faderift | [OPEN] Interview With A Mage

WHO: Athessa and you!
WHAT: Talking to Magefriends about Magic and Abominations
WHEN: August; Post-Abomination, Pre-Modplot
WHERE: Around the Gallows
NOTES: none yet

i. colin

It's one of the days that sees Athessa helping out in the apothecary, which means busy hands but a mind free to wander. She's separating the buds from dried, woody stems to place each into jars for their individual uses when she speaks:

"I've been thinking a lot about what happened..."

ii. kostos

This isn't a conversation that is going to happen organically. After reading through some esoteric writings on magic in the library, she gives up for a time and stalks off to find Kostos.

"Oi," she calls to him, jogging to catch up with him. "Got a minute?"

iii. isaac

[ Some late night crystal call when Athessa's eyes get tired of reading ]

Isaac, can I pick your brain a bit?

iv. derrica

[ They've had their fair share of difficult conversations of late, and this one bodes no different. The kicker, of course, is that it's far more personal to Derrica than it is to Athessa, so when the latter seeks out the former, she comes bearing gifts. Little spiced cookies and coffee over ice - does Derrica drink coffee? ]

It's not spice cake, but the flavor is pretty close.

v. wildcard/bring out your mage

[ either hmu on disco or plurk and i'll make a starter for you or wildcard me, whichever! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I don't think so. Apparently the mage that turned wasn't one of ours."

Not that she looks particularly relieved or happy about that fact.

"I wish we could've saved him."

He nods pensively.

"I know what you mean."

Athessa taps her fingers on the corner of her book, catching a short nail on a dent in the binding and fiddling with it idly.

"Do you think we're helping?" She asks, remembering a bygone conversation with Derrica on the sidelines of Eshal's fighting ring. "With the war? We don't exactly have many advantages."

"We're..."

That's a good question, actually.

"...we're not.. not helping." Barrow shoots her a disarming smile. "We're trying to make a difference, aren't we?"

"But is trying enough? Are we succeeding? It feels like every time we have a win, there's a loss waiting 'round the corner to balance the scales again," Her opinion on the matter has changed a bit from the last time this question was considered. When she was in Barrow's position, instead of the one asking.

"I don't think I want the world to go back to the way it was before, which is what I fear happening if the Inquisition is dictating the terms and we're just treating a symptom."

Barrow is silent for a little while, considering what Athessa has said. It's a heavy topic, and a lot to measure out, especially while one is supposed to be resting, but he doesn't begrudge her keeping his brain working.

"Well," he says haltingly, "whatever happens... the world will be like it is." Does that make sense? He's not sure it is.
"I don't think it'll ever stop changing."

Athessa sinks a little into the chair, more leg sticking out over the arm rest. "D'you think it's gonna change for the better?"

"Dunno." He shifts around slightly, getting comfortable, and beckons for the joint again.
"In some ways, probably. In others, probably not." He's not the best person to have at rallies.
"The sky's been falling and we've been all right. And I imagine there are those who won't stop fighting even if Corypheus and the Venatori succeed beyond their wildest dreams. All anyone can do is their best, I think."

She hands it over, not bothering to stay leaning forward in anticipation of taking it back. He can have it for a while.

While he smokes, Athessa watches him with mild scrutiny.

"That's a very...diplomatic mindset."

He puffs contentedly and hands it back. "Maybe I should be running Diplomacy."

"Hmm," she waves for him to keep it. "I doubt Byerly would give up the position. You'd have to run it together."

"Or I could just throw him out the window." He takes another drag.

"...but that's a lot of work, and a waste of a profoundly terrible mustache."

"And he's my friend," she says. But, why split hairs, eh?

"Oh, I'm sure he's fine," Barrow chirps, waving his hand, "I just don't like sharing."

Pshh. Okay, Barrow. Athessa shakes her head, but there's a twist to her mouth that hints at amusement. And a little bemusement.

"So you're just... fine with the sky falling?

He laughs.

"Well," he muses, "not a lot I can do about it personally. And if it falls on me, I imagine I won't be upset for long."

"Don't you ever think like, what if there is something you can do, and you just don't know it?"

He purses his lips, pauses. And shrugs.

"I suppose I'll do it, assuming someone tells me in time."

"Why not try to find it out yourself? If you can do something, but don't know it, and nobody ever tells you, and you never use your power for good, wouldn't you feel a little bit responsible?"

He groans faintly, resting his head back on the pillow.
"Please," he sighs, but with an amiable glint in his eye, "don't push me, I'm very injured."
His thumb scratches under LFT's chin.

Athessa isn't letting up, and though it's an extension of his protest, she's far too earnest for this to not be important.

"Consider it an exercise, then."

"What? Consider what an exercise?"

Edited 2020-08-18 22:11 (UTC)

"Me pushing you."

He laughs a little. "You're supposed to be nice to me."

She doesn't. "And we're supposed to be doing the right thing. Not just waiting for someone else to do it for us."

(no subject)

thereneverwas - 2020-08-18 23:13 (UTC) - Expand

lol byeeee

sulahnan - 2020-08-18 23:40 (UTC) - Expand

thereneverwas - 2020-08-18 23:45 (UTC) - Expand