Sabato was quite, a man of a few words. He was obviously a man of discipline… the pain of surgery, the sacrifice. To never be able to touch his loved ones with his own hand… I wonder what made him like that. What is the driving force behind this man? She did not care about his aura at all. To her, augmentations replace the body, the mind? Nothing can replace your personality. If some augmented people choose to distance themselves from humanity it is not the augmentation it is their lack of virtue.
James was a pure, young attractive clearly a man of talent, magical talent along with mundane skills, no wonder Inanna liked him. He was also good looking, too good looking. She heard about physical adepts but has never met one in person. These usually make great athletes – it is the nicest kind of magic. The type that do not burn you from the inside … harmony between magic and body no wonder mages envy them. They suffer the pain every time they cast a spell. Magic to them is something external no matter how hard they practice. To James it was probably as natural as walking.
Yako was a mystery, she was an aspect mage – she made it clear. Focusing on what she did not know how to do as if it was her fault. She is probably very skilled in that magical aspect. Yet, she felt the need to explain herself. As if spells did not carry enough force. Her look, she has never seen anything like it but that did not show about virtue. Just somthing that happened to her. But - she also had augmentations, that part Ivory liked about her. She obviously does not solve every problem with magic.
Inanna was even more mystery. She was a shadow runner but why? With her social skills she could have made a name for herself in the light. What made her run the shadows? How come I felt it – are we connected in some way? I do not know why I care for her so much. Something connect us for sure, but what? My spirits of man typically look similar to people I like – it will be really embarrassing if one of them look like Inanna.
And the new runner, who was that I totally missed that one, I wonder what she is like.
Ivory got down from the boat, never leaving her car. She felt suspicious, so far usually her employers where shady types. Always having something to hide, never revealing their true motivation. She scanned the matrix for hidden devices but found nothing, in the matrix.
the old woman aura was pure, too pure. Not a shred of technology. Almost like a spirit. Too pure for her taste – there is more to live then just purity. She identified three minor air spirits that circled the old woman – they almost care for her. She found it adorable.
I would not have learned new skills if I did not feel weak… a Faraday cage, me? A matrix junky? Inner peace? Self control? Talk to spirits? I would have never tried it if I was not feeling weak.
Ivory liked technology; it was a triumph of man over nature. Magic was something you just *have*. You cannot explain why you have it, and cannot attribute it to your own merit. Mages love to forget that fact –“the awakened” what an awkward name. Magic was raw power in her eyes. It does not make one awakened the same way as guns do not make people awakened – magic makes you powerful, guns make you powerful there is nothing spiritual about them.
The true path for her was a mundane path: achieve inner peace, give up on your ego. Give up on yourself and turn off your own will. Be as modest as possible - only then you will be awakened, only then will you be truly happy. She tried to take that road, but was very far from achieving it. As she was a creature of passion and strong emotions not exactly the inner peace type of girl. Her magic, came from her emotions she had no doubts about it. To her, magic was an extension of desire.
Spirits helped her because her desire was something they admired. Spirits are eternal, pure, powerful and perfect. Many of them are significantly stronger than her. Yet they came to help her when she asked them. Perfection was their limitation, perfect beings do not grow – as it is weakness that leads to growth. She was given a great weakness, a great challenge. She wasn’t a shamed of her weakness it was her gift – the gift of growth.
Her train of thoughts was caught when Yako offered help. Ivory kindly refused.
“I am touched really... but I need to be strong before I can be weak with you. besides it is more honorable if everyone arrives on their own merit... The spirits could have simply gone down to meet us if they preferred practicality. This climb is a test, I will patiently wait for you. "Ivory was touched, her heart is in a good place. But she did not want to be helpless, not yet. To be weak require strength that she did not have. Not yet - she had her own way to get to the mountain. At least she hoped it will work. Worst case, she could always project her mind to the mountain.
She took her shoes off, and humbly sat on the ground. She began breathing slowly until her mind was quite, for a moment she had no desires but the desire to be on the mountain. When she felt ready she broke the silence and said with a soft voice:
“dear spirits of air I want to personally respect the great spirits of the mountain… My meat body is too sick and too weak for the journey. Please do not deny me the honor; I want to pay a tribute to an important force in creation. It is more respectful and more personal if I come myself with everything that makes me what I am. Both my strong mind and my weak body are required - but without your help I can only bring my mind – will you help me?”It was painful, her desire clashed with the will of the spirits. Magic is often painful, but she was successful. A spirit of air manifested, looking like a big eagle.
“I will take you to the mountain – do not worry. I think we will get there first.” The spirit said.
“Thank you noble spirit I appreciate it. “ answered Ivory.
