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Taylor and the Dream

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I gotta say, Danny totally has that coming to him. Promises are serious business for the magical. Frankly, he is being an idiot.
 
Taylor gets her lesson in getting out of a promise demanded of her, and so does Danny.

Lacey actually understands what's going on, though she still hasn't internalised it, while the boys still don't get what the big deal is.

I wonder if you can promise to not make promises without giving them due thought?

I wonder what the PRT will make of her MRI, given QA hasn't hooked up, and given what she's already gone through and her personal power, I don't think QA ever will. Now, if Taylor connects to QA, on the other hand?

I'm hoping she stays at the Pelham's and avoids the PRT; given her promise, it could be considered only to cover this night.
 
Not a fan of Sarahs statements, power granting does not at all come with some form of mental alterations, teacher is actually more of an exception. Othala for example.... most do come with downsides of some sort though yes (othala is temporary for example) but taylor already listed a couple of big downsides...... why would you then assume mastering would be on top, that would make her power 100x more OP than teachers even without knowing anything more. and its still a but hypocritical when your niece is a constant low level master (as i said before, no matter what vicky fans say, her aura is a small form of mastering).

and shes trying to get taylor to agree (read: promise) to go to the prt for testing, which would force her to say things she might not want to, alao by design, testing it involves giving the prt access to their own power granting trump, giving the PRT an unlimited army of powered people eventually... new wave should know better than to trust faceless government goons with that kind of power tbh
 
XiaoYueMao said:
Not a fan of Sarahs statements, power granting does not at all come with some form of mental alterations,
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While she is heavily implying that Taylor's might have a master effect, she's saying that she doesn't know and she wants Taylor to "better be safe than sorry" and get it tested just in case there's something she doesn't know about it. What she does say is that she's concerned there might be unknown mental side effects, and the prt are the best people to help her find out before anyone gets hurt.
 
Darkphoenixlady said:
While she is heavily implying that Taylor's might have a master effect, she's saying that she doesn't know and she wants Taylor to "better be safe than sorry" and get it tested just in case there's something she doesn't know about it. What she does say is that she's concerned there might be unknown mental side effects, and the prt are the best people to help her find out before anyone gets hurt.
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no, see, thats fine, my big issue more was that she was trying to pressure taylor into agreeing (promise) to go to the prt after she just told her why she didn't want to and taylor explicitly stating how important promises are for her, suggesting that taylor cant stay the night if she doesnt, despite the fact the "potential mastering" only occurs if she teleports them across dimensions which she isnt doing. aka, while Sarah may not realize it, shes using her mastering concerns to subtly pressure taylor into self-mastering herself with an agreement.
 
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Chapter 27
  • Threadmarks

    • Chapter 27


    ​


    The next morning I wake up bundled up in a sleeping bag on the floor of Crystal's bedroom. Thinking back to last night I smile as I remember laughing at the film they put on in their converted basement. Then Crystal and I chatted about everything from books to English Literature to boys to how sucky it is to get powers, and how I knew where South Memorial Hospital was.


    Seeing that Crystal is still sleeping, I slip out of the sleeping bag and head for the shower while I roll the sleeping bag up neatly. Once I'm done I make my way downstairs, only to find that Mrs Pelham is already there.


    Mrs Pelham turns around from unloading the dishwasher, "Good morning, Taylor wasn't it?"


    I non, "Morning Mrs Pelham, and it is."


    "Call me Sarah, or Aunt Sarah if you stick around, I prefer the more informal nature of it."


    I nod and hold up the sleeping bag, "Where would you like this?"


    Mrs Pelham, Sarah, points to a small room next to the kitchen, "Just chuck it in there… Taylor, Neil and I spoke last night. What I said last night about getting your power granting ability, and getting it tested. I need to apologize for how I presented it."


    I frown, "Um, ok?"


    Sarah turns around and leans back against the counter, "While it's true that all power granting trumps have side effects, very few of them have master effects as one. What there is, is a very strong anti master bias amongst the general population, and capes as well."


    I nod, as Heart Breaker has been in the news enough that I know about him. Though I didn't really know about Teacher until… Sarah interrupts my thoughts, "Especially with the Fallen in Western America, and Canary's trial."


    "She's on trial?"


    Sarah nods, "The prosecution delayed it until after the Simurgh attacked Canaberra. Carol has already filed an amicus brief to the court, as have multiple other parahuman lawyers and the ACLU. However, without being able to speak to Canary in person, nobody can get confirmation that she wants to change her lawyer. It's almost certain that the case will be overturned on appeal, but it's not looking good for the initial trial. We, that is New Wave, had the PRT test Glory Girl's Aura a few years ago so that it's on record that it isn't a master effect. Turns out that it is, but it doesn't grant her any direct control, or have any long term effects on individuals. Please don't spread that around, as it will only cause people to fear her for something she can't control, and doesn't give her any direct control over people. What I don't want to see happen to you is that you grant powers to a lot of people, and one day one of them uses the powers to commit horrific crimes and blames it on some sort of long term master effect. Now, do you have any questions before the others get up?"


    I think for several seconds before I ask, "You said I'd need to be affiliated with the PRT before I could patrol with you, why?"


    Sarah nods, "It's a fair question. We are a PRT Affiliated team. For teams it's a little different to individuals, as we get a little funding from the government, we're able to access some of their secure resources for testing and information sharing. While we don't have any greater powers of arrest than any other hero, our evidence and testimony is given greater weight. On the flip side, we are also held to a higher standard of behavior as we, the adults of the team, are assumed to know the law on things like reasonable use of force."


