The Magic Guild: Nesting

[gorgonfondness]

Six weeks and two days.

It's hard to concentrate on much of anything when that's all you've got left. And since she's already taken her leave from work so it won't happen in the middle of the semester, that means Mia doesn't have as much to do.

So today has been devoted to cleaning up her living quarters, the nursery in particular. And doing the baby's laundry so it will be ready for him. And making sure the baby's toys are clean. And then Draco's laundry and ironing Draco's work shirts and trousers. And then preparing things for tonight's dinner. And then her laundry while the inner slow-cooks. And then making dessert. And then folding all of those clean clothes and putting them away. And then the kitchen will have to be cleaned up, of course. And then the table should be set. And what about the bed, is it clean?

It sounds like a lot, but magic does help get it done. Though, once it's done, Mia finds she would rather it wasn't done and then does it again the muggle way to make sure it's done right.

At least it hasn't gotten to the point where she's ironing the baby's clothes...

Comments

[xamotomax]

"Which happens to be the entire city of Reza, no? Is the citizenship not comprised of members of the Guild?"
Any other place or individual is fair game, yes?

"Some people might raise an eyebrow at the thought of being given assistance by what they'd think were people of questionable character—before they came to know them."

[gorgonfondness]

"Not necessarily. All you have to do to be a member of the Thieves Guild is pass the trial. My friends and I had to pass the trial in order to get supplies we needed during our trip, so we're technically members, even though we don't live there. Not that the trial is an easy one: we had to travel from Reza to Meryod, practically from one continent to another, and then we had to go through Damon's Spire, where we had to face mental and physical challenges from the keeper of knowledge there."

Mia points at the books.

"Remember how I said this is the second biggest library in the world? Well, Damon's is the biggest and one must earn the right to read his books by passing his tests."

[xamotomax]

Tomax might have that look some people get when there's a challenge being presented.

"What does one have to do to earn this privilege?"
Tomax can be a lot like his brother when there's knowledge to be gained, especially through books.

[gorgonfondness]

"You have to survive the tower and correctly answer Damon's questions, both of which are easier said than done. Some creatures in the tower can only be defeated by the sword, some only with magic. And Damon's questions, considering he's the keeper of knowledge on Lunar, tend to be about Lunar's history. Other than that, he also tests your morals. Seems an odd thing to do in order to admit thieves into a Thieves Guild..."

And Damon is not one to be easily fooled. The man sees through everyone as though they were made of glass.

[xamotomax]

"Alas, neither I nor my brother can boast of magical skill, though, it is said that sufficiently-developed technology is near-indistinguishable from magic... Still. Learning about history is something we've spent considerable time and effort on."

A test of morals, eh? Well, if Damon can tell whether something is true or not, it would be easier to get more traction by admitting that they've had a somewhat chequered past, such as their days of being mercenaries.

And that some of their clients have questionable characters, but in their minds, as long as you pay their fees they'll be content to look the other way.

Which is pretty much the truth [if a selective one]: Cobra pays his consultant fees and the boys will do business with them and their paranoid leader. Right up until Cobra Commander gets what he wants. After that? They might decide to start business with someone else, and let the Commander succeed or fail on his own.

"As to the last test, well, it would be premature to say that we'd pass such a test easily. We know not of his standards. The best one can do then be is to be oneself, right?"

[gorgonfondness]

"I don't know if technology would be a suitable substitute. Without someone who knows magic, it might very well be a suicide mission should you choose to go."

Thus, Mia's not telling them how unless they get a mage to go with them.

"I think that is the best anyone can do in any situation," she answers to the last question. "Strange how, with all of my learning, it took me years to finally know something as simple as that."

[xamotomax]

"It might not be, but it would be unwise for I or Xamot to even consider attempting it, as this is our first visit to your world. Once we have known it better we might consider asking then. There is no rush."
One thing at a time.

"I think it is because it is a simple concept that makes it hard to grasp. Sometimes, I think we unnecessarily complicate things when thinking about things like being one's own self. I have done it myself a time or two."
The Rubik's puzzle they now have serves as a reminder that simple things can have profound impacts. It's not just a toy it's a metaphor, too.

[gorgonfondness]

"I've seen someone attempt it on his first visit and survive, but I made sure he could use a sword and magic before I sent him out."

Mia holds her chin in her hand.

"A shame. I haven't seen him since well before my first wedding anniversary. I know he made it back to Milliways safely and I saw him there once again, but he hasn't returned."

[xamotomax]

"Swords we could use. My brother and I spent time in the French Foreign Legion. While swords are not used in the Legion it can be learned. Magic, on the other hand... There's no magic in either of us, even if, to some, it might appear otherwise."
The bond is ... the bond. It doesn't grant any special powers to them at all. It's just ... there.

Sort of like having a telephone makes it easier to talk to someone far away. No telephone no conversation.

"Maybe he will come back in time?"

[gorgonfondness]

"Which is why I agree with what you said about no rush," she says with a firm nod. "And I do hope he does, along with my hope that he finds what he seeks. It was not to be found in Damon's Spire, to his disappointment."

[xamotomax]

"That is true, and I do like the idea of spending my first visit to Lunar in this way. It is enjoyable to simply 'take in the sights'; to relax and just observe things."
Tomax is certainly enjoying himself. Xamot, too, though he's still nose-deep in that book he'd found.

"It could be that what he seeks is one of those simple answers that not everyone realises right away."

[gorgonfondness]

It's not surprising; there have been a lot of Dragonmasters. The book only scratches the surface.

"That isn't what he's stated he wants, but it might very well be the answer he needs," Mia says.

[xamotomax]

Sounds like what's needed is the equivalent of the Encyclopedia Britanica for Vane's Dragonmasters. Of course, Xamot may not resurface for days if he got his hands on that.

"I believe Mick Jagger wrote a song about not always getting what one wants but sometimes getting what one needs. He might not have been right, but it was a good song to listen to."

[gorgonfondness]

Oh, they're not from Vane, at least none of the recent Dragonmasters. Xamot has his hands on world history there.

And we'll be lucky if he gets out of the library alive. It's been said that it would take centuries to read all of the books here.

"Mick Jagger?"

Mia, however, could always use some new music. Not that the Beatles will ever get old. It's just nice to have variety.

[xamotomax]

G.I. Joe's problems could be solved overnight if they just gave the twins cards to Vane's library. They'd be so busy reading everything [the library will be split between them, with information shared via the telepathic route] to be able to trouble the special ops group.

If only it could be this easy with the rest of the gang...

"Singer of the band 'The Rolling Stones'. Quite popular in the 60s and 70s, and still going strong as of 2007."
They might as well be the band that will never die. Mick and Co will still be playing for geriatrics in a senior's home even if they did retire.

[gorgonfondness]

And, provided that didn't move any problems to Vane, Mia would be all for it.

"Wow. If they've lasted that long, it sounds like they would be worth listening to."

[xamotomax]

Just how much trouble could two brothers be if they're too busy to even break for food, drink or bath because of their potentially-insatiable reading habits?

Better that it be books than, say, video games. Or global domination schemes.

"Oh yes; their appeal is cross-generational. You and your family might enjoy them."
Possibly why some kids balk at going to a Stones concert—their parents will be there, too.

[gorgonfondness]

The smell, for one thing, from lack of bathing...

"I'll seek their music out in the bar sometime, then."

[xamotomax]

Bad hygiene will always be trumped by terrorist activities, though.

It is also easier to treat.

"Oh, I think you will enjoy it. They've become something of a classic in rock 'n' roll."
Not that Tomax or his brother are much for rock in general. They prefer something a bit more refined.

Men of extravagant taste, you know.