crystal

[goldsteins]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Porpentina Goldstein
RECIPIENT: All with a crystal
WHAT: ??? someone trying???
WHEN: post-announcement, a few days/a week after
WHERE: Gallows
NOTES: n/a

[There's a quiet moment even after she started her message-- She doesn't use the crystal often and doesn't intend to use it more now. But there is something she wants to say. She's waited and not, days later, she's determined.]

Good afternoon. You'll have to forgive me-- I neither use the crystals often nor am much of a public speaker. This might just be my first and last message. That's to be decided. [A beat.] I'm a rifter and-- as you can guess-- the recent uproar is something that is both one I've thought about often and am opposed to. But that's not exactly why I'm here today-- Well, no. I am, but in a different sort.

Look at this in our point of view: We're brought here, by means none of us know. We have to accustom to a life far away from our homes, our families, and livelihoods. We're expected to quickly acclimate and help out, or not in some cases. A difficult gesture when I imagine for many of us this is... Far different from what we've been taught.

It is not a matter of willfully being ignorant of the going ons here in Thedas. The unfortunate circumstance is that we, more than anyone, have to pay attention, to learn... Or be called, what? Demons? We're well aware of our circumstances and what any wrong move will deem whatever your people think of us as true. It's a fact and at least I myself keep my head down over--

But we learn, we experience, we live here... Yet, someone proposed an interesting question: How many of you take the time to learn about us?

[A beat and she's quick to add:] The Inquisition provides food and shelter, this is undeniable. That reason is the one in which I've tried to do my part in the scouting division. But you do it out of necessity, as we've heard too often recently we're a "valuable resource". [That's the sound of bitterness, tbh. And she's careful with her next words.]

I go by Tina. My full name is Porpentina Esther Goldstein. [On her side, she grimaces before adding:] You can tell why I'd go simply by Tina. But my name... It's also one my parents gave me, and in many ways it's very Jewish. And I mightn't call myself particularly religiously Jewish but you don't live in New York without seeing it-- there's quite a lot of us there. [Jewish people, at least in the 20s.] For me a phylactery is different.

They're also called tefillin. It's worn during morning prayer as a reminder of being led out of a land called Egypt. It's not something I've ever done for a number of reasons, but I'm sure you can understand why your version leaves me uncomfortable. For even more than my knee-jerk reaction.

[Another pause and she takes a breath:] It's a joke, to me, trying to find a life here. I've come to understand the likelihood of being trusted here is very slim, because to you I'll be gone soon. And I hope I am-- Because my sister isn't here. My job is to protect people, I'm a law enforcer. Yet, here, it feels as if I'll be lucky to be able to go out at night on my own.

I've no secrets to hide. Ask 'em if you want.

[That is her way of saying that if you really want to know about the rifters-- at least one of them-- she'll take the bullet on it. Because they can't expect them to understand them if they don't open up. And they can't be seen as more than tools if they're not asked questions.]

Comments

Private

[justice_is_blond]

[His voice is gentle.]

Some of us will give you a chance. Law enforcer... is a little intimidating and vague, I'll admit, especially when as a mage I've not had the best experience with those enforcing the law before, but that's not on you, Tina.

I'm Anders. It's not your fault you're here, and I don't believe the Rifters are demons. Do you have any questions about here? Because it can't be easy to wrap your head around, especially with this phylactery business.

Private

[goldsteins]

Forgive her if her voice is as restrained as ever, careful and measured when she speaks:]

It's the easiest terminology for most people to understand, my actual job title is Auror. [A beat and she frowns, not that he can seen.] Our job is to keep our kind safe and bring in dark wizards. We're what you'd call mages here.

[Hopefully making a point that she's not of the mind to hunt after mages here, and in fact would protect them. Though she keeps the fact she is as much quiet.]

I have as many questions as anyone else, I'd imagine, but I spend a lot of my time investigating. I've always done that. [Especially being part of her work.] If you don't believe we're demons why do you think we've been brought here?

[tagartist]

I wish that the Hebrew phylactery was still the only one I knew anything about.

[ She sounds particularly tired, but there's some appreciation in her voice all the same. ]

It's cool of you to put yourself out there like that, considering everything.

[goldsteins]

Honestly, I'd have to agree.

