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[Lobelia hadn't been expecting company. Sat alone in a booth in a far corner of the newly revealed restaurant, he has a clear view of the entrance. When Childermass walks in, he's delighted— enough so that he'll rise to greet him at the entry way with a welcoming wave.]
Bonjour monsieur Childermass! What a pleasant surprise. Did you come here to sample the cuisine? It's not quite as good as Maman's cooking, but there's no replacement for that.
Bonjour monsieur Childermass! What a pleasant surprise. Did you come here to sample the cuisine? It's not quite as good as Maman's cooking, but there's no replacement for that.
[ If Lobelia wasn't at the study, then the next place to check was, inevitably, the one place here that is obviously French, and lo and behold... ]
Dining alone, Mr. Lobelia?
[ He asks with a nod of greeting on his own part, approaching the booth casually. While he does give the new building itself a curious look over as he walks through it, his attention is only on Lobelia once he's at the man's booth. ]
Though no, I was not exactly planning to eat anything. I was hoping to find you out and about, actually.
Dining alone, Mr. Lobelia?
[ He asks with a nod of greeting on his own part, approaching the booth casually. While he does give the new building itself a curious look over as he walks through it, his attention is only on Lobelia once he's at the man's booth. ]
Though no, I was not exactly planning to eat anything. I was hoping to find you out and about, actually.
Oui! As I often do.
[Don't be too concerned. Some people are simply loners by nature... or as a consequence of their choices. In either case, Lobelia motions for Childermass to take a seat while he slides back onto his side of the booth.]
Ah, but I was on your mind, was I? Je m'excuse if you were out searching long. The weather has taken an unfavorable turn.
[Don't be too concerned. Some people are simply loners by nature... or as a consequence of their choices. In either case, Lobelia motions for Childermass to take a seat while he slides back onto his side of the booth.]
Ah, but I was on your mind, was I? Je m'excuse if you were out searching long. The weather has taken an unfavorable turn.
[ It's about the same with Childermass, meaning he doesn't really question it as he takes a seat on the other side of the booth. ]
It does seem that winter is upon us... Thankfully, Blade thought to bring me a coat before I did anything foolish like tromping around without.
[ And so he has, having black (god i hope it's black, maple just told me blade's bringing a coat sklnfssfd) coat to help him against the wind and snow. It's certainly a more modern style, but he can't exactly be picky with the foul weather outside.
But onto why he's actually here. He'll fold his hands on top of the table and lean forward slightly. ]
Back during the trial, at the end, after... [ After that. He does not like to show emotion often, or too strongly, but even he has to pause and settle the horror that even recalling what happened with Yuki brings. His lips purse into a thin line, a grimace, but then he continues. ] ...When Yuki transformed, you used audiomancy to help subdue him, did you not?
It does seem that winter is upon us... Thankfully, Blade thought to bring me a coat before I did anything foolish like tromping around without.
[ And so he has, having black (god i hope it's black, maple just told me blade's bringing a coat sklnfssfd) coat to help him against the wind and snow. It's certainly a more modern style, but he can't exactly be picky with the foul weather outside.
But onto why he's actually here. He'll fold his hands on top of the table and lean forward slightly. ]
Back during the trial, at the end, after... [ After that. He does not like to show emotion often, or too strongly, but even he has to pause and settle the horror that even recalling what happened with Yuki brings. His lips purse into a thin line, a grimace, but then he continues. ] ...When Yuki transformed, you used audiomancy to help subdue him, did you not?
Edited 2025-11-17 21:27 (UTC)
[Ah. It's a question Lobelia expected, and one he doesn't mind answering. He takes a moment to do so, sipping from his wine glass, before answering Childermass's query.]
Oui. I'm far from my full strength, mind you, so I took a gamble. I thought perhaps Monsieur Yuki would refuse to go down without a fight... but luckily, he succumbed easily enough.
[Lobelia reflects on that day, that moment, with ease. Emotion doesn't reach his eyes. His smile is as warm and genial as ever.]
