๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
SENDING CRYSTAL
PASSING NOTES
IN PERSON
PASSING NOTES
IN PERSON
ty for your patience (I say as I'm about to go on a trip)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
overharrowed
2024-08-01 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's not not concerning, and he doesn't try to gloss over that. But on the other hand, he's not recoiling. He seems to want to understand.]
I'll be honest. It sounds more like a curse than any sort of magecraft, sanctioned or unsanctioned by the Chantry. Something happening to you, rather than something you're doing.
[Which is not wonderful news, in that curses can be complicated to break. On the other hand, it seems unlikely that she's possessed. Possible โ rifters complicate things โ but it doesn't seem like the way that sort of thing usually manifests.]
To make sure I understand: The tendrils are destructive while they last, but regardless of whether they reach a target, they dissipate on their own. How long, approximately, do they last? Just a best guess is fine.
I'll be honest. It sounds more like a curse than any sort of magecraft, sanctioned or unsanctioned by the Chantry. Something happening to you, rather than something you're doing.
[Which is not wonderful news, in that curses can be complicated to break. On the other hand, it seems unlikely that she's possessed. Possible โ rifters complicate things โ but it doesn't seem like the way that sort of thing usually manifests.]
To make sure I understand: The tendrils are destructive while they last, but regardless of whether they reach a target, they dissipate on their own. How long, approximately, do they last? Just a best guess is fine.
[ โoh... given the out and she didn't even take it?? that's fine, ness isn't feeling any particular type of way about that. certainly not touched in any weird way. ]
Oh, Abby, I saw your name in the assignments! I'm a recent arrival, yes. But I promise I'm not going to be an idiot about it, I've already done a lot of research and I'm working on getting my feet under me in Diplomacy, I won't be a bother!
[ a small pause as ness thinks of something to sayโi'd prefer to give people as few reasons to roll their eyes at me as possibleโand then adjusts, because perhaps that is unkind to newly-arrived abby, who may have had quite a few eyes rolled at her. ]
I'm sure I'll say something dumb eventually, no amount of research could forestall that forever. I'd just prefer it be later than soon!
Have you been here long?
Three years!
[ she tries not to sound excited, because no matter what abby says it doesn't seem right to be excited about someone being rent from their previous home and stranded somewhere for three entire years with no sign of ever being able to return. for anyone not in ness' position, that's a hard pill to swallow. ]
That's such a number of years, and in a time of conflict such as this—you truly enjoy it? I had hoped to be able to make a home here myself, but liking it I had assumed would have to come after the war ended.
Oh, somewhere not all that different from here, really. Faerรปn wasn't currently at war with a megalomaniacal lich god-king when I was snatched up, but it wouldn't have been unheard of. Truthfully, it hasn't been that difficult an adjustment period in most ways.
[ a curse... does that feel right? ness frowns, but considers the idea carefully. she certainly isn't trying to do any of this, but neither has she encountered anyone who could or would have cursed her, recently. the mindflayers wanted her for their parasite, so they'd have had no reason to do anything like that to her, and the githyanki were too keen on murder to bother with anything protracted.
still, an actual enchanter would know better than she would. it's as good a theory as she's got for now. ]
It feels like an eternity, [ in the way the worst things always do, ] but it can't be more than a few seconds. No more than ten, if that.
[ Itโs a surprisingly interesting etymological difference, as far as Strange is concerned. So thereโs a sharp attentiveness as he listens: it might not matter as such, but heโs meticulously filing that away regardless in the part of the mental rolodex now titled Ennaris and her world. ]
So it sounds, [ he muses, ] as if all mages here would be considered sorcerers by your definition. Either theyโre born with the capacity or theyโre not, is that right?
Where Iโm from, [ a gesture of a hand, a tap of his scarred fingertips on her stack of books, illustrative, ] studious application will get you to magic. People might have a predilection for it or a familial lines particularly gifted with it, but strictly speaking, anyone can learn it. Fairly democratic, that way.
[ Itโs evident by the warmth in his voice: he likes that about sorcery. The personal control, the direct cause and consequence. If you pour enough time and effort into a thing, you can master it. Ten years of medical school, and you can become a doctor. Most of a year of frenzied effort and reckless study and lack of sleep, and you can become a sorcerer. ]
So it sounds, [ he muses, ] as if all mages here would be considered sorcerers by your definition. Either theyโre born with the capacity or theyโre not, is that right?
Where Iโm from, [ a gesture of a hand, a tap of his scarred fingertips on her stack of books, illustrative, ] studious application will get you to magic. People might have a predilection for it or a familial lines particularly gifted with it, but strictly speaking, anyone can learn it. Fairly democratic, that way.
[ Itโs evident by the warmth in his voice: he likes that about sorcery. The personal control, the direct cause and consequence. If you pour enough time and effort into a thing, you can master it. Ten years of medical school, and you can become a doctor. Most of a year of frenzied effort and reckless study and lack of sleep, and you can become a sorcerer. ]
Alright. That's obviously still distressing, but I think it's manageable.
