two ladies, an angel, and a library

[tryingitall]

Who: Balthazar, Fortescue, and Mina
What: Discussion of healing, magic, and possibly Current Events.
When: After dark, Day 117
Where: The library


He's gotten fairly cavalier about flying himself from place to place, of late. Now that Michael's here, he thinks it unwise to do so, lest he draw unwanted attention. Thus, Balthazar leaves his house well after dusk and walks to the library. It's not unpleasant, really; the sky is cloudy and opaque, but there's a breeze and some crickets making friendly noises. You'd almost never know how bizarre Kore is, simply from walking from one building to the other.

Then again, he can see the ruins of the General Store as he goes.

He enters the library without ceremony, and turns on the lights. Mina alone he could meet in the dark, but he's not sure whether Fortescue's night vision equal's her cat's, so it seems polite to have some illumination.

Comments

[tryingitall]

"I take it that method leaves lasting effects on the patient," the angel murmurs in Mina's direction. Balthazar doesn't seem to mind the thorns, but he'll take the expansion as a warning to step back and sit down again.

Looking back at Fortescue he nods slowly. "Even among angels, talents aren't universal. Ultimately, I've done a bit of everything, but I'm more of a tinkerer with spells and weapons and dimensional gates than anything else."

[blackmagus]

"I suppose that would have been too convenient of them," she jokes quietly, smiling. "Still, growing life of any sort could be a springboard for healing."

When Balthazar mentions dimensional gates, Fortescue raises a brow slightly. Now there's a familiar term. She's curious, but perhaps those questions are better left to another occasion.

[primogen_vampirate]

Mina's interest was also peeked at the mention of 'dimensional gates.' Seemed like a handy trick to have when one was, oh, say, trapped in some inter-dimensional science experience with a lot of idiots. But she supposed, surely, he must have already tried to use his abilities to get out of this hellhole. She would, if she had the opportunity.

"Yes," she said. "Well. If a human drinks vitae, their natural healing is accelerated. They'll also spend a month being stronger and more durable than before. And they'll stop aging for that month. The downside is that they become addicted to vampire blood and the vampire that supplies it. We call that person a 'ghoul.' Much easier to make a ghoul than to perform a ritual. Less time-consuming too."

[tryingitall]

He hasn't tried, technically, but he's had a good look at the walls of their cage and found them too risky to breach. In any case, he doesn't know anything the archangels don't.

"I can think of some very kinky uses for that ability," he tells Mina candidly, "but I can see why you'd want to use it sparingly."

[blackmagus]

Fortescue is unable to contain a smirk at Balthazar's comment, but at least she doesn't snicker. Perhaps she's getting better at containing herself in non-work-related company. ...perhaps.

"Sounds like some vampires might find it quite useful."

Those without scruples, concerning humans, perhaps.

[primogen_vampirate]

Mina was good-natured enough to laugh. But Fortescue's concerns about a certain lack of scruples were very, very well founded.

"Back where I came from," she said. "Chicago. In the 1930s. We didn't have anything like this." She gestured to the communications device the scientists had so kindly given her. "Our only means of fast communication was through a network of ghouls that were put into place."

She had no idea how many of them had been willing and how many had been pressed into service. And she didn't want to know.

"Those ghouls were the reason why the Fae attacked our city."

[tryingitall]

He does so enjoy people laughing at his jokes. Balthazar just barely manages not to look smug, listening attentively once more. He frowns a little once again at the story, though, rubbing his chin.

"You come from a complicated world. Both of you, I think."

[blackmagus]

"Politics," Fortescue agrees wryly. "What would we do without it?"

Other than sleep better at night, at least figuratively speaking. She shrugs.

"There's an elven faction in my world, the Inveterates, that use humans in a similar way. Though it's mostly through mind control, via magic. It sometimes damages the short-term memory, in the most severe cases, but the side effects are otherwise minimal. Most of their human soldiers in the war are used in this fashion."

[primogen_vampirate]

Mina raised an eyebrow at that. "Politics indeed," she agreed.

She wouldn't clutch her pearls (her metaphorical pearls, anyway) and plead innocence. She had, from time to time, used a human being or two to her advantage, even if she did champion their cause, for the most part.

To say nothing of mind control, which was a favorite tool of hers.

She turned to offer Balthazar a blithe smile. "But complicated is so fun. After all, I've met your family."

[tryingitall]

Have a skeptical look, Mina. "Are you saying my family is fun? Because I might beg to differ."

They certainly are complicated, though, he admits. He thinks he's comparatively simple, by himself.

[blackmagus]

Fortescue quirks a smile. "You do have enough of them for a sports team," she jokes quietly.

[primogen_vampirate]

In all honesty, Mina felt that the angels put the 'fun' in 'dysfunctional family.' Even if she was a bit fond of some of them, particularly Gabriel and Balthazar.

Funny how things changed.

"Or a jury of peers," she added.

[tryingitall]

"...yes, well. We're nothing if not judgmental." He shakes his head at Mina's observation, a hint of bitterness in his voice. He banishes it quickly, though, with a clap of his hands.

"So! Did you two want to practice, or would you rather I buggered off and let you talk shop for a bit?"

[blackmagus]

Fortescue glances to Mina. It's her learning experience; she's just along to contribute what she can. Which is hopefully something substantial.

"Preference?"

[primogen_vampirate]

Mina considered it a moment. "I don't like to do things by halves," she finally said, slowly and deliberately. "When I throw myself into work, I like to do so for as long a stretch as possible. And I fear we might be interrupted by the sunrise. Which would be very unfortunate for me."

And uncomfortable.

[tryingitall]

Balthazar nods in understanding. "That suits me well enough. As I said, I can't afford to be away from my brothers for too long just now. I'll leave you, then. You both know where to find me if you need me."

[blackmagus]

Fortescue clicks her tongue, and Jazz comes running out of the shelves not too long after. There's a gathering of fluff around his mouth, but the black cat is otherwise impeccable as he jumps up onto her lap.

"Good luck," she directs at Balthazar, on the wry side. She doesn't envy his position. "I'm sure I'll see you both soon enough."