Oui. I'm far from my full strength, mind you, so I took a gamble. I thought perhaps Monsieur Yuki would refuse to go down without a fight... but luckily, he succumbed easily enough.
[Lobelia reflects on that day, that moment, with ease. Emotion doesn't reach his eyes. His smile is as warm and genial as ever.]
You're thinking along the right lines... but there's more to it than that, cher loup.
[Lobelia clicks his tongue. He's neither good at explaining things, nor does he delight in it. The way he conceptualizes things is starkly different than how others do, he's come to find.
But for lovely Childermass? Well, he'll try his best.]
To put it simply... I shaped the clap into a focused shockwave. When it struck Monsieur Yukinosuke's skull, it caused a brief pressure spike in the brain. Nothing dramatic, nothing permanent... just enough to scramble his neurons for a heartbeat and put him under.
A very delicate concussion, crafted from sound alone. Voilà. That is as plain as I can make it.
[Lobelia clicks his tongue. He's neither good at explaining things, nor does he delight in it. The way he conceptualizes things is starkly different than how others do, he's come to find.
But for lovely Childermass? Well, he'll try his best.]
To put it simply... I shaped the clap into a focused shockwave. When it struck Monsieur Yukinosuke's skull, it caused a brief pressure spike in the brain. Nothing dramatic, nothing permanent... just enough to scramble his neurons for a heartbeat and put him under.
A very delicate concussion, crafted from sound alone. Voilà. That is as plain as I can make it.
Edited (fuck italics) 2025-11-18 00:51 (UTC)
[ There's a faint tilt of his head at what Lobelia calls him. Dear wolf? Perhaps he'd seen his transformation after all... But that's not important. Childermass listens closely, trying to imagine how that works the best he can. ]
Shaping it into such a targeted strike, without even touching anyone that he had in his hands, and without any permanent damage...
[ Does he sound impressed? Yes, he does. ]
I imagine you'd be able to take a head clean off at full strength doing that. It's a frightful thought.
Shaping it into such a targeted strike, without even touching anyone that he had in his hands, and without any permanent damage...
[ Does he sound impressed? Yes, he does. ]
I imagine you'd be able to take a head clean off at full strength doing that. It's a frightful thought.
What a creative imagination you have, cher loup.
[He smiles, warm as candlelight.]
To think of taking a head clean off with a clap... très bien. A dramatic image, non?
[He lifts a hand, index finger idly circling the pad of his thumb.]
Sound can be a subtle companion. Precise, efficient. It leaves very little behind when used properly. At the same time... a cacophony of sound will leave the most merveilleux mess behind. It's a very versatile magic.
[He smiles, warm as candlelight.]
To think of taking a head clean off with a clap... très bien. A dramatic image, non?
[He lifts a hand, index finger idly circling the pad of his thumb.]
Sound can be a subtle companion. Precise, efficient. It leaves very little behind when used properly. At the same time... a cacophony of sound will leave the most merveilleux mess behind. It's a very versatile magic.
Edited 2025-11-18 01:28 (UTC)
[ A very dramatic image, and one that Childermass can't bring himself to like, even though it was he himself who thought of it. He watches Lobelia, perhaps warily for a moment, but it doesn't last. He's hardly here to find reasons to fear the man. ]
Versatile for a medium that's so varied, yes, I can imagine that all too well, too.
[ He'll lean back in the booth, arms coming up to idly fold across his chest, and a hand lifting to tap a finger against his chin. Thinking. ]
What about removing sound? That would honestly be more in line with my own sort of magic. Although the way you can speak from anywhere, across the entire area, that's been a fairly useful trick in its own right.
Versatile for a medium that's so varied, yes, I can imagine that all too well, too.
[ He'll lean back in the booth, arms coming up to idly fold across his chest, and a hand lifting to tap a finger against his chin. Thinking. ]
What about removing sound? That would honestly be more in line with my own sort of magic. Although the way you can speak from anywhere, across the entire area, that's been a fairly useful trick in its own right.
Removing it?
[Lobelia almost sounds offended. Almost! Childermass's question is a fair and valid one for which Lobelia has an easy answer.]