[He doesn't say we've had worse, but possibly he does think it. Regardless.]
I've brought a substance called magebane, if you'd like to try it while we're working on a more permanent solution. I'm not going to insist, partly because it sounds like you have at least a bit of warning to get away from bystanders, and partly because I'm not entirely sure how it would affect you, as a rifter. For native mages like me, it dampens the ability to use magic temporarily. If your condition is drawn from a connection to the Fade in some way, it's possible the magebane could give you a bit of a reprieve. But if it's not something you want to risk without knowing how it works, that's understandable.
[He doesn't say we've had worse, but possibly he does think it. Regardless.]
I've brought a substance called magebane, if you'd like to try it while we're working on a more permanent solution. I'm not going to insist, partly because it sounds like you have at least a bit of warning to get away from bystanders, and partly because I'm not entirely sure how it would affect you, as a rifter. For native mages like me, it dampens the ability to use magic temporarily. If your condition is drawn from a connection to the Fade in some way, it's possible the magebane could give you a bit of a reprieve. But if it's not something you want to risk without knowing how it works, that's understandable.
[ as it becomes clear that stephen's actually listened to her, not just heard but listened, ness' smile grows. it's not that she's not used to an adult who actually pays attention or anything like thatโshe's just a consummate teacher's pet, and she loves an opportunity for a one-on-one with an educator who gives a shit. ]
That's right, [ of all mages here being sorcerers to her. ] And where I'm from, you and all the other sorcerers of your world would be considered wizards. I've never thought of wizardry that way, [ musing, a little taken with his clear affection for the practice, ] democratic. It's a somewhat prohibitive field to get into, in Faerรปn, even if open to everyone in theory.
[prohibitive, and not a field she'd ever given much mind to, as she'd shown only the barest of aptitudes for it and never wanted to bother anyone questioning about it. if she'd shown an interest, there would have been no shortage of those in candlekeep who could have taught her, but without initiative of her own, no one was going to take time out of their schedules to force her.
kind of a shame now in hindsight, given the givens. ]
How did you come to its study? If you don't mind the question, I don't mean to pry.
[ distressing, but manageable. despite herself, despite her difficulty trusting his word just a moment ago... ness can't help the way her shoulders lighten and her breath comes a little easier. she doesn't know the enchanter at all, certainly not enough to trust his word just like that, but it's such a relief to have someone who knows more than she does look at her and say "we can work with this".
this isn't the worst case scenario. she's not beyond help. the professional in the room isn't panickingโhell, he hardly looks flustered. she's going to be okay.
she's going to be okay.
relief very nearly turns into incoherent blubbering, but ness pulls herself together by her fingernails, scraping up the last dregs of her composure with a gulping deep breath and the determined expression of one about to attempt a marathon for the first time. ]
Thank you, [she says, without a single falter, ] I think I'd like to try the magebane, at least to see. Could it be, maybe, could I take it just when I can feel the squirming start? I could try it now, to see what happens, if you'd prefer to be around the first time.
[ hmm. she's not averse outright to bunking with a stranger, but... perhaps before that she can see what other options she has.
regardless, she aims a smile and a little wave at benedict, happy to free him to get back to wherever else he must be needed. ]
I'll look into that. Thank you for the welcome, Messere Benedict.
Edited (heckin typos) 2024-08-05 18:41 (UTC)
Of course.
[a little wave back,]
Good luck settling in. Shout if you need anything.
[a little wave back,]
Good luck settling in. Shout if you need anything.
Itโs a long story, [ Strange says after a short beat.
But itโs one heโs had to explain often enough in Thedas that the stingโs gone out of it. Back home people generally wouldnโt pry for the Sorcerer Supremeโs history, but here heโs simply another member of Riftwatch, and a study in contradictions: the doctor who became a mage. The mage who became Head Healer, but who still canโt stitch up a cut. The real question is how much does he dump on this poor young girlโs head, when he winces uncomfortably away from anything which might seem like a traumadump.
For now, he settles on: the harmless basics. ]
Magic is democratic once you get there, but itโs also not widely known of; back home, its existence is more myth and rumour and speculation. I had some injuries which science and traditional medicine couldnโt heal, so I sought a magical cure. I found that monastery, and [ this choice of word is purposeful ] wizardry instead, and became voracious about it. Itโs fascinating, going your whole life thinking reality functioned under certain limitations only to discover thereโs always been doors you never even knew existed.
[ Of course heโd wanted to open all of them. ]
But itโs one heโs had to explain often enough in Thedas that the stingโs gone out of it. Back home people generally wouldnโt pry for the Sorcerer Supremeโs history, but here heโs simply another member of Riftwatch, and a study in contradictions: the doctor who became a mage. The mage who became Head Healer, but who still canโt stitch up a cut. The real question is how much does he dump on this poor young girlโs head, when he winces uncomfortably away from anything which might seem like a traumadump.
