>>376224
"Guilt? Is it guilt? That's a heavy metaphorical lump in the chest that also feels physical, I think. Weird, why is this shit always in the chest and stomach instead of the brain? No wonder Samurais thought their heart was where their intestines were. They should've aimed higher. Don't go committing Sepuuku now, ya hear? Point is, I know I'm here for some reason, probably to have a meaningful conversation with you, so spill the beans and all of your emotions. The Raven just wanted to chill and talk with that Poe guy but he kept being so insecure about his problems all he could here was 'NEVERMORE! NEVERMORE! NEVERMORE!' I take it the Kinsley clan doesn't have good therapy, or health insurance for that matter, so let's get it out of the way. I think those Griswalds, or Grimwoods have decent health care, or whatever the german half of Tiff's family is again, crows are good with faces, not names. Don't let them have that advantage and keep this shit bottled."

>>376239
These questions I think are still applicable for the new post that got posted in the same minute.

>>376238
Man that's not true, he's been a real help with Tiffany. If it weren't for him, she'd never have gotten here.

>>376238
"Is this because your dad is an ass and yelled at you? Because he yelled at you because he's an ass."

>>376238
"Eh, you're not really supposed to be anything other than a burden until you're fully trained anyway. That's the point of training, right, to turn useless people into useful people."

Mulder 2011/12/30(Fri)16:21 No. 376289 ID: c44286
File 132529089725.png - (116.03KB , 800x800 , 610.png )

"Man that's not true, your dad's just an ass."

>"No, it's true."

"If it weren't for you, Boss would never have gotten here."

>"Yeah? While doing that I lost the amulet."

"Everyone makes mistake, bro. Like me that one time, oh boy. I tell you, stay away from bluejays man."

>"It's not just that. I fail at everything I do. I can barely do magic, I'd never have become an apprentice if my dad hadn't pulled some strings."

"You seemed to do all right helpin Boss bind the dude."

>"Hah. That's just the bloody icing on the cake. Think helping Tiff with that was the right thing to do? Not many do. Honestly I can't do a bloody thing right."

>>376289
"Hey, it doesn't matter what other people think. Doesn't matter much what I think either, really. No denying you did that job right, even if some might not like that you did it. Just because you get given a hard time for some stuff doesn't mean a thing."

>>376289
"Ya don't need me ta tell you did the right thing. Ya don't need anybody tellin' ya that. You know it, and s'what matters.
Yer problem's got all these people giving ya crap fer not doing what they want, an' they ain't all nice people. They wish the boss died 'cause her bein' here's all inconvenient for 'em.

Ya did great when ya did what ya felt was right. Maybe yer problem is what they say ain't what ya wanna be doin'."

>>376289
Good will come of it, don't you worry.

>>376289
"Eh, screw 'em. You came through for Boss when it really mattered. You think she'll forget that? I can count the people in this clan she actually thinks well of on one claw, and one of those is now a toasted eyeball buffet."

>>376299
I think Gareth's dad pushed him to become a mage and into a specific field of specialization.
We need to find out what his stats are so we can figure out what he would actually be best at.

"Hey, ya know those magic stats things? Power an' control an' stuff? What're yers?"

>>376303
Good idea, let's ask him what his scores are!

>>376289
"You helped save her Dad's life regardless, he's in your debt as much as he is to Tiffany. Peoples' opinions will always differ regarding controversial decisions, so hey, don't worry about what others think. Some good came out of this and might end up good or bad in the long run, it's too early to think you did something wrong for that decision. Do you enjoy magic, the stuff you can manage to anyway? Do you enjoy being an apprentice? Maybe your not meant to be one, or maybe you are, who knows? Just saying magic ain't it's all cracked up to be, it's presence in the world has screwed up Boss's life so much she's had no choice but to adapt and try and use it. You? Dude, you can be a carpenter or like a writer or something instead, try some shit out. You don't want to feel useless, go out and create some shit man."

Mulder 2011/12/30(Fri)18:09 No. 376325 ID: c44286
File 132529734130.png - (131.78KB , 800x800 , 611.png )

"Hey, you saved Boss' dad's life. He ain't gonna forget that, and neither will Boss. You're just about the only other Kinsley Boss thinks is worth salt."

>"Worth his salt."

"Yeah that. But you did a good thing, no matter what people think. You know that and that's what matters."

Gareth remains silent.

"And who says you gotta be a wizard anyways? Man, Boss got no choice, but you do. You could be a carpenter or a lawyer or a writer or anything, man."

>"I can't. I have obligations."

"Says who? Yer dad?"

>"Well, yes."

"Do you wanna be an apprentice?"

>"I guess."

"You enjoy doin magic?"

>"Well- I dunno. Some of it's pretty interesting but- I just dunno."

