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Subject: {ASSM} Solstice Magic 02: Magan and Trevor 1-3/3 (MF +Leprechaun, magic/fantasy, implied het sex, fairly mainstream)
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Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 03:10:02 -0400
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Solstice Magic 02: Magan and Trevor 1-3/3
----

Magan [B]: Competent (Anglo-Saxon Name)
Trevor [B]: Prudent (Irish Name)
====

Magan 001
The Path to My Future
---

Magan studied her target while she waited in line, then, after she was
allowed through the gate, she sighed and headed for him.

After he was done with a couple of tourists, he noticed her and
smiled.  "Hello, Magan.  Don't bother asking if Aileen is here.  This
is one of her days off."

"Hello, Lester.  I'm here to talk to you.  Is there any chance you can
get free, so we can take a walk around Stonehenge, while we talk?"

He took the time to study her, then he laughed and relaxed.  "With, or
without a camera?"

"Without."

"No problem.  You need me as a guide?"

"Don't be absurd.  I need an ear who is also something of a friend,
and he knows Aileen better than most."

He called for a replacement, briefed her, then he and Magan started
ambling towards the stones.

Partway there, Magan sighed.  "Lester?  You've known her longer than I
have.  How much has she changed, since she received The Gift?"

He finally sighed.  "As strange as it sounds, she's more relaxed, and
more...  helpful and considerate of the people she deals with."

"Strange.  No touches of arrogance or indifference?"

"She's pretty casual about using that power stuff whenever she feels
like it.  That took some getting used to.  But she doesn't have that
'look what I can do and you can't' attitude.  She's always been pretty
self-confident and comfortable with who she is."

They arrived, and paused to gaze at Stonehenge.  Magan sighed, then
stepped backwards to let the tourists have a better view.  Once they
were back a ways, she sighed again.  "I found them on my own, if you
don't count the help I had from the Catherine Wheel's clue.  Although,
that wasn't a clue, it was a brick to the side of my head, once I
figured it out."

"Ah?  Share?"

"You interested in being able to play with The Gift, any time soon?"

"Play?  Interesting word choice.  Never mind.  No, Magan.  I'm pretty
happy with who I am, and my wife tolerates my passion for Stonehenge,
its history, and its future."

"Not obsession?"

"Not yet.  I'm still able to turn it off when I leave.  She helps."

"Ok.  Remember how the beams of light changed the colors of the
stones?"

"Yes."

"Good.  You'd think that they should have just kept going when there
was no stone to block them, but they didn't.  There were lots of
people here, so they were usually blocked by people, just like
ordinary light would be.  On the other hand, if there was a stone
behind a person, the beam ignored them and hit the stone, which *did*
block it.  All very logical and except for the occasional ignoring of
people, what we'd expect to happen."

He thought about it, then sighed.  "That makes me think the rest of us
missed something."

Magan spoke dryly, with all of her English sense of humor behind her
tones.  "Probably.  I, on the other hand, spent a few minutes after
the event, talking to Aileen and Galyn.  They used a pretty big clue
hammer on me."

He laughed.  "That sounds like the Aileen I'm used to.  She's always
been good at making people see and learn for themselves, if she feels
they're up to it."

"I noticed, a few days later.  Ok.  What I finally figured out, is
that when there was nothing in the way, the beams stopped just inside
a circle that contained the main part of Stonehenge, except when there
was a stone for them to hit that was outside it."

"Sounds like there's a 'but', involved."

"Big one!  Every one of those beams went through a certain one of the
stones, then kept going.  It was just a flash, but when I focused on
that spot, I could see it."

He thought about it, then nodded.  "Like a laser pointer, and...  how
some folks will use one to play with animals?"

Magan winced, then sighed.  "Exactly.  Where it pointed to, was where
'Those who wait'...  were waiting.  Simple, elegant, obvious...  Call
it whatever you want, but I used that to plot a course on a map, then
traveled it.  Eventually I wound up sitting in a pub, and before I
could do more than order my food and drink, I had company."

