Balance

“For I am I...my own sphinx, conflict, chaos, vortex — asymmetric to all rhythms, oblique to all paths. I am the prism between black and white: mine own unison in duality.” - Austin Osman Spare
Biography John's been in Prospect about two years, now. He's assumed proprietorship of Off the Record, a local media shop and cafe that caters to the quiet, intellectual occultist and obscure music aficionado; you aren't likely to find much in the way of massively popular music or 'literature' there. However, what he does have in stock is fascinating, and the coffee's outstanding. Studious and slightly acerbic, John's occasionally dreamy, out-of-focus personality belies a razor-sharp wit, and he is far more perceptive than generally given credit for; he sharpens those wits by indulging his seeming obsession with puzzles at any opportunity. Recently, he has been being tutored by Stella Amunet; given that he doesn't attend college at all, this could be seen as kind of an unusual arrangement. Traditionally speaking, he is a Third Degree Practicus of the Order of Hermes, part of the chantry Fellowship of the Secret Word. Contacts Stella: Mentor. Friend. Surprisingly human. Reverend Mother is here, purse first, to teach the children. Maglock: Being purposely obtuse is neither charming nor interesting. You aren't deep. And I can rearrange waking dreams. Gate: The shambling horror speaks! I'll invest in an actual working gas mask for future parleys. Keris: Truly mysterious, magical, noble and /funny/. Hopefully fate brings you here again. Simone: You seemed more genuine before. Pity you have a creeper cousin. Mindy/Roz: I thought you'd returned. I guess I thought wrong. Kyler: So far, you seem all right. Like you remember the 'Oblige' part, anyway. Salimah: I should be helping you, but instead you are helping me. Thank you. Wyck: You need to balance youthful whimsy with serious exploration. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Adrian: Are there any bridges you haven't burned, you obnoxious, flaky fuck? Ashleigh: You're kinda young, and honestly kind of cute. Let me help you beat down those fears and regain your wonder. Eloise: Nice that you've developed a taste for serious coffee. Nope, not giving you the recipe. RP Hooks Occultism: More than merely fascinated with it, it is his very life's blood and raison d'etre. The Art of Divination: He practices it - to rather eerie and uncomfortable effect. He's no charlatan, but a Cassandra. Industrial Subculture: He's neck-deep in it. He'll deign to go to Neofolk/pagan and Goth events, too. Problem-Solver: Got an enigma to deal with? Perhaps a conundrum? He's brilliant with puzzles. Esoteric Media: Like weird books and weirder music? So does John. He could probably even sell you some. Mummies: He isn't an Egyptian scholar, but something more vital than that. Gateway to Isis' secrets, perhaps? Hermetic House Merinita: Do you know of them? He is desperately seeking them out. Possibly for hereditary reasons. Nightmares: Do you suffer from them? He can help you with them better than drugs or a psychiatrist could. Stereotypes Changelings: Give sanity a longer leash, some of us have sharper teeth. Shifters: The tenderness of wolves. Vampires: Under shivering stars the sickness is gliding. Sorcerers: Seduce, let loose the vision and the void. Psychics: See the future leaking through. Mages: At the heart of it all. Wraiths: Who should I say is calling? Demons: This is not paradise lost, but paradise disowned. Mummies: Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you. Theme Songs "The Snow (Answers Come in Dreams II)" - Coil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCt1Ch0bsSo "Dogstar Man/Helter Skelter" - Meat Beat Manifesto http://youtu.be/VxETr_igHhw "Psychonaut" - Fields of the Nephilim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dUyc1wR-h0 "Who By Fire" - Coil/Leonard Cohen http://youtu.be/VteYF3P_9W0 "Sumerland" - Fields of the Nephilim https://youtu.be/LYwYfPnjL78 "We Take Mystery (to Bed)" - Gary Numan http://youtu.be/X6nmepWa3fE "Ghosts" - Japan http://youtu.be/7zzLU1ato2w "Mirrors Fade" - ∆AIMON https://youtu.be/Qy2TvMugKnI Gallery	John Balance Birthday: March, 1986 Occupation: Owner-Operator Off the Record. Sphere: Sorcerer Faction: Arcanum Sect: Cult of Isis Affiliation: Order of Hermes Race: Kinain Kith-blood: Sluagh Demeanor: Visionary Nature: Visionary Compulsion: Puzzles Paths/Magic Oneiromancy 5 Divination 2 Hellfire 2 Mind Shields 2 Attributes Intelligence 3 Perception 4 Wits 4 Abilities Awareness 4 Enigmas 4 Fae Lore 2 Fortune-Telling 4 Intuition 3 Investigation 4 Lucid Dreaming 4 Mage Lore 3 Mummy Lore 2 Occult 4 Research 4 Sorcerer Lore 3 Merits Chantry 2 Demesne 3 Dream 2 Kinain 4 Library 2 Oracular Ability 3