where shall i begin?

[small_magics]

Isibel is without her loves, her mints, her enchannels.

She does have a coin stash. A reasonably large one, in her beloved's shifting geode colors, and a few in the higher denominations imported from Rainbow; she can make small ones herself. And she is still linked to her beloveds - she can still access Ansharil's magic, is still a functional elfmage.

And unlike any other Bell cast adrift without her convenient masochist(s), Isibel can enchant alone. It's the simplest application of hyperfocus: contemplate her spell and wake up again with it complete. Channeling through oneself leaves no lingering discomfort after the initial burst, and she can fail entirely to attend to that initial burst.

And -

She is reasonably well recovered from her earlier breakage.

It seems to her that it is time to do some... Belling, although she has not yet decided how to start.

She teleports from her folded-in-on-itself enchanted village to the town in which Magania resides, and there she looks for the other elf, who has given such good counsel in the past and already knows of the features of Bells.

Comments

[small_magics]

"I See you."

[pythbox]

"I See you, Isibel," she says, getting to her feet and dusting off her hands. "It would please me very much to take tea with you."

[small_magics]

"And myself as well. I seek your advice on how to go about the traditional calling of my template in this world. I do not believe the exact approaches chosen by any of my alts will suit precisely, most particularly since I fear I must be conservative with my coins for an unknown period of time."

[pythbox]

"Then we will discuss this thing," Magania says agreeably. "Be welcome in my home and at my hearth."

She leads the way inside and puts the kettle on.

[small_magics]

Isibel follows her in and sits. "My beloveds traveled to another world, to assist Pattern with something there, but they have been stranded; Jane is in some way unwell. This has happened before, and she recovered, but it may be any amount of time before that day."

[pythbox]

"You have the most interesting problems," Magania murmurs.

[small_magics]

"Some of them, certainly. But the last time Jane suffered this problem, I was yet in recovery, and I think that I am now well enough to go about using my foreign magic - much of which I can still use - for the benefit of the world at large. Yet I fear missteps. I will speak to Liselen, as well, but I would hear anything you had to say to me on how to order and present interventions."

[pythbox]

"It is my thought that if one would do a great magic in the world, one should consult first the Wild Magic, and then the dragons," says Magania. "And if one would do a great magic in the Elven Lands, one should consult the King."

[small_magics]

"I will speak with the dragons, yes, especially to inform them of where my beloveds have gone, and perhaps to discuss magical address of their population issue," says Isibel. "The only immediate need in the Elven Lands is, I think, for genuine immortality - our ancestors sacrificed greatly for the long lives we enjoy, but still we age and die after a few centuries. I can consult the King about it first, I suppose. And then I would be inclined to move outward and speak to other kinds of people about their needs."

[pythbox]

"If you could bring genuine immortality to the Elven Lands, without causing any old troubles to return, that would be a great gift," says Magania.

[small_magics]

"The sort which I have received is easily distributed, but only in person. I think it will be the best choice for the dragons and their Bondmates, who do not number many. However, when my beloved and I defeated the most recent incursion of Darkness, we found some research belonging to its author, some of which might work without the other effects he unfortunately was poised to bring about. This would be simpler to spread without my personally following at its heels everywhere it must go."

[pythbox]

"A fine plan," says Magania. "Particularly if you keep Liselen close to hand while you are conducting your research."

[small_magics]

"Yes, it has been made clear that his presence is invaluable when using or interacting with large amounts of native Thilanushinyel magic."

[pythbox]

Magania nods.

The tea is ready. She pours it.

[small_magics]

Isibel drinks. "I confess I do not know how to approach the King."

[pythbox]

Magania nods, as though this is entirely reasonable. "I will convey something of the situation to him, and let him speak with you as he deems appropriate."

[small_magics]

"I am uncertain what the best policy is for managing the details of my - extraworldly friends and adventures," says Isibel. "With the King or otherwise. Some Bells act with complete openness, others with secrecy, others with partial publicity about their power but full transparency about their deeds."

[pythbox]

"A thing that is not known may be told," says Magania, "but a thing that is known may not be hidden. It would be wise, I think, to tell all to the dragons and the King; beyond that, perhaps not yet."

[small_magics]

"...I remember with perfect clarity the King standing over me and my beloveds, suggesting that they die, in spite of my remarks about their benign nature and Liselen's prior words. Liselen's own presence sufficed to stay his hand, but - I have no other personal memory of the King, his judgment, or his... ability to handle the unfamiliar."

[pythbox]

"Then it may be that you will not tell him everything," says Magania. "And it may be that he will be wary of your promised immortality until you do. Perhaps Liselen could be some help to you there as well; I have heard that he was - most persuasive, when last he spoke with the King."

[small_magics]

"I shall speak to Liselen before the King, then, perhaps he will wish to join me."

[pythbox]

Magania nods, and sips her tea.

[small_magics]

Sip. Sip.

Eventually the tea is gone.

"I believe I would do best to seek Liselen sooner rather than later."

[pythbox]

"Perhaps that is true," says Magania. "Good luck."

[small_magics]

"Thank you for the tea and the advice." Isibel gets to her feet, leaves the house so as not to be standing around awkwardly while ensuring that Liselen has no company who will find her unpleasant, and says: [Liselen?]