[Thomas leads Herman to a study. It's full of books and stuff. Like a grandfather clock, a desk, some gems, and a staff over the fireplace, which he takes down. He shifts it in his hands. "The staff of Angmar. Your great grandfather won it from Henry Dragonback of the Golden Dawn in the early 1900s."] * Herman nods, still all wet and miserable. ["And this," he says, going over to an amulet with a shiny red ruby, "The amulet of whispers, created by Abner Jensen in 1746."] * Herman sighs. "Yeah." [He has a kind of wistful look in his eyes as he touches the amulet. Then he withdraws his hand and turns slowly, spreading his arms. "In fact, everything in this room, from the books to the furniture, is a part of the Jensen legacy. It's because of our ancestors that we have the good fortune we do today. Do you understand what I'm saying?"] * Herman sighs. "That the bloodline has to remain strong so the magic of old stays with us even in rapidly changing times." ["That's part of it. But wizards were not the only ones to retain this practice. You know that."] Yeah. ["Then why? Why do you turn your back on your heritage? Why do you hate me so, for trying to raise you as my father raised me, as did his father before him?"] * Herman shrugs and looks away at a lovely handcrafted mirror. "Because I think the idea of having sex with women is disgusting, I like men, and that's as much a part of who I am as anything else." * Herman looks like she wants to add something else, then stops herself and just looks in the mirror, at the face that isn't hers. [She's right. The face staring back is an old man. "William Jensen," Thomas explains.] * Herman nods. [He sighs and sinks into a chair. "You may not believe it, but a long time ago I didn't want to marry your mother, either."] * Herman says, dully, "Funny, you guys get along great now. Where is she?" ["Asleep. It's midnight, you know. And yes, we get along pretty well. We love each other, I suppose. But when I was younger, I had my eye on a different girl. A young woman named Francine Jameson III."] (Pfft, ha! HER. Oh lord.) Yeah? ( o/~ ) [He nods. "Yes. But rich as she was, she was not a wizard. Your grandparents wanted me to marry a sorceress, and so I did. Francine was my dream, but I gave that up to marry your mother."] And you're not sorry you did it. ["On the contrary. Often, I wonder about it, about how much different my life would be if I was with her instead."] [He leans forward. "But no. I put aside my dreams for the sake of the dreams of others."] * Herman looks to her father now. "Sounds like the others didn't love you enough to let you do what you wanted." ["I don't believe that. I believe my father loved me very much, as did my mother."] ["It was because they loved me so that I couldn't bare to break their hearts by following my own desire."] * Herman shrugs and continues in that dull voice, "Maybe they loved what they could get out of you. Maybe they thought it was best for you." ["Get what, exactly? They certainly didn't gain power or influence from the marriage."] Tradition. Another generation of a direct line, and magic to magic. ["That's true. But what did it do for them?"] An easier conscience. That's why you stopped teaching me magic, right? Figured you could get me to do what you wanted by keeping it away. Probably helped your conscience, too. ["No. I stopped because I was afraid of what you might do with it. But you're partially right. I guess the burden must have been eased when they passed the torch onto me."] What, I can't handle magic because I'm gay? [He puts his face in his hands. "You don't understand. You're the last. When you die, a thousand years of magical lineage dies with you. And it's my fault for not raising you properly. I'm a failure."] * Herman looks at her father blankly. [He doesn't look back. His face is buried in his hands.] I have cousins. ... Uh. Dad? ["It's not the same."] * Herman leans against her staff and rubs at her eyes. "Jesus. Dad, you were an incredible ass to me for as long as I really want to remember. Years. That's why I left home. And why, 'cause... what, you wanted me to be something I'm not? How'd you know for sure that the line'll be completely gone?" Nobody ever even tried it. ["The first son is the strongest son. That's how it's been from the beginning. Your cousins have nowhere near the magical aptitude you possess, just as my uncle doesn't have nearly the same command over magic as I, in spite of his age. No... no, this is it. You're the last of the Merlins."] Well... * Herman looks sort of at loss as to what to say for a moment, then says, "Fuck, it's 2062. Y'know, I can do the artificial insemination thing. ... Not really fair to Sarah, since I guess she'd want sex, but I won't stop her from seeing guys or something. I'll do *that* if she wants and bring up the kid or whatever." [He rubs his face. "That just creates a bastard child."] Fine. If it's okay with her, and you change us all back, I'll marry her and won't have sex with her. How's that? [He stares at Herman long and hard. "... She'll have to accept. And I'll have to talk to her parents about it. They'll be furious, but perhaps they might accept. Perhaps."] * Herman nods, stone faced. [He leans back. "I never would have imagined it would come to this."] I never thought I'd have boobs. [Thomas gets up. "I hope you haven't been doing anything indecent with Sarah's body."] Nothing besides peeing sitting down. [He heads towards the door. "Round up your companions."] ["I'll wait for you in the clock tower."] Yeah. Oh, Dad. [He stops. "What is it?"] * Herman sighs. "I need you to teach me more magic." Something big's going on. I can't cover it. [He pauses for a long moment, then steps out. "Perhaps."] * Herman nods. He takes a moment to gather the shredded, tattered remnants of his pride, then walks out to rejoin the others.