[Ennui]

I begin to astrally perceive curious as to what glinda has to show me.

[Mercy Merchant]

When you peer into the astral, you see Glinda waiting for you.  She smiles and holds out her arms and moves them about, then offers you her right arm.  "Welcome.  Will you walk with me a bit?  Please try to hold on to some part of me."

[Ennui]

I take a seat and project fully.  I grab my weapon focus and take her hand.  Okay then.  Are we going somewhere?

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda nods.  "Yes.  We should be back before your.....our.....friends wake."  She begins walking and the two of you eat up the distance, finally coming to a stop at the edge of a swirling...............something.  For the sake of reference, it looks sort of like a pool of water, mostly because it is a deep blue in color.  Glinda points to the pool from a short distance away and says, "This is about as close as we should go, I would think.  That pool is a node of power.  They exist all over the astral.  Some are very small, like this one, and a few are very large.  I have seen a few that are only a couple of feet across.  These are the centers of magic power.  I am going to let go of your hand for a few seconds, so please do not wander closer to the node."

She drops your hand and her clothing changes several times over the space of about a minute.  Then she holds out a hand for you to take and does it again.  The last time, you notice something odd; a small tentacle of blue erupts from the pond in front of you and moves very quickly to Glinda.  The effect is almost as if there is a glowing blue cord attached to her.  After she finishes the change, the cord flows back to the pool.  Glinda looks at you and smiles.  "That is my symbolism, my source of magic.  I can take hold of and manipulate the strands of power to fuel my spells.  That is why I do not really understand your terms about traditions.  But I would like to learn if you would teach me.  If there is one thing I have learned in my long life since I was reborn, it is that I know very little about so many things and would like to learn more.  Do you think that you could teach me?"

[Ennui]

I'm not much of a teacher, but I'll explain what I know.  Mechanically what you do isn't really any different from what we all do.  Traditions are more about how you approach you magic, to an outside observer there is functionally no real difference from what you do and what I do.  It has more to do with how you understand your connection with the magic and how you visualize it taking shape.  Hermetics see magic as a science.  Certain arcane symbols and strict formulae are how they achieve their desired effects.  For others it is prayers and catechisms.  I express through art and force of personality, and emotion, similar to shamanism but I focus more on gratuity and pleasure, more of a sensuous art than a spiritual frenzy.

When you grab the strands what do you visualize?  How do you tell the mana what to do?  Do you demand it to fulfill your desire.  Do you bargain with it?  Funnel it through a specific pattern you visualize...?   

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda laughs and shakes her head.  "Can you believe that I am still learning how to use it?  Basically, I manipulate the power to do what I wish, but there are some laws that must be obeyed.  It might appear that I have control over what I do, but that is an illusion in itself.  Manipulating power is inherently risky and bad things can happen if I try to do too much because power apparently does not like being manipulated and will try to subvert my desire.  I could tell stories of my early days and trying even the most basic of spells, but we can do that another time."  She gets a sort of faraway look in her eyes as she continues.  "The power is addictive and we could be absorbed into it if we are not strong.  It preys on the mind, tempting me to just walk into one of the pools and let myself become part of it.  No more worries, no more regrets, and believe me, I have lots to regret.  Anyway,, let me get you back to the astral plane so that we can get back to our bodies.  Do you have any questions before we leave?"

[Ennui]

Wait...This isn't the Astral Plane?  Where are we?

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda chuckles.  "No, dear, we are not on the astral plane.  The astral is like a gateway to other planes and other places.  This is a realm of power, the place where I draw my magic from.  It is inherently much more dangerous that the astral plane.  I am doing my best to shield you from its draw and am feeling a bit tired, which means we have stayed here long enough."

She turns to walk away and leads you some distance before she lets go of your hand.  "Here we are.  You go first so I know that you have not been called back there and I will follow in a few seconds."  Her voice seems to take on a bit of................something................that disturbs you.  Her shoulders sag just a bit and her eyes again have that far away look in them as she takes a step back along the path.

[Ennui]

No.  I say, taking her hand  Snap out of it.  We will go back together.  Come on.

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda seems to focus a bit when you take hold of her hands, which seem quite cool to the touch.  She takes another step backwards then shakes her head and smiles at you.  "What did you say?  Oh, yes, we should leave.  Our bodies are right here."

You find yourself back in your room.  Glinda is balancing against a wall and moves a bit shakily to a chair to sit down.  "Thank you.  I could have resisted that...................maybe.  What a fragging sorry end to such a long life.  I owe you."

[Ennui]

You okay?  Maybe you shouldn't go there anymore.  I don't think a suicidal vampire will make a good ally...or friend.

[Mercy Merchant]

She shakes her head and holds up a hand.  "Definitely not suicidal.  I was shielding both of us from the draw, which took a bit more from me than I had thought it would.  I almost never go there, but wanted to show you my "tradition", if that is what it is.  I can reach the power from here just as easily and without the risk.  At least there is no risk now.  The early years learning magic were hard and I struggled to avoid getting addicted to the power.  It does take getting used to, sort of like I was after my rebirth.  It took a long time to be able to control the hunger for blood and I had to be restrained to keep me from killing anyone in sight.  It was a horrible time and was very difficult even after Sian removed the chains and allowed me to walk about the house."

"But, yes, this was hard and I thank you for taking my hand and reminding me that I needed to come back.  So, what do you think?  Still partners?"

[Ennui]

Oh, of course.  I... didn't think you were still in doubt about that.  I thought I was pretty clear.

You aren't the only one with a dark history you know.  You've killed people.  So what?  So have I and you may find my stories more troubling than any superstitious fear of the dark that colors vampires in folk legends.  Vampires aren't really that different than any other Awakened critter.  Honestly if anything that's made you and Sian that much more interesting. 

Seriously, you act like this is some gothic tragedy.  I say laughing, but sober quickly.  I'm sorry, that was maybe a little insensitive.  I don't mean to make light of your condition, but have you looked around you lately?  Atrocity is an every day occurrence these days.  Corporations kill people in droves as sacrifice to their bottom line.  Spirits make corpses dance on strings and dedicate themselves to ending all life or infesting the planet with their offspring.  Ghouls literal and metaphorical butcher the living for food and organic materials so sell for profit.  In the grand scheme of things, what's a little blood.

[Mercy Merchant]

Glinda smiles then laughs.  "Well, that is putting a different perspective on things, yes.  So I am not so bad-ass, after all.  But, seriously, it is good to know that you are not afflicted with a superstitious fear of vampires.  Are you certain that your friends share your attitude?  If not, I would prefer this to be our secret, but tell them if you have too.  By the way, do they usually sleep this long after sex?"

[Ennui]

They've seen the same horrors I have and I doubt that they hold to any kind of superstitions. we have very similar worldviews I think.  Like I said I don't like keeping secrets from them but you do not need to worry about them keeping your secret, I'll make sure of that.

I noticed I was a bit more fatigued than usual after sex too so I just let them sleep.  Let's go check on them.  I say patting her on the leg.

I leave the room and if they are still asleep I wake them softly.  Wake up sleepyheads.  If it's bedtime perhaps you should go to your beds.  I'm sure it's much more comfortable than my couch.