un: man's greatest treasure (text)

[reparo]

[ooc: backdated to Sand In Your Eyes (end of)]

Hello, Hermione here, currently writing this from the exit of Ra'esh's temple.

We've found water for the sandworms in a pool, in a cave. We also found a woman in that cave. Her name was Marath, she was alive, and she was tied to the altar and chained. We've set her free - and if anyone has a word of criticism about that decision, by all means, convince me why any living soul should be chained to an altar and left to rot and to thirst and to die. I'll wait.

Anyway, Marath's people are the ones who occupied Uruksithar. She claimed she was left behind because she warned them not to go into the desert. Once freed, Marath ran (rather athletic for someone of her condition if you ask me) and left myself and Vi locked in the temple.

Don't worry, we're out now. Keep an eye out for Marath, if you can. And don't drink the water from the cave if you make it there, it felt...oozy.

[ooc; If you'd like some context, here you go.]

Comments

audio

[reparo]

[There's a soft sigh, mostly because she's exhausted with all these men and their stupid distrust of every living thing.]

Alright, criticism has been noted. It's true, I have no idea what I've set free, nor the consequences, and I'll live with those - but I would have found it more difficult to live with not taking action, when I saw something cruel happening.

audio

[inferus]

Noted but not learned from. ( Wrath raises an eyebrow. His voice is calm and steady despite thinking to all the possibilities for what has been unleashed upon the desert. And it is possible this woman will be of no harm at all, but her story does not add up. If she were merely human, she would not need to be chained in such a manner, they could have simply left her in the temple or left her behind, and why is it the water strengthened her. When it had a different effect on Hermione and Vi? ) You will live with the consequences even if it means this creature wields destruction against every single mortal it meets, if she destroys the people she claims were hers though they were innocent and simply attempting to find safety? You will carry that with you and live with that, but you could not live with any other potential option?

I should hope you would not let your pride get in the way of at least learning from this experience. You had more options than simply freeing her or leaving her.

audio

[reparo]

[]

[faceblocker]

[ Who are all these fancy sounding men lecturing a grown-ass woman about what she should and shouldn't do what the fucking fuck—

Vi was in on this decision and she's not okay with Hermione taking all the heat. So excuse her while she /elbows into this thread

This guy has some points that drive a little too close to home for Vi so...she's a little more polite than she was to Moran. How dare you make her feel ashamed, how fuckin dare you....strange fancy man. ]

ok i'll bite

what would you have done?

[inferus]

( Wrath had been expecting a response from Hermione, but it appears she no longer wishes to hear the criticism she claimed to invite. His words were meant for both of those responsible for making the decision in the temple. He will not do either woman the disservice of holding back as he would not hold back with anyone else who made a reckless, impulsive decision. If Five had made this choice instead, he is certain the responses would be far harsher from the rest. )

I would have called on those who have experience and the ability to sense magic, supernatural creatures, the undead, those who could see into this creature's mind to determine the truth. There are several among us including myself. This world is capable of twisting what we see and what we hear, and most creatures will do and say anything to be free.

[faceblocker]

[ Back up! Little sidetracked by that little detail. She clearly doesn't know everything her party members are capable of and she doesn't like it. Normally she wouldn't believe such a claim, but she's seen too much weird magic by now to try calling a bluff. ]

what seriously see into people's minds? that's

several? who else can do that?

[inferus]

I won't speak of the abilities of others.

( Many are protective of what they are capable of for good reason. Within his own world, witches are hunted by those who are religious, and it is not his place to speak on the behalf of anyone else. )

However, there is a great deal those within our group are capable of. Many would be willing to use those abilities to help.

[faceblocker]

that's creepy. i swear this should all be posted somewhere if we agree to be in this merry band of misfits, because it's messed up thinking just anyone here could be messing around in our heads without us even knowing it's possible

[ Actually, a roster with abilities would be useful in general. Wouldn't they all work better together if they knew one another's abilities? Look where ignorance got Vi in this scenario, and that's not her fault. She wouldn't have even thought to ask. Hermione what is your excuse. ...Ugh, who cares, these aren't her people. ]

ok fine let's play make believe and say you strolled in and read her mind and learned she was gunning to betray us

what then? kill her while she's still chained up?

[inferus]

There are ways to protect against it. I imagine some may not be comfortable with a roster given many may have experienced being hunted for those abilities. However, it would be wise to have that information available from those willing to share.

( It simply gets complicated. Wrath would not mind placing his own abilities on such a list, but he is also far more difficult to kill than most. )

I cannot say without evidence, and I cannot read minds, but I am able to sense a great deal about someone. It is not betrayal of our group that I am concerned about. I imagine the effects will be felt more by whoever she finds in the desert. Individuals here are not always what they appear to be, and as a group, we must be more cautious, especially in a world which is not our own. ( Mortals tell the story of him as the snake in the garden - while the story is not entirely accurate, the idea that a snake can be far more dangerous than what it appears to be is vital to remember. )

[faceblocker]

[ Long pause before she responds. He's good at hitting the right notes, and it irritates Vi but...more because she was already frustrated with herself for those very reasons. Still... ]

i don't like the idea of rooting around in someone else's mind just because we don't know them. that's too far

[ Even if he can't do it, she's not sure how 'sensing a great deal about someone' is any different. It just sounds like wordplay. Regardless, she's saying this knowing others in the group can do it to her or could have already, but...she said what she said. ]

not that i expect you to share but what are the ways to protect against it?

[inferus]

I do not root around in anyone's mind. Do you consider looking at someone and seeing they have black hair, brown eyes, that they are short or tall as rooting? I can see more than most can, but I see it all in the same instance others see hair and eye color.

( Choice is valuable to him, but his ability to sense aspects of other individuals is not an ability he can turn on and off. It simply is. It may be unfair especially given what others may wish to protect about themselves, but that is another reason he won't speak to the abilities of others.

It is up to them to say or to not. )

There are some items that can aid in protection against mental influence - I imagine some items may exist here. Beyond that, it is a matter of training. Even then, I know how to protect within my world though there are limits to that, but from other worlds... I cannot say how effective it may be.

[faceblocker]

that's great. so fine you don't snoop in people's minds but others here can? we're just supposed to trust that people in this group aren't doing that whenever they want and there's pretty much nothing we can do about it

wish you hadn't told me

[ Distracted from the original lecture he was even attempting... That's Too Much, Man. ]