public channel, forward dated a smidge to the morning of d15

[kingsroads]

Months ago, during the Celebration, a few of us got together to talk about and compare the magic from our worlds. Well, it's been a while since then and we've certainly picked up more magicians, so why not revive that little discussion group?

[ he's phrasing it as a hypothetical but as Strange keeps barging on, there's nothing hypothetical about it: he is totally reviving that discussion group. ]

I've asked around and the smaller festival hall in the building closest to the carnival portal is available for our use. Anyone who's interested should meet there tonight, just after sundown, for an informal gathering to talk about magic. There will be space inside the festival hall and outside in the snow for anyone to demonstrate their techniques.

Likewise, anyone who wishes to learn about magic should come and visit as well. [ And there's a bit of a pause like Strange is trying his hardest to choose his words carefully. ] Magicians in the carnival have different types of magic drawing upon different techniques. While one school of thought might seem incomprehensible, another might seem as clear as day. This is a chance for those of us with magic to learn from each other and develop our skills and those of us who wish to learn magic to see what practice would best fit their needs.

[ There's a pause, because Strange has no idea how to end this. ] Sound off if you're coming, I suppose. Oh, and can someone bring snacks?

( ooc: this is an ic post about mage club, an idea floated around on the cr meme a while back. I'll put up a mingle log later in the week for the actual meeting itself. as for this post, feel free to threadjack around! )

Comments

[kingsroads]

A spell to see what my enemy was doing and a spell to make an obstinate man leave London.

[ Childermass's wariness is contagious. Strange matches that wary expression with a small little frown of his own. Something's suspicious here, though he doesn't have the benefit of knowing just what it is. ]

They were recent spells, dated a few days before I bought them.

[atouts]

A spell to see what my enemy was doing... and a spell to make an obstinate man leave London?

[ Childermass repeats that slowly, word for word, and then that wary look of his falls apart into, at first, sheer disbelief, followed by a grin, and then he turns to carry on walking down the path, laughing all the way, just like that. Oh, he'll explain in a moment, but first, laughing. A lot of it. ]

[kingsroads]

[ Strange has the distinct impression that he's missing out on part of this conversation. He really hates that. ]

Well go on! [ he complains, jogging a little to catch up with Childermass. ] What's so funny?

[atouts]

[ His laughter eventually tapers off, though he's still awfully amused, which means strangely more expressive smiling for the moment as opposed to the vague amusement or faint smirks more common to Childermass. ]

That bastard... [ He mutters in one final, quieter laugh before glancing back over to Strange. ] Your madman under the hedge stole those spells from me back in London. He'd been harassing Mr. Norrell with the same talk of prophecies and he meant to have him driven out of the city.

[kingsroads]

[ Yet again, there's a part of their lives that just fits together so neatly. He should come to expect this by now and yet it surprises Strange every time. ]

Well considering I ran into that vagabond in Shropshire, Norrell succeeded at one part. [ Vinculus was certainly out of the city, though whether by his own choice or by being forced by Norrell, Strange doesn't know. ]

Did Norrell ever tell you about what the details of that prophecy were?

[atouts]

He had been planning to leave regardless.

[ Strange may not know, but Childermass sure does. As for the prophecy, well, he only shrugs. ]

And I've heard more of it from Vinculus than I ever did from Mr. Norrell. Not that it matters much anymore. It's all come to pass and the book's words have changed entirely.

[kingsroads]

I'd still like to hear what you remember.

[ because Strange is nosy. Nosy and curious about these sorts of things.

and who the hell is Vinculus? ]

[atouts]

You already know about the two magicians appearing in England, I assume.

[ That's the easiest part to recall. ]

The first shall fear me; the second shall long to behold me. [ He moves on to reciting the lines he actually remembers off the top of his head, though only after a brief pause, where he frowns and looks down at the snowy path, a hand held ponderously to his chin. ] The first shall be governed by thieves and murderers; the second shall conspire at his own destruction.

[ At that point, he looks up again, pointedly at Strange. ]

I don't need to point out which magician is which, do I?

[kingsroads]

You don't.

[ Conspire at his own destruction, hmmph. Though, as much as he hates to admit it, there is some truth in the prophecy. He ended up being the sole agent behind his fall. Still, Strange can't help but give Childermass a brief quizzical look, though he doesn't say what's on his mind.

