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[corporeity]

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@buck120 | 🔒 →

[maoa]

hey.
my name's sam. i asked august about how to identify signs of magic in the murders. he mentioned you as someone who'd be able to help with that.

[corporeity]

Hello Sam.
Yes, I can. I’m afraid I’ve not turned up any particularly compelling evidence this round, but if I survive to the next, I shall be at your service.

Is there anything you’d like my thoughts on to date?

[maoa]

thank you for that.
i’m not sure where to start. i guess mostly where to start looking. he mentioned certain scents could point to magic involvement. have you noticed any, or can you tell me what i should be trying to sniff for?

[ god, this is weird. ]

do you have any thoughts, outside of what you’ve shared at the trials?

[corporeity]

Yes, August’s magic has the scent of its origin. Fiery and sulfuric as the hells. Mine draws from the goddess of magic, Mystra, and so lavender and rosewater are its hallmarks.

I suppose I do see why the possible presence of hellhounds has drawn eyes to August, and yet I am unconvinced. The evidence of a canine at this past week’s scene but not any animalistic involvement in the attacks would lead me to believe it was shapeshifter and not a summon.

[maoa]

okay. are there any other scents that could be possible to detect?

[ she hadn't been sure if she'd be bringing this up, but since he did: ]

i'm not convinced of his guilt, either. but he is.

[corporeity]

I know. August believes the worst of himself, and the trial, in which even his beloved spoke, only confirmed this in his mind. I believe him innocent, and I will until it is proven otherwise through more than fear-mongering and conjecture.

I'm not sure. Sometimes, I think magic has the whiff of grass after lightning, as if electricity itself is burning. I suppose I could ask the witches' group chat (another clandestine cabal, I know) about what they would expect to see, if they were causing the trouble we've seen. I think most are endeavouring to be honest, at least with their peers.

[maoa]

yeah, he does.
and i think he is, too. evidence pointing to someone doesn’t always mean they did it.

like ozone, or petrichor?

that’s not a bad idea, but will they get suspicious if you ask?

[corporeity]

I imagine they will, but most would prefer to be caught, rather than harm those they hold dear.

Ozone, yes, that’s the word.

[maoa]

that makes them better than most.

okay. noted.

are there any other signs of magic to look for besides what they discussed in the hearings?

[corporeity]

I suppose the greatest sign of magic is, paradoxically, a lack of sign. Whyever would I wield a blade or a garrote, when I could mould the Weave — how I perceive magic — into a far greater weapon?

[maoa]

yeah, why add another step?
although i guess they were already doing that, given the beheadings.

[corporeity]

Indeed.

[ a day later. ]

I omitted something to look for, perhaps because I feared it would be found.
August’s magic smells of sulfur and ash — the hells — but mine own smells of lavender.
The latest burnings bear notes of the the latter.
My sincerest apologies, Sam.

[maoa]

i think you did mention lavender. but thank you for letting me know.

is there anything else about any of the scenes, that one in particular, that would make you think you might have been responsible?

[corporeity]

Ah, quite. I’m afraid this game is wearing on me.

The fire burned quickly and hotly, yet we could not see a starter or accelerant. The absence of such suggests the presence of a mage, capable of wielding flame. In that respect, I am more than capable.

[maoa]

[ this is feeling real close to her previous conversation with august tbh ]

was there anything about the previous murders that made you think you were capable? was there lavender scented before?