    I frown, "What about Glory Girl, Victoria?"


    Sarah snorts, "Despite her reputation, she has been getting better as she's grown older. While I cannot comment on what's happened to her, I can tell you that she will be punished once she's healthy enough to undertake it."


    I roll my eyes, "I didn't mean it like that. I meant how does she fit into your affiliate status."


    "Oh, we have to show that we're taking reasonable steps to teach her, and once she's an adult she'll have to do some additional classes with the PRT. But I think I got a bit off track. You originally asked why you needed to be affiliated. If you regularly patrolled on your own, and only occasionally met up with us, it wouldn't be a problem. I got the impression that patrolling isn't really your style."


    I shake my head, "Honestly, I'd rather just be able to get on with my life and not be involved in cape stuff. But my powers couldn't be hidden, still can't be really, and Lung, the Undersiders, and Skidmark all know what I look like. No point trying to hide in that case."


    Sarah nods, "I can see how you got to that conclusion, but you could have still gone the anonymous route as the rest of the world didn't know. It's a bit late now, as your interview was on the local news last night. Your spear has garnered a lot of interest as the writing is in the oldest form of written Greek. I checked PHO, and there seems to be quiet a lot of discussion on it, probably more than there is about you."


    I smile and nod, "Selene surprised me with it, and I don't feel like I'm worthy of the spear yet. But in her words, 'I'm not likely to kill someone accidentally'."


    "That's good to know, and I hope you don't intend to kill anyone."


    I shake my head, "Not if they're not trying to kill me. Otherwise I'm not going to hamstring myself."


    Sarah sighs, "Taylor, you need to temper thoughts like those. No, let me finish please. It's not about individual fights, it's about how villains will react to you after those fights. Once you kill, even in self defense, other villains will treat you differently. They won't hold back as much and you'll find yourself needing to escalate more until you find yourself forced to kill again. Most Heroes aren't powerful enough to force Villains to back down to the normal rules again."


    Crystal walks in behind us with a yawn, "Hey mom, Taylor, whatcha talking about?"


    Sarah says, "The consequences of killing even if you're justified."


    I look back as Crystal grimaces, "Oh yeah, I hated that class. There's a dozen documented cases where it happened, and the Hero ended up needing to move out of the area and rebrand because all of their interactions with the local villains were getting so bad that they were afraid they were going to be killed or have to kill again. There's also boxes full of cases where the local Villains just offed the Hero rather than take the chance they might decide to do the same to them."


    "Crystal! I was trying to spare Taylor that."


    Crystal shakes her head, "Don't bother. She's already had the mushroom treatment."


    I ask, "The what?"


    "Mushroom treatment, kept in the dark and fed shit all day, or kept in the dark and shat on from a great height. No offense, but someone should have done something at Winslow, probably involving petrol and a match in the middle of the night."


    Sarah sounds horrified as she says, "Crystal!"


    Crystal shakes her head, "No mom, I'm not going to tell you what we talked about, but I am going to point at the long trigger hypothesis."


    "What? Really, that bad?"


    Crystal nods as she heads over to a cupboard, "Taylor, you deserve a damn medal for not leveling the damn place if even half of what you said is true. Anyway, how did you even get onto that subject?"


    I demure, "I'm sure other people have had it just as bad or worse."


    Sarah glances at Crystal as she says, "Taylor, just because they have, doesn't mean what you went through wasn't terrible. Every parahuman goes through a a horrific event to get powers. We do our best to visit people who have just gone through their own to offer help and counseling. The PRT does the same. We all have horror stories. Anyway, before we start talking about our own personal trauma's and ruining the day. Crystal, we were talking about PRT affiliation."


    Crystal looks back from where she's started loading up a coffee percolator, "Oh, yeah, far too early for that, though I think I over shared last night." I nod as she yawns, "Damn, far too early to be awake too. Do you want a coffee while I'm making mine?"


    I shake my head, "Sorry for waking you up."


    Crystal waves a hand, "Blame years of Eric trying to steal my stuff for that. Anyway, I bet mom was giving you the run around by explaining why you should do it instead of just how easy it is."


    Sarah puts on an offended look, "Crystal!"


    "Well you do mom. Let me tell you, I'd rather have been smacked than listen to mom tell me why what I did was wrong. Anyway, PRT affiliation is really simple. They take your fingerprints and do an MRI, then they ask you a few things about your past and your powers. Not about how they work but ways that you use them, or things about past events that aren't public knowledge. This so that they can use them as security questions if there's ever a risk someone might be impersonating you. Then they give you your temporary card and sign you up for a few classes on acceptable use of force, how to use zip cuffs, and a couple of other things. At the end of the classes they give you your permanent card and a box of 100 zip cuffs."


    I don't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed now that I know, so I say the only thing that comes to mind, "Oh."


    Sarah huffs, "I'd have got there eventually. We just kept getting side tracked."


    "And this is why New Wave meetings always take so long. Anyway, Taylor, you're invited to the BBQ this afternoon. I'd say bring some meat, but…"


    I interrupt Crystal, "I can do that. I can even butcher it here and you can keep the rest for later."


    Sarah smiles, "That is very kind of you Taylor, but I wouldn't want to put you out."


    I smile broadly, "It's no trouble, I like hunting with Selene and I was going to see her once I left anyway. She's been teaching me how to cook over an open fire as well as on a suspended surface."


    Crystal nudges Sarah, "Go on mom, you can see that Taylor just wants to show off."


    Sarah looks at the ceiling, "Oh fine, but you get to talk to the HOA if there's any complaints."


    Crystal nods, "Sure, I'm looking forward to seeing a real two headed deer."


