voice, un: strange

[rehandle]

To whoever might find this useful, I'm now the patron-by-proxy of all Ephes' magic users.

From what I can tell they're all very eager to help in whatever their patron might ask of them, and given how many people that accounts for there's a fair chance that if there's something you need done, I'll have somebody for the task.

What I don't have is a lot of money. [ And doesn't he just sound thrilled and not at all resentful about it. ] Should anyone wish to be so kind, I wouldn't turn down any generous donations made in the interest of the betterment of the citadel's magical community.

[ Public service announcement and desert-dry plea for somebody, anybody to give him some cash aside, that's everything, and he almost cuts it there - but actually, he'll need to get a sense for this sooner or later, so: ]

While I have your attention, it would be useful to know everyone's current stance on Messalina.

Comments

[rehandle]

Controlled exposure, experimentation. I'll need to sit with you, see what leaks passively, ideally have you sample some spellwork.

[matermali]

[ 'Experimentation'. There's a drawn-out silence before she responds much more quietly. ]

'Controlled' how? I will not be locked away or chained. I have already suffered a doctor's torture disguised as 'experiments', and I would sooner die than repeat any of it.

[rehandle]

—No.

[ Quick, firm. That's not what he means, and he doesn't want that impression lingering. Doesn't want her afraid when she's coming to him for his help. His voice after that contains the apology for her experience that he doesn't say in words, opting instead not to make her dwell on it, to assuage her concerns as quickly as possible. ]

Controlled as in intentional. At your pace, volume of power amplified or reduced at my request, not just released all at once or not at all. Magical experimentation - I'd be working on spells as we go, trialing them against your magic, seeing what fits.

[matermali]

[ If there are no white rooms or icewater tubs then she'll manage fine. It's become difficult not to assume the worst with men, really. She did still come to him, so she shouldn't immediately turn away his ideas, but some things are too risky. ]

What I am is not what you are expecting. This power comes from evil; it spreads only pain and death. It isn't something to be summoned without risking everything.

[ Her sigh is silent, but it's there. ]

I could show you...a memory of it.