faderift | Sixteen books on magic spells

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Sixteen books on magic spells

WHO: Hermione Granger and rifters (or anyone who saw her note and wants to chat)
WHAT: Adelaide is having Hermione find out about magic in other worlds by interviewing rifters ~~for SCIENCE~~.
WHEN: Mid-Drakonis and onwards. There's no deadline on acquiring knowledge!
WHERE: The default is Skyhold's library, otherwise note in the subject line if your character would have arranged to meet her somewhere else.
NOTES: Nothing comes to mind; will change if necessary.

Anyone frequenting the library has probably become used to the curly-haired young girl who's claimed a small alcove as her own. She can usually be found sitting in the corner, nose buried in a book as her brow furrows, attempting to bridge the gap between her worldview and that of Thedas'. It's not always an easy task, and sometimes names and dates get jumbled, which is why she can sometimes be found just a few steps away at the nearest table, books and journals and bits of parchment scattered about as she tries to make sense out of all the reading she's done.

Still, what at first glance appears to be a mess is actually rather organized, and for however engrossed she seems to be in her work, she's always been happy to talk to new people. After all, each conversation counts towards research, even if it isn't in the particular field she's been asked to study. Go ahead and ask around for her if you don't know where to find her; chances are she's hard to miss, and many will be able to point out the inquisitive rifter if she happens to be around.

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"No less than half a dozen, by my count," Hermione reveals, "and that's only going by those who've conceded to an interview. There's no telling if any two or more of those individuals are from the same world - that sort of thing is hard to tell unless two people happen to know one another or tell the exact same story from the exact same perspective - but at least half a dozen sounds about right, considering the non-natives I've spoken to outside of an interviewing capacity."

Shuddering a little, Hermione mutters, "There's a reason Imperio is one of the Unforgivable Curses." In explanation, she adds, "It's a curse that allows someone to take over the mind of someone else, usually without their knowledge. It's awful, really, but then, it's no worse than the other two, depending on one's point of view."

Glancing down, she admits, "We've just come out of a war. I'll agree that Imperio is awful, but... there are also curses entirely devoted to torture and death. Those aren't exactly fun, either." One of them, she knows from an all-too personal experience.

“That sounds like a good start… it wouldn’t surprise me if there was more, as well, but it may take time to get all of their stories. Still, you’ll eventually be able to compare the worlds, perhaps start to recognize them when people are from the same ones…” It’s a time-intensive process, he can tell, but undoubtedly, worth it for what they’ll learn. Perhaps a common reason why they’re all drawn here, based on their worlds, a connection. Who knows?

Kain shudders a little. “I’m sorry that’s a spell on your world as well… Nothing is worse than losing your willpower. Nothing.” He clenches his fists a moment, thinking of that more, before slowly unclenching them.

He dreads to think what might be worse or as bad as mind-control, when she mentions what the other curses are. “Those spells… it’s truly awful to consider that anyone would put them to use on another. Though I’d say death is merciful compared to the others.” Not exactly a pleasant fate, either, but even so. “War brings out the absolute worst in everyone, especially those given over to the darkness. Back home, we’d likewise been fighting for a long time… and then... there was the war in the other world I was in before I came here.” He hasn’t even gotten into the war of the gods, yet, figuring he’d focus more on the magic from home first.

"Oh, I'm sure there are more," Hermione tells him. "But I don't exactly expect all of them to be forthright. There are certainly more than enough reasons to want to hide their origins or distrust a sign on a bulletin board, and I'm not going to force it out of them. So long as people eventually come to know that there's at least one person they can go to if they care to talk about their homes, I'll keep that notice up and make myself available."

Noting his reaction to the Imperius Curse, Hermione pauses for a moment before softly remarking, "I take it you have personal experience with it." It's not a question, because a question requires response, and she certainly isn't expecting any sort of response in regards to something as sensitive as that.

"War does ugly things to people," she murmurs, not quite making eye contact. "The main reason the Killing Curse is so feared, though, is because it can't be blocked. It's one thing to die. It's another thing entirely not to be able to defend yourself... or to even see your death coming."

"Right... it may not be easy for everyone. Perhaps in time, they'll see good reason to talk." It's only practical to do so, at least that's what Kain had figured when he'd come here. He's a lot more reluctant to share his more personal matters, of course, but when it comes to the basics of his world? Yeah, he's more than willing to provide details.

