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The Great Room
Topic Started: Jun 21 2012, 08:10 PM (669 Views)
Jimson

She considered the question very carefully. "I choose to learn more about the rest of the world, and because I was so good at dealing with outsiders I was tasked to work on the Court of Hearths behalf with the outside world." She stood up in the chair and then holding her skirt near her knees stepped over it's side and began a slow dance back and forth near their end of the table. "I get a lot of freedom to do what I want that way. It's very unlikely that some on from the courts will ask me for an Oath just because it might conflict with my task, which could affect the relations between them all."

She twirled again moving as if to some unheard music. "The downside is that I have to deal with all those beings who are as the Knight of Thorns said, Broken. It's no longer a choice even if it once was and that takes some of the sweetness away." She stopped momentarily with her arm arched over her head to look at Dominic. "and I typically have to deal with fixing related problems." She continued dancing but there was a strangely menacing feel to that last statement.

"I haven't earned the title of Ambassador of the Court but one day I might."
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Telsa
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Dominic followed her words, but he cocked an eyebrow when she stood up in her chair, and wasn't sure what to think when she began to dance. It was pleasant, her movements smooth and graceful, but odd nonetheless. "Why is it no longer a choice, did the Court send out to learn about us broken ones" He continued on, unable to keep from commenting. "And do you do that often, dance with no music in the middle of conversing? It's rather... distracting, you know." His smile softened the statement, made it more of a compliment than a complaint.
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Jimson

Smiling Charlotte continued dancing even going so far as to do so around around Dominics seat. "I gave my word in Service to the Court of Hearths, so I was tasked by the Queen to do what I did by choice as a service to the court. Until she tasks me to do otherwise it is not a choice anymore."

Her eyes almost seemed to sparkle and she laughed at his comment about her dancing. "But there is music, there's always music. In their own way the currents of magic always sing." For a split second it seemed she was dancing with someone else. "Everyplace and everyone has their own," She paused even her dancing to consider the words. "song in the way they affect the currents." She started dancing again. "I'm no good at reading them but I still enjoy them. I could share it with you if you let me, or at least the closest equivalent your senses allow." She stopped holding her hand out to him but she was just far enough from the chair that he would have to stand and take a step or two to reach her if he was to take her hand. "With your permission, what do you want to hear? The song of this place or your own?"
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Telsa
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Dominic laughed, and in the back of his mind he marveled at how good that felt. Laughter had been missing in his life of late. That thought brought a flash of sadness to his eyes but he resolutely pushed it away. He shrugged his shoulders and sat his glass on the table before pushing his chair back. "Why not? It's been many years since I've had cause to dance." He rose up and turned to step towards her, reaching out for her hand. "So just what does the Bastion sound like?"
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Jimson

As Dominic stepped forth and put his hand in her own she smiled even wider, once again just to the point of too wide. "The Bastion it is." Standing there near the table she placed her other hand on top of his and closed her eyes. Almost immediately a strange shimmery mist seemed to surround them both and a thin layer lined his skin and disappeared. A moment later she began to sway and he could hear the faintest trace of music on the background. For the longest few seconds it seemed as if this was all that was going to happen. Suddenly the music seemed to surge and she opened her fire opal eyes and stared into his own. Her movements became more pronounced beginning to match the music he heard though she still waited in place for Dominic to move as well. Her hair swayed gently with the movement but seemed off as if it moved opposite the way it should, like watching a video in reverse. Periodically instead of a specific note there was a colour, or feeling instead, but it all seemed to fit perfectly to the music he heard.
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Telsa
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Dominic tensed, then turned his head to listen carefully. A chill ran up his spine, and he found himself caught in her gaze when her eyes opened once again. For a long instant he could only watch her, as spellbound by the sight as by the sound, but soon he found himself in motion.

