( That earns a bit of a laugh from Mishka— the bit about pessimism. )

I never used to be so concerned about it before. ( Like, obviously, he cared about staying alive, but single-minded survivalism is very different than regret, worry, and... ) But staying around people so much makes a person sentimental. It's strange.

( Strange and uncomfortable, and often he resents it, but he's figuring it out, for better or worse. )

At present, I'm seeing Ellis on the daily, if you've met him. He's a power that forces the progress to reset slightly with every application. I also intend to speak with the Goddess to see if she will take the offering for a favor to regulate matters, but... I'm unclear if it is within her power. She speaks as if it is, but I don't see much sense in holding my breath.

( He rests a hand on the back of his neck, rubbing the brand there in idle thought. )

I know of some who said they work with curses in their home, but I haven't a sense of if they've regained those powers, yet. Still, I'll likely make a house call and see if there's changes on that front.

( So he's been peeking into several leads... No solution yet, but. He's preparing for failure, but still trying. )

He calls it stabilization; he returns things to their neutral state, to my best understanding. Temperaments, health, and, as it turns out, curses. It only lasts so long as you're within his vicinity, but it has been a great asset. I would have been a beast a week or two ago already without it.

( Is that an accurate assessment? He won't say. But his aid cannot be understated, in his opinion. )

I don't think there's any curing me, but if I can weaken its grip on my mind enough to remain as myself... Well, I'll be quite ugly once I turn, but I'd still be me. I think that's the best anyone can hope for.

( He will miss this body he's grown used to, but, as long as his mind is intact... Beggars can't be choosers, really. )

I would be quite sour if you were.

( But he appreciates it. )

Are you well-versed in illusions, then?

( :O Mishka seems genuinely intrigued. )

Still, it's a thought worth entertaining, even if only as an exercise.

( In other words, he's curious enough to ask more about it. )

Say that my maw were up here, ( he points vaguely upward ) and the rest of me were down here. ( He points to the general plane of the floor. ) Could you mask my appearance, still, and have me look as I do now? Would a person still feel my masked proportions, if they were to touch a space they thought were empty, and feel my broader arm?

( He's using himself as an example, but any example will do. )

( Interesting... He takes mental notes. Syrlya would be a headache to skirmish with. )

I can't imagine how useful that might have been on the field... Well, in any scenario at all. ( Assassination in particular, but most anything could benefit from such sensory manipulation. Poisons and drugs, while quite useful, afford him far less acute control over a target's senses. ) I suppose this might help me if I wanted to recall what it might be like to remain Mishka-bodied. My memories of my transformation are muddled, but I'm fairly sure I was quite large.

"When," hm. I'll hold you to it.

( The O in Ostoya sure doesn't stand for optimism, so he's unfamiliar. But he supposes he prefers this than to acting like a dead man walking, even if he is getting his affairs in order. )

Well, do let me know how you and Otegine enjoy the food, and I'll see that I keep you updated on affairs. And regarding the artifact meant for Adelis...

( Hmmm. Actually. He seemed about set to wrap up, but a thought occurs to him. He holds it for a few moments, weighing his thoughts. )

... Perhaps tangential, but are you very good with letters?

( Considers... )

... The artifact is powered for one day per each letter I write to him. I've been making do so far, but I'm not really a letter-writer— I do missives and orders, at most.

He isn't using it right now, so I suppose it's no moment, but... Should he find it in him to try it, I would not like him to find that it is not functional. It is a bit of a dilemma.

( He is not. directly asking for help. but he's definitely implying he's bad at writing letters. Unfortunately, he needs to, for Adelis's sake... )

( You're telling him.

Ugh. Though he masks it, he feels... a little awkward... )

... More or less. So long as the chance that he may open it remain, I do not want him to believe that I have not put in any effort for the task. It seems counterproductive to my current goal, I suppose.

( Which is to. sorta. attempt to fix things between them. He's already convinced Adelis he doesn't care about him, and putting in little effort would probably reinforce that idea. )

( Phew, )

Both must be written and sent every day, was her particular phrasing.

( Probably because she knew Mishka would try to weasel out of the particulars somehow, )

( Mishka considers this. Unfortunately, this is a pretty generous offer, especially given their relative locations. )

Perhaps, joining these ideas, we ought meet once a week and workshop topics and at least a letter draft? That should set me straight for the rest of the week, until I get a hang of this on my own.

In two days, then.

( He dips his head; an unusual gesture from Mishka, indicating sincerity. )

I thank you genuinely. I hope my letters will improve their poor showing soon enough.