Scene #2330: In a Name

Owner	Pose
Ainsley	The location Ainsley has chosen to use the mirror is appropriate for testing any kind of magical artifact. She has borrowed one of the arcane research facilities located in the Infinite Library, a place where there are sufficient wards and protections set up to protect the building and the people observing from any kind of harm should something catastrophic happen. Not going into this hastily, she instead stands in a room with a magic circle surrounding her to act as protection for those she has invited here. The invitation generally asks them not to step through the circle unless they believe her life is in real danger. The observation area is basically the whole of this large Victorian-styled chamber, with seats and tables pushed aside for the sake of the main event. It appears to be some kind of large laboratory built to withstand magical damage, with evidence that oodles of equipment had been wheeled out by the subtle scuffs and clear spots in the fine layer of dust in the room. It hadn't been used in a while, which is why Ainsley was able to borrow the room. Ainsley left a cornucopia of baked treats on a large table against one of the walls, with a bunch of refreshments. These are in case the experiment does not go wrong at all, or to help smooth over everyone's nervousness. Ainsley is standing in the center of the circle. A small, simple wooden table is beside her, with what looks like a simple, rounded ivory hand mirror, and a small gemstone. Those that had helped her or spoken with her about this would recognize that as the mirror, and the gem as the focus she would need to slot into the mirror for it to work properly. She sips from a glass of water while she waits for people to show up. Her tail twitches behind her in agitation, betraying her nervous mood where her face contrasts that with a lack of emotion beyond a mild lidding of her eyes.
Inga Freyjasdottir	It is likely that Inga was here early, perhaps helping Ainsley prepare the magic circle she is now within. She's looking around now, munching on a muffin, examining the other wards in here with a degree of appreciation. Naturally, she thinks bones would be better, but it is all very interesting all the same! The wisewoman is dressed in a long blue dress with short sleeves, belted at the waist, and the curious footwear commonly referred to as "flip flops". She finds them very strange, but they are pretty in silver with decorative flower pattern. She occasionally looks down at her toes as if she's surprised to see them. Inga wanders back over toward Ainsley, not disturbing the magic circle. "Have you need of anything else Ainsley?" she inquires.
Zephyr Windstar	Zephyr is already here, sat indian style atop an open tabletop. She's wearing her regular uniform, with her bracer on her right wrist. The gleam of her Device's standby form glints in the light as she shifts a bit, watching silently and a bit pensively at the lizard girl she calls 'sister.'
Riva Banari	RIVA IS TOTALLY HERE. Because she totally wants to see how this goes down. Current bets are on Quetzal Jesus, but there's a nice side line running on Nerd Chic Supermodel. She can dig it. The Templaress is wearing a huge pair of smoked goggles, making her look like she belongs more in a mad science lab or flying through the air on a rocketpack to punch Nazis than a library, but she's chill with it. She's also munching intensively on the supplied munchies and refreshments. She's already leaning around Inga with a big grin. "Everything is going to be awesome, Ainsley! Good luck with your SOUL VOGUE!" She gives a thumbs up, apparently cheering her on.
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako is of course very familiar with the Infinite Library in Njorun! She loves resting in the freshwater stream running through it as well as reading the books contained within the library. Sometimes she does both at once-while being careful not to give water damage to the books! Although the moment she steps into the laboratory, she's engulfed in a puff of white water vapor! And emerges in her maid outfit. Dust?! Her broom appears in her hands and she immediately begins sweeping. The dust that is swept vanishes instead of just being moved around! What? Old habits die hard. She waves hello cheerfully to Ainsley. "Hello Ainsley!" Ayako giggles softly-and makes sure not to disturb the magic circle on the floor. "Is that the mirror you were talking about? I was sort of picturing something bigger... but whatever works!"
Staren	Staren is curious about this mirror, but also /concerned/, since Ainsley is so set on trying it and yet also so set on noone /else/ trying it. Who wouldn't want to look at their soul? It worked out fine for Himei, right? Still, he's left with the feeling Ainsley has cause to be concerned that she's not sharing. The catboy scientist walks in, and today at least his labcoat probably doesn't look out of place. Staren's allies get nods of acknowledgement and a nervous smile in greeting. "I was picturing something bigger too. I still wonder how this will be different from looking at your concept..." This might be an interesting experiment to observe from Abstract Space, but Eureka's not awake at the moment. "Good luck, Ainsley."
