"We also have in town the Technocracy."  He points to the Monolith Tower, blocks away. "We, the Sons of Ether, used to be part of them, but they were assholes so we left.  Its unwise to deal with the Technocracy, think Men in Black but they want you dead or on a lab table.  No exceptions."

*She looks at the buliding as they drive past* Do they want yo..us on a lab table because we left?

I think I have a lot to learn, Mr.Rahshid, don't I? *She says softy as she turns her head to look at the man driving. This Technocracy has got her mind spinning...what the hell are those people, monsters?*

"No, for the lack of a better term, because we are unnatural.  We do not fit in with 'their' form of reality, so we, mages, are to be destroyed or...converted."

"We used to be as powerful as they were, but now they are the top dog and we are vitually forced underground.  If you plan to survive, then avoid magic in public places and causing a scene.  We don't want to start another pissing contest with them, we really don't have the numbers for it."

Don't worry...I'm not about to go around doing something that stupid *She offers him a small smile* Underground I will be a mage....above ground I will just be a simple science graduate...looking for a decent job.

No one is going to convert me, Mr. Rahshid...this is what I want to do.

"What you need to understand about them is that there IS no choice.  There is only underground, even if you did your best to be and act normal, they can still find you.  They have ways, just as we do.  You are never safe as a mage, it is just the way things are for us. See, we are not normal human beings.  We never will be.  We can pass our selves off as normal humans to normal people, but the Technocracy are not normal.  They are like us, just in a different way.  I guess a good way to put it is...we, as mages, are PC's.  The Technocracy? The Mac."

A crude example at best, but hopefully she'd get the point.

"Well, kind of like that.  I guess."

*She nods, she fully understands...they are ying and yang, clashing forever.* Yes, I get it...*a frown furrows her brow ever so lightly, she cannot help it but she bites her lip as she drifts off in thought...Evin...

She is not normal, never was...that's for sure. Maybe it's wise to keep Evin as far away as possible.*

"Oh, by the way, do you have any family?"

This is the hard part for him. He didn't have much family, and seldom kept in touch so this part wasn't hard on him.

"If you do, I'm afraid to inform you that it is extremely unwise to see or speak to them again.  Maybe a letter once in a while, but you are like a super hero now.  We don't have the luxary of family, they can betray you, or become a liability.  Being a mage is a lonely existance, you really only have other mages to rely on, and even then..."

He hoped she didn't have any family, it would be a hard thing to give up.

"Even then, you can't trust other mages for the most part.  You'll have Pelayo and myself to keep you company, and maybe a few other mages, but that is about it."

*Engel swallows hard, the vision of some angel-haired toddler invades her brain, followed by a laughing, impish Asian man. She listens then takes a deep breath and does the only thing she thinks she should do...she lies.* (2008-10-29 19:36:14 Engel rolls 3 dice to lies (cha+manip) (Diff 7) 2,1,8 (failure)

No, I have no one. *She sucked at lying...she needs to learn how to do that right if she wants to survive.*

"Hm, sorry to hear that. Unfortunetly, you're going to have to forget them.  They are sleepers now, people who are not awakened, like us. The very idea of them knowing what you are could make them Technocracy targets."

He didn't like having to do this, but it had to be done, and the best way to do it is to give the worst possible scenario.

"I am sure you wouldn't want them being taken in by the Technocracy, brainwashed and 'enhanced', then out to look for you so they either can put a bullet in your head, or do the same to you. Particularly if it was a child."  

--Last edited by Rahshid on 2008-10-29 21:52:51 --

*Engel tenses, she knew something like this would happen, she knew it in the marrow of her bones for ever...she was different, Brandon and Evin were not. The thought of them being hurt made her scream inside. Would they do that to her uncle...he knew nothing...and to Evin...she was just a child!

Her tone is soft, edging on being sad, though she tries to keep it calm and normal* Mr. Rahshid...I understand what you are saying, it is better for their safety but *she looks at him full-on* how does one forget them?

He opens his phone while his car exits Sanfield. If anything would set her mind 'at ease' about being away from her family, this would.  He pushes a few buttons on his phone and hands it to her.

"Well...with things like this"

A lovely picture of Junior...

*Gently she takes his cell phone from him...but then her eyes fall upon Junior and well...she sort of freaks.* Ohmigawd! *she screetches quite loudly and without thinking drops the cell phone onto his lap, away from her.* What the heck is that creepy thing?

"Well...technically thats my son."

Rahshid was actually unsure of the creature's gender, he just assumed it was a he for the sake of a name.

"Long story short, it was growing inside me, I had it removed, it farted and escaped and....well you can see what happened from THAT excursion.  And that is why you can't see your family anymore."

*Well whoudda thunk it!* Your...what? *She looks at him and actually begins to chuckle dryly* Do I even want to know how you became...pr...*she pauses and swallows an uncomfortable giggle*...pregnant?

He gives her a sharp and quick glare, it was a fairly sensitive subject.

"You're a mage now, men getting pregnant are the least of your worries. What's your name again?"

*She tenses rapidly* Yessir *she mutters quickly and shuts her mouth until she's asked her name*

Rapunzel...*she says quickly then adds* Engel Rapunzel Lee, Mr. Rahshid...sir. Everyone that did not matter called me Engel.

"I guess we'll be calling you E-Rap then."

He pulls into a parking space at the Power Plant.

"Well this is our stop, lets get you introduced, then we can stop with the history lessons and get into something more...practical."

((continue in "Earning a Monocle"))