Marlena sighs. "Yes, I know, it seems impressive as anything in this context, but... I'm not great at it. It has to be something I've recently touched. I have to be very still and concentrate. It can't be very far away from me. It helps if I'm just a little... tipsy. I can do other things, too, but it's all... very limited.

And my family... they were... interested... when they found out I had some small magical talents... when I was young... so they paid for me to get trained somewhat... but I'm just... not that powerful. So then when it turned out I'd never be all that useful with what I can do... they resented it. Now that I'm an adult and not getting any more skilled, I'm just constantly in the doghouse with them...

And it's... so... foolish? I know some people get rejected by their families because of their politics or their faith or because they love the wrong person or they're too greedy or too ambitious or even too ugly or too clumsy but... I can do magic! And they'd be fine with that-- but they can't use that part of me! And they hate that! Feeling bad about it is as foolish as why they make me feel bad about it! But I do!"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Mon 18 Mar.

"So in Montevalno, magic is something the people understand and use ? Did you actually go to a magic academy ? You know it might be a blessing in a way because your family doesn't think of you as a party favor or as their personal magic item rather than as a person."

"Almost never! It's extremely rare!"



"No... A couple of private tutors from other Shadows."



"Yes, I know, that's crossed my mind... but they don't make me feel like much of a person, either..." Marlena signals to a waitress and orders a fresh drink, a glass of red wine...

"I still think what you did is rather impressive. Aportation is not that common. I could see it being useful for subterfuge. Do you think you would do better if you did go to an academy of magic?"

Despite coming from a fairly unconventional family (which is an understatement she'd have trouble saying with a straight face), Ariadne had always had a wonderful, loving, supportive father.  He might have had a secret agenda in training her to, hopefully, return to Amber someday, but his feelings towards her have always been genuine and loving.   Ariadne had always taken this for granted, and even believed it was the same for all families as she grew up.  But even as early as middle school, the young woman began to see that her situation in life was very privileged, in more ways than one.  She had rebelled against this on many occasions, but eventually accepted it.  When she turned her gaze towards other people, she saw that many of her classmates had parents living vicariously through them and lived with a Sword of Damocles over them in terms of their productivity and school careers.
In college, it was even worse.  Though still a bit self-absorbed, Ari saw students who seemed to be the saviors of their families, and even saw a few buckle under the pressure.  She remembered, back at Boston University, coming back to a woman's campus apartment one night after an evening of dancing and partying, to find the woman's roommate collapsed halfway between her bedroom and the restroom, having overdosed on pills.  After giving CPR and calling an ambulance, they found out that She had gotten a letter from very disappointed parents and had spiraled into depression.
Hollywood was, if anything, worse.  Many people on a production, especially women, were literally considered products of a sort, and needed to tow the line to make the production successful.  Ariadne, who had always had more self-confidence than seemed warranted, tried to encourage everyone and even intercede, but her power was limited, even when she had starring roles in small films.  People who couldn't perform as needed, even when that need was unreasonable, were cast aside frequently.
So she was no stranger to having to live up to expectations.

Ariadne reached out and took the other woman's hand, in a sisterly way.   She spoke kindly and softly but firmly.
"I'm no expert in magic, certainly, but I have two things to say.  One, that I've been told that magic is a skill, like any other, like archery, or painting, or cooking.  It needs to be practiced in order to get better.
Two, and again this is just a novice's view, but I'd say that there is no worthless magic, only magic applied incorrectly.  You just need to find clever uses for your magic, in order to make a mark on the world."

She took a small coin, one of the silver ones she got back as change for their drinks.  Releasing the woman's hand, Ariadne took the silver coin in her right hand and started flipping it from knuckle to knuckle, causing it to seemingly dance between her fingers.  Then she took her left hand and put it by her right and snapped her fingers.  The silver coin had vanished!  Then Ari opened her left hand, revealing the coin.
It was a simple sleight of hand, probably obvious to a professional, but perhaps not to the untrained.
"After all.....It's all about presentation."

"I don't think so. That's not what experts have told me... And anyway, my family have given up on funding such things... But... I don't think it's what I want anymore, either..."