Amalthea	It has been time since Amalthea has left her manse home, and general silence may lead to the assumption that the old knight has turned into something of a recluse. But after certain old injuries were pried open anew, Kuklos ka Amalthea Schmendrick-Fortuna has needed time to recover her wits and mood. She still has not, but this is not something the old unicorn would miss. There was no word, no announcement, no statement of intent to come. At the appointed time and the appointed place, she simply appears, no warning and not even the scuff of hooves to announce her presence, the metal mythic arrives, lingering distantly from the others in silence and observing with lone half-lidded blue eye as she looks to Ainsley and the completed mirror.
Faruja	Faruja Senra is here, dressed in full battle armor. He looks visibly nervous, fur on end, and has set out a suspiciously large number of holy water vials that he's insisted at least one be emptied onto poor Ainsley. And blessed crosses, for that matter. A pocket watch, full of time magic, sits in his hand just in case. Oh, and there's a nondescript Templar here with a glacier gun pointed at the mirror. A very twitchy looking one. "God be with us all." Is Faruja's simple words. He at least bows to those present. Inwardly, he's happy that so many are both as concerned and care enough as he does.
Ainsley	Ainsley shakes her head slowly to Inga, smiling at her friend nonetheless. A glance is given to Zephyr distractedly, the intense look from that mage sister reminding her of her personal motivation for making this mirror. Riva's enthusiasm gets an amused smile out of the lizard girl. There are few things that can brighten her like the bright and cheery demeanor from that Templar there. Ayako's cleanliness habits get another distracted look. Blue eyes scan the room, resting on Faruja -- another amused smile, her feathers still damp from the holy water splash -- and then Amalthea, who she hadn't realized was even here, having not invited her simply out of courtesy to her current mental state. Her smile softens some. She shows no concern, only the serious look that carries some hidden meaning behind it. Staren's wish of luck is acknowledged with a brief nod in his direction. After making sure everyone is ready, she reaches to pick up the mirror. Such a simple-looking object. If one did not know what it was made of, it would be similar to a hand mirror one might buy from a beauty store, something cheaper or placed among a rainbow of other varieties. After this, she picks up the gemstone, and slots it into the mirror. "Remember," she warns the surprisingly large group that has gathered for this, "You mustn't break the circle unless you believe I am to be seriously harmed, and even then you must be absolutely sure that is what is happening." She looks at Faruja in particular on this part, knowing his concern is the strongest out of anyone here. She holds up the mirror to look into it. No one sees what she's looking at, as the surface of the mirror even for those standing at an angle that can see it only see a pure black surface. She narrows her eyes at the surface as if the image is out of focus, her mouth tightening in discomfort. A strange pressure fills the room, something warping just outside the range of perception. Like a rubber band tightening, or a coil compressing. The moment before something happens. The pause lasts a very long time, however, with her just staring in apparent confusion.
Tomoe	Tomoe has come to help Ainsley who generally had stuck her neck out to help so many others? It was only right to come to her aid with this. So here is Tomoe she's in good enough spirits htough she's in full armour for the moment, there's a chance somerhing might go wrong and she wants to be, ready right? There are certainly a lot of other elites to catch up with here too. She wonders wht will happen here? "Understood Ainsley, I'll make sure no one jumps the gun." Faruja gets a look from the Salamander Paladin for a moment.
Kyra Hyral	That 'something soon to happen' is /probably/ not supposed to be Kyra Hyral stumbling into the Victorian-style magic hall late to the occasion. But that sure as heck happens. "HEY GUYS WHAT DID I MIS-oh." Right away she notices that Ainsley is staring at the mirror with a look of discomfort on her face. She doesn't get any closer, falling in next to Riva as she silently cheers her favorite feathered lizardwoman on.
Staren	Staren nods at Ainsley's warning, then doesn't try to get a look in the mirror. Two people looking at once sounds possibly dangerous. And then there's some kind of presence. "...That doesn't feel good." He pulls out something that looks like a flipphone with crystals on and scans the room for magic, and pulls the goggles Ainsley gave him over his eyes. Just in case of... man, who knows at this point?
