Earth, Wind, and Fire

He invited Abigail to a party and started the party chat to not be overheard by the candidates. Taking a pair of Crocade bottles out of his inventory, he handed her the red one, taking the blue flavor for himself.

I think I can knock Spate off. The only thing unique to her is her element, Glebe and Cinder can both heal too. She’s also the weakest of the four. The others are all around the same level. Cinder is level eighteen, Glebe is level twenty-one and Mistral is level nineteen. His skills add a flat bonus to Agility. If it were multiplicative, it’d be one thing but… I think I can knock him out too, John thought, reclining on the earthen chair made for him.

I say pick the fire elemental! Then we can be fire buddies! Abigail chimed in, taking a long swig from her drink. If you really can’t decide, why not make them show you what they can do?

Good idea. “Well, I’ve come to a decision. Spate, Mistral, you two can leave. Thank you for staying so long. I’m sure you’ll find somebody else. Glebe, Cinder, I want a practical demonstration,” John explained, rising up from his seat and storing his drink away. “Glebe, you can go first. Show me what you can do.”

“I do not disappoint. But it may work better if you are… injured,” the elemental explained, stroking the mass of pebbles that clung to his face in the place of a beard.

“Good point. If you two are healers, a little HP damage won’t hurt. Abigail, give me your best shot.” Her fist struck him above the stomach but below the chest, and he felt the wind get knocked out of him as the blow connected. His arms crossed over his chest as he doubled over. “I… shouldn’t… have said that.”

John felt the pain quickly subside as the ground underneath him began to glow in a ring. He noticed Glebe approaching, the earth beneath the elemental holding the same glow. When they overlapped under him, his health ticked up twice as quickly. Using Auric Vision and then Advanced Spy, he was able to get a description of these abilities.

Sacred Ground, Active, Level 6, Cost: 300 MP
A ring of positive energy appears either following under Glebe or at a fixed location of his choice. As long as he or chosen allies are touching the ground, they are healed at a rate of (Skill Level) x 30 HP per minute for (Skill Level) minutes.

As Glebe demonstrated the rest of his abilities, John was able to use the same method to see descriptions of them.

Earthen Body, Active, Level 3, Cost: 100 MP
Target’s body hardens as if made from rock. At the cost of malus (Skill Level) to target’s Agility, target gains (Skill Level)*10 natural DT and (Skill Level) natural DR. In addition, all unarmed attacks do (Skill Level)*10 additional damage. Earthen body may only be active on (Skill Level)/3 (rounded up) targets at a time.

Mold Earth, Active, Level 10, Cost: Variable
Allows Glebe to mold the earth either physically with his body or mentally. Cost is dependent on material being molded and its volume. Glebe can also generate additional earth this way.

“Thank you, Glebe, that was very insightful,” John remarked, looking over the skill descriptions. The first one was great, having an AoE healer would be an amazing addition to the team; however, Earthen Body didn’t fit his style at all. “Abigail, softer than last time, hit me again.”

This gut punch was actually bearable, though it still took off enough health to judge Cinder’s abilities. “Alright, Cinder, Show me what you can do.”

Warmth of the Hearth, Active, Level 5, Cost: 50 MP/sec
Bestow a healing warmth on (Skill Level)/3 (rounded up) targets. Target gains (Skill Level)*10 HP per second. In addition, healing over maximum is converted to a flame shield surrounding the target. Flame shields can be (Skill Level)*5% of the target’s original HP, and decay by 10 every (Skill Level) seconds.

That’s definitely different, and maybe better? Shields are nice, and it isn't a single target ability either. Might need to work on the mana cost though. That’s part of the tradeoff. Let’s see her other abilities. He had to play a bit more of an active part in this demonstration, shooting a couple of times and editing the barrier to allow weak hostile mobs. The result were literal insects, level one enemies that existed for the demonstration.

Burn the Breeze, Passive, Level 3
Gunshots or spells channeled through guns by Cinder or her summoner leave behind a trail of flame that lasts for (Skill Level) seconds and deals (Skill Level)*5% damage of the original attack upon contact.

Shootout, Passive, Level 3
When Cinder and her summoner are outnumbered, their Endurance, Agility, and Wisdom are increased by (Skill Level)*5%. This ability is only active when Cinder is on the battlefield.

