Coming into power is pretty cool. It’s like a journey or a coal mine or some other metaphor about getting from point A to point B and collecting X bear asses along the way. The best part (just short of the power) is that, as you progress and build more strength and reach more milestones, you become accustomed to your power. Not only with its use, but also with its responsibility and wisdom. You feel like it was a muscle you could flex all along and now you know how to pump that bad boy. It’s like you start as the skinny nerd and end up as a lean, mean, ass-kicking machine.
Alison just went from comatose atrophy to Mr. Incredible.
As per Guild law, the catch is not immediately obvious, but we have seen where this path leads: a pit of thrones and charnel, of royal finery ragged and stained, where the towering ambition of kings and princes is reduced to begging the Thin White Demiurge for MORE.
When running through a wall of flames, panic tells you to turn back, but the only hope of safety lies on the other side.
You pray you’ll never need to make that choice, and you wet down your treated cotton gear as best you can before hand, but once you start to charge YOU MUST NOT FLINCH AWAY!
So too with Alison’s gamble. Maybe it was a bad call, but now that she has Chosen, the only way out is forward.
Run through Incubus’ pink flames to reach Zoss’ white flames! Remember that the Key of Keys will not take to an irresolute wielder!
Once, the world ended, and the Ash caught fire; but there is no fire that sur-
passes the blaze of the Ash’s spirit. The Ash subsumed the flames and grew
strong; and the world was forced to recreate itself.
—from Legends of the Nobilis, by Luc Ginneis
So curious, how meat creatures assume the things that happen inside their brain meats are less real and serious, than the ones that happen in their speens, or their intestines.
It could very well be nothing but a trick of the firelight, but… with the eyes, her lips, the way her hair is standing, her posture and build… isn’t she the spitting image of Incubus?
There are very few people in the multiverse who can teach her the Art at the level she needs to learn it, and few methods other than this that produce results as quickly as she needs them.
For all the stress this loan may cause her, Alison is wise to find among that number a mentor who accepts IOUs.
It is somewhat difficult to repo absolute mastery of spacetime from a godhead.
If she’s smart, whenever she uses her power “correctly” (or that is to say, to do something advanced), if she just pays attention to what’s going on she should still learn.
Well, that is to say, if this scenario follows anything to do with the real world, you’d still learn. (Maybe magic god-keys don’t allow you to retain the knowledge?)
But “Fake it ’til you make it” is actually something people do all the time in the real world. And it can work, since each time someone gives you something you can’t quite do at the level they think you can, you get to learn from the experience, and then you CAN do it.
Which character will be the first to notice she is changed, which one will be the first to notice her flames and eyes changed color and which one will suffer first from her terrible choices?
Currently betting on who will be the first character the notice a difference in Allison, who will be the first to notice her flames and eyes changed color and who will first suffer from her poor decicions. Now it’s time to make your bets and win enough to live a life of luxury in the world of your preference.
The young polymath with the healing skill and the keen eye will be the first to notice the change, but no one will listen. I wager three bejeweled death masks.
To be fair, taking a loan out from the greediest bank in the world can still lead to a thriving business… if you play your cards right… Allison’s cards are just heavily stacked against her and deal in providence and divinity…
But you’ve always been a bit bald, haven’t you Fel? Shame you killed those last guys who said so though; they’d have given you some of that scalp salve for free just to have it endorsed by a god.
Power given is not power earned, and hardly power at all.
…in less mystic tones: I believe it’s been said that the power of Kings doesn’t respond unless its wielder desires it, and their desire and willpower is so strong that the universe has no choice but to relent and respond to their desire. “The Blade of Want”, after all. Or, like any good bard, bluffing the universe by saying things should work this way, and then they just…do.
Basically, Allison hasn’t earned this power, and in a sense, it’s not Allison’s true power. It’s just “borrowed”. Which everyone knew already, but I couldn’t resist being mystic for a second.
My best guess is- if she continues to rely upon Incubus’s gift, she will not learn how to use Zoss’s gift- that is, her own, owned power. And Incubus retains the right to revoke his gift at any time. When this inevitably happens, she may be set back to the state she was just in, with only an inkling of her own real potential.
The amount of problems the ensuing game of catch-up will cause is yet to be seen.
