2003-06-30 - 9:49 p.m.

-fiction-

Sometimes, words end in action. Some words can be magic, causing effects to ripple out from the speaker. Some can cause catastrophic events, but don't worry. There shouldn't be any of those types of words being spoken near you. At least not by people with the -skill-. What is the -skill-? I know you're going to ask that. =He paused.= Well, that's something I can't explain to you because you don't have the grounds on which to understand it.

But what's this skill? =interjected Beth= I don't believe you. If anyone who could learn a skill could do magic =she reasoned= then I would have heard of someone who could by now. I've met mm well, at least a hundred people, so there's no way that could be true.

=Silence answered her reply in a lengthening moment.=

Beth, I want to make sure you understand something. =He spoke slowly.= A lot of the time, when someone has a big secret, they're making it up. There's really no secret =he emphasized= they just want you to think there is so you'll act as if that secret were true. That's a form of magic in itself, but not the kind you would do if you could use the words. =Droned the guardian.=

But what words, Guardian? =Countered Beth, face setting in disgruntled disregard.= Really, now, don't talk in circles when I ask you the most important questions.

=At this, the elder's face turned in slight suprise. After a slight pause, he peered into her face and mused= You must be older than I thought. =And as he swept his hand across her height and over her head on a curve to level, he intoned= .Vintato Questoriel. =Which caused Beth's nose to wrinkle as she backed her head away.=

=Beth faced defiantly back, determined, counting all the hours she'd searched so far in her weeks of travelling:= Look, Mr. Guardian, whatever your name is. Please don't be rude. Please tell me about this skill =insisted Beth.=

=Another moment of silence stretched out to fill her ears.=

Beth, =he began= It's not a skill that can be learned, only a -skill- that can be used at will. Everyone I've met who uses it doesn't understand how they do, they just know they can. They have the will.

Well what about this will, then, Guardian? =Persisted Beth.= How do get this will?

=He stopped walking and turned to face her.= Beth, it is found in the far roads of age and experience. Places you are forbidden to travel now by your attachment to a single time and place. But rest assured, all things to be found in your road of age and experience will come to pass for you, in their right time.

=Finally, she relented. Her eyes squinted at his face then dropped to the ground ahead on the path. She started to walk and meditated about what he'd told her.

He resumed his long strides in silence, somewhat bemused. She hadn't shown a sign of the skill yet, but he had no idea what to expect from this unexpected visitor.

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