[It takes some time, the walk from the beach into town and to the establishment in question. Despite all his time here, indeed because of one specific experience shortly after his arrival, he has refused the use of the cars and is unlikely to change.
He has no trouble with admission, and a discreet question or two has him guided to where she's waiting. He might be a bit overdressed (sans flowers) because the last time he was here, the dress code was fairly strict.]
( he's without his usual dress, something that certainly makes him fit in more at the gray room than his usual attire and-- perhaps it earns him a few appreciative looks when he arrives )
Shall we?
( she leads him from the room, down the corridor to where her private room is tucked away (behind a magically hidden door), containing a bed, couch and table, cabinet of alcohol to one side )
It's a combination of both. We're trained to respond to the faintest touch of magic quickly. Not doing so can be lethal. With enough training, the power rises on its own, but I can decide whether to unleash it or keep it in check.
[He sips the drink and swallows.]
This is very good. Reminds me a bit of a bottle I had from Starkhaven.
And your-- occupation. Was that because of what you could do or can you do it because of the job?
( did it really matter either way? well, it would be nice to know if it were common even if no others were here. and the extent of what he could do but she'd get there. if he permitted it )
The latter, although the issue is a bit more complex, as it turns out.
[The lies of the Chantry, the fact that the power can be awakened in anyone with proper training and discipline, the lyrium a shortcut, a very costly one.]
What they gave to us is merely one path to an end.
Yes. We're soldiers of the Chantry. That's the church of the main human religion in my world. They're the ones who controlled the lyrium supplies, who took it and who didn't. Not to say there aren't smugglers. It's a chancy business.
"That's the case in my world as well. There are magics that can nullify other types of magic, usually manifesting as glyphs of various types of warding." It's less certain than the lyrium, and the effects don't last as long. However, she didn't ask about that. He takes another sip of his drink.
Yes. Although it's a little complicated. I became interested in being a templar when I was a child. They don't tell you about a lot of it until after you're far more invested.
[He can honestly say he wouldn't have made the decision had he known what he knows now.]
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He has no trouble with admission, and a discreet question or two has him guided to where she's waiting. He might be a bit overdressed (sans flowers) because the last time he was here, the dress code was fairly strict.]
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Shall we?
( she leads him from the room, down the corridor to where her private room is tucked away (behind a magically hidden door), containing a bed, couch and table, cabinet of alcohol to one side )
Would you like a drink?
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Once in the room, he drops his arm to step away to conversational distance.]
Yes, please. Thank you.
[He's intensely curious but content to let this play out at her pace, whatever it is.]
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My curiosity comes from-- one of the first times we met.
( not their very first time, although if she thought about it she had used magic on him then, had received a similar feeling from him )
And your body. It has an unusual reaction to magic.
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Ah, I see. Yes. It's because of my former occupation in Thedas. I'm willing to entertain your curiosity.
[Up to a point, at least.]
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Is it a conscious or unconscious response?
( she sips a little of the drink, leaning against the table )
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[He sips the drink and swallows.]
This is very good. Reminds me a bit of a bottle I had from Starkhaven.
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And your-- occupation. Was that because of what you could do or can you do it because of the job?
( did it really matter either way? well, it would be nice to know if it were common even if no others were here. and the extent of what he could do but she'd get there. if he permitted it )
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[The lies of the Chantry, the fact that the power can be awakened in anyone with proper training and discipline, the lyrium a shortcut, a very costly one.]
What they gave to us is merely one path to an end.
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( it made her pause, another drink of her whiskey as she thought on it. an end to him just having that power or something more? )
Who gave it to you?
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[He takes another sip of his drink.]
Why the curiosity? It seems a bit more than idle.
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( there were ways to nullify magic and break spells but not as quickly as just touching someone with it )
But you wouldn't be the only person I'd say such a thing to.
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[He doesn't give the appearance of boasting, merely stating a fact.]
You've met a few others here who can do similar things?
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we had some fun formatting times!
( even across different worlds )
But-- did you choose to become what you are?
We had joy, we had fun, we had formatting in the sun...
[He can honestly say he wouldn't have made the decision had he known what he knows now.]
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( because why else would you hide so much from the people you claimed to want to help you? )
A common theme amongst those fearful.