    I nod, "They're tasty too. Though I'm not good enough to kill one on my own yet. But I'm getting there."


    Sarah looks at me curiously, "Why wouldn't you be good enough to kill a deer?"


    I shrug, "They all have powers, and they're better at using them than I am. In fairness, I could probably deal with a prey animal on my own. But where there's prey there's also predators."


    Sarah frowns, "Surely you'd be able to hand a few mutated wolves."


    Patiently, I say, "Sarah, none of the worlds beyond this one have been tamed. That means that they are as dangerous now as Africa or the Amazon jungle used to be. Except, all of the wildlife has powers on top of that. Out there where Selene lives, I've yet to find animals that can't teleport, turn invisible, or sense me from further away than I can sense them, often at the same time. I use a spear and not a bow because a single arrow just isn't going to do anything, the wolf thing I got the spines I hit Victoria with teleported them around me and tried to stab them all into me at the same time. I only survived because I was able to grab enough of the spines at the same time I attacked it. This was before I met Selene. Thinking about it, it's probably why I never saw any large predators in the forest either. As if it had ambushed me from the undergrowth, I'd be dead."


    "How can you be so blasé about that? I've faced death, and I'm not that blasé."


    "It's the rule of the hunt, you are both hunter and prey whenever you leave to hunt. Selene and I hunt together because we're stronger together, though Selene's plenty strong enough on her own. Do I want to die? Not at all, but it's something you have to accept as a possibility otherwise you won't be ready when death comes looking for you. But a hunter only hunts out of need, never out of spite or pleasure, though they can take pleasure in the hunt. A hunt against a predator should also only be undertaken if there is no other way to protect your community, as in any such hunt there is a high chance that one of the hunters will die when the predator turns the hunt around."


    "Then, surely hunting isn't necessary these days."


    I laugh, I can't help it, I laugh. "Mrs Pelham, when I said that time passes faster out there, I meant it. I took dad to where Selene lives yesterday morning, by the time I called Victoria a year had passed for him. Could you afford to feed your family if you had to buy a years worth of food every time you came back to Earth Bet?"


    Crystal pours out her coffee and grabs my arm to lead me out of the garden, "Mom, give up. Trust Taylor to know her power better than you do. Come on Taylor, I'll show you the garden, and you can tell me about cooking over an open fire."


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    17 April


    So, apparently dad got home safely last night, but I'm not sure I'm ready to talk to him just yet. Not that he's likely to be getting up before midday anyway, as Selene says that the three of them caught up with the other Dockworkers and were drinking last time she checked in on him.


    So, I've got a new project - Learn what different metals feel like. I suppose I should have guessed that something like that would happen. It's probably related to my lessons on being able to sense the incoming projectiles. Anyway, that came out of my asking if we could do a hunt to get food for the BBQ. After I explained what a BBQ was, she showed me that it was possible to find and extract precious metals from the ground. Told me that Hades was really good at it, and challenged me to work out how. To cap it off, I had to make a copper cooking plate as a gift to the Pelham's. Anyway, it's lumpy, bumpy, and not quite round, and it took me two days. But I made it.


    Fuck that was hard. Selene helped me find the prey animal in the next world, but told me that as it was my gift, it had to be my kill too. At least I'm getting better at keeping my magic quiet (I suppose that's a good way of thinking about it, as it's like they can hear me coming) as it's the only way to get close enough to the prey to hit them before they can just teleport away. And these ones are using a different method of teleportation that's almost as quick as Spikes, but goes much further.


    Apparently Catlin wants to speak to me.


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    I feel a little self conscious as I stand outside Mr Persons with a sort of buffalo hanging in the air behind me, assuming a buffalo stood 8 feet at the shoulder, had massive armoured plates over it's back and sides, and a large club for a tail. Compared to that, my poor attempt at making a cooking plate seems positively tame. If it wasn't for the sound of Connor's giggling laughter I might even have wondered if Catlin was in.


    As the door opens, Catlin looks at me for a moment before she smiles brightly, "Taylor, I wasn't expecting you this early. Come… Uh, I'd invite you in, but I don't think that will fit."


    I smile, "Thank you for the offer. How are you settling in?"


    "Great, I've sort of got a new job, and I think I've got the hang of cleaning with magic."


    "That's great news, what are you doing?"


    "Selene's paying me to be her emissary to this world until she's able to visit herself. I'm getting paid 1 gold Tetradrachm a week, and a bonus gold drachma every time I need to do some work for her."


    "How did that come about?"


    Catlin shrugs and adjusts Connor as he starts playing with her hair, "I went back to see her on Thursday and Friday while Connor was asleep. Last night she offered me the job. Apparently, she feels like she needs a representative here to handle things that aren't the domain of apprentices. Anyway, I know you need to deal with that animal, so I was wondering if you could look after Connor later, and also see if Sarah Pelham would allow you to bring Selene's Emissary as a guest."


    "Why didn't she tell me?"


    "Because I wanted to tell you myself. Taylor, I'm not going to replace you, I can't replace you. But tomorrow I'm going to contact the reporter from the Brockton Broadsheet and arrange for him to visit. While you were on your way back, Selene asked me to arrange to deal with arranging for some PRT representatives to visit and arrange testing the effects of travel through the dream."


    "So what am I supposed to do?"


    "You could just ask Selene. But I'd imagine that it will be something like state visits you see on TV sometimes, where the leader and their second are there to greet."


    I frown and mutter, "Selene, goddess of the moon, I just found out that you've hired Catlin. What am I supposed to do when she's acting as your Emissary?"


