this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Sept 29, 2018 4:00:00 GMT
blue moon
you saw me standing alone
as the server comes to take their orders, kasimir looks down at the menu with the dubiousness of someone who has no idea the differences between all the options available. "um," he says when it is his turn, so very eloquent in the face of dismay. the first thing that his eye catches when he glances down again, he blurts out. "just a regular cappuccino, thank you."
perhaps it is just him again, but the stretch of silence after the server leaves is an awkward one. what is he even doing here? he wonders if the blond witch sitting opposite him is regretting his decision to invite kasimir here. "i will keep that in mind," he replies. perhaps he is not the only one lacking of something to say.
the question is a surprise, if only because he had not expected himself to be any topic of conversation. instinctive avoidance places a lie on the tip of his tongue before he pauses, swallows it. what harm would it do, really? "i deal in summoning," he says, picking one out of his three avenues of magic. his favourite affinity, his primary, the one that connects him to a father long gone. the one he is surprisingly gaining the opportunity to use more and more frequently after a long period of being laid by the wayside for his more useful affinity. "and you?"
Post by heath ambroise on Sept 29, 2018 4:34:49 GMT
He can only offer a small nod at the redhead. Hopefully the offer wasn’t too forward. He usually had to share food, whether if it was with his familiar of someone else. It only seemed natural. Besides, he’d ordered more than enough for the both of them. The portions here were pretty good. Not the biggest, but considering they probably wanted to avoided having to prepare specific side in the fryer every 15 minutes it was pretty good.
“Oh, that’s neat.” The witch said, eyes widening for a moment. He hadn’t expected that. He’d taken the man before him, reluctant and perhaps a little off put by Heath’s actions, to be an enchanter. Or maybe an alchemist. Something with a lot more preparation. Huh. He smiled, curiosity piqued as it is often want to do. “I’m not extremely familiar with summoning. What do you summon? Or, moreover what do you like summoning?” he asked.
“Me? I’m a plantshaper. I intend to pick another affinity, but I haven’t yet. Though I don’t mind learning about others while I decide.” The blonde explained. “Plantshaping was pretty easy for me, but if I begin learning another I want to make sure I really like it since I know it won’t be as easy as the plantshaping was.” he added. The waitress came back with their coffee orders. “Grand slam with double bacon will be out in 10, hun.” She said to the reporter as he reached for the hazelnut creamer she’d brought him and began pouring it into his cup. The bitter drink began to turn milk brown and he stopped after a few seconds of nonstop pouring. He then began mixing, inhaling the intoxicating scent of hazelnut. One day he’d drink actual hazelnut coffee and not shudder at the bitter taste. But tonight, was not that night. He then nods over at Kasimir’s cup and states, “Let me know how that tastes. I usually just get this.”
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Sept 29, 2018 5:15:48 GMT
blue moon
you saw me standing alone
the blond appears somewhat surprised by kasimir's reply, though he cannot tell if it is from the revelation of his affinity, or the fact that he had not expected a reply perhaps. what would heath have expected of him if not summoning, he wonders idly - he cannot see himself otherwise, though thus is the restraints of self-identity. in another world, in a happier world, perhaps he would have been a purifier, helping to fix magical messes. or perhaps he would have taken up alchemy, without the negative connotations he associates with it. or perhaps a plantshaper, coaxing new life into existence, beautiful and wild.
in a strange coincidence, that is the reply that comes out of the blond's mouth. he tilts his head, brushing back the unruly strands of hair falling in his face. "i have always admired plantshapers for what you do," he says genuinely. "to coax life and new growth into being where so much of magic is otherwise quite destructive, it is admirable."
he pauses as the server comes back with their coffee orders, nodding his thanks as she sets his cup in front of him. taking a sup, it tastes... not bad, if not a little sweet for his liking; kasimir quirks up the corner of his lips and slides it over to the blond, gesturing for him to try it. then, considering heath's early questions regarding summoning, he takes another moment to gather his thoughts, to weigh what to say. "summoning can encompass a wide array of things," he says. "it can be very versatile. i suppose i have a preference for spiritual summoning. that is, summoning up spirits and beings, such as sprites." although, ironically enough, it is the type of summoning he uses least, given that they are not what he would wish upon combat. for a brief moment, he considers offering to demonstrate an example, but dismisses the thought almost as soon as it arrives.