If he was the second then logically, it meant Norrell was the first. Governed by thieves and murderers, hmm? Childermass was certainly a thief, there was no use denying that, but a murderer? He stares at Childermass another moment, before breaking off with a little frown. Strange would never know, would he. And so, Strange focuses on the parts of the prophecy he remembers. ]

I think I remember the next part. The first shall... [ alright, so he doesn't entirely remember the next part ] bury his heart in a dark wood? Something like that, though I know there was more. The second shall see his dearest possession in his enemy's hand. And then there's something about a nameless slave and the rain making a door for me—huh! I suppose we accomplished the latter, at least.

[atouts]

[ If he thought that stare would go ignored, guess what, he's wrong. Childermass gives him a flat look in return, utterly deadpan when he decides to add, ]

I'm not the murderer. [ Just to clear that up. Thief, yeah, probably. It could mean him, although being counted amongst the likes of Drawlight and Lascelles would be stomach-turning if he ever let things like that bother him. Luckily, he doesn't, so moving on. ] And yes, something like that. I did wonder if the nameless slave might have been John Uskglass himself, but apparently not...

[ Not that "the book" feels like enlightening anyone to the truth of that matter. ]

That part aside, it did predict everything tidily. Would have been nice to have known it all beforehand, only then it wouldn't really be a prophecy, now would it?

[kingsroads]

[ buddy you know that sounds like something a murderer would say, this ain't helping your case.

Still, Strange shrugs it off, going back to mulling over and thinking about the prophecy. And yes, it would have been nice to know it all beforehand, but the people who did know about the prophecy promptly forgot it and went ahead living their lives. He can't help but dwell on that for a moment or two. ]

I wonder...is it a spell that lets him say his prophecies? Or is it simply talent, like it is with your cards. It's nothing to do with madness, I couldn't achieve anything of the sort when I was in Venice.

[atouts]

[ okay, but if he told him it was lascelles, you know he wouldn't argue with that because lascelles

Strange wondering about the prophecies of Vinculus gets a bit of a smirk, though. ]

Neither. He's the one who had the Raven King's book. He learned it all from there. That is not to claim he has no magic of his own, for I do not doubt that he does, just not in the same way as yourself or Mr. Norrell.

[kingsroads]

[ he would not argue with that at all b/c fuck that guy.

and oh boo, as Childermass explains it, Strange's expression goes from interest to a frown. Though, that last sentence does make him raise an eyebrow. ]

Or you, I suspect, [ Strange adds, looking over at Childermass. Because the other man was certainly a magician as well. Still, that's a bit of a bummer. Prophecies are cool! He wanted to try prophecies! ]

After all, I know your tarot isn't as precise as nameless slaves and conspiring at one's own destruction.

[atouts]

[ Or him. Sure. It's not like he'll dispute it. He is a magician but he might actually call his card reading closer to what Vinculus is than the other two ever could be. ]

They aren't. [ Childermass can admit that much. It's true. ] Though they can be just as hard to get the true meaning out of as a prophecy is, depending on what cards are laid out.

[kingsroads]

[ And Strange nods. Hard to get the true meaning out of, oh he can certainly see that. ]

I know I certainly fumbled through them during Portland and that me actually knew what the cards meant. I can only imagine how confused someone new to the cards must get.

[atouts]

Now that is something I know. [ Even he was new to them at one point. ] I would say you could learn as well but I am not so sure. It might be that any magician can pick it up or only a few. Never had enough around to try and see.

[kingsroads]

Well, you've got another magician here. [ no shit, Strange. ] If you ever get your cards back, would you mind teaching me how to read them?

[atouts]

[ That should be fun, trying to explain to Strange that a single card could hold a dozen different meanings. Hm. Still, it'd be would be worth a shot to see if any magician can do it or if it relies on something beyond just having magic. ]

I would not mind at all, [ he decides after that moment of silence, thinking it over. ] Though I might be better at teaching people to fly than I am at teaching magic. I suppose we shall see.

[kingsroads]

[ if any magician can do it, if it relies on something beyond just having magic, or if Strange is simply awful at tarot to begin with. ]

Well, as I doubt I'll ever be able to fly, my options are limited. [ he pauses, before asking, ]

Who did you teach to fly?

[atouts]

Someone with wings, obviously.

[ aka he's not saying.

Whether Rita cares who does and doesn't know about it, he doesn't know, but he'll assume she would care enough not to be gossiped about to Strange, of all people. ]

[kingsroads]

[ no shit, insert-period-accurate-detective-here ]

In that case, I suppose I'll have to ask around. We've got a decent amount of people with wings, but not too many that I can't piece out who.