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles cheerfully at Ainsley when she looks towards her. She moves a bit closer to the magic circle as Ainsley prepares to gaze into the mirror. "Alright, alright! Good luck, Ainsley!" And then blinks her eyes quickly as she glances about the room. What's this pressure all of a sudden? Is this just from Ainsley looking into the mirror? Ayako's amber gaze returns towards Ainsley and... well, of course, she has to wonder. Just what is being reflected back to Ainsley's eyes?
Riva Banari	Riva looks over to Kyra as she arrives and brings her into what is suddenly a relaxed group hug as Riva snugs Inga close as well. "This is going to be /so cool/." Riva says, remaining confident in the face of OMINOUS WARNINGS AND FEELINGS. As Ainsley looks into the mirror, Riva stays in place. She's not screaming and it doesn't look like her soul is getting pulled out of her body or making an evil ainsley clone or anything, so this looks like it's going more or less as intended.
Faruja	Faruja lets out a long breath. A glance to Kyra as she comes in. Ayako /and/ Kyra? Well, he can at least count on plenty of healing! Riva gets a raised brow. "By the Lord I hope ye art right Dame Banari." Faruja is most certainly /not/ enthusiastic. He is, instead, nodding to Ainsley. He doesn't even /want/ to know what could go wrong if that circle was broken too early. It hurts to think about. Faruja is near Tomoe luckily! Between the twitchy Templar and himself, she has /two/ overly worried targets to potentially restrain. The rat prays quietly as Ainsley looks on.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga grins toward Riva in all her weird, excitable glory. Despite having little idea what she says sometimes, Riva is always good to have about. A smile is also given to Ayako. Perhaps a hug, too. "Ayako, I have not seen you in...weeks probably. I hope you are well?" she asks. Inga greets Faruja with a respectful nod and a look of sympathy. Inga is nervous of course, but trying not to let it show. She wants to project an air of confidence. % Amalthea is also given a nod of respectful greeting, and Staren a quick smile and greeting before she looks back to Ainsley. Inga takes a deep breath, reaching to her belt. She pulls out her knife and pricks her finger quickly before bringin it up, drawing a symbol upon her brow as she mumbles a quick spell to help open her Sight to the Unseen. The air in the room changes and Inga's brow draws together, mouth dipping into a frown as she really /Looks/ around and at Ainsley--and the mirror.
Zephyr Windstar	"Sis knows what she's doing. It'll be fine." says Zephyr, looking over at Faruja. "Try and stay calm, Twitchy." the mage offers a smirk, and offers up her own silent prayer despite her confidence.
Ainsley	Ainsley cannot do much interaction with the others right now. She stares into the mirror with a building, uncomfortable tension. She hunches her shoulders like she's about to double over at one point, her eyes watering, her mouth drawing into a grimace... but she doesn't look away, as if she absolutely refuses to look away. Then the tension seems to fade, and this is right before something very obvious happens to anyone who doesn't have magical sight helping them observe this. Red lightning pours off of her and slams into the floor in a crash that makes the magic circle creak around her, not making the sound lightning SHOULD make. It makes a sound like distant, warping metal. With a heavy thrum, a blast of wind is thrown off of her as well, knocking the table near her out of the circle and smashing the glass of water against a far wall. The mirror lets out a loud humming noise, and her hand seems to be vibrating, her whole body shaking subtly, making her appear headachey to stare at for too long. This effect lasts for several seconds as her magic seems to be sheared away very steadily. Emotion starts to build into her eyes as an alien light grows from behind the color in them. The colors of her body seem to grow more vivid, and the room fills with strange visual and audial hallucinations for those susceptible to magical backlash, though the illusions are as fragile as spun glass and easily resisted by the slightest effort. Whispers of languages that hold no meaning, words that have no structure. It is not hurting her, but something is happening, the light show building in intensity until the wind stops and the very air distorts to an incomprehensible blur within the circle. The room goes quiet, the air inside the circle slowly curling and warping like the colors had been turned to smoke. Ainsley's silhouette can barely be seen within it. She's still standing, and she seems to be lowering the mirror away from her face.
