reverie overflow.

[vecna]

i still haven't put something less stupid here

Comments

[vecna]

[Ever eager to learn.]

Physically, you may as well be in a trance. And for me to remain focused, I might as well be, too. Any interruptions in the outside world on my end would sever this outright.

[Better hope nothing sneaks up on them in the canteen! It's probably fine.]

I'm in your head as much as you are in mine, going through memory... Though you did tell me to limit it to the observatory, so I haven't been privy to much.

[velluminous]

[ meaning, this is more or less analogous to concentrating on a spell. her brow clears; she conjures her floating peacock quill and starts scribbling this down on a piece of scrap. it's that same unreadable language as her other works ]

And you standing here, is this "real"? If book fell on your foot, would it hurt? Would injury in here affect you out there?

[vecna]

That depends on what you consider “real.” Anything experienced here is valid. Pain, pleasure, all of it.

So for your example: yes, it would hurt. But I wouldn’t have a bruise on my physical body correlating to where you were clumsy enough to have dropped a book on me.

[There can be physical ramifications, of course. Of the murdery sort. But best not to address those when they do not apply.]

[velluminous]

[ as if she's pursuing pleasure within her own mindscape when there's magic to be learned. well, that's a pleasure all its own. and it's the one she thrives from.

she does not drop a book on his foot. she DOES come over and squeeze his arm, experimental ]

This is not happening in physical space, but I cannot tell difference. You were right.

[vecna]

[Wow, hey… Henry retracts his arm, surprised at her boldness.]

Of course I’m right. I know how my own abilities work.

Impressed?

[velluminous]

I hate to admit, but yes.

[vecna]

That’s high praise, coming from you. I’m glad I managed it somehow.

[velluminous]

You are impressive, every last thing you have demonstrated. You are simply so intolerably casual about it.

[vecna]

What would you prefer? For me to brag about it, instead?

[velluminous]

That appears to involve moving me about as you please. No.

[ #stillnotoverit ]

[vecna]

[Obviously.]

How long are you going to stay angry about that?

[It’s been like 2 days, Henry.]

[velluminous]

Until you make it up to me. Naturally.

Now. Can one cast magic while in this state?

[vecna]

Isn’t that what I’m doing now?

[She can take that as a rhetorical question if she likes.]

You can cast magic in the context of this memory. You can do whatever you like in your own head — but the “real” you out there won’t be doing anything at all. Remember that.

[velluminous]

[ so she's truly helpless, at the crux of it. don't think about it don't think about it don't think about it. but her skin cools a little...

finally she casts another look across the room, back towards the ?bed? in the corner, half-hidden.

...

why not. slinks over and crouches down, reaches underneath ]

In that case.

[vecna]

[Completely and utterly helpless. It’s not curse “magic” without siphoning away all control.

He follows, halting just a few steps behind.]

Keeping something hidden?

[Under her? Bed?]

[velluminous]

[ grunts and summarily produces a hefty wine bottle. waggles it at him, one eyebrow raised ]

[vecna]

[Oh.

Mirrors her expression.]

Better than the cheap beer.

[velluminous]

There are glasses in apothecary cabinet. Should you wish to partake.

[vecna]

[Shrugs and spreads his hands.]

Why not? I’m already here.

[Give him a moment to locate said cabinet and rifle around for two glasses. Clinking noises undoubtedly ensue.]

[velluminous]

Top shelf, on left... [ trails off. he'll figure it out. in the meantime, she works the claw of her thumb into the cork and pops it ] If nothing I do in here could convince you to let me out, should you not wish it, then I suppose I ought to do my damnedest to endear, hm?

[ making light of something that absolutely terrifies her? more likely than you think. ]

[vecna]

[Top shelf, left. Henry procures two wine glasses, holding them gently by their stems.]

Hoping to loosen my grip on your mind through ingratiation is a new one.

[He could comfort her by saying that he does not intend to keep her as a prisoner in her own mind. But he doesn't.]

But wine's a good start if that's your plan.

[velluminous]

[ why does he have to say it like that? her posture tightens microscopically when he does—these intermittent reminders that she's opened the door and it cannot be closed again. ]

Of course. Wine loosens everything, Mister Creel. And it is very good wine.

[vecna]

[He returns with the glasses glittering in the light, offering one out.]

I trust your tastes over mine, Ms Vaux. Loosen away.

[velluminous]

Mammon. How many times have I heard that?

[ it is a generous glass that she pours, once she's stood; the liquid a deep maroon, nearing purple. then she gestures for the other glass, to fill herself up.

sinks onto the edge of the. bed. sliding her one foot out in front to brace her, because she really is just perching there. it is almost completely closed-in and strewn with bits and bobs ]

You may sit, if you like.

[vecna]

[A shame that Henry nearly cannot appreciate the boldness of its color; since when he has he ever had a chance to share a glass of wine? With anyone? But he looks at it like an oddity all the same, his gaze appreciative in a distant way.]

Next to you?

[Glancing at the, ah, bed, it appears as though he may have to scoot and few odds and ends out of the way to make that a reality. If that’s where she meant.]