trade my soul for a wish

[from_scratch]

This is a successor to "call me maybe", which is getting crowded.

Cam is dipping a grilled cheese sandwich into a bowl of tomato soup when he feels the summons. He goes ahead and grabs it. Doesn't even drop the sandwich.


with Mark (kappa)

with Adanya (Aestrix)

with Sable (kappa)

with Ari (andaisq)

with Metella (kappa)

with Miles (kappa)

with Isabella (Eva)

with Steel (Rockeye)

with Daphne (Maggie)

with Edie (Maggie)

Comments

[from_scratch]

"These people are cool with it?"

[kaolinandbone]

"I wouldn't say they're enthusiastic about it, but they accept it as part of their duties. It's a much better option for them than most any other they might encounter in Shadescast."

[from_scratch]

"That's not exactly a signed consent form, and I assume none of your servants are literally Hitler."

[kaolinandbone]

"Would you prefer for me to starve to death, or to have to concentrate my feedings such that they would permanently harm those I fed upon? I have to maintain a certain number of servants in order to limit exposure, and those who would willingly be fed upon out of the goodness of their hearts are few and far between. The current arrangement is not ideal, but it is acceptable to all parties."

[from_scratch]

Cam peers at her assessingly. He sighs and makes a teacup of the named person's blood.

[kaolinandbone]

The blood proves tasteless once more.

Lioncourt sighs.

"It appears that we've determined that created blood doesn't work."

[from_scratch]

"Pity."

[kaolinandbone]

"Yes. I would love to never have to bite anyone ever again. And while we're wishing, I would also like to not spontaneously combust in daylight."

[from_scratch]

"How does that one work?"

[kaolinandbone]

"If I go outdoors on a bright, sunny day, I spontaneously catch on fire wherever the light touches me, regardless of how many layers of clothing I'm wearing. If I go out on an overcast day or towards twilight, that can be safe, but if have to watch the sky carefully and keep a tight hold on my parasol."

[from_scratch]

"Sunscreen? Ultraviolet light alone?" inquires Cam.

[kaolinandbone]

"I don't get peeling, irritated skin, I ignite. Sunscreen doesn't help. What's ultraviolet?"

[from_scratch]

"Light has many parts. For example, the reason plants are green is because they eat all of the parts of sunlight that are not green, and the green part bounces off so you can see it. One of the most salient things that sunshine has that other kinds of light usually don't is an ultraviolet part."

[kaolinandbone]

"And you think this ultraviolet part could be what causes me to ignite. It seems plausible. Do you have something that would produce ultraviolet light? I wouldn't mind a bit of singed skin if it would let me know for sure."

[from_scratch]

"I can make an ultraviolet penlight, yeah. Will water put you out? I can douse you if you catch."

[kaolinandbone]

"Things that douse regular fire generally work. I have had to hastily stamp myself out more than once." She smiles ruefully.

[from_scratch]

Cam makes a little UV penlight. "Do you want to do the honors? Just push that button, if you let go it'll stop."

[kaolinandbone]

Lioncourt curls one hand around the light end of the pen, then grits her teeth and clicks the button.

There is a distinct lack of ignition.

She sits back in her chair, takes a sip of her tea, and sighs.

"Well, it would appear we have another discarded hypothesis."

[from_scratch]

"Apparently. UV's just the most obvious thing, though, it could be something else."

[kaolinandbone]

"Quite possibly. "

She taps her fingers on the table.

"While we're discussing my local magic, I should let you know that conjurors have been known to exist in my world on occasion, every few centuries or so. Even the specialized ones tend to have wars fought over them. I would reccommend keeping your ability to create whatever you want secret, though the wings and tail already rather preclude normal social contact."

[from_scratch]

"I could cut 'em off if I expect to need to interact with anyone."

[kaolinandbone]

"That seems rather convenient. It's not painful to you? And you can simply replace them later?"

[from_scratch]

"I made them without nerves where they attach, the wound'll heal very fast, and yeah, I can just re-make them whenever."

[kaolinandbone]

"Quite sensible." The girl smiles, then her gaze drops back to the penlight in her hand.

"Incidentally, how does this device function? Is it magical or technological? It doesn't seem to do anything when I press the button: how are you certain that it's working correctly?"

[from_scratch]

"It's technological, I know it works because I made it, and UV light is invisible by itself."