#i have to assume magicians would need similar lessons there

[dodger-chan]

Good afternoon, class, and welcome to Mathmatics for Magicians. As today is your first class, I’d like to spend a little time going over the syllabus.

Now, this is a general introductory course for all Magic students, so it’s more of an overview of the basics than anything in depth. We do offer more advanced courses of all of these topics for specialists, though they are open to any student who finds them interesting. This semester we will begin with Algebra and Trigonometry before-

Yes?

Well, algebra is a core skill for Alchemy. You can’t calculate equivalent exchange if you can’t balance an equation.

After Trigonometry there is a brief unit on Geometry-

Really?

Astrological divination is built on Trigonometry. You cannot learn anything from a person’s birth chart without a solid grounding in Trig.

Don’t worry. There are plenty of word problems which will illustrate the magical applications quite nicely. 

Where was I? Right. After Geometry, there’ll be a unit on logic and proof construction. You’ll like that one; no numbers. And, time permitting, we’ll finish out the year with an introduction to statistics.

Yes?

Yes, I am aware of computer homunculi; they crunch numbers beautifully. But they can only work with the data they are given and if you input the star positions incorrectly - something that is very easy to do if you misread the angle of incidence as the angle of refraction - you will get nonsense answers. And you need to be able to tell when your homunculus is spitting out gibberish.

Oh, will I allow you to use calculators? The Alchemy department does lend out miniture homonuculi that do basic arithmatic and fit nicely on classroom desks. Those will be permitted. The more advanced homonculi - well, I can’t stop you from using them on your homework, but you aren’t going to have one for your exams, so use them with caution.

Homework assignments are printed at the end of the syllabus. They are due weekly and worth twenty-five percent of your grade.

Is the homework required? Well, do you think you can pass the class while getting a zero on one quater of the graded material?

Listen, I know none of you chose to study Magic with Mathematics in mind. You want to brew potions, throw fireballs, teleport, and other fun things you’ve read about Magicians doing in those fantasy novels you all read as children. And you will. Math lets you scale potions up and down to customize them to the size of the person making them. Math is how you make sure those fireballs hit your enemies, instead of falling short and frying your allies. Without math, your telepotation runs the risk of leaving you half inside a rock. I guarantee you, whatever field of Magic you choose to focus on, what you learn in this class will be part of the bedrock that makes it possible.

Unless you go into Numerology. Then you’ll need Abstract Algebra, Number Theory, and Combinatorics at minimum.

You teach at a magic school, but you do not teach any magic. In fact, you are not even a mage. Yet your classes are among the few that every student has to take, no matter what kind of magic they are studying.

[cherripeach]

Chapter 12

Little Match Maker

Summary: Your life motto is “I have the power of god and anime on my side, don’t mess with me,” and you stand by that with your life. No human, magician, or random creature could ever stop your firm belief in it.

However, getting transported to this world that seemed to turn your already bad luck worse was not what you wanted to be in your life story, but you made the most of it. Making friends, enemies, and disasters, you were in your prime in this world, and so you decided to help as many people as you could flourish, at least what you believed to be.

Chapter 1:9 Fre sha vaca do

Lunch Time Group Chat!

Warnings: Curse words, 

Words: 2.5k

Relationships: developing but future twstxreader

The glare from the upperclassman Prefect standing behind Ace onto Ace could slowly disintegrate you, which is why you are very appreciative it was not directed at you. 

Cater flashed some finger guns and greeted the new face, “Hey there, Riddle! You look super cute today, too!” He even added a wink for effect. 

Riddle, the new face at your table, scoffed and turned his head to face Cater only to tighten his lips, then, relax them into a sickly smile, “Keep talking like that, Cater, and it will be off with your head, too.” 

Cater held up his hands, “Come on now, please go easy on me.” 

Grim whispered to you, “This is the guy who put that weird collar on me during the Opening Ceremony!” 

“Looks like it,” was your only response, but you were more concerned with how someone so small could have so much anger. Closer to hell is what you always believed. 

Riddle moved his sight onto you and Grim before starting his lecture, “You two are the ones who caused a ruckus yesterday, aren’t you?” He pointed his finger at Grim, “Would you refrain from referring to someone’s unique magic as ‘a weird collar’? Good grief, the Headmaster is too soft. Letting someone off the hook for not following the rules once will break the foundation. All those who don’t follow the rules should just say goodbye to their heads.” He shook his head at the end, but he seemed to talk in a continuous sigh as if everything was bothering him.

You mimicked his sickly smile he demonstrated before and started, “I’m sorry, but please concern yourself with your dorm members and their activities before you come at me.” You closed your eyes and smiled tight for dramatic effect at the end.

Riddle’s mouth flew open as he began to mumble, “Wha..what ever could you mean?”

Ace and Deuce were in a silent conversation below the new Prefect while his eyes were still wide on you. 

“I just thought that bullying and threatening to use magic on campus would be against the rules,” You shrugged your shoulders while frowning. 

A little, ‘Hmph’, came out of Riddle before he decided, “I’ll deal with your issue later, but know that the Headmaster may have forgiven you, but the next time you break the rules, I won’t let you off so easily.” 

You lightly rolled your eyes and drank some of your drink because you knew that this boy would take a while for him to calm down about your past mishaps. 

“Um…” Ace butted into your conversation and your glare off with a question, “By the way, Prefect… Is it possible for you to remove this collar?” His hand directed itself to point at the thing around his neck. 

Riddle nodded his head and answered, “I was thinking of removing it once you’ve repented, but judging from what you said a while ago, it seems like you’ve yet to do so. I’ll have you walk around like that for a while longer.You don’t have to worry.” He shook his head with the brightest smile on his face, “The 1st years’ lessons are focused more on classroom learning rather than magic training. If you can’t use magic, then something like yesterday’s ruckus should be impossible. It’s perfect, isn’t it? Now, if you’re done eating, hurry and go to your next class. Rule #271 of the Queen of Hearts: ‘You must not spend more than 15 minutes sitting at the table after you’ve eaten.’You know what happens when you break the rules, don’t you?” His smile disappeared after that, which brought you much more comfort than it should have. 

Ace sighed in response and muttered, “Another weird rule..”

Riddle voiced out, “Answer me with ‘Yes, Prefect!’”

Ace and Deuce both replied, “Yes, Prefect!”

Riddle nodded and ended with, “Good.”

Trey, the savior of you all, cut into the conversation, “Now, now. I’ll see them off, don’t worry.” His normal smile was far stretched too wide for your liking. 

Riddle scoffed for the fiftieth time you have been in the same conversation as him, “You’re the Vice Prefect, so you better do your job properly. As stated by the Queen of Hearts’ Rule #339, ‘After-meal lemon tea should have nothing more or less than 2 sugar cubes in it.’ In order to protect that rule, I shall need to buy more sugar cubes at the school store. I’ll be taking my leave now.” The Prefect was then found muttering to himself and walking away.

“Wait, man!” You tried to get his attention and even stood up, but the small dude was already on his way, too concerned about whatever he was mumbling about. 

Cater shivered,  “Man, that was scary…” Cater turned to you once you sat down, winked, and whistled, “But since I was here, I protected the sweet, little, new prefect from getting hurt.”

You rolled your eyes and thanked in a bland tone with a smile, “You are so amazing, Cat! I can almost see how respected you are.” 

Grim pulled on your coat to get your attention, “He’s really lookin’ like a bad guy now, yanno? That Prefect.” 

“Hey, that’s very rude!” Deuce seemed to disagree, but considering that he was shaking five seconds ago, you would disagree with him. 

“As much as I would like to say, he isn’t a bad guy. He’s really disproving my point,” You claimed. 

Two students with red bands passed by your table muttering something about a rule, you assumed one of Riddle’s, and how there needs to be a bit more freedom. That was all you could take from it. 

Trey and Cater went silent at that and just stared into space. 