    Selene's answer comes back almost immediately, "While you are my apprentice, your place would be by my side for official visits. If we were in my homeland and time, Catlin would be my high priestess, and she would reside in the home my people built for me."


    I grasp for something I can relate to as the crescent moon appears on Catlin's forehead. "You're her secretary aren't you."


    Catlin starts to fend off Connor's attempts to catch the crescent moon as she says, "One moment, I'm just explaining what a secretary is. Um, could you hold Connor as he's a bit distracting."


    I gently take Connor in my telekinesis and start to make aeroplane noises as I float him around.


    After a couple of minutes Catlin shakes her head, "No not a secretary, what was Pepper Potts in that Aleph import?"


    I grimace as I try to remember who that might be. A second later I start to cry as I realize it was the last film I ever watched with Emma before mum died. As I do, Connor starts to reach for me shouting, "'ug, 'ug."


    I pull him into my arms as I say, "PA, CEO, Lover?"


    Catlin steps out of the house and pulls me into a sideways hug, "Are you ok Taylor?"


    I nod, "I'm fine, it's just, Iron Man was the last film I ever watched with Emma before mum died. I remember uncle Alan took us to see it when they showed it as part of their Aleph hits weekend. Uncle Alan said that Iron Man was a lot like Hero used to be."


    "It must be hard when that happens, especially when you loved each other."


    We stand there for a few minutes as I cry silently before I finally nod, "Thank you, it just caught me off guard. What about you? Do you have any family?"


    Catlin sighs, "I do, and I promised myself that I'd never be like my mother. I'm the oldest of 10, and mom earned her living on her back. I'd rather live on the streets than live like that. I guess I almost had to put that to the test, anyway, I practically raised the others, the ones she kept anyway. I'm not exactly a fan of my past, so do you mind if we skip the talk."


    I nod, "Sure, I get that. I was the same way with school. Selene's a good listener though, and she's helped me a lot while we've just been doing chores together."


    Caitlin nods, "She's good at that. Though last night I think she was upset about something, as I'm normally there for a day or so at most. But I arrived and she said she needed to take care of something. When she got back, she offered me the job, and I spent the next two months or so being taught how to turn invisible, teleport and reach out to the channel I helped you fit. I don't quite get how it works, just that it does."


    I feel a momentary surge of jealousy, until that last part, "Did she teach you spells?"


    Caitlin nods, "She did, then she spent the next couple of days moaning about not having enough time to teach me properly. I've got a training spear in my room now, though I only need it for the invisibility spell. Oh, yeah, I need to ask you for lessons, I forgot about that. Oh, and PA fits better, she's just finished watching my memory of the film."


    My eyes widen, "That's how she knew to do that thing with the stick."


    "Oh yeah, that's another thing she wants me to do. She wants me to start a movie night with you once a week. I really need to buy a diary."


    "I've got some notebooks in my room."


    Caitlin shakes her head, "I mean a proper diary so that I can keep track of things that are coming up."


    Connor chooses this moment to say, "Mama, potty."


    Catlin sighs, "I should get this one inside before he has an accident. Let Selene know what's going on, and I'll adjust."


    I hand Connor back to Catlin, "Sure, I'll do that."


    As she shuts the door I slowly walk back to the sidewalk wondering what the hell is going on.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Re: Power granters aren't normally trumps!
    I can think of 4 power granters total, and half of them are Masters. (Galvante and Othalla: Not. Teacher, Is, almost killed the English PM from memory, and Pastor, who single handedly took over a city/town of unknown size.)

    Depending on your count Nilbog coulld also count, as he turns people into powered minions.

    Additionally, shards try to foster conflict. If you're a power granter, your powers will be set up so you're a resource to fight over (Galavante and Othala), or you're a threat through your own actions (Teacher and Pastor). I believe Wildbow has a Wog confirming that people are set up as resources to explain Dinah.
     
    God, if she butches that Dire Buffalo in their backyard that's going to cause such a mess. And the smell! XD

    Thank God for abusable Cantrips lol

    But hey, nearly Flintstone sized Ribs. Nice.
     
    Teatime42 said:
    God, if she butches that Dire Buffalo in their backyard that's going to cause such a mess. And the smell! XD

    Thank God for abusable Cantrips lol

    But hey, nearly Flintstone sized Ribs. Nice.
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    She's already gutted and bled it, as you never drag the inedible bits back to your camp, as it will attract scavengers. That means she's only going to be skinning it.
     
    I thought you said in an earlier chapter that taking people to Selene's depth in the dream would grant people magic and that they should think carefully before granting magic because it cant be taken back. But now they are talking about bringing a random reporter there. Did I misunderstand what you said?
     
    boyrich said:
    I thought you said in an earlier chapter that taking people to Selene's depth in the dream would grant people magic and that they should think carefully before granting magic because it cant be taken back. But now they are talking about bringing a random reporter there. Did I misunderstand what you said?
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    You didn't. Which is why Selene is going to be taking responsibility for it through her emissary. Same as she was able to read Danny's mind before she gave him her mark. If she didn't need him in order to get through whatever protections are surrounding earth, she'd have never done it.
     
    5colouredwalker said:
    Re: Power granters aren't normally trumps!
    I can think of 4 power granters total, and half of them are Masters. (Galvante and Othalla: Not. Teacher, Is, almost killed the English PM from memory, and Pastor, who single handedly took over a city/town of unknown size.)

    Depending on your count Nilbog coulld also count, as he turns people into powered minions.