[There's a beat and she shakes her head, uneasy at the answer.] I just figure if we're not willing to be reasonable than they're not gonna be either.

[castintoflames]

Well met, Tina. I too am a fellow Rifter and one who is accustomed to being seen in a poor light. In my world, that is my doing entirely and I bear the burden without complaint. (Or he did before leaping into a fiery chasm.) Here, however, I do not know what to do about the persecution. I feel I still deserve it, but others - you - certainly do not.

I suggest that you do as you did in your world. Protect people and if you feel threatened, do not hesitate to call for aid. I, for one, will answer you.

My name is Maedhros Nelyafinwë Maitimo Fëanorian. I also sometimes go by Russandol. You can choose what name seems the easiest - I tend to rely on the first - but each one was chosen by my parents too. My people believe in putting great meaning behind each name and so you can be assured each one fits me in some way.

[goldsteins]

[She listens. It's a lot said at once but she's at least glad to see people are equally willing to put themselves out there, to establish that they are more than just some faceless groups of "rifters".]

I've had no intention of standing by while others may be harmed, Mister Fëanorian. [A pause when she winces and fixes.] Sorry, that's how we address people back home. I realize you mightn't go by that. But I'll call you as you want.

[elegiaque]

( under the circumstances, gwenaëlle tones down what might have been a more dismissive response to this. that would probably be more impressive if tina knew better the sort of thing she's, well, known for; as it is, maybe gwenaëlle will manage a not-terrible first impression, which isn't nothing. )

Rifters do come and go, but it's been—Maker, probably something like nearly three years since the first ones fell out of Asher's bloody great sky-vaginas. ( keeping that worst terminology alive for asher hardie, rip ) And for as many as have melted back into the fade,

( a turn of phrase that feels unsettlingly literal, after the illness it's only recently she can think of without a jolt of fear, )

plenty have stayed. The 'you' you're talking to is mostly people who've worked alongside rifters, rescued them, been rescued by them, lived with them, fucked them. ( you ol romantic, gwenaëlle. ) It's not the loud minority in the Gallows that's the problem, it's the quiet majority everywhere else.

[goldsteins]

[That sure is a turn of phrase but she responds swiftly, earnestly-- With little clipping to her tone when she answers:]

I'm aware that those with the crystal likely for the most part work with the rifters. But you'd be deaf not to hear that some of 'em with a crystal are quite for it and saying we've no reason to be upset about it.

There's more than one or two of those. And the best way to get across is to reach as many people as possible. I mean no harm and I'm not about to go yelling at anyone of 'em who chooses to answer.

[Well, unless they make asses of themselves. But then they deserve it.]

Crystal

[mal_adjusted]

[Well you know what ... Mal kind of respects you, lady who also doesn't want to use her full name. So here you go.]

Hey. I'm Malum Bertha Draco of House Draco, mage of the Cumberland and Oswick Circles, formerly of the Mage Rebellion [yeah that's right she fought in the war - suck it GARETH.] and now Inquisition Mage.

[A beat] So yeah, call me Mal.

Listen, I don't know anything about ... Jewish things, but I come from a group of people who other people have been afraid of for a long time, and with good reason. Mages are a terrifying force, especially when they have given into blood magic. I also come from a country where we revere our dead - we put them in elaborate tombs and most of Thedas thinks that's just insane.

So ... from one really scary person from a really scary place with a terrifying background ... you're not alone.

Also, ah, here's my question - what is Jewish? And ... New York?

Crystal -> Private

[goldsteins]

[That sure is a name as well as a title. She grimaces on her end happy that saying titles wasn't a thing for MACUSA. She has enough trouble even wanting to say her name. But she listens, lips pursed and mind contemplative.

She waits and it's not immediately she responds but she does, carefully and measured and entirely private:]

I'm not new any to being feared. Especially to magecraft. We call it different back home, witchcraft and wizardry. It's something we're born with and have no choice in the matter. For a long time in my country now we've remained utterly hidden from those without magic.

There was a time where it wasn't law, but those without almost wiped our kind out simply for fear. Nothin' done to them to earn it 'side from being called unnatural.

I try not to use my magic or let others know about it even here. [Because she's seen how they treat mages here and it's making her more angry angry enough to spitefully try to show mages aren't evil but shhh.]