Marlena is impressed. "Was that..." She narrows her eyes a bit... takes a big sip of her wine. "That wasn't... that wasn't magic, was it. ...Was it?"

Jade/Jasmine watches with intense interest as Ariadne performs her trick with the coin.

Ariadne smirked, but in a friendly way of commeradery
"No, you're right that wasn't actual magic.  It's merely a sort of visual illusion, a Slieght Of Hand trick that an old friend taught me.  But my point is that it's a skill that took practice and effort to perfect.  And, to behonest, it's still not quite perfect.
You might be able to perfect your skills as well."

She remembered, on the set of the movie"Long Live The Queen", her medieval vaguely cheesy bodice ripping movie, meeting the History Consultant Henry McQueen.  Henry, a bit of an medieval fanatic (he had a bad habit of yelling and screaming at everyone whenever he saw a historical error), was befriended by Ariadne, who found his tantrums entertaining.  Over the course of the movie production, he taught her his specialty, medieval magic, including tricks dating back to the Egyptian Pharoahs.

"I don't know... maybe... but... I..." More wine. "When I heard the song, I... I just... I felt... I've tried getting better with my magic, to win my family's respect... but... what if that was a mistake? A waste of time? Should I even want their respect, really? They're all kind of terrible people... Shouldn't people like me without magic? Aren't I worth anything, even if I couldn't do anything at all? With all the Shadows that exist... does Montevalno even matter, really, exactly? It's... just a... world. Just one world. It's not even as big as some. There are so many people who've never heard of Montevalno, nor anyone in it. Don't they matter? Wouldn't I be better off just... getting respect from other, better people..."

"You are rare for even knowing about shadow and worlds beyond your own. There may be whole worlds out there even places where you may rule for a lifetime. Still I think your home shall forever be on your heart as it is with us. With your bit of magic you must know how to find the paths between worlds. Think how powerful that would be for a mercantile empire. There is a plethora of trade items available to you because of that."

Ariadne shrugged, and smiled gently.
"I'm going to be brutally honest here.  If you want to get better with your magic, then do it.  But do it for YOU, not for your family.  Even if you loved them and they loved you, you don't need to prove anything to them.  And live for yourself, as well.  Unless you signed a contract, You don't owe them anything, really. "

"Hm? Oh, no, Montevalno is Golden Circle, we know all about-- oh, you mean Montevalno's rare that way. Yes, I suppose that's true, isn't it. Most Shadows probably don't know there are others, or else they think that other Shadows are just legends and myths. ...I see what you mean. I never thought about it that way. I'm lucky to know that there are other Shadows, other worlds-- I've even visited them! I'm in a different one than my homeworld right now...!"




"What?! Ha-ha! That's funny! Oh, dearie, that sort of thing's only true for the royal family of Amber, those lucky so-and-sos...! S'funny, though... Heh..."



"I'm not-- oh dear! Do you think I'm one of Oberon's children or grandchildren...? Ha! No, my mother could never ever... nor my grandmother, either, she'd be the last person in the world who might... No, I think I'm just... different..." A small sip of wine. "...I admit, it's a pretty tempting fantasy... one we've all had when we were little, mm? A magical princess... Must be nice..." She looks up at Ariadne. "What about you? Did you ever daydream about being a granddaughter of Oberon when you were little...?"

Ariadne smiled as she gathered her thoughts for a convincing lie.  It was an old Improv trick amongst her acting friends.
"Well, to be honest, I had a very good childhood.  My mother dies soon after I was born, but my father was well off, as well as loving, protective and supportive.   So much so that, as a dumb child, I actually resented it a little bit and felt guilty.   So I never really envied anyone.  I made my own adventures, to be honest.
Still, now that I'm learning more about them, I can see where they might be figures of envy.  But remember that with bigger worlds come bigger responsibilities and bigger problems.  "

"Speak for yourself,  I still dream about being a magical princess." Jasmine said with a warm smile.