    Additionally, shards try to foster conflict. If you're a power granter, your powers will be set up so you're a resource to fight over (Galavante and Othala), or you're a threat through your own actions (Teacher and Pastor). I believe Wildbow has a Wog confirming that people are set up as resources to explain Dinah.
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    theres several power granters, Bitch technically counts as one, though it only applies to dogs, and she doesnt control them.


    Usher can grant brute powers that can protect from a single power only

    Crane the Harmonious doesnt technically grant powers but can teach anyone to become a supernaturally good martial artist at the peak of human ability, which the PRT no doubt classifies as brute 0.

    Cask can make serums which can make people stronger, and while their serums can also master people, thats something they explicitly adds to them (they are a tinker). so they can also effectively grant brute powers without mastering if they want.

    now keep in mind, the vast vast majority of parahumans are unknown, taylor only met a handful, most of whom were villains and thus had either villainous powers or used their powers as such. ive no doubt the PRT has several parahumans that can enhance others safely for use around containment zones especially
     
    Ngl - the spear usage seems out of place in this one. Like it serves no purpose. I've only read to chapter 25 so far, so if you justify it between now and up to date, i take it back, but, if Taylor's range, leverage and power are all magical as you have shown, why isn't she learning to fight with a dozen celestial bronze needles bonded to her instead of a bulky and (comparatively) unwieldy spear?

    That and maybe a wooden ring with a few different shapes cut into its rim to act as training wheels until she gets better at controlling her magic freestyle.

    Even if it's "just in case it's you that gets thrown in iron shackles for the imprisonment arc" wouldn't training with a weapon a prisoner/slave might actually be able to steal/hide be more useful?
     
    MaimakteriAnn said:
    Ngl - the spear usage seems out of place in this one. Like it serves no purpose. I've only read to chapter 25 so far, so if you justify it between now and up to date, i take it back, but, if Taylor's range, leverage and power are all magical as you have shown, why isn't she learning to fight with a dozen celestial bronze needles bonded to her instead of a bulky and (comparatively) unwieldy spear?

    That and maybe a wooden ring with a few different shapes cut into its rim to act as training wheels until she gets better at controlling her magic freestyle.

    Even if it's "just in case it's you that gets thrown in iron shackles for the imprisonment arc" wouldn't training with a weapon a prisoner/slave might actually be able to steal/hide be more useful?
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    It's purely cultural from Selene's POV. The spear is a hunting weapon. From a practical POV, you should never see Taylor using the spear against street level opponents, however, look at what she did with the spine wolf. Where she grabbed its quills with her own power. Should she come across something with more powerful telekinesis than her own, the celestial bronze needles stop being nearly as friendly.
    We already know of at least one entity that can levitate buildings - Simurgh. However, the Simurgh has also never been seen ripping equipment away from people.
     
    Eh. Selene flat out said the celestial bronze spearhead couldn't be turned against her once bonded. So it sounds like there's a solution to that already.
     
    MaimakteriAnn said:
    Eh. Selene flat out said the celestial bronze spearhead couldn't be turned against her once bonded. So it sounds like there's a solution to that already.
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    Do you mean this line.

    As she holds the spear out towards me, balanced on both her palms, she says, "Berenike, take your spear with your off hand and slice your hand on the blade. Then take hold of the spear and push your magic into the spear to make it yours, and yours alone."
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    Taylor has bonded her spear with blood. That means that she can always call it back to her (read, teleport), meaning that nobody else can take it and use it without her permission. This would work great with any other celestial bronze weapons too, but the effect would be fairly useless with weapons that rely on not being held by the wielder. As denial of resources is often as useful in a fight as being able to use an enemies weapons against them.
    This is very distinct from an alternative reading of the line, where it means that it is immune to being controlled by anyone but the owner.
     
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    Materials
  • Informational
    • In the dream there are a few new materials that have or will be referenced. Most of this can be found in the ecology or my original Harry Potter crossover where I developed the setting.

    • Magicite
      • Magicite is crystalized magic and it can only be found in the sea of magic. It can be found in small quantities on the world directly bordering the sea of magic - The Shore of the Sea of Magic, but for larger quantities you need to be able to survive travelling the sea. On its own it will slowly evaporate in lower magical concentrations than those found on the Shore or further.
    • Celestial Bronze
      • This is a bronze alloy where an equal volume of powdered Magicite to tin is added to the copper. The magic from the Magicite makes the bronze extremely robust and hard to damage, as well as being a superlative conductor of magic for precision work. Without being in the possession of a being that has traveled to the shore, the magicite in the bronze will slowly evaporate over a few decades, leaving only good quality Bronze behind.
    • Stygian Iron
      • Iron is already inimical to magic, as it forces magic into rigid forms rather than it's natural chaotic flows. This Alloy between Magicite and Iron takes this even further, to the point where it can even prevent those who travel the sea of magic from using their own magic if they are bound in it. Unlike other Iron alloys, the Magicite in the iron will push out all other impurities, leaving only the two pure elements. Like Celestial Bronze, Stygian Iron will slowly turn to normal Iron if it is kept away from sufficient concentrations of magic.
     
  • Informational
    • Chapter 28
  • Threadmarks

    • Chapter 28


    ​


    Eventually I get my head together enough to remember to teleport to the Pelham's rather than just standing on the sidewalk like an idiot. Whatever's going on I can just ask Selene later when I go back for training.


    After I've rung the doorbell it takes a couple of minutes for Mr Pelham to answer the door only to freeze silently until Sarah walks up behind him.


    As the two of them are standing there looking over my shoulder, I levitate the cooking plate in front of them, "Thank you for taking me in last night. It was greatly appreciated. In Selene's culture it is considered polite to bring a gift before you impose on someone's hospitality, so she had me make this for you in recompense."


