seelie/hermione-net; video [backdated to the 20th*]

[reticence]

[Faolan is not normally one to address the network thus, but there has been a matter on his mind for some time now, and it has come to his attention that he needs to address it before anything worse should happen than already has. That is to say -- his mental connection with Bridei. And the fact that he has no control over it whatsoever. While he does not mind sharing in the little dragon's joys and triumphs, and even his moments of anguish (when they happen, though Bridei is overall a happy child, and even when he's upset he usually gets over it quickly). While he does not mind Bridei sharing himself, he minds sharing a great deal in the reverse. When they had come back from removing the curse from him, when he had experienced those awful things, Bridei had felt them too. And no child should go through things like that. It was bad enough Faolan had experienced such things, but not Bridei as well.

Of course, Faolan doesn't even know where to begin, who to ask about such things. And it isn't as though he can make a broad announcement about needing to know how to better shield his mind from a dragon when Bridei's true identity is being kept quiet for his own safety. It means he must choose his words very carefully. Luckily for Faolan, he has made a life of doing exactly that (among other things).]

I seek to know who among our numbers has skill in mind control and other such arts. Either in practicing or advising in them.

Your efforts will not go unrewarded.

[No one ever accused him of being a conversationalist.]

((*ooc note: backdated to right before shit gets real they start marching out to cathraon!))

Comments

private;

[babbylon]

My mind is impenetrable.

[Which is to say, Gilgamesh has great skill in exactly what Faolan seeks to learn: defending against the backdraft effect from mental invasion. He admits this freely and proudly, though for Faolan's sake he does recognize the sensitivity of the information and ticks things private.]

What do you wish to know? Speak.

private;

[reticence]

[Of all the people to answer such a request... Fine. If Gilgamesh can actually aid him in this, then he will take it.]

I have heard tale of the ability to be able to block one's mind from another. Do you know of such a skill?

[babbylon]

[Even in times of conflict, Gilgamesh recognizes the need to maintain certain ties. After Leathann's rescue, this tie in particular would prove essential. And perhaps he feels a certain kinship, as well, being a fellow exile of the Court, but he keeps that much to himself.]

Less of a skill and more a concentrated discipline, but yes. I know of it. It is an ability inherent to my kind.

[reticence]

[And Faolan recognizes such a person in Gilgamesh as well. He had directed Les and Melv, his agents in the Records Office, to aid in the rescue where they could. But even beyond Leathann, he knows Gilgamesh's type. He knows that he is a resource he would be fool to turn away, regardless as to what his personal feelings are on the man. Actually, he's been quite civil to him as of late. Perhaps there is hope yet.]

Such an ability, a discipline -- might it be taught to others? Others who may not be of 'your kind', as you say?

[psalmed]

...mind control, monsieur?

[She sounds wary. He hasn't explained it in detail, after all.]

Of what sort?

private;

[reticence]

[Faolan instantly locks the feed. He does not know who is watching and/or listening in. But he will respond to her question accordingly. That much he has no qualms in regards to.]

I wish to be able to block my mind from the penetration of another's. For better or for ill. I cannot operate shard magic, but this, perhaps, is merely a matter of discipline. If I might at least attempt to learn the correct application...

private;

[psalmed]

That seems quite the useful skill.

[What is he blocking it from? What danger is there? Her expression asks all of those questions but it wouldn't be polite to badger him that way. At least, not through this medium. That was bullying to be done in person.]

I am afraid I only know my psalms. The protective ones to banish someone from your mind. I am not certain that would help you.

private;

[reticence]

Your psalms.

[Faolan cocks his head at her slightly, uncertain of what exactly she means. He has heard of her having abilities from Lancelot, although he has yet to witness or experience them for himself.]

I am not certain that I understand.

[vengeance_driven]

This sounds like it could be pretty useful, actually. I don't want no people fucking around with my head.

Is a thing that happens a lot here?

[reticence]

I would hesitate to tell you that it is a frequent occurrence. But a battle is coming up on us. Any number of techniques will be used against our ranks. It is no secret that we used similar tactics against the Unseelie forces ourselves. I would not put it past them to retaliate.

It is a smart war strategy. To prepare yourself for whatever may come. Be as ready as you can for what lies ahead. And perhaps... I am overcautious.

