text | un: astudyinviolet

[astudyinviolet]

Type:Text
Sender ID: astudyinviolet (Sherlock Holmes)
To: public
Subject: Magic: deciding, gaining, learning
Warnings: none atm

[ Perhaps this was inevitable given recent events and Sherlock's insecurities about his worth and ability to have purpose in this world. ]

I have a small series of questions to ask those who have gone from not having magic to having magic. Of particular interest are those who have only gained magic from this world, but I will not turn away answers from others either.

The reason I ask these questions is I come from a world where magic is usually a trick using sleight of hand and obfuscation. I inherited my brother's notebooks covering magical theories of this world, but they do not go into the more practical applications or personal aspects of magic. Surely the tattoo is only a single step among many.

• How did you decide on what magic to learn?
• How did you learn to control that magic?
• Do you feel who you are fundamentally has changed? How so?
• Have you created any contingency plans in case something goes wrong with your magic or yourself?

[ He... really hopes no one reads too deeply into that last one, but it is a worry Sherlock has given family history and having others within his head before.

And because he learned from Alhaitham's survey... ]

I understand that such a topic might be very personal. Respond anonymously if you desire and only what you are comfortable with sharing. If you'd rather meet in person, I can arrange that as well.

S.H.

Comments

[astudyinviolet]

It seems evenly split for those who felt obtaining magic changed them or not. That good to know for comparisons. Your last answer falls in line with what others have said.

[ However, Sherlock has realized that everyone seems to be misinterpreting his last question... which is a data point of its own, but what does it mean? It's some reflection on him. Did he just write it wrong, or do people not think about what might happen if someone loses their mind? Again, Sherlock. That's the trauma talking. ]

[scooba]

...I think it's because we don't have any other choice. Even without our magic, there is still a will to fight. I know I don't plan on dying without giving it my all.

[Not that he wanted to think about it that way but he will protect his Father and Lyney no matter what.]

[astudyinviolet]

When all else fails, we remain. Despite the circumstances, and to spite them.

[scooba]

...

That and it's what I was taught. No matter what, we have to fight and never give up. Even when things get....extremely difficult.

[astudyinviolet]

Quite. Even if it is hard to remember in the moment.

[scooba]

...Sorry for asking but it sounds like you have experience with it? You don't have to respond if you don't want to.

[astudyinviolet]

[ He debates on how much he does want to say. He feels he owes Freminet an answer, but he fears revealing too much. ]

Yes. My last case before arriving in this world would not have been completed were it not for my dear Watson.

[ Answer: giving John all the credit that he is due instead. ]

[scooba]

...May I ask what happened during the last case...?

[astudyinviolet]

People were abducted from across the world for a cultist ritual. Many of them did not survive.

[scooba]

I see.

...I'm sorry to hear about that but I'm glad that your partner was able to solve the case. Hopefully, the rest were okay.

I can't imagine how you're feeling..

[astudyinviolet]

I hope they are as well.

[ It's probably more telling than he intends that he questions how "okay" those survivors are. ]

Don't try to. The whole affair was decidedly unpleasant.

[scooba]

Sorry...I didn't mean to upset you.

...Is there anything I can to help you out?

[astudyinviolet]

Worry not. You've done no such thing. Rather it is I who has seemed to upset you.

If I remember last, you spoke of writing. How has that been going?

[ This is probably a very obvious attempt at diverting the topic, but it seems warranted here. ]

[scooba]

...

I'm almost done. I think I should publish it someday. I'm still not sure what people would think about it.

[astudyinviolet]

You could get some people to read the draft before then. Preferably not those close to you if you want a more honest opinion.

[scooba]

...

Do you want to read it?

[astudyinviolet]

I suppose I could. I am not much for fiction, however. Does that change anything?

[ Besides all the romance novels he read in the name of research. ]

[scooba]

No, not really.

All I ask is that you don't judge it too badly. This is the first time I written a story.

[astudyinviolet]

I shall endeavor to be honest but not cruel.

[ He doesn't want to crush the child's dreams, but also he does not want to baby him either. ]

[scooba]

Then um...when would you be free to read it? I don't want to bother you when you don't have the time.

[astudyinviolet]

I have nothing but time right now. No case has grabbed my attention.

[scooba]

Okay then um....

It is a fairytale and based on a children's story so...

I just want you to be ready for it.

[astudyinviolet]

Is it a children's story from your world?

[scooba]

No, it's more that I written the story to be like one. Fairytales were something that I loved growing up so...I thought I should write one.

[astudyinviolet]

If that is the case, then I shouldn't need additional context from your world to understand it.