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Bella stockpiles hexes.
She already has a ridiculous number, but she wants so many that if it seems most expedient to individually do some manner of hex-magic to every cubic inch of space in her dorm room, she can and still have a ridiculous number left. She wants enough that if Libby turns out to be a particularly dab hand at extortion, to the point where paying up is her best bet, Bella can keep gritting her teeth and handing over tribute up until the point where even this person will believe that this is all there could ever be - and still have a ridiculous number. She wants her ridiculous numbers to have ridiculous numbers.
What does she have?
An Alice. She has one of those.
And she can use what she has to get what she wants, late into the night, hexily disassembling her body's dependence on sleep, and till she should start thinking about catching up on the internet and heading to class.
self_composed
prima-sequentem
At about seven in the morning, Bella gets an email from someone named E. Kirsch.
It says only:
It says only:
You wanted to talk?
self_composed
With an introduction like that, it could be spam. Or not.
I want to know what's going on.is Bella's reply.
self_composed
I was told that the only way to find out what's going on was to talk to you.
Bella takes her laptop to class. She can ramp up to 2x or more and sit in back.
prima-sequentem
Probably true. Any other ambitions I can help you with while we're at it?
self_composed
I am half concerned that if I announced a desire for a pony, one might actually appear, and I do not actually want a pony.
So. What's going on?
prima-sequentem
I'm hardly going to waste resources giving an obviously facetious pony to someone I barely know.
You're going to have to ask much more specific questions if you want useful answers.
self_composed
How does the vaguely sinister organization Bridget speaks so highly of work? How big is it? What can it do? What does it want, what do you want, to what extent do those differ?
prima-sequentem
Vaguely sinister organization? Really?
I know a lot of people. Some of them have magic. Some of them have other useful talents or circumstances. Sometimes I ask them to help each other, or me. I generally try to see to it that everyone gets along and nobody has too much trouble with anything. I don't think any of that qualifies as sinister, vaguely or otherwise.
self_composed
I've already had the "sinister" argument with Bridget, I guess.
Why do you run this thing?
How many is a lot?
What do you want?
prima-sequentem
You haven't had it with me.
I don't currently trust you enough to tell you any numbers, and I don't know you well enough to answer the other two.
self_composed
So talking to you is not actually a very effective way of finding out what's going on, then, is it.
prima-sequentem
On the contrary, I think you'll find it's the best way there is.
Unless you want me to tell you everything you want to know in exchange for absolutely no personal or logistical investment whatsoever, in which case I am not at all sorry to disappoint you.
prima-sequentem
From you?
If you have the time, I'd like you to come to New York and have a chat with me about your goals in life.
self_composed
My next school break is Christmas and I've promised it elsewhere, even if my bank account could accommodate plane tickets across the country. What's the added benefit of putting me in New York?
Maybe Libby knows Bella can fly under her own power, maybe not, maybe she knows she can magic door, maybe not. Bella doesn't need to tell her just yet.
prima-sequentem
I can cover plane fare if that's a problem.
I'm much better at figuring people out in person than by email. You want to know a lot of things I don't usually tell people. I want to know that you're not going to use that information in any way I wouldn't like.
self_composed
I can take a long weekend if you're buying. I'm ahead by enough in my Monday classes.
prima-sequentem
Sounds good to me. Let me know your preferred travel times and I'll arrange tickets.
self_composed
Heh. Bella doesn't need to sleep anymore and by the same token can sleep at will. This will make plane flights different.
I'm flexible. Eastward Friday night, westward Sunday night or Monday morning?
prima-sequentem
Sure.About ten minutes later, Bella is forwarded plane tickets for a round trip to New York.
self_composed
Interesting.
[Hello folks,] Bella says to Alice and Lazarus. [This Friday I will be flying to New York to meet Libby.] Pause. [In a plane.]
[Hello folks,] Bella says to Alice and Lazarus. [This Friday I will be flying to New York to meet Libby.] Pause. [In a plane.]
Thanks.
nonbird
She reaches Lazarus's busy message, which says, [I'm sleeping?] in a tone of voice that indicates he is perhaps not totally sure of that.