no more light / intro

[michael t.]

YOU NEVER GAVE UP ON ME; WHY DON'T YOU?
I'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU SEE; WHY WON'T YOU?

Unlike some within The Typhoon, Michael had never been blessed with the ability to see spirits. He didn't see special "auras" around others, nor did he think much of the seemingly magical powers that others possessed. He didn't doubt the existence of such powers – to do so would be pretty ridiculous, considering he could shape the earth with his elementals and shift between forms. Instead, he just couldn't really understand them. Couldn't wrap his mind around what an "aura" could possibly look or behave like. Some others had tried to describe what it was like to him in the past, but he had still never really gotten the full picture. Eventually, he had just given up trying, figuring that it wasn't all that big of a deal. He was fairly confident that those that he loved were who they said they were, so what was the point in knowing their auras? Such a thing felt too personal – as if he would be peeking in on inner thoughts that weren't meant to be seen. Just the thought of someone looking at his aura left him slightly unsettled.

This meant, of course, that Michael couldn't see the spirit, in a traditional sense. He wasn't able to see some sort of form for them, nor could he spot some sort of aura, either. Thankfully, the dealer had figured out a long time ago that it was a blessing to be observant. So, while he couldn't see the spirit themselves, he could see the effects of their presence. Could see the way that the foliage seemed to shift in the distance without the help of any wind. Could see the way that the sandy earth was disturbed without anyone in sight directly walking upon it. It was enough to make the bobcat's fur stand on end, and he thought for a moment that he was just imagining it. Still, he couldn't just let it go. For all he knew, there could be an invisible enemy lurking in wait, trying to find someone that they wished to harm. That alone was enough to motivate Michael forward, knowing full well how crazy he must've looked as he questioned the empty air, "Hello? Is someone there? I can't... I can't see you. But it feels like someone is..." Already he could feel the curious and vaguely disturbed gazes of nearby NPCs, confused by what he was doing. He tried his best to block them out, a heavy sigh leaving him.

— Reggan