![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sparkindarknessWith less drama. Just an introduction, but I swore an age ago I wass going to write something with these boys in it that WASN'T mad kinky sex or life and death situations. At some point I'm going to go back and do some prequels as well, there's vast months missing out of the past storyline as I hurried them onto the next drama. Yes, I know, bad me.
Anyway, an intro, and a little world building to resolve some stuff (BTW I'm throwing open another vast question session, ask any question, get answers, I need to do some world building here and sort out some contradictions).
“What are you doing?” I turned from the computer to see Rick looking at me in surprise.
“Searching. Moving around so much has caused me to loose most of my contacts. Especially since I would prefer to become a new customer without revealing exactly who I am.”
“What? I thought you didn’t want to leave any kind of paper trail for your family to follow? Why do you need contacts anyway?”
“I’m creating a magical supply business, remember? There seems to be a high demand but little informed supply in the area. But, to do this I need reputable suppliers and some rather essential books.” I returned to tapping rather ineffectively at the computer. Cursed machine.
“We have that magic shop, just closed down a couple of weeks ago. There’s no demand round here for that kind of thing. I thought you were going to create an internet business?”
“It failed because the owner was a marijuana smoking hippy with all the mystical depth and magical knowledge of an insurance salesman or a bank manager. The man had no real talent, certainly no power. Do you think any genuine powers would patronise such an establishment?”
“If your economic plans relies on a steady stream of genuine powers, you’ll be best sticking to the net. There just aren’t all that many genuine powers wandering around the street. It’s not like your family, Darren. Magic’s fading. It’s dying out.”
I saw him shudder a little at that, unconsciously. I didn’t even try to suppress my own. Magic was dying. Even magicians who weren’t very involved in the magic community couldn’t help but be instinctively afraid of that. Still, I’ve long since learnt not to fret over things that are beyond my control. Especially considering how little in life I have any influence on.
“No, I don’t intend to rely on magic users alone. Though I am a firm believer in word of mouth.” He rolled his eyes and gravitated to his coffee machine. I’m sure we could rearrange the flat completely, set up a series of devious traps that would make Indiana Jones hand in his whip in disgusted horror, blind fold Rick and spin him round three times and he’d STILL travel unerringly towards the coffee machine. It must be a psychic caffeine sense. Either that or he’s awakened the spirit of the wretched machine, as if the blessed bean doesn’t call to him enough. “You doubt word of mouth? Ok, answer me this question - how many magic using friends do you have in the area? Not fakes or wishful thinkers or new agers or people who can throw around a few basic cantrips. Genuine talents.”
He frowned for a minute. “As friends? Nine actual friends.”
“And acquaintances?”
He shrugged. “About a dozen, maybe more. And another six or seven who damage my karma merely by existing. ”
I smiled at him, not at all smugly, naturally, but I always appreciate a chance to educate him.
“Alright, what’s you’re point?”
“You personally know twenty-eight magic users, including those you can’t stand. Each of those in turn will probably know a few more that you don’t. The fact is that magic users are a community, we attract each other.” He frowned again. I sighed, expressing my vast patience to him beyond any doubt. “Think, Rick. We live in a city of countless millions of people. Roughly how many of these are genuine magical talents? Two percent? Maybe less? Spread throughout the city? And you personally have run into twenty-eight of them.”
“Ok, that is pretty weird... what, do we all have a sixth sense or something?”
“The problem with being a magic user is the eternal habit of looking for a supernatural explanation for the mundane. No, not a sixth sense, just a basic sense. Magic users stand out, we have odd habits, wear odd clothes, do odd things. And yes, some of us do have special sense to track each other down obviously, but generally you don’t need them. Add in the fact that we’re all looking for each other, just for someone who understands if nothing else, and you’ll generally find that magic users form their own communities. Clan Camaalis has exploited it for generations to track down the best blood and find anyone who... we may wish to find.” Like me, one of the reasons I spent so much time avoiding the gifted for so long.
Rick was looking at me oddly. He should know I’m hunted by now. “Still, I can rely on the same system to ensure buyers - and suppliers. Besides, even the wishful thinkers are likely to become regular customers once the find magic that works. It’s almost an addiction. One of the reasons we've maintained a low profile.” I glared at him then. He had the audacity not to look guilty. Rick was one of those who was open and blatant about their magic - he even advertised! Of course most people thought he was the equivalent of a telephone psychic, but it was surprising how many businesses were willing to pay for his services... and then, word of mouth again. I don’t think there was a night club in the city that hadn’t hired him for one thing or other. A dangerous new trend.
“So I guess you’ll be wanting to meet up with these local magic users then? For some market research or something?”
He does think occasionally. “Something like that, yes.”
“Fine, get your coat. I know a place.”
Anyway, an intro, and a little world building to resolve some stuff (BTW I'm throwing open another vast question session, ask any question, get answers, I need to do some world building here and sort out some contradictions).