Mold Flame, Active, Level 4, Cost: Variable
Allows Cinder to mold flame either physically with her body or mentally. Cost is dependent on the temperature of the flames and the volume. Cinder can also generate additional fire this way.

He went back to his earthen chair to compare the ability list of the two elementals, taking his drink back out of his inventory. Cinder suits me more, even if she’s a little weaker right now.

“Glebe?” His words made the two elementals stand at attention, Cinder’s featureless face snapping to his whereas Glebe’s stony expression showed casual content. “I like you, but Cinder’s abilities fit me more. I’m going with her.”

“I have no hard feelings, only happy to be considered. I hope she keep you alive a long time. If you need Earth Elemental, you call for me.” Glebe slowly sunk into the ground until the barrier information read three, all the enemies summoned for the demonstration long dead. He used Advanced Spy on her one last time before asking his question.

“Cinder, I’m happy you came to see me today. Will you be my new elemental?” He offered her his hand, and it was enshrouded in her flames. They painlessly raced up his arm and shoulders, into his head.

The feeling is mutual. I look forward to serving you, her soft voice rang out in his head, something he hadn’t considered. Your pet hawk… moults in here.

In my head? Surprised at this intruder, David appeared on John’s shoulder in his corporeal form. His eyes looked between him and Abigail blearily as he yawned. “You’re going to have a new roommate, buddy.”

The feeling of having someone who could talk inside his head was strange. You may move about freely when we’re not in public.

It’s quite comfortable in here, she replied, and John could have sworn he heard the fluffing of pillows in the background. I will, however, follow you if you prefer.

Follow me when we’re having a conversation. I’m going to introduce you to my roommates later. They’re friends and powerful allies. We’re going on a bounty contract tomorrow. How familiar are you with the concept? Talking to someone fully in his head felt strange, but it was an experience he’d have to get used to.

As you wish, Cinder replied, appearing to float along next to him. My former master was a lawman in the Western United States. Bounty Hunting is not a concept I am unfamiliar with, though I will need to judge your methods for myself. She was somewhat translucent, meaning she had an incorporeal form similar to David’s.

Interesting! What was his name? John asked, exiting the barrier after Abigail and destroying it. “The others should be back at the dorm by now. You can go ahead of me, Abigail, I’m going to get something from my apartment.”

With a smile and a wave, Abigail leapt into the trees, heading back toward the base. John turned the opposite direction, walking toward the residential part of town. He decided to walk along the ground, wanting to focus on the conversation rather than Parkour.

I’d rather not talk about it. It was a long time ago. She floated in an orbit around him, constantly scanning the area for threats, if her ceaseless head turns were anything to go by.

You don’t need to be on such high alert. I have an ability that lets me know when I’m in danger. I’ll explain my powerset at the apartment. Things are a little bit different in 21st century Springfield than they were in 19th century Texas, John joked, looking to his elemental for her reaction. Her featureless face unsettled him, if only a little.
Texas was not a part of the United States during my time. However, it does seem that you are correct. These woods appear to be peaceful. She stopped circling him, instead floating just behind him. He sensed a slight irritation at his constant questions, so he decided to focus on preparing for the contract they were going on tomorrow.

I’ll buy a dresser for the dorm room, that way I won’t need to go back to the apartment every time I need clothes. Some more clothes too. Maybe some band shirts. Jenny would like that, John thought, taking out his phone and going to the AA website.

On autopilot, he jumped up into the trees and leapt through them, speed now taking priority. He soon reached the edge of the city, it being a little closer than their base. The cheapest dresser on here is $1,000!? And it’s just a normal six drawer oak dresser!? Talk about a convenience fee.

He placed the order on the vastly overpriced furniture and clothes, knowing that a couple thousand dollars wasn’t really a big difference to him anymore. He soon reached his building, and spotted the Abyss Auction drone floating toward his window. I wonder how suspicious that is. Then again, that mundane auction site said it was going to start offering delivery via drone soon. It’s not like I know anything about it either. Could just be invisible to mundane people.

Though he had entertained the idea of using Advanced Spy on the drone after opening the window for it, he ultimately cast aside the idea, instead focusing on getting everything into his inventory quickly.

“You can take your corporeal form if you want,” John said, sitting down on his couch. “My powerset is a little odd, so try to listen closely.”