Staren	Staren watches, and waits. Suddenly, lightning! "AINSLEY!" He shouts. "Are you okay?!" He looks closely to check whether the lightning is burning her... but it isn't. For now, at least, if anyone runs towards her, he'll grab their shoulder and ask if they're sure, at least. And then... light, and hallucinations on the edge of his vision, faint whispers... "Ainsley?!" he calls. "What's going on?!" When it's over, and Ainsley lowers the mirror, Staren approaches, but doesn't enter the circle. "Ainsley? Are you alright? What did you see? ...If you want to tell us. You don't have to."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako of course gives Inga a hug when she approaches her! She's the type to hug, after all! "I'm doing fine!" A cheerful smile is given to Inga in return. But of course, that was then. Before Ainsley started to peer into the mirror. The water spirit yelps as red lightning pours out from Ainsley! "Eh? Eeehhh? What's going on?!" Ayako watches Ainsley carefully as she points her broom at her defensively! She doesn't appear to be in danger or in pain yet, but... what a strange light. Ayako lowers her broom back down to the floor when the room goes quiet. She stares quietly, trying to see Ainsley through the smoke within the magic circle. "Ainsley! Are you okay?"
Inga Freyjasdottir	What Inga Sees is certainly interesting--and worrying. What is happening? She didn't expect this soul mirror to be so /flashy/. Honestly, she should have known better. Inga stands with her staff in her hands, watching the storm with an anxious look, but she's keeping her calm, waiting. Apparently she doesn't see anything worth breaking the circle for, and is ready to try to trip Faruja if he tries to rush the circle.
Kyra Hyral	Kyra beams and throws an arm around Riva and an arm around Inga. "Hi guys! Yeah, I'm super curious as to what's going to happen. We assembled some pretty high level stuff to make this mirror." Though it's then she realizes she doesn't know /precisely/ what this mirror was supposed to do. Unwinding from Inga and Riva, she waits. And watches. There's a growing look of dismay as Kyra watches, seeing magic particles going absolutely crazy and peeling off of Ainsley. "W...is that supposed to happen...? Ainsley?" she resists the urge to lunge into the magic circle, "Ainsley!"
Amalthea	Greetings are met with stone silence. Amalthea is here for one reason and one reason alone, and though the unicorn is silent, she watches intently as Ainsley takes the look into the mirror she has long awaited. The unicorn weathers the hallucinations with an eerily placid, and intent stare- almost through them, to Ainsley herself. Staren's shout is met with a hiss of "Be still." Given only a beat before she goes on, "This is what she wanted, and what she saw is hers to share only if she desires." Amalthea had warned the Quetzal of the invetability of what she would see. But whatever it was is Ainsley's burden to bear now.
Tomoe	Tomoe looks over to Kyra and give her a bit of a nod she still needs to drag Kyra and her friend into ALO for a bit right? That's not on the docket today, nay. She's got to worry about what might happen here. She is however keeping an eye on Faruja and she may have some mneans to restrain him as needed. She looks to ing and says "So we meet again Inga." She trails off as Ainsley gets to work with the magic she's about to preform. Tomoe's eyes go a bit wide as there's quite a visable show going on here. She goes so far to take a step back. "I have no idea Kyra and Staren would find Tomoe moving towards him. She was opening her mouth but Amalthea spoke up first. She does keep a wary eye on him and Faruja as well.
Faruja	There's light, un-lightning sounds, and a strange vibration of his dear lizardess that utterly screams 'something is wrong'. Thankfully there's no need to trip the rat, though every muscle in his body seems primed and ready to pounce. A headache and the power of that magical backlash knocks the rat to his knee, the male groaning a bit. His head, and worse, a dozen espers are screaming warnings at him in his head. "A...Ainsley!?" Comes the rat, voice full of fear, concern, even as he glances to the others. Thank god she seems alive at least. He glances to his Templar companion. "Gun down Sir Mortimer. At least unless something comes out of that mirror."