New York's easier. It's a city, largest one in the United States. That's the country I'm from.

[A beat and she follows up:] Judaism is a religion. You're considered Jewish if you're either born to it or convert to it. But it's a bit larger than that-- You don't have to be religious to be Jewish. If your mother was Jewish and you never practice you still are. It's a people as much as it's a religion.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Heh, yeah, I wasn't really about to explain that kind of phylactery to people. I try not to get super religious, just because...I dunno, I guess I feel weird about introducing new religions here when they've already got enough issues with their own? But god, our phylacteries are so much saner than 'vial of blood to track people with', right? Or at least there's nothing dangerous about wearing a box on your head and looking dumb.

Leonard Church. [there's an L. for his middle name but for now it stands for Let's Not Go There Right Now] I go by Church. More from like a...familiarity standpoint? I was in the military; we call everyone by last name there. You know how long it took me to learn the first names of some of my best friends? Way too long.

[goldsteins]

Yeah, I don't do much more than the High Holidays myself and there's no sense in 'em here. [Different calendar, different days] And I've no interest in trying to start. Talking about 'em was more about showing there were similarities as much as there were differences.

[And the differences in that regard are incredibly high. But it explained why to some people that would be distasteful.]

Church is fine. We do the same back in the office. It's better to be informal.

[the_cleric]

Hello, Porpentina Easter Goldestein, my name is Jester. And I am a Rifter too, and I think your name is very pretty.

I have been thinking. What if we write a book?

[goldsteins]

Hello, Jester. What exactly would you propose the book contain?

[circleprodigy]

I'm Inessa, also known as Warden Serra. [Polite but sympathetic in tone.]

And I quite understand; our version has me extremely uncomfortable, as well. It must be surreal to hear the term and realize it carries a great deal of pain and horror in Thedas. That its time is apparently not quite over is an issue I'll continually protest.

[goldsteins]

It's a pleasure, Inessa.

I must admit that's my real qualm with them. I'm not religious enough to be deeply insulted by the idea, but it's insulting for many other reasons-- Tracking people and keeping an eye on them is frankly the least of my worries. It's the other implications that are.

Knowing that its caused its own pain far beyond the ideas of those who've never had them... If it felt simply about having a way to find rifters than I'd be inclined to assist in that research.


[But the depth of it seems far greater.]

[gatheringstorm]

Hey, Tina. I'm Korrin, and the love of my life is a rifter woman. So believe me when I say that I'm completely against all the crap that's thrown at people who've done nothing to deserve it. They did shit like that to mages, and now there's a new marginalized group to step on. It's sick.

And as a mage, I can sure as fuck tell a demon from a rifter. It'd be nice if people listened to me, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that any time soon.

[goldsteins]

I can understand being wary given the circumstances, but it's clear that the means of those angling for it-- [not the leaders of the inquistion, she knows this]-- are to feel they have some control. As if we can't leave the Inquisition's bases or couldn't be taken care of by the vast majority if we did.

Well, for starters no demon I've seen here looks anything like a rifter. But people will always be blinded by fear.

[iceblade]

[An accent that's vaguely Scottish, bright and curious.]

Is it a pain in the arse to be lumped into together as 'rifters', no matter where you come from? Do you even have anything in common when them other than that you were spat out of a rift?

[goldsteins]

There's a man here I recently met at home. He'd be the closest person to having anything in common with and we're not from the same country.

[A beat and she figures out how to word it:] I imagined there's at least 20 times as many rifters here than the pair of us. All from different worlds and different experiences. We've got to learn about each other and how to deal with it as well as get accustomed to Thedas.

Some people might have an easy time of it. Some of 'em might even like it here to compared to their homes. Wars and mistreatments from 'em are everywhere. The problem isn't lookin' at our differences-- But where we are similar. All of us, Thedasians too.

Our common points might be that we're human or Jewish. Or know a city named New York. There's been a few already that know each of those things... But I reckon being rifters and being from different places is less a problem to us than it is natives. Not for any unreasonable thought, mind. I don't think most places are used to giant holes spitting whatever it wants out--

But it doesn't get any easier having to explain that yeah you came out of a rift and no you're not as dangerous as some would like to think.

private;

[wythersake]

Willful ignorance is rather a piece of the Rifter population,

[ but he sounds genial enough about it. ]

Else I expect you’d not be telling me to sympathize.

