(Private)Hops, Bubbles and Words

[Aurora]

“Very fine line, and we often hop back and forth on it.” Most certainly speaking from experience there. “Well, I hope you get to go. We all need to get out and have some fun.” It was something she had been putting off lately.

Chuckling, “Seems like if I didn’t, there would be a lot of hubris to answer for, and that always comes back for payment.” A sage nod, “Oh, I know. We pick those battles and we pick those blessings. I’ve sped up a couple injuries over the years, but I’ve been careful to not abuse it and to not make it obvious.” Especially if the injury happened while performing.

Taking a sip of her beer, she listened, frowning. “I’m sorry to hear that, must have been difficult. I can see why you’d be hesitant. And yet you Awakened an Enchantress.” What a slap in the face. “That tells me someone or something has plans for you, or wants to give you that control. Question is, what do you do with that control?” Aurora wasn’t the type to let the universe control her destiny or life. She would fight and take it where she wanted. But what would Thirteen do? “Do you go after what you want? Tell your past to fuck off and make your life what you want? Or just wait and see what life becomes?” a tough call.

Snorting as she laughed, “Holy shit! They taught them to steal for them?! Oh my god!” that was amazing! Holding up what was left of her cookie, “I think the chocolate ones are my favorite.” A nod, yup. “Oh, unsalted? Can they not have salt? Seems I’m learning all about birds today!” laughing. “And damn, no wonder they like you! You out there spoiling them! But I’m glad you do, I sometimes think the wildlife, birds included get ignored or mistreated. Not that I know anything about them, I’m not an outdoorsy or wildlife type girl, I just like seeing humans helping them.”

Another sip of her beer before she gets up to grab a beer from the fridge, checking the cap and then cracking it open, “I plan to keep both in stock now. Usually I have things like Absinthe, always Absinthe, Vodka, Gin, Rum, those sorts of things. But never whiskey, for some reason, it never crossed my mind. Would you recommend a Scottish brand?”

[Thirteen]

"Aye, that's perhaps what they mean by Hubris. You get all arrogant with your magic and then boom! It's all comin' down around your ears. It's an effort to stay humble when you can command reality just by thinkin' about it."

She set the glass of soda down and picked up the beer again, "The height of irony, me bein' Acanthus, right?" Thirteen smirked and took a drink, "I don't know what I want to do, really. Like I said, livin' a cursed life has made me a touch gunshy in some ways. I feel like if I think about it too much, expectations will get set and I'll be primed for disappointment. Yet I've got control of my luck now. Ball's in my court, etc. etc. And Fate seems to want me in this city for some bloody reason."

She grinned, "They did! The wee crows would fly off and snatch up cash and jewelry from open windows and bring it all back to their owners. Got to be enough of a problem they were outlawed as pets in all fifty states! Just another reasons crows got a bad reputation they don't deserve." She nodded, as having a bad rep was something she could sympathize with. "Oh, aye. Salt can be bad for birds, especially wild birds. It can be toxic. I'm no animal expert, either, but I know crows. They been my friends since I was little. Sometimes my only friends." The Enchantress took another swig of the craft beer.

"The chocolate are great. Walker's makes more cookies than just the Scottie Dogs, but they really know their shortbread."

She picked up another cookie, "Mmm, well... the most popular blended whisky back home would be The Famous Grouse. If it's single malt you want, Glenfiddich."

[Aurora]

Snorting as she laughed, “Yup, that would be it. I had a taste of it when I touched off a vulgar as fuck spell and the universe took a bite out of my ass for it. Sure, it helped the group at the time, but I paid for it in Hubris and it was a very humbling experience, one I will never forget and always carry with me. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.” But sometimes others needed to experience it for themselves. “When one’s own ego blinds them to repercussions of their actions, their Wisdom has fallen.” Then shit got bad.

The smirk was returned, “Yes. But I think it’s pretty badass too, like The Watchtower of Lunargent Thorn was like, you know what, we want her. It saw your run with bad luck and decided it wanted you. That says something.” A solemn nod. Then a shrug, “Nothing says you have to do anything or decide anything. You do you and if that means just leaving your best damn life, then do that. If that means someday trying something new, then do that. It’s your choice, no wrong answer.”
Taking a drink, “But know something, if you decide to try something and it fails? Who the fuck cares?” maybe she was just experienced enough in life and Arcana to not give a shit anymore about failing.

“Wait, all fifty states?! Damn!” laughing. “But it is pretty badass. I mean, stealing is bad and all, but it’s amazing that they can be trained to do that. I’ve seen parrots at Faires that are trained, but I never expected that crows could be trained.” Really neat. “I’ll keep that in mind about the salt in case I ever have anything on me they can eat. And if you ever want to fly with them, let me know, it’s a simple spell for me.” Did she offer to turn Thirteen into a crow? Yes, she did, and it was a simple spell. Vulgar, but maybe it would be something that would bring the Enchantress some happiness.

