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;

[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?

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh nods before the front of his compass, and indeed, appears receptive... mostly because he's too tired for his usual boisterous egotism.]

It is not advanced magic, to the point it could hardly be called magic at all. Rather, it is an attitude you must master.

[reticence]

[Whatever the reason, Faolan's not complaining. He's been the sort of straighforward, no nonsense sort of guy he is for a long time now. And he can appreciate the Gilgamesh he's talking to here and now. Hell, the Gilgamesh he talked to last as well.]

Is it something that you would be willing to teach me? We do not have much time, before the battle is upon us. Yet. I have my reasons for needing this.

[babbylon]

It is something you may learn on your own, if you've the inclination to do so.

[Gilgamesh wonders after the real reason behind this all—if Faolan sought to protect himself against the Cult, or something else. But it's not really his business to know, and for once he keeps his curiosity to himself rather than pry.

This was an ally. And Gilgamesh assisted his allies, for at least as long as they were useful to him.]

The idea revolves around a few core principles, most notably around the conceptualization of the ego. Or, in other words, your sense of self.

[reticence]

'The conceptualization of the ego'...

[Faolan cocks his head at that, an oddly canine gesture perhaps. But then again, he does secretly spend some of his days as a dog, so perhaps there is reason behind it.

And then he continues in his usual Faolan fashion:]

Explain.

[babbylon]

Mental corruption occurs due to a temporary loss of identity. That is to say, an opposing individual invades your mental space and confuses it with theirs. You forget yourself, and in so doing, fall victim to the attack.

[Gilgamesh hopes that made enough sense for him to grasp. As a Servant, and King among them, he never had need to worry over such things; such defenses came instinctually. For a human, it required practice. And he would need practice. This was not an ability mastered alone, and certainly not mastered overnight.]

You must train yourself to think in these terms, always: I am me, I am myself, I am no one else other than myself. Your "self" becomes a fortress to shield against corruption. So long as you are assured of who and what you are, you can fight against any who would seek to control you.

[reticence]

Your self becomes a fortress to shield against corruption. [Faolan repeats, weighing the words over in his head, then nodding after a moment. He actually thinks that he does understand, in a way. The more that you are consciously in control, the less another is able to take that control away. But he is not so certain that it will be able to help in the case of Bridei. Will it...?

He realizes he may be admitting too much in even asking further, but he needs to know.] What about those that are linked to you? If you have experience in such things. Is the same thing possible there, to keep them out when you do not want to share?

[babbylon]

I do.

[More than he probably realizes. And it may be admitting too much, it may have clued Gilgamesh into what's going on, but it's also made him more sympathetic. The Master and Servant bond was sacred, a life-changing thing. If Faolan was nursing something similar, this inquiry suddenly made a great deal of sense.

Gilgamesh takes a moment to think. This was not a creature of the supernatural, but of ordinary flesh and blood. Tactics would need to be adjusted accordingly.]

In cases of extreme danger or otherwise immediate threat, you must commit yourself to severance. The mantra from before must increase tenfold; you must guard your space and mark it solely as your own. You must cut your ties and barricade yourself as high as your walls can go.

[Which may prove difficult for Faolan. He's never seemed the surest sort, but this was the only way, and his serious expression says as much.]

Simply put, you must be supremely confident of your identity. You must "filter out" white noise and react quickly when corrosion occurs. Speak to your brother-in-arms. Practice this with them and learn each others' boundaries. By knowing them, you will better know yourself, as well.

[reticence]

Severance. [Faolan repeats the word, and something about the finality of the connotations of it gives him pause.]

Such a thing will not become permanent with such techniques, though, yes? I mean. It only works as long as I uphold my filters, as you say. It is not. I will not be cutting them off for good? I would not sacrifice the bond for the sake of privacy and protection. Not unless I had no choice in the matter...

[Not unless he knew he were about to die and were uncertain whether it might kill Bridei too, for example.]

[babbylon]

It is all a matter of will. If you will it temporary, then it is temporary.

[Though that does carry a hint of caution, an implication of otherwise: if you do not, you bear the consequences. Even a Servant could accidentally cut themselves off for good if they pushed the practice too far. And a Master, well...

There was a reason they were called the master, after all.]

As I said, speak to the individual in question. Be honest with them and relay your concerns. And if they are your friend, then surely they will help you.