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maskormenace2015-06-17 08:54 pm
footnoting) wrote in maskormenace2015-06-17 08:54 pm
video.
Names, names, names.
[This is a girl who hasn't been seen on the network in-- well, in months, actually. But she's just lounging back in a chair, looking bored and disinterested, her fingers drumming against the arm of the couch.]
They're interesting things, aren't they? Out there for everyone to see, here. Unless you have the means and desire to keep them hidden. But then again, why would you? It seems to be a common theme here- that so many worlds view names as nothing more than a way to identify one person from another.
[The girl grins, and her lips stretch maybe a mite too far.]
But for some of us, there's power in names. True names. If you know how to wield it. So I wonder, just how many names have you managed to give me these last few months?
[Someone's a little pissed that a certain someone else went home. Which is why he's acting like a C list villain.]
[This is a girl who hasn't been seen on the network in-- well, in months, actually. But she's just lounging back in a chair, looking bored and disinterested, her fingers drumming against the arm of the couch.]
They're interesting things, aren't they? Out there for everyone to see, here. Unless you have the means and desire to keep them hidden. But then again, why would you? It seems to be a common theme here- that so many worlds view names as nothing more than a way to identify one person from another.
[The girl grins, and her lips stretch maybe a mite too far.]
But for some of us, there's power in names. True names. If you know how to wield it. So I wonder, just how many names have you managed to give me these last few months?
[Someone's a little pissed that a certain someone else went home. Which is why he's acting like a C list villain.]
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One name, but that's not exactly uncommon.
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The more complex parts- well. Names grant a certain protection.
[He's just being lazily, grumpily mysterious.]
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[That's actually quite interesting. He's never seen such a power at work before, though he himself has transformed once or twice. Voluntary transformation is something foreign.]
So if I'm to protect myself, should I use my real name, or no?
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text;
what would you do with these names?
permavoice
Also wow you people and your codenames.]
What wouldn't I do with them? Each name is... hm. It's a trump card. A last line of defense. A weapon.
Take your pick.
permatext
take my pick? if i chose weapon, what would happen?
voice; id: Batgirl
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You talk, but you don't... say anything.
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That's entirely a matter of opinion. I, for on,e think I said just the right amount. At least for what I was trying to accomplish.
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Well, you'll be immune from magic, right? Cast by the people whose true names you've got. So that's actually quite good, and something I'm glad of, for one.
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Immune from magic, able to reflect it, to foil any and all magical plans just by calling out a name- yes, quite useful. [The girl waves a hand absently, as if she isn't actually listening to what Kitty says.]
And then, of course, there's this- [Bartimaeus' form shifts until Kitty will find herself staring at what might as well have been a reflection.] But I suppose that's nothing new to you.
[Sorry Kitty. He gets snippy when he's upset.
... But at least he isn't eating people?]
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That's always so weird to look at, you know. And my eyebrows aren't nearly that dark, you know.
[ Then: ]
Is it knowing my name that lets you do that? I rather thought you could turn into anyone.
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He is, however, scoffing at Kitty's criticism]
Oh? And when was the last time you looked in a mirror? [As he speaks, those eyebrows darken even more. And then widen. And bristle outwards until they resemble small weed gardens more than actual eyebrows.]
Ah ah ah. I can't reveal all my secrets, Ms. Jones.
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Bartimaeus!
Permavoice
But that implies you can have a name that's more real than all the other names you have. And if you can... which one is it? The one you use, or the one you're called, or the one you were given at birth?
[Names. He has them.]
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Your true name. [The girl's saying flippantly. You can practically hear the shrug.] Most often your birth name, if you're human. But it's whatever was used as the first thing to really identify you. What you were first called.
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Even if it's not how you think of yourself? That's... pretty weird. Oh, sorry. It's the sort of thing that comes up in books, but they never really explain it all that well. Or how much of someone's name you need.
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[ he then grins a shithead grin as he looks at the camera ] I used to have plenty of aliases. I stick with my own notorious name nowadays.
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Power is in a name. A rose is a rose because we know it's name. However, if you were only told of a rose's other names, you'd never be able to identify it by what it is.
[The girl's eyebrows raise, a bit of amusement actually cutting across her features.] Oh? Do tell. I do enjoy a good alias or two.
[Says the djinni with like 972349 titles.]
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But you would still know that a rose is a rose. It wouldn't change the composition, it wouldn't change the scent, it wouldn't change the fact that it pricks you. Mary Mallon would still give you typhoid, no matter what you called her. [ said with a little shrug. Hopefully this guy gets the reference. ]
Most recently, I went by Mr. Wilde, though that was given by a former acquaintance of mine, so it hardly counts. Aside from that...there was Charlie White. [ There's a pause and something almost nostalgic comes upon his face. ] Of course, aliases are different from names given by others. I was called Prince Charming once, a long time ago.
permavoice;
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I'm musing, not threatening. Though if it makes you feel any better-
[There's a crack of what sounds like thunder, and Bartimaeus lets out an echoing, horribly Classic Evil Laugh™ in a voice that basically sounds nothing like the female one he's putting on for this particular face.]
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Whoa, whoa... Jesus... You've been practicin', girl.
[Not feeling better, no.]
Hey, uh, you haven't caught your head spinnin' 'round on your shoulders lately, have you?
[Casually assuming this person is possessed by a demon because weird voice change.]
That you, Matt? Better not be you, you son of a bitch.
[Damn demon roommate.]
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permavoice
A true name holds the power of your identity. It's a deep magic, powerful when used in a spell woven against you. After all, it allows the target to be everything that makes you you.
[And Bartimaeus is honestly just giddy thinking about just how many humans he would have power over, here. Should it ever come down to it.
It's such a wonderful difference from back home.]
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He considers this deeply for a moment. Hm. ]
...Well, I suppose that makes sense. [ Ironic from someone whose one and only name is Magicman doesn't really get it, but still. ] But I feel like I have a different kind of perspective on the concept of identity and doppelgangers, so you'll forgive me if the words don't hold that much weight.
[ It's kind of hard to be scared about the idea of someone being you when 1) you don't particularly care about yourself very much and 2) he already knows backups of himself exist and will be used if he ever 'dies'.
And also because 'everything that makes you you' takes on a different meaning when it's a string of code that's very hard to parse normally, because AIs. ]
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As well as a certain urge to punch them repeatedly in the face, but. You know. Semantics.]
No, some of you haven't. Though I do have some skill in discovering names, should I be so inclined.
[No. No he doesn't. Nathaniel's name literally fell into his lap as a happy accident. Every other master either kept their secrets or messed up in other ways first.]
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Friends in the making!! ]
Which names're we talking about here? First names, last names, superhero names. Mother's maiden names?
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