Riva Banari	And this is about when everything goes crazy. Riva watches the proceedings in shock as the cavalcade of warping, altering effects begin. She falls back a few steps, staring up into the air at various unseen images. Do they frighten her? Or does she stare at them in awe and wonder? It's impossible to know for the moment. She tears her gaze away from the illusions to look upon the circle, and she gasps, seeing only a shape in the strange smoke. Everyone else is yelling for her, but Riva doesn't... She does, however, make a worried noise as she wrings her hands in unsettled anticipation, waiting to see just what happened to her favorite Quetzal. The fact that she's the /only/ Quetzal that Riva has any real dealings with is beside the point.
Ainsley	The air around Ainsley clarifies in a snap, momentarily regaining that vivid color as if it were a lens focusing the color to comfortable levels. What's standing there after the air has cleared of magical power is a lizard girl that is a foot shorter than she was moments ago, with lidded eyes of a shining slate color, her mouth wilted in the slightest frown. It's a mild, somber kind of expression, but a far cry from the forced neutrality she seemed to display and the tension that always invaded her posture. She stood relaxed and upright, as if nothing were seriously wrong with what just happened. She looks at Faruja first, and smiles at him, displaying a sleepy-looking warmth, complete with a bird-like bristling of her feathers and a slight tilt of her head. Reassuring with a smile, as if she always knew how to do that. The look softens a smidgen and scans the rest of the worried friends and allies. Then she carefully pulls the focus out of its slot and pockets it, and steps out of the circle without a problem. She finds a table and sets the deactivated mirror atop it, and wanders over to her baked goods to pick up a pastry. "That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be," she tells the group, her voice carrying a mild Spanish accent free of the forced enunciation she once had. She seems so... relaxed compared to how she seemed before. She bites into the pastry and chews at it, watching for their reactions with a half-lidded gaze and a peaceful smile. "I feel alright," she reassures those who asked if she was okay. "These pants are too big, though." As indicated by her adjusting them with her off-hand so they don't slip off the tail that's holding them up. "Are all of you alright?" she wonders, in-between bites. She looks over to the broken glass over there in the corner, "Oh... That will need to be sweeped up." she muses distractedly.
Staren	Ainsley is replaced by ??? Staren runs up to the circle, barely remembering to stop short of it. "What happened?!" He starts questioning as she... eats snacks. "Who are you? Where is Ainsley? Is she in the mirror?"
Ainsley	Ainsley looks at Staren for a few surprised seconds, her eyes widening. "I'm still me, Staren," she tells him, "I physically changed the last time a major magical change happened, too." She takes another bite from the pastry and shrugs at him, not sure how to placate his fears beyond that. She looks away from him and to the others.
Faruja	Faruja Senra watches as the smoke clears, his love looking at him with warmth, and the sort of smile that he's never seen from her in full. She looks /natural/ for perhaps the first time he's ever seen her. The Burmecian, as he watches her walk over. But even though she's changed physically, and she's more open than she's ever seen him, she still unmistakably screams 'Ainsley' to the rodent. Nevermind he's seen her transform before, too! Which likely explains the sudden limping rush over to quite literally tackle-hug the lizardess with tears in his eyes. His dignity was left somewhere between Inga and Tomoe. Faruja gives no fucks right now. "GOD-DAMNIT AINSLEY! I was half convinced for a bloody second that damnable mirror was about to suck thine soul out or explode or immolate ye! Ye look and sound wonderful! But never do anything so damn foolish ever again, alright!?" All said while he's trying to hug her to death. Someone might want to get him to calm a bit.
Staren	Staren blinks. "You're acting... off. Not like someone who just underwent an ordeal with several nervous, concerned friends watching." Staren frowns at her. "...I suppose if you aren't Ainsley, he'll know soon enough." He nods towards Faruja, then folds his arms. "So what happened?"
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako blinks her eyes slowly as she looks Ainsley over. Blink. Blink. "Ainsley, you look... smaller!" She smiles softly... and then makes her way over to the broken glass in the corner. The broom swiftly resumes sweeping and Ayako swiftly begins cleaning up the broken glass. Not easy to stop Ayako when she's maid-ing! "Don't you worry about this! So... how was it?"