Post by heath ambroise on Sept 29, 2018 5:52:00 GMT
There’s something about Kasimir’s reply, or was it more so praise, that he found a little familiar. Not in a bad way, just memorable. Still, it’s nice to hear. Not everyone appreciated plantshaping, especially all the way out in Sundial. “Thank you. It’s a very relaxing affinity to have, particularly if you’re a gardener.” One would assume that one went with the other, but even if he was surrounded by nature as a child, he didn’t really care for gardening until his late teens. Affinity or not. “I think you’d like Eclipse Town.” He added remembering his old home. They’d all been really encouraging of his affinity. He’d been lucky he’d had so much experience around him too.
He blew on his cup to take a sip. Mmm hazelnut with an after taste of bitter. Not too strong though. Good, good. He briefly looked up at Kasimir to make sure he was reading this situation right before setting down his own cup. The blonde reached over before spinning the cup and drinking from the opposite side Kasimir had. “Oh, I like the foam part. Pretty not bitter.” He noted out loud before setting down the cup with a quiet thanks. “Mine is probably a bit sweeter.” He said. Perhaps tea would’ve been a better option. Oh well.
Heath listened intently. “I think I saw a guy summon a sword at me once.” Or maybe that guy had just pulled out his own personal sword so fast he’s mistaken it for summoning. “Or? You can summon sprites and fairies? That’s interesting. Is it hard to control them? What exactly can you make them do?” He didn’t have much experience with fae like things or creatures. There were stories that they liked to play tricks on the people that went into the woods near Eclipse Town, but he wasn’t sure if that had been the fae or just Carynn messing with him.
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Sept 29, 2018 6:17:13 GMT
blue moon
you saw me standing alone
he blinks slowly at the mention of eclipse, mind immediately filling with memories of seven-meter tall spiders and their giant eggs. perhaps it is unfair to the town, to have such an association being the first thing that springs to mind, but in his defence, such arachnids are rather difficult to forget. that said, "eclipse is quite a nice place," he agrees. "the architecture is very unique."
offering a slight shrug at the observation, kasimir takes his coffee back and takes another sip. like he said, it is not bad, it is simply not to his tastes.
he nods. "sword summoning is indeed possible." he would know, he does it on a regular basis, though perhaps less so than simply using a sword of fire. it is quite convenient to be able to travel without carrying physical weapons everywhere, with the cost of slight mana drain when it is needed. worth it, he would think.
kasimir wraps his fingers around the cup, considering how to phrase his next words. "i do not... control them, per say," he says slowly. "some say it is a philosophy, and a foolish one at that, but i regard my sprite summons as possessing their own autonomy. i give suggestions and directions that they generally listen to, but they are not servants or automatons. as for what they can do..." he offers a half-smile, "they enjoy scouting and exploration. sometimes, in the absence of directions, they can act almost like children, playing games and tricks."
Post by heath ambroise on Oct 20, 2018 3:43:48 GMT
Heath nodded in agreement. “It’s not Sundial…but it’s home. We, uh, really like our trees down there.” He explained with a small shrug. It wasn’t weird, to him anyway, it was just the way things had always been. Sure, there had probably been some people in the town that would’ve wished he were more reverent to nature given his affinity…but whatever. Heath could do things in his own way, no big. He sips his coffee slowly, glancing up at the redhead every so often to show he was still listening despite the yawn that was waiting to bloom at the back of his throat.
He seemed a little….well a lot confused when Kasimir revealed he didn’t actually control the sprites he summoned. He had assumed they were some sort of puppet-like manifestation of a witch’s mana, not independent beings. “Children?” he echoed incredulously. Summoners must have it rough then. Or, not? He didn’t think he would be capable of sending out little sprightly kids to attack an opponent. Then again, would the sprites remember being mistreated or even be willing to do that kind of thing in the first place? If they had free will they could simply refuse a summoner, right? Then again, this was just Kasimir’s own experience, but it seemed more humane than to think of something like that as an automaton. Especially if it acted like a small child.
