in the white room

[linazavala]

aemiliablack​:

Ideally you’d like to be able to manipulate all matter, you mean. That is… a lot of power. I won’t pretend that advancement of power has never been something on my mind, however the risk that comes with the transition into Thierry’s coven may have become more complicated. The vampires were sent here by an ancient one… one of the first… because it was his power and the power of his sire line that she happened to tap into to make her immortality possible. Since the death of three such vampires in his sire line, I’ve been wondering if he’s become stronger for it. I also wonder if tapping into that power even more will act like an incessant beacon to him. It’s not the most comforting thing in the world knowing he’s still out there. 

I guess that’s all entirely possible despite us having no real confirmation. Even so, I intend to discuss it with Thierry while we’re here. I’m not an impatient woman. If waiting is necessary, I’ll gladly do so. 

[linazavala]

seancewren​:

I won’t disclose the source but I have to buy living friends somehow. Alright. If it’s too dangerous, or the price too high, we can move on. Find the next great adventure. Right?

We’ll make no moves until we have all the information. I promise you that. 

[linazavala]

aemiliablack​:

You are welcome to judge however it suits you. The alchemists who have come up in my own studies have specializations. So I’m assuming yours is manipulating liquids…? Yes, that’s correct. My magic is cerebral. 

Yes. Liquids, vapors. Ideally, even more than that some day. Hence my desire to seek out Thierry Astor and her coven. it surprises me that more haven’t. While I know immortality isn’t for everyone, the advancement of power said to come with her magic -- it’s certainly desirable, isn’t it?

[linazavala]

seancewren​:

I was hinting around it. I haven’t asked you for any big magic in so long, I’m overdue. Thank you. Have we um…gotten any idea about what the process of becoming immortal looks like?

Here, but don’t go telling everyone where you got it. I’d hate to insult our hosts by turning down all of their drink requests so soon. None yet but I’m going to let Carmen get those answers for now since she’s doing it in a far more hamfisted way than I would. 

[linazavala]

seancewren​:

That does make perfect sense. Nothing to work the controls from the inside if the soul disappears. They have no absinthe here, help.

Are you asking me to make you absinthe? Did I become a bartender? Here. 

[linazavala]

aemiliablack​:

We thought vampires went extinct in the late 19th century. Our only experience with them since then has been one that’s caused a lot of damage. And your friend happened to make a very similar entrance to the same lot that we vanquished only a week ago, so you’ll have to forgive our snap judgement. …You’re an alchemist. 

For many of the same reasons you’ll have to forgive my snap judgements about people with a tendency toward snap judgement. I am. And if my studies serve me well, as a Black you posses some level of intellectual magic, correct?

[linazavala]

aemiliablack​:

That is a long way. Water it is. To first address the elephant in the room, you’ve already been told about our very recent vampire problem, but not in detail. A family of them turned my home into a house of horrors. Several people died, two from my own family, and just about everyone was tortured in some way. Coming out of it, I’ve sworn to never let something like that happen to these people in my home again. Do I have to be concerned in any way about Carmen forcing me to break that promise? 

Thank you. I’ve heard. That’s a very judgemental approach for a safehouse, don’t you think? I’ve met a number of dangerous witches in my lifetime. I still don’t approach them all the same. I’m not Carmen’s keeper. You’re free to ask her yourself. But we’re not here for violence or chaos of any kind. 

[linazavala]

seancewren​:

Ah, yes. You’re talking about a soul in the sense of morality and personality, but I mean the spirit. If it’s even possible to untangle the two. Why else would these vampires everyone was so scared of not even hang around after their own slaughter? I hope so. It appears that way.

I mean soul like the essence of who someone is. Physical and psychological. I imagine a body can’t carry on being a person without their soul but what do I know. 

[linazavala]

vesperlinwood​:

You’re probably correct, but it seems my emotional quotient has been significantly diminished in recent weeks. It is personal, but it is more personal if said family is looking for her, given the sudden dearth of them. She- Ah. I see. You may have missed the boat on that. Asking why someone would or wouldn’t want immortality is also a personal question, I would think.

That’s why I didn’t ask. Why do you say I’ve missed the boat?

[linazavala]

seancewren​:

She’s doing fine, I have complete and utter faith in her self control. I’m good. You’ll make friends easily, there are some other tightly stitched witches hanging around. Now let’s wax philosophical for two minutes and depress ourselves. Do you think Carmen has a soul? Or does vampirism take it? For fresh kills, I haven’t seen anyone bloody and fanged hanging around. Plenty of fun. Someone made a hand of glory. Calling people forward, building a bridge, no wonder it’s so busy here.

Of course she has a soul, Wren. It’s the thing that had her so determined to find the man that hurt her and kill him seconds after she gained her strength. A hand of Glory, huh? That’s particularly dark magic. Perhaps this place will be even more of a safe have than we’d anticipated. 

[linazavala]

seancewren​:

Not yet. Did they give you an answer to your request or is everyone still too distracted by Carmen’s snarling face? They got rid of some malicious vampires pretty much yesterday, I was told. Explains the hostility.

As much as I’m morally opposed to offending the host of a house upon arrival, I think she snarled just enough. We’ll pull her back if we have to but she certainly got their attention. How are you? And your friends? Anything fun?

[linazavala]

vesperlinwood​:

How intriguing.. and different. Interesting also that her supposed family did not seek her out. From the spectacle we were treated to, I was under the assumption that vampirism as a whole held other vampires as the highest authority, but there always is a black sheep. I would say you are welcome here, but unfortunately that isn’t my call. May I ask what your business with Thierry is?

No offense, Miss Linwood but I wouldn’t just go around asking people why their family doesn’t love them. Seems a bit personal. As for me and my business, I’ve heard Thierry Astor makes witches immortal, and that when she does, they’re able to keep the extent of their physical magic if not expand upon it. As opposed to turning them into vampires which diminishes it. As a person interested in the limits of magic, I find that tempting. Frankly, I’m surprised more don’t. 

[linazavala]

aemiliablack​:

It is. I’ll have the staff tend to each of your needs as you settle in. You must’ve come a long way if you’re just arriving now. My curiosity of you and this group you’ve arrived with is admittedly something I’m eager to satisfy. If you’re not too weary from your travels, I’d like to offer you a drink, someplace to sit, and conversation.

Mexico. By way of Virgina first. We’d intended to fend for ourselves for a while. Wren and I. But once Carmen joined us, it seemed wiser to be around more magic, around people who might be more understanding and accommodating when she doesn’t know how a phone works. I don’t really drink, but you can. I’ll just take some water and be happy to sit and chat. 

[linazavala]

carmendleon​:

I am not… intense. 

Neither is black coffee, but some still find it hard to swallow. 

[linazavala]

riva-astor​:

It is. But welcomes aren’t my place to give. You’ll want to speak with the coven leaders for the grand tour and pamphlets. 

I don’t need a welcome. Just a who is who or a what is what. Everyone seems a little skittish about newcomers. It is always like that?

[linazavala]

vesperlinwood​:

Apologies. My name is Vesper Linwood, Original Witch, very tired and the curious sort.

I see that. It’s good to meet you, Vesper. I’m Lina. And my friend there, Carmen -- as far as I can tell has no closely held beliefs about her kind or their customs. She’s been in a coffin for four hundred years. 

[linazavala]

carmendleon​:

That’s right, you are also insufferable. 

Breathe, darling. You did what you were supposed to do. We found Thierry. Try approaching them with a little less ... intensity.