Riva Banari	Riva looks confused for a moment. She looks different! Is it an evil mirror universe clone out to suck the souls out of everyone there and replace them with mirror universe clones too? Or maybe she did get promoted to Quetzal Jesus! She gasps. SHE CAN'T TELL! LIZARDS DON'T GET GOATEES. There was clearly only one solution for this. While Faruja begins hugging Ainsley, Riva begins hugging from the other side. "I think we're all just glad you're okay!" Riva says, brightly. Looks like she's decided it's not an evil clone.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga's expression has been one of concern but also concentration. She doesn't cry out, but just watches as Ainsley changes. Once she emerges from the circle and moves to get a bite to eat, Inga rounds on her, limping over. She lets go of her staff, leaning it against the table as she reaches up without a word and puts her hands on Ainsley's cheeks, looking into her eyes with unnerving intensity, searching... Her expression turns from pure concern to puzzlement with an anxiety icing, her lips still caught in a frown. If Ainsley does not pull away, this continues for a few long, awkward moments before Inga lets go and steps back, re-taking her staff. "Tis Ainsley still," she says to the others, though she still has that look of confusion and concern. Inga takes up her staff and shakes her head. "This is what you want?" she asks Ainsley, eyebrow rising slightly.
Kyra Hyral	"Soooo....it's kind of like magical skin shedding?" Kyra asks immediately without considering how racist that might sound. Do lizard girls shed their skins at all? "It's a pretty dramatic change, Ainsley! You shrank! Among other things!" She didn't want to specifically point out that Ainsley seems to have also gained the ability to emote properly since that seems like it'd be a very sensitive subject. Curious, Kyra heasd over to the discarded mirror.
Tomoe	Tomoe is standing firm as the process coniunes she has to say she's never saw anything quite like this before. She however sees that no one's gone crackers so she clearly relaxing now. So relaxed now she's trying for some of the food. Then it hits her mid bite, then agian it sounds like it's Ainsley and she pauses at Kyra's words. Apt but it might not be the most polite way to put it. "Well you being all right is the imporant part, right Ainsley?"
Ainsley	"Oof--!!" THUD. Ainsley is tackle-hugged, and again is startled. She wobbles there with a pastry still held in one hand, and the other loosely wrapped around Faruja's shoulders. She stares forward for a few seconds. Faruja's words get her to lift her free hand to rest it in the back of his head, screwing up her face in the mild, amused discomfort of someone being hugged a little too hard. The added hug from Riva makes Ainsley close one of her eyes and laugh, "Alright, alright." She sticks her tongue out and tries to steady herself, not letting go of Faruja, since she had worried him so much. He deserves the comfort after all of that. She directs her eyes toward Staren, and opens her mouth to answer him. Then she scrunches her face when Inga touches her face. "Goodness," she murmurs, "It wasn't what I was expecting, but... yes. This is why I did this." She nods at Inga once. She looks properly toward Staren and then glances toward Ayako, lifting her brows with a bright amusement as she tries to regain her composure under the avalanche of touching and fussing. "I saw myself. The whole of myself, beyond concept and the physical. It was enlightening, but I think I will keep the details to myself. It was very personal."
Staren	Staren frowns. "What is why you did this?" Staren frowns. Things feel off. Why don't they feel off to anyone else?
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako giggles softly at the tackle-hug from Faruja and the back hug from Riva. She nods her head slowly as she finishes cleaning up the glass with her broom. "That's true. You were brave enough to want to look at yourself to begin with!" The broom pauses in sweeping as Ayako taps her cheek with a pointer finger. "Not everyone wants to see that kind of thing, after all." The water spirit maid resumes sweeping. "Un!" She nods her head once. "As it should be!"
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga nods to Ainsley, letting out a quiet sigh through her nose. "Very well," she says, and gives Ainsley a pat on the shoulder. "At least I don't have to crane my neck so much to look at you," she adds, then turns and walks toward Staren, who is still on edge. She places her hand on his shoulder. "Tis Ainsley, but you feel on edge because she is...fundamentally changed in some ways. But it seems it was her choice, so....leave it be, hmm?" she says.
Ainsley	The mirror is inert. Kyra doesn't find anything super magical about it because it lacks the focusing gem that was there a moment ago. It still doesn't reflect light, but that's the only weird property in it.