Speaking of personal matters... well... Kain does pause for a moment, taking a deep breath. He'd not gone into the full extent of it when he'd originally brought up Zemus and the mind control, and wasn't so sure he was going to. But now... well... He merely nods. "And I ask that you keep no record of that fact." Hermione doesn't seem like she'll go around blabbing about this to anyone, though. "To subvert another's willpower is a deeply terrible transgression. I wouldn't wish the experience on my worst enemy."

"Can't be blocked? Hmmph. That's cheating." It's no wonder it's something considered dark and unforgivable. To Kain, a fair fight is everything, a code he always abides by, even affording this respect to his greatest rivals. "Our war put myself and others against fighters who were much like your dark mages sound... So I can believe it, that people could be vile enough to use such magic... unfortunately."

"Knowledge is power, and when people are afraid, the last thing they want is to grant power to someone who may or may not be an enemy," Hermione observes. "Maybe they'll come around in time. But if not, I can at least gather what information I can and use it to the best of my abilities."

She doesn't like hearing confirmation of her suspicions that he'd been brainwashed, but she certainly isn't going to make a big deal out of it. "It's a violation, in every sense of the word," she murmurs softly. "There's no place for sordid details in my research. I won't even attach your name to these notes, if you'd rather. Privacy is your right."

Death Eaters don't much care about fairness or codes. They achieve their goals by any means possible, and that's all there is to it. "There's evil in every world, it seems. It would be nice to be proven wrong in that, but it doesn't seem like that will be the case, no matter how many people I speak to."

"Right, and they've a right to be wary... I've been to a world not my own, so I've experienced this before. But it would be even harder to adjust if this was completely new..." That and some of their worlds are quite dissimilar to Thedas. He's seen plenty of differences from his own, but for the most part, daily life isn't so unusual to him.

Letting out a breath, Kain realizes that it's not so bad as he'd thought, confessing such a thing. He wouldn't have even come close to bringing it up under any other circumstance, but well... it was hard to avoid when talking magic on his world. "...Thank you," his tone is even more emotional than it has been, dropping some of that well-practiced calm just a moment. "It means a lot that you'll keep that in confidence. What was done turned me into someone who I'm not... and it's not something I'll ever forget." He'd never be quite the same again, not after all of that. He can only rebuild in the aftermath of it.

"Unfortunately, you're right. It didn't surprise me at all that there were so many forms of evil here, when I first found out. And they seem to always find some means to gain power..." Somehow, they always do, whether they seize it or take more sneaky, underhanded route to getting it.

"I can't imagine how I'd be reacting to all of this if I hadn't been a witch," Hermione murmurs. "The non-magical community is very different from the magical community, so going from a place like that to a place like this... it would have been beyond difficult."

She nods sympathetically at his response, and she's tempted to reach out for his hand, but she doesn't know him nearly well enough for that sort of thing. He might think she assumes his emotions are a sign of weakness, and that simply isn't the case at all. "Most of us have experienced something that has left us forever changed. And it isn't everyone's privilege to know what that might have been. I appreciate you being forthright with me, and I won't betray your confidence. I promise." There's a benefit to having never cared much for idle gossip while in school, after all.

"It's always about power," she sighs. "I'll never understand what the allure is, honestly."

Kain raises an eyebrow. "You mean that those without magic are so separate that they don't even notice magic?" That's what it sounds like, and he's trying to figure out how that would work, aside from being in their own separate land in some way.

"I appreciate that promise," he says quietly, looking down for a moment. He hadn't planned on discussing it, after all, hadn't really prepared himself for doing so. It's a difficult topic for him. He takes a deep breath, steadying himself. It's true, what she's saying, though... everyone has been through their own share of dark times. He thinks of those back home, but also in the war. "I used to question why it had happened to me... why me and not the others... I still do sometimes. But in the end, we all have our burdens to bear..."

"Neither do I." He may have his faults, things that had made him vulnerable to mind control... but none of the things he'd ever craved was power. He can't imagine ever wanting it. Personal strength, sure, that was a motivation of his, but holding power over others? Never.

"They only know about us if they have reason to know," Hermione tells him. "Say, for instance, if two Muggles - that is, non-magical individuals - have a child who ends up displaying magic, or if a Muggle forms a close bond with a witch or wizard that ends up leading to marriage. It's a relatively rare occurrence, and we have spells to keep Muggles from noticing magic otherwise, so we largely keep to ourselves in our smaller magical communities. A lot of people in my generation have been venturing out into the Muggle world, though, just because it's different enough for them that it's considered somewhat exotic."

