poly_chromatic | ( v o i c e )

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the infernal devices - tessa gray

( v o i c e )

I must admit that the flow of visitors may be a little overwhelming, but— if there is someone from the Institute here, if only for a day or two, I should like to make my own presence known, rather than spend all day in the library.

I only ask that— [ she pauses, clearly hesitant, before her voice comes again, stronger now and quite firm ] that whoever should wish to talk to me will not be too forward.

[ it doesn't quite express what she wishes to say (please, take care not to offend my 18th century sensibilities) but it comes close enough while still remaining polite ]

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Is the captain supposed to — reckless? [ She doesn't think so, but it certainly seems as though his captain is, in fact, reckless. ]

Supposed to be? No, I don't think so, but some of the greatest captains in history have been reckless. It is... calculated recklessness, maybe? When I am a captain, I will be very carefully reckless.

You will be captain yourself, one day. [ It's half a question, the other half a statement, wonder and perhaps a little envy that he knows where his life is going, which direction he wants it to take. ]

Yes--or so I hope. I am too young to advance in rank as most would, so anything else may happen. [He looks at her curiously, finding her tone difficult to read.] What is it?

It must be nice to know where your life is taking you; to at least know the general direction of it.

Assuming nothing terrible happens and the fabric of the universe remains unaltered, yes, it is nice. [His smile fades.] Your life is so uncertain in all ways?

It did not use to be, but then my aunt [ was killed ]died and I learnt that I am not human and now— I can stay at the Institute, for now, but it may only be for the near future.

Even if it is, something will happen and you will be happy. [oh, and] You look very like a human to me.

I hope so. [ she smiles, a little ] I look it, but I am not.

[He takes a moment to formulate a reply.] If this is something you do not like to talk about, we can discuss literature again.

I do not mind so much, here. [ people here, at least the one's she's told, are accepting, she's found, never make her feel like she's beneath them. there's still her own image of herself to deal with, the part of her that thinks she is a monster, but she's learning that is not true. she isn't a monster. ]

[He puts his hand back on hers.] I may ask what you are, if not human?

[ She appreciates the touch. ] I do not know. Most likely I am a warlock, but it is not quite clear. I carry no mark.

Warlocks... they are associated with magic?

The children of demons and humans. Some can do magic, others can change form, and I am sure there are others that can do yet more things.

Ah. [He looks at Tessa.] Does this bother anyone other than you?

Here, it does not seem to. But in my world, Downworlders are looked down upon, certainly by the Shadowhunters. And humans do not know either exist.

And these three groups are so different that there is no way they may coexist? Ai. You would be happier in my world, I think.

I live with Shadowhunters, at the Institute. They are good people, truly. [ pause ] You think?

So long as you know some good people. [shrug] Maybe. No one would mind what you are. I have been friends with an Orion and she looks very different from humans.

An Orion? What does she look like, then?

Gaila has green skin. Very green. She is also attractive. [He rolls his eyes.] From what I have seen, her attractiveness is usually noticed before the color of her skin.

And once people notice, they do not mind?

If they mind, they mind very quietly.

I think I rather like the future.

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candothat - 2012-02-15 22:43 (UTC) - Expand

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likeboudica - 2012-02-16 12:34 (UTC) - Expand

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