He didn’t particularly enjoy children, but he could be tolerable of them. He definitely wouldn’t send one to its death. Still, despite the strange moralities that this line of thought brought up he snapped upright to attention as the waitress clacked down his meal, piping hot and steam rising from the food and swirling in the air. Like Pavlov’s dog he began to salivate, mouth closed to keep from embarrassing himself. Heath reached for his utensils and began to divvy up his meal, ready to scarf it down with unnatural speed. “That sounds really cute. Maybe you can show me?” he said as he spooned in a mouthful of eggs before dipping a piece of toast into the yolk and using that to help himself swallow. He covered his mouth with his fist and took a moment to wipe the corner of his mouth and take another drink of his coffee. “Uh, some other time, maybe, please?” the journalist clarified after a minute of listening to his fork clink and scrap against the plastic plate. He also made sure to gesture to the bacon, reiterating his offer if Kasimir wanted a quick nibble.
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Dec 15, 2018 12:47:28 GMT
blue moon
you saw me standing alone
there is something unique about explaining his craft to someone who is not judging. not its combat potential, anyway, or what it might imply about his strength - at least, not overtly. he is rarely allowed the opportunity for the gentler side of summoning, the non-destructive parts; sprites are perhaps his favourite summons, and yet, he has so very rarely called upon them. this discussion... he is not comfortable with it, never with a stranger, but there is something nice about it, he thinks.
he quirks a genuine smile at the blond's incredulity. "not children in the sense of immaturity and naivety and innocence," he clarifies, amused. "they are merely playful, very enthusiastic, and somewhat unfocused. do not worry, they are fully aware of dangers and are more than capable of handling themselves in a fight. that being said, i rarely ever summon them in combat."
kasimir watches with mild fascination as the meal heath had ordered seems to disappear with supernatural speed. he declines the offer of bacon once again with a slight shake of head, instead relishing in the warmth seeping into the tips of his fingers against his drink. "i would not be opposed," he says, "but outside, perhaps. i don't think this is quite the appropriate environment for magic."
Post by heath ambroise on Dec 16, 2018 4:48:57 GMT
He keeps his mouth closed, lifting a napkin to his lips every so often when he finds it difficult to chew on account of shoveling too much into his gullet. It’s good though. It’s hot, but not scalding. Definitely incredibly salty. The sweetness of his drink isn’t a good compliment, and so every so often the journalist will reach for his water instead to wash all the food down. It’s a hearty meal, carb loaded. Sinclair hopes it will lull Heath to sleep when he gets home if he doesn’t force himself to stay awake to begin drafting some other article idea.
Reaching a point that he could focus on talking instead of drooling he looks back at the redhead as he explained his affinity. “That’s good to know.” He comments before adding, “When do you summon them? When you’re lonely?” he asked lightly teasing his new acquaintance. Like Heath had any right to say that. Sinclair would huff in the back of his mind too tired to bother snapping at Heath. He picks up a piece of bacon, crunching on it to hide a snicker in any case.
“Oh, after this?” Heath asked despite himself. “I meant…some other time, but if it’s not taking up too much of your time then, yeah after. Outside.” The journalist clarified restraining himself from vacuuming up the plate. Then again, Kasimir had a drink to finish. He’d keep an eye out and time it to that. Before he pops another piece of bacon into his mouth he perks up with another question. “So, you know I kind of fell into my affinity cause of my hometown, but were you born for yours or did you just like it?” he asked.