Lester inhaled sharply.  "The 'Mystery Couple'! "

"Yep!  First thing they admitted, is that the pub wasn't the first
place they had waited for people.  Aileen and another group found them
somewhere else, and by following different clues.  I'll go there
later, because now that I've found them once, we have some sort of
link that lets them know when I want to see them, and...  later."

"Got it."

"Thanks."

It was getting crowded because a large group of tourists was listening
to one of the Docents, so they started walking again.

Magan finally glanced back before she faced forward and spoke softly.
"We talked a bit, then I did the hardest thing I've ever done.  I said
'no' when they asked me if I wanted to learn how to use The Gift.
Well, ok.  I'm trying to be honest.  I said 'not yet, if ever'."

Lester stopped them, then reached and gently turned her until they
were facing each other.  "Magan?  You've been obsessed with
Stonehenge, and power, for most of your life.  You've been taking part
in the ceremonies since you were a child, and that was long before I
started working here.  People may not know who you are, when you're
here as yourself, but if I was asked to name *anyone* who was more
passionate about power, than Aileen, it would be you.  So, I have to
ask this:  'Was that decision wise, for you?'  You may never get
another chance."

She sighed and looked away.  "Les?  Thank you.  Galyn's parents live
by a code of their own.  Part of it says that once they are found by
someone, when they are acting as 'Those Who Wait', that person can, at
any time in their life, *including while they are on their deathbed*,
ask to receive The Gift, and they will answer--and give it to them."

"Deathbed?  What's the point?"

"Point?  Functional immortality.  If you have doubts about that, just
remember their spectacular rejuvenation.  It was more than cosmetic."

"That's...  tempting, Magan."

"To me, it was terrifying.  Free will, Lester.  That's what I was
offered.  It's what Aileen accepted.  She will live, until she decides
to die.  Period.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.  I'd like to think I
could eventually deal with that part of The Gift.  It's the clue
hammer she and Galyn had in their other hands, that I don't know if I
could deal with, eventually, and the real reason I turned it down, for
now."

She shivered and Lester ignored the people around them while he pulled
her into a hug.  "I'll listen, if you want me to.  That's why you
wanted me, and not Aileen?"

"Yes.  Thanks, Lester."

She stoped shivering and moved back so she could watch his face. "It's
the free will, Les.  There's no 'code of power' that I'd have to
follow.  There's no committee that would be looking over my shoulder,
and deciding to rein me in, if I was getting out of hand.  Power
corrupts, and if I wanted to let it corrupt me, I could, and those who
could do anything about it, wouldn't do anything, unless I was
interfering with *their* plans, somehow, or if doing something about
me...  might amuse them.  That's the only way I can say it.  I can be
selfish about it, and nobody who can stand in my way, will care."

"It sounds like people with The Gift do have a code."

"Oh?"

"To thine own self, be true.  All others, be damned, unless *I* decide
otherwise."

She thought about it, then turned away so she could gaze at
Stonehenge.  "I'd be a god, Les, and none except other gods, could say
me nay."

He suddenly chortled.  "We deserved America, didn't we?"

"Excuse me?!"

"They've changed a lot since they tossed us out of their lives, but
still, we don't really understand them.  Ever been there, and gone
exploring, to get to know the real America, and not the one the
tourists get to see?"

"No.  Are you going somewhere?"

"I am.  There's an attitude that permeates them so much, most fail to
realize it's there, and it makes them so hard to understand.  It can
be summed up in two words:  'Can do!'  They don't worry when someone
says it can't be done, or if the consequences outweigh the benefits.
If the notion strikes, they do it, and do it with the kind of
confidence that makes them feel like they'll be able to fix any
problems that result.

"You were asking me if Aileen has changed, and I just realized she
has, in one very important way.  She's finally relaxed and accepted
that she's far more American than she is English, in her approach to
life."

"We were that way, once, and we blew it, Lester, then we ran away."