“What are you doing?” I turned from the computer to see Rick looking at me in surprise.
“Searching. Moving around so much has caused me to loose most of my contacts. Especially since I would prefer to become a new customer without revealing exactly who I am.”
“What? I thought you didn’t want to leave any kind of paper trail for your family to follow? Why do you need contacts anyway?”
“I’m creating a magical supply business, remember? There seems to be a high demand but little informed supply in the area. But, to do this I need reputable suppliers and some rather essential books.” I returned to tapping rather ineffectively at the computer. Cursed machine.
“We have that magic shop, just closed down a couple of weeks ago. There’s no demand round here for that kind of thing. I thought you were going to create an internet business?”
“It failed because the owner was a marijuana smoking hippy with all the mystical depth and magical knowledge of an insurance salesman or a bank manager. The man had no real talent, certainly no power. Do you think any genuine powers would patronise such an establishment?”
“If your economic plans relies on a steady stream of genuine powers, you’ll be best sticking to the net. There just aren’t all that many genuine powers wandering around the street. It’s not like your family, Darren. Magic’s fading. It’s dying out.”
I saw him shudder a little at that, unconsciously. I didn’t even try to suppress my own. Magic was dying. Even magicians who weren’t very involved in the magic community couldn’t help but be instinctively afraid of that. Still, I’ve long since learnt not to fret over things that are beyond my control. Especially considering how little in life I have any influence on.
“No, I don’t intend to rely on magic users alone. Though I am a firm believer in word of mouth.” He rolled his eyes and gravitated to his coffee machine. I’m sure we could rearrange the flat completely, set up a series of devious traps that would make Indiana Jones hand in his whip in disgusted horror, blind fold Rick and spin him round three times and he’d STILL travel unerringly towards the coffee machine. It must be a psychic caffeine sense. Either that or he’s awakened the spirit of the wretched machine, as if the blessed bean doesn’t call to him enough. “You doubt word of mouth? Ok, answer me this question - how many magic using friends do you have in the area? Not fakes or wishful thinkers or new agers or people who can throw around a few basic cantrips. Genuine talents.”
He frowned for a minute. “As friends? Nine actual friends.”
“And acquaintances?”
He shrugged. “About a dozen, maybe more. And another six or seven who damage my karma merely by existing. ”
I smiled at him, not at all smugly, naturally, but I always appreciate a chance to educate him.
“Alright, what’s you’re point?”
“You personally know twenty-eight magic users, including those you can’t stand. Each of those in turn will probably know a few more that you don’t. The fact is that magic users are a community, we attract each other.” He frowned again. I sighed, expressing my vast patience to him beyond any doubt. “Think, Rick. We live in a city of countless millions of people. Roughly how many of these are genuine magical talents? Two percent? Maybe less? Spread throughout the city? And you personally have run into twenty-eight of them.”
“Ok, that is pretty weird... what, do we all have a sixth sense or something?”
“The problem with being a magic user is the eternal habit of looking for a supernatural explanation for the mundane. No, not a sixth sense, just a basic sense. Magic users stand out, we have odd habits, wear odd clothes, do odd things. And yes, some of us do have special sense to track each other down obviously, but generally you don’t need them. Add in the fact that we’re all looking for each other, just for someone who understands if nothing else, and you’ll generally find that magic users form their own communities. Clan Camaalis has exploited it for generations to track down the best blood and find anyone who... we may wish to find.” Like me, one of the reasons I spent so much time avoiding the gifted for so long.
Rick was looking at me oddly. He should know I’m hunted by now. “Still, I can rely on the same system to ensure buyers - and suppliers. Besides, even the wishful thinkers are likely to become regular customers once the find magic that works. It’s almost an addiction. One of the reasons we've maintained a low profile.” I glared at him then. He had the audacity not to look guilty. Rick was one of those who was open and blatant about their magic - he even advertised! Of course most people thought he was the equivalent of a telephone psychic, but it was surprising how many businesses were willing to pay for his services... and then, word of mouth again. I don’t think there was a night club in the city that hadn’t hired him for one thing or other. A dangerous new trend.
“So I guess you’ll be wanting to meet up with these local magic users then? For some market research or something?”
He does think occasionally. “Something like that, yes.”
“Fine, get your coat. I know a place.”
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-09 03:48 am (UTC)And I know, I know, i need to get off my can and post that angel fic thingy. I plan to. My co-writer has been ill lately and I'm having trouble working on it on my own. *sigh* god I'm co-dependant. Anyways. I did some artwork, thete's photos I need to post. There's a whole lot to do. Expect it soon or email me a kick in the ass. ;-)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-03-11 09:53 am (UTC)I doubt it though.
*stern stare* Don't make me rabble rouse the celestial muses. I will... I have a memo!