[ she makes no indications towards subtlety at any point in her life. her desk can barely be seen at all beneath the weight of its contents—baubles, books, empty and forgotten teacups that Henry has yet to unearth. if nothing else, the place has all the feelings of a home. of being lived-in. it is not HNL, and it is not the Creel house.
she crosses the room briskly, surveys the box in the mushroom child's hand—
a red ribbon?
turns her face sharply towards him as she takes the box in hand. ]
They're not "things", Sprezzatura. And that was only the one time.
[And it was worth it, wasn't it?
Within, the gift is wrapped in silken cloth. Unwrap it further, and she's presented with a deck of cards, each card face a different, painterly illustration.]
I'm not sure, but I think they're supposed to be magical. But that's more up your alley than mine.
[The little mushroom blinks and makes an “ehhh??” sound, but doesn’t try to take it again.]
Really?
[So it’s not just a mild object he’s given her; it has actual power, the kind that he can’t help but be curious about. At his core, he is still called Vecna for a reason.]
Well, there are plenty of cards, so I'd guess there's a little bit of something in-between, too. Something that could be beneficial to us, if it's as powerful as you claim.
[Woaahhhhh! says the mushroom who was still standing. The other two sway, still seated, though one gets a pile of papers slid onto its head.
For Henry, these feels like a conflict that would rear its head in Shadowpeaks again. One not wanting the other to be harmed; one indignant that the other might even suggest it for the sake of themselves.]
If you're putting yourself at risk, then I'm going to do it with you. [He is jumping to the conclusion that they're totally going to try this magical deck out, because isn't that what wizards (real and honorary) do?] How does it work?
I’m not a wizard. I don’t pretend to understand any of the magic in this world. I just knew the cards were arcane, but I didn’t think we were talking world-altering power.
[He figured like, wow, maybe a fancy cantrip or twenty. Sprezzatura likes those, right.]
[ words cannot describe how furious she is that Henry allowed her to become in any form attached to these creatures. why should its recklessness incite such dread? why should her stomach knot, why should she worry at all? it could be the most prudent method of proving to Henry what a gamble a deck like this is, and yet— ]
[The mushroom gives her the biggest 🥺 expression known to mankind.
Whaaaa? Why?
Henry steps forward and around, scooping the little guy up in his arms. He faces Sprezzatura.]
Because she doesn't want anyone to get hurt. Right?
[Hm. He thinks to himself that they'll not be testing this unless under dire emergency, then... A shame, but if the risk is that great, no one will allow anyone else to be the test subject, it seems.]
You are not understanding! Neither of you. This is, almost certainly, what we call "deck of hazards". I... [ she bites her thumb, the free hand; her other still clutching the deck so tightly the edges of the cards cut in ] It cannot even be stated with full understanding all of what these may do. This is incredible gift, Henry, and I cannot begin to understand how you could so easily lay claim to it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
vecna) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
finalflight2024-12-26 07:22 pm
no subject
she crosses the room briskly, surveys the box in the mushroom child's hand—
a red ribbon?
turns her face sharply towards him as she takes the box in hand. ]
Where did you say you got this from?
no subject
One might assume Henry tried to explain it wasn’t a birthday gift, but it didn’t stick in their empty little heads.
He steps closer, smiling.]
I told you. Just some locals who needed my abilities. Why?
no subject
[ "these things" being the mushrooms.
...gives the ribbon a tug. eager despite herself. ]
no subject
[And it was worth it, wasn't it?
Within, the gift is wrapped in silken cloth. Unwrap it further, and she's presented with a deck of cards, each card face a different, painterly illustration.]
I'm not sure, but I think they're supposed to be magical. But that's more up your alley than mine.
no subject
puts the deck down and immediately takes a step back ]
You got this? Where did you get this?
no subject
Henry, meanwhile, isn’t sure that’s the reaction he anticipated. Doesn’t she like magical things!!!]
What’s wrong? Do you recognize it?
no subject
Magical decks are intensely dangerous things!
no subject
Really?
[So it’s not just a mild object he’s given her; it has actual power, the kind that he can’t help but be curious about. At his core, he is still called Vecna for a reason.]
How dangerous are we talking?
no subject
It could change worlds! Or break them.
no subject
Well, there are plenty of cards, so I'd guess there's a little bit of something in-between, too. Something that could be beneficial to us, if it's as powerful as you claim.
no subject
Or something which could destroy us to our very base elements.
[ in the musing tone of a woman weighing her chances. she is not immune to the lure of the arcane.
obviously. ]
no subject
Though there is one sticking point that will put a complete stop to even the idea of experimentation, and it comes to him in the next moment.]
Tempting as it is to see what these cards can do, I’d rather not lose you permanently — and to my gift, at that. Maybe let me have a try at it first.
no subject
he'd rather not lose her? so she should stand to lose him instead? that's what he wants? how is that any better? ]
No!
no subject
For Henry, these feels like a conflict that would rear its head in Shadowpeaks again. One not wanting the other to be harmed; one indignant that the other might even suggest it for the sake of themselves.]
If you're putting yourself at risk, then I'm going to do it with you. [He is jumping to the conclusion that they're totally going to try this magical deck out, because isn't that what wizards (real and honorary) do?] How does it work?
no subject
no subject
I’m not a wizard. I don’t pretend to understand any of the magic in this world. I just knew the cards were arcane, but I didn’t think we were talking world-altering power.
[He figured like, wow, maybe a fancy cantrip or twenty. Sprezzatura likes those, right.]
no subject
no subject
They're cards, Sprezzatura.
no subject
[ and the longer these cards are in their home, the keener the temptation she will feel. ]
no subject
We can just put them away for now. We don't have any real reason to use them just yet [yet], do we?
[One mushroom goes to the edge of the desk and reaches out to tug at Sprezzatura's shirt, trying to get her attention...]
no subject
no subject
Spwezzatula, let me pick a cawd! I’m stwong! It won’t huwt me.]
no subject
Under no circumstances.
no subject
Whaaaa? Why?
Henry steps forward and around, scooping the little guy up in his arms. He faces Sprezzatura.]
Because she doesn't want anyone to get hurt. Right?
[Hm. He thinks to himself that they'll not be testing this unless under dire emergency, then... A shame, but if the risk is that great, no one will allow anyone else to be the test subject, it seems.]
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...