There’s been a great deal of carrying-on over phylacteries from some — and don’t mistake me, you’ve quite the right of it — only after they became a personal problem. From one valuable resource to another, it doesn’t look splendid.

My life here isn’t a joke; I don’t get to be gone again. You understand how that might strike a few nerves. But! It seems only fair to offer to answer your questions as well.

: private;

[goldsteins]

Willful ignorance isn't a problem only shown by the rifters.

[Plainly.]

Frankly, I don't want anyone's sympathy. But getting people to realize that there are more reasons to why anyone'd be upset is what I care about. Maybe some of it's a bit irrational, I don't disagree any with that. But there's been more than one who's dismissed it.

[A beat:] It didn't just become a personal problem. I arrived in the last group of rifters not too long ago-- Meanin' it became a problem as soon as it was announced. Had I been here any sooner my stance wouldn't have changed if it were the mages.

[Because she is a mage, but she doesn't say that.]

That's your life and if you're happy here I'm not gonna contest it. I don't doubt there aren't a few people here who prefer this life to their own.

[aestivation]

Thank you,

[ for taking questions, hello, he has a book full of them starting somewhere between what's wrong with porpentina and is there an old york. but most importantly: ]

How would you handle the matter? How do you believe your own home would?

[goldsteins]

[ Ask her what's wrong with porpentina do it. ]

How I would handle it is different from how my government would handle it. And the way the government would handle it is significantly different than the rest of the world-- That answer's a bit more difficult to come to.

I've nothing against having measures to find people. We don't track them about their day-to-day life, I couldn't say that I knew when someone was going to the bathroom or halfway across the city. It'd be a powerful waste of resources to do as much. But the things we do keep a mind on are what certain actions a person is using is the best way to put it.

The rest of the world isn't like that, mind, for the most part once you're old enough that sort of tracking is erased. But it is important to keep people safe. If there's abilities and powers out there being used senselessly than it can harm more than just the person.

If the problem was a simple matter of being able to find a rifter if something happened to them you'd hear no complaint from me. I'd even defend its potential necessity.

[exascendee]

Well said! [ He definitely approves of someone speaking up about something like this. And then he goes off a little ramble that might sound like it contradicts that. ]

I'll admit, much of the curiosity I've received about my homeworld have been from other rifters. Personally, I don't mind helping where I can, and to be honest this kind of thing is not entirely unfamiliar to me. Besides, I'm an explorer, not a missionary. So I hadn't really thought about it.

[ Right, he was showing support. ]

Buuut, I expect my case is the exception. So: well said. [ He clears his throat. ]

Anyway, my name's Daniel Jackson. I'm not Jewish, but I've lived in both Egypt and New York, so there's that? Regardless, it's nice to meet you.

[goldsteins]

I've had more questions about the creature that came with me than myself. [Which she can expect, honestly, an animal that goes invisible is not an every day thing-- Even to her.]

Well, we've New York in common. Any rate. Nice to meet you, Mister Jackson.

Private

[thirtysilver]

[ Judas has yet to speak to anyone over crystals. He hasn't even listened to all the messages -- sometimes he just stuffs the crystal away and ignores it. He only half-listens at first, though his interest grows. And then she identifies as Jewish, and suddenly he feels a familiarity and homesickness hit him like a train. ]

[ He doesn't respond till a bit later though, and when he does, his voice is quiet. ]

I think this is the first time I've met another Jew here.

[ It's not much a reply, but it'll do. ]

Private

[goldsteins]

[She's surprised by the response, especially the later one. Considers how best to answer it and then says decidedly:]

I doubt if there's a few of us it's something we feel the need to go announcing about here.

[Even though. She just did, but it's with a purpose. She doesn't just go into a conversation saying she's Jewish or bringing up her culture to anyone here, though. She's much more private about it.]

private

[swordproof]

[ Six hones in on her immediately, if only because - ]

Has someone in particular bothered you?

private

[goldsteins]

No, just the public statements of a few individuals these last few days.

[You know with the current uproar.]