Hermione shifts a little, wondering if she should tell him about some of her own darker experiences, but this isn't a game to see who can one-up the other. He probably wouldn't even see it that way, but this interview is about him, and she'll keep her own input limited to his questions. "Not to be morbid, but if it hadn't happened to you, there's no telling whether you'd have simply experienced something else, something you would have considered much worse for having actually gone through it. Perception is relative, after all. Either way, I'm glad that you seem to be all right now. Changed from who you used to be, perhaps, but at least you're alive and well. Sometimes that's the best we can hope for."

With a small, thin smile, Hermione tells him, "I'm glad I'm not alone in that, then. I can barely control my own life, much less the lives of others'."

Huh, that’s… so strange to Kain, hard to grasp. He ponders it for a moment, this notion of the separation of the magical and non-magical. “But wouldn’t it benefit them all to work together? Healing magic alone is vital…” He can’t imagine living without it, recovering from wounds would be a horrific ordeal if that were the case. “Unless… your mages must have a good reason to separate themselves.” Which he can only guess at. After all, the Lunarians had also had reason to stay away and sleep, keeping well away from the humans.

Kain lets out a huge sigh. At least she does seem to understand quite well, and he can certainly imagine she’s had her share of difficulties, given what she’s mentioned about her world. “I won’t deny, it’s awoken a… a darkness in me that I never had before. Or perhaps, it’s more like… I didn’t realize it was there, so now it’s become stronger…” He clenches his fists briefly. “I’ve dedicated my life to conquering this darkness, to atonement for what I was forced to do. But you’re right. Our experiences truly do make a difference for how we see the world.” If it wasn’t mind control, who knows what it might have been.

That earns a very firm nod from Kain. “Exactly. I’ve no desire to make others’ decisions for them, either.”

"History has taught us that the average person expects magic to solve all of their problems, and can get very cross when they learn that isn't the case," Hermione murmurs. "There are stories about a time when the magical and Muggle communities lived together, but then... well, let's just say that witch hunts that led to burning people at the stake, public drownings, and beheadings - among other things - made us decide that it was best that most people were left blind to the idea of magic. There are all sorts of reasons for why the tides change, but they're mostly speculative." And being in Thedas doesn't make her that much more willing to try and change magic's presence in her world, either.

Hearing him talk of a darkness inside of him finally makes Hermione reach out, albeit hesitantly, fingertips just barely brushing against his knuckles. "You don't have to atone for something that you have no control over," she tells him softly. "I understand the desire to do so, but it's not a necessity. All you can do from here on out is be the best person you can be, and try to avoid becoming a victim again. Just understand that it isn't always avoidable, given that there will always be bad people in the world. In every world, it seems." Managing to crack a tiny smile, she adds, "But you seem strong enough to be able to avoid it longer than most others, so there's that."

“How terrible. It sounds like they may have treated mages even worse than they do in Thedas.” Not a whole lot better, but even their Circles are a step above outright killing them. “Though I can… I can understand how that sort of suspicion of magic can lead to terrible consequences. Someone impersonating our king attempted to destroy all of the summoners on our world. That’s the only incident I know of, though. I hope that one day you’ll be able to live more peacefully with them, but it sounds like being separate is for the best.”

The gesture surprises Kain at first, but then he realizes that he really appreciates it… and his expression says as much too. It means a lot, to him, hearing that. “I’ve been told that before… It’s difficult, though. That’s what makes mind control especially devious. I know it was an outside force and yet… it was still my own hand, still me doing those things, aware the whole time… I’m sorry.” He doesn’t mean to go into something so awful and heavy on her. He can already hear Jecht complaining at him to stop being so grim already. “I’ll keep fighting. No matter what may happen here, I’m more determined than ever to move beyond my past. Thank you… for seeing that in me.” He has full confidence in his physical strength, but after the mind control, he’s less certain of his willpower. He only hopes it’s never tested here.

"I suppose they had. It's just so far back in the past that it's hard to really fathom. Besides... many times it turned out that innocent women had been accused as witches for some petty reason or the other. So it seems that people are just liable to mistreat people in general, regardless of their magical affiliation." Not that that makes anything better, especially in light of all of the petty hatred and violence that goes on in Thedas. "For the most part, most of us can live amongst Muggles without thinking anything of it, unless the culture divide makes them think us peculiar. I'm sorry that's happened in your world, though. That's why it's important to have a government in place that can handle magical calamities like that."