"So you think you'll get to learn the interesting stuff with your master?"

>"Dunno. I haven't started my apprenticeship yet."

"D'ya know what speciality yer aimin for?"

>"Not really."

"Well, what're your stats like?"

>"Huh?"

"Stats, like power and syncroniousity. Ity. And stuff."

>"Oh that thing Duncan's working on? Never took the test."

>>376325
Duuuuude! You gotta take it! Tiffany got some awesome score on it, maybe you will too!

>>376325
"Might as well. Might learn something about yourself, and if you don't like the results- well, apparently it couldn't even measure Tiffany right so you can call the whole thing a load of crock."

>>376325
About the whole "Becoming an apprentice for your Dad" thing, you could just, like, disobey him. Is he going to beat a grown man for making his own decisions? Go "I have no son."? That hurts, but if a man is having an identity crisis about his skills you kinda have to go through that. He could come around, I imagine having a kid brought some form of joy to his life, and when his time comes, if he isn't a horrible person and hasn't come around by then, he would like to see you for some sort of closure. There's no point in being something you're not, it's like trying to ram through a brick wall. And ramming your skull through a brick wall can make it go crazy.

Your life will eventually become your own even if you don't listen to the advice. It's inevitable, you and your father aren't the same person and you will grow more and more apart as you become more of a man and he can't control you. So, if you don't listen to this advice, still try and pick up a few useful hobbies and skills not related to magic, for when that time comes and your father isn't a big part of your life anymore. This could be a dead-end job with no satisfaction by then.

Take the test. Learn something about your usefulness, it's better and accurate than abstract life coaching from an avian who just knows this shit from sappy movies Boss has watched in the past. Memory floods in and shit, man.

>>376325
"Well, lets go do that! Sitting here feelin bad ain't gonna get ya feelin better, and yer stats might letcha know what you'd be good at.
'sides, Duncan's a good guy. He might even have eyeballs for us!"

"Might as well take it, got nothing to lose. But hey, there's other things than magic. Do what you can with your apprenticeship and all that - and what you can's probably more than a little, considering what I seen you do so far, but do what you can and spend some more time doing whatever, try some non-magic things, figure out what your passion is. Can't hurt much."

One of Two Mulder 2011/12/31(Sat)18:42 No. 376657 ID: c44286
File 132538575021.png - (96.11KB , 800x800 , 612.png )

"Duuuuude, you gotta take that test man."

>"Why?"

"Because! It'd open a whole new world of possibilities, man! You could, like, learn stuff about yourself you never knew!"

>"Already know I suck, don't need Duncan telling me that too."

"C'mon man, if you flunk it who cares, like you ever need to show it anyone. Hell, even Boss' results were a little wonky, you can just call the whole thing a crock!"

>"Why'd I take a test if it's just a load of bee es?"

"It could still tell ya about your skills and strengths and all that."

>"I dunno."

"You wanna live under yer dad's shadow all yer life? Not his literal shadow, mind. That'd be creepy. 'specially if you started dating. But you gotta live your life for yourself, man. So what's yer dad gonna do if you disobey him? Go all "I have no son" on ya? For a grown man makin his own decisions? Screw that and screw him. 'sides, you ain't never gonna make him proud if you don't man up and stand up for yerself. And even if he turns out to be a total dimwit and never comes around, good riddance, wasn't worth it anyway. You just gotta live your own life man. Live your life to the MAX!"

>"That's pretty good."

"Thanks. Got it off TV."

>"Figured."

"So you'll do it?"

>"I guess I will."

"Good on ya, brah."

>"Cigarette?"

"No fuckin way man."

Two of Two Tiffany 2011/12/31(Sat)18:57 No. 376662 ID: c44286
File 132538662234.png - (98.72KB , 800x800 , 613.png )

The watercooler gurlged in the empty room. Tiffany welcomed the change.

Owen spoke with the doctors when they arrived. Still in surgery. Unlikely to walk again.

Waiting room. Office. Sandwiches from the deli. The doctor had gone somewhere. Owen had gone to make a call.

They've been gone a long time.

Tiffany's feeling rather sour about being left behind.

Goddamnit, I can't just sit here and do nothing! Why the hell can't I just heal his leg? Goddamnit. And what is this goddamn thing?

Tiffany pulls out the offending object from her pocket. The cellphone had been digging into her hip. On a whim she opened it.

Huh. There's a number saved on here.


It's Martin.

I really shouldn't.

>>376662
Wait until the doctors are done before you start looking into magical solutions. Healing magic might actually be forbidden by the compact under some circumstances.
For example? They might be forbidden to use healing magic in situations that could result in death, and the Kinsley family is obsessive enough that any emergency counts for them.
Or they could have tossed healing magic in with the rest of the necromantic arts and count it as heresy.
Or they may simply have had no healing experts close enough, and now they have to wait until he's released from the hospital before they can heal him without raising suspicion.