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Dec 16, 2018 6:42:57 GMT
blue moon
you saw me standing alone
kasimir shoots the blond a deadpan look at the light-hearted jibe. "you could say that," he says drily. "i hear some mothers summon them as companions for their children." his father, certainly, had done so in his childhood; he remembers saskia and krystian chasing after the bright, sparkling creatures while he himself desperately attempted to keep order. he cannot remember clearly, but he is fairly certain his father was too busy laughing to help.
but, regardless of how unexpectedly alright this conversation has turned out - especially given the suspicions he had held at the beginnings - the desire to head home and away is starting to itch at his feet. kirjava is restless in the back of his mind, too; he can almost envision her pacing back and forth, fur rippling over tensed muscles while she kneads her claws into the ground. the late hour has begun to settle into their bones.
thus, when the blond expresses surprise at the offer of now, kasimir hesitates, rethinks. "i think... perhaps, some other time might be best," he says slowly. one glance out the window shows pitch blackness where the night dwells deep, even he and his insomnia had not expected to stay up so late, not tonight at least.
he affects a slight shrug, remembrance and solemnity flashing through his eyes at the question. "i suppose you could say i was born for it," he says with false casualness. born for it, and cursed for it; he had inherited strongly his father's summoning skill, and it was this magic that had drawn guerra in, a greedy moth to the light. but, it is this same magic that had allowed him the opportunity to save saskia - giving him something to bargain with, something of value to be. he has a complicated relationship with his affinity, his magic, but to heath, a stranger, he voices none of that.
Post by heath ambroise on Dec 17, 2018 0:46:30 GMT
Heath watched his companion, smiling despite himself at the man’s reaction. “Ahh…interesting. It might’ve been nice to play with a sprite as a kid.” He said as he picked up a bit of toast to scoop the last bit of his eggs onto. He popped it into his mouth before topping it off with a bit of bacon, chewing happily. Most people didn’t seem to like 24 hour diners claiming food was low quality, but he’d argue that they weren’t always busy so you could get higher quality breakfast food at all hours of the day. He’s got too much food to offer any replies so instead the journalist stayed quiet, nodding every so often at his new acquaintance spoke.
The answer he got was simple, and he waited to see if Kasimir would elaborate. When he didn’t, he sipped his hot drink once more having neglected it in favor of water for half the meal. He wanted to polish off everything. After all, he’d shelled out a lot of money or it. Or, he would once the waitress brought him his check. He looked around the establishment before waving lightly at the woman, who gave him a nod as she began printing out his bill. “Well, summoning sounds pretty interesting and affinity to be born with.” He said turning back to the ginger and offering a sincere smile.
“About the demonstration, ah, how- how should I contact you?” he asked after a moment. He knew Aeris but…he didn’t want to rely on that man to meet up with the redhead. He wanted the times he visited the blacksmith’s home to be solely to see him. It was a matter of nerve after all. He had to get himself worked up to even go near that place now that he knew who resided inside. “Or did you want to set up something now, near Aeris’ home?” He seemed to turn pink when he said that name out loud despite a, for the most part, thoughtful expression. Neutral. Calm. Two things he did not have but at least tried to emulate when interacting with others. “Maybe at an earlier time if you’d like?” he added.
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Dec 17, 2018 6:41:16 GMT
blue moon
you saw me standing alone
he inclines his head in agreement. "it was certainly memorable," he says. memorably in a good way, and that is something he has learnt to treasure, especially with how his remembrance of his parents has faded over the years, regardless of how much he had tried to imprint them in his memory. his father's laugh, his eyes dancing with mischief and a rare unfettered happiness - kasimir treasures the recollection more than he would precious jewels.
he does not elabourate, of course, simply letting the quiet stretch on between them like a layer of paper-thin silk, woven out of night-hush and the soft clinking of cutlery against a plate. the blond, thankfully, is too polite to ask them outright. "every affinity is interesting in its own right," he responds lightly.
truth be told, there is no easy method for contacting kasimir, not when he has made a living by existing as a shadow. not when he has quite gone out of his way to be obscure and uncontactable, at least directly. but there is a relatively universal method- "pigeon mail, perhaps, would be the most reliable," he says quietly. "if that is inconvenient to you, asking for me at silvertongue may be another avenue, however you may be asked if it is a mission you wish to hire me for." not that anyone requests him for missions by the name kasimir, but silvertongue is not named mercenary for nothing.
he levels a rather deadpan look on heath. "i would rather not bother aeris further," he says, tone dry. "any time works, though preferably at a humanly decent time. a quiet training ground may be best, location-wise."