Prompt #35 - Bouncy Balls - Invocatus Rex, Part I: Xavier, Chapter Two

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Title: Invocatus Rex, Xavier, Chapter II
Fandom: Original Fiction, The Witch War Histories, Vol. III
Prompt: Bouncy Balls (and I still ask WTF???)
For: Taming the Muse
Warnings: None, I don’t think. Possibly some mild language. Give it another chapter.
Rating: PG
Summary: The clan arrive, and Aisling’s doings begin to slowly be revealed.
Word Count: 3,195
A/N: I’m trying (slowly) to reorganize everything within my memories, and I’m starting with the easy bits, like this story. So, earlier bits are here.
A/N2: Thanks to meredevachon for getting the beta done during a week when I was largely unavailable for even the most rudimentary comment on my own story.

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This chapter has been moved, along with all prior chapters, to my LJ, where they're located in chronological order in the IR section of my memories.

Comments

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Xavier's unrequited longing is so difficult to watch, but the fearless way he faces it, and the knowledge that it is not a secret to just about everybody else, is a brave testament to his nature.
I do like Sylivie's family - they know how to operate and how to direct the action of others in ways that smooth the mood.
As for Aisling, she is still a mystery, and as such worries me slightly - is she innocent victim or knowing accomplice in something? Was the doodle just a doodle? I guess we'll find out. I look forward to that.
I have a feeling we are building towards something, but I hope it doesn't come too quickly. The slow development of the landscape of this story is a pleasure to read.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

Very generous compliments; thank you!

I agree with you about Xavier's character. One of these days, I plan a series of short stories just about his career as a mediator. I think it will be a pleasure to write.

I keep forgetting you don't know Sylvie's family so well as you might. The entire first book is about them, and she isn't even born until the latter pages. You're correct, of course, in that it's their job to keep things moving as smoothly as possible. They each bring individual strengths to this as well.

Aisling? Still not telling, but I will ask you this: Look back at the girl who faced Etienne on that sofa. What would it have taken to fake that emotion at age eighteen with The Healer (and with a friggin seer sitting across from you)? Don't you pity her? Honestly, I'm interested in your perceptions (as well as your inability to make a decision about her - which is perfectly understandable).

I have a feeling we are building towards something, but I hope it doesn't come too quickly. The slow development of the landscape of this story is a pleasure to read.
Such a lovely thing to say. Thank you. No, it doesn't come too quickly. In fact, I believe it takes quite a long time. Much longer than it took to find out all about Magi Sancti.

Oh, a final word about Aisling... no. On second thought, I believe I'll wait. *evil grin*

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

Aisling? Still not telling, but I will ask you this: Look back at the girl who faced Etienne on that sofa.
I take your point, that emotion would be difficult to impossible to fake. But faking isn't necessary. The emotion can be real, in the moment. It is the motivation behind that I am uncertain of.
And I wondered why, so I went hunting. The story of Aisling scrying at the pool was in response to prompt 8 - Pitch. That was the week I joined TtM and so was my first contact with your characters. There was Aisling, watching Etienne and Lucie, Sylvie and Kincaid and Declan and Colina. And there were hints and suggestions of harm and harmful intent. And a very interesting phrase The horrors of Aisling’s own making aside...
As a first encounter it was both confusing and memorable. *g* I still don't have a clue what is going on with her, but I retain my position - she bothers me.

[smwright.livejournal.com]

And I wondered why, so I went hunting.

You cheated! I'll have to lock that post!

I still don't have a clue what is going on with her, but I retain my position - she bothers me.

Now you sound like Thalia, or rather as Thalia would sound if you could read her thoughts and as she will sound later. And that is all you're getting out of me.

Speaking of Thalia... I know you haven't read the first book and, so, don't really know her, but this week's chapter (for batting 1000) has vintage Thalia in it. You'll see why I adore her so much and, likely, why the first book was published in the first place. She is just... so unique.

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

Very interesting. Again you use the domestic and twist it around. A visit from the family (even if the whole clan arriving is unexpected) should be such a normal thing, but this is anything but a normal family. It makes me wonder what talents Lucien will have when he grows up.

I do have to agree with Maz, that I'm still reserving judgement on Aisling - innocent channel for deep magics, or something more - hmmmm - eyes Steph suspiciously.

I'm not sure I'm quite as "in" to Xavier as I was with Declan, but then it's a hard act to follow, but I do feel so much for him, in his unrequited passion - the way he faces his work in spite of his feelings. And knowing that Etienne knows how he feels is just like twisting the knife - that's one hurt that Etienne can't heal.

Simmering very nicely my dear. I'll look forward to next week. I can't believe I've still got all your musemuggers drabbles and stuff to catch up on. I will get there - promise - just not sure when!

[smwright.livejournal.com]

but this is anything but a normal family. It makes me wonder what talents Lucien will have when he grows up.
In so many ways, they are normal though. They cook and clean and work for their money. They drive and take the train rather than jet-setting. I could go on...

Lucien? I don't know. I want to know Lucien better, but even where I am in book four is only little more than a year or so beyond where we are in IR now. Oh, maybe two years, but that's it. I haven't done the math. He will have something of his own, I'm sure.

that I'm still reserving judgement on Aisling
Argh! Hang around another 11 chapters (I looked it up). You don't learn anything revolutionary about her by then, but I promise you'll be picking your jaw off the floor. *winks and blows you a big kiss*

I'm not sure I'm quite as "in" to Xavier as I was with Declan, but then it's a hard act to follow
Yes, Declan is a hard act to follow. Fortunately for both of them (and Declan fans), Xavier wasn't really intended as the secondary hero. He's just there to tell his bit of the story. He does play a big role in their lives, and his feelings for Sylvie motivate a lot of that. Your compassion for him is more than enough, and you'll have Declan back in 7 chapters.

As ever, I'm delighted with your comments. I love the depth I get from you and Maz. Sometimes, I get frustrated with the whole process, and it's fabulous to just throw it out there and see what works and what doesn't. As for the rest of the posts, they're not going anywhere. *g*

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

That last line is an absolute heart breaker, but there are so many fascinating things here. I'm really doubtful about the whole idea of accidentally evoking a spirit, so is Aisling *incredibly* powerful, so powerful that she could accidentally throw around magic like that, or is she lying through her teeth? And I do love Etienne!

[smwright.livejournal.com]

And I do love Etienne!
Hard not to. He's not the in-your-face hero, but got lots to commend himself (if you're into older men). He's by far my favorite of the whole lot of them. I wonder if you'll enjoy his darker side as much as his generosity...

I'm really doubtful about the whole idea of accidentally evoking a spirit, so is Aisling *incredibly* powerful, so powerful that she could accidentally throw around magic like that, or is she lying through her teeth?
*chuckles* I think many things are possible, lots of possible explanations. Hmm... which is most probable though? She is a pathetic little thing, isn't she?

Thanks for the fabulous comments! This is the one of the more difficult chapters to trudge through with all the names and the lack of action. I believe the narrative begins to pick up somewhat with 'batting 1000'!