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Post by DornKoon on Sept 17, 2024 22:12:40 GMT
"It does," Aladdin agreed, "I've made sure of it." This was true. Aladdin had made sure to keep her stories alive to the present day, or well, most of them were partly true, or at least those she got from listening to him were true. Aladdin did not have the same close relationship with the queen as he did with the first Aladdin, but she had been a curious woman.
"Yeah, one can only hope," Aladdin laughed before his face became more serious. "Destiny did nothing to prevent Aunty's death, so I highly doubt he would do me any favours; no, for him, existence is duty more than anything else. But, I suspect what you say is true; your wish was most likely meant to be."
He was curious about her questions because he had never been asked them before.
"Once you get your last wish, our bond will vanish, and the Lamp will once more seek a new Master. It won't just disappear unless taken by someone else. My Mother likes to do that when they feel like it. Lucifer has also kicked it to places for a good laugh from time to time." He decided to focus on the last question first to give her an idea of how things worked. "Others tried to lock it away or hide it. Still, like The One Ring in Lord of the Rings, it has a will and will find ways to reach mortal hands. And as for your other question..." He rubbed his chin. "Maybe they could use the wishes for something useful, all the power of the cosmos and most people can't look past their material greed."
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Post by Countess on Sept 17, 2024 23:56:22 GMT
"A noble endeavor. Too often, stories are forgotten by the masses, mundane and extraordinary alike," Theresa says, still sipping at the cider. She has not forgotten her tea, but... it is a lovely treat.
Theresa thinks for a time on his answers. She has great power- she doesn't want more. Useful? There is so much pain in the world, easing it doesn't... how does she pick which? Ending all wars does not end oppression, it makes it impossible to throw the yokes of servitude. No more sickness? What constitutes as sickness? Through history, that which is different is considered an illness. Who is she to say what is and isn't? Already, the burden is great, and still she has offered Stephen help with his. She feels so... responsible for it all. Theresa is a realistic woman, she is very aware logically that she is by no means to blame for the actions of others. It... is the suffering that gives her pause. Why?
"Then... would you like for me to save this wish? Are you allowed to leave my side? Can you see the world?" Theresa asks. "I admit, you will see much of it even if you stay with me. I am compelled to historic events," she tells him, something she hasn't told many. "I could use the wish when you are ready to move on, if you like. If it makes you more comfortable," she offers to him.
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 18, 2024 8:45:58 GMT
"That does sound refreshing, a change of pace if anything," Aladdin replied. "As long as you keep your wish, the lamp will be with you... unless someone steals it, which I cannot prevent. Ownership will be transferred to the next person holding the lamp when rubbed; as such, the holder, not the rubber, will become Master. Funnily enough, that was what happened with Aladdin; his mother tried to clean it while he was holding it. She was a busy little woman, but she did have her son's best at heart. Still, it always baffled me why she did not claim the lamp herself after its nature was revealed, not once." Human nature was baffling to Aladdin; often, the ways they did things felt weird.
"But, to continue answering your questions, I can come and go as I please since I was given a name. It is what it is; to be a being is a powerful thing, and one so many take it for granted." He gestured to the Lamp. "All you need to do to call on me is rub the lamp. But, be warned, Miss Theresa, the Lamp is fickle. Not even Hermes could hide it where it was not found, and believe me... he tried." He sipped at the tea, "This is a truly delightful blend, well done."
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Post by Countess on Sept 19, 2024 21:39:16 GMT
"Then I will not hide you," Theresa says, and she almost smiles. "Where I am staying, there are many of the magical community. I think this will be a fine enough time to see who the people I am living with for who they truly are," she says, curious now to see how that will go. Her only worry now is the child that is occasionally there. Well- and the cat that is being punished for world domination in their more humanoid life before. Stephen had said he thrives in chaos, just like her... Perhaps she will run it by him first before announcing it to everyone.
"I thank you. If you ever like more, you are welcome to visit when you can, while I am alive. I make different ones for the seasons," she says, eyes drifting to the small space she has repurposed for her propensity for teamaking. She doesn't mind being a stereotype- a tea loving Brit- it is a lovely way to center herself through it all.
"Besides, you know the real reason I am keeping you around," Theresa starts, a single eyebrow raising a couple centimeters. She lets it hang for a moment, the corner of her lip curling ever so slightly. In a deadpan voice, she finishes, "For your lovely company, of course." She cannot help herself, a huff of an almost laugh escapes her. "... and that cider, should you be willing to share more in the future."
