Question Dague de L'esprit

Yolandria wrote: I'm sure Spirit Chan will come to Poe...

E. E. Nalley wrote: One of these scenes was originally written three years ago for North To Atlantis. A No Prize to whomever can guess!

Dreamer wrote: *eyes bug out* Never expected that was how students practice healing, very interesting. Nice to see Wyatt learning magic so well.

null0trooper wrote:

Dreamer wrote: *eyes bug out* Never expected that was how students practice healing, very interesting. Nice to see Wyatt learning magic so well.

It makes sense: some toolkit spells that do one thing and that one thing well, some techniques that rely on finesse, as well as there being some 'we don't have time to screw around!' healing spells that guzzle mana, but pull the patient together until there's time for finesse. (Unfortunately, I see that last as working by reinforcing the dominant 'pattern': a horrific way to die if the wound is tainted or the problem is regenerator cancer. )

Dreamer wrote: Is this part 1 or is this the whole story, no Fin at the end and it feels like it is part one.

OtherEric wrote:

Dreamer wrote: Is this part 1 or is this the whole story, no Fin at the end and it feels like it is part one.

Well, it is labeled part 1.

Esar wrote: Fake second edit : it is not labeled part 1 on my end. not in the title and not at the end.

E. E. Nalley wrote: One of these scenes was originally written three years ago for North To Atlantis. A No Prize to whomever can guess!

E. E. Nalley wrote: Yes the Kodiak is a Dick, but he's OUR Dick, and he does have a point...

E. E. Nalley wrote: Still no correct guesses on the oldest scene, yet, interesting.

Sir Lee wrote: The possibles for the fake identity of TWFKAH got slightly reduced: now we know that she is a freshman girl. No complicated stuff involving her disguised as a boy or anything of the sort.
As for the title, I saw the similarity to the title of the old Star Trek episode "Dagger of the Mind" (which itself is a Shakespeare ref, from The Scottish Play) right away. I don't know why it's in French, though.
Also: the campus store sells vibrators, (mis)labeled as "prophylatic teaching aids." Why mislabeled? Well, one could legitimately claim that a static dildo intended use is to teach students in Sex Ed/Health class proper technique in condom deployment. But I very much doubt that vibration would be a requirement. I wonder what other sex-shop fare the campus store carries...

Sir Lee wrote: The possibles for the fake identity of TWFKAH got slightly reduced: now we know that she is a freshman girl. No complicated stuff involving her disguised as a boy or anything of the sort.
As for the title, I saw the similarity to the title of the old Star Trek episode "Dagger of the Mind" (which itself is a Shakespeare ref, from The Scottish Play) right away. I don't know why it's in French, though.

Sir Lee wrote: Also: the campus store sells vibrators, (mis)labeled as "prophylatic teaching aids." Why mislabeled? Well, one could legitimately claim that a static dildo intended use is to teach students in Sex Ed/Health class proper technique in condom deployment. But I very much doubt that vibration would be a requirement.

Malady wrote: ... Cat's Luck... So, there's 7 Luck Warpers on campus. FFFFFFF!

Malady wrote:

Magic Info Ramble [ Click to expand ] [ Click to hide ]

Shaman Magic is derived from Mythos magic, perhaps, or something? 'Cause it seems like Mythos might just be Dark Shaman Magic... ... We haven't gotten big stuff on how Shamanism differs from Sidhe stuff?

... Sidhe Stuff allows World Magics, Leyline Manips, etc? Also fortune telling, etc... Basically anything Western Tradition? ... Also combat magic? All of Kayda's combat spells come from Whateley stuff? A.k.a Sidhe-derived stuff?

Malady wrote: So, if EX-es are the breeders to make more mutants, then EX-women are intended to be baby factories?

Malady wrote: We haven't gotten big stuff on how Shamanism differs from Sidhe stuff?

Malady wrote: ... Sidhe Stuff allows World Magics, Leyline Manips, etc? Also fortune telling, etc... Basically anything Western Tradition? ... Also combat magic? All of Kayda's combat spells come from Whateley stuff? A.k.a Sidhe-derived stuff?

Domoviye wrote: Good story.
I like that Kayda is not going to be screwed over and left in the dark. She's in danger but at least she's forewarned.

Astrodragon wrote:

Domoviye wrote: Good story.
I like that Kayda is not going to be screwed over and left in the dark. She's in danger but at least she's forewarned.

You do realise you're taunting the fun happy Elrod, don't you...

E. E. Nalley wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: The possibles for the fake identity of TWFKAH got slightly reduced: now we know that she is a freshman girl. No complicated stuff involving her disguised as a boy or anything of the sort.
As for the title, I saw the similarity to the title of the old Star Trek episode "Dagger of the Mind" (which itself is a Shakespeare ref, from The Scottish Play) right away. I don't know why it's in French, though.

It's a pun. Tansy's code for the Syndicate is Dague and so both of her code names are French, and it obscured the reference a touch. But, well played, as always, Sir Lee!