Trey sighed before addressing, “The Dorm Head managed to become the head one week after getting into the school. He’s a little bit sharp-tongued, but he’s only got the dorm’s best intentions in mind, so he’s not really a bad guy…”

Grim shook his head, “People who think like that don’t just put collars on others.”

Cater and Trey both laughed before exhaling at the same time. Neither one of them had a smile on their face. 

You brought up something that has been bothering you, “You are right, Grim. However, my main problem is that the tiny Prefect is creating a space of fear and not safety for these boys at this school. Safety and acceptance should always come first. Fear only destroys.” You place a hand on your chin, “That magic spell thing doesn’t seem to help either.”

Cater tilted his head at your, “Hm? You mean Riddle’s unique magic?”

“Unique… “ Deuce voiced, “Meaning, it’s only exclusive to the Prefect?”

Trey explained, “Putting aside all the other magic in the world, magic that can only be used by one person is called ‘unique magic’. I think you’ll learn about it in detail if you pay attention in class.”

You joined in, “Very unique!”

Deuce and Ace only groaned at your joke. 

Cater furthered Trey’s explanation, “Riddle’s unique magic is being able to seal off another person’s magic for a given time.It’s called…

Off with your head!” The Queen of Hearts flashed in your mind while Cater made a cutting motion across his neck. 

Grim shrieked, “Even the name’s scary!” And clutched your cloak in his paws.

Cater agreed, “It is, especially, since magicians having their magic sealed off is similar to having your head chopped off. That's why, as long as you’re in this dorm, it’s better not to go against Riddle.” He smiled warily at everyone. 

You clicked your teeth with your tongue. 

Trey disputed, “Conversely, as long as you follow the rules, he can be pretty gentle.”

“Oh yeah,” Ace blew on his bangs, “Am I gonna be chased out again if I don’t come back with a tart…?” He smiled showing his teeth, but his eyes were narrow along with his eyebrows being stuck close together. 

Cater frowned, “Pretty much, That’s what Rule #53 says, after all. Oh, and since Riddle was looking forward to getting the first slice of that whole cake, he probably won’t forgive you if you don’t bring the same thing,” He ruffled his own hair and apologized, “Sorry about that.”

Ace huffed, “You said you want to get along, but you won’t let me off that easily, huh?!”

“This and that are different,” Cater objected with a sway of his hands. 

Deuce pointed out, “Still, isn’t a whole tart a little bit expensive?”

Ace groaned and smacked the table with his head, “I don’t have that much money though…” He even lifted his head to gaze at you with puppy eyes. 

You gave him a look of disgust back. 

Cater suggested, “Then why not make some?Those tarts were all made by,” He paused for dramatic effect and pointed both his hands to the green haired upperclassman,  “Trey here, y’know?”

“Ooooh,” You just had to comment, “Cute and can cook. Def husband material.” You giggled at the end of your comment. You were insanely jealous of whoever married him. 

Trey flushed a little at your statement and stammered out, “Well, not.. not really…” He began playing with his glasses after; he even took them off to clean them. 

Ace gasped out, “You made all that Trey-senpai?! Amazing! It’s better than what they sell here!” He stood up and motioned to the room around him, pulling a couple of eyes to the table the group was at. 

Trey, glasses back on,  admitted with a cough, “Thanks. I think I have most of the tools and ingredients here… But I won’t simply offer you my services.” His smile returned as his eyebrows rose up. 

Ace broke out again, “Eh?! You’re gonna ask us to pay you!?” He, finally, decided to sit back down because now even more eyes were on him. 

Trey chuckled and shook his head, “There’s no way I can extort money from a junior, you know? The next tart that Riddle wants to eat requires a lot of chestnuts. Would you mind gathering some for me?” 

Ace pouted, “It’s troublesome either way…! So, how much do you need?” 

“It’s going to be used for the Unbirthday Party,” Trey stopped to think, “So about two to three hundred will do.” He put up three fingers on his hand. 

Grim and deuce spurted out and jumped up, “That much!?”

You tilted your head in thought, “But aren’t they real tiny, so I guess it makes some sense…”You squeezed your thumb and index finger together.

Trey answered, “I’ll have you help me with roasting them and peeling them.” As if any of you knew how to do that. 

Grim whined at you, “Can I go back home? Pleaseeeeee.”

Deuce joined in Grim’s whines directed at you, “Me too.”

You blurted out, “No.”

Ace accused the two, “You traitors!” 

“If anything, I can help out,” You volunteered like the amazing person you are, not because it kinda sounded like free food. Not at all, “I don’t know what to do tho, sorry. But besides, it's not like I have much to do or look forward to from that dorm.” 

Cater clapped his hands in glee, “Making them together and then eating them together will make it more delicious!” He closed his eyes and smiled wide, “It’s that making memories that count. It might even help you start a cooking blog for all we know.”

Trey put a finger up to his lip, “Keep this a secret from the Prefect, but freshly made marron tart is the best. The only ones who can eat it as soon as it gets out of the oven are the ones who made it, you know?”

Grim on the same page as you knew this was free food, “Hey, you boys! Get your rear in gear! We’re gonna go pick some chestnuts ‘til we drop!” Food was the prime motivator for your dorm. 

You smirked at the cat, “Matching vibes, are we?” Turning to your green haired upperclassman, you questioned, “Where would we find these anyway?” 

Trey informed the group, “There are a lot of chestnut trees right by the forest behind the school’s botanical garden.”

Ace gave Trey a thumbs up before turning back to you, Deuce, and Grim, “Alright! Then, let’s gather in front of the greenhouse after school.” 

“Go, go! We’re goin’ chestnut picking!” Grim cheered from the table.

“Wait, does anyone know where the garden even is?” You asked. 

All three of them watched you correcting you, “Shouldn’t you know, Supervisor?”

Frustrated beyond belief at these three you smacked each one on the head and told them to, “Screw off, and never beg for anything from me again!”

Lunch ended peacefully with shoves from both Deuce and Ace, and Grim making your hair even more like a yarn ball the cat would love. 

The rest of the day passed by quickly.

In your first class after lunch, which was astrology where two homerooms were combined for it, you blanked out half the lesson and almost fell asleep, but you can really remember seeing and speaking to the feminine boy from the purple house. He dropped his pencil on the ground, and when you tried to give him his pencil that fell off his desk, he snatched it from your hand and rolled his eyes at you. 

You replied to him, “Okay, who shit in your cornflakes today?” 

The boy turned back to you scoffed and cringed, “I’m sure it was from just seeing your face.” 

You just turned away and slapped your head with the textbook, which was not the best idea as it created a noise that alerted the professor who then stared at you with confusion on his face and because the textbook hurts. 

The feminine boy let out a giggle while you were being lectured by the professor, and you were gonna hold that accomplishment high. 

Your last class of the day which was just an introduction of the school and its history had you stuck next to the tall green haired male from P.E. from another class. He never introduced himself, but whenever he would ask questions he would shoot his hand straight up and practically yell in your ear as if the professor was deaf. 

You basically lost your hearing in your right ear that day. The ear will always live with great achievements. 

He also scolded you whenever you said, “Complete bullshit.” to Ace.

Something about how such language should never come out of anyone who goes to the same school as his ‘young master’ does. Now that was ‘complete bullshit.’

The three of your friends laughed at you the rest of the class for having someone your age scold you like a mother would. 

Classes finally ended, and the three of you made your way to the Hearts dorm to drop your bags off.

You were just happy to receive some food for free.

------

Life has been a disaster! I’m not dead tho. 

[iereiaio]

𝕸𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖎𝖈𝖊

There is no shadow work prompt today, however I will be giving some updates, and then some insight on a reading I had received and then one I just did for myself. They have similar messages but I feel mine is more in depth. I will be separating the topics into sections so you can skip around to what you’d like! 