The fact that he doesn't draw away from her is good, since it means that she likely hasn't done anything wrong. "Please don't apologize," she tells him softly. "If this bothers you enough that you feel a need to talk about it, you can always come to me. We all need someone to turn to here, and we can't always count on our native 'hosts' being willing or able to lend an understanding ear. Besides... it helps knowing that other people have faith in us, so I can do that for you as long as you might need it." Heaven knows she'll probably need her own encouragement before too long, especially as she tries not to get frustrated as she relearns her magic all over again.

“It is… and our current King now will ensure that no such thing happens again. He was there with me when we… when… that village was torched. That was a wake up call to the both of us that the former king had truly lost his senses. Or the one pretending to be him, anyway.” Ugh, Kain has nothing but frustration and rage toward that fiend for what he’d done. He’d truly respected the old king, despite their occasional differences in opinion. But he respects the new one, Cecil, just as well, perhaps more. “At least… you’ve found some solution for now, even if it means remaining separate, it’s allowed you both to exist peacefully.”

It’s a good thing, yes. Kain isn’t usually one for making any sort of contact, he keeps his armor up physically and emotionally most of the time. But it doesn’t mean he doesn’t need it. His comrades in the war had started really getting through to him about that sort of thing. “I’ll keep that in mind, all of it…” His tone is appreciative, despite how quietly he’s talking. “It’s worth knowing I’ve made another ally here… and likewise. Should you be in need, I promise I’ll do what I can.” It’s the least he can do, letting her know he’s more than willing to repay the favor. It’s how he does things. Repay a kindness with kindness. Return cruelty with cruelty. Though he’s trying to get better about not resorting to vengefulness and such. “It means a lot to hear that. I’ve… it’s not easy for me to discuss it. But this has helped.” He knows he’s got a lot to work on, to move past that guilt.

"I'm glad things have calmed down for you, then, in any case. We've... had recent instances of our political leadership being mind-controlled, so I know how awful it is when you realize you need to stand up and be the change that needs to happen." It's especially awful when you should be more worried about final exams than saving the world, but she doesn't bother bringing that much up. "For now, though, yes, we have fairly good relations with Muggles so long as they don't fully realize there's a whole other magical community living by their side, and while I'd like to think that one day we can live openly, seeing Thedas makes me wonder if that will ever be the case."

Hermione doesn't exactly give his hand a squeeze so much as she simply affirms her touch a bit more solidly for a few moments before drawing back. "I appreciate it. I can be stubborn about accepting that sort of help, especially from people I don't know, but... well, things have been so up in the air here that I might just need it. I'll try not to abuse it, though." With a small smile, she concludes, "I'm just happy this seems to have helped you."

“Would it be the same as in Thedas for your world’s mages? Would -or could- the non-magical… the muggles… create something like Circles? It’s hard to say. They didn’t in my world, but then they’ve all co-existed for a long time.” The Summoners are the one outlier, who’d kept to themselves in their village, but even then there’d been no trouble until the false king attacked them. “Though… people will usually distrust what’s different, unfortunately… and those who seemingly have more power…” He definitely has heard how oppressive some attitudes are toward mages in this world, anyway.

It’s helpful. He’s still troubled, as he always is about this subject, but Hermione is helping him out here, considerably. “It has helped. I promise.” He says that quietly, in a low tone as if afraid of being overheard somehow, afraid of the world somehow knowing he’s admitted to needing this. “I’m much the same way… it’s not easy. Though you’re right that being in this far-removed world changes a lot.” He sighs heavily. “I just hope I won’t run into the same problems here.,. Or worse. No matter what may happen, though, I’m prepared to fight if I must.”

"I... think instituting something like Circles would be met with a lot of resentment," Hermione admits. "And I'd hate to think what the Muggles might actually say or do once they realize the full extent of this entirely different world living right alongside them this whole time."

Shaking her head, Hermione manages a small smile and tell him, "You won't be fighting alone. If anyone tries to do something like that to you, there's no telling where it might end, and so it would be in everyone's best interest to work as a team against anything like that. After all, we're all in this together, aren't we?"

“And I thought this world had difficult politics,” Kain comments, shaking his head. He can’t imagine what that might be like, suddenly discovering that magic is real after never experiencing it. He’s always taken it for granted as something that just exists. “At least it sounds like you have plenty of safeguards and the means to keep yourselves isolated.”

