Fourth Dimension Fine Arts and Antiques, Sunday, 11/12

[magdaofslovenia]

Sophie had found this week mildly maddening; she'd been sleeping at the mainland three nights out of five, just to feel normal. She was hoping rather strongly that this ridiculous hormonal week would be over soon

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[flowering_mind]

Zack had promised they were leaving. For the weekend.

They even had a portal booked.

That was the only reason she was not Ino McDoomCloud of Rage when she wandered in to see Professor Devereaux.

"Can this week be over, Professor?"

That counted as a hi. In some language.

[magdaofslovenia]

"If only, Ino. If only." Sophie rose gracefully and poured Ino a cup of soothing tea, and one for herself. "You're finding it as unsettling as I am, I take it."

[flowering_mind]

She wandered over to take her customary seat with a sigh. "I love this week so much I'm fleeing it as soon as we're done here," she said honestly.

[magdaofslovenia]

Sophie laughed gently, and held out her cup to Ino. "Understandable. It's distracting, frustrating, and impossible to tell how long it will last. A strategic retreat would seem to be in order."

[flowering_mind]

"Thank you," she said, taking the cup with a faint smile. "And--yeah. I don't like being manipulated and this is manipulation."

[magdaofslovenia]

"Mmmmm. Perhaps." Sophie took a sip of her own tea, considering. "I would put it down more to 'influence.' Manipulation implies a more specific goal than I would credit the island of having. Consider: you're aware of what's happening, aware of the difference. How you choose to handle it is left open to you."

[flowering_mind]

She frowned.

"Influence, then," Ino conceded. "But it's like--drinking. That leaves you open to certain suggestions that you might be less likely to consider without that influence."

[magdaofslovenia]

Sophie nodded in agreement. "And influence, when noticed, can be unpleasant." She tilted her head. "What do you dislike most about this particular week's foray into it?"

[flowering_mind]

Ino chewed on her lower lip.

"Because it's like a--game," she said, wrinkling her nose. "The island or whatever. And this sort of thing... ain't a game, to me."

[magdaofslovenia]

"It isn't, to many people." Sophie took another sip of her drink. "It's a good thing to know about yourself. To know what your limits are, and why. So you aren't pushed over them unawares."

[flowering_mind]

She hesitated for a long moment.

"It's worse," she began tentatively, "because I ain't lackin' experience in this sort of thing, exactly."

[magdaofslovenia]

Sophie considered her, face merely attentive. "In what way?"

[flowering_mind]

Ino sipped her tea, buying herself enough time to phrase what she was talking about to her liking.

Not too much detail but not--too little either.

"Effectin' the mind," she said, tapping one temple. "Is a family talent."

[magdaofslovenia]

"Ahh. So you've used your abilities to -- influence?" Sophie checked. "Before this."

[flowering_mind]

"Not on this scale," she said honestly. "I couldn't do this. But--one-on-one, yeah. I've done similar things while working."

[magdaofslovenia]

"Under orders, or on your own initiative?" Sophie asked, sounding only curious.