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Jeremiah Hamilton:
After arranging a time to meet for further discussions on the 'peek behind the curtain' mentioned during their last conversation, Jeremiah led Aya up to the music studio situated above the case, courtesy of a door that was near the entrance of the cafe itself. The space was homey in a way, infused with the sort of care that any artisan put into their primary work space, with the largest bit of real estate taken up by a grand piano and accompanied by a collection of other string and brass instruments on one wall and a multitude of music books on another. A wooden door beyond revealed the recording equipment and sound booth, along with a small side room with a couch and chairs to relax in between songs.
"Have a seat where you like." He offered with a smile, taking up his own perch on the piano bench. "How have you been, by the way?"
Aya Jabir:
Aya had come on time, having made sure to choose a time to meet that fell after sunset, so she could break her fast before going through this. She was dressed modestly, as usual, in a deep indigo dress with a light blue hijab. She returned his smile and nodded before taking a seat.
"I've been doing very well. Ramadan can be a busy time of year, but the good kind of busy; a lot more community work, giving out charity, worship."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"I can imagine, yeah. It started last week, right?" A thought flickered through his mind and he smirked a touch. "If you'd like to set up something on the charity front here we should be able to swing that."
Aya Jabir:
"Yes, hard to believe a week's flown by already." At the suggestion of setting up something here, she asked, with clear interest, "What would you have in mind?
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Fair question, as I'm not sure what's usually involved as far as this particular observance goes. We could reserve the cafe for a night for folks to break their fast, maybe, and if you have any particular groups you work with they could have representatives here to spread word on their efforts."
Aya Jabir:
"I tend to go with handing out groceries to families in need, myself, and donating to shelters. I may have to think over what might work well for the location and come up with something special," she nodded.
"But that can wait, since I'm here on other business; though, being in this space already feels a bit 'backstage'."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Something to ponder, yeah." He nodded, smiling as she continued. "A bit, yeah. Here's where the magic happens, as it were...not literally, mind. Usually, anyway." He chuckled, motioning towards the door in the back. "Helping local musicians to be heard has always been dear to my heart, so setting up a space for them to learn the craft and record their work was a no-brainer."
Aya Jabir:
"That's good to hear. I remember taking some violin lessons when I was younger, but that did not last very long," She chuckles, "My fingers did not cooperate with the process of making pleasant sounds. I do like to sing, but don't really care to do it for public consumption."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Yeah, my mother tried to get me on violin as well but it didn't really stick." He chuckled. "I started off on piano and picked up guitar and drums along the way, along with dabbling here and there with a few others."
Aya Jabir:
"It's probably a bit too late for me to pick it up--not for lack of ability, mind, but for lack of availability-- yet it's impressive to see someone truly gifted at work." She nodded and smirked. "Sometime, I will have to hear you play."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Well, if time ever opens up for you you know where to find me." He offered with a smile. "Definitely."
"Suppose we should turn to the business at hand, though, yeah?"
Aya Jabir:
"Yes, I'm very interested in what this will involve." She had an eyebrow raised as she inquired, "This is to grant some sort of sight?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Correct. It allows the subject to perceive those around them in terms how magically potent they are, among other things. The particular branch of magical practice that I follow allows for a way to cast it on others through guided meditation that's less jarring on the psyche than through the normal route."
Aya Jabir:
"Interesting; this is something particular to your own practices, not something I can expect from other Awakened as a normal thing?" She nodded, seeming to follow, "What will be required from me?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"For the most part, yes. Each practice - or legacy, as we usually call it - has different innate magics at their disposal the further they progress in it. Mine tends to take the form of longer rites or meditation sessions than a quick 'cast and done' as most others do, but the slower approach makes it a bit easier for the mind to grasp what they're perceiving, as I see it."
"Just listen and follow along mentally." He said with a small smile as he scooted the bench over, lining up with her so they were face to face. "You'll know when it clicks into place."
Aya Jabir:
She nodded, and took a breath, "Alright. I'm ready."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He nodded in return, closing his eyes and taking in a breath before letting it out slowly. When his eyes opened again the air about him had shifted, a feeling of understanding and offered guidance radiating from him. He smiled quietly and then began to guide her through the meditation, his already pleasant voice almost hypnotic. He spoke of the flame that dwelled in the heart of all mankind, shining against the darkness that swirled around them, and how that spark yearned to make itself known and guide those that carried it into a bright future. She was directed to picture that light within her, come to know it and see what wisdom it could provide her as well.