Charlotte was light on her feet, and as he led her through the dance, moving them gracefully across the floor, he found himself smiling. That nagging chill still tugged at his spine, raising slight hairs on the nape of his neck. Sensation filled him, not only sound but light and color, emotions that came and went too quickly to name but leaving him reeling, caught up only by her eyes.
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Jimson

As Dominic danced with her, Charlotte's form subtly shifted. Her height changed ever so slightly as her body became more delicate to match him as the perfect dance partner. Even her own movements altered to better accommodate his dancing style but in truth not much was needed as he was a talented dancer. Her laugh echoed in the room as she looked into his eyes and smiled.

"It's been a very long time since I've danced with another. Thank you."
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Telsa
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Dominic sensed the slight change in her more than recognized what he was seeing, he was too caught up in the sounds and emotions that were flowing over and through him to fully comprehend. When the music shifted he stumbled briefly, the chill down his back moving deeper into his spine, and as he was about to question the change he heard a voice.

Moving swiftly into the room, Telsa was brought up short by the sight of the pair moving with exquisite rhythm across the floor. She stared briefly, wide eyed, until the probable reason for it jumped to the front of her mind. She wasn't sure, then, whether to scowl or laugh, but her mood was foul enough with the discovery of Thorisson's picture that she easily fell to the former.

"You truly are a fool, Dominic, and a lucky one at that." Her voice was low, soft velvet over cold steel. "Not all of the Fae would be so charitable with your senses as our dear Charlotte, you know."

Dominic whirled around, one hand still clasping Charlotte's as he instinctively realized what had changed the music. He was about to question her statement, offended at being called a fool and embarrassed that she would do so in front of Charlotte, but the deep flashing darkness of Telsa's eyes stayed his tongue. Before he could speak she continued.

"The boy has drawings here of Thorisson," she tugged at the knapsack on her shoulder. "Of all of us, actually, and one I do not know. I think we'd better concentrate on what's important, and find out more, don't you?" Without another word she whirled around and moved swiftly to the curving staircase, making her way to the second floor.
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Jimson

Having had no intention of stopping Charlotte stumbled then looked around confused when Dominic didn't let go of her hand. With a surprising amount of grace she spun back around and into his arm so she was close up against him with his arm over her shoulders and her own crossing her chest still clasping his hand. She listened to Telsa intently without saying anything and nodded.

As Telsa walked away she looked up at Dominic her strange eyes difficult to read. "I apologize if I have gotten you in trouble." Her voice was soft and sincere. "Maybe we should head up, yes? ."
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Telsa
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"Yeah," he replied softly, "I'd say we should." He managed a smile as he looked down at her. "And don 't worry, I pretty much stay in trouble on my own around here, even when I try hard not to do so." His face darkened as they moved towards the stairs, his arm still wrapped around her slender shoulders. "The boy smelled of snake, and now this... why would he have drawings of all of us, who would provide him with that?" At the top of the stairs they turned to make their way around the balcony towards the boy's room.
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Jimson

Charlotte was the first to arrive back downstairs still half dancing lightly on her toes. She picked up a few more tomatoes and grapes and absent mindedly chewed on them as she waited to be needed in the conversation. She watched each person carefully with now hazel eyes glittering in the light of the fire.

Jimsonweed on the other hand had waited for Telsa to leave the room and gave one last look over his shoulder at the boy. Then without a second thought he was standing to the side and slightly behind Telsa at the bottom of the stairs. "So now we know for certain now that Thorisson is in New York, and it's not just conjecture." He rubbed the bridge of his nose between two fingers. "I guess that saves us a little work."
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Telsa
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"And that's something, at least."

Telsa moved smoothly across the room, taking a seat at the table near the stacks of books and newspapers. She absently picked up the folder and flipped through its contents as she spoke.