You need to ask Owen. Or your demon. Or build up your link well enough so you could have Mulder ask.

As far as Martin goes? Well, what do you have you could say? Without making the Inquisitors suspect?

I'm not opposed to talking with him, but you should be careful about it. Not quite in the sense of 'secretive', either.
Honestly? Text messages are better for this. That way nobody can hear the conversation, and if they find out then they also get a log showing you haven't shared any secrets. Cover your ass, but record everything so when you say you have a right to keep in touch with your other family members they can't even hold any gaps against you.

Talk to Owen about healing magic first, though. The possibility of using healing magic on Dad would be important to allude to in the initial message.

AFTER this phone call, recall that the cimmerian has been listening in on your mind and chimed in when he feels like it. Try to contact him actively, when stuck somewhere boring have him train you telepathically in using your new abilities.

>>376662
Do a bit of meditation and check out how your mental landscape has changed.

>>376662
>I really shouldn't.
Indeed you shouldn't. Nor should you let anyone know you have that number- it could get you in a lot of trouble with the clan, who already think ill of you. If they found out that you'd actually been communicating with a Rothwald... saying that it would go over poorly is a massive understatement.

Instead, contact the Cimmerian. Ask about healing magic. Also, ask why, if you can supposedly see magic now, you weren't able to see whatever illusion Owen must have had over his Eye to cover it, if he's really an Inquisitor. What magic can you supposedly see? Where is the power you were promised? You need information, and all the Cimmerian's earlier words about not being able to teach you magic because blind painters and crap no longer seem to apply, if what he told you is true.

>>376706
I agree. It would suck if you became really bitchy with all that power. That would be pathetic. Take a chill pill....

Then check if Martin is still alive. Didn't the council say that an entire Rothwald Containment Team had been killed?

Wait, is Owen actually present. If so, ask him about magic. If not, you could text Martin, but you shouldn't say anything important.

>>376741
Confidential discussion should not take place over the phone. It is possible that the family has some way of detecting information transmitted in that manner.

>>376780
You are looking at this from an assumption of innocence perspective; that if they find out she's talking to a Rothwald then they have the burden of proving she did anything wrong.

This is incorrect.

If they find she's been talking to a Rothwald then they're going to assume she's a Rothwald spy. The burden of proof would be on her to show her hands are clean.
Text messages would be stored on the phone. If her communication with Martin was ever discovered they would have a solid record of what was discussed, and Tiffany contend that she was never forbidden from talking to her estranged relatives.

The wonderful thing is that she can ask Owen if it would be a problem if she texts Martin to keep him informed how her and her father are doing, since if it wasn't for him her father would still be a murder suspect.
Owen would have a hard time saying no since that is a completely reasonable request, and since he's secretly an inquisitor that would make her talking to Martin a sanctioned activity.

Tiffany 2012/01/01(Sun)11:43 No. 376799 ID: c44286
File 132544698705.png - (124.01KB , 800x800 , 614.png )

Damnit. If I did and the clan finds out... not worth it. I'm gonna ask Owen about it.

Tiffany bites her lip. The faint taste of blood brings a vivid sense of hunger with it.

Tiffany wonders how much of her anxiety is caused by her new daemon side. Probably more than a little. Maybe it's time to inspect the damage.

Tiffany closes her eyes and tries to meditate.

This would be so much easier if it wasn't for that damn ticking.

Calm down. Focus.

Breathe deep.

Tick

Tick

Tick


Tick



Tick








Tick




I'm seeing something. Dunno what it is tho.

>>376799
Well... That's symbolic. I think the Green Bit is what the Cimmerian gave you. And the Red Bit is You. And the Fire is the Daemon? I think it's still trying to take control. How aggravating.

uh. try to change something. see if theres a part you can manipulate directly.

lets not experiment on our soul just yet...
Continue observing... call out to the cimmerian. Ask him what you are looking at here.

Let's see. If that giant fireball up there is your hufschawhatever, and the red thing is your personal soul, then the green trail off to the left is the Cimmerian's connection and the green stuff on the bottom is... something new trying to connect? Maybe becoming part demon could let you communicate with the place demons come from.

Or maybe it opens you up to get possessed. Maybe we should try to isolate ourselves from that thing down there, and then try to 'look' at what's over to the left.

>>376855

good idea. and let's call him Cimmy.

>>376799
Lets be honest here; we have no idea what we're looking at and we lack the education we need to make an educated guess.
Lets not touch anything and instead ask for a crash course in the symbolism here. We can ask what demons and familiars and such would look like and figure out the rest from there.