[It's a good enough excuse. He can't go around telling strangers that he needs this because he is one of the caretakers for one of the only two native dragons alive, and he is afraid what will happen to said dragon through his mental bond should he march into war and... Well. Something unfortunate happen to him. Bridei is to be protected at all costs. Even saying this much, making this inquiry, he knows he is saying too much. He leaves this conversation unlocked for now, hoping that all who see it will believe his cover.]

[vengeance_driven]

[Even if he doesn't know the real reasoning, he would completely agree on the military front.] If there are people that can do that, I would see no reason why they would not use this advantage.

But I didn't know that we had used it.

[He didn't even know that he'd encountered someone capable of it, at least once upon a dream.]

[reticence]

[Faolan nods slowly, carefully.]

A fright tactic that was decided upon. To project the image of the Seelie dragon, Sura, onto the Unseelie army. It even worked, for a while. Before they realized what was done, and adjusted accordingly.

private;

[commandertoolbelt]

I've... been controlled before. [ And he definitely doesn't like talking about it, either, but since Faolan is asking... ] Did it happen to you, too?

private;

[reticence]

Controlled?

[Faolan is suddenly all ears.]

Perhaps I have, in a way. I am curious to hear your tale, if you are willing to share it.

private;

[commandertoolbelt]

Well, it’s... it’s happened twice.

[ And this is why he’s hesitant to talk about it. The more it happens, the less reason for anyone to trust him, the less he trusts himself. But since it shouldn’t a problem for him anymore... ]

The first time was in my own world. There’s this goddess trying to take over the world, basically, and she sent ghosts after me and two of my friends. She wanted them because they’re strong demigods - sons of the Big Three and all - but me… I think she went for me just because she hates me.

[ Not that that’s… relevant. ]

They were like… Like, you didn’t even know they were there. You’d maybe feel a sudden chill, but that’s it. Once they were in your head, they just… They could take over, and make you do things, but you’d be thinking you wanted to do it, even if it’s not something you’d normally do.

The second time was some guy from the Unseelie Court, back when they stole the moon. I don’t know what he did, but I didn’t have a choice but to do what he said, and he tried to make me kill my friends. [ He has to take a breath after that, both to steady his voice and to shake off the memories of how it felt. ] They got through it before I could, thank the gods, but it was like they were playing tug of war with my mind.

private;

[reticence]

[Back when they stole the moon. Faolan remembers that, and its long ago enough for him to know that he's speaking to someone who has been here for a fairly significant amount of time himself. That experience in and of itself bonds the pair of them together, for better or for worse.

He nods, taking in everything that the other has to say, filing it away for later and bringing up the more relevant points now.]

Someone from the Unseelie Court, you said. A person who still remains in this world? How did you combat it?

private.

[huntedby]

The Seelie ally, asking for assistance on mind control.

How curious.

private.

[reticence]

[Faolan knows just from the phrasing that whoever this is, she is not Seelie, nor is she ally. Not an ally of his, at least. But that does not mean that he will ignore her responses. Just be careful with them.]

'The Seelie ally.' I am not sure that it has the same ring as the other names I have heard myself called before...

[The Seelie dog, and all.]

private.

[huntedby]

There is no need to insult the enemy.

[Be nice to the people you'll be killing. A strange concept.]

private.

[reticence]

Isn't there? Well, that's certainly a new way of approaching things. I'm certain there are at least a handful of others amongst the Unseelie that would beg to differ.

[Grell. Ariadne. The Brucolac. Jason. Bellamy, perhaps. To name a few.]

text, from "Robin" on hermione-net

[dicktionary]

I've got some training in how to defend against it, if that'll help.

private; video forever (bc that's easier to keep track of for me)

[reticence]

Tell me more. You mean to say that you have experience in the creation of mental blocks yourself?

[Forgive Faolan for his lack of conversational ability...]

video it is!

[dicktionary]

[ When he switches to video, there's a brief pause before the change is accepted--and then Faolan's facing a teenager. ]

Yeah. One of my teammates back home is a telepath so I have some training in it.

[ Because Batman is Batman is paranoid and has thus taught Robin to be. ]

private;

[detoxifying]

I have experience with my abilities. Should you need any information, do not hesitate to ask.

[ Though, this could be rather dangerous, considering that it is readily available on the network where enemies might see. ]

private;

[reticence]

Your abilities.

[The way he repeats the words, it's more of a question than a statement.]

I would like to know more, if you think it is relevant to my question.

[Faolan agrees. It's why he's being so careful with his words himself. Which is why he would be happy to meet with you, Cullen, if you do have something to share.]