“Hmmm, maybe I’ll pick up both, for science and all that. I like to have a variety on hand.”

[Thirteen]

Another drink of the IPA, as she watched Aurora speak. One red eyebrow raised, "You caused a big paradox event? That must be an interestin' story." It was up to the Shaman if she wanted to share it, of course. Thirteen, out of curiosity, merely left the door open.

She grunted at the idea that Arcadia had handpicked her, "Maybe. If it wanted me for somethin' here, I guess we'll find out what eventually." The Acanthus looked at the cookie in her hand, the head already bitten off, "I'm not risk-adverse. I drive a motorcycle everywhere. I suppose I'm already doin' what I want, on some level." The rest of the scottie dog was popped into her mouth and she chewed it quietly.

"Aye, that's what I read, anyway. If you can teach somethin' to a seven-year old kid, you can teach it to a crow. Except to speak, I guess." Obviously there were some physical limitations to what the corvids could do. "Also, watch out for the pigeons. They'll try to swoop in and snatch the food, obnoxious little bastards."

Thirteen looked at the Mystagogue a moment, as if she wasn't certain she'd heard that last part correctly. "Eh? Like... turn me into a crow?"

Both? Both was good. "A fine choice."

[Aurora]

A shake, “No no, I absorbed a big paradox event. I've always absorbed any paradox I've set off. Looked like a went a few rounds with Mike Tyson, touched off A Mastery level spell, universe did not take kindly to it. Couple years ago we were in a Seer’s Sanctum, they were not too happy with us being there, we were out numbered and I decided instead of waiting for the combat to truly begin and see how the odds worked, I turned the Seer’s into fish. And, uh, not like regular sized fish, but like, tiny fish. Being a Master, I can safely turn anyone into, well, anything. I made the decision to not safely turn them into tiny fish and it was, lets say, very painful and messy for them. It ended that fight very quickly and there were no injuries, aside from the paradox I absorbed, on our end. But I learned a lot that day, and have a new respect for Mastery level magic and the value of life.” The Shaman didn’t look proud of what she did, not at all. “Truth be told, I would do anything to protect those around me, but everything we do comes with a price. The power we wield must be respect lest we give in to Hubris. I lost a bit of myself that day.” And she would always feel ashamed of her actions.

Picking up another cookie, “Never know, it could be something good! And that is true, if you were afraid of risks, you wouldn’t ride the bike. The only thing that sucks is waiting. I hate waiting, I was not born with patience, none. So like, if the universe wants to fuck with me, just do it already and get it over with you know.” Don’t make her wait.

“A seven-year-old? So they have the mental and learning capacity of a seven-year-old? Huh. Never would have thought that. Have to admit, I have a new respect for them now and will never look at one the same way again.” Then a laugh, “Pigeons look like birds that will fight you for anything food related you have. The thug birds of the world.”

Chewing her cookie, she nods, “Yeah, it’s a simple spell. Well, simple for me as a Master. I can safely turn myself and others into pretty much any animal I want or they want. I did once to an Arrow who wanted to be a bird, and one wanted to be a dog for a training exercise. We did it at the Circe, only downside, is I don’t know enough Matter yet to turn your clothes with you, so you’d be naked when turned back.” Shrugging. “If that bothered you, something could be setup so you could be behind something or whatever.” It didn’t bother her, a naked body was a naked body. But some people were weird about that and she respected it. “Was just an offer because you sounded really passionate about them.” No pressure or anything. "Now that I think about it, I've probably not instilled any confidence in you about it with the story about the Seer's and fish." laughing.

[Thirteen]

She nodded approvingly. Absorbing Paradox was always the way to go, as she saw it. Though she'd yet to have to actually do it, herself. The fish story certainly held Thirteen's attention. She'd never heard of anything like that. "Into... fish? Just like floppin' around of the floor? That must have been a sight." While she found some part of it amusing (Ha! Fook them Seers!) and also scary (Life Masters can do that?!) it was obvious the episode bothered Aurora, and she could read the room well enough to not make the Shaman feel worse by praising her or cracking a joke. It was a matter of Hubris, as mentioned. "Right, well," she wasn't sure what else to say, "that's really somethin'."

Moving on other subjects, "Ah, that's where we differ, I guess. I've developed a lot of patience in my life. Always havin' to put things off, or do them all over again, because my bad luck fooked it all up. I had to learn to persevere. I either weather the shit storm or get destroyed by it."