    I watch as Mr Pelham glances down at the cooking plate and back behind me. I glance over my shoulder to see what they're both staring at before looking back. "Oh, right, I promised meat for tonight. Is there somewhere I could put this?"


    Mr Pelham eventually says, "Uh, take it round to the garden."


    I nod and walk down the side of the house until I've got a good view of somewhere I can teleport to in the garden. As I'm passing out of earshot, Sarah says, "What the hell is that?"


    I hear Mr Pelham say, "I have no idea. Did you see the stab marks?"


    A few minutes later the two of them join me in their garden and I ask, "Where would you like me to skin this?"


    Sarah says, "When you said you were going to bring meat, we were thinking of something just a little smaller."


    I wince, "Selene helped me to track down several prey animals, but this was the only one I was able to sneak up on before it fled. Sorry, I know it's a little on the large size. But at least it will feed you for a few days right?"


    I think my epiphany about the animals 'hearing' me coming has affected my own progress, as I look past the two of them to the front of the house where I feel a couple of presences rapidly slow down, and then stop. "Um, I think you have guests."


    Mr Pelham turns around, "I'll check it out."


    While I think of it, I ask, "Um, that reminds me. Would it be alright to bring a toddler to the BBQ later, as my neighbor needs to work later. Also, Selene wants me to ask if her emissary could attend as well. They're the first person I deliberately granted powers to."


    Sarah purses her lips, "This wasn't supposed to be a political event, just a family and friends gathering."


    I nod and shrug, "That's fine, is it still ok to bring the toddler?"


    Sarah nods, "That should be fine."


    I nod, "Thank you. I'll let the emissary know."


    Mr Pelham walks round the side of the house with two of the most recognizable heroes in the city following behind him. In the lead is Armsmaster in his trademark blue power armor, and behind him is Miss Militia in her army fatigues and US flag covering her mouth and nose.


    I start to bounce in place with a wide smile, only to stop when everyone looks behind me with alarm. I stop and turn around to see what the problem is, only to see that I let the buffalo thing drop slightly, and it's horn has just gouged a massive chunk out of the lawn. Sheepishly I raise it up again and repair the lawn before I turn back. "Sorry about that, you were my favorite hero when I was growing up."


    Miss Militia's eyes crinkle as she chuckles beside the rather stern Armsmaster, "Quite alright, no damage done I'm sure. Before we go any further, how would you like us to address you?"


    I blink and hesitate, so Sarah says, "They want to know what name to put down in their reports."


    I nod, "Oh, right. Um, Berenike, apprentice of Selene. But you can call me Taylor out of costume."


    Armsmaster nods, "We have received multiple reports of a cape matching your description parading around a dead tinkertech creation."


    I turn around and look at it, "Well, it's certainly not tinkertech, as I saw several animals just like this one before I gave up trying to get something smaller and settled for something I could actually sneak up on."


    "Are you able to prove this?"


    I stamp my foot in frustration, "Why do people always ask that? How exactly would I go about proving it? It's not as if they're on the same world as this one. I mean, I suppose I could try and capture one, but they can teleport and Selene knows how damn hard they are to hurt."


    "You can travel to other worlds?"


    I roll my eyes, "I did say I could at the boardwalk."


    Miss Militia quickly says, "This is for our official reports. Would you be willing to take a PRT official to see one of these worlds?"


    "Um, not without asking my teacher. As she's warned me about doing so, because it's how I can grant other people powers. Only, once they're granted I can't take them away."


    "And who is your teacher?"


    I smile, "Selene, goddess of the moon. It's in my name."


    Armsmaster scowls, "I suppose you will claim that we cannot meet or speak to your teacher now."


    I shrug, "She can't come to Earth Bet at the moment, but you can say her name and she can respond."


    "So, am I supposed to believe that I just say Selene and she can talk?"


    I shake my head, "No, her name and title, 'Selene, goddess of the moon'."


    "Right, Selene, goddess of the moon. I'll make a note of that…"


    As Armsmaster starts to look around cautiously, Miss Militia asks, "Would you be willing to allow us to take some samples of the animal?"


    I shrug, "You'd have to ask Mr and Mrs Pelham, as I promised I'd hunt something for the BBQ, and this was the smallest thing I could catch. So it's theirs now."


    Mr Pelham turns back from looking at the lawn, "Take as many as you want. In fact. Taylor, if you don't mind, would you be able to butcher the animal at one of their facilities rather than on our lawn?"


    I frown, have I really got so used to living with Selene that I've forgotten that people don't do this sort of thing here? I turn around to look at the animal that's nearly 20 feet long, before realizing, "Mr Pelham, I'm so sorry. I should have thought of how inconvenient something this large would be. When I said I bring something back I was imagining something more deer sized. I can butcher it anywhere you want. Will you want the hide?"


    Mr Pelham waves his hand dismissively, "Call me Neil. I know, a promise is a promise. Could you, I don't know, cut off the fillet steaks and let the PRT take the rest away?"


    I grimace, "I would, but it's hide is rather resistant to my cutting power, so I'll need to skin it first. I'm also not sure what part of it would be the fillet steak."


    Miss Militia quickly says, "I'm sure we could look that up. Right Armsmaster?"


    There's a pause, and then Armsmaster says, "We can. Would I be correct in assuming that saying your name would allow someone to talk to you too?"


    I look around at the same time everyone else does, until Armsmaster adds, "Berenike, I was referring to you."


    I shrug, "If I'm paying attention yes."


