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

[soulofgood]

Sorry, I didn't realize that. I guess it was a choice to get the tattoo after all.

Is that why you're asking about people's experiences with them?

[astudyinviolet]

Yes. As I never had magic to begin with, I had no need of one. I am also not going to entertain the notion of obtaining one and magic without a greater understanding of what it may involve.

[soulofgood]

That's a really mature way of thinking. I never put that much consideration into it personally. Not that there was time. Now I'm used to using it.

[astudyinviolet]

[ Mature? He's 23! He hopes it's a mature outlook! Forever defensive about his age because he's 5 years younger than he should be. And also has a baby-face. ]

Some people don't have the opportunity, and it was more common in your world with an established curriculum.

[soulofgood]

[Agatha, living without knowing how old the other person in this conversation actually is.]

I guess. You know though it's really only a curriculum on Evil's side. Or it was anyhow. They don't encourage the princesses in Good to take up magic. Instead they're supposed to rely on princes and talking animals!

[If there's one thing she hates about the School for Good it's the rampant misogyny with the princesses. Or well, what used to be rampant misogyny. Everyone had changed this last year but even then they were doing it all wrong!]

[astudyinviolet]

That creates a society where women are left at the mercy of those in power and often must resort to murder after long suffering under a villain.

[ Source: all the times Sherlock turned the other way when he discovered why certain men were killed. His ideas of what justice was had started to change during those cases. ]

A change in curriculum was long overdue.

[soulofgood]

Exactly! You can get how maddening that is!

[Look, she still has some pent up issues from her first year.]

Mm, though now it's all boys against girls and that's not exactly fair either.

[astudyinviolet]

No, that is not. They've switched one problem for another.

[ In recent years, his views on the finer sex have greatly shifted. They are far more capable in both knowledge and means than they are given credit for. ]

[soulofgood]

Exactly! It's so aggravating!

[astudyinviolet]

Perhaps with the chance to practice magic here, you can prove the error of their ways when you return.

[soulofgood]

... That's not a bad idea actually. Maybe? I sort of left the schools in a dramatic way so I'm not sure I'll be able to go back.

Practicing here is a definite plan though! If you ever decide you want to give it a try I'd be glad to teach you some spells.

[astudyinviolet]

I appreciate the offer. There should be some kind of overlap for training even if the magics differ.