Some time passed as the two sat, his even tone keeping at a steady place throughout, until he felt the attainment's workings settle into place. When Aya next looked towards him there was a bright corona of light about him, pale ivory in color with little flickers here and there that wanted to be something solid but would need more focus to easily discern. "There we go." Sirius said softly, watching for her reaction with a spark of excitement in his eyes. "What do you think?"
Aya Jabir:
Aya was skilled at entering a meditative state, doing so with ease. She was able to follow his guidance as she breathed at a smooth, even pace, visualizing and studying the spark he described. As he does his work, she has to fight just a bit not to go too deep into a trance and when he asked, it took her a moment longer than normal to gaze at him, as if her lowered eyes had to fight a kind of gravity.
As she looked though, her eyes went wide at first. "Masha'Allah!" She said in an exclaimed whisper, and then her eyes narrowed as she tried to study this corona around him, "..this is not a simple aura, not the kind I can usually see.."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He couldn't help but smile at her exclamation, nodding as she peered at the space around him. "It reflects the connection to the Supernal that I hold rather than the usual aura markers. At its base it allows one to discern whether the target is Awake, Asleep or somewhere in between, and with further focus it can give more details on the specifics of that connection: how potent the tie is, what facet I draw the most from, what aspects of magic I have any measure of skill in. It's quite handy when interacting with unfamiliar mages, and the base version can help to discern other supernaturals as well."
Aya Jabir:
Her eyes continue to change from wide to narrow as she continues to look on it, "Interesting.. hmm.." She take and a deep breath and nods, "I have learned to discern others before, as well, through auras and other means. Though I try to be responsible with it, since there are things worth un-knowing at times."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Indeed. I tend to respect their privacy on that front, even with the relatively relaxed ways of the wider community here."
Aya Jabir:
There was a look of recognition at that, but she says nothing more on it, "So, how does one use this to determine those things you mentioned? The aspects of magic you have skill in, your tie to the Supernal, all that?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Focus on the aspect you want to analyze and the aura will respond. The symbols can take a little work to parse at times, so let me know if you need anything clarified."
Aya Jabir:
She nods and tries to mentally thumb through everything she's picked up thus far to consider what she'd like to know, she tries to find signs of which realm he was connected to, and found an answer she could recognize the meaning of fairly clearly, "I can see signs of Pandemonium, the chains, in particular are a sign I've learned of." She continued to study, again finding an answer as she tries to find his strongest form of magic.
"..this one is not as obvious, but I believe you're most skilled in matters of the Mind." Onward, she continued, seeking out further signs of magic; the remaining answers, however, while present were less illuminating. Once more, a deep breath. "I do not know exactly how many.." It took her a moment to search for the word, "..Arcana there are?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
He nodded along as she spoke, smirking a touch at the mention of his 'home' realm. "What do you know of Pandemonium, out of curiosity?"
"Correct." He offered another nod. "There are ten as we know them."
Aya Jabir:
"Ten?" She nodded, "Then you've learned at least something of most of them. As for Pandemonium, I've heard it described as basically Hellfire, yet not quite as described by any single faith or culture. I know of the chains as a symbol from speaking with Thespis."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Just about. Of the three left there's only one I'll likely branch into, but I've made a point of having a wide base to build up from. It's served me well so far."
"Ah hah." He nodded with a small smirk. "For me, at least, it was something akin to the pinnacle scene of the movie version of The Trial, if you're familiar with that. Swarms of demons and creatures of all sorts tearing apart my life sin by sin until only the raw core was left to stand as it could. Thankfully I stood firm enough to sign my name and return to the world, beaten and battered as I was in spirit and body at that point."
Aya Jabir:
"I see. Distinct and yet, I can see the connections to other descriptions." She takes a moment to think all of this over and lets out a laughing sigh, "This is.. I'm astonished, honestly. There's still much more I do not see on my own, which is a frightening thought."
"I was once asked if it was scary to see and hear the Dead, I said it was scarier to think there was a time I could not yet they were still there." She smiled warmly and nodded, "Thank you for sharing this with me."
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Perhaps the Path will take you that way in time. I think you would handle it well." He replied with a warm smile, giving her a nod before visibly relaxing, the guiding star set aside and the jovial musician back at the fore. "Thank you. It's always interesting to see how folks react to that first proper glimpse. I hope you got something out of it."
Aya Jabir:
"I already have; even more to be gained from continued contemplation. I hope you won't mind if I come to you with more questions?"
Jeremiah Hamilton:
"Of course. Feel free to come by or call any time."
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