They are. They’re all in this together, she’s right. As they had been together back home, against Zemus and his various threats. As they also had been together as Cosmos Warriors against Chaos. He’s had to learn that, and be reminded of it often, but it’s true. He always tends to isolate when things get bad, but he really can’t afford to if it comes to something involving mind control. “Right. No matter what may happen, that’s true. No matter our beliefs or backgrounds…” -and the Inquisition has such a wide variety of those- “...we’re all together in this. I’ll try to remember that. I’ll admit, it’s difficult sometimes to rely on others… I don’t want to burden anyone… but in this case, there’s probably no choice…”

"We have certain charms that can subtly make a Muggle's eyes turn away from magic, as well as other ways to keep hidden and memory modification charms in the event that they do see something they shouldn't see." Shifting a little, since she's no stranger to memory modification charms and the ways they can be abused, she murmurs, "Though that last one really should be a bit more heavily regulated."

At Kain's response, Hermione's smile widens ever so slightly and she comments, "It's not a burden. At least, I don't see it that way. We're keeping one another safe until we can all find our way back to our respective homes. And with Thedas in the middle of tearing itself apart, we can use all the support we can find."

Kain nods firmly and eagerly to that. “Very heavily regulated, I would think. I wouldn’t trust anything that alters the mind… but I suppose all of this has been in use for a very long time without ill effect?” It sounded like it had been a while, since those problems they’d caused long ago.

“Thedas needs us, as well, but yes, that’s true… we do need each other, for as long as we’re here. The war I was just in taught me about such matters as well. I had a hard time accepting it… I still do. But I know we ought to rely on one another as much as we can. It’s easier to think of it in that way, though, as an exchange of sorts…” If he can be useful in return for any support he needs, he’ll make sure it happens. Then he won’t feel as guilty about it.

"The only negative results of using a memory modification charm happened when someone had attempted to cast one out of a broken wand, and to be honest, he really deserved it." Even as she says it, though, she can't help feeling a tinge of sorrow for Lockhart. Deserving or not, it had been a harsh punishment, but she'd much rather he lose his memories than the alternative. Especially since the alternative would have been Harry and Ron losing their memories and never stopping the basilisk, and never helping her get un-Petrified.

Gently shaking her head, Hermione tells him, "Think of it however you need to. So long as you don't feel as though you need to go through your troubles on your own."

“At least it doesn’t usually end up so terribly.” Though Kain still finds it a bit unsettling, messing with someone’s mind like that. Still, after talking with Hermione enough, he’s got an idea that if she thinks they deserved it… they probably really did. She doesn’t see the sort to say such things lightly.

It’s something they’ve all said to him in the past… Cecil, Rosa, and his other companions back home… Jecht, Laguna, and the others during the war. After hearing it enough, it really ought to sink in. Kain nods, slowly. “I’ll try my best to remember that… especially if things become dark and difficult here. Or perhaps I ought to really think about it before it comes to that.” If it does. But Kain is realistic about things, and he knows Thedas is a harsh world to be in. He can’t expect life to always be easy here.

"No, not unless an unskilled person tries it, and even then, all it's likely to do is cause temporary confusion." Honestly, Hermione feels that memory modification should only be used to help aid fading memories, even if she'd had to use them for less scrupulous reasons. At least she'd done it with the best intentions; not everyone would do the same.

"Don't make me have to actively check in on you every so often," Hermione remarks with a small smile. "I'd much rather know that you'd seek me out - or seek out some sort of help - if it becomes necessary."

“Which is the way of things with magic overall… without the proper skill level, it has a greater chance to backfire…” Another thing that’s true enough of mages no matter the world, they always need some level of training to hone their skills.

Kain has definitely heard that before, many times, whether back home or his friends in the war. They mean well, he knows that. He has to keep that in mind, even if sometimes he has enough with being nagged. Or what he thinks of as such. “Believe me, I’ll do my best to spare you that level of concern. I promise. I don’t want to repeat the past, after all, to go through things I’ve experienced before…” Stopping something early on, going to someone who can help, is for the best. He hopes he’ll remember that if the time comes.

"That's why I'm surprised Thedas' Circles existed the way they had, rather than simply serve as a way for young mages to learn to cast spells responsibly. It's no different than teaching a child to ride a horse or tend to a farm; if they don't do it right, someone can be negatively affected in an awful sort of way."

She tries not to let her smile take on a sadder sort of edge as he continues speaking, simply shaking her head a bit. "You can always 'spare me that level of concern' by simply feeling free to drop by the library and have a chat with me. Or share small talk if we happen upon one another elsewhere. I think that's known as becoming friends in some circles. A bit presumptuous of me, perhaps, but it's better than assuming that we'll never see one another again after this."

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