Power purchased is no less power for the exchange made to attain it, Preem Freezeflare. One must simply mind what happens when the owner decides they are taking it back.
What’s the catch?
Coming into power is pretty cool. It’s like a journey or a coal mine or some other metaphor about getting from point A to point B and collecting X bear asses along the way. The best part (just short of the power) is that, as you progress and build more strength and reach more milestones, you become accustomed to your power. Not only with its use, but also with its responsibility and wisdom. You feel like it was a muscle you could flex all along and now you know how to pump that bad boy. It’s like you start as the skinny nerd and end up as a lean, mean, ass-kicking machine.
Alison just went from comatose atrophy to Mr. Incredible.
It’s usually fatally addictive.
She hasn’t realized it yet, but she’s actually on fire.
what catch? theres no catch. it tastes good, it feels good, why worry bout it?
Moderation is key. Fire at everything that moves, and you’ll be out of bullets when you need one the most.
As per Guild law, the catch is not immediately obvious, but we have seen where this path leads: a pit of thrones and charnel, of royal finery ragged and stained, where the towering ambition of kings and princes is reduced to begging the Thin White Demiurge for MORE.
She’s met with a terrible fate, hasn’t she.
BEN DROWNED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pnVsPrhXWQ
There’s one side to this coin. If you take this deal you are given rope, nice, sturdy rope, enough to hang yourself with infact.
Oh no. Her hot white flame is looking tinged with pink…
>Hot
>White Flame
Please go away.
Jealous much?
Speaking literally. The power of the Master Key flares bright white, this is known.
Consider the possibility.
Harsh, fellow commenter. Harsh. Forget one detail and you’re not allowed to talk anymore? Mayhap I’m misreading your intent, but…
Her…attractive alabaster conflagration is expressing itself as imbued with fuchsia?
Is that better?
The Sovereign’s flame is always hot, canon be damned.
Careful , that spells mana cost per second is absurdly high. Best stop channeling
Don’t worry, this one’s just a stance switch, it’s fine.
The sweet, sweet nectar of puissance. The unending ecstasy of muscle like steel cable, of death hovering obediently at your fingertips.
These sublime pleasures have ruined me. They will ruin you as well.
Turn back, Alice-UN. Please turn back.
When running through a wall of flames, panic tells you to turn back, but the only hope of safety lies on the other side.
You pray you’ll never need to make that choice, and you wet down your treated cotton gear as best you can before hand, but once you start to charge YOU MUST NOT FLINCH AWAY!
So too with Alison’s gamble. Maybe it was a bad call, but now that she has Chosen, the only way out is forward.
Run through Incubus’ pink flames to reach Zoss’ white flames! Remember that the Key of Keys will not take to an irresolute wielder!
Once, the world ended, and the Ash caught fire; but there is no fire that sur-
passes the blaze of the Ash’s spirit. The Ash subsumed the flames and grew
strong; and the world was forced to recreate itself.
—from Legends of the Nobilis, by Luc Ginneis
–But the Flame of Want can vanquish even those armored in the Ashes of Oblivion.
–But then, it also recreates it’s self, for it is the will of he/she who is the Cosmos.
You, fine person, have excellent taste.
I wonder if Alison needed the pick-me-up or if it was all in her head?
someone’s gonna get their teeth kicked in…
it’s all in your head
=//=
IT’S NEVER BEEN ANY DIFFERENT.
So curious, how meat creatures assume the things that happen inside their brain meats are less real and serious, than the ones that happen in their speens, or their intestines.
I don’t know what a “speen” is, but I have seven flurmp chambers.
Alternate Summary of Page: Princess King immediately ragrets her life choices.
That is like her life’s story.
I can see it now, the flame that could end the world.
GG Incubus, his HUBRIS will be his downfall.
Again.
/Nice/
Pink and white are both colors of wormflesh.
Nice.
Everyone – “you’ve doomed us all”
Allison – “yeah, by being awesome!”
It could very well be nothing but a trick of the firelight, but… with the eyes, her lips, the way her hair is standing, her posture and build… isn’t she the spitting image of Incubus?
Enjoy it while it lasts. You have paid dearly for it and the debt always comes due.