Kaitha39 wrote: In addition to the "OH SNAP" moments of Tansy realising Hekate is alive (but who is she?), and her telling Elaine about Jade (oh snap she even realised it WAS Jade. Isn't this the first non-Kimba to know how Jade works?!?), I'd just like to ask about Ayla's scene,

17,000,000 divided by 282 is ~60,000.
Does this seem high to anyone else, or is the check for all of the barrels, or some kind of patent, or something?
Cause sixty thousand dollars just seems really high for a bottle of less than two Imperial Pints.

Like, sure, you get alcohol that expensive, but it's really famous, really high-end stuff, so surely I'm missing something here....?

Valentine wrote: Dr. Bellows, Ito, and some other instructors/staff know. A few others know, because they saw or heard her original explanation, Belle, Zenith. A few like Absinthe and Kayda can see the link between the J-Team and Jade or just spent too much time with them and figured out something weird is going on.

BUT, none of them have outed Jade, like Tansy just did.

E. E. Nalley wrote: Thanks for the comment, Kaitha!

Whiskeys age only when in the barrel. It is the wood of the barrel that gives them their color and flavor. (Raw distilled whiskey is clear and basically tasteless.) Because unlike wine it stops aging when bottled, its kept in the wood as long as possible. But, wood ROTS. The seams widen and the once air tight seal becomes porous and the whiskey begins to evaporate. Distillers call this the 'Angels' Share'. Aging whiskey is a delicate balance between how long you're willing to let it age and how much you loose from evaporation.

Kaitha39 wrote: Still, the other's like Absinthe just know there's something weird. I didn't think they actually knew the in-depth difference that Tansy knows here.

Unless every psychic can see it, and Tansy's knowledge isn't because of the events of "Jade-4-Bottle a Jinn"

null0trooper wrote:

Kaitha39 wrote: Still, the other's like Absinthe just know there's something weird. I didn't think they actually knew the in-depth difference that Tansy knows here.

Unless every psychic can see it, and Tansy's knowledge isn't because of the events of "Jade-4-Bottle a Jinn"

I think that Tansy knows because she's put in a lot more time recently in trying to understand what she'd been taught about avatars like her (First with the spirit-jacking scheme, becoming linked to Mustang, and with Lanie/Grizzly's problems, she IS motivated). I.e., now she has a better understanding of what Jinn is or was.

Kaitha39 wrote: In addition to the "OH SNAP" moments of Tansy realising Hekate is alive (but who is she?), and her telling Elaine about Jade (oh snap she even realised it WAS Jade. Isn't this the first non-Kimba to know how Jade works?!?), I'd just like to ask about Ayla's scene,

17,000,000 divided by 282 is ~60,000.
Does this seem high to anyone else, or is the check for all of the barrels, or some kind of patent, or something?
Cause sixty thousand dollars just seems really high for a bottle of less than two Imperial Pints.

Like, sure, you get alcohol that expensive, but it's really famous, really high-end stuff, so surely I'm missing something here....?

Kaitha39 wrote:

Valentine wrote: Dr. Bellows, Ito, and some other instructors/staff know. A few others know, because they saw or heard her original explanation, Belle, Zenith. A few like Absinthe and Kayda can see the link between the J-Team and Jade or just spent too much time with them and figured out something weird is going on.

BUT, none of them have outed Jade, like Tansy just did.

I was meaning just among students. I forgot Beltaine would have heard the original story. Angel and Quickie probably got told it as well, but it's been ages since I read Jade-3, so I can't remember.
Still, the other's like Absinthe just know there's something weird. I didn't think they actually knew the in-depth difference that Tansy knows here.

Unless every psychic can see it, and Tansy's knowledge isn't because of the events of "Jade-4-Bottle a Jinn"?

Regarding Alcohol:
Thanks for that E.E. I didn't know anything about Whisky's aging thing.
Still...
it's a bit disconcerting that for 45 thousand pounds you can get a small bottle of alcohol.

That's like, two-thirds of a HOUSE for my local area.
(Not that I'm criticising the story. I'm criticising the amazing wastefulness of the rich people who spend their money that way, even IRL.)

Sir Lee wrote: Comments: if The Don is counting on TWFKAH, that means that she has contacted him. The Don may not be in the top tier of campus telepaths, but he IS an artist of the mindfuck, and he had made Kallysta totally obsessed and dependent on him.

Arcanist Lupus wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Comments: if The Don is counting on TWFKAH, that means that she has contacted him. The Don may not be in the top tier of campus telepaths, but he IS an artist of the mindfuck, and he had made Kallysta totally obsessed and dependent on him.

I'm afraid I don't remember this detail. Could you jog my memory?

Sir Lee wrote: Comments: if The Don is counting on TWFKAH, that means that she has contacted him.

Sir Lee wrote:

Arcanist Lupus wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Comments: if The Don is counting on TWFKAH, that means that she has contacted him. The Don may not be in the top tier of campus telepaths, but he IS an artist of the mindfuck, and he had made Kallysta totally obsessed and dependent on him.

