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]

[ Sherlock listens, though his violin changes to a faster tune. He'll wave off any attention to it, but the increased pace is to help mask her voice when revealing more personal details. He slows as she finishes, back to that calmer, steady tune. ]

The Abyss seemed to be a demon of itself, to say little of what lived within it. I could make only as far as the fourth level before I had to return.

[ His body had really started to suffer under that extra strain. Sherlock can see how it could also overwhelm the seals on Miriam's body. ]

You had a plan to keep the demons within the crystals, but you did not have one for if that containment broke.

[ And that is a gap in Miriam's contingency plan. ]

I have thought of what might be done for myself should I lose control. I value the safety of those around me over my life, and I would welcome being sent to my death. I carry no illusion that it would be physically easy for someone to carry out, but I fear too many would let their feelings interfere.

[crystalrepose]

[For a moment after the music intensified Miriam went quiet a moment, listening. But it didn't drown out what she had to say, entirely, and as she continued Sherlock responded like he could hear her just fine. So Miriam continued too.]

In a way, yes. Should the seals fail and never return, my curse will progress again. I once had a...resolution, for this eventuality. I no longer do.

[Her breath caught a moment as the memories of that horrible dark pulled older ones to the front of her mind. It took Miriam a moment to steady herself again, shear the emotion from her words. This wasn't the time. Like all the previous times weren't.]

My friend, Gebel, we had...an agreement of that nature. We were cursed with the same crystal, the same demons. But we could still choose how to use the power we were given. If...one of us lost the ability to choose, the other would intervene.

[With words ideally, but...she'd already endured the realistic outcome. The crystals' corrupting process wasn't something that could be undone. The magics of this world seemed more...tranquil, in comparison, but underestimating any kind of power was perilous.

This wasn't an offer to be made lightly. But it seemed a prudent one to make early, rather than too late.]

...I could offer you the same, if it would bring you reassurance.

[astudyinviolet]

[ This is not what Sherlock expected, and the next note screeches before he catches himself and returns to playing normally. ]

It would.

[ That removes a huge weight off Sherlock's shoulders. He has seen what became of someone close to him, and he has seen what became of Rochester. The combination of the two risks converging on him horrifies Sherlock. He would rather die than inflict that on others. ]

I do not know if I could offer the same in return. I can try. It is not a matter of will but a matter of strength.

[ Just like he may not be able to fight against a god, he doesn't think he could stand against a demon if all the human, with the fragility of their life, is gone. ]

I would try.

[crystalrepose]

[The hitch in the music started Miriam out of the gloomy circle her thoughts had been travelling in--just as the counteroffer surprised her. She blinked a moment, and didn't smile--this was too solemn for smiles. But she does nod, and some of the tension wound into her shoulders relaxed.]

Ah--thank you. That means a great deal to me.

[Johannes was no great warrior either, but he was the one who'd been able to stop the worst of her curse's progression.]

Power isn't all flashy magic. The mind is a powerful thing too.

[astudyinviolet]

The mind is a double-edged sword capable of felling dragons and cutting its wielder into ribbons.

[ Sherlock doesn't elaborate, but perhaps he doesn't need to given that he's worried about losing control and hurting others. There's enough hinted in the shadows of his words. ]

Thank you for speaking with me about this. I feel like have a direction now.

[ Miriam's decision to chose an element that goes against her grafted powers will eventually give Sherlock the push he needs. Sherlock thinks himself as someone seeped in darkness, drowning in the Abyss, so he chooses light. ]