Updates regarding the Account

I will be trying to post more starting today. I feel as though Haides hasn’t been very happy with me considering my inability to devote ANY time to him, aside from talking to him at night before bed, and sleeping with his altar bag. I feel he’s in the forefront of my mind on most days, but I’ve been lacking the motivation and energy to do anything about it. I am a Priestess. He chose me out of nearly 8 BILLION people in this world. He’s been with me since I was born into this life, as well as all of my previous lives. He has been with me for hundreds, if not thousands of years. I had gotten this confirmed by several readers, and several of my own readings, and I had always had a very strong pull towards him, as well as luck with a lot of things. He’s believed in me for so long, and I can feel his patience in me wearing thin, and it’s a very lonely feeling. He hasn’t pulled back from me, however I just feel like he doesn’t have as much faith in me as he once did. So I will be trying to do shadow work at the very least once a week, but I aim to do 3-6 days a week. So expect more posts with shadow work. I was healing when I was journaling and pulling cards every day. I have been very stagnant lately and I know it’s because I’ve been neglecting my journey of healing, but also my deities and other passions in my life. I know Haides understands, but I also know he wants me to do better and try harder. Even a little bit of effort, I’m sure he will appreciate 

The reading I had received 

I got a reading from a friend today, I pulled it regarding new deities potentially knocking on my spiritual door (I feel as though Lucifer and Lilith are wanting to work with me, but somebody I don’t know said that Lilith told her it was an imposter entity, so I am needing to do some research before confirming or denying that. This reading was supposed to do that, but instead it came for my throat. Anyway, on with the cards:

6 of swords

5 of swords

10 of swords

9 of swords

4 of pentacles

7 of wands

the Hermit

queen of swords  

So into the interpretation, they said I have very little energy (as represented by the 6 of swords), and that Im trying to heal but it’s just really difficult. Any new deities coming into my circle will provide me more energy, but it will “hurt” me a little bit- (represented by the 10 of swords, I am personally believing it may be once I start putting more energy into Haides, I will be getting this newfound energy) And by hurting me, it will be learning lessons. As lessons are often hard to learn. I am represented again in the 9 of swords, being in pain consistently (mentally) but with the 4 of pentacles, Hades will help me step into my personal power, and break free from restrictions i feel financially- but also emotionally. Im being given the opportunity to go forth after the things in life that im passionate about, and i know what im passionate about but i fear both success and failure. The Hermit, which was a funny draw, because Haides uses that card to represent himself in my decks- but I feel alone a lot ofthe time (not a lie anyway lmao), and with the Queen, im being called to action to either step up or get out of the battle. Im being called to be more assertive and call to Haides for the strebgth Im currently lacking. “Embody him so to speak”. They suggested EVOKING Haides, and even INvoking him next. They also said my protections might be weak (hope I don’t regret saying that online)

Now onto my own reading

So, for mine, I did it pretty soon after theirs, since they gave me a bit of clarity on what to look for. As well as insight that Haides wasn’t too happy with me and my depressed shenanigans. While YES hes understanding, and more understanding and patient than many other deities would be, he is still growing impatient with me, considering how little effort im putting into ANYTHING. So with the insight, i decided to do my own pull based ont he reading I had gotten from my friend. The cards I pulled were:

(the first reading was very short and to the point)

Page of Swords 

The Hermit (only to find Haides in the deck)

King of Cups

And in the second reading, which was much longer, I pulled:

Two of Wands

Eight of cups (R)

Four of coins (R)

Seven of cups (R)

Three of coins 

The High Priestess (R)

The Magician (R)

The Fool

Page of Cups

The World

The Artist (unique major arcana card to this deck)

The way that I personally interpret the first reading, is that Haides misses my energy, and would like to help me gain it back, however I need to devote at least some of my energy to him and show him my loyalty to him in order to get that in return. I cannot expect help with healing without giving him anything in return. I need to do better if I want his help. He will be there for me, but he wants me to do better. He wants the best for me. 

As for the second reading, I have some decisions i need to make, i assume about my current artistic path, i will have some career opportunities but i need to work now to get them. My depression and hopelessness is represented by the 8 of cups, ive been in a real bad rut these last couple weeks, moreso in the last few days as some bad, traumatic memories have started to resurface. Haides is reminding me with the 4 of coins to start being more responsible, not only with my money, but with my time. I’ve spent so many days moping in bed, sad, sleeping all day; he wants to help me but he wants me to prove to him that I am devoted to him and my healing journey. He wants me to try, even on hard days. He wants to give me clarity and strength to move forward, but again, wants me to  prove my loyalty to this journey. If i put forth the effort, i will grow and blossom in the ways I need to. I will succeed with him by my side. However I need to be more open with myself, and not allow ignorance to take me off my path. I need to remember that the things that have happened to me, have already happened. And while it’s okay to process and be sad about them, and traumatised (as its as if im living these things for the first time), but I cannot let them ruin my entire day, or multiple days. I cannot let my life waste away because of something bad happening. I need to stop letting insecurities rule my life as well. I’ve noticed when I get insecure about something, I shut down and don’t even complete, or start the project. I need to understand that everything isn’t going to be perfect. Though despite the learning I need to do, I also need to cater to my inner child. I need to hold onto that innocents and free spirit. i need to focus on new beginnings and getting these new things rolling instead of just staring at them hopelessly, letting them intimidate me. I need to dive back into spirituality and again, tend to my inner child. If I can do that, I will be successful and happy; I can be brought to the right path, but I need to get back on the right path. Things are rocky, and it’s gonna be a little weird going backwards so I can get back on the right path, but sometimes it’s necessary. I also believe I will have a lot of success with art. I just need to put my mind to  it and put energy into it. I wont get recognition and success by never drawing or posting. I wont succeed if I don’t put in the work. 

[crazytarawitch]

20(ish) Things About Me

tagged by @al-the-grammar-geek​ (thanks Al! since being back on night shift, I am very in need of time wasting activities) name/nickname: Jas

gender: Nonbinary

star sign: Scorpio, though I don't put stock in it

height: 5′2" (on a good day)

birthday: Halloween

favorite bands: I don't listen to a lot of bands, but I like Florence+The Machine a lot. I also like Hozier, The Dixie Chicks (though I think they're just The Chicks now?), The Mountain Goats, Billy Bragg & Wilco, and The Lumineers, probably others I'm forgetting. Oh! And my dad's old band, The 103 (which my brother and oldest sister were also in and it was pretty cool)

favorite solo artists: Leonard Cohen, Adele, Guy Clark, Patty Griffin, Natalie Merchant, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Sara Bareilles, Meghan Tonjes, Jack Johnson, Ian Tyson, Lucinda Williams, Toni Price...

song stuck in my head: None at the moment, but only cause I'm watching TV; there's basically always something stuck in my head if I'm not watching or listening to something

last movie: I don't remember; we watched a holiday movie about a monster in a small town on Christmas, but I'm not sure if I've watched anything since. Though I guess Frozen was on at work last night and I caught moments of it...

last show: Currently have Critical Role on, though I'm paying very minimal attention. Last regular TV was The Magicians

when did i create this blog: Unsure, guessing maybe about 7 years ago? I remember it was right after I got into Babylon 5

what do i post: who even knows. not much fandom these days, so it's mostly random

last thing googled: an actress from The Magicians

other blogs: none that I use

do i get asks: Very rarely, since I don't really interact anymore. Back when I was more engaged here, occasionally.

why i chose my url: About 17 years ago I found the internet and became CrazyTaraWitch [because I loved Tara Maclay (from Buffy) and though myself to be both crazy and a witch]; I've seen no reason to assume a new identity

following: I don't really pay attention, but a few hundred?

followers: around 500 I think? also not a thing I look at

average hours of sleep: Around 7.5-8 when I work, more like 9 when I don't. And I'm still always tired.

lucky number: 13, 7, and 3

instruments: I mostly just sing, but I have been taking drum lessons for a little over a year - I'm still not very good, but I've made a lot of progress!

