𝖙𝖜𝖔 ▸ VIDEO

[melodramagic]

[ Some might remember the last time they saw Sabrina she was living in the empty Spellman Mortuary, but the view on the screen today reveals she's returned to her assigned government housing in Maurtia Falls #001. Not that she had wanted to leave her "home", but with it disappearing altogether on her there was very little choice in the matter.

Her expression is contemplative, a low hum can be heard before she speaks. ]

For those of you that come from worlds where you were born with magic— uh, or I guess were given magic powers here...? [ She shakes her head, staring off to the side as her train of thought is derailed. ] Sorry, what I just want to ask is if there's anyone who would be willing to help me hone my own magic?

[ She's had quite a bit to think about since the Diomuhr fiasco. Sorry for nearly getting some people killed. ]

I'm wondering if there's anyone whose magic is primarily based on incantations and is adept at conjurations, too. Since my arrival I've learned that there are so many kinds of magic, something I honestly didn't know much about back home. I'm hoping I could practice alongside someone whose magic is similar to mine.

[ While Sabrina's opened up more about her witch powers, she's never made a public announcement like this before. It's almost surreal. ]

So if there are other witches, that would be helpful, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a witch. Seems like magic comes in all shapes and forms across the universes and still operates similarly in some places.

Comments

[youresovein]

Oh?

And, what, he didn't impress?

[melodramagic]

There's nothing impressive about an authoritative male figure who entraps women.

[youresovein]

[ that catches him so by surprise that he almost laughs. ]

Now that's one I haven't heard! Though I suppose entrapment comes with the territory, as they say, when one makes literal deals with devils. You don't think they know what they're getting into?

[melodramagic]

It's built on false promises. They don't know what's actually happening until it's too late.

[youresovein]

Well, they don't call him the Prince of Lies for nothing.

[melodramagic]

It's unacceptable. We've all been told we would be given a choice and that our religion is based on free will.

The whole thing falls apart when you take that all away, don't you think?

[youresovein]

That is what the whole structure hangs on, isn't it? I mean, if the plan had always been for Adam and Eve to eat the apple, then everything that's happened since begins to look a bit sadistic.

But that's authority for you.

[melodramagic]

You sound almost familiar. Have you met him?

[youresovein]

I don't, strictly speaking, believe in him.

[melodramagic]

[ Pause. ]

Really.

[ Now that's a first. ]

Why is that?

[youresovein]

Oh, the typical theological reasons. If there does exist some greater plan or higher power, if anyone's gotten any of it right whatsoever, then I haven't seen any evidence for it. Not in the world I'm from. There are no gods or devils, and no one's watching over anything. There's only us.

But that's pure skepticism. If I met him tomorrow, I'd have to change my tune! Tell me, how does one know the devil is the devil?

[melodramagic]

Honestly? That doesn't sound so bad.

[ A world without deities, without interference. That's an ideal world to Sabrina. ]

Witches call him the Dark Lord. He's been around for centuries and he's very real, unfortunately. He looks like a goat, but walks like a man. At least, that's what the one in my world appears as. I know in other worlds, other myths, he appears as more a man than monster.

[youresovein]

[ well, he's certainly interested. he lifts his hands besides his head, making horns from his index fingers. ]

Really, just like in the old wives' tales? Horns and a tail and little cloven hooves?

[melodramagic]

[ She nods. ]

That's it. Long claws, big horns, sharp teeth, etc.

[ And terrifying to see in person, but she won't ever admit that, especially to a stranger. ]

What does your world have if not gods or demons?

[youresovein]

A horror story! I'd have gone out of my wits if I'd seen something like that.

[ he can say that easily, because it didn't happen to him. ]

The main thing we have is overzealous human beings who claim to speak on God's behalf. It's always been that way, as far as I know. [ he shrugs nonchalantly. ] I believe in the existence of spirits, though I doubt anyone truly understands their nature, even the witches and mediums and television psychics that claim to speak with them. I ought to clarify: I don't mean ghosts, though I suspect they are responsible for what people think of as phantoms and apparitions, and surely for our concept of demons. I mean spirits, intangible and intelligent and unconcerned with human notions of good and evil. If there is a world outside the physical, I suspect it's theirs, not Heaven or Hell.

[melodramagic]

You don't find it's a bit odd to pick and choose what's real and what's not? If spirits exist, surely gods or demons must.

[ Or Lestat's world is the rare exception. ]

Spirits should exist on an astral plane, if it's similar to my world. That's where they can exist, while also traveling between the realm of the living and dead.

[youresovein]

Does one necessarily follow the other? [ lestat taps his chin. his tone is strangely sincere, as though he's actually hoping for a real answer. ] I'm sure there are other forms of intelligence, but I don't see how their existence provides evidence for Heaven or Hell or what happens to us after we die. The chaos is easy to believe, but I've never seen proof of the order.

I envy your certainty, in a way, though I suppose it's easy to be certain when you've met the man himself. Have you always believed in all these things you're telling me?

[melodramagic]

I'm not sure there's a Heaven, but Hell is real in my world.

[ She hasn't been and assumes she won't... but kids these days, man. ]

Well, yes. I mean, I don't necessarily believe in the Dark Lord in that I follow him religiously, but I know he exists. We witches are raised to understand these things from a young age.

[youresovein]

Does everyone in your world know all this? Or is it a well-kept witchy secret?

[melodramagic]

It's a secret. Mortals aren't supposed to know.

[youresovein]

[ intrigued. ]

You don't consider yourself mortal? That's one I haven't heard.

[melodramagic]

No, I'm very much still mortal, just half. My father was a warlock.

[youresovein]

How can one be half-mortal? I didn't think it was a matter of degrees.

[melodramagic]

My mother was a mortal, hence the half.

[ Little does Sabrina know... ]

[youresovein]

I see, so it's by heritage! I've never heard of anything quite like that— does it grant you longer life, or is it more like being half-Italian? Ah, but forgive my endless questions— you've been kind to indulge me. For my part, I was mortal, and then I wasn't. Rather more like switching on a light.