Milliways Again

[her_imperial_radiance]

It lurks. Oh how it lurks.

Comments

[her_imperial_radiance]

"Well," Elspeth says, "does this sound interestingly different: I am five years old."

[self_composed]

"...Yes. That's freaky," says Bella.

[her_imperial_radiance]

"So I work on you. I used to work on Mama, but then I stopped," Elspeth says. "Anyway, my witch power boils down to communicating true things. I can sometimes generate true things I didn't technically already know, if I attempt to talk about them to people who are interested in the topic and I have enough to go on. Jacob here is really interested in whether I'm safe, so before I'm allowed to take anyone home, I have to check how dangerous they are by telling him whether they could even theoretically hurt me."

[self_composed]

"So, question," Bella says. "Who is Jacob, and why is he so interested in this, and why does he look at you like that?"

[her_imperial_radiance]

Elspeth hands Bella a pamphlet!

[self_composed]

Bella reads very fast.

"Oooookay," she says. "I take it your mama already vetted this and this would be an inappropriate time for me to come over all maternal."

[her_imperial_radiance]

"Yes," says Elspeth forcefully. "He's my wolf."

[prima_sequentem]

"So if we're planning to visit," says Libby, half for a slight change of subject and half because this is a very important point, "we should probably get un-dangerous first."

[self_composed]

"Even if I left all my coins at home," Bella says, "which I am loath to do, and even if I stripped myself of several of my installed powers, which I am also loath to do, I can do a heck of a lot of damage with creativity and biting my cheek, and mint powers are indelible. This may not work."

[prima_sequentem]

Libby shrugs. "I'd have no problem dumping my stash somewhere for the duration, and I don't come with nearly as many extras."

[self_composed]

"But you're no less capable of biting your cheek, and if you're less creative it's not by a lot."

[prima_sequentem]

"By my best estimate, if I leave my five-and-ups at home, I'll pass the test," says Libby.

[self_composed]

"Okay. But is there any way Alice is getting through here?"

[prima_sequentem]

"Probably not. I wouldn't let him through if I were them," she admits.

[her_imperial_radiance]

"...Why, what's the matter with him?" Elspeth asks.

[self_composed]

"He can readily generate a great deal more of our sort of magic than we can," Bella says. "I suppose I could implement emergency protocols first, but that would have the disadvantage of him learning what they are."

[prima_sequentem]

"Well, would you want to bring Alice?"

[self_composed]

"Maybe. I'm not sure. It would be interesting, I imagine."

[prima_sequentem]

"We don't have to bring him on our first visit, anyway."

[self_composed]

"True."

[her_imperial_radiance]

"Mama might easily choose to make exceptions on the basis of how friendly you seem - especially to Dad, who reads minds - after a first meeting," Elspeth says. "There are plenty of people who work for her who wouldn't pass the strict test."

[prima_sequentem]

"I am extremely friendly," Libby says brightly. "Especially to quasi-granddaughters."

[self_composed]

"If I can't get along with a version of myself, I can't get along with anyone," Bella says. "And I get along with some people. So I can get along with your mama. Q.E.D."

[her_imperial_radiance]

Elspeth giggles. "Okay. Well, if you can... unmagic yourselves enough that I can convince Jacob you're kosher, we can try it that way."

[self_composed]

"Libby, you said holding the door open works even after it's been closed once. We could take turns going out and stashing our coins now," Bella suggests. "If we don't want to wait for the next appearance of Milliways-with-an-Elspeth-in-it."