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The Starr twins are Graywards in Elsewhere
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The twins share a glance. 

"...I guess we'll be having kids, then," Alex says mildly. 

Jamie makes a face, but nods. 

"Everyone who knew how it worked died during that reunion?" He asks. "...What happened, exactly? Was it an accident of some kind, or..."

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"I definitely understand the impulse, but I feel obliged to advice to... think a bit longer before having kids? Or not have them just because of the lifeforce vault?"

"Only a limited circle of elders knew how to tap into the vault's full capabilities. Everyone knew some basics, and some knew some more advanced techniques. But it was a big family reunion and sorcerer clans tend to be very close-knit. If we knew how to work it properly we probably wouldn't need as many people."

"I would love to know what happened. All signs point to an accident while casting a ritual that... exploded a few random magic effects. They usually did big things at those gatherings. But we don't know what could have been that would have failed like that."

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"Not right away, of course," he snorts. "But Jay would never have kids without a really good reason. I wouldn't this young, either way, especially being unable to support them." He does want kids, though. At some point. With the right person or people.

 "They didn't think to leave a written copy somewhere hard to get to? Just in case?"

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"We don't know. They might, but they apparently neglected to figure out how it would get to any survivors in the situation."

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"So how does it work, as far as you know? You said it stores lifeforce and gifts... do you have to add your lifeforce to it, or does it take some of it automatically? Like rent, or something." 

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"It's like rent. With a landlord that tries to chase you with dogs. The effect is fairly harmless. We always are have some lifeforce."

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"And you can get the gifts and lifeforce out again, too?" He pauses, "Also, does it take the same amount of lifeforce from everyone?" He can't really spare any Health at the moment. "And does it take Youth?

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"It can tell when someone is low and not drain them. If that's what you're asking. And the lifeforce dissipates, but at a relatively slow rate."

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"And Youth?" Alex repeats that question. It seems an important one. If the vault takes actual years off their lives... 

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Headshake. "It can store. But it doesn't take it like that unless given. Or if the person dies. It's stuck like that, because we don't know how to turn it off."

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"Better than the alternative," he shrugs. "We should know more about what this is going to mean before we actually agree to be 'attuned' to it, but it does sound important that we do so." 

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"Fair fair. And it takes some level of training to do it."

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"You know, what be a good idea to do during this trip. Is giving you guys some introductory lifeforce manipulation exercises."

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"Oo," Jamie says, leaning forward. "I figured it needed some kind of," he waves a hand, "Prep work, or something. We can just get started here?" 

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"Prep work? We would start with breathing exercises and the car isn't ideal, but..." shrug, "it's a good way to occupy our time. We won't do anything meaningful. Just introductory work."

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They will enthusiastically engage in introductory work! Alex is quieter about his enthusiasm than Jamie is but it's definitely there. 

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The introductory works, mostly means some meditation and breathing exercises focused around the feeling of receiving Breath - the lifeforce aspect - from Felix. James might recognize the sensation as similar to when he uses his whispering gift.

There isn't much visible progress to be gained from the activity, except being familiar with the sensations, which their tutors explain is key to eventually learn how to manipulate one's own lifeforce.

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That's fine, they can be patient about this. Going too long without visible progress will leave Alex frustrated, but this is nowhere near that threshold, especially given the activity. Actually doing any magic-related thing himself is going to be new and interesting for a good long while. 

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That's an understandable reaction! One that they encourage.

Soon enough, they leave the rental and are picked up by a cargo truck driven by a gruff middle-aged man. "Is this not too tight for the five of us? There is a hidden compartment in the cargo area and either me and Felix can just hang out there if it's too tight." He asks of James.

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"Nah, we're good!" So long as there's a window he's fine in vehicles. Anyway, if Temple thinks he's going to complain about spending hours in close quarters with three very cute guys he's got another think coming. Even with the older guy around, as well. "That sounds like it'd be unpleasant," he adds of the hidden compartment. 

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Shrug. "I have headphones and audiobooks. Anyway, back to magic learning?"

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"Sounds good to me," he agrees, glancing at Alex, who nods. 

Magic learning!

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Magic learning! It's a couple of hours before they go to a facility in the middle of nowhere. Obviously a large warehouse of some sort, except for it's nearly random location. They go through some security gates and then leave the truck for a bit and are apparently scanned with one those metal detector wands.

Then they are allowed into another part of the facility...

...where a perfectly circular hole in reality hangs in the air leading to a similar facility on the other side. Their truck is there waiting them to go through, and other trucks are coming and going as well.

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Magic detecting instead of metal detecting, maybe? Or both.

When they enter the room with the portal, he pauses for a long moment to stare at it. 

 

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Alex, recognising the look in his eyes, grabs the back of his shirt. 

"Do we go through in the truck or can we go through on foot?" He asks Temple. 

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