"I was able to get the name of this tavern from the boy, Valeska's it was called. I've never heard of it, and I think he might have been lost, he didn't seem to really know where it was located. But we can now consider it our last known location for Thorisson." She turned her attention to Jimsonweed. "We need to check it out, and we still need to make contact with the werewolves, find out if they have heard anything or if they have anyone working on locating him as well. The Rhymm is owned by one of them, that would probably be the best place to start." She sighed deeply. "I can't go with you now, I have to be here to take care of Brandon. He's still got a ways to go before I can be sure he's safe. Thorisson's venom packs a powerful punch."

Glancing at Charlotte, she nodded in her direction. "And I still want to know about this information that he's been traveling with someone from the Court of Beasts. Anything at all you can find out, we don't know what small bit of information, even rumor, might be helpful."

Dominic took a seat beside Charlotte, reaching for his glass and filling it again with deep red wine. "One thing I don't understand," he began before taking a sip. "You said everyone the kid drew is known now, but who is that other man? Was he here at some other time?" He settled back in his chair, still concerned about Nicholas but not sure yet what he should do about the matter. The possibility of his arrival was, however, making Charlotte's idea that he accompany her sound better and better all the time.
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Jimson

He made his way to a chair next to Telsa and sat down to look at the papers she was looking at as well. With a chuckle Jimsonweed nodded. "So I'll check out the Rhymm and I'll do my best to avoid causing trouble. If I find the location of this Valeska's do you want me to investigate myself, or do you want me to come back for you?"

At Telsa's request Charlotte had stuck her hand up to interrupt with a question just as Dominic started speaking. Once again a confused look crossed her face and she turned to look at him more closely. "The boy isn't that bad of an artist, that's clearly me. Can't you see anything without help?" Then with out a second thought she turned back to Telsa and decided to make her case.

"When you send me out can I take him with me." she said pointing to Dominic but not looking at him. "He says his family are diplomats and it would be a good chance for him to get back into the habit. If he can manage to not gain the ire of the Court of Hearths you'll have one more contact with them, and I'll have something to show for being gone for months."
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Telsa
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Telsa considered Jimsonweed's question, turning to face him as she answered. "Play it by ear as you go. If you think it's just going to be simple fact finding, go on in. I need to stay with the boy for at least the next twenty-four hours if possible. Of course if you find reason to suspect Thorisson is holed up there, come get me, and we'll... well... we'll try to find an army somewhere I suppose."

Dominic let his gaze move from Charlotte, where he has been staring in confusion, back and forth from one to another. He shook his head and opened his mouth to speak again, only to find that Telsa moved smoothly on to Charlotte's request, ignoring his own question and Charlotte's bizarre answer.

"I don't know, Charlotte, his family may be well-known in diplomatic circles, but Dominic tends to be... well, he speaks before he thinks." Her eyes rested on the man who even now was struggling to catch up. She watched her words penetrate and he opened his mouth then snapped it shut, obviously determined not to make that mistake this time.

"And before I would even consider it, you'd have to educate him on some of the hard facts about the Fae. He did let you freely play with his senses, and he danced with you, and even now he doesn't realize what a risk that might have been." She held up a hand to forestall any argument and smiled to soften her words. "I know you were no threat to him, dear, but not all would be so kind as yourself. I can't have him harmed or killed, you know, it is my duty to see to his safety unless he is to give his life for the sanctity of Sanctuary." Her voice became more serious, her gaze more intense. "I would have to have your word, Charlotte, that you would teach him well, and honestly, for your safety as well as his own."

"Now wait just a minute, Baroness," Dominic objected, unable to help himself. "I did spend years on the run from my own people, and if I say so myself the fact that I survived does say something about my skills, particularly in my current state. And I still don't have a reasonable answer to my question, who is that other man," he turned to Charlotte, almost snapping at her in his irritation. "And despite what you say, that clearly is not you."
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Jimson

As Telsa explained the situation Charlotte seemed more and more disheartened, almost like a child who had a toy taken away from them. She was about to reply when once again Dominic interrupted. This time when she looked back at him she looked devastated. She trembled for a moment and at first it seemed like she was going to cry as a tear welled up in the corner of her eye. A long second passed and it became obvious it had turned into fury, bottled so tightly she was shaking. "You would imply I'm broken too!" It wasn't loud but it was clear.