The Enchantress nodded, "That's what I've read. The learnin' ability of seven-year olds." She chuckled, "Yeah, the pigeons don't give a fook."

The idea of being turned into a crow and flying around had never occurred to her before. "Can't say I ever thought about it. Thanks for the offer, I'll have to remember it." She smirked, "Aye, that's maybe not the best example to give."

[Aurora]

Chewing and nodding, “Well, there wasn’t much flopping. There was more, uh,” thinking of how to describe it, “their bodies twisting and contorting into tiny fish and exploding. Looked very painful and was very messy. But kept us from having to fight them and risk-taking damage or worse.” So in a way, it was a win. Taking another drink, “It was something,” agreeing to that, “but it taught me to respect what being a Master was about. And that I will do anything to keep people I care about safe.” And she still would.

Then a laugh, “Man, got a little dark and deep there, sorry, wasn’t my intent. This was supposed to be a fun get to know each other and all that.” Maybe she had become too withdrawn over the years?

“Ah, and for that, I’m jealous. I’ve just never been able to develop any. I mean, in a way I do. Because to learn what I do in my shows, I needed the patience to do them over and over until I mastered them. But in other aspects of my life, I simply don’t have it. Now learning to preserve is something to be proud of. A valuable quality to have, not many people have it, they give up too easy.” Now, the Shaman doesn’t give up easy, she just tends to find other ways to do things.

Laughing, “Yeah, it dawned on me after telling that story. But I can assure you, I save the unsafe transformations for Seer’s and anyone trying to kill me or anyone I care about. But flying is something that is such a freeing feeling, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to make the offer.”

[Thirteen]

"Explodin'? Is that... normal when you shape-shift someone into an animal?" It didn't make the idea of becoming a crow sound very alluring. Thirteen only had a very basic understanding of the Life Arcanum, an Initiate's grasp. Changing the physical forms of people was far beyond her skill level.

She waved off the concern about dark subject matter, "Nae worries. It's fine. Sometimes gettin' to know someone includes the more unfortunate stuff." The Enchantress took a swig of the beer, then set the glass down. She shouldn't have too much if she was to be driving home later.

A nod. "There's different kinds of patience, I guess. Stubbornness seems to be mine."

"Ah, I see, so... you've done that to yourself? Become a bird, I mean? You've flown?" It was still a fascinating concept.

[Aurora]

“No, it’s not normal. But if I decide the size of the animal is smaller than what you currently are, and I decide the change will not be done safely and will cause damage to the person as the change occurs, then, well, yes. It can be used as a weapon, which is what I did. There are multiple spells to change someone into a different form. I choose a painful and unsafe way for the Seer’s. I would never do it to a friend, after seeing what it did, I never want to see it again.” It was seared into her memory.

“I suppose we all have demons. But I assure you, I am not all doom and gloom.” Laughing. But she guesses being a 2^nd degree Master means seeing some shit and doing some shit.

“Which can be a good thing. I suppose mine is my patience with my studies. I’m willing to be not only patient, but dedicated to seeing them through. I’ve found it kinda cool how I’ve learned a lot about myself since awakening, like, I was never one for studying or any of that. Now, it seems to be all I do and I enjoy it. Not sure where that came from.” But her desire to learn seemed to have awakened when her soul did.

“Damn right I have!” laughing, “As soon as could, I mean, who wouldn’t want to?” it was such an instinct to want to do. “I’ve also done it in combat, sort of dropped heals and what not from above.” Laughing. “Have to say, it’s such a freeing and breathing taking experience. A bit terrifying at first, but after that, there are no real good words to describe it. I don’t do it all that often because the universe tends to take notice, but it's fun.”

[Thirteen]

"Oh. I see." Thirteen was quiet a moment, picking up her glass of Irn-Bru and taking a sip before she spoke again. "You're a little scary, Aurora." She was quiet again for a beat. "I like that."

The Free Council had no mercy for the Seers of the Throne. Theirs was a blood feud, and although she had never even met a Seer before, the Acanthus wasn't out of line with her Order's stance on them. Hell, their hatred for the Exarchs' lackeys was the biggest reason the Libertines had even joined the Pentacle to begin with.

She smiled, then, and nodded, "Never thought you were. You usually seem pretty laid back."

Aurora's commentary about patience had her nodding as she listened. "Have you been Awakened very long? You've very young for a Master."

"My command of Life magic is pretty minor. It's not something I've considered before." Thirteen shrugged at her own inexperience with the Arcanum. She knew where her strengths laid, "Aye, I'm sure it's too Paradox-y to do too often. And certainly not where any Sleepers can see you fly around."