what am i wearing: A Steven Universe tshirt and boxers

dream job: Something similar to what I do now but way better! I used to work in infant/toddler child care and that was the best job in the world except the pay was crap, so I went to nursing school in the hopes of finding some sort of work that was roughly medical child care. I am now (finally!) doing the closest work I can find, working as a nurse at a residential facility for kids (or kids-ish - a lot of them are teens and our oldest is 27) with complex medical needs. But I don't actual get to interact with the kids very much and it's not as fun as I hoped, so I want a mish-mash of the best parts of new-job and all the things I miss from early education but with pay equal to or better than new-job. Like, a toddler classroom but all the kids have trachs or seizures or whatever, but it's still a classroom? And I'd be a teacher who happens to be a nurse and provides some nursing care, but I'd be paid like a nurse!

dream trip: I want months to explore Europe with my partner, backpacking at times [cause in dreams I don't have back pain!] and traveling by train and occasionally getting fancy hotel rooms, though in my dream version A) we'd know at least the basics of all the languages; B) it would be super easy to find vegetarian options everywhere we go; C) no one is transphobic to either of us; and D) I still have lots of Euroean internet-friends to meet and hang out with.

nationality: American

favorite song: I'm not sure if it's still my actual favourite, but for years I've said Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and I'm too lazy to rethink it

last book read: Currently reading To Be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers and a Doctor Who book called The Dark Path. I think the last non-comic-book book I completed was Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchet

top three fictional universes i’d like to live in: Oh man, that's super difficult! I guess the Whoniverse has the possibility to travel with the Doctor, so that would be cool. And Tortall! I mean the universe is kinda shitty and very sexist, but maybe I'd have magic, and I could be a knight! I really can't come up with anything for the third - most fictional universes I interact with are terrible Not tagging anyone, but if you see this and want to do it pretend I tagged you!

[coffeeandcalligraphy]

What I’ve Been Reading #2

Hey People of Earth!

I recently started a new series on this blog (titled above), where I reflect on the last few books I’ve read. I’m doing this mostly to keep myself accountable because I’m notoriously bad at committing myself to reading. So far, reading has been far greater than it’s been in the past--I’m definitely getting into the rhythm of things. I read some amaaaazing books this time around (since approx. November), and these are them:

1. The Darkest Legacy by Alexandra Bracken

This is book four in The Darkest Minds series, and was just recently released (last summer). Whilst I’ve drifted from YA in the last few years, this series was such a huge favourite of mine when I was younger, and I thought I’d give this book a go for nostalgia’s sake. Also, I truly admire Alex as an author, and wanted to support her! Here’s the summary:

Five years after the destruction of the so-called rehabilitation camps that imprisoned her and countless other Psi kids, seventeen-year-old Suzume "Zu" Kimura has assumed the role of spokesperson for the interim government, fighting for the rights of Psi kids against a growing tide of misinformation and prejudice. But when she is accused of committing a horrifying act, she is forced to go on the run once more in order to stay alive. Determined to clear her name, Zu finds herself in an uncomfortable alliance with Roman and Priyanka, two mysterious Psi who could either help her prove her innocence or betray her before she gets the chance. But as they travel in search of safety and answers, and Zu grows closer to the people she knows she shouldn't trust, they uncover even darker things roiling beneath the veneer of the country's recovery. With her future-and the future of all Psi-on the line, Zu must use her powerful voice to fight back against forces that seek to drive the Psi into the shadows and save the friends who were once her protectors.

What drew me to it: Like I mentioned, its mother series was a mega favourite of mine in grade 8, and whilst I’ve grown out of YA, I was curious to see where the story went, five years in the future. I read about 60% of it on page, and listened to the rest on and of over the course of a few months. I started it in August, and finished it on New Year’s Eve. Not the fault of the book, that’s totally me being Very Bad at commitment. I’ve really enjoyed Alex’s novels in audiobook format, and this one was no exception (I think, if I were to read it again, I’d listen to the audiobook: it’s like listening to a television show!)

My rating: 3/5

Why: This is really due to the fact that I no longer am very interested in YA. In all truths, I got into YA early, and got out of it even earlier because apparently I am a sixty year old woman?? I started my journey with YA in grade seven, and it ended around the end of grade eight. After that, I had trouble finding YA books I could enjoy/relate to, not that the books were any less, or bad because of this, but because I was just an injustice to them (I’ve always been a strange reader). This is why I don’t really read YA anymore because I feel like I rate them unfairly because I’m not super big on the category anymore. It just (rightfully) didn’t give me what I’m most currently interested in in books (horrible people; horrible relationships; morally grey protagonists), because of course the category is different to what I read now! With that said, I think, if I’d read this book in my Peak YA Moment (grade 7-8), I’d definitely have given it a 5 star rating. It was super entertaining and funny and nostalgic, and made me miss a series so pivotal in my writing journey. If you love YA, and this series, I think this book is definitely worth the read! That was a thiccccc tangent. 

2. Past Lives, Future Bodies by Kristin Chang

This is a really quick poetry collection (that I spoiler: looooved). This is the summary:

PAST LIVES, FUTURE BODIES is a knife-sharp and nimble examination of migration, motherhood, and the malignant legacies of racism. In this collection, family forms both a unit of survival and a framework for history, agency, and recovery. Chang undertakes a visceral exploration of the historical and unfolding paths of lineage and what it means to haunt body and country. These poems traverse not only the circularity of trauma but the promise of regeneration—what grows from violence and hatches from healing—as Chang embodies each of her ghosts and invites the specter to speak. 

What drew me to it: @shaelinwrites rec’d it to me on my last update, and I fell in love with the premise. I’m *cheap* so was very excited to be gifted it by my Grandma for Christmas. (I actually read it on Christmas!)

My rating: 5/5

Why: Kristin Chang is literally so skilled with her use of the line break? I was shook? This is my second collection of poetry that I’ve read, following (no shade) Rupi Kaur’s The Sun and Her Flowers, which, I felt kinda made the line break feel gimmicky? So this collection definitely reinvented it for me. Her poems are so punchy, and thoughtful, and you can truly feel the experience built into the backbone of every one of them. When I panic wrote some poetry for my writing class, I used it as comfort reference and was amazed at how deliberate she is with her words. I also found so much of its commentary on race so relatable. It’s definitely a collection I’ll keep re-reading. I’d recommend this if, like me, you’re just starting out in poetry--a perfect way to acclimate yourself to a new form!

3. God of Shadows by Lorna Crozier

*Rachel vigorously trying to diversify her reading.* The summary:

The poet Lorna Crozier has always been brilliant at fusing the ordinary with the other-worldly in strange and surprising ways. Now the Governor General's Literary Award-winning author of Inventing the Hawk returns with God of Shadows, a wryly wise book that offers a polytheistic gallery of the gods we never knew existed and didn't know we needed. To read these poems is to be ready to offer your own prayers to the god of shadows, the god of quirks, and the god of vacant houses. Sing new votive hymns to the gods of horses, birds, cats, rats, and insects. And give thanks at the altars of the gods of doubt, guilt, and forgetting. What life-affirming questions have these deities come to ask? Perhaps it is simply this: How can poems be at once so profound, original and lively, and also so much fun?

What drew me to it: At this point I’m just stalking @shaelinwrites​’ Goodreads because her reading taste is on pointttt. I’ve also been dying to read more poetry, and branch out into different forms of writing, so I can be a little *prepared* for school, so I thought I’d take a peek at this collection. 

My rating: 5/5

Why: This collection is so beautiful! I read it super quickly, and fell in love with the concept immediately. I think Crozier explored such unique ideas with super unique language, and I live for it. This collection gave me perspective on ‘gods’ I’d never even thought about. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking into reading some prose poetry!

4. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

I finished this book today, and now have trust issues and feel like I’m in a constant state of wanting to cry. Here’s the summary:

If you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life?

It's 1969 in New York City's Lower East Side, and word has spread of the arrival of a mystical woman, a traveling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the day they will die. The Gold children—four adolescents on the cusp of self-awareness—sneak out to hear their fortunes.

The prophecies inform their next five decades. Golden-boy Simon escapes to the West Coast, searching for love in '80s San Francisco; dreamy Klara becomes a Las Vegas magician, obsessed with blurring reality and fantasy; eldest son Daniel seeks security as an army doctor post-9/11; and bookish Varya throws herself into longevity research, where she tests the boundary between science and immortality.

A sweeping novel of remarkable ambition and depth, The Immortalists probes the line between destiny and choice, reality and illusion, this world and the next. It is a deeply moving testament to the power of story, the nature of belief, and the unrelenting pull of familial bonds.

What drew me to it: I actually don’t know?? I put it on hold at my library in October, and was loaned it in January (looooong waitlist). So I can’t remember why I wanted to read it, probably because 1969 was in the premise lmao. I actually completely forgot about placing a hold on it because it’d been two months, so by the time I got the email notification, I’d forgotten what it was about. Oftentimes, I’m Bad, and leave my loans for weeks, forgetting about them, but I was intrigued by seeing I’d received this loan because I couldn’t remember placing it/why I placed it. I quickly re-read the summary, and immediately started reading because it reminded me a lot of the Haunting of Hill House sibling dynamic, and I was on board!

My rating: 5/5 stars soaked in all my tears

Why: This book is SO good, I literally can’t think about it too much because I will cry, lol. I’m not one to get emotional over books, but this book touched me in a place I didn’t know existed?? Like I didn’t know I had emotions before reading this book?? Apparently I do?? It also left me feeling stunned with a whole bucket of life lessons, and similarly to getting emotional, I’m not a reader to really take away a whole new worldview after reading something, but this book was like NOPE, here’s some THOUGHTS. I think I might’ve loved it so much because the four siblings it follows remind me a lot of my siblings (tag yourself I’m Klara, @sarahkelsiwrites is Varya). I too am a sibling of four with a similar composition to the novel’s (two boys, two girls), so the actual heartbreak of realizing that one day, there ain’t always gonna be four of us struck me so hard I was not prepared?? The characters are BEAUTIFUL, and my heart aches so much after finishing this, I almost don’t know what to do with myself... If you liked the sibling dynamic in the Haunting of Hill House (me!!), you’ll probably dig this book. Benjamin’s writing is also gorgeous; straightforward, but so detailed and lush at the same time. I don’t often see books in third present, so this was a delight for me to read. Also: I’m no expert on any of the topics in this book, but to me, a Fool, this book felt so well researched? This isn’t something I ever notice in books, but it surprisingly really added to the reading experience. 

TL;DR: I’m literally an emotional wreck because of this book and have a whole new perspective on life, if you too want to be an emotional wreck, defs join in on the fUN.

So that’s it for this reading update! All of these books in this update were wonderful! Making me antsy to read more for sure! I’m currently attempting to read more short story collections, so if anyone has recs, hit me up! ‘Scuse me while I go sob!

--Rachel

[individuationfic]

Seeking to Seize Chapter 2

AO3

Igor calls him a Wild Card

Yu knows he should have more issues with this whole situation than he does. He’s sitting, immobile, in a limo he’s never seen before. The interior is covered in blue velvet and barely lit, making the whole thing even more mysterious than it already is.

He signs, ‘What does that mean?’

The pretty blonde woman holding a book relays this to Igor. There’s a pause, and Yu assumes Igor is speaking, though he can’t tell. It’s similar to the Teddie situation—Igor’s mouth doesn’t move normally, so Yu can’t read his lips. He’s grateful for the interpreter.

Igor replies with, “Your power will come from your heart. To strengthen your heart, you must establish bonds.”

‘Bonds?’

“Connect with the people around you. Force meaningful relationships. These relationships will translate to benefits.”

That sounds kind of artificial to Yu. He doesn’t think many people would want to be friends with someone whose opening line was, “Hey, I want to be your friend for my own benefit!” But somehow Yu gets the feeling Igor knows more than he’s letting on, so he keeps those thoughts to himself. ‘How will I know which relationships are the right ones?’ he asks instead.

Igor says, “You will know.” Then, before Yu can ask another question, he says, “My assistant is Margaret. She will be of invaluable help to you on your journey. The Velvet Room is open to you whenever you have need of it.”

The world lurches, and Margaret and Igor look up. Igor says, “It’s time for you to leave us for now. I look forward to seeing you again.”

Yu closes his eyes, and when they open again he is in his room, having been shaken awake by Nanako.

For a while, Yuu wonders how much of that encounter was real. Then, while he’s walking through the shopping district, he sees an ethereal blue door that everyone else ignores. The key in his pocket grows heavy.

Yu runs into Hanamura on the way to school. He’s a little surprised when Hanamura holds his hands out and bends his index fingers towards each other, mimicking a bow. “I looked up how to say hello!” he says, proud.

For the first time in a long time, Yu’s smile feels genuine.

Despite Amagi’s disappearance hanging over their heads, Yu and Hanamura still meet on the roof at lunch for a JSL lesson. Yu starts off easy, teaching him how to finger spell, and suggests a basic conversation as practice.

Slowly, his hands moving in a way Yu can only describe as a stutter, Hanamura signs, ‘How did you learn to sign?’

‘I’m mostly self-taught. After I got out of the hospital, I got a bunch of books about JSL and practiced in the mirror. I also watched a program on TV where people would play news headlines and sign along with them.’

Hanamura looks like he wants to ask something else, but he suddenly stiffens and his head swings towards the door. Yu, feeling a pull in his chest, does the same, and is only mildly surprised to see Yuk-senpai standing at the entrance to the roof. The third year raises a lazy hand in greeting and says, “Yo.”

Yu and Hanamura both scramble to their feet, lesson forgotten.

Hanamura and Satonaka do their best to relay Teddie’s information to Yu while he nurses his injured hand. He whips his phone out and types, So he doesn’t know if Amagi is in there?

Hanamura shrugs. “That’s what it looks like.”

Satonaka frowns. She looks nervous, and she’s bouncing from one foot to the other in an anxious dance. “I’m going to go to the inn and warn Yukiko.”

“It’s going to rain tonight, right?” Hanamura asks. “Let’s make sure to watch the Midnight Channel. We can decide on our next move from there.” He looks to Yu, his eyes searching for approval, and he only relaxes when Yu nods in agreement.

Chie absently agrees and takes off.

Amused, Yu types, She should just confess to Amagi already and shows it to Hanamura, who turns red.

“You think she—?”

Yu nods.

An odd look crosses Hanamura’s face, like he’s never thought about that before. Maybe, Yu thinks, he hasn’t.

The thing that surprises Yu the most about the Midnight Channel is the subtitles.

They’re stylized to match the absurd get-up Amagi is wearing, pink and bubbly and sparkly, but still clear enough for Yu to read, even at the speed at which they crawl across the screen. He’s pretty sure whatever is causing the Midnight Channel is connected to the Velvet Room, so Yu tells himself to ask Igor about it next time he’s there.

His phone buzzes.

[Hanamura Yosuke]: Did you see that?

[Hanamura Yosuke]: That was Yukiko-san for sure!

[Hanamura Yosuke]: And she looked like she was on some low-budget TV show…

[Hanamura Yosuke]: What’s going on?

[Narukami Yu]: You should try to contact Satonaka.

[Narukami Yu]: She said she was going to see Amagi, right?

[Narukami Yu]: Maybe she saw something.

[Hanamura Yosuke]: That’s a good idea.

[Hanamura Yosuke]: Meet at Junes in the morning?

[Narukami Yu]: Sounds good.

[Narukami Yu]: Try not to worry too much.