Marlena giggles slightly. "I know, right? And... I don't know...? Living in a big castle? Riding horses along the beach and... I don't know what. Dancing at balls? That sounds a bit tiring... Maybe it is. Going out and finding your own Shadow to live in, though... that might be nice... Maybe... if Black Road demons didn't come along or something... I wonder what my favorite Shadow would be like...? Maybe I'd just... have a big home by the sea...? Or a small one...? A private chef and nothing to do but swim half the day, and read books the rest of the time...?" Marlena sighs. "What about you, Jasmine? What would your personal dream Shadow be like?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:02, Wed 20 Mar.

Jade again wondered if her mask had slipped with Marlena using her real name.

"Oh, let's see." She tilted her head in thought.

"A place that carries the waves of sound well. Since I really love music. I would like it to be near the sea to hear the lapping of the water against the shore. It would have lots of choices of clothing for myself expression. It would have beautiful long nights with the sparkling of stars in the sky. I suppose there would be a bit of those things like riding horses and dances. I would have a handsome man at my side, but I suppose that is more than a shadow thing."

(OOPS, no, I just messed up and forgot you didn't give your real name yet. I've edited that last post of mine.)





"I know, right? I've been to Minos a lot, on business, but it's like, you're in the city, or you're on a ship. There's no 'relaxing on the beach' in Minos. And you'd have to be pretty super-wealthy to do that in Montevalno. And if you're that wealthy in Montevalno, someone's usually scheming against you. How can I be this young and want to retire already?" Marlena sighs. "Is Tanus nice? I've never actually been there."




"Yeah..." Another sigh. "The long nights under the stars sounds nice, too..." Marlena turns to Ariadne. "What about you? What'd your perfect Shadow be like?"

"Tanus is nice, it is alive with sound and color. The streets are sandy like the desert but filled with vendors and children quick to offer aid as guides or simply to serve. One can find almost anything among the many sellers in the bizarre. Just be careful and quick witted when dealing with them as they try to take as much coin as possible. So walk like a commoner there or expect to pay twice what they would. The people are nice though and if you gain a friend there they will do much to ensure your comfort."

She looks to Ariadne interested in what her perfect shadow would be like, would it be that Earth place?

Ariadne want going to volunteer anything, but Jade's obvious look to "share with the class" seemed insistent
"My ideal shadow,  I suppose, would have a variety of things.  Technology in some spots and pastoral beauty in others.  Energetic night spots next to relaxing spas. But most importantly, a huge variety of people, with no one judging anyone else for who they love and how they live"

"Oh! Are you from Begma orig-- Oop, sorry, secret, never mind... Go on..."




"See, you're more of a city girl, clearly-- and I respect that. But I think the country life calls to me... not just rural... Agrarian. I wonder if I'd like keeping bees? Or making candles? Or both...?" Marlena sips her wine, but her urge to get drunk seems to have worn off, at least for now. "Raising hounds? Would that be nice? I think it might be nice? Maybe?" She sighs. "I wonder why the Bercarro people don't build houses on the side of their mountain? Religious reasons? Superstition? Just too dangerous? Too windy? Probably too windy. Shame."

"Mmmm it sounds like you don't know what to do with yourself. There are so many different things you could do. I like the raising bees idea. That sounds unique and interesting. In addition to making honey, you would be helping the many flowers pollinate."

Marlena sighs. "It does sound kind of nice, doesn't it?" She frowns... but it's a frown of determination. "Well... if I want that kind of life... I'll need to make money. And... maybe... not by doing business in Montevalno. I know the trouble that can bring. Are the Tanus people nice to work for? --No, sorry, secret stuff... It's a shame that Weirmonken is having whatever monster trouble it's having-- I've heard they have some excellent arts and crafts they export... or, well, that they used to..."

"Monsters, OH wow what can you tell us about that ?" eyes get big and wide.

"You haven't heard? Apparently Weirmonken has long had a monster problem-- werewolves? Something like that? But Amber went in and beat 'em, forced a truce. Now it seems like the monsters are breaking the truce and attacking people again. Everybody here's pretty worried about it-- you don't want things like that happening in the Shadow next door... I mean, or at all, but if they're gonna happen in any Shadow besides the one you live in, you'd least want it happening in the Shadow next door to yours..."

"Sounds like that truce needs to be enforced again. For the safety of all who through luck, skill or providence can move among the shadows. I agree with you, certainly something you would prefer to happen in a shadow far, far, away."