She stood and walked away from the table hands balled into fists. When she turned to march back to the table her appearance had shifted to the more eerie form that had been seen after the ritual. "Oh if you let him go, I'll see him learn." She turned back to look at Dominic the too wide grin obvious on her face. "I'll even promise that I'll keep him alive, and out of anyone elses service. And.. I'll... see... him... learn."

Even as the last words were spoken her features began to shift again. A bit taller and much less curvier it wasn't long before a thin young man with short brown hair stood there in Black slacks and a blue short sleeved V neck T-shirt giving the same grin to Dominic. With that Charles looked back at Telsa still smiling but the more masculine but still melodic voice indicated a measure of stoic control despite the malicious twinkle in his fire opal eyes. "It will be fun."
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Telsa
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Dominic's first reaction, to comfort her, to apologize, was quickly replaced with shock and dismay. His next reaction, as he pushed violently away from table and leapt to his feet, sent the chair crashing to the floor behind him. He wondered briefly if he was losing his mind, wondered if he would survive this time, and was still trying to gather his wits when Telsa's voice, sharp and commanding, broke through it all to capture his attention.

"Enough!"

Telsa had almost groaned with Dominic's words, having a good idea what would come next. She wasn't far off the mark, and had sat forward to rest her head in her hands when Dominic's chair made a resounding crash that echoed through the room. The sharp slam of her open palm against the table was almost as loud, though probably Jimsonweed was the only one who realized that she had managed to control her strength at the last possible second to avoid splitting the thick highly polished wood.

"I will have your spoken word, Charles," she named him without missing a beat, carrying on as if the sight of this shift in forms was as commonplace as warmth from the noonday sun, "that you will help to keep him safe, that you will teach him well, without driving him insane." Her voice was soft now, almost a growl as she turned her dark eyes to Dominic. "And you may make your own choice, Dominic, and please do recognize the favor I grant you in doing so. You can journey to the Court, and you'd damn well better not make a fool of yourself and me in the process, or you can stay here to babysit, and await the quite probable appearance of your cousin. You have one hour to decide, in the meantime you two," her eyes shifted to include Charles in the glare, "will clear up this misunderstanding and learn to work together, honestly, side by side. The threat we're facing is too important for anything else, and I will not tolerate less than full cooperation. I'll see you in iron stocks below if I receive anything less."

Rising gracefully, regally, she stalked from the table and moved towards the doorway leading to the east wing even as Esther appeared.

"Forgive my interruption, M'Lady," the woman spoke softly, not with fear but with caution. "The boy is stirring. Thomas has returned with new clothes for him, and I've ordered a good thick broth taken up. I felt you would like to be informed."

"Thank you, Esther." Telsa's voice was soft and kind, and the appreciation she felt for these people who simply did their job, always at their best, shone clearly in her now blue eyes. "I'll need to do another healing, if you could bring the bags of herbs and the candles from my study, you know the ones I prefer, I'll tend to that now."

She glanced back once at the table as she turned and crossed to the staircase. Her gaze was stern taking in Dominic, less so with Charles, and softened as her eyes fell on Jimsonweed. "Keep me informed, love, and if you've a need, come fetch me and we'll face whatever you find together. And do be careful with the werewolves, you know how... touchy... they can be."
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Jimson

Jimsonweed had watched the situation with some level of amusement even managing not to react to the change in Charlotte. At the very least it explained the young man who had taken the files from him earlier and why he hadn't returned. Mostly because he had never left. "I'll see about getting properly attired and head out then. " He gave her a smile that seemed to lack any warmth. "I'll be sure to wear the kid gloves with them."

Then without another word he stood and made his way to his rooms in order to change.

