retrospec | (no subject)

Happy New Years, users.

I'll cut to the chase; the barrier we instilled a few months ago is decaying quickly and we're sorting through the new data as fast as we can. This barrier was originally designed to contain a rogue error. There are several of you who have taken care of this issue and from here we will handle the rest...thank you. The influx of data will help us decode our next steps.

As mentioned, we've spent December tracing several magical sources that are coming up in our readings. We're doing the best we can to trace Clarence--Mr. Vanderweele, and corral the effects he's altering in the city. I believe we're ready to tear down the firewall and begin exploring further. If our information is correct, we're really breaking the boundaries of the layers we've discovered lately! It's exciting, don't you think?

The only information I can offer is that we will need you to be strong no matter what happens. We believe things have changed outside of security measures we've set in place, though we will need more data to understand the best way to stabilize the city from his control. We understand if you cannot and do not wish to help, but please know we're doing everything we can.

Please take care.

Joanne Wiseman
Technician 2nd class
Retr

spec Incorporated

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Well, you know I magical abilities.

Though I can kinda explain my magical abilities, well, at least Draco's. It's kinda like genetics. I figure it's like a recessive gene or something. Draco a pure blood, meaning both of his parents are magical. But there are witches and wizards in his world whose parents are both muggles. So that's why I think it is a recessive gene and both parents need to have it.

[Derek... did you just science magic up?]

Of course I do. Unfortunately.

[Still a little salty about the hexes Derek put on him in October? JUST A BIT.

That said, that's probably the easiest to swallow explanation of magic he's heard yet, and you know what? He's gonna accept it, because it sounds more plausible than 'stuff just happens'.]

But you think it's a unique type of trait that's developed in others, then? Like a step up in evolution? I've heard people argue about psychic abilities and such that way, but to think that could be applied to magic...

I think that may have been the same from where that other me was from, too. He was a descendant of a powerful sorcerer himself, and he said he had the strongest magic in his family... so genetics doesn't really sound that far off.

Still ticked about that snake a conjured at you huh...

A descendant of a powerful sorcerer? And the strongest? That's impressive. I don't know what makes a witch or wizard stronger in the world Draco is from. I mean, there is school, and if you work hard, you do well. Fun fact, there is more than one magic school. I learned of two more. One is definitely French and the other is European... had a Bulgarian student at least.

Also, have you enjoyed the gift I sent you for Christmas yet? I hope you put it to good use?

I have no idea what you mean.

[He has every idea of what Derek means. But they're not getting into that now!]

I I wouldn't say it's that impressive. [Oh my god, Xiaolang, take a goddamn compliment--] Sakura supposedly becomes more powerful than the guy the other me descended from, or so she tells me. He was the one who created all of her cards to begin with. But maybe, in Draco's world, people are stronger through talent? Like how some people are naturally good at art, or math, or... something like that. The magic school, though... that was the one from your dream, wasn't it? I don't know if there were any schools like that in the other me's world, but it definitely didn't look like that.

[But as his eyes fall on the last bit of that message, his face flushes bright red, and it's a struggle not to keysmash all over the place.]

I

I um

yes

We just went yesterday, for New Year's. I still think it was a little much for us, though...

Hey, just because a girl is better at something than you doesn't mean you aren't impressive yourself. There was a really smart girl at Draco's school that was really good at magic. She always in first place and Draco was always second. Just because he was second, doesn't make him any less of a wizard. So if your magic is impressive, it is. Have more confidence in yourself kid.

Talent wise concerning magic... Yeah, some people were better at other things than others.
I also know some people just sucked at certain subjects. There was a kid named Longbottom at Draco's school who could screw up every potion he tried.

So you did use it! Good. I hope you enjoyed it. What do you mean by a bit much?

[Xiaolang, don't say his gift was too much! He handed you a wonderful date opportunity!]

I wasn't saying it's not impressive because a girl is stronger than me. Actually... I think it's amazing she has all of that power. I'm just saying that what she's capable of, in terms of magic, is much more than I can possibly do. If my magic's a thunderstorm, hers has the potential to be a typhoon. They're both storms, in the end, but there's no denying which one has more of an impact.

[Which, of course, means that it's even more important for him to protect her when she can't do it herself, even if his magic is weaker in comparison!!]

Anyway, that seems to be the same for even regular school, right? Everyone has a subject they're not good at. If potion making is anything like regular cooking, then I can see how it could be easy for him to mess up.

But... the place you picked. It was really... nice. We might have been the youngest people there on our own.

[Read: IT WAS REALLY INTIMIDATING?? It was a nice opportunity, for sure, but it felt much too grown-up for them to be absolutely comfortable.]

Yeah, but regular cooking doesn't normally blow up in your face...

And of course it was a nice place. I figured you two had been to enough fast food places and deserved a change of scenery.

Besides, when I took dates there they always enjoyed the food and would always smiled. I like seeing those kind of reactions.

I assume Sakura enjoyed the food?

[Sure it was uncomfortable, but I'm sure you're super grateful I gave you such an opportunity to see another cute side to Sakura!]

You'd be surprised. There's a reason Li-Na and I are the only ones that cook, after all.

[Because no one should let Leon Zhong near a stove at all. EVER.

But he can't help but burn a bright red when Derek asks him about their date, his mind wandering back to the events from that night. Normally, he'd shy away from talking about that sort of thing, but the other man was responsible for making it all happen, so he had a certain right to know.]

She um

She did. She's always happiest when she's eating, so that's no big surprise, but she did really like the dessert there, too. She was really excited about everything once we finally got comfortable.

We did go to the movies right afterwards, too.

[Because they're still kids, after all!! And they can't just have fancy dinner dates on their own]

Good, I'm glad you guys had a good time. It was the least I could do after what happened. And I'm pleased she enjoyed the desserts.

What movie did you go see?

[Uh-oh, Derek might have found another couple to vicariously live through...]

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Private (due to what he writes at the end)

keepin it private for all the gushy shoujo feels

Re: keepin it private for all the gushy shoujo feels