Tiffany 2012/01/07(Sat)16:19 No. 378289 ID: c44286
File 132598198215.png - (40.09KB , 800x800 , 615.png )

"CIMMERIAN!"

>"I came as I am called, necromancer."

The green strand expands to fill Tiffany's vision.

>"I'm not deaf you know."

"What am I looking at?"

>"Me. Or a part of me, rather. Which part, I'll leave that for the imagination."

"No, I mean, what was I looking at just now?"

>"Ponies, dollies-"

"Cut the crap."

>"Don't get testy with me, kid. What you were looking at is a mental projection of your 'soul'. The Tuaftia in the center, the Haftsusha above, both connected by the Hanku. Below you see the Maw, or x'kae in my tongue. When I put you to sleep I sealed it, just to keep it from devouring the rest of you."

"What's that white stuff?"

>"Remnants of old spells. Severed, quite recently."

"Are they harmful?"

>"Not as such, no. Mortal magicians, cheap tricksters that they are, could never use them against you. Someone like me, maybe, but if they get close enough for that it hardly matters."

"Ah. The Maw?"

>"Your newest addition. The Eternal Hunger. That which makes daemons, well, daemons. The more it feeds, the stronger it gets, so be careful not to let it overpower you. That would be bad. Interesting for me, but bad for you. With time, you'll learn to control it better."

"You said it'd let me see magic the way you do."

>"Yes. That'll be one of the first things you can do when you learn a bit of control. Holding the Maw open just a tad will rouse the Hunger, allowing you to... let us say smell magic. The Hunger will attempt to devour nearby magic, and in doing so it'll reveal it to you. Once you've mastered this, you'll be able to better communicate with your Haftsusha. That ought to make magic a tad easier for you. Direct manipulation, like we do, is still quite a bit further off. Not impossible, mind."

"I see."

>"Anything else, necromancer? Or can I go back to offending the sensibilities of your clanswomen?"

Ask if he'll be able to teach us to make use of the Maw, and if he may be inclined to do so.

>>378289
Ask him if he has any advice on how to start learning how to control the Maw. Aside from that, thank him for not letting you get eaten by it and stuff..

MrTT 2012/01/07(Sat)16:58 No. 378306 ID: 3947e9
File 132598429640.png - (131.22KB , 800x800 , Tiffany Soul.png )

"*giggle* they are so easy to rile up, you having fun with them?"

"So that green tendril that connects to my Tuaftia, is it my link to you?" Try following it, see where it leads and if you can look at his soul some.

"Are those a huge bunch of severd spells about the Haftsusha"

"Can I make use of the severed remains of spells around my soul?"

"Thank you for the answers, will you be willing to teach me like this more often?" - obviously we can't do so in person... the clan will dislike it. And I mean tech a lot more, as in, whenever you are sitting in the seat of a car or some such, etc (aka, "you spend X hours getting taught better control"). Call it meditating.

I still say you try to manipulate some of it.

>>378424
manipulate how? what part? for what purpose?

>>378429
Opening the Maw, just a bit, or accelerating the apparent journey of severed spells back up the Hanku to the Haftsusha.

Could the maw actually consume magic if we wish it to? Like to negate an attack? Or is that a bad/dangerous/suicidal idea.

>>378446
Opening it too far will cause it to consume our soul. And it is demon magic and we are currently in a hospital with AN INQUISITOR... so it seems like a terrible idea to start using demon magic in here (unless you mean to feed it on stuff in our soul which is an even worse idea)

Also who said the severed spells are going up?

>>378452
Sounds about right, we should experiment later but not around any inquisitors.

Rather then experimenting with modifying our very soul we could ask the cimmerian the likely result of the things the two of you are suggesting. Magic experimentation is dangerous and as long as we have willing teachers we can avoid it.

Oh, and in addition to following the green string from cimmerian, take a closer look at the Haftsusha, it seems like a rather complicated structure compared to the others.

>>378289
He says he sealed it- how does this seal work? Is he maintaining it, or does it stand alone? Will it need reinforcement or some other kind of attention in order to keep the Maw in check in the long term?

After we started devouring the fragment, the hunger was controlling our actions- but before that, when we were still awake, our thoughts were filled with suspicion and violence, as well as hunger. That was the influence of the fragment we devoured, presumably- but can we expect more of the same to come from the Maw, not just hunger but general aggression, hatred, and bloodlust? Will we constantly feel tense and frustrated like we currently do? How can we sort out what emotional influences are natural and which are being imposed on us?

Aside from that, we need something to practice. Preferably something relatively basic and safe, that will let us build up the control and skill needed to resist and manipulate the Maw properly. How do we go about starting this?

No matter how much of a dick the Cimmerian is, he's providing fairly invaluable assistance here and probably saved us from getting killed, so thank him for his help before he leaves. Part of our shortness with him is probably imposed by the inhuman influences inside us, too.