There is little in this world that is more unbearable than deafening silence. I could, très certainement, but why deny the world its sound?
[Index finger idly circling the mouth of his wine glass, Lobelia leans forward.]
Even so... your magic has me quite curious. You are skilled in divination, oui? What other tricks hide up your sleeves?
[Lobelia almost sounds offended. Almost! Childermass's question is a fair and valid one for which Lobelia has an easy answer.]
There is little in this world that is more unbearable than deafening silence. I could, très certainement, but why deny the world its sound?
[Index finger idly circling the mouth of his wine glass, Lobelia leans forward.]
Even so... your magic has me quite curious. You are skilled in divination, oui? What other tricks hide up your sleeves?
[ Childermass shouldn't be surprised at the interest in his own magic, but he is, for just a moment, before shrugging. ]
My own magic is far from impressive, I fear. Apart from my cards, I am inclined towards more subtle spells, hence why I'd suggest silence over sound at all. Turning into shadow, vanishing from sight, becoming untrackable, opening doors... The spells you might imagine a thief would have, I suppose.
[ Even if he's left that life behind... ]
That and any spell Mr. Norrell cares to have done but is not brave enough to go out and cast himself, though he must write those down for me. I do, admittedly, ignore his spells half the time if I think the issue can be dealt with unmagically.
My own magic is far from impressive, I fear. Apart from my cards, I am inclined towards more subtle spells, hence why I'd suggest silence over sound at all. Turning into shadow, vanishing from sight, becoming untrackable, opening doors... The spells you might imagine a thief would have, I suppose.
[ Even if he's left that life behind... ]
That and any spell Mr. Norrell cares to have done but is not brave enough to go out and cast himself, though he must write those down for me. I do, admittedly, ignore his spells half the time if I think the issue can be dealt with unmagically.
Subtle, are you? How very fitting.
The grand spectacles are flashy, oui, but I've always preferred the sort of magic one can't quite see... only feel. Silence, shadow, misdirection? Those are far more elegant. Far more intimate.
[His index finger still drifts along the rim of his glass, coaxing the faintest hum from it— just enough to make the air between them quiver.]
Turning invisible, slipping through doors, vanishing from sight... très utile! And far more dangerous than you give yourself credit for, mon ami. Power that leaves no trace tends to be the kind people never see coming.
Are these tricks born of study or necessity?
The grand spectacles are flashy, oui, but I've always preferred the sort of magic one can't quite see... only feel. Silence, shadow, misdirection? Those are far more elegant. Far more intimate.
[His index finger still drifts along the rim of his glass, coaxing the faintest hum from it— just enough to make the air between them quiver.]
Turning invisible, slipping through doors, vanishing from sight... très utile! And far more dangerous than you give yourself credit for, mon ami. Power that leaves no trace tends to be the kind people never see coming.
Are these tricks born of study or necessity?
[ The way the air quivers distracts him briefly. Just some idle audiomancy, from something so small...? ]
I do appreciate you saying such, but it is these small, quiet tricks that remove me from actual consideration as a magician, along with the matter of my own background.
[ It's stated are merely a fact, though. Childermass is not one to dwell on shortcomings, real or imagined. If others disagree with his standing as a magic user, then let them. He cares very little. ]
Not that any of that has stopped me from learning as much about magic as I can. I do think the way I turn into shadows is something that came to me naturally when I was younger, much like the cards, but the rest I did need to learn from study and observation.
I do appreciate you saying such, but it is these small, quiet tricks that remove me from actual consideration as a magician, along with the matter of my own background.
[ It's stated are merely a fact, though. Childermass is not one to dwell on shortcomings, real or imagined. If others disagree with his standing as a magic user, then let them. He cares very little. ]
Not that any of that has stopped me from learning as much about magic as I can. I do think the way I turn into shadows is something that came to me naturally when I was younger, much like the cards, but the rest I did need to learn from study and observation.
[Like a candle's flame pulled toward a draft, Lobelia's attention sharpens. Not overt, not theatrical, but unmistakably intent. The air around his glass faintly shivers as if recalling his touch.]