"True, if you want to look at our history in that way."

"Way?"

"You're obsessed with the negatives, Magan.  Aileen obviously chooses
to focus on the positives.  Need I say more?

"Guilty conscience, about our past?"

"You'll have to ask her, but I'd bet against that, when Aileen is
involved.  She sees the future.  If she notices the past, it's for
figuring out how to use it to make a better future, for all of us, not
just her."

Magan was silent until they were headed back to the entrance area.

She touched Lester's nearest arm.  "Thanks, Lester.  Maybe, someday,
I'll figure out how many clue hammers she can wield at once."

"You've made a decision?"

"Confirmed it.  'Not yet.'  I think I'm going to take a vacation, and
go see those other people, who found Those Who Wait, after Aileen did.
I was told the two men are Native American Spirit Talkers, and the
women are their wives."

They both froze when a coyote appeared, to block them.

She sat, them sneezed before she tilted her head and studied Magan. "I
am Sani, and I will guide you to them.  When do we leave?"

"I've heard about you, Sani.  Something in this amuses you?"

"Of course."

"Share?"

"You amuse me more than any other humans, for now.  If I guide you to
the others who amuse me, it should be *very* amusing, and this is a
good thing, for all of you.  It will be more amusing for me, too, of
course.  This too, is a very good thing."

"We will leave, after I make all the arrangements I need to make."

"Good!"

Sani, as was her wont, vanished.

Magan stared at the spot Sani had vacated, then laughed slightly
hysterically.  "Well!  Considering my heritage..."

She chopped her words off when a tiny woman appeared, to stand there
with her hands on her hips while she looked up at Magan.  "An' might
there be something about your heritage you'd be willin' to share with
me, before we go to America?"

"Only a question, if you're willing to answer it.  Are you here to
help me, or hinder me?"

"Both."

Magan winced, then offered her hand.  "I'm Magan.  Would part of that
'both', involve helping me make my Solstice displays interesting?"

The tiny woman smiled and touched palms with Magan.  "Perversity. Aye,
Magan, I'll allow as how I'm willin' to help with that."

"Thank you."

She glanced at Lester.  "We will see you again, eventually.  It might
be awhile."
====

Magan 002
Heathrow, and 'Not-Boredom!'
---

Magan did some intense thinking about her upcoming trip, then she made
some phone calls.  One of those was to a veterinarian, and then, after
what she considered the best fast talking she'd ever done, to
*anyone*, there was a quick trip with Sani, to see that same
veterinarian, so Sani could get her shots and Magan could get the
paperwork that said she would be permitted to have Sani with her, in
the cabin of the airplane.

Perversity, because of her size and attitude, was a simple affair.
Magan paid for a second adult ticket.

She packed, called a cab, and it was off to Heathrow with her
companions, and she hoped fervently, through security with a minimum
of fuss, and on to America.

It was not to be that simple.

The man who screened them balked at letting Sani through, and he
wasn't too sure about Perversity, either.

"It's the dates on their papers, Ma'am.  Yours, too, but recent dates
on passports are something we're used to.  Something last minute?"

Magan raised her eyebrows, then nodded slightly.  "I suppose it is,
yes.  Sani stayed behind when her companions returned, and now I'm
taking her with me while I go visit them."

He gazed at her thoughtfully, then nodded.  "She's here, and not
there, so that part makes some sense.  You have the papers that say
she's properly trained and should behave herself, but."

"But?"

"Yes, Ma'am.  She's still a wild animal, and by rights, I should have
you arrested for bringing her here unmuzzled."

Magan raised her eyebrows again, then nodded slightly.  "I do see your
point.  I suppose I could make some phone calls to some people I know,
to get this sorted out so we can be on our way, but I think I have a
quicker solution."

"If you do, I'm willing to hear it."

Instead of answering him directly, she looked at Perversity.
"Perversity?  Have you noticed that this young man has the skin of a
redhead, but his hair on his head is blonde?  Perhaps some words from
you, will help sort this out?"

