il_mostro | IC - INBOX/VOICEMAIL/TEXT/THREATENING LETTER

[Hannibal cut another piece of his meat, and neatly chewed it while Judar gathered his thoughts. Once the young man asked his question, Hannibal put aside his silverware once more to give the question it's rightful due.]

I wanted to understand human emotions better than I did as a child and then a young man. I suffered a great deal of trauma during my formative years -- and I suppose I needed to understand why people did the things that they do.

[ So that's what a therapist deals with? It's not what he was expecting, really. Why people do the things they do... It's less vague and more open-ended on how that kind of thing could be achieved. ]

And now that you understand why... Does it help?

[ Is a follow-up question cheating? Oops. ]

Edited 2019-08-07 12:13 (UTC)

[Here, Hannibal smiles slowly, as he puts down his fork so he can lean in and look the other man in the eye. His answer, as always, is truer to him than anything else.]

It helps me understand the hows and the whys, and makes me able to interact with more people in a real fashion.

[ He needed that to interact with people as well? Though it definitely answered his question, and another that he'd kept to himself for a long while. Of course it also made him curious about other things, but he'd already pressed his first question with a follow-up.

So Judar nods, taking another sip of his drink before cutting up a bit of his meal. ]

Then... I'll be more clear and up front with you, so you don't have to work as much. It's your turn now, for a question.

I appreciate that greatly.

[Hannibal answered smoothly, smiling a little to himself as he thought of the question and then asked it with pure curiosity.]

So tell me, what precisely is a magi meant to do in your world? You never have really been able to clear up that particular mystery.

[ Ah. So they were up to that. It wasn't really a hard question, but it was something that would come with a long answer, probably. ]

I guess I wasn't really clear on what a magi is, either. So the whole thing would be a mystery. Ah...

[ That was him admitting that he'd never been thorough in explaining such things about what he was. Still a human, yes. A magician, mage, or whatever word suited someone that used magic- well that part was obvious and clear. So he should start from the beginning?]

In my world, everything comes from the same source energy- when people die, as long as they haven't Fallen, which is meant to be rare, their energy and soul return to that source to join the world again. It's everything around, in everyone... Save for three souls, who reincarnate instead. Those three souls have a special connection with the world, where it provides as much energy as that person needs for magic, and in turn, that person is connected enough that they can sense great disturbances that happen, even on the opposite side of the planet. It's because of that, that magi are called the voices and wills of the world. It's also because of that that they become the strongest magicians.

It's because of that, that there's an instinct to find people that could guide the world into a new, great era. Be it a single kingdom, or the world.

Every age, if they lost their life, the magi is reborn. They're drawn to seek out people with a quality that could change a great amount of people, with a strength to overcome great trials. Kings, basically. Except it doesn't matter what the person is, or where they're from, as long as they're not a magician. They just need those qualities, and we'd pull a dangerous trial into the world for them to conquer. If they're successful, they come out with a contract and bond with a powerful being and enough riches to start a kingdom, if that's how they decide to make their mark on the world. So a magi, if still accepted by that Candidate, is meant to guide and support them to continue that goal.

[ So because they were so connected to the world, they were the kingmakers intended to guide humanity. Basically. He just gave Hannibal a more thorough explanation and context, pointedly adding the bit on a magi's instincts, because he would be clear and up front. ]

[Hannibal listened to all this quite avidly, lifting his dark gaze from his plate to his dinner companion often. He nodded his head as Judar explained, the flicker of interest across his sharp features showing that he was indeed listening and not just pandering to the conversation. When Judar had finished, he hummed softly, then patted the corners of his mouth elegantly.]

So you were meant to be contracted to a King in your world. Someone who would become a great leader. Does it lessen your power not to be connected to someone of that stature?

[Hannibal considered himself above petty bloodlines at this point, but he was curious.]

Ah, not sure, but... I think there's a misunderstanding- I don't contract to kings. Their contracts are with the Djinn at the end of the Trials. Magi are drawn to those that should be kings, and it doesn't have to be just one. It's not always guaranteed, as they'd have to go through the trial first, and it's still their choice on what to do...

[ Judar personally had many candidates over time. Many were gone now, and some he'd been drawn to that were taken away too soon, unfairly and with someone's plans. He didn't want to go over those, though. ]

There's one man that conquered many dungeons- Most were mine, that he took before our planned Candidates could. He was originally some commoner from a fishing village. Then he defeated one Trial, then started a Trading Company. Then he conquered more of them and eventually created his own kingdom. Despite taking my Trials, Sinbad never had me for a magi...

[ No, Sinbad was a disaster all on his own. At least his name was more well-known, not even including the time the man spent in Duplicity. ]

None of it affects my power, though. It's just... Instinct. My power stays my own, no matter what.

[Hannibal's head tipped a little further, and his smile appeared. He lifted his wine glass, saluting Judar, and taking a long sip.]

I have heard of Sinbad, of course. In my world, he is a myth. How fascinating to know that he is an actual person.

[He smiled into his glass.] I suppose that means you are simply attracted to me for my personality. How very odd .. and yet complimentary. I do enjoy being interesting enough to engage a Magi, at least sexually.

He's infamous in our world, very aware of it and so confident that it gets on my nerves.

[ Confident in his choices and abilities, to the point where he makes sure he's successful in whatever he does. Even with people... Ah, but he'll get annoyed and riled up if he kept thinking about that stupid king. So, yes. Hannibal. It was better talking about Hannibal.

Even if it's with more candid honesty than most people would give. ]

Sure, your personality, but also your body. Both have their own kinds of strengths, and you've got this calm confidence that's more... Mature, or something, instead of overbearing and trying to drown those around you out.

[ Can you guess the level Sinbad was at? ]

Though I guess I'm more partial to someone that'd so easily pin me against a wall.

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