    Armsmaster nods, "Very well, I shall drive to our vehicle depot and notify you once I'm there. Lady Photon, while I am on route, do you think Panacea would be receptive to ensuring that the animal will be safe for consumption?"


    I open my mouth to say something, but Sarah says, "I believe they were going to the boardwalk with Crystal and Eric, but if you're willing to wait until this afternoon, she will be at the BBQ and I can send a message to our liaison officer."


    Armsmaster nods, "That will be acceptable."


    As Armsmaster turns to leave, Miss Militia smiles and says, "So, Taylor, do you mind telling me how you hunted this thing if it was resistant to your power?"


    I nod and start to tell the story of my hunt. With only a couple of simple questions, I find myself starting from the beginning, and how I failed to sneak up on the first animals.


    As we get to the actual hunt, Miss Militia creates a plain spear, similar to mine, and uses it to try and reproduce my moves, which leads to me pulling out my own spear and propping up the animal so that it looks like it's standing, while I demonstrate the right way to hold the spear and how I teleported around the animal, striking at it's head with the butt of the spear to distract it from teleporting while I stabbed it's flanks until I could get a good shot at it's vulnerable belly.


    Towards the end, I feel that weird resonance in my chest a few times, but I ignore it as it's nobody I recognize.


    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​


    When I'm about to demonstrate how to gut an animal this large, Miss Militia cocks her head to one side. "Sorry Taylor, Armsmaster is just saying something."


    I look around and flush as I realize I got so caught up in my story that I didn't notice Mr Pelham grab a camcorder.


    While she's listening to her earpiece, I look at Sarah and Mr Pelham, "Sorry, I guess I got carried away."


    Sarah shakes her head from the patio chair she's sitting on, and Mr Pelham lowers the camera and says, "Don't be, it was fascinating, and it shows just how much work you've put into learning how to use your powers. If only some of our younger members were as diligent as you are."


    I smile shyly, "Selene makes it interesting and relevant. I mean, I'd worked out that I could use my cutting power through my staff before. But Selene taught me how to use my magic in my body to make me faster, stronger, and react fast enough to survive hunting one of these." I pat the armored side of the animal, "I'd imagine that their armored hide is why these things are so bad at teleporting compared to the other animals. If I was relying on my cutting power, I certainly would have needed to find something easier to kill."


    Miss Militia interrupts us, "Sorry to interrupt, but Armsmaster has arrived at the depot. Taylor, he's going to try saying your name. If you can, would you be able to take the carcass to his location?"


    I nod and watch her mouth and throat move without her saying anything. A moment later I feel a resonance in my chest, and I focus on it. "We are ready for you whenever you are."


    I say to the resonance, "I'll be right there." Before I teleport with the animal.


    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​


    I appear standing next to a squat concrete building just inside a chain link fence. I can see rows of vans parked neatly on the a sea of concrete to the right, and to the left there's a large yellow H painted on a square of blacktop. Along the back of the compound are a number of hangers and workshops with the sound of tools and shouting audible from here.


    Armsmaster points to a long rectangle of concrete beside the squat building and says, "Could you put the carcass on the weigh-bridge here so that we can get an accurate measurement of how heavy it is."


    I shrug, "Sure, where's your bike?"


    As I'm laying the body down on the slab of concrete Armsmaster says, "I thought it prudent to park it well away from the gate, as it contains a lot of delicate equipment."


    I wince, "Probably wise, I'm much better at keeping control of my magic now, but I still make mistakes."


    "Indeed. This is why The Wards exists. So that you can make those mistakes in a safe location."


    I scratch my cheek while I try to work out a polite way of saying, 'I'm never going to join The Wards, because my power will fuck me over if I do'. In the end Armsmaster saying, "3,425.23kg, follow me to the hanger we have cleared out."


    It takes us nearly five minutes to walk across the concrete, though I'd imagine all that armor must be quite heavy. As we're walking I ask, "How big is this place?"


    "450 yards by 650 yards including the fence gap."


    "Did you know I used to have panties with your picture on it?"


    "That was one of merchandising's more regrettable decisions."


    "What do you do in your free time?"


    "I'm not at liberty to answer that."


    "How can I tell how much faster time passes at home compared to Earth Bet?"


    Armsmaster turns around and starts walking backwards, "You do not consider your home to be here?"


    I shake my head, "Not really, I mean this is still my home city. But Selene has been more of a parent to me than dad was for the last few years."


    Armsmaster turns back round again, "I see. I would have to think about your question, as presumably conventional electronic methods would fail as soon as they left Earth Bet. You mentioned that there were multiple worlds, how many have you been to?"


    I think for a moment, "Apart from Earth Bet, I've visited 14 other worlds, though we don't usually go to the last four worlds. Selene lives on the 9th world after this one."


    "And each world experiences time faster than the previous one?"


    I shake my head, "No, the first two don't. Not sure why though."


    Armsmaster falls silent for the rest of the journey, and we walk into a small hanger where some workmen pause with their pressure washers going. A man in a white coat with chainmail glove tossed over one shoulder marches over to look at my kill, "My god. Armsmaster I know you said how large it is, but numbers just don't do it justice."


    Armsmaster nods, "Indeed. Is the floor clean?"


    The man points at a few grease spots, "Not yet, we're having trouble with some old engine grease."


    I raise my hand, "I have a cleaning power, I could make sure that the floor is completely clean."


    Armsmaster nods, "Go ahead, let me get out of the way first."


    I look at him walking to one side before I pull my spear out of my pouch. Better safe than stuck with a huge bill.


    While I'm running my power over the floor, Armsmaster asks, "Why are you using your spear?"


