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Tweak says, "Taters...Po-Ta-Toe!!!"

Arcturus Black (arcturusfirst) wrote in compass_comm,
@ 2022-02-16 22:08:00

Entry tags:

!closed, dan torrance, miguel o'hara, ~arcturus black

[For Dan]

Mr Torrance,

We met some time ago, at Miss Tavehi's magical seminar. You were recently recommended to me by Colonel Crawley, who told me that you may have some experience in the field of temporal paradoxes. Would you be able to advise me, please? I have a delicate decision to make.

Sincerely,

A.C. Black

[For Miguel]

O'Hara,

Sirius has expressed a fervent wish to attend your Spanish classes. I'm inclined to let him go. He doesn't seem an especially sensitive boy, and even if he had been, the solution to that is not to keep him in at home and tell him he is too delicate for the world. My younger boy, Alexi, is a shy little chap, and I know that a little nurturing helps a great deal.

Which is to say, will you take him on? There are a few conditions, I have to say, but nothing too troubling.

- Black

P.S. I haven't yet decided on the other matter, but it is under serious consideration. Would a pint of blood do? I suspect I cannot spare much more.

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	dr_sleep 2022-02-17 03:55 pm UTC (link)
	Mr Black, I remember. You were a lot younger then. ~~Rawdon said what~~ I'll do my very best, of course. What do you want to ask me? D. A. Torrance (Reply to this) (Thread)

arcturusfirst
2022-02-17 04:28 pm UTC (link)

Mr Torrance,

Yes, it was a very long time ago for me, and decidedly less so for you, I believe. Thank you.

Someone dear to me died a few years after I was last aboard this station. I've been told that he might be saved, because here he is still alive. Yet if he doesn't die, I wouldn't be taking the steps to save him. You can see the circular nature of it, I'm sure.

My thought on the matter is that if I alter the timeline by saving him, I will have to sacrifice myself, after a fashion. The man writing to you will cease to exist, and instead, my younger self whom you met will grow up to live a different sort of life.

Colonel Crawley seems to disagree, but he referred me to you for the specifics. Do note that I'm not saying for certain that I shan't do it, even if I'll vanish to nothing by doing so, only that I need to know the consequences. The honest truth.

A.C. Black

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dr_sleep
2022-02-17 04:49 pm UTC (link)

Mr Black,

I was five when my dad was killed, and my mom died when I was nineteen because she was sick but we didn't know in time to try and do something about it. I've had two doors open up that meant I was able to help my dad survive (he's here on the station now, actually) and to get my mom's illness treated in time so that there's a really good chance she could survive it.

My actions have changed things, yes, but it didn't get rid of me. It just made a different timeline that I'm not part of. When I get sent home from the station, they won't be there. They'll both still be dead for me. I might not remember being here, so if that's the case, then nothing will have changed for me. If I do remember, then I'll just have to be happy knowing that in a couple of timelines at least, my mom and dad are alive.

Sorry if this is confusing. I hope it helps,

D.A. Torrance

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arcturusfirst
2022-02-17 06:16 pm UTC (link)

Mr Torrance,

It is confusing, certainly, but I am grateful to you for having shared it. My understanding is that there is only a single timeline, but that time travel, or situations such as we find ourselves in here, cause alterations in it, which can have all manner of consequences. Time travel is tightly restricted in wizarding Britain for that reason.

Yet the undeniable fact remains that you changed the timeline, and you and your father are both here. It may be a bubbling effect of some kind. I shan't pretend I have the expertise to explain it. I know that when I was sent back before, I remembered things, but vaguely, as if it were half a dream.

The fact is that my nephew Sirius, who died as a little boy, is here and very much alive, and there may be a way to keep him that way. To cure the fever before he even contracts it. I am beginning to think it is best to try, even if we cannot be certain of the results.