Tiffany 2012/03/21(Wed)17:19 No. 394787 ID: c44286
File 133237554366.gif - (2.25MB , 800x800 , 616.gif )

"I guess trying to open the Maw now would be a bad idea, what with the inquisitor around and all."

>"Good call."

"So could the Maw actually eat magic? Like, to negate attacks?"

>"In theory. Attacks are too fast and too powerful for that. It's a matter of relative power, see. If a spell is so strong that you can't defend yourself against it, but your Maw would be, that means the Maw would be strong enough to devour you. Catch my drift?"

"Lunch, got it."

>"Good girl."

"Are those huge chunks of spells around my Haftsusha?"

>"Nope, but you're not far off. That's the stuff spells are made of. A pristine form, even. Primal. Unadulterated by the warped mess you mortal types call magic."

"Oh."

The red and white dance of the Haftsusha was mesmerizing. The ebb and flow of raw power, so close. Tiffany felt a longing for the warmth.

"Can I take a closer look?"

>"Knock yourself out. Just... keep it real. Keep yourself to yourself, y'know what I'm sayin'."

When Tiffany demanded to know what he meant, his presence had faded. She hadn't noticed how close she had gotten to the source of her power. The heat blasted at her, reminding of the pottery kilns they had back in school. It had always fascinated her how such a soft material could be baked to be hard as steel. Tendrils of primal energies wafted away from the arcane furnace, almost close enough to touch.

>>394787
Don't touch- keep yourself to yourself. Back up a bit and circle around it. Try and control your Tuaftia- imitate the motions of your Haftsushsa. Try and establish communication this way.

Touch.

>>394787
Don't touch it, or let any tendrils touch you. Just watch it move for a while. There's probably a reason that mortal magic consists of ordering around a blind painter instead of using the paint yourself, and it's probably because trying to paint is incredibly dangerous.

Check out the remains of the severed spells a little, if you can.

stay away. it's like a oven. you don't grab hot things. using your hafusta is akin to wearing thick gloves. it dulls the sensation but also the heat. letting it be handled without hurting yourself.

Don't touch.

warm your little girly feet by it.

>>394787
He didn't say not to touch it. There is likely no danger. Be cautious at first, and try communicating from a distance, but... touching it is probably safe.

Stay smart. Leave it be. Instead take a closer LOOK. That's the difference that makes the particle a wave in quantum physics? The measurment problem?

Tiffany 2012/03/23(Fri)08:25 No. 395191 ID: c44286
File 133251635755.gif - (1.98MB , 800x800 , 617.gif )

Tiffany drew closer to the Haftsusha. The heat seared her skin and hurt her eyes, but she forced herself to stillness. Tangles of arcane energies flowed around her. As the coils unwound around her, she got the distinct impression of being examined. Her skin felt electrified every time a tendril passed near. Being gently caressed by something far greater than her, yet a part of her. The feeling was indescribable.

Suddenly, there was a powerful tug. Tiffany got the sense of urgency and alarm from the spirit, as it tried to pull her closer.

>>395191
Move away, and attempt to disentangle yourself.

>>395191
Uh.

Well. It's US, so whatever it's worried about is probably something pertinent. If that scrying symbol came from outside somehow, try to wake up. If not, throw the Reversal symbol at it paired with the Hook. That would mean 'let go'. You could try putting the Cradle before that, to indicate that it needs to be gentle.

Another worry is that the Maw is pulling on you, and caused the initial tug. The Haftsusha could be trying to keep you away from the Maw. A quick look behind us could confirm that, in which case... we can force the Maw closed or something? We have control over it.

Lastly, the demon said to "keep yourself to yourself" so we shouldn't let the Haftsusha pull us in too close. That'd be bad; it'd probably absorb you or something.

Let it.

>>395197
point, turn around.

allow the fires of your soul to consume you.

Keep yourself to yourself.

>>395191
If you remember, we have amazing awareness but poor understanding. I'm not sure it knows what it's doing. Back off.

>>395280

back off

Tiffany 2012/03/24(Sat)17:31 No. 395616 ID: c44286
File 133263548548.png - (63.24KB , 800x800 , 618.png )

Tiffany resisted the pull, desperately visualizing the Reverse Hook. The Haftsusha maintained the appearance of the Eye rune. As energy danced around Tiffany, the spirit waited. Tiffany repeated the Reverse Hook. With a hint of impatience the Haftsusha let her go.

The sudden drop into reality was not pleasant. It most reminded Tiffany of falling through ice into the freezing waters below. She suppressed a shiver, and tried to get a sense of her surroundings.

Someone had moved her to a couch. The sun was lower than it had been.

There were low voices coming from a little bit away. One was Owen, the other a woman she didn't know.

