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Re: The Perfect Fit [Charlie]
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2022 4:05 am
by Avamande
Charlie's response was a stock phrase, true, but it carried some truth in its glibness perhaps because it was being said by a man who had practiced making it sound profound. Magic itself was a cheat after all, a way to bypass the the costs and efforts of struggling mundanely. It was axiomatic that anything that could be done with magic could be done by human hands - all else was archmagic - and so Avamande was forced to admit that he had something of a point.
"Mages," they began slowly, clearly aware that they were trying to discuss ethics with someone who appeared to have none, "are the greatest of cheats. We do not win gold or fame by our chicanery, but power. This is why many fear us, and why we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard of conduct." The fact that Avamande had explicitly avoided joining the Circle of Spells in order to not be bound by their standards was not lost on them, and the hypocrisy sat in their stomach like a rock.
"It seems that conversations with you will be rather stimulating, Charles," they continued, darting past the awkwardness of the situation they had trapped themselves in. "Lyra is one of the finest Scriveners in the world, certainly within Kalzasi." And undoubtedly the greatest in the city who did not work for the Circle.
"Scrivening," they further said, now firmly reestablishing the conversation on comfortable ground, "is akin to writing down a set of instructions for a five year old. Everything must be just so, and a single errant command can lead to calamity. There is little that cannot be done with it if you keep that in mind however, the only limitation being the capabilities of the mage. And, of course, the wealth of dragon shards at their disposal. I could, for example, create a pictograph powered by aetherite to sustain a Negation ward indefinitely. Or at least until the shards ran out."
Re: The Perfect Fit [Charlie]
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2022 7:55 am
by Charlie
Listening to Avamande's opinion on the responsibility of mages, Charlie continued making alterations to the clothes laid out before him. "I'm not so sure." Charlie replied "So long as you're not doing anything rotten with your magic, isn't that good enough?" Even still, Charlie had to admit Avamande had a point too. The issue arose from the fact that Charlie already thought he was holding himself to a higher standard. That standard just involved a very liberal use of willbending magic.
Now Charlie was hemming the clothes back together, head down and near to the fabric to ensure every stitch proceeded in a strict line. He was silent during this portion of the work, chewing on his lip while lost in the focus. This was about as professional as anyone had ever seen Charlie, and it stood as some proof that he was not a complete charlatan. The expression lasted until the exact moment the final stitch on the pants was done. Once finished with one article of clothing, Charlie's smile returned reflexively and he took a moment to stretch his back.
"Well, makes sense why you'd want mages to be responsible then if you're dealing with that sort of power." Charlie reasoned. "Well it seems like the perfect fit for you." he added with no small amount of warmth. Even just one look into Avamande's symphony had been enough for Charlie to understand that they were a person well suited to anything requiring precision.
The gears began turning in Charlie's mind when he was given just a single example of what Scrivening could do, and the tailor found it momentarily difficult to return to his work. "Then you could sustain a Mesmer's influence over someone forever. Mood altering jewelry, or something like that?" Even with the boundless powers of magic so plainly described to him, Charlie could only think of how to make some extra money.
Re: The Perfect Fit [Charlie]
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 10:55 pm
by Avamande
"That is the root of our disagreement, Charles. Magic is by definition doing something rotten. It must not be used callously, or carelessly, lest the arguments of the zealous be granted undue currency. It is a tool, but it is not one like any other. The very act is a sundering of the veil between what is and what could, between the actual and the possible." Avamande had long considered such things, the need to only do works when necessary, and to be able to undo what was done.
They were somewhat freer with Traversion, but the Gods had given Man that in punishment for misuse of the true art, so that was different. They dwelt less on this hypocrisy than they did their others. Perhaps they should be less flippant, but they were guilty of all the same biases and prejudices of their parents - both for and against the responsible use of magic. It was not an entirely coherent set of beliefs, considering that their mother and father had left on their own research when they were a teenager.
Avamande was rather pleased to see that the clothing was rather good, worked with care and precision. Perhaps Charlie did have the sort of mindset required to be a mage, and simply masked it in buffoonery. Or maybe he was just good at handling clothes and was otherwise just as ridiculous as he seemed. It was hard to tell.
"Yes, this looks acceptable," Avamande replied, their symphony soaring with calm satisfaction. Well, soaring was a relative term, but compared to how deadened it was ordinarily it was appropriate. "Forever would take skill beyond myself at the moment, but it is possible for a mage of great skill, yes. Of course, they would also need to have skill as a Mesmer. Or assistance from one."
