InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "*Let's hear it for the Boy*"

Inara Serra is your (moraleofficer) wrote in the100,
@ 2015-07-26 00:33:00

Entry tags:

!network post, finnick odair, garrett hawke, inara serra, liv moore, river tam, simon tam

network post: inara serra
It's far past time I introduced myself properly. My name is Inara Serra and I've been asked to counsel those among us who might feel the need to talk to someone about what's bothering them. Trust me when I say that I've heard it all before, so please don't feel shy about opening up. We all feel pain; the differences are just details. What matters is how we unburden ourselves, and to whom.

I've been keeping to myself more than I should while getting my bearings, but those whom I've met have been unfailingly kind and welcoming. If you'd like to talk, you can contact me privately, but I'll be working out of the medical areas of our community for the most part. I look forward to being of service.

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hawke + inara (+ simon)

moraleofficer
2015-07-26 07:50 am UTC (link)

Indeed we have. You're the man with the magical powers, aren't you?

I can't tell from your phrasing whether Simon was even more circumspect than I asked him to be, or if you just have a talent for understatement. I'm dying, and I'd really rather not. Simon and Dr. Solus have been able to help manage some of the symptoms of my illness while I'm away from my usual medication, but they're not sure how effective they can be in the long run.

Is this [...] something you think you can help with?

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	hawke + inara (+ simon) sohawkeward 2015-07-26 07:52 am UTC (link)
	I'm not sure how effective I can be in the long run, either. Simon didn't tell me exactly what's wrong and how you were treating it before you got here. I can't be a permanent answer to anything, but if you need someone to help keep you off your deathbed until you've got something solid and reliable, I'll... see what I can do. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) moraleofficer 2015-07-26 08:09 am UTC (link)
	Trust me when I say I'm not in a position to be overly picky, or at all reserved with my gratitude. The only thing I need is to stay alive. Everything else is a luxury. Although one of those luxuries I hold most valuable is that as few people know about this as possible. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) sohawkeward 2015-07-26 08:12 am UTC (link)
	That's a lovely goal, but I still don't know what actually ails you or if you can afford to wait for a solution that's not me without dire consequences. I'm just trying to make sure no one's taking irresponsible risks here, because mistakes can, unfortunately, affect the entire community. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

hawke + inara (+ simon)

moraleofficer
2015-07-26 08:17 am UTC (link)

I have a rare genetic illness that will systematically shut down my organs, within a matter of weeks if I'm not treated regularly. Before coming here, there was a medicine I took every day. Simon helped me ration the supply I had when I came here, and Dr. Solus is trying to come up with some combination of the supplies we have here to replicate the effects, which is apparently something of a long shot. Anything that can keep the toxins from building up in my system would help. I don't know how much I even believe in magic, but I'm open to the possibility if Simon believes it's worth trying.

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	hawke + inara (+ simon) sohawkeward 2015-07-26 08:20 am UTC (link)
	Magic doesn't really care if you believe in it or not, fortunately. I may be able to help, but you must promise me now that you never tell another soul how I'm doing it. Ever. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: hawke + inara (+ simon) moraleofficer 2015-07-26 08:58 am UTC (link)
	A little mutual secrecy is a small price to pay. You have my word. And thank you, Hawke. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) sisterskeeper 2015-07-26 09:34 pm UTC (link)
	A magician can't reveal his tricks. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) sohawkeward 2015-07-26 10:40 pm UTC (link)
	More like if my friends (Fenris especially) find out that I'm offering to use blood magic, I'll find myself a very lonely man. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) sisterskeeper 2015-07-26 10:42 pm UTC (link)
	... Blood magic? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) moraleofficer 2015-07-26 10:44 pm UTC (link)
	I'm going to echo Simon's ... perplexity here. (Reply to this) (Parent)

hawke + inara (+ simon)

sohawkeward
2015-07-26 10:47 pm UTC (link)

It's very powerful, very stupid magic that uses blood as to fuel it instead of mana. Normally to use it effectively, you need to call up a demon for instruction and hope it doesn't just turn you into a vessel.

Luckily for you, I know some purification spells already and won't have to chat up a demon to use them. Think of it as ... spirit healing's evil twin, in a way; you call on a spirit for either of them, but blood magic is more versatile and more likely to go wrong.

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	hawke + inara (+ simon) sisterskeeper 2015-07-26 10:50 pm UTC (link)
	Oh. That sounds safe. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) sohawkeward 2015-07-26 10:52 pm UTC (link)
	For your friend? Yes. For me, not so much. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) moraleofficer 2015-07-26 10:54 pm UTC (link)
	What exactly is the risk you're taking on? Pretend demons and magic and everything you've just described doesn't exist in our world. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

hawke + inara (+ simon)

sohawkeward
2015-07-26 11:01 pm UTC (link)

Blood magic can be touchy, and any demon nearby is going to know I'm using it. They can't possess me without consent, so they can't come through if I don't let them, but they're going to start badgering me if they're here. Gives me nasty nightmares.

And I can't cast this sort of magic terribly often. I'll need time to recover between spells or I'll use up more blood than I have. Like I said, though, the upside is that I don't have to contact a demon directly, or we wouldn't even be talking about this. A friend of mine made extensive use of blood magic purifying and restoring a magical mirror and taught me a few things. If I'm guessing correctly, I'll be able to purify your organs and clean up the toxins. Regular healing magic just doesn't do that, it's better with wounds than illnesses. Chronic disease and sickness are things I can clear up, theoretically, but I need bigger magic than I use day to day, and the last time I called on a benevolent spirit, it got stuck in the physical world and was corrupted. It's too much of a risk to try that again.

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	hawke + inara (+ simon) moraleofficer 2015-07-26 11:03 pm UTC (link)
	I think I understand. Is there anything I can do to ease the burden on you? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) sohawkeward 2015-07-26 11:04 pm UTC (link)
	Survive, I suppose. And don't tell anyone what I'm doing. Blood magic is a bad subject for people from my world. I'm not sure I'd have any friends left if they knew I was using it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) moraleofficer 2015-07-26 11:13 pm UTC (link)
	In that case, you do your part and I'll do mine. I'm not letting this thing beat me. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) sisterskeeper 2015-07-26 11:05 pm UTC (link)
	So instead of corrupting an innocent spirit, it's easier to call on an already-corrupted spirit? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

hawke + inara (+ simon)

sohawkeward
2015-07-26 11:11 pm UTC (link)

It's technically easier because demons want to come through, and will answer a call for aid because you're providing them an opening for possession.

That's moot here, I don't need the instruction, so I'm not calling up a demon in the first place. I'll attract some attention, but that's for me to worry about in private. I've been an apostate my entire life, in a family full of other mages besides; I know how to keep my wits and drive them off if they come sniffing.

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	hawke + inara (+ simon) sisterskeeper 2015-07-26 11:05 pm UTC (link)
	I wouldn't be suggesting any of this if I felt we had another option, Inara. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) moraleofficer 2015-07-26 11:10 pm UTC (link)
	Trust me, I wouldn't be letting you talk me into this if I doubted that. But prolonging my life isn't worth taking someone else's. [...] In this circumstance, at least. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) sisterskeeper 2015-07-26 11:31 pm UTC (link)
	I've known Hawke a while. He's [...] good at what he does, whatever it is he does. It's magic, but he needs training and skill. He's not just going to wish you better. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hawke + inara (+ simon) moraleofficer 2015-07-28 07:29 pm UTC (link)
	Well I suppose that's a relief. I believe in the power of prayer, in its own fashion. It's hard to start thinking of this as something different. (Reply to this) (Parent)

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