[thirty seven] [Private to Master Lord Thom]

[goodgrasshopper]

You've been quiet, but I'm assuming you weren't pitched overboard at the last port.  ...Actually, I'm hoping you weren't subjected to it at all.  You'd probably have hated it, too.

I'm not sure if you remember me.  I'm Molly Carpenter, and I'm your new warden.  We should talk.

Comments

[giftedtwin]

In the City? They despised me. I had more skill than they did and they hated me for it.

[goodgrasshopper]

There was no one who was pleased to have an eager student? Really?

[giftedtwin]

I kept my talents hidden for some time, learned by myself and became more adept than they were. When I finally revealed my true power, they were jealous. And afraid. [AND HE WAS A BIG JERK. That too.]

But you know this already, don't you?

[goodgrasshopper]

I know the bare facts, but I'm much more interested in your experience of them. Facts don't say much on their own.

[giftedtwin]

What is in this file about me? What have you learned? I've heard it's everything.

[goodgrasshopper]

Depends on what you mean by everything. Your history is in it, an overview of your powers--impressive--and some basic information on what makes you tick. But it doesn't have much about your world, and... I have to admit being a little curious. It's part of why I asked so many questions.

[giftedtwin]

I don't mind answering questions about Tortall.

Does it explain why I'm here?

[goodgrasshopper]

Thanks--I appreciate it.

What do you think it says?

[giftedtwin]

Roger, of course. If anything, it would be that.

[goodgrasshopper]

Well, I'll admit that his name definitely came up.

[giftedtwin]

Is there more I am accused of, or is that it?

[goodgrasshopper]

Well, you have to admit, necromancy is no small thing.

[giftedtwin]

No. That's certainly what everyone seems to think.

[goodgrasshopper]

What do you think?

[giftedtwin]

I showed my true power.

[goodgrasshopper]

I won't argue that. I'm sure it took a shitton of power to do what you did.

[giftedtwin]

Yes, it took a lot of power.

[goodgrasshopper]

And right or wrong; good or harm done doesn't enter into the equation?

[giftedtwin]

What have they got to do with it?

[goodgrasshopper]

Shouldn't they have something to do with it? Power doesn't exist in a vacuum.

[giftedtwin]

Power is objective.

[goodgrasshopper]

All right, I'll buy that. Magical power exists independent of morality. But the acts themselves--what about those?

[Totally trying to get a baseline on you, Thom.]

[giftedtwin]

The acts are an expression of power.

[Thom just kind of thinks power is the be all and end all of everything.]

[goodgrasshopper]

[Yeah, she's starting to get that.]

So... Let's take an example. Say I used my power to wipe someone's mind--completely obliterate who they'd been as a person, never to return. An indifferent act? No morality attached? Just an expression of power?

[giftedtwin]

Perhaps. Motivation comes into it.