strangetrip | [For Carlos, Dorian, and Molly] Take chances, make mistakes, get messy

Corbie really didn’t know what she thought about this.

She had been making a shift into more modern clothing over the period of months she’d been here, because really, it wasn’t like she had much of a choice. It was all that was on offer, and the gray dress she’d come through in could only be worn so often. The undergarments were the hardest part, really, because they were right next to her skin, and that took a long time to get used to.

This? Was a leap of a different kind.

She stared at herself in the mirror in a pair of jeans, trying to reconcile the sight with the sensation. She’d never worn pants before, and it felt… different. Not as bad as she’d though, but different. Her legs were still covered, so maybe Gran wouldn’t disown her. She’d have to hem them, they were a little long on her legs, but today rolling them would do. She’d already done this. If she took them off and saved them for “later,” it might be weeks before she was brave enough to try again. Best get it over with now.

Best get it over with now.

While she was at it, she may as well get some other things done. After all, worst that could happen was she’d be right where she started at the end of the day. And if she was awkwardly dealing with people, she wouldn’t be thinking about the fabric tubes on her legs.

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"I don't mind," Corbie said so fast the words almost tripped over each other trying to get out of her mouth. The color in her face deepened. "I don't mind," she repeated, more measured. "I've done it before. Felix hadn't taught anybody before me, and he was scared shitless and we stumbled through it." She shrugged awkwardly. "I wanna learn. And there's only so far you can get on your own, y'know?"

"Particularly so, with magic." Not only did it have its own rules, it had the distressing tendency to think for itself at times, in the form of various spirits and their priorities. "Well! We'll both learn at the same time, then. I'd prefer to have more books on hand, but there's plenty of practical."

Jackson had asked Corbie why she couldn't teach herself, and it was a fair question. After all in any area of study you eventually had to take over your own growth and push yourself to new heights of mastery. Corbie had been trying her best, but the truth of the matter was that there was so much she knew she didn't know. And if nothing else, she needed people looking out for her if and when she fucked up until she learned how to clean up her own messes.

It was enough that she wanted to learn magic despite the fact that she could practically hear Gran's protests. If she didn't do it responsibly, she'd never forgive herself for it. "I miss books," she agreed. "I did bring two through with me, though."

"I'd be interested in seeing them, if you're willing." If nothing else, whether or not they were books on magic, Dorian thought he'd be able to pick up at least a hint about how people's minds worked in Corbie's universe. That had to tie into magic, somehow. "Where I lived before this, I was surrounded by the things. One of several benefits to the Inquisition, not that it exactly balanced out the parade of world-ending horrors."

"Of course," Corbie agreed at once. If for no other reason than because it would be so much easier than trying to explain by herself what theory she knew. "Whenever you want them. I'm getting close to practically memorizing parts of them anyway."

"Not a bad thing, I assure you. Magic is often a matter of practicing and practicing until you can only get it wrong with extreme effort." Which, in Dorian's view, was really where northern mages got it wrong. They mixed fear and religion into things when it really was best regarded as nothing more than a sword permanently affixed to one's hand. Practice, practice, practice. "May I ask what sort of actual training you've had up to now?"

"I was going to school for 'bout a year," Corbie began, though that really didn't feel very accurate. "But really, it was me and my mentor and a couple other teachers. The classes at the Women's College sucked." She pulled a face at her memories of frustration. "Most of it was theory, I've got a lot of practical experience building thaumaturgical engines. And Regina's been teaching me... I guess offensive magic would be the description I'm looking for."

Women's College? Her world separated men and women for education? How odd! But Dorian let that puzzle go in favor of more practical questions. "Are there any particular dangers you were told to be aware of? I ask because in Thedas - my world, you know - magical talent makes one particularly attractive to spirits and demons. Is any such thing the case for you?" Not that he wouldn't teach her about the Fade and spirits, but if her magic was different and it wasn't a matter of her and everyone's survival, it didn't need to be a focus.

Corbie considered that question. Not because she hadn't been taught this, but because it had been so ingrained in her education that it was hard to pick out. "I was taught some about defending myself against spirits. But I ain't aethereal, so it's not a problem for me like it is for Felix. Not as much anyway. What I understand, I'll still do if a spirit's mad enough. But mostly... I was taught to keep myself safe from other wizards."

"Always a good plan." Dorian, experienced with Tevinter politics, did not discount the absolute necessity of defending yourself against other mages. And, thinking of Tevinter, "Are there any magical taboos for you? For me, as an example, I will neither practice nor teach blood magic. Quite apart from the personal dangers, I prefer to keep my blood and that of others inside, where it should be."

Corbie didn't have to think at all about that one. "If I had the first thing to do with blood magic, I couldn't look anybody I love in the eye again."

"That's a good place to work from." And a very different place than most of Tevinter, but that was perhaps not a good first-conversation topic. "I don't foresee any major disagreements, in that case."

Corbie squealed.

And then covered her mouth with her hands and turned bright pink, but the urge to jump up and down was still there and barely restrained.

That was rather darling, all told. "Do what you need to do, my dear. I swear to the Maker I won't hold it against you."

Even with that assurance, Corbie hesitated. But as she couldn't keep it in for very long, soon she was bouncing up and down and squealing like a girl half her age. "EEEEE!"

After a moment she smiled sheepishly and got herself back under control. "I'm done." She couldn't quite stop grinning, though.

Dorian had to laugh. Magic was so often treated s serious business, which... it was, at times. But it was also a gift, and a joy, and could be amazingly fun. It was beyond a pleasure to think and see that Corbie already knew that. "Do let me know if the urge recurs!"

Corbie ducked her head. "I imagine it probably will."

[For Carlos, Dorian, and Molly] Take chances, make mistakes, get messy

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