[Narukami Yu]: We’ll figure it out.

[Hanamura Yosuke]: Yeah.

[Hanamura Yosuke]: Thanks, Narukami.

[Hanamura Yosuke]: Good night.

As Yu plugs his phone in to charge for the night, he hears Izanagi’s voice in his head. You’ve grown closer to your Magician. Well done.

Why do you keep calling Hanamura a magician? Yu asks. Does this have something to do with those bonds Igor was talking about?

Izanagi sounds amused when he says, Yes, it does. Each of the important links you can forge are associated with the major arcana. Hanamura Yosuke is your Magician. The closer you get to him, the stronger your bond with that arcana will be.

Yu sighs. Looks like I have some more stuff to research.

He falls asleep to the sound of Izanagi’s laugh. Traitor.

In another house in Inaba, four sets of eyes stare at a now-blank television screen. “Well,” the younger girl says, voice deceptively light, “that means it’s starting, doesn’t it?”

The boy next to her huffs. “Those guys have even more problems than we did. All we had to do was deal with a tower and some cancer patients. They have a serial killer.”

The older woman, with platinum blonde hair and piercing yellow eyes, says, “Margaret will take good care of the new Wild Card. He has nothing to worry about!”

The older man stays silent. His only response is to tighten his hand on the younger girl’s shoulder. She doesn’t know if it’s to reassure her or himself.

Good luck, Narukami-kun.

[purposefulthoughts]

Sleight (2017): Being young, gifted, and black...spoiler-filled analysis of random thoughts

As a film, Sleight is a typical story of the main character getting himself into trouble, and in the process, he puts himself and the people he loves in danger. He must grow into a hero, defeat the bad guys, and save the day all by the end of the film.  Yeah, it’s that kind of story...but the characteristics of the protagonist and the environment he finds himself in that takes this film from being a typical story, and makes it memorable. This film won’t impress most film-goers with its story or action, but in an era where Black people are looking for representation that is complex and different from stereotypes, this film attempts to offer something new.

 The plot

Jacob Latimore stars as Bo Wolfe, a young Black man living in Los Angeles who is attempting to take care of his pre-teen sister, Tina after the death of his mother (their father also died when Bo was a child). Bo is special though. He is highly intelligent - indicated by his former high school science teaching leaving a message as to why Bo didn't take the engineering scholarship. He is also highly talented - during his days, he hustles on the streets of LA doing magic tricks for tourists and other passerbys. Unfortunately, he isn’t using his intelligence to hustle at Boeing, and the street magic game doesn't pay the quickly growing bills. To survive, he's been selling drugs to white party-goers for the local drug dealer Angelo.  Bo is charming; He’s not rough as compared to Angelo’s boys who, in a way, are Bo’s foils. Overall, Bo is just someone who had to grow up too fast, and make some suspect decisions, in order to be responsible for the other people in his life - while maintaining his childhood love for magic. Oh, and he has an electromagnet machine in his arm.

The drama of the story happens when Angelo starts to include Bo as part of his boys who do the “dirty work” of the drug business. Angelo wishes to stop the expansion of a potential drug dealer, and uses force after diplomacy. Bo is subject to be harassed by the rival gang, and eventually he is forced - by Angelo - to remove the hand of the offending drug dealer. As Bo realizes he has “gotten in over his head,” he attempts to cut his product with baby powder in order to double his profit. However, Angelo finds out, and gives Bo an unreasonable task to pay back the money he owes to Angelo, as well as an extra few thousand dollars.  Bo, attempts this feat, but as plot demands, things do not fall into place; He takes his family to a friend’s house, as Angelo knows where he lives. As the deadline to appease Angelo this passes, Angelo kidnaps Bo’s sister in an attempt to draw Bo from hiding. Eventually, Bo has to take what is special about him [the electromagnet arm], in order to fight the bad guy. With the help of Mr. Granger, his former science teacher, (who is pretty chill about Bo having a potentially life-threatening device in his arm) he gets an upgrade to his cyborg arm, and goes to fight Angelo, “superhero style.” Bo does not kill them, but Angelo and his boys are definitely afraid of what they witnessed. Bo then completes the story, he saves his sister, runs away with his girlfriend, and lives happily ever after in San Diego.

 Liberalism?

Director and Writer J.D. Dillard (with co-writer Alex Theurer) make Bo into a likeable youth struggling in a rough world; he is a character that doesn't display those stereotypical “thuggish” qualities that are often associated with a lower-economic status; and so his anxiety from trying to make ends meet is a significant emotional connection throughout the film. Bo charms the audience as well as make them desire for his well-being. Dillard states, “there's certainly no shortage of movies centering on young black boys falling into crime...our goal with Sleight was to show that circumstances can trap anyone, forcing them to take desperate measures out of self-preservation.”[1] This good people in bad situations cliché is similar to 2015’s Dope, in both the drama of the main character, as well as their being good kids trying to get out of situations created by their environment. While these films try to show that the myth that ALL people from lower-economic situations aren't individually bad/lazy/stupid/etc, that’s as far as their systemic argument goes. These stories still say that the environment is damaged, and that the only way to “help” is for the people with potential to leave these bad environments.

 Magic?

As this film is innovating its own genre as it draws from aspects of other genres, it does not stray too far from being a traditional superhero-film. Yet the mixing of a story about crime, a story about magic, and a story about technological genius does not strengthen the simplicity of a hero-origin story, although Dillard assumed that it did:

“We (Dillard and Theurer) wanted to make something mixed genre with magic, crime, and a romantic and familial story. Very early on we realized if one of these pieces is too complicated, it muddies the whole movie. There came a point where we really cleaned up each major point of the story. That worked for us. It's not the most original crime, or coming-of-age story, but the most fun for us was blending these stories.”[2]

The sci-fi element was an unnecessary plot point, and how Bo did what he did could have been part of the mystical nature of who he was. The Iron Man element to the story is compelling, and has some interesting implications, however, Bo’s core beliefs revolve around magic. As the film takes time to tell the story of the magician who inspired Bo during his childhood, it would seem that the tone of the film would have the same effect and abide by the rules of magic – similar to the Prestige. The director does this thematic focus half-way when the camera keeps revisiting Bo at a desk in front of a Houdini poster, making a simile between the escape tricks which are a mainstay in the world of magic and the notions of escape this black youth desires from his bad situation. Without the technological piece, the plot already created a universe where it is easy to believe that the line between twirling rings in the air and stopping bullets isn’t that distant. Being an engineer isn’t a well-integrated or essential element of how Bo sees/interacts with his world. His technological intelligence becomes a means to an end, rather than an essential part of who he is – or was before his mother’s death. I would offer that to keep the science with the magic, that we should not have directly seen his struggles with his technology until he needs to level up at his science teacher’s house – then it would be the reveal that both allows us to see that he has been using technology this whole time, but it’s contained in the theme of magic.

 Superhero?

Sleight wants to be a superhero film that subverts the superhero genre, similar to Chronicle and Unbreakable. It is about what happens when extraordinary abilities are put in the hands of someone ordinary, and how they figure out how best to use these powers in a mundane world. Sleight, embraces the speculative struggles of being Black and gifted, but then again, it falls into the trap of attempting to be too real.

