[ That earns a light squint, more of an expression of curiosity than anything else, and Vanessa glances up from the book's cover to the woman seated beside her. ]
But I had thought β the dark magic was never meant to be used. That to do so would prove too costly on one's soul.
[ That is what she had been taught, at least, Joan Clayton warning her away from ever using the book that she had ultimately grasped for in order to carry out her retribution. ]
( she rests her hand over one of vanessa's as if to reassure her )
There are the darker of acts, raising the dead requiring a sacrifice in payment but this book houses many secrets. Banishing a wayward spirit, protection from omens. Other things that a witch may find here.
( it was a book of the dead. black yes but not always dark )
But there is no steep price to pay? Not for all of it?
[ She'd never considered the possibility that there would be more of a range, a scale that could apply here, that the potential to perform something from the book she'd been told not to use would not necessarily exact the same toll on her as it had before.
She looks to the hand that covers hers, gaze slowly trailing the length of the other woman's arm until she can bring their gazes level. ]
I was never taught thusly. [ And perhaps, she thinks, that is because the Cut-Wife had only instructed her from within the range of her own abilities, not capable of seeing beyond that to more. ]
[ It seems like too good a deal to be wholly truthful, and she has the small sense that Mary may not be telling her everything, but she perceives the sensation of their hands threading together more fully and draws in a breath, soft and subtle. ]
And if I asked it of you β
[ She knows it may be too great a thing to request, that she may not even be within her rights to ask it, but she ventures it anyway, emboldened by their proximity. ]
[ And perhaps she chuckles a bit embarrassedly at her presumption that she'd been asking too much of the other woman when the agreement is so freely given, almost without hesitation; she glances down at the shared link of their hands, thumb instinctively smoothing across the ridges of Mary's knuckles. ]
I don't have much in the way of personal funds, but β I'd like to find some means of repaying you, if I can.
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no subject
But I had thought β the dark magic was never meant to be used. That to do so would prove too costly on one's soul.
[ That is what she had been taught, at least, Joan Clayton warning her away from ever using the book that she had ultimately grasped for in order to carry out her retribution. ]
And yet you say there is a purpose even for this?
no subject
( she rests her hand over one of vanessa's as if to reassure her )
There are the darker of acts, raising the dead requiring a sacrifice in payment but this book houses many secrets. Banishing a wayward spirit, protection from omens. Other things that a witch may find here.
( it was a book of the dead. black yes but not always dark )
no subject
[ She'd never considered the possibility that there would be more of a range, a scale that could apply here, that the potential to perform something from the book she'd been told not to use would not necessarily exact the same toll on her as it had before.
She looks to the hand that covers hers, gaze slowly trailing the length of the other woman's arm until she can bring their gazes level. ]
I was never taught thusly. [ And perhaps, she thinks, that is because the Cut-Wife had only instructed her from within the range of her own abilities, not capable of seeing beyond that to more. ]
no subject
( some could be appeased by nature whilst the others required something more drastic -- a life for a life )
But-- ( she links their fingers ) Your magic is different to my own. Perhaps that is why you were not taught such.
no subject
And if I asked it of you β
[ She knows it may be too great a thing to request, that she may not even be within her rights to ask it, but she ventures it anyway, emboldened by their proximity. ]
β would you teach me? Help me to learn more?
no subject
( who was she to refuse such a request? a witch wanting to learn more of and own their power with her women's and witches greatest advocate )
However I can help I would be glad to.
no subject
[ And perhaps she chuckles a bit embarrassedly at her presumption that she'd been asking too much of the other woman when the agreement is so freely given, almost without hesitation; she glances down at the shared link of their hands, thumb instinctively smoothing across the ridges of Mary's knuckles. ]
I don't have much in the way of personal funds, but β I'd like to find some means of repaying you, if I can.
no subject
( there's a gentle frown, lilith letting her other hand rest on the top of both of theirs )
Helping you to explore your magic is the repayment. A witch should know her power.