Mm... So these gifts weren't born from study alone. Intéressant. Turning to shadow, slipping past locked doors... that is not the magic of a man who lacks power, cher loup. That is the magic of someone who understands the value of subtlety. Of being underestimated.
[He leans in, smile thin.]
Since your talents came to you so young, do you consider them a blessing? Or do you see them more as mere tools?
Mm... So these gifts weren't born from study alone. Intéressant. Turning to shadow, slipping past locked doors... that is not the magic of a man who lacks power, cher loup. That is the magic of someone who understands the value of subtlety. Of being underestimated.
[He leans in, smile thin.]
Since your talents came to you so young, do you consider them a blessing? Or do you see them more as mere tools?
[ There's a smirk that comes to Childermass' face as Lobelia lands upon the part of being underestimated. As Lobelia leans in, he does so, similarly, putting an elbow up on the table as he does, leaning his weight upon that. ]
...it would seem you've landed on the truth of the matter, sir. I have no interest in the people of England knowing there is a third magician knocking about.
[ How uncaring he is when he downplays his own ability, how unbothered he is when he mentions being treated as less of a magician than the other two. ]
Ah, though I do not know if I was even aware that young. I only knew no one could ever catch or find me when I did not want to be caught or found. Others might have called that a blessing. I do not, nor do I wish to relegate magic to a mere tool, either.
If anything, I might compare them to a sense, the same as sight or hearing.
...it would seem you've landed on the truth of the matter, sir. I have no interest in the people of England knowing there is a third magician knocking about.
[ How uncaring he is when he downplays his own ability, how unbothered he is when he mentions being treated as less of a magician than the other two. ]
Ah, though I do not know if I was even aware that young. I only knew no one could ever catch or find me when I did not want to be caught or found. Others might have called that a blessing. I do not, nor do I wish to relegate magic to a mere tool, either.
If anything, I might compare them to a sense, the same as sight or hearing.
Edited 2025-11-19 23:41 (UTC)
[Oh, that smirk. It thrills him. It's less the satisfaction of being right and more the pleasure of finding shared ground— of slipping, together, into the quiet places where men like them actually live. Silence, subtlety, invisibility... these are not inconveniences. They are shelters, tools, and masks. Even Lobelia knows that— else he would never have survived his own beginnings.]
Mm. Bien sûr, you wouldn't want them to know. Power is safest when it's unseen and sweetest when it's underestimated, oui?
[His smile broadens, as soft and sly as a knife sheathed in velvet.]
You see yourself clearly, cher loup. And, perhaps rarer still... you allow yourself to be seen. I'm quite lucky.
Mm. Bien sûr, you wouldn't want them to know. Power is safest when it's unseen and sweetest when it's underestimated, oui?
[His smile broadens, as soft and sly as a knife sheathed in velvet.]
You see yourself clearly, cher loup. And, perhaps rarer still... you allow yourself to be seen. I'm quite lucky.
[ Rare enough to be understood in such a way that Childermass can actually forgive Lobelia for being French— wait, no, okay, he doesn't care about that, but it is still good to find such mutual ground. ]
Seems only fair, doesn't it? I can hardly ply you for the secrets of your audiomancy and not share any part of myself in return, now can I?
Seems only fair, doesn't it? I can hardly ply you for the secrets of your audiomancy and not share any part of myself in return, now can I?
[There is nothing that forgives the crime of being French, let's be real here. Lobelia is just pleased to have the company of another mage with no inclination to kill him.]
Mm! I only wish I could show you the full extent of my magic... and in turn, that I could witness yours. We are both inclined to work alone, but it's our similarities that fascinate me.
Go on! Tell me more about yourself, Monsieur Childermass. Whatever you are comfortable revealing. You may not think yourself a fascinating man, but I disagree.
Mm! I only wish I could show you the full extent of my magic... and in turn, that I could witness yours. We are both inclined to work alone, but it's our similarities that fascinate me.
Go on! Tell me more about yourself, Monsieur Childermass. Whatever you are comfortable revealing. You may not think yourself a fascinating man, but I disagree.
