Yes. That looks perfect. That reads like sign language and writing things out work fine, but literally nothing and no one will ever manage to give me functioning vocal cords again. Does that sound like a correct read to you?

Yes, exactly. And you would be able to use magical or technological effects that translate what you write or sign into words spoken aloud, but probably not ones that express your thoughts directly as spoken words, if I'm understanding correctly what you're choosing as a Perfect Flaw.

That's perfect. What about non-word noises? The ideal here is that unvoiced snickers and silent airy giggles are fine, but hums and shouts and moans and such aren't.

Yes, I think that holds together.

A single relieved tear drops onto the paper.

Thank you. ♡

♡

Also, I think I was imprecise about describing how individual drawbacks and powers interact with the division between merged and separate selves. Each of your unique powers and drawbacks follows you, but the question of where 'you' are is a complicated one when you're simultaneously individual and separate people who can have a mix of individual or separate bodies. For example, Neo's Perfect Flaw should follow her through merges as long as she's the one communicating, but not affect other participants in a merge—the merged body can have functioning vocal cords, but Neo still won't be able to use them. And I Can Help Them will work for Sable regardless of what combination of bodies she's working out of, but Ruby's Moodier Ring will only express her feelings from a merge when she's actively outwardly expressing them. Does that make sense? This is a bit difficult to talk about because the concepts are unfamiliar.

Makes sense and is perfect. Thank you.

♡

Let's see, what else...

There isn't any provision right now for Maya to be a ship and a girl at the same time, but the powers should seamlessly integrate any future solutions you find for that, so hopefully that's okay?

I think it is probably okay. I think the odds are decent we will find someplace with a decent option for "be in multiple places at once", which would be the ideal solution for it, at some point in the fullness of time. We are becoming very difficult to kill, so in all likelihood we will live long enough to find or invent a method. 

Hmm. Do you have any thoughts on things for Neo to spend her points on, other than banking them? Her main "theme", as it were, is shatterable hardlight illusions, but that may be something best copied from a local ability.

That sounds like a kind of magic you could find in lots of possible places, yes. Banking points sounds like a good option, unless Neo (or someone else) wants to request a custom power.

Hm. There is one thing we usually consider a higher-tier expression of her illusion abilities, but could perhaps be a custom power instead. Our... let us call it a headcanon... of what her illusion abilities develop into when taken far enough is that her usual habit of making illusory copies of herself in fights develops to a point where there... ceases to be a fact of the matter as to which is actually the "real" Neopolitan, as opposed to an illusion, and there remains no fact of the matter until such time as there is only one left. Is that the sort of thing that could turn into a custom power? And if so, and if it also (as we suspect) would not fit in a two point budget, is Neo allowed to take additional drawbacks to pay for her purchase of it?

The unique-drawback system is a bit shaky and I don't think it would work to take two unrelated drawbacks, but I could try to come up with something that would depend on A Single Perfect Flaw, if Neo thinks there's anything in that realm that might work. As for that power... I'm not sure how to fit it in among all the other powers that touch on how different selves relate to each other, but I can try!

Hm. we would appreciate it if you could try. Thank you very much. As for the drawback, the best idea I have is something along the lines of the Flaw making it more likely that people fail to consider her or pay attention to her or take her seriously unless either she is in an established romantic relationship with them or she is taking pains to be noticeable?

I see what you mean, and that would make a good drawback, but I'm a little concerned that it would get mind-affecting in ways that would override Nullified, and I'm not sure you're comfortable with that.

Hmm. Very good point. I think... perhaps it just plays on a person's existing tendency toward such overlooking, if there is any?

Yes, that might work better...

I'm not sure it matters, though, because I keep trying to put this power together and it keeps either falling apart, being really expensive, or needing Chaser Six When as a prerequisite.

Ah, alas. Well, we will simply have to build it out of local magics then. Thank you for trying. ♡

I'm sorry I couldn't make it work! It would be a really neat power. I hope you figure it out someday. ♡

Thank you, friend. ♡

I think the only perk or drawback design still in play here was contemplating a triage option for Sable. Do you remember anything else?

I don't think so!

Can you say more about what good triage for Sable looks like?

The specific goal is to force some kind of balance in terms of time spent focused on helping people vs time spent focused on relaxing with loved ones or cuddled cozily against us while reading a book. Work-Life Balance, to borrow the corporatism.

Well, Time Enough For Love should already help a lot with that, but hmm, maybe I can come up with something even better...

We believe in you, notebook-friend. ♡

I'll try my best! ♡

Maya tweaks the shared build a bit further, bumping Like Roses up to A, as it is a prerequisite for Ruby's Moodier Ring, along with Breathe Easy, Warmhearted, Soundtrack, Battle Maiden, and Gloryseeker on the basis of rounding out defenses and adding a little additional comfort.

Ah, I realize we forgot to attend to Hailey's drawback.