Damn, I have to stop falling asleep like this before someone gets suspicious.

Okay, you should ask Owen if other mages can do what you just did. If they can, then we should get some advice about what to do when the Haftsusha gets grabby.

You should probably phrase it as if you hadn't actually done it yourself.

>>395616
Get up and ask about your dad.

Tiffany 2012/03/24(Sat)18:47 No. 395626 ID: c44286
File 133264004660.png - (50.66KB , 800x800 , 619.png )

"Where's my dad?"

>The lady: "Oh look, now you woke her up."

>Owen: "Oh don't take that tone-"

>The lady: "What tone?"

>Owen: "Just drop it."

Owen and the lady come over, and he kneels by the couch.

>Owen: "Your dad's out of surgery. We can go see him, but he won't be waking up for another half an hour."

"Is he okay?"

>Owen: "The doctor's did their best. The injury was serious, but they managed to save the leg. It's too early to tell if he'll recover fully."

"Will he be able to walk?"

>Owen: "We... don't know that yet. It'll take time."

Tiffany sat silently for a while.

>The lady: "I'm sorry about your father."

Tiffany suddenly feels a lump in her throat.

"It's all my fault."

>The lady: "Oh you mustn't blame yourself. If Owen and his friends had been keeping better watch this never would have happened."

Owen gave the lady a sour look.

>The lady: "Owen, aren't you going to introduce us?"

Owen's look turned caustic.

>Owen: "Tiffany, may I present the most honorable missus Rosemary Doyle, a solicitor to the clan and a dingy old bat. Dingy old bat, meet Tiffany Kinsley."

>Rosemary: "Lovely to meet you."

"What's a solicitor?"

>Rosemary: "It's a kind of lawyer, dear. I also have the dubious honor of being Owen's mother-in-law, an unfortunate turn of events to be sure."

Owen rolled his eyes.

>Rosemary: "I've been taking care of your and your father's paperwork. I was on my way to Bardsey when I heard of the incident. If there is anything at all I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask."

>>395626
Thank her politely and ask to wait by your dad's side.

>>395626
Wait, ask if she's familiar with Blake family traditions? If so, then law. We need to know our rights in the whole inquisitorial arena.

Yes, it'd be nice to know exactly what legal protections you have.

Say you'd like an overview on the legal stuff, to know how it works.

But right now you'd like to see your dad if it's okay.

Tiffany 2012/06/17(Sun)15:37 No. 423618 ID: c44286
File 133997267656.png - (228.79KB , 1200x800 , 620.png )

"Thanks, but I really need to go see my dad."

>Rosemary: "Certainly. I'll show you to his room."

"Okay. I do have some questions for you, later."

>Rosemary: "Anything specific? This way."

"I kinda want to know what kind of legal rights I have, being a Kinsley and all."

Rosemary gives a brief smile.
>Rosemary: "That's a bit of a heavy topic for one as young as you."

"Please. I need to know this stuff."

>Rosemary: "That's very adult of you. I'll do my best."

"Thank you."

The recovery room was quiet and well-lit. Tiffany's dad was lying on a hospital bed. The only sign of life was the steady beep of the ECG. Tiffany dragged a stool next to the bed and sat down. Owen was leaning against the doorframe, while Rosemary found another seat.

After a while it became apparent that Dad wasn't going to wake up quite yet.

"So... I guess we have time for that legal stuff now."

>Rosemary: "All right. So what do you want to know?"

"I don't know. Some kinda overview would be nice? Also, what kind of legal protection do I have with the inquisitors and all that?"

>Rosemary: "Most of the clan's internal affairs are handled through tradition rather than law, really. I'm not exactly the expert in that. Me and my collegues mostly take care of things for the clan out in the real world."

"Well, could you tell me what you know?"

>Rosemary: "Allright. The family is pretty rich. Real estate, investments, so on. All that is in the care of a trust-"

"What's a trust?"

>Rosemary: "It's a legal term for when some is taking care of someone else's property. Basically there are some businessmen who take care of the family estate."

"Do I get any of that?"

>Rosemary: "Well, yes. As a member of the family, you are entitled to a fixed income. Since you're a minor we were going to release the funds to the care of your father, but with the current situation... Anyway, that was part of the paperwork I was going to go over with you before all this happened."

"Oh."

>Rosemary: "Anyway, membership in the clan isn't, by law, determined by your ancestry. In practice it is hereditary, with some exceptions. Legally, the council can choose to grant or revoke the membership of any individual for any reason. In practice, the council only does that very rarely, on grounds of gross misconduct or-" Rosemary gave a sharp glance at Owen " or what they call heresy."

>Owen: "Oh give it a rest will you."