Ainsley	Ainsley looks at Staren for a few more seconds in intense thought, struggling with whether she should answer him at all, and she closes her eyes and lets out a sigh before she answers. "I needed to find certainty," she tells Staren, then opening her eyes, "I found it. Is there any way I can help ease your worries?"
Riva Banari	"It's okay!" Riva calls out as she gives Mini-Neo-Ainsley some space. Tiny lizards need to breathe too, after all. "So..." Riva pauses, thinking for a moment. "How do you feel? Is there anything you want to do?" She shuffles a moment, her expression kind of grasping.
Kyra Hyral	Kyra picks up the mirror and looks into it, waiting to see if anything happens. It wasn't emitting magic particles so when it doesn't do anything, she's not entirely surprised. It's at that moment she sees the missing focusing gem-regardless, she still gives the strangely unreflective surface of the mirror a poke. "Looks like it was one use only, I'm afraid." She puts the mirror down and edges forward, sneaking up on Ainsley so she too gets her turn at hugging her.
Staren	Staren frowns. "If there were, telling you might let you fake them. I can think of a couple of things -- we'll see, in time. I guess I don't understand... why would seeing you soul... /do/ this? /Change/ you?"
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga sighs quietly, gets a snack, and has a seat. She will let Ainsley answer Staren's question. Mmm danish!
Ainsley	Ainsley accepts another hug, this time from Kyra. The hold draws the mild smile out of her again, the lizard migrating her hold to the medic mage for a brief snug. She soon releases Kyra and directs some thought to Riva's questions. "I already said I'm alright, but to elaborate, it all feels a little like a dream," she tells Riva, "It feels like all my fears about myself were erased in an instant." As for Staren, she directs another thoughtful gaze. "Think about particle physics, the principle that in order to see a particle, a photon hits the particle to send the light information back, therefore it has changed in positioning and is not where it seems to be anymore. It's a similar idea with a soul. And metahumans seem to be inherently malleable in physical appearance, so that's why I changed like this," she explains, holding a gentle patience. "You cannot look at a soul without touching it or changing it, especially your own soul. Does that make sense?"
Tomoe	Tomoe is devrouning some of the food but not too heavily she's trying to leave stuff for the people who are more able to actually use the food. She is scorping out Ainsley now curious abotu all that's happened. "Self reflection can be a powerful thing Staren." Life changes people, what's happened to Sheena? She's more Tomoe now and likely forever will be. The Way Ainsley explains it seem to be something Tomoe is abl to understand from the look on her face. She also moves over to Inga offering her one of the bits of food. "Try these they are called macaroon cookies and they are wonderful."
Staren	Staren nods, at the comment about it being like a dream. And then again, at her explanation. "Yes. Isn't that a little bit scary, though? That stuff that mattered so much to you... suddenly doesn't?"
Ainsley	"It still matters. I'm just not afraid of it anymore," Ainsley corrects, her patience being graced with a smile. "It's a drastic change in perspective, something that I needed, so it would not get in the way when I try to help others."
Staren	Staren tilts his head. "I hope you are right. ...At least, once I get over my concerns, I will be glad that you're feeling better."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako inclines her head to the side gently. "A drastic change in perspective, huh?" She seems a bit quiet for a moment as her broom stops sweeping. But then she shakes her head and resumes sweeping. "Well, I'm glad it's given you more conviction!" She smiles cheerfully at Ainsley.
Riva Banari	Riva seems content to let Science Cat handle the Hard Hitting Questions. Instead she pulls up her goggles and then simple contents herself with munching while she watches Ainsley intently. Not with suspicion, but with a smile. Something's changed. Something important, but it will take time to understand the full meaning of what's happened here.
Faruja	Faruja very, very very reluctantly, finally pulls away from Ainsley. He glances to his fellow huggee's. The male's eye is still pretty wet, and so its handkerchief time. Sniffle. "Thank ye all for coming. It...bluntly went better than I thought." Comes Faruja as he tries to piece together his dignity. The male's /tail/ however is latched to Ainsley's own now quite tightly. The chances of her getting out of his sight tonight are going to be very, very slim.