Theresa thinks she knows what her last wish will be now. Her face fades back to blank practicality. "Do you have a phone or means of me communicating with you, so that I do not summon you during an inopportune time?"
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 19, 2024 22:04:15 GMT
"Interesting," Aladdin said, "Well, it would certainly be a quick way to find out a person's true nature. Don't think anyone has used the Lamp for that before, and I remember every wish from all the different Masters I've ever had, for good or ill." He did not know what kind of magical people she surrounded herself with, but many sorcerers, witches or warlocks had that one flaw which made them slightly annoying... pride. He'd had several of those over the aeons, and the wishes they asked for, while less mundane, were usually headaches in other ways unless it happened to be a moron... in which case it had been hilarious at least a few times.
"I'll be sure to keep it in mind, Miss Theresa," he continued, raising an eyebrow at her mention of the real reason for keeping him around; he then smiled slightly. "Nice to know I've not lost my charm yet, or perhaps I should be thankful I gained more over the years. A bonus with being a semi-eternal, sort of Endless entity is that conversations tend to be what we get good at."
Aladdin tilted his head; a phone?
"No, I do not have a phone," he replied, pausing to think... "I do have something that could work somewhat similarly." He reached out and plucked what looked like a make-up mirror from thin air. "This two-way mirror should do the trick; all you need do is speak into it, and I will be able to answer using the one inside my palace."
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Post by Countess on Sept 19, 2024 22:20:05 GMT
"Charm is certainly something I have not been gifted with, so relish it while you can," Theresa says, finishing the last of her cider. It lingers pleasantly on the tongue. Almost a shame to switch to the tea. Unlike him, she dives directly into it, seeing how the apple blends... She makes a somewhat displeased noise. Not so great.
Theresa sets down the lukewarm tea, taking the little mirror from Aladdin. Nothing floods her mind... She isn't sure what that means, but she doesn't look a gift horse in the mouth. "Thank you. I will be sure to give you warning, unless there is an emergency. I apologize in advance for such an eventuality," she says, standing once more. Softly, she stretches.
"My classes are over, I will never be able to wrap my mind around correcting essays now, and I have had the most delightful of conversations. I think it is time I am off. Would you like to accompany me? I would be happy to show you around New York a little on our way to the Sanctum," Theresa asks, already starting to pack up her briefcase. "Do not feel beholden to me, you are welcome to spend your time as you see fit," she adds, making sure that he understands how truly, deeply she respects his autonomy.
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Post by DornKoon on Sept 19, 2024 22:37:17 GMT
"Well, you're a lot more charming than a few people I can name," Aladdin said with a wink. "But, I shall treasure it all the same." He did smile a little at the face she made from sipping the tea, which was less than an ideal combination. "I don't think the apples will work with the tea. If it is a consolation, at least it's not shrimp dipped in white chocolate..."
"I appreciate that. There is nothing more annoying than being summoned in the middle of eventual activities; it just becomes awkward for everyone." He cleared his throat.
Aladdin tilted his head to the side, curiously trying to get a read on her words and body language. It was not like he had anything more important to do now; before this, he had been resting inside the Lamp.
"Well, as long as it's an invite and not a demand, I'm happy to join you, Milady. I don't believe I visited the Sanctum since the days of Sir Isaac Newton."
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Post by Countess on Sept 19, 2024 22:59:52 GMT
One of the few reactions Theresa cannot hide- a blush. It dusts her cheeks and the tops of her ears. It is a juxtaposition, her unexpressive face and flat tone, only to be betrayed by pink cheeks. She decides the best thing to do now is simply clean their mugs. "Thank you," she says simply. That is about all she can muster through embarrassment. A lady like her can only take so many compliments, winks, and thoughtful gestures from another.
"I shall thank all the Gods and Goddesses willing to listen for that," Theresa says dryly at his comment of tastes.
It is everything in Theresa not to bark an awkward laugh. "I wish you nothing but luck in these eventual activities," she says, a touch of many emotions in her voice, each one drowning out the other. Perhaps she, too, will see what is all the rage with these eventual activities one day.
"Always a request," Theresa replies, making sure to take the lamp with her, as well. It goes wrapped in a thick sweater she usually keeps here for the winter months. It is less of a security measure, and more to make sure it isn't damaged. "Yes, this is the American Sanctum, from what I understand. Sir Issac Newton? Was he one of the keepers of your Lamp? You will have to tell me more on our journey. How do you feel about public transport? No one in New York owns a car..." she says, tone as aloof as it usually is, but there is a sparkle in her eyes he can read well enough. She opens her office door for him, leading him out into the world.
END THREAD
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