----------------------

Charles was still visibly upset but seemed like he was holding it in better than before. His eyes followed Telsa and a frown continued to slip across his features."Is this how it is then." Though quiet his voice was unwavering. ""Isn't it enough that I am bound to work in the best interests of this place until you set me free? Even now I've promised to see him back from this alive an free and yet you'd bind me further." The otherness seemed to fade from him as he shifted to look even more human pale and drab by comparison. Even now something in his eyes seemed hurt.

"Is that what you do to everyone who comes here? Chain them down till they are useless?"
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Telsa
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Telsa's eyes followed Jimsonweed as he moved from the room, something about him vaguely disturbing though she couldn't name what it was. When Charles spoke she had just moved up onto the first step of the stairway, and she bit back a sigh. She had overstepped in her anger, and as she turned to face him she reminded herself that dealing with the Fae was unlike dealing with any of the others. Truth be told, for all the power that they added at her disposal, she would rather have not had the headaches. Temperamental, and that thought made her smile. It was a word that described herself as well as anyone of late. Another reminder how tiring the centuries as Baroness had been, how the duty was weighing on her.

"I beg your pardon, Charles. In my anger I misspoke, and it was wrong of me. I do believe you understand that the best interests of this place include seeing that my duty to those who journey here are kept safe, and I should not have intimated otherwise." Her eyes cut to Dominic, who was regarding her with frank amazement which further soured her mood.

"This one has been a trial as no other, in all my centuries." She watched a deep blush rise over the werewolf's face and bit back her next words. Humiliating him further would serve no purpose except to release her own ire and bitterness, and she had to hold herself higher than such actions. "I should have warned you, Dominic, when it became clear that you didn't understand." It was as close to an apology as she could bring herself to give him. His shortcomings were his own, and he had to own them, for his own sake as well as the rest of them. Looking back and forth between the pair she continued softly.

"But my point stands, you two must be able to work together, we all must be able to work together. This threat is too important to be fighting amongst ourselves." She focused on Charles. "I give you my pledge that I will try to do more to foster that, as I should have done before. And I expect the same from each and every one here." She waited the length of a heartbeat, letting her gaze settle on Dominic with an unspoken warning, then turned and made her way up the stairs.
Edited by Telsa, Aug 2 2012, 09:57 PM.
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Jimson

Charles sighed still frustrated but as each second passed it seemed to evaporate off of him. With a surprising amount of dignity he walked over to the chair that Dominic had knocked over and picked it up to set it back on it's legs a little closer to the table. He was humming the song they had been dancing to, to himself barely audible as he did so and then sat himself down on the edge of the table. For an uncomfortably long time he just stared at Dominic with sad eyes before finally speaking up. "Does the knowledge of who I am disturb you?"
Edited by Jimson, Aug 3 2012, 12:13 AM.
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Telsa
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Dominic had been watching the man carefully, trying to sort through his feelings, and when he recognized the song the man was humming he swallowed hard, falling further away from the balance that he was seeking. The question caught him by surprise, and for once he took his time to think before speaking.

"I don't... well.... yeah I guess in a way it does. I didn't expect... this." Shaking his head, he raised his hand and raked his fingers through his fine black hair. The green of his eyes deepened when he looked back at Charles, circle of amber gold spinning about the iris a clear reflection of the confusion he felt. He took a breath, trying to decide where to start.

"I told Char..." He stopped, shook his head and started again. "I told you before, I didn't pay as much attention to things as I should have when my family talked of the Fae. Mostly I had little dealings with them, a quick word at a Court function before my Father or Mother shuffled me away." His smile was a bit sad and a bit of an apology, his eyes seeming to see into the distant past rather than his current surroundings. "I don't think I ever quite measured up to what they wanted, they never did seem to trust me to do things right." He pulled himself back to the present.