Re: The Perfect Fit [Charlie]
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:51 pm
by Charlie
"You shouldn't try to make yourself suitable to people who already hate you." Charlie replied, having thought about this quite a bit himself, though for less philosophical reasons than Avamande was likely to. "There's not a small enough box in the world to fit yourself into that they wouldn't still have a problem with. Do what you want so long as you're not stepping on someone else's toes, that's what I think." Ironic coming from someone whose magic didn't function without a second person to manipulate.
Charlie's approach to magic had been shaped by his experiences as a street wizard. The man who had inscribed his rune had only done so for a considerable sum of money and had afterwards returned to the life of luxury mind magic afforded. Charlie had never been formally trained, and thus never learned true respect for the gift he'd been given, nor any history or majesty behind the gift from the gods. His family didn't share the same lackadaisical approach to magic, but having descended from noble spymasters they had nevertheless encouraged Charlie to hone his abilities. Their efforts had not yet produced the sort of man they'd hoped for but there was still time!
Charlie returned to his work after a brief moment of respite for his spine, and he set to work adjusting the pants now. This was far less work than the jacket, and so he progressed quickly through snipping away access fabric and re-establishing the bottom hem. "That's a killer idea right there. When you talk to Lyra, you should bring that up natural-like. You'll sound like you've already got your eye on the prize, coming in with an idea like that. You tinker it a bit and I'm sure it'd sound all responsible too, like if you used it for handcuffs or something!"
Re: The Perfect Fit [Charlie]
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 5:30 pm
by Avamande
Something strange had happened. Something very, very strange. It was as if the entire universe had come to a halt in recognition of this event, Avamande's composure finally broken at the magnitude of what had occurred. There was no denying it, no running away from what had transpired, and their wards were stout enough that they doubted it was the work of Mesmer that stunned them so.
Charlie had made a good point.
Granted, it wasn't without flaws, his continuation was severely lacking in rigor or complexity after all, but still. He genuinely did have a point - contorting oneself into a shape that would not be despised would mean only becoming smaller and smaller without anything in return. Their acceptance would never actually come, no matter how hard one worked for it. One had to live their life as they were, and do the best as themselves, not as others saw them.
It was distressingly wise for one so... not, and they rapidly changed the subject away from the bizarre episode. "I shall keep that in mind, Charles. Thank you again for your services. I would say that I hope we meet again, but somehow I have the feeling that advice such as yours does not come freely, and that you will make good on collecting such a debt."
Despite themselves, Avamande actually did find a measure of warmth in the other man's company. While they doubted they would seek him out intentionally, he did not seem malicious. At his best he had no doubt there were those who thought him friendly, but by the same token others no doubt viewed him as a menace.
"You may call upon me, if you desire it," they said after a short pause to ensure that the tailoring work was completed, handing over a slip of paper with their address scrawled upon it in an ethereal hand along with the bank notes. "Good day, Charles."
Re: The Perfect Fit [Charlie]
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 11:39 pm
by Charlie
Predictably, the momentous occasion sailed right over Charlie's head. Everything he said was of similar merit, so he paid no special attention to this time specifically. In fact, Charlie initially thought he'd offended Avamande somehow, and his head snapped up to regard them. But Charlie didn't see any anger in their symphony, muted as it was. There was something resembling complete bafflement. Charlie thought that must have been related to something else on Avamande's mind and he was respectful enough now not to pry any deeper than the emotions that rose to the surface.
"Debts, but you already paid?" Charlie reminded them, gesturing with one hand back to the front of the store. A few seconds later the realization sunk in, and Charlie laughed a loud, contagious laugh. Well, contagious to anyone whose wasn't Avamande... or anyone who may have simply disliked Charlie. "That's one way to describe a friendship, 'ey?" He said, now rising from his chair and placing the newly tailored clothes on a suitable hanger. "I'll definitely see you around though, Avamande. This has been fun!"
Charlie took the paper and tucked it into his pocket. "I'd give you mine but you already have it. Any time you need anything just swing by. If the shop's closed just go around back. There's a back door you can knock on." That lopsided, golden retriever grin returned, and soon enough Charlie was walking Avamande out back through the front of the store. He held the front door open for them, stepping out onto the street. "Have a good one too. Make sure you tell me how your meeting went when I see you next, yeah?"
Once Avamande was already a few steps down the road, the tailor remembered something, and shouted it while waving with impressive vigor.
"And remember, it's Charlie!"
Re: The Perfect Fit [Charlie]
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:33 am
by Avamande
Review
Avamande
Lore: 13
Points: 10, may be used for Negation
Injuries/Ailments: None
Loot: Stylish clothing
Charlie
Lore: 13
Points: 10, may be used for Mesmer
Injuries/Ailments: None
Loot: A sense of pride and accomplishment
Notes: Oh, Charles...