For now, he settles on: the harmless basics. ]
Magic is democratic once you get there, but itโs also not widely known of; back home, its existence is more myth and rumour and speculation. I had some injuries which science and traditional medicine couldnโt heal, so I sought a magical cure. I found that monastery, and [ this choice of word is purposeful ] wizardry instead, and became voracious about it. Itโs fascinating, going your whole life thinking reality functioned under certain limitations only to discover thereโs always been doors you never even knew existed.
[ Of course heโd wanted to open all of them. ]
Faerรปn, (she says under her breath, frowning. Sounds... oddly familiar? But she can't put a finger on why that is. Weird.
Anyway,) That's good. This place is really different to where I came from, so it took me a while to get used to everything. If you ever have any questions about stuff, you can always ask me.
Anyway,) That's good. This place is really different to where I came from, so it took me a while to get used to everything. If you ever have any questions about stuff, you can always ask me.
From what I understand, most rifters come from places much dissimilar to Thedas. I count myself lucky to have had such an easy transition, I can't imagine how difficult it would be for me to have to adapt to... I've vaguely heard of something called a car, but I have no idea what that is. Sounds terrifying, anyway.
I appreciate the offer, anyway, and will definitely be taking you up on that. Natives can be... a little prickly about some things, I've noticed. Not without cause, [ hastily, Just In Case, ] but sometimes it's easier to ask someone at a bit of a remove, I think.
I'd offer the same in return, but unless you're interested in the cataloguing methods of a library from another world, I don't think I have any information you'd be interested in, honestly.
[ "some injuries", he says, and ness immediately, unsubtly looks down at his scarred hands. if he's worried about insensitive questions, though, none seem to be forthcomingโshe just looks back up to listen as stephen finishes his explanation, her lips part in precursor to a comment, or perhaps a questionโ
and then she shudders forward, wincing. the insistent squirming that precedes a magical outburst has started in her stomach, and this time it's not waiting aroundโ she can feel it already climbing up her trunk, lashing toward her anchor hand: it's been moving quicker ever since the magebane. like it knows that she can cut it off now, and it doesn't want to give her the opportunity. ]
Sorry, [ she gasps, ] one second!
[ there's a vial of magebane in a pouch on her belt, but it's hard to call up the dexterity for clasps and flaps with her off-hand while simultaneously trying to stave off a tentacled maelstrom in the other. ness fumbles at the pouch, holding her breath like somehow that might keep the outburst from manifesting. ]
I think that's a place to begin. We'll need to experiment a bit, probably, to see how fast you need it to act, but I think "when you first feel the sensation" is a reasonable starting place.
[He retrieve a small flask from the bag he's brought with him. The glass is semi-transparent, hinting at a liquid with a reddish hue and a slightly viscous consistency behind the cork stopper.]
This was originally developed to poison weapons used against mages, so unfortunately it was not developed with taste in mind. [Translation: It's fairly vile.] If you have the time, I might dilute a bit of it in advance. It should be stable in water, and I've heard it's easier to swig a large mouthful with a milder taste than manage a small sip with a stronger bite to it. But that's just for ease of use. In an emergency, you can take a small sip directly.
[He retrieve a small flask from the bag he's brought with him. The glass is semi-transparent, hinting at a liquid with a reddish hue and a slightly viscous consistency behind the cork stopper.]
This was originally developed to poison weapons used against mages, so unfortunately it was not developed with taste in mind. [Translation: It's fairly vile.] If you have the time, I might dilute a bit of it in advance. It should be stable in water, and I've heard it's easier to swig a large mouthful with a milder taste than manage a small sip with a stronger bite to it. But that's just for ease of use. In an emergency, you can take a small sip directly.
Certainly, [ agreeing, immediately, to whatever julius suggestsโexperimentation, of course, look how biddable she is, so easy to work with. she accepts the vial, examining its contents as best she can in the low light.
for a poison, it looks fairly innocuousโno sickly green hue, like in illustrations, nor any sort of... palpable malevolence. for something called magebane, it's not very frightening. ]
I see, [she says, closing her first around the vial and holding it close to her chest. ] And small sips should do it, then, no need to drink the whole thing? How long do its effects last? Do we have an abundant supply, or should I be rationing?
[ hang on, actually, more importantlyโ ]
What would happen if I were to take too much? If I did, could that be counteracted in some way? Is there a maximum amount I should ingest within a certain period?
[ rip ness you would have loved to be a medicinal research chemist. ]
[ An eyebrow raised, Strange leans slightly away but watches the girl fumble and reach for her pouch, professional concern crinkling his brow. He canโt tell what Ennaris is scrambling for, but it has the slightly familiar frantic rush that heโd associate with grabbing medication to avert a seizure, or an allergic reaction. It has that look to it. ]
Are you alright?
[ He is, after all, the Head Healer— ]
Are you alright?
[ He is, after all, the Head Healer— ]
Page 2 of 6