This narrative flies in the face of the superhero genre - many reviewers and the marketers have characterized this film in the superhero genre as the tagline reads “Chronicle meets Iron Man,” which often the hero, where ever they call home, attempt to save - not only the person of the week - but the overall hopefulness of the location. However, Bo’s constant plan is to use his magic for the good of himself, his sister, and as the plot develops his girlfriend, Holly. While this motivation is valid for a protagonist, it is a typical driving force of black male protagonists in the “hood movie genre” as examples by films such as Fresh or Menace II Society, and arguably Dope. Some unfortunate but hopeful black youth finds himself in a situation in which he has to think his way out of and in the end, he learns a lesson (good or honest) about life.  Yet, the magic tricks and science fiction draws feel almost trivial to the gritty drama of Bo’s life. There are many scenes of Bo doing magic in front of random people. The anxiety of his situation is paused for a moment, and from these moments, the audience is supposed to feel the joy of Bo showing off his talent. That the street magician is his true self, and the drug runner is a performance. While this dichotomy does become an issue of comparison between Bo’s multiple “shifts” to provide substance to our main character, Sleight makes it seem like Bo is an anomaly of his environment, rather than a normally occurring personality. Furthermore, as his does function as a diamond in the rough, the speculative aspects of the film – his cyborg arm – are used to transcend impoverishment, instead of being used as tool to empower himself and others. He rarely performs magic at home, for his sister, or anyone also in a similar situation. While his multifaceted nature is both a trait of being a magician, which parallels with being Black in America [code-switching being a necessary skills for many Black folx], the film doesn’t show where his personal allegiance lies - or could lay. Is he really for himself, for his family, for his new boo, or even for his magic? In watching this film, it does become difficult to center the dominant emotion we have for Bo. If this is a hood drama, can the viewer connect with Bo with sympathy or empathy? If this is a superhero movie, can the viewer connect with Bo with awe and desire? The emotional pull of the film feels muddied, as it attempts to make us both feel the need to save the main character, as well as BE the main character. Even if we suppose that the complex feeling of being both emphatic and awe-inspired is nuanced and relatable, it a feeling that again is drawn not from where the story takes us, but from the characteristics of the protagonist and the circumstance he finds himself in.

In this vein, Bo isn’t a “typical” superhero. He is similar to an Iron Man or Batman, and we can argue that superheroes can be self-made and man-made.  Bo is human, and he uses his technical intelligence in order to build an incredible impossible device to “save the world” (although for him, his world may be very small and personal). Yet, every hero doesn’t have to be super and every Black person who has an interesting ability doesn’t have to be “super” either. They can just be human. Octavia Butler says it best…”I write about people who do extraordinary things.” In many of her works, Butler attempts to show the humanity of her characters in spite of the circumstances they are in. She often uses the abilities or circumstances to also emphasize the inhumanity of others. Bo installed an electromagnet in his arm, so that he can be unique as a magician. He can do something no one else can. Yet, it is how he approaches the circumstances that he finds himself in that really emphasizes his humanity. That someone would use his intelligence while in a sense sacrifice himself - his body – in order to find joy, and save others. Many of us don’t have to have a cyborg arm to do that.

 Community?

For most of the film, Bo is trying to do everything “on his own.” Bo has increased anxiety about being under the thumb of Angelo, keeping the lights on, taking care of his sister, as well as providing space for his girlfriend fleeing domestic abuse, all the while trying to keep his dream of being a magician alive. We see that he sleeps, but I assume those were catnaps between jobs and other responsibilities. The scene where Tina burns the bacon is definitely indicative of his overworked life. The people in life that he is closest to -his sister, his girlfriend, and the family friend, Georgi – Bo only half-includes them in his plans, and spends most of the time by himself dealing with his troubles. He doesn’t tell anyone about his arm until he reveals it to his girlfriend, and he spends many days putting peroxide on the growing infection. He isn’t so proud that he won’t receive help, as Georgi often babysits Tina, Bo is grateful for the money Holly gives him to pay Angelo, and Mr. Granger helps upgrade his electromagnet.  However, his isolation is shown as the way that Bo protects his family, although in reality, it is Bo who needs protecting.

I don’t assume that this taking on too much is not a realistic depiction, but it feels disingenuous to present a hero with no sidekick or backup or anything who is also a young black man. Where are Bo’s peer group friends, or random older folks who most likely would be keeping an eye on this young man and his sister?  Story-wise it would be very ex-machina that some old black woman with a broom would come and give Angelo “a-taking to,” but at the same time, in the communities I’ve experienced, it’s not THAT far fetched.

 Black?

Sleight wasn’t marketed as a Black film. It played at mostly independent theatres, and maybe a few mainstream ones. It premiered at Sundance which may have affected the how it was distributed. But, the film feels similar to others “alternative” Black films that reject stereotypical tropes such as Get Out, Moonlight, Dope, and Dear White People. While many of the critics position the film as similar to Chronicle, I guess for its extraordinary in an ordinary world feel, but

It also relates to films such as Meteor Man, Blank Man, and Brother from Another Planet. These Black SF films, while incorporating typical science fiction elements, also address African American specific social issues such as masculinity, community, family, and power dynamics between intracultural or external forces. Sleight shows another perspective of these issues, and how they could be solved via technology – or whatever the technology is a symbol for.

Two themes that are unique to the Black experience are his outfit and body.

In the final showdown with Angelo – the “a superhero is born” scene - “Bo wears a hoodie, ball cap, and a backpack.”[3] His backpack, which in the rest of the film was used for holding drugs, hides his battery pack, giving him the power to rip the fillings out of someone’s mouth (although fillings are magnetic!). His cap, although just a brand name, has an H on it, a subtle recognition that he is in his hero role at that moment. His hoodie is an iconography of black youth, as well as the response to the death of black people - a gesture to remember the physical and symbolic killing of Trayvon Martin. Like Mike Colter in the Netflix series Luke Cage, the hoodie becomes the both an iconography of black murder by police and resistance to such dehumanization. Colter remarked that the hoodie in Luke cage is an acknowledgement of “Trayvon Martin and people like him. People like Jordan Davis, a kid who was shot because of the perception that he was a danger. When you’re a Black man in a hoodie, all of a sudden you’re a criminal.”[4] In these speculative worlds, the hoodie is recodified to be the armor of scientifically-enhanced people. Instead of being a symbol of dehumanization, the hoodie instead becomes similar to a cape. When you wear it, it represents both adversity, morality, culture, and a political position. Luke and Bo are seen as dangerous Black men to mainstream white society, but they are saviors to their local communities. Also, the hoodie is a practical outfit, however else would a superhero exist within a lower-economic community, tights or a silver tiara wouldn’t get you very far.

With a Black SciFi lens and as the film ended with a teaser of Bo perfecting his cyborg arm, I definitely left the theater with questions drawn from contemporary issues. Will he find a livable-wage job without a college education? Will he go back to college? Will he attempt to grow his magic career? What does the future hold for a Black man who can stop bullets with a few moments of his fingers? He may have temporarily stopped one of the intra-societal problems, but the external racial issues still exist. What will he use his extraordinary abilities for? Does he still have to mutilate his body?

“Anyone can learn a trick. But doing something that no one else is willing to do makes you a magician. I can do something no one else can” This statement is bold, as Bo, as a hero similar to Luke Cage, has to do something no one else can to find freedom - they have to subject their body to science. This calls back to the history of Black people and scientific experiments [Tuskegee Syphilis experiment, Holmesburg Prison experiments are two egregious examples].[5]   The challenge in these new representations of African Americans is that to become a hero, Black men almost embrace the repercussions of enslavement –the black body is a machine, a machine that can be enhanced to work even hard for others benefit. Yet, this script is flipped in both of these stories. These characters, although they were exposed to a skin hardening bioengineered agent or put an electromagnet in their arm, are working for the betterment of themselves and their community.

And to top it off, Bo, unlike Cage, did it to himself. It is a bodily sacrifice, but with the benefit that he made the choice as to what he was going to become, and how it would manifest. Bo is both the science experiment, and the scientist... he has more agency over his powers than most of the Black characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe who have to hunt down some white man to give them upgrades or maintenance (Luke Cage, WarMachine, & Falcon don’t know much about how their tech work, although they are the primary users of it).

Unfortunately, and fortunately, the ideal black hero - science fiction - or superhero - has to be more powerful and intelligent than any human else to overcome the representational damage that has come before him.

