text; un: beatrix [1]

[fiendennor]

Do you believe in magic?
If so, what do you know about it?

Comments

[fiendennor]

Is that for lack of instruction, or lack of ability? Could you learn how, if you wanted? Or is it innate?

[notwagging]

I'm sure if I really wanted to, I could get a mage to show me. I think.

[ a transforming Wolfskin is kind of magical? rather, it's a magical reaction. ]

But I've never been able to like, drop a bolt of lightning on someone.

[fiendennor]

But not for lack of aptitude, then. It's teachable, where you come from.

[notwagging]

I guess. I just don't really need it. Once I get going, it's really hard for anyone or anything to stop me!

[fiendennor]

...would you mind elaborating on that?

[notwagging]

Oh! I can shapeshift into a big, fierce monster.

I promise that I only crush my enemies.

[fiendennor]

...and that strikes you as not "magic"?

[notwagging]

Well... I guess it might look like magic! But it's not. I'm not magical in the slightest! Nope, nope.

[fiendennor]

To be perfectly honest, that does seem like an overly specific denial.

[notwagging]

If I was magical, I could shoot fireballs and gusts of wind and throw bolts of lightning.

Instead, all I can do is... smash those same casters into the ground!

[fiendennor]

Hm. Well, if you insist. May I ask what kind of creature you call yourself, then?

[notwagging]

Wolfskin!

And what kind of creature do you call yourself?

[fiendennor]

Human.

Or witch, if that was more your question.

[notwagging]

A human witch.

[ the light bulb finally goes off, but maybe not in the way Diana expects.]

So you're a mage of some kind, then.

[fiendennor]

That's not a commonly used term where I'm from, but yes.

I use magic.

[notwagging]

Hm...

[ thinking. ]

... well. You seem kinda nice. Do you think you are?

[fiendennor]

[That's not the question she was expecting. It catches her a little off guard.] ...do I think I'm... nice?

[notwagging]

Yes! Do you think you're a nice human?

[ yes, even doggos can have interesting, introspective questions sometimes. ]

[fiendennor]

I... certainly try to be. Kindness, compassion, and charity are the values that my mother tried to instill in me from a very young age, and I try to live up to those expectations. [A beat.] Which isn't to say I succeed flawlessly all the time, of course.

[notwagging]

[ he hums thoughtfully as he thinks about her response. ]

... sounds good to me!

[ then, Keaton claps his hands together. ]

You can live.

[ and he snickers. ]

[fiendennor]

[A little sigh.] I would certainly hope so, yes. Though if you're making it a life-or-death case, perhaps don't go on self-reporting?

[notwagging]

I'll remember that for next time!

[ the next time he... low-key threatens someone, anyway. ]

[fiendennor]

Out of curiosity, what would you have I done had I answered differently?

[notwagging]

[ that earns her a snort. ]

Well, you're still human. You'd reveal your intentions eventually. Actions mean a lot more than words.

But I trust you. Trying to be kind is the best kind of trying.

[fiendennor]

I don't disagree that actions speak louder than words. But you can't exactly go around threatening someone just because they aren't nice.