"But I can learn. I...um... I can't promise I won't be, well, I don't know how quickly I can be comfortable, I mean I was just dancing with her... with you... ah hell," he bit his words off sharply. "I'm not sure I know how to do this without screwing up again."

Edited by Telsa, Aug 3 2012, 12:16 AM.
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Jimson

"Maybe I should apologize too," He seemed confused as he considered the situation and then settled on saying. "I seem to forget that non-fae have the habit of treating the appearance of a person as if it's the person rather than just a thing about them." He stood swaying ever so slightly to that familiar unheard beat.

"I mistook Telsa's attitude and the reactions of the staff for the way things were here." A step away from the table and he was dancing again, though there seemed to be more sadness behind it now. As he spun once his form shifted as if the movement was the catalyst that left Charlotte dancing in Charles' place.

"I know you can learn," for a split second the voice was both Charlotte and Charles before smoothing out fully to what was more recognizable as the feminine voice. ", but do you want to?" As she danced the music seemed to leak back into the background of Dominics senses.

"I don't offer these chances lightly, but Telsa has my oath." She stopped near him once again holding out her hand. "I trust that you can do what is right, the question is do you want to learn what that is?"
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Dominic's breath stuck in his throat with the sudden change, his heart skipped a beat "I want to, yes." He answered the question without delay, yet his face showed his discomfort. "Just, well, just warn me when you're going to do that, ok?"

He tried to smile but failed miserably and shook his head. "And can you kill the music please, at least for now? I don't think I'm quite up for dancing again, not yet anyway." He stared into her eyes and this time his smile, though small, was more true. "But that doesn't mean I won't try it again another time, all right? Please don't be too disappointed in me, Charlotte, I just need some time to adjust."
Edited by Telsa, Aug 3 2012, 12:39 AM.
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Jimson

Rolling her eyes Charlottes outstretched hand balled into a fist severing the illusion that had been feeding Dominic the music. The silence that was left was barely filled by the crackle from the fireplace and their breathing. "If I make the effort to be able to warn you, Will you warn me when your heart is about to beat fast? Or perhaps you will make the effort to tell me when you are going to look at me or others?" She walked back to the table and sat down wrapping her arms around her knees as she pulled her legs up against herself.

When she spoke again it was as if the previous subject had been discarded and she had moved on to something new. Even the energy about her seemed to be more like when they first met. "Here's an important piece of advice, and one that many forget. Never ask for a Fae's name. It's rude. It's like asking them to give you power over them." One hand traced figure eights on the side of the chair absently. "Many of the Roads and Hearths understand what you're really asking but it's safer just to ask what they are called or what their title is, or even their position. Similarly, try to avoid saying I am, saying I am called is more likely to earn trust and respect."
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Telsa
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"Don't ask names, I am called, ok, I'll work to remember that."

Dominic crossed back to the table and took the chair beside her, turning so that he faced her. "You move fast, you know. So this... changing of forms, its like an automatic response, it's not something you control? You don't pick and choose when to be Charlotte and when to be.... Charles?" He held up his hand, forestalling her as he caught his mistake. "Or I guess it's when to portray yourself as one or the other, because you really are both, all the time, is that right?"

He managed to laugh, though the sound was unsure and there was a distinct line of worry that wrinkled his forehead. "And I can ask questions, I mean while you're explaining things, right? Or should I just keep my mouth shut and not worry about understanding?"
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Jimson

She looked at him and smiled, her eyes lighting up momentarily and she nodded. "I'm just me I'm always just me. But I can control what form I take even beyond what you've seen, It just takes concentration, like controlling my breathing. If I just go about my life it just happens."

For a moment she watched his expression before answering again. "Of course you can interrupt with questions how else will you learn?"
Then as if something suddenly occurred to her she shifted back onto the earlier track. "The name thing isn't arbitrary. It is about allowing both sides to relate without putting the other at a disadvantage. You aren't asking for anything that gives you power over them and you aren't offering anything that gives them power over you."
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