"Aye, Lass.  I *did* notice, and me mind has been wonderin' a powerful
lot, about that.  It's not like that, for one of the people to be so
blatantly denyin' their heritage in such a manner."

She looked up and smiled at the man.  "Perhaps, laddie buck, ye'd best
be takin' all this hooraw someplace private, so you'll not be
embarrassin' yerself?"

He started to reply, froze, then intently studied her.  "You're a lot
older than you look, aren't you?"

"Now, Lad, ye *know* 'tis impolite to be discussin' a lass's age,
especially in public."

He flinched, then sighed.  "Never mind.  If you'll give me your word,
that..."  He hesitated, then looked at the ceiling.  "Forgive me.  I
just remembered something from my heritage, Ma'am.  The recent news,
too.  Everything is correct, so I have no legal reason to detain you.
You are not on any watch list, that I know of, so...  Enjoy your
flight, and your stay in America."

Perversity studied him, then nodded slightly.  "Why thank ye, Lad. You
can be sure that we will.  You're forgiven.  'Twas a mistake any lad
could make when he's facing an unfamiliar situation."

After they were out of hearing range of the checkpoint, Sani spoke
softly.  "The moment was slightly entertaining, but he is too much
locked into being serious, for me to find him enjoyable to be around."

Magan let her breath out in a silent woosh.  "Thank you, Sani."

"You're welcome.  Perversity, however is a like minded spirit, so I
will keep her company for a time."

Perversity turned her head and glared at Sani.  " 'For a time', oh
impish minded old one?  And what might that mean?"

"What it means.  Nothing more, nothing less.  If I find someone, or
something else, more amusing, then I will leave you for them, or it."

Perversity started to speak, stopped, then eyed Sani thoughtfully. "So
that's the way of it?  Aye, an' it might be that it works both ways,
me girl.  You be thinkin' on *that*!"

Sani froze in mid step, turned her head to glare at Perversity, who
grinned back, then Sani visibly relaxed and sneezed disgustedly,
before she started moving again.

Magan, who had simply raised her eyebrows during the interchange,
finally smiled.  "Ok, girls.  I'm not interested in seeing the plane
turn around so they can correct what they see as a mistake, so I'd
appreciate it, if both of you behave enough we make it to our
destination.  After that...  Please remember that I haven't accepted
The Gift, *yet*, so all I have available to me are the usual *human*
options, when it comes to dealing with problems."

Sani gazed at Magan.  "Are you proposing we make this a game, that
contains at least the rules you just mentioned?"

"I am."

"It was wise, for us to seem to abandon you for as long as we did. You
are much more assertive than you used to be.  Someday, all will be
like this, and it will be time for you to throw off your
domestication, and run free again.  I will play the new game, until I
no longer play it."

Magan finally shrugged.  "It will be interesting, to see if security
is willing to play it with you.  The man was still holding your leash
when he allowed us our freedom.  I imagine he will seek to correct
that mistake at some point."

Perversity held it up.  "Unlikely, since he held it only briefly.  I
propose that I hook the leash to *me*, then Sani can find a way to
'attach' the other end to her.  The law says it must be attached, not
how, or where."

Magan just sighed.  "You two do as you will.  I'm going to go settle
in the boarding area while we wait."

The two she left behind watched her leave, then Sani spoke
thoughtfully.  "We'll have to do something to help her adjust, after
we deliver her to my humans."

"Aye, Lass.  On that much, we agree.  Would any of your humans make a
suitable match?"

Sani looked backwards.  "The young man we recently met, might make a
suitable match.  His hands spoke gently, and without fear, when he
examined me."

"Perhaps the Lad has a taste for the unusual?"

Sani let herself grin.  "We have the time.  Shall we go find out?"

