Folklore and Fact: Mystical Artifacts, Week 7 [Thurs/2nd Period]

[blossomsofice.livejournal.com]

Sakura's expression this morning, as she waited for her students to arrive, was inscrutable, although she did have yet another ice cream sundae on hand. On the display screens were three different versions of a symbol that several students in the class would likely already recognize.

"This week's class, like last week's, also has roots in the medieval era, although the stories surrounding our object of focus are more specific to Jewish, Islamic, and Christian tradition," she said. Glancing toward Evie, Dawn, and the Winchesters, she added, "
I'm sure some of you are familiar with the Seal of Solomon. It's found in many accounts, including the Thousand and One Nights, and notably the Arabic tale of the demon Sakhr -- which is very similar to the ancient Greek account of Polycrates, as told by Herodotus."

"Various stories said the Seal possessed different powers," Sakura continued as she moved around the table to open this week's lockbox. "Some say it gave him the power to speak with animals, and others say that Solomon could use the signet ring bearing the Seal to command demons or djinni."

She withdrew a brass and iron ring, set with jewels and intricately carved with symbols, from the box and held it up for a moment before placing it on the scanning platform so the students could see its enlarged image on the display screens. "We haven't attempted to use it to do the latter, but the probability is very high, as representations of the Seal have been known to possess that power." She paused. "As I'm sure some of you know. Some traditions of alchemy also use the Seal as a symbol of transmutation, and forms of the Seal are part of several national flags from the Middle Eastern region -- the symbolism is so widespread that many people don't realize what kind of power it has. That's another reason Precious artifacts such as this can go unnoticed for so long."

Sakura paused, then continued, "But symbols can be very powerful, of course, and the Seal is no exception. The people who were after this ring when we obtained it would have used it to command an army of animals . . . and probably demons as well, if we hadn't gotten to the Pipes of Hamelin before they did."

She shut down the display screens and turned to face the class. "So these are your questions for discussion today. Solomon was, according to legend, a king of unparalleled wisdom and power. What would you do if you possessed an object that gave you the powers of this signet ring? Use it for good or evil? For your own gain, to help others, or some of both? How would you use that power?"

Sakura was secretly hoping for less-than-serious responses today. She could use the entertainment value -- it was really too cold to be eating this much ice cream.

[OOC: Class Info Post. Apologies again for not posting this last night. OCD is up!]

Comments

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe took detailed notes and was sure she had seen something about Solomon in the Book of Shadows...

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[neurotic-witch.livejournal.com]

Chris was taking detailed notes also.

But he still managed to toss a note on Phoebe's desk.

How you holding up?

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe tried to smile. She wrote back a quick reply.

Some times are better than others. Nights are the worst. I found a letter he had written me before...

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[neurotic-witch.livejournal.com]

Do you want company at night? My offer to crash on your floor still stands.

He had no idea what to say about the letter, and hesitated before adding,

What did it say?

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe took a deep breath and tried to control the shaking of her hands as she wrote down what the letter had said. It's not like she could ever forget it.

If I'm dead right now, I know it was at your hand. No one else in heaven or hell had power over me. Please don't cry, I was dead before I met you, I was born the day you loved me, and my love for you will keep me alive forever.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[neurotic-witch.livejournal.com]

Chris blinked.

Oh, wow. That's... wow. He must have had some idea that you'd need to do what you did.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded, managing to wipe a tear away before it could fall.

It would appear so. But how?

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[neurotic-witch.livejournal.com]

I don't know. But it doesn't sound like he blames you at all.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

It doesn't seem like he does. I wonder how he knew that it was going to happen?

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[neurotic-witch.livejournal.com]

Maybe he knew that good always triumphs over evil.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

He did ask me a long time ago to promise to stop him if he lost control.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[neurotic-witch.livejournal.com]

Well, it sounds like that definitely happened.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Yeah I guess it did.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt settled at a desk by Phoebe. "Hi, Aunt Phoebe," he said, smiling at her.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe gave a faint smile. "Hey Wyatt. I hear that you an adventure of the clothesless variety."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt blinked and facepalmed. "It's all wildly exaggerated," he lied.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe cocked her head. "The squirrels know everything around her, Wyatt. Well, everything except about the demon that attacked me last night," she corrected herself. "How did your clothes walk away from you, anyway?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt chose to conveniently ignore his disappearing clothing in favor of demon attack. "What?" he said. "You were attacked by a demon? Where? Are you okay?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded. "Former right hand of the... The Source," she said quietly. "He thought he would prove himself to be worthy of becoming the new Source by killing me." She shrugged. "Dane wasn't worthy. I killed him with Cole's athame."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[blessed_twice]

"Good for you," Wyatt said. "But maybe you shouldn't go anywhere alone for awhile. He might not be the only one looking to make a name for himself."

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

Phoebe nodded. "That was the same thought I had after last night. What better way to make a name for themself than to kill the former Queen and a Charmed One at that?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[blessed_twice]

"Maybe he wants to make sure you're not, um, carrying the Source's heir?" Wyatt suggested. He paused, then added, "You're not, right?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

It was a credit to Phoebe's mental state right now that she didn't pause in answering that question for longer than a minute or two.

"No...?"

Sometimes, you just have to make your nephews flail.

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt mentally eeped. "Maybe you should go to the clinic...?"

Re: During the Lecture [FaF, Week 7]

[sensethevisions]

And for some reason, Phoebe decided that being a brat right now was a really good idea.

"And tell them what? That I may be knocked up with the spawn of evil?"

Yeah, she knew she wasn't, but she was enjoying the faces her nephew was making.