 -JW

[1] Truitt, Brian. "Here's why 'Sleight' star Jacob Latimore is the black superhero we need now." USA Today. April 26, 2017. Accessed July 31, 2017. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/04/26/five-reasons-why-sleight-star-jacob-latimore-is-the-black-superhero-we-need-now/100889332/.

[2] Bennett, Tara. "Exclusive: director J.D. Dillard reveals how Star Wars and Bad Robot inspired Sleight." Syfy. May 05, 2017. Accessed July 31, 2017. http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/sleight-director-jd-dillard-interview.

[3] Truitt

[4] Ostroff, Joshua. "Marvel's Luke Cage Is The Bulletproof Black Superhero We Need Right Now." HuffPost Canada. September 30, 2016. Accessed August 02, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/09/29/marvel-luke-cage_n_12202516.html.

[5] Washington, Harriet. Medical Apartheid The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present. Paw Prints, 2010.

[hogwartslessons-blog]

TRANSFIGURATION | October 5th | Lesson #8 | Glass to Sand + Size

Glass to Sand

This spell will be taught a little differently, as the effects of the spell are actually debated. It falls under the realm of Transfiguration, as glass is being changed into sand, though some argue it could potentially also be a charm.

You see, when glass gets broken and is crushed into very, very small pieces, it actually becomes sand, which causes some debate over whether or not the spell actually causes a Transformation or just disintegrates the glass. I believe it causes a Transformation, albeit a simple one due to both objects having the same chemical make up.

As this spell is one of the very few Transfiguration spells that can be used as a shield, it is primarily utilized in combat. Some of you may have heard about it’s use at the Ministry of Magic years ago when Voldemort was still at large. The late Albus Dumbledore used the spell to protect himself and Harry Potter. While it is rather specific, this spell does have practical uses! 

The Transformation

This spell is the final one you will learn this year! I know it must be hard to continue paying attention as you’re all ready for end of term, but I do expect your full attention!

Incantation: Contrita Specularma Pronunciation: CON-try-ta spek-u-LARH-mah Wand Movement: A sharp, forceful downwards diagonal. Concentration: Low - Visualize the glass breaking apart and disintegrating, especially focusing on the small size of the sand particles Willpower: Low

There aren’t many ways this spell can backfire, but the most dangerous is perhaps it not working at all. When glass is flying towards you, it can be extremely dangerous. For this reason, I would prefer this spell be practiced in the Transfiguration classroom; that way I can keep an eye on you to make sure safety precautions are being taken. Please be careful, I would hate for anyone to have to take a trip to the hospital wing! The only other backfire known is for the spell to partially complete by breaking down the glass, but not into the fine particle size that is required for it to be defined as “sand.”

Where did this come from? Why do I care?

This spell was invented by Miss Miriam Portfender in 1884 as part of her research into spells that could easily be used for protection during natural disasters.  In particular, she was looking into spells that could protect someone from falling debris, either by redirecting it away from the person or breaking it up into less harmful pieces.  Spells such as the Reductor Curse could be used for this purpose, but require an increased amount of willpower to perform.  Miriam was hoping to find a spell that could be used by any level of spell caster.  Within her research, she managed to come up with a spell that would reduce glass coming at the caster into a fine sand that would do little to no harm.  Though it was not exactly what she was looking for, this spell still found its uses in defensive combat situations.  

 Size  

Shrinking and Expanding

Shrinking and expanding in Transfiguration is distinctly different from shrinking and expanding in Charms, though it is less popular as a form of magic in the former. In Transfiguration, spells are usually intended to alter more radically than a change in size; however the practise still occurs for those who are not quite as handy with the more flourishing wand movements in charms.  Whilst Charms has the engorgement charm, Engorgio, and the shrinking charm, Reducio, the magic used in Charms is used to change what an object does, causing the object to do that of its own accord. In Transfiguration, it is entirely up to the witch or wizard to do the job! Truth be told, the process is a difficult one indeed.

In order to shrink or expand in Transfiguration there is a certain degree of Conjuration and Vanishment involved – but on the most precise level imaginable. What is to be brought into existence are not just ‘things’, but the molecules, that prior to the spell did not exist, which will make the intended subject bigger. What is to be vanished are molecules the subject already possesses, if one wishes to shrink something. Surprisingly, this sort of Conjuration/Vanishment is simpler than when it involves whole objects and can thus be taught to younger students. Please also take note that, if you intend to undo the shrinking, you should have a good idea from where the vanished molecules will be retrieved. It is hard to explain to your Muggle neighbour that you lost their cat, but then found an identical cat half the size which still responds – suspiciously in the same miaow as their old cat – to “Mr. Tibblekins.”

Naturally, Conjuring and Vanishing molecules requires concentration. Before you can perform any shrinking or expanding spells, you must know and understand where they are adding or removing molecules. If they are to add a great deal of size to a creature’s leg, for example, you must also know to add to its bone so that it can still support the weight of the flesh. If a creature is growing twice its size, it will need twice as much fur. If an object is shrinking to half its size it will need half the amount of paint. This is where Transfigurative spells can come in handy where Charms fail – even under the Engorgio spell, some subjects have been known to burst from over-engorging. The principles of size change through Transfiguration are easy enough to understand once they have been thoroughly absorbed on a theoretical level. It does not require a mathematical genius, gauging what needs to be removed by sight alone can get the job done efficiently, and can often be quicker. But, that isn’t to say that there are not wizards who get out the measuring tape every time they wish to change something’s size.

A magician who can understand these principles can have quite a lucrative career: recently the popularity of miniature animals as pets has exploded, and while many witches and wizards have the ability to miniaturise whichever creature they choose, some have taking to exploiting the Muggle demand. Miniature ponies were the first to be sold en masse – many wizards today have taken up the sale of magically shrunken animals to blissfully ignorant Muggles who believe them to have been specially bred. Luckily for those salesmen, the offspring of the aforementioned animals are in proportion to the size of the parents.  

These same principles are also important in transforming spells, the reason for which will be explained in the limits section below.

Limits:

Size is particularly important when it comes to deciding on the features which you are wishing to transfigure.

 For instance, in Cross-Species Switches or Trans-Species Transformations, transfiguring physical properties from one creature to a creature of a different breed or species, size can be key to the success of the spell. One cannot simply decide on a whim that it would be amusing to have a hamster with the ears of an elephant. Biology may allow for such a connection, but the size of the hamster does not. The ears of such a large creature would require much more blood flow than the hamster possesses; hence you will find if you perform such a spell, the blood will drain from the hamster and it will, inevitably, perish from such a staggering biological shift. It is, however, safer to give larger creatures the features of small ones.  

It is generally due this that, unless you are performing a full transformation, changing something into something else, organisms undergoing partial transfigurations in order to combine with other organisms must be combining with something of a similar size, otherwise medical difficulties can emerge. Too-small legs have made creatures incapable of walking, eyes too big for the skull have popped from their sockets, creatures intended to fly with the wings of other creatures have come crashing to the ground, destroying the features of both creatures. Examples like this show that the true genius in practicing magic lies in foreseeing the circumstances of spells.

It is in full transformations where the molecular principles applied in the prior section can be useful. In early studies of Transfiguration, it is common for a student to complete whole transformations on objects of a similar size; one example is when we turned a match into a needle.

This is because the two objects have a similar total count of molecules, and hardly any concentration is needed to make the transformation complete. It is the same with any whole transformation – a slightly more advanced spell is turning a hedgehog into a pincushion, which makes use of the preexisting similarities between a hedgehog’s spiny covering and sharp pins. It is not until later in the study of Transfiguration that a disparity between size can be overcome in the execution of spells; by then the student should have at least a basic grasp on molecular placement, addition, and subtraction.

Naturally, it is an easier task to create inanimat molecules than it is to create animate ones, or at least a safer one – as we generally assume that furniture does not scream out in pain, so initial transformations with a disparity in size are usually done with inanimate objects