"I know what you mean it's a lot and our normal distractions don't feel like they fit the moment."

"Exactly." They reach the common area and she puts The Notebook on the table with the pen.

"Well we can start with a snack, apples and granola?

"Sounds good." She joins him in the kitchen to help.

Tom puts on some music and they let it fill the air indulging in the familiar rituals of preparing food and eating.

Eventually they finish. "Hmm, should that be the break?"

"I think that needs to be your choice. The Notebook has said several times that there isn't a time limit. And I don't think it said this explicitly but I have a feeling that there's a bit of narrative protection already here to ensure that you won't meet with a random accident that prevents you from finishing."

"That would fit, wouldn't it."

"I think you're right, and I think if you are right then I do want to take more of a break. Maybe Yoga?"

"I'm up for that."

They put on a yoga video and pull out their mats to follow along.

As sometimes happens, Yoga leads to other more energetic activities.

Lying in bed she turns to Tom. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. You weren't the only one who wanted that."

"I'm glad that whatever happens we'll be able to find our way back to each other. And I'm glad we're okay even if I'm considering risks you think I shouldn't take."

"We are, I'll trust you to make the right choice even if it isn't the one I would make."

"I appreciate that."

They cuddle for a little while longer just enjoying each other's presence before once more visiting The Notebook.

Hello again, I'm back for my third pass.

There's three things I want to do this time:

1: try to look at things more wholistically.

2: consider how drawbacks do or don't apply.

3: come to a firmer decision about some of the things I was hesitant about.

That makes sense! How can I help?

That's a good question. I think the most obvious way is helping make sure I understand powers correctly like you have been. Besides that, maybe I could write categories or attributes next to certain powers and you could do more rearranging so I can look at them all together.

Of course! ♡

And so she begins again.

I think... If I spend too much time worrying over what powers could potentially do things I don't like with The Crazy Train I'm just going to talk myself out of taking it by thinking of things that probably won't happen. For example I could see an interpretation where The Crazy Train could change what people see as my name under What's In A Name to something I don't like. I can't really think of a reason for it to do that though.

I think... for The Crazy Train it isn't as much about making a list of powers it does and doesn't effect. It's more about deciding if I'm okay with a lot of my powers in general being a little inconsistent. Does that sound right to you? I guess I could still make the list.

Yes, I think "am I okay with a lot of my powers in general being a little inconsistent?" is a question that gets at the core of the drawback more closely than making a list would, but if the list helps you think about that question I don't think it's a bad idea to make one.

And... there's also the question of, what would the narrative do? Would the story you want to live be a story that would change your name against your will?

I don't think so. I don't have a lot of personal experience having a name I don't want being pushed on me but I think I already understand viscerally why that would be awful. The reminder to ask myself what the story would do is also helpful.

She takes a look at the category totals she has.

Costs
+ 51
✓ 99
- 114
? 159

That's actually pretty reasonable. Well including everything in - and all the ? powers isn't but even without any drawbacks she can easily get all the powers she deeply wants. And there are drawbacks she definitely wanted to take.

I understand if the answer is no but could you total up the drawbacks I said I actively wanted? I think the rest of them are too dependant on decisions I haven't made yet to trust as categories. I guess maybe I should just put those as + tier to match the powers. I can go through and do that if it makes it easier for you.

I'm glad I can help! ♡ If it's not too much trouble, I'd appreciate you marking the drawbacks you're interested in just so I can be sure I'm not misinterpreting what you've said about how much you wanted them. I'll update the totals as you do.

Meanwhile, I'm still thinking about the powers you've asked for, and that Bonus Style Points variant is turning out just as tricky as I expected. I made an attempt at building it and somehow this is what I ended up with instead...

Name: More Magic - Cost: 5 ☐
(Requires Unleash The Magic and You Can Teach Better)
Abilities you pick up through Unleash The Magic can be passed on to others. Unique per-person abilities from Snowglobe may be passed on either as a direct mirror of your own unique ability, or by sparking a unique ability in the recipient. The deeper your personal connection to the recipient, the easier it is for you to pass on abilities to them and the more potent the results will be.

It doesn't really do much of what you were asking for, but I thought I'd show it to you anyway since it seems relevant to a life focused on working with others.