I'm afraid I don't remember this detail. Could you jog my memory?

Look at the beginning of Christmas Elves: Fey and Jade's Holiday Havoc . Second scene, Sebastiano and Hekate having sex.

Arcanist Lupus wrote:

Sir Lee wrote:

Arcanist Lupus wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Comments: if The Don is counting on TWFKAH, that means that she has contacted him. The Don may not be in the top tier of campus telepaths, but he IS an artist of the mindfuck, and he had made Kallysta totally obsessed and dependent on him.

I'm afraid I don't remember this detail. Could you jog my memory?

Look at the beginning of Christmas Elves: Fey and Jade's Holiday Havoc . Second scene, Sebastiano and Hekate having sex.

Thank you!

I'm skeptical that the Don is as good as he thinks he is. On the other hand, he did nearly mindfuck the Kimbas, so it's not something to be discounted.

E. E. Nalley wrote: Ironic note, Moore County, in which Lynchburg resides is dry. That means you can't buy the whiskey made there.

E. E. Nalley wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Comments: if The Don is counting on TWFKAH, that means that she has contacted him.

Actually the Don contacted her, all the way back in The Riddle of Sappho Canto I.

As touching Whiskey Barrels, the Jack Daniels distillery maintains one of the last traditional cooper workshops in the country where their barrels are made, by hand, using 19th century techniques. They only use the barrels once, though I don't know if Kirstin is right and its a matter of law, or just how they work their aging, but there are several European distillery that prize Jack Daniels barrels and use them for their own aging on a second run. They buy the barrels direct in container lots.

I have an uncle that was the Minister of the Methodist church in Lynchburg, TN for a time in my misspent youth where I learned this. Lynchburg being the home of Jack Daniels. Ironic note, Moore County, in which Lynchburg resides is dry. That means you can't buy the whiskey made there.

Kristin Darken wrote:

Valentine wrote: If I remember correctly, in the US, a whiskey barrel can only be used once, so the used barrels are sold in Europe to be reused. In some cases for other liquors to get some of the whiskey flavor mixed in, others are sold to make furniture. Empty barrels can cost up to $200 retail.

Yes, in 'legal' applications, you cannot use the barrel for a second run in the US. From a flavor perspective, most people won't even where you can. You won't get the same degree of influence on the flavor in a second run and even less on a third run, etc. Of course, that doesn't prevent someone from trying if they want a subtle variation... but it is common for such things to be inconsistent... and production runs rely on consistent results. Which is yet another reason the truly amazing complex results tend to come from private runs because even if someone IS going to try something with a odd combination third run barrel aging process, what are the odds of having a 'lot' of said barrels when the result ends up off the charts. And to get something from a private run generally involves knowing someone. Or using copious amounts of money to create an acquaintance with someone...

In general though, there are far more situations where the barrel has made something else first and is being used for whiskey now to impart aspects of the previous alcohol into this whiskey. Port, sherry, wines, rum... all sorts of things. The one thing I know of people using previously-whiskey barrels for is to store coffee beans. I've never tasted coffee produced from said process though, so I don't know if there's any merit to it.

E. E. Nalley wrote: I have an uncle that was the Minister of the Methodist church in Lynchburg, TN for a time in my misspent youth where I learned this. Lynchburg being the home of Jack Daniels. Ironic note, Moore County, in which Lynchburg resides is dry. That means you can't buy the whiskey made there.

elrodw wrote:
A certain redhead character we know would love finding loopholes like that

Kettlekorn wrote: Thesaurlange was amusing.

Kettlekorn wrote: But for me, the big event in this installment was news of The Breakup. Fatboy Slim's "That Old Pair of Jeans" has always made me think of Greasy, even though it wasn't actually relevant yet. But now it finally is!

null0trooper wrote: Meanwhile, it's been a week and no one's mentioned that a certain student of Raven's revealed a bit of her chequered past.

E. E. Nalley wrote:

null0trooper wrote: Meanwhile, it's been a week and no one's mentioned that a certain student of Raven's revealed a bit of her chequered past.

There are several items I'm surprised no one has commented on. Not the least of which was our Epilogue, and what it might entail.

peter wrote: This is what I got.
Tansy wasn't asking them to dig up dirt, but to create it.

It does not bode well for her recovery. You can always find justification to step over the line if you are inclined. It is not something you should do.

E. E. Nalley wrote:

peter wrote: This is what I got.
Tansy wasn't asking them to dig up dirt, but to create it.

It does not bode well for her recovery. You can always find justification to step over the line if you are inclined. It is not something you should do.

No, you read it correctly. She doesn't especially care if they find something and expose him or manufacture it whole cloth. And yes, relapse is always a danger to the recovering addict.

null0trooper wrote:

Kettlekorn wrote: Thesaurlange was amusing.

Smart women are sexy.

Kettlekorn wrote: But you're exceeding your RDA for Lawyer, so you need to take some time off from Loophole and go hang out with Kayda or Wyatt for a while to recharge your humanity.