A.C. Black

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	miguel_ohara 2022-02-17 04:09 pm UTC (link)
	Black, What are the conditions? That's very far from a No, by the way. Also, a pint of blood would be far too much. I'll need 25ml at most, which is about the size of an espresso if you've had one of those in the food court. -M (Reply to this) (Thread)

arcturusfirst
2022-02-17 04:38 pm UTC (link)

O'Hara,

Firstly, that if you don't sit the smallest children at the front of the room as a matter of course, that you sit him with some steady young man who will keep an eye on him and make sure he isn't mistreated by his seniors. That stocky lad would do - Hanscom, was it? Secondly, that he isn't made to use any muggle technologies. I'll send him with a slate, and with pen and parchment, and any books he needs. If you do want to use muggle computers and moving pictures and that sort of thing, write to me and I shall keep him at home that day. I don't mean to constrain your teaching, but to let him join you when it is allowable for him to do so. Thirdly, if he's poorly-behaved, report it to me and let me deal with the matter.

What is that in ounces? Never mind, if you don't know it. Less than a pint shan't be a problem. If I give it, I'll have your word that it is to be used only to search for whatever it is that will help Siri, and not for any other reason?

- Black

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miguel_ohara
2022-02-17 05:12 pm UTC (link)

Black,

He can sit with Ben, that's fine, although nobody will mistreat him. ~~Lyla and~~ I keep a good eye on my classes and the kids know that. He won't need a slate, I don't even know what that would be needed for. Why does he need a rock? If he's poorly-behaved, I'll talk to you both about it. There might be an issue with no computers/technology, though. The kids don't use them to work with, but it's best if I use one to project what we're learning onto a screen. My handwriting is not the most legible, I've been told. Although Bruno Madrigal is also going to be teaching in this class, if that helps, and he's from the 1950s so computers are new to him as well. I don't know how neat his handwriting is.

25ml is about 0.85 fluid ounces. And yes, I'll only use your blood for the specific purpose of working on the cure for Sirius. It's all covered in the paperwork, don't worry. I can print you off a copy of everything if you want to read through it, even before you make a decision.

-M

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arcturusfirst
2022-02-17 06:03 pm UTC (link)

O'Hara,

The slate is to write on. It's useful for younger children; they can practice their writing or work things out without using up good parchment or copybooks. I shall show you when we next see you, or he can.

The computer is going to prove an insurmountable problem, unfortunately. Never mind it, it was only an idea. I appreciate that you considered it. If you should ever alter your methods so that Mr Madrigal is doing the writing instead, we might look at it again.

O'Hara, if we carry out this plan, there isn't to be any paperwork. It's to be a private arrangement between us, with no records of any sort beyond those which are absolutely necessary for you in the course of your work, to be destroyed afterwards. Officially, I will not have done this, and if all goes well, Siri will drink whatever potion you devise, and never know just what it is for. I shall be placing my trust in you.

- Black

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miguel_ohara
2022-02-17 06:34 pm UTC (link)

Black,

Is it like a chalk board?

Would there be a problem if it was magic projecting the words? ~~Not that you could tell the difference, but~~ I can talk with Sarah and Tommy and see if they'll have a spell or something that could help.

I need you to read the paperwork and and I need you to give me a verbal agreement at least, if you decide to go ahead with this. This is how I have to work, and I can't and won't change it. Otherwise, I'd be no better than those "terrible muggle scientists" you once told me about.

-M

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arcturusfirst
2022-02-17 07:02 pm UTC (link)

O'Hara,

Yes, rather like that! A small one, that he can easily carry in his satchel.

Projecting words by magical means instead of using a muggle device would be perfectly acceptable, yes.

I expect you think I am being a stubborn and difficult man, when you are offering a great service. I need you to understand something. If I were to knowingly allow you to use computers and other muggle machines to examine my blood and to do this work, it would be most severely injurious to my good name, and to Siri's. I do not think that I can hold notions of personal honour higher than that dear child's life, so I will tell you that you must do what is necessary to create your potion to save him. You will have my word. You will have my agreement. I am setting aside tradition and proper procedure for his sake, and asking that you do the same, and come to a private and undocumented arrangement with me. The very thought of giving up my blood is a daunting and disturbing one, and I am sure you understand why. I am asking you to make this business safer for me, and for him, by leaving no trace of a record behind. I know that I cannot force the matter, but I hope to have your understanding, and your agreement.

- Black

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