[Honestly he's usually not so nosy about people's love affairs, but because Kaveh is behaving the way he is, he's going to poke it.

Especially when he can guess who it is.]

[empyrean_mirror]

[Kaveh's giving Cid a strange look because sir, you know, but then he huffs.]

Exactly what details are you trying to get, Cid?

[He'll cross his arms a bit. And hhmmph again. Ignore the blush.] Handsome, if you must ask.

[ramuhs]

[Like who it issssssssssss. He's not going to guess it. He wants to hear it—]

Well that doesn't mean much, anyone will seem that way when you're smitten.

[Just having fun.]

Anyone I know?

[empyrean_mirror]

Understanding the weight of beauty is literally part of my job, Cid. Of course he's handsome, even if I was smitten, which wouldn't have any bearing on it anyway, or I'd be talking about that man's mind. It isn't as though anyone else has ever really kept up with me--er, no offense--and even if I find his egoism selfish and irresponsible, an utter waste of his potential, by holding opposed views does one's perspective become more whole. Someone so brilliant shouldn't be so lowkey about it, it's such a waste--

[Urk. Coughing a little.]

...Why? So you can tease me more?

[ramuhs]

[...

Kaveh.

Kaveh please.

Stop ruining yourself further.

His brow is arching so high right now—]

You seem to be doing a fine job by yourself, honestly.

[empyrean_mirror]

...[Just putting his face in his hands again.]

Why do I always make such an idiot of myself about that damn Alhaitham...

[there it is.]

[ramuhs]

[Annnnd gottem.]

So he's your special "octopus," hm?

[Said in a way that's clearly not surprised at all.]

[empyrean_mirror]

[He flinches a little bit. Not Cid's fault, but the fact Alhaitham had said it was a mistake...]

Special enough to get himself drugged up on something because he thought the reward would be anything other than a smutty romance novel. [...] There's nothing...there's nothing else to it.

[...Kaveh you're gonna accidentally get your boyfriend shoveled.]

[ramuhs]

[...Hmmm?]

Nothing you say?

[Well now, that's a bit different than he expected something more of a contemplative frown.]

All right, what happened.

[And just pulling out a chair, spinning it around so he can sit with his arms against the backrest.]

[empyrean_mirror]

I...

[He trails off, and then sighs. There's no point hiding it, is there? And Cid won't leave it be without at least a portion of the truth.]

No, it's nothing, just...the way you're thinking of, we haven't been since we were students. And that...was my fault.

[Oh. Oh no. They're divorced.] No matter how much someone cares for you, that doesn't mean they'll trust you like that again.

[ramuhs]

[...Oof. That's, ha ha, hits kind of close. Enough to make him rub his chin a little before he eyes him a moment.]

I meant what happened to cause the whole situation, but suppose this works, too.

[Hm.]

I won't ask for the history, but I know well how difficult it is to mend one's trust once broken. However, it's not so impossible to rebuild it. Assuming both parties are willing.

[empyrean_mirror]

It really was something he took. Some sort of commission to experiment with a draught in exchange for a book. I just...offered to help with the side effects.

[Cid can probably guess how.]

...I suppose so. I just...can't think of any reason he'd be willing to try again.

[ramuhs]

[Ah. He can get the idea, yes, so he'll just pin that away for now.]

Better question, are you? And how far would you go to try and regain that trust?

[That he is so very certain not that difficult as he thinks... But whether he actually helps Kaveh or makes him run the full gambit is a decision to be made later.]

[empyrean_mirror]

[He keeps being asked this. And even for someone like Kaveh, a master at lying to himself and to others, he can't keep being hit by this and not crack. He's never had anyone to really talk to about it. Maybe...]

...I want it. I know I don't deserve it but I--I want that second chance. [There's a 'but' coming, isn't there. Kaveh smiles a little weakly.] I've never been a brave man, Cid.

[ramuhs]

[There's a sympathetic look here, again Cid understanding this all too well. Yet he won't go easy on Kaveh on this. Instead, he'll look at him firmly.]

Then you'll need to change that, if not for him and you. Otherwise, if this is as far as your resolve goes, well.

[A slight shrug and dismissive wave of his hand.]

Then you should quit. You'll never make it. Just "wanting" it won't make it true, you have to take firm steps forward and actually try to make it happen.

[empyrean_mirror]

...Ouch.

[He lets out a weak little chuckle. Well, it's not like any of this isn't true. Kaveh's known all of this for a long time. And it might have been easier, before they'd begun to heal again--when Kaveh didn't have anything to lose.

Even so...he reaches up and rubs at his neck again, almost absently.] ...I need to think. This isn't...something I can do impulsively. Not that my impulses tend to turn out great regardless, but he...probably wouldn't believe me, if I don't approach it with thought.

[ramuhs]

[Hmmmmm. Again he's fairly certain things will be go better than he thinks, but. This is Kaveh's problem and he should learn the tough road of rebuilding burnt bridges. Still, he'll soften up a little and reach out to shake his shoulder a bit.]

I believe in you lad. Don't rush it, but don't take too much time with it, either. That's one hard lesson I learned myself.

[empyrean_mirror]

[Sideyeing him a little bit. 'Learned himself', is it?]

She's not very good at pretending she's not fond of you, you know.

[ramuhs]

[A small laugh.]

You see that now, but it wasn't always like that. We had our own... Broken trust and it's only now that we're managing to mend things.

[empyrean_mirror]

Ah.

[So that's why...There's a definite look of understanding that crosses over Kaveh's face. Well...he supposes that's a pretty good reason.]

...You must be happy to have had the chance.

[ramuhs]

[There's something of a darker, distant look, the smile he wears not quite reaching his eyes.]

Quite. Especially since fate isn't always so kind to give that many.

[empyrean_mirror]

...No, it isn't. [He saw that. His head tilted a little bit. That's...

...Well. Kaveh coughs into his hand. time to offer both of them an out.] We got off-track again. You had something for me?

[ramuhs]

[Seeing this, Cid can't help but grin a little before he taps the chair with his palm.]

Right, there was something I thought I could get you working on for the ship that your little Dendro magic may help with. Would like to make the Enterprise II a bit more "plant friendly"—be able to grow a few fruits and vegetables so we can be self-sustaining on long voyages.