There are very few people in the multiverse who can teach her the Art at the level she needs to learn it, and few methods other than this that produce results as quickly as she needs them.
For all the stress this loan may cause her, Alison is wise to find among that number a mentor who accepts IOUs.
It is somewhat difficult to repo absolute mastery of spacetime from a godhead.
Hmm… I agree with the Blood Reaper. The only alternative would have been a Montage. Even Rocky had a montage >.>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFrMLRQIT_k
If she’s smart, whenever she uses her power “correctly” (or that is to say, to do something advanced), if she just pays attention to what’s going on she should still learn.
Well, that is to say, if this scenario follows anything to do with the real world, you’d still learn. (Maybe magic god-keys don’t allow you to retain the knowledge?)
But “Fake it ’til you make it” is actually something people do all the time in the real world. And it can work, since each time someone gives you something you can’t quite do at the level they think you can, you get to learn from the experience, and then you CAN do it.
The first hit is always the best…
Something tells me that guy is around for everyone’s first hit.
I know this is a page too late, but I’m really loving this “misanthropic shut-in” archetype Incubus seems to be shaping up to be. Very topical.
Which character will be the first to notice she is changed, which one will be the first to notice her flames and eyes changed color and which one will suffer first from her terrible choices?
In order: White Chain, Cio, and a small Braxian hunting beetle currently occupying the honeymoon suite in Hell 24.
Neat.
How utterly generic.
The first try is free
Nothing is free.
Anything is free if you wait for the right time and can avoid the consequences.
Consequences can never be avoided, only mitigated. Even if you never face them, that does not mean others will not.
Indeed. The first payment is merely… delayed for a time, but the debtor will come to collect his due regardless.
If one is lucky, it may even not be with interest.
Willy is free.
Nothing is free. All is tax deductible.
The First Sip
HER EYES. D:
Wonder how long it’ll take Cio to notice and chew Allison out over her bone-headed, non-heroic decision?
Slightly longer than normal, considering Cio’s colorful vocabulary.
Currently betting on who will be the first character the notice a difference in Allison, who will be the first to notice her flames and eyes changed color and who will first suffer from her poor decicions. Now it’s time to make your bets and win enough to live a life of luxury in the world of your preference.
The young polymath with the healing skill and the keen eye will be the first to notice the change, but no one will listen. I wager three bejeweled death masks.
The Angel, for he knows more than he lets on…
To be fair, taking a loan out from the greediest bank in the world can still lead to a thriving business… if you play your cards right… Allison’s cards are just heavily stacked against her and deal in providence and divinity…
Must- Not- Say things- about- Predatory- Lending- that would- end- baldy- for me…
Sounds like you took a loan out from someone who deals exclusively in hairpieces.
But you’ve always been a bit bald, haven’t you Fel? Shame you killed those last guys who said so though; they’d have given you some of that scalp salve for free just to have it endorsed by a god.
A hand of all face cards with a heavy emphasis on the suicidal kings! No sets, got to try a run for the money.
Power given is not power earned, and hardly power at all.
…in less mystic tones: I believe it’s been said that the power of Kings doesn’t respond unless its wielder desires it, and their desire and willpower is so strong that the universe has no choice but to relent and respond to their desire. “The Blade of Want”, after all. Or, like any good bard, bluffing the universe by saying things should work this way, and then they just…do.
Basically, Allison hasn’t earned this power, and in a sense, it’s not Allison’s true power. It’s just “borrowed”. Which everyone knew already, but I couldn’t resist being mystic for a second.
What this means for the future is yet to be seen.
My best guess is- if she continues to rely upon Incubus’s gift, she will not learn how to use Zoss’s gift- that is, her own, owned power. And Incubus retains the right to revoke his gift at any time. When this inevitably happens, she may be set back to the state she was just in, with only an inkling of her own real potential.
The amount of problems the ensuing game of catch-up will cause is yet to be seen.
The only power a king has is given to him by those he rules. Power given is power received, and thus power owned.
Power purchased is no less power for the exchange made to attain it, Preem Freezeflare. One must simply mind what happens when the owner decides they are taking it back.
The bargain she’s made is having a bit of an effect on her appearance… and her flame, by the looks of it ; I wonder how permanent such a thing is.