>Rosemary: "See, the clan has some very particular ideas about what people can or can't do. It's heresy to want to study something that was some half-mad mystic banned a thousand years ago but it's perfectly ok to cut your own eye out, stick a spying device in the hole and go around pretending like nothing happened."

Owen gave a little twitch.

>Owen: "You wouldn't understand."

>Rosemary: "You're damn right I wouldn't understand. Don't you think it's a little bit unfair to keep something like that from one's family? Bit of a shock to find your husband's walking around with a webcam for an eye, and has been since before you were married?"

>Owen: "I don't have to listen to this. I'll be right outside if you need me, Tiff."

Slam.

>Rosemary: "Sorry about that. We don't exactly see eye-to-eye."

"Why were you antagonizing him like that?"

>Rosemary: "He had it coming. It's a personal matter. Anyway, legally the worst punishment the clan has is exclusion. In practice... I don't mean to worry you, they are civilized people and all, but they are a very closed community. They are much more lenient to minors, of course, so you really shouldn't worry."

Ask her if the clan really does only consider physical age when discussing how young this "minor" is. The go back and forth so much, and the shit you've been through is blending the lines of maturity.

You don't even know the difference between what being a child and adult is anymore.

Too bad you're a special case in more ways than one. You need like... A list of banned topics.

>>423618
Ask if there's any chance you can keep your conversation here private from scrying. Then ask if she was the one accused of heresy, since she seems to be rather pissed about inquisitors and isn't in the clan despite being married to a Kinsley.

This could be someone we can TALK to about the heresy issue, since I'm sure we've already done heretical things by now and we plan to do more in the future for certain.

>>423618
"You know, I wasn't supposed to know he's an inquisitor. Now they'll be all in a tizzy about him being discovered
Err... I understand why he had to watch for the inquisitors, and why he didn't tell he is one, but I have to know... Was he just acting nice? Are they so paranoid they need to have a spy play a girl's confidant?"

"What sorts of stuff is heresy?" seems like a safe enough question with this girl.

>>423639
>"You know, I wasn't supposed to know he's an inquisitor. Now they'll be all in a tizzy about him being discovered
There is no reason to show our hand like this.

Instead it would be better to sort of defend him, and potentially elicit more warnings. Something like "he seems nice though" should probably be enough.

Hmm. We've now had Owen's inquisitor identity revealed twice.

When we meet back up with him, and he inevitably tries to apologize, smooth things over, and/or cover things up say something like-

"It's alright. I kind of guessed you were from the way you were talking before."

This should ring true, since it partially is (no need to reveal our real sources). He'll be less mad at Rosemary for spilling the beans (since you already knew), and he might be impressed by our deductive skills, or that we were willing to befriend him knowing what he was (he doesn't need to know about our near homicidal flip-out either).

It's manipulation, but a sympathetic spy set over us is more useful than otherwise.

Tiffany 2012/06/18(Mon)17:05 No. 423907 ID: c44286
File 134006434218.png - (86.91KB , 377x485 , 621.png )

"What's a minor, exactly?"

>Rosemary: "Anyone under eighteen."

"Just physical age then?"

>Rosemary: "On some issues they consider your rank, rather than your age. Student, apprentice, magician, so on. If an apprentice makes an infraction of some kind, the master usually has to answer for it in some way. I understand you've been made an apprentice now."

"Yeah. I don't have a master yet though."

>Rosemary: "Oh? Oh of course, you missed the graduation didn't you. Well, I hope you find good one."

"Thanks. Haven't really had time to think about that."

>Rosemary: "Understandable."

There's a pause.

"If I don't have a master, but I'm an apprentice, what happens if I mess up? I mean, I don't even know the rules yet."

>Rosemary: "Keep away from the inquisitors, and you should be fine. I hear you've got a friend on the council."

"Why are you so pissed off at inquisitors?"

>Rosemary: "Well, the whole idea is repulsive to me. We're UK citizens, we should all obey the same laws. But the inquisitors are a law onto themselves, and the clan goes along with it. It's backwards and barbaric. It turns my stomach. On top of that I have a bone to pick with some individual inquisitors, but that's a personal matter."

"Oh. Were you accused of heresy?"

Rosemary let out a clear laugh.
>Rosemary: "Good heavens no. I'm not a member of the family proper, haven't got a drop of Kinsley blood in me. I'm out of their jurisdiction, if you can call it that. They do love their little rules."

"Oh ok."

There's a longer pause. The ECG slices time into even moments. Tiffany sinks her head into the side of the bed.

"... can you do something to make sure we're not scried?"

>Rosemary: "Sorry, not a wizard, just a lawyer. Owen would do it if you asked I'm sure."

"... No thanks. I'm just... so tired of it. Not knowing who to trust, not knowing what I can say and to whom and it's just becoming a big mess and I don't know what to do anymore."