Perversity hooked the leash to her belt, got on Sani's back, then she
leaned forward so she could offer the looped handle to Sani.  "You're
a good 'un. Lass.  Let's."
====

Magan 003
Trevor, Lad, Ye Been Selected!
---

Magan, and most of the other people in the waiting area, had watched
the spectacle approach.  When it stopped in front of her, she sighed
and studied the young man who was now holding the correct end of
Sani's leash, which was properly attached to Sani.  *He*, was now in
civilian clothes, and while she was intensely curious about the
change, she knew better than to ask what had prompted it.

He shifted awkwardly, as if he was slightly embarrassed, so Magan
nodded slightly, then spoke calmly.  " 'An so, Perversity.  Be this
some of your helpin', or hinderin'?"

"Both, Lass, and more, of course.  Lass like you, with a future like
yours, needs a companion worthy of you.  We offered him a chance to
win my pot-o-gold, and here he is."

"So it's meddlin' the two of you be doin', too?"

"Match makin', Lass.  Not," she admitted candidly, "that there be a
lot of difference."

Magan smiled slightly, then looked at the young man appraisingly
before she smiled and held out her hand.  "You already know I'm Magan.
Perhaps part of the recent news you conveniently remembered, involved
Summer Solstice at Stonehenge?  And...  to get it out of the way, I
might be a little closer to our shared heritage, so you don't have to
admit that Perversity's 'pot-o-gold', has a reddish tinge to it.
There'll be no poachin' involved, if you still want to see if you can
win it."

He took her hand, then bent his head and kissed the back of it lightly
before he studied her as appraisingly as she had, him.  "Aye, Magan. I
did more than remember the news about Stonehenge.  I was there.  I'm
Trevor O'Connor, and it seems that I've been officially elected to
accompany the three of you so there are no problems when you deal with
the TSA folks."

"Should I ask who was responsible for that thoughtfulness?"

"My boss, due to what was happening after your companions showed up,
to watch me perform my job.  May I sit next to you?  I need to settle
and allow my back some time to recover from the stress of my job."

"Of course, and I should have offered, once it was clear you are to be
my...  companion, for the near future."

He settled, then sighed with relief.  "And later?  I was advised to
take as long as I needed, to make sure the three of you reach your
final destination without any unjustified interference."

Magan's eyebrows went up, then down when her eyes narrowed.  She
studied him, and he shrugged, so she focused on her companions.  "I
detect the fine hand of some professional meddling.  If I have this
figured out, it was four legs involved and not two, *this* time."

Perversity got off Sani's back, then settled on the carpet, while Sani
sat next to her.

Sani studied the two of them, then dipped her head.  "The blonde hair
is not Trevor's own, and it serves no purpose, other than the one of
hiding his baldness, unless you consider blonde hair wigs are less
expensive than red ones."

Trevor had flinched slightly, so Magan touched his arm.  "Think of the
reputation of a Vixen, then...  Expand on that.  Not revealing she
could speak, until she wanted to, amused her.  I have been told that
amusement is the most important thing in a Spirit Coyote's life."

Sani sneezed delicately.  "Close enough.  I could not let Perversity
have all the fun, so I offered Trevor a chance to earn the gift of
not-dying, until it amused him to do so."

Magan chose to glare.  "A Gift, that isn't a Gift?"

Trevor touched her arm, then sighed when she turned to look at him.
"It is a Great Gift, Magan.  I am dying.  I work while I am still
able, to take my mind off the fact I do not have very long to live.
Cancer, and the treatments have removed all of my hair, along with
other things a man usually takes for granted.  However, they have not
been enough to give me back the years that have been stolen from me.
To be truthful with you, I am selfish, and it was Sani's offer that
drew me in, not Perversity's.  There are many pots of gold to be won,
but only one life a man may live.

"Ah?  Have either of them mentioned The Gift?"

"A gift greater than the Gift of Life?"

"Aye, Trevor.  Much greater.  The gift of Free Will."

"That's a gift?"

Movement distracted her, and she sighed.  "Is it safe to assume that
the four of us will be seated together?"

"Yes."

"Good.  It looks like we will be boarding soon, so may we resume this
conversation once we are settled on the plane?"

