alec (𝘩𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘶𝘥𝘦) brennan⚡ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
striketwice) wrote2022-10-02 07:47 pm
striketwice) wrote2022-10-02 07:47 pm
[ He wouldn't have included that part if not for what the two of them went through just a day prior. ]
You think so?
You think so?
If a system is flawed, then upheaval might be exactly what it needs. To be broken so that it can be rebuilt again.
[That is practically what Henry believed himself to be doing. It's no surprise this place had assigned him the Tower arcana, in that case.]
The illustration just paints it in a less-than-flattering light. That poor man falling off the tower...
[(He thinks it's kind of amusing, really.)]
[That is practically what Henry believed himself to be doing. It's no surprise this place had assigned him the Tower arcana, in that case.]
The illustration just paints it in a less-than-flattering light. That poor man falling off the tower...
[(He thinks it's kind of amusing, really.)]
So in that scenario you, what? Fancy yourself the bolt of lightning instead of the tower?
[ Alec is of course aware of the parallel that Henry is drawing. Alec himself has been responsible for his own share of upheaval.
The corner of his mouth quirks. ]
Stealing my gimmick.
[ Alec is of course aware of the parallel that Henry is drawing. Alec himself has been responsible for his own share of upheaval.
The corner of his mouth quirks. ]
Stealing my gimmick.
I appreciate it.
[ Idly, as he goes back to his work. ]
Branding is important.
[ Idly, as he goes back to his work. ]
Branding is important.
Kind of? It's not like I put my name on anything involving my work. At some point I picked up using a lightning bolt as a signature. Like an emoji, not a real one.
It just worked out that way because lightning is the element I'm best with.
It just worked out that way because lightning is the element I'm best with.
No, I didn't like them. Because they were fucking awful.
Sounds like that's the point, though. So, uh, good job?
Sounds like that's the point, though. So, uh, good job?
[He smiles, pleased. It is the point, though his Shadow summoned so many at once, making them unbearable. Henry often goes for a more foreboding approach.]
It’s the clock you might have seen in my dream if you were paying attention. It’s the same one from my old family home. When I first was discovering how to use my powers, I would move the hands on its face, backwards and forwards. Over and over. They were light and easy to manipulate.
[But years later…]
More recently, though, the point was to drive home the idea of… humanity wasting away time with their useless lives, minute by minute and hour by hour. For my— [He pauses. But it’s been nothing but so much honesty between them, so he continues.] —victims across dimensions, it was a death knell.
It’s the clock you might have seen in my dream if you were paying attention. It’s the same one from my old family home. When I first was discovering how to use my powers, I would move the hands on its face, backwards and forwards. Over and over. They were light and easy to manipulate.
[But years later…]
More recently, though, the point was to drive home the idea of… humanity wasting away time with their useless lives, minute by minute and hour by hour. For my— [He pauses. But it’s been nothing but so much honesty between them, so he continues.] —victims across dimensions, it was a death knell.
I saw it. It was pretty fucking hard to miss.
[ But it makes sense that it would be so central in Henry's mind, if it was central to the growth of his powers. ]
Huh. So it is a calling card. Flashy bastard.
[ Says the man who has branded himself after literal lightning. ]
[ But it makes sense that it would be so central in Henry's mind, if it was central to the growth of his powers. ]
Huh. So it is a calling card. Flashy bastard.
[ Says the man who has branded himself after literal lightning. ]
[ Alec just grins, lifting his free hand to waggle his fingers at Henry. Electricity arcs between his waving digits for a few short seconds. ]
I think I'm about done, if you wanna see this whole portal thing in action.
I think I'm about done, if you wanna see this whole portal thing in action.
One sec.
[ Alec spends a moment going over the glowing marks, line by line, checking and double checking, then with a flick of his wrist, he finishes off the last mark. The runes vanish in a burst. The air ripples, then tears open, and the two of them are staring through a hole in reality into... Alec's dorm room. ]
[ Alec spends a moment going over the glowing marks, line by line, checking and double checking, then with a flick of his wrist, he finishes off the last mark. The runes vanish in a burst. The air ripples, then tears open, and the two of them are staring through a hole in reality into... Alec's dorm room. ]
[It seems like a lot of fussing; which means it’s probably no easy task, no easy magic to cast, and Henry can appreciate the effort without even really understanding how it works.
When the air ripples and the portal yawns open, he sees… Alec’s room beyond.]
Impressive.
[Leaning forward just a tad.]
Can we cross?
When the air ripples and the portal yawns open, he sees… Alec’s room beyond.]
Impressive.
[Leaning forward just a tad.]
Can we cross?
[ Alec has done this magic a lot of times. A lot. His network of portals back home is expansive. And yet every time he checks and rechecks his work.
Now that the portal is open and functioning, however, he seems pretty confident in it. ]
Go for it. Unless you want me to go first.
Now that the portal is open and functioning, however, he seems pretty confident in it. ]
Go for it. Unless you want me to go first.
[Henry gives him a Look. Sir, his own portals look way less… ah, welcoming, so it’s not like he has a reason to be dubious about Alec’s own ability, especially when his magic seems so stable.]
No, I’ll go first.
[And so he will! Stepping through, and turning around soon after to peer at Alec from the other side — spreading his hands in a ta-da kind of way.]
No, I’ll go first.
[And so he will! Stepping through, and turning around soon after to peer at Alec from the other side — spreading his hands in a ta-da kind of way.]
[ He's just making sure. He mentioned being turned into paste earlier, so.
Henry steps through without incident, and Alec follows, exiting the portal into his room back in the dorm. He waves a hand and the portal closes behind him, leaving no trace of its existence. ]
And there you have it. Wizard portals.
Henry steps through without incident, and Alec follows, exiting the portal into his room back in the dorm. He waves a hand and the portal closes behind him, leaving no trace of its existence. ]
And there you have it. Wizard portals.
[ He rolls his eyes a little. Don't criticize him! ]
I'm building a network, ideally, and I wanted to find someplace out of the way to see if it would even work.
I'm building a network, ideally, and I wanted to find someplace out of the way to see if it would even work.
[ How is an underwater portal practical... ]
I haven't totally decided, but a little of everywhere, probably. 'Cause, you know, why walk if I don't have to?
I haven't totally decided, but a little of everywhere, probably. 'Cause, you know, why walk if I don't have to?
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