[ There's another sound of amusement, however quiet, and he leans back in the booth again. ]
Only if we're exchanging tit-for-tat. I am not a man who likes to speak of himself at length, you realize.
[ And Lobelia must, if he realizes how much he works alone, how much he works in secret, but he won't leave him without some tidbit to tempt him with. ]
But I am willing to say that before I found myself in the service of a magician, I was quite the thief. It is why I believe that trick with the shadows came naturally to me. I cannot recall a single time that I have been caught.
Only if we're exchanging tit-for-tat. I am not a man who likes to speak of himself at length, you realize.
[ And Lobelia must, if he realizes how much he works alone, how much he works in secret, but he won't leave him without some tidbit to tempt him with. ]
But I am willing to say that before I found myself in the service of a magician, I was quite the thief. It is why I believe that trick with the shadows came naturally to me. I cannot recall a single time that I have been caught.
[Lobelia's smile curls. Sure. He'll answer Childermass's questions like a good boy... so long as he takes care to ask the right ones.]
Oui. We shall make it an even exchange.
[But the mention of Childermass's former occupation widens his grin. Intriguing— and perfectly befitting a man born of shadow.]
C'est fascinant. I wonder if a dash of luck played its part as well. Ah, but there is one thing about being slippery enough to escape every snare with your life...
You tend to leave a trail of amis behind.
Oui. We shall make it an even exchange.
[But the mention of Childermass's former occupation widens his grin. Intriguing— and perfectly befitting a man born of shadow.]
C'est fascinant. I wonder if a dash of luck played its part as well. Ah, but there is one thing about being slippery enough to escape every snare with your life...
You tend to leave a trail of amis behind.
[ There isn't so much as a waver in his face when Lobelia suggests that. To escape every time is to leave people behind, and, well, Childermass offers a slight nod after a moment of thought. ]
Yes... I learned quickly to work alone.
[ And have no friends, but that, he's found, makes people sad when it's said out loud. ]
It was wiser to be a one-man operation or, more aptly, one-boy, I suppose. Most of my years spent as a thief were before I was a grown man.
Yes... I learned quickly to work alone.
[ And have no friends, but that, he's found, makes people sad when it's said out loud. ]
It was wiser to be a one-man operation or, more aptly, one-boy, I suppose. Most of my years spent as a thief were before I was a grown man.
Edited 2025-11-24 16:40 (UTC)
[Ah, but he doesn't have to worry about making Lobelia sad. The knowing look in his eyes says he understands. His slow nod suggests it's nothing to shed a tear over, familiar as the notion is.]
Je comprends. What others would call underhanded or delinquent is how men like us survive. It isn't a crime unless you get caught.
[Even then, Childermass might balk if they compare the skeletons in their closet.]
But tell me, are you happier being alone? It's hard to be without companionship— anyone who would deny that is fooling themselves.
Je comprends. What others would call underhanded or delinquent is how men like us survive. It isn't a crime unless you get caught.
[Even then, Childermass might balk if they compare the skeletons in their closet.]
But tell me, are you happier being alone? It's hard to be without companionship— anyone who would deny that is fooling themselves.
[ At least one person here who would not mourn Childermass' isolated lifestyle, then. ]
Am I? It's a good question, though I do not think I have a good answer to it. I am neither happy nor unhappy with it. I have my work, and that requires all my focus, though I am not wholly without companionship, and that is enough for now.
But I believe I've shared enough for my part. What of you? Is there anything you would not mind sharing?
Am I? It's a good question, though I do not think I have a good answer to it. I am neither happy nor unhappy with it. I have my work, and that requires all my focus, though I am not wholly without companionship, and that is enough for now.
But I believe I've shared enough for my part. What of you? Is there anything you would not mind sharing?
[ Upon receiving his message, Y'sthola will direct Childermass to the sitting room for some tea. By the time he arrives, it's already steeping.
When the door opens, she turns towards it. ]
Had a desire to discuss magicks, did you?
When the door opens, she turns towards it. ]
Had a desire to discuss magicks, did you?
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