"And others?"

Magan laughed.  "Aye, Trevor.  And others.  Perhaps we can talk about
how long it will take us to reach that 'final destination', and if you
make the entire journey with me."

"Ah?"

"Yes, ah!  My final destination is not in America.  I plan on
accepting 'The Gift of Power', then...  I will use the gift of Free
Will, to decide what kind of a future I want, before I live it."

"Am I included in that?"

"If you want to include yourself in it, yes, I will accept your
company, for as long as you wish to give it to me."

He finally nodded slightly, then he stood carefully.  "I see people
are starting to line up, so we should join them."

* * *

There was a brief discussion after they reached their seats, then Sani
allowed a special harness to be put on her so she could be restrained
during take off.  After the flight attendant left to focus on other
people, Sani studied Trevor thoughtfully.  "Do all airlines use the
same rules?"

"No.  The safety requirements are the same, but how they meet them can
be very individual."

"So, if you and I flew on a different plane, there is the chance they
would do something even sillier than ask me to wear a harness like
this one?"

He winced, then sighed.  "I don't know for certain, but yes, it's
possible."

She pointed at the overhead bins with her nose.  "Those dens are very
comfortable looking.  Do you think they would make room in one so I
may take a nap, later?"

He looked at the bins, then back at her.  "I don't know.  Ask, and
find out, once we are allowed to move around."

"I shall."

She turned her head, then settled and watched what was going on
outside the plane.  "Many new things to watch.  You humans have found
many new things to do, that are amusing.  This is good, because I am
easily bored."

Trevor studied her.  "Is that part of being a Spirit, a Spirit Coyote,
or just a personality quirk of your own?"

One of her ears twisted in his direction before she spoke carefully.
"To live, is to learn how to become bored.  How one manages to briefly
avoid that fate, defines who we are, and our place in the Great All.
It has nothing to do with my basic state of being, and only a little
to do with my personality.  Each race of beings has a basic nature,
that we must be true to.  The seeking of amusement, in all its forms,
is how my race decided to define our purpose, as we contribute to the
ultimate fate of all who make up the Great All."

Trevor sighed.  "Magan?  Did you understand that?"

"Yes, because I have knowledge you don't.  Well, that's probably not
true.  You most likely have all the pieces, you've just had no reason
to put them together, and things *have* been happening to you rather
more quickly than they have me."

"Oh?"

"Yes.  First, after you strip away all of the fancy wordplay, Sani and
Perversity are nothing more, or less, than visible embodiments of
concepts created by humans, and perhaps other creatures we share this
world with.  As such, they are less 'mortal' than we are."

"I can accept that."

"Good.  Now, think about how easily we humans get 'bored' in our short
lifetimes, then apply that knowledge to the lifespans they have.  From
their perspective, no matter how long it takes to get bored, when that
time is compared to their ultimate lifespan, it is very, very,
quickly, in their terms."

He finally sighed.  "Ok.  Now that you've explained it, it's obvious.
I still feel like I missed something."

"Of course you did.  If we accept the gift of power, which includes
functional immortality, should we decide to live long enough, we will
come to share that perspective of time... and boredom's place in our
lives.  Add free will, and the knowledge that none but other...  gods,
can say us yea, or nay, if they choose to do so, which is unlikely..."

She reached and touched Sani lightly.  "Why then, Sani and Perversity,
along with the others who live in their portion of this reality, will
have new company, to help them stay 'not-bored'.  This, as Sani often
notes, will be a very good thing, for all of us, even those who are
only potential gods."

He thought about her words until they were in level flight, then he
finally looked at Perversity, who smiled at him.

"Aye, Lad.  She has the right of it.  Jealous of you, we'd never be.
If life can be said to have a purpose, there are worse reasons to be
alive, than because we are the universe's solution to keeping
'not-bored'.  'Tis a great joke, and one we should savor to the
fullest!"
====

End: Solstice Magic 02: Magan and Trevor 1-3/3

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