★ OPEN

[magike]

WHO: rowena macleod + guests
WHAT: arrival, quarantine, things around the gallows as she gets situated
WHEN: throughout may
WHERE: just outside of orlais, mostly the gallows
NOTES: cw: injury description, possible talk of death

Comments

[magike]

( she gives him the most deadpan look just to say really? )

I already know that.

( and if she were feeling better she might prove it. or equally not )

Are you unable to use magic or do you simply not know a healing spell?

[portalling]

( A sardonic lift of an eyebrow in turn, bemused. Only one minute in and she’s already sassing him. Bodes well — )

Healing spells aren’t in my personal repertoire, no. There are some mages here with the knack, but only one on-staff who fully specialises. Why, do you?

[magike]

I know many kinds of magic, including healing spells.

( and resurrection too, though that's always a more closely guarded secret. few enough know about her healing unless the situation calls for it -- she's not healing everyone )

It could save you time to learn one.

( which is not her offering to teach it despite the sound )

[portalling]

( The corner of his mouth twitches. A little sharper this time, perhaps a little bit of archness cracking through his usual humour: )

I regret to inform you, it doesn’t work that way. ( Some weariness to his inflection which implies: he must have tried. ) You can study the locals’ magic as long as you like, and you still wouldn’t be able to learn their specific spells. The nature of rifters— what you are, and what I am— inhibits our abilities in peculiar ways. You might find that you’re not quite the same as you started.

[magike]

( she waves off his concern slightly. even though rowena had seen her magic weaker than expected, she had assumed it was because of her injuries rather than her environment. she'd later blame her resurrection, and then dive into a research spiral on it.

but it wasn't anything that she wanted to discuss with him, even if he had saved her life. he was still a stranger. and perhaps not even a competent magic user )

What is in your repertoire?

( it was easier to bring the topic back to him and his knowledge. judging someone never hurt )

[portalling]

( He can feel that judgment sinking on him like oil pressed over water, weighing on his skin, and his expression remains just a breath away from an eyeroll about it. Half-joking: )

What is this, a job interview?

( Still. Strange takes the answer seriously, at least: )

These days: protective shields, eldritch weapons, blasts of magical energy, some telekinesis. Something akin to astral projection but which isn’t. It’s a bit of an arcane grab-bag, I like to remain versatile and have several tools at my disposal. You?

( Because if he’s going to be pressed about his repertoire, he’s going to be curious right back. )

[magike]

( rowena frowns slightly as he rattles off his list, because it's certainly a list, but it's also certainly very specific )

It's magic, dear, give me a grimoire and I can do anything.

( she's known (and feared) as being one of the most powerful witches for a reason. even those that had never met her had heard of some kind of reputation about her. shockingly, in her eyes, she'd never tried to make a splash when she'd been in hiding most of her life.

he could easily point out that she didn't have a grimoire with her, rowena knew, but she also didn't intend on listing every spell she was capable of from memory. it was too long a list, and magic was a flexible and moldable as it required words and ingredients )

Why has a doctor never learned a healing spell?

[portalling]

( Don’t get annoyed at your patient, don’t get annoyed at your patient, remember the bedside manner —

— nope. Strange gets annoyed at his patient. So there’s more acid in his voice when he replies, )

‘Anything’ is optimistic. I’m sure you’re very impressive and the exception to the rule and you won’t experience any setbacks here whatsoever.

And (it’s none of your business, he almost says. It’s a thing he’s touchy about, and he’s not going to get into the minutiae of how healing magic worked or didn’t in an Earth which isn’t theirs anymore. His patience for explanation is starting to run low. ) it’s besides the point. How are you feeling? How would you rank your pain on a level of 1-10? Do you need more painkillers?

( Cutting back to the brisk professional questions, the basics, the checkup. )

wrap it? 💖

[magike]

( she rolls his eyes at his lack of an answer, taking it as the fact that he either never bothered or magically wasn't capable of it. maybe you shouldn't have bragged about your other magic, sir )

I was stabbed and almost died.

( the fact that had dreamed that and was brought back to life with an injury she'd already died from she is leaving out )

I'm not certain 1-10 works for that.

( she'll just be grumpy if he won't talk magic with her )

And since I can't do anything while I recover-- ( a politer witch would ask for a book ) Let me sleep.

🎀

[portalling]

Fine. ( A politer sorcerer could offer the reading material himself, some entertainment while she recuperates. They're not exactly starting on the best footing.

But Strange does pause on his way out, and sets a small handheld metal bell on Rowena's bedside table, the kind the lady of the house might pick up and ring to summon the servants. It's handing her a potentially annoying tool, but it's still a useful accommodation, a stopgap if she's not even going to ask for more painkillers. ) Ring this if you wake up in pain or need anything else. Myself or one of the assistants will answer.

( And then he's gone. )