    I hold out my left hand and point at a spot I haven't cleaned yet, and leave a clean spot nearly 3ft wide, then I use my spear next to it with a spot that's less than 3 inches wide, "Accuracy. I don't want to accidentally catch your armor, so rather than do it all in one go, I…"


    "Thank you for the consideration."


    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​


    17 April - Earth Bet, I really should keep better track of time when I'm with Selene.


    So, the man in the white coat is Rubén, and he's the base cook and doubles as the butcher for the PRT. Anyway, once I made the cuts along the ribs and legs of the animal he joined in with a skinning knife. It wasn't quite as good as my cutting power, but it was certainly useful for speeding up the whole job. He seemed to think that just being able to levitate the entire animal to get to the hard to reach parts was cheating. But I think it's just good sense. I did learn what all the different parts of the body would be called if it was a cow.


    It's now 2pm and I have two tenderloins (apparently fillet steaks come from the tenderloin) almost as long as I am tall. Armsmaster had the head and hide loaded into a van the moment we loaded the last. They wrapped the joints in saren wrap for me, so all I need to do now is collect Connor and head to the BBQ.


    Did I ever explain what the cooking surface is?


    ═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════​


    Catlin adjusts her himation as she appears outside the PRT building in Downtown Brockton Bay. Once it's sitting comfortably over the bronze clasps of her Chiton she walks through the front doors and up to the reception desk, the base of her staff tapping on the floor in time to her steps and very conscious of the fact Selene's symbol is clearly glowing under her veil. A veil that Selene has enchanted to be impossible to see anything but her symbol through.


    After a moment that is long enough for people to notice, but not too long to be rude, the receptionist looks up, "Hello, can I help you?"


    Catlin smiles and settles into the mode of speech Selene coached her in, "Indeed you may. We wish to speak to a Lieutenant O'Donnall."


    "I can see if she's available. What's the purpose of your visit?"


    "I am the Emissary of Selene. We understand that the Lieutenant is the appointed liaison for the apprentice of Selene. We wish for her to be our own liaison with the PRT."


    The receptionist taps at his keyboard for a few seconds. "Lieutenant O'Donnall is currently out on patrol and isn't due back for a couple of hours. Could someone else help you?"


    Catlin shakes her head, "We can return when she is available, or we can wait."


    "Do you have a contact number?"


    "We do not."


    As the receptionist is looking at something on his computer, he touches his headset and says, "Yes, by name. Yes, yes, I'll check."


    He then looks up, "Emissary, a member of the protectorate would like to talk to you while you're waiting. Is this ok?"


    Catlin nods, "This is acceptable."


    "It's fine. Ok, I'll send her through." Looking back up at Catlin he reaches out and grabs a badge that's just popped out of a printer, "Keep this on you at all times and follow the officer behind you."


    Catlin turns around to see a faceless PRT officer walking over from one of the doors. With a smile she nods towards the officer and walks towards them.


    After a few minutes she's led to a comfortable interview room that has a carpet along with a sofa underneath a large mirror that's built into the wall. On the other side of the room is a corporate table with three comfortable looking chairs tucked underneath the sides.


    As the door closes behind her, Catlin walks over to the far corner opposite the mirror as she starts to work on her meditation.


    After a few minutes Battery walks through the door with a clipboard and a tape recorder. "Would you like to take a seat?"


    Catlin steps out of the corner and shakes her head, "We will stand, thank you for the offer."


    "I see. You said that you would like O'Donnall as your liaison with the PRT, why?"


    "She left a good impression on Berenike while she was in the hospital here with a concussion. An impression that carried over during the journey to the doctors clinic. We would prefer to work with a known good person than take a chance on someone else."


    "Why appear now?"


    Catlin leans her head to one side, "Berenike has been asked to have her ability to grant powers tested by the PRT to ensure that there are no master effects. Selene does not wish to burden her apprentice with the responsibility of ensuring that those she brings to see her are trustworthy. As I am the first person that Berenike deliberately granted power too, Selene offered to pay me in gold to act as her Emissary."


    Battery makes a note on her clipboard before looking up, "Can you prove this?"


    Catlin leans on one hip and looks at Battery as if she was an idiot, "This is why we are here. Though our ability to transport people to the worlds adjacent to Earth Bet is limited to the hour immediately after the celestial midnight, we are willing to transport people to the nearest two worlds as proof of capability. Alpha Zulu Epsilon Delta Five Charlie Six Niner. What was that?"


    Catlin looks on curiously as Battery lifts up a few sheets of paper on the clipboard and nods, "Verification code. While you are waiting, would you like to sign up as a PRT affiliate hero?"


    Catlin frowns and thinks, "Do you want me to do that?"


    In her head, Selene says, "See if they will allow you to do it as a non-combatant."


    Catlin nods, "We would like to know if it is possible to do this as a rogue."


    Battery shakes her head, "I don't know, I'd have to check. If it's possible I'll send an officer back with the correct paperwork."


    Catlin nods, "That would be appreciated."
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Martin Rudat said:
    Huh. I wonder if Selene thinks the Wards, or at least PRT affiliation, would be good for Taylor and is working on making that possible.

    Saran wrap.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    doubtful, the contracts given would act as a super promise no doubt, and we already know part of that contract grants the prt custody. and selene no doubt knows that governments arent always the most trustworthy. if she allowed that she would effectively be signing her own apprentice over to be a mercenary to a government she knows very little about. affiliate makes sense, actually joining the wards would be the height of folly in this situation, not to mention it would go against taylors wishes and selene isnt that kind of person
     
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