Rosemary hesitates for a moment, then pulls her chair closer and awkwardly pats Tiffany's back.

"I mean... Everybody I meet is trying to use me or thinks I'm a Rothwald spy or Alexander's minion or god knows what else. I can't trust anybody to tell me the truth, and I don't dare do or say anything because I'll just break some rule nobody told me about and I almost got dad killed and it's all my fault."

>Rosemary: "There there. It's not that bad."

By now Tiffany is openly bawling.

>>423907
Don't forget what happened to your mother.

>>423907
"Whenever it's something bad they act like it's all my fault, but they don't tell me anything or listen to anything I say. They don't care about any of things I'm worried about, even the really important ones.
They don't care about mom! I could save her if I only had a little help, I know I could! I know I don't know much but it's almost enough!
I've lost so much already, I can't lose any more..."

you should be able to find a scalpel in here if you want to slit your wrists. otherwise, man the fuck up already because you're goddamn wizard and that's sweet.

>>423907
It IS that bad! These things are IMPORTANT!

Tiffany 2012/06/19(Tue)12:26 No. 424103 ID: c44286
File 134013401395.png - (7.08KB , 400x400 , 622.png )

It was a strange feeling. Tiffany could feel the emotions, the tears, the guilt, but some part of her was set apart. Distant.

Tiffany could still genuinely feel the grief and fear and everything else. She was crying on her father's bedside, being consoled by Rosemary. She was on the verge of emotional breakdown.


But there was another Tiffany.

That Tiffany was observing her crying self, analyzing the situation. That's what that Tiffany always did. Always watching, looking for the angle. This could be good, a few more tears and I can ask her for anything.

It was a strange feeling. Her feelings were genuine, despite her calculating side. It was as if there were two Tiffanys, yet there was only one. Both sides were just as much Tiffany as the other.

An epiphany came to her. She could let either side become dominant. She could be the emotional young girl, or the cold, calculating magician. She could deaden her emotions, should she wish to do so. The question is, should she?

>>424103
Emotion without a clear head is ineffectual; the emotionally dead aren't living.

Neither should be dominant to the exclusion of the other, but if you are forced to chose there is a single decisive factor:
Alexander chose cold and calculating, while your mother chose emotion.

>>424103
No. Keep a balance going. Without emotion you lose the ability to relate to others and edge towards evil thoughts, but without detachment you lose the ability to think clearly through your emotions.

A duality of mind can be very useful, as well.

You should turn your back on neither- embrace both.

You cannot complete your quest- or likely even survive- if you ignore calculation, or your darker gifts. These are not waters in which little girls can safely swim. At the same time, you cannot forsake your humanity. Alexander has already shown you what lies down that path.

A dead child, or a Bone Queen- you do not want either fate.

Walk the middle path. Your strength lies in superposition. You must juxtapose that which makes you human with that which marks you as other. Balance will be your salvation, and your survival.

Emotion is very useful and should not be forsaken. But if one should rule, it should be logic.

>>424103
Maintain the balance. Living in pure emotion is foolishness, but suppressing it is madness. When you lose touch with emotion you can't gauge the emotions or actions of other and everything will quickly spiral out of control.

Hey, did we ever learn who Alexander's master was here?
And mom's? (Maybe Alexander taught her, but I dunno, I feel like maybe she could have learned here)

These might be additional questions to think about if unanswered.
But girl, yeah, keep the balance. I mean, since when has moderation ever been bad?

>>424103
You need both. Without ruthless logic, you'll get yourself killed by Alexander and these scheming bastard Kinsleys. Without true emotion, you won't be able to effectively imitate the young girl that you have to be in order to gain sympathy and affection from others- and it would be a betrayal of your family, who would be crushed to discover that you destroyed your emotional side in order to pursue power even on their behalf.

>>424140
Yeah! You don't need to choose one, you got SIX OUT OF FIVE on a Magical Potency test. That doesn't even make sense, so you can handle something as simple as having a two facet personality.

why the hell would you want to get rid of either? they're both useful. learn to switch quickly.

One of Six Tiffany 2012/06/20(Wed)14:17 No. 424429 ID: c44286
File 134022703333.png - (84.92KB , 900x400 , 623.png )

No. I can't let myself die inside. But I can't let my emotions get the better of me either. There has to be another way. I have to find balance.

I don't think I have much of a chance with the Kinsleys if I don't keep my guard up, though.

I have to hide my feelings.

Bury them deep.


I'll have to-

Six of Six Tiffany 2012/06/20(Wed)14:18 No. 424434 ID: c44286
File 134022713841.png - (76.57KB , 400x400 , 628.png )

Tomorrow.


I'll do it tomorrow.

>>424434
Burying your feelings would make you like Alexander. It's fine to bury your feelings Tomorrow; Tomorrow is always a day away.