BUT, when it comes out that there’s doubt about how real Zona’s feelings for Mentl are, maybe Rannik could come to think he has another shot? Hmm, interesting dramatic possibilities there…

Note that she seems to be talking to preteens (body hasn’t changed) so that she is giving the straight interpretation of the rules. Works that way for us too. You are speeding, cop pulls you over, the “rules” say that you get a ticket, but the cop has the authority in his official capacity to judge if you can be let off with a warning.

The upgrade from Copper to Bronze can come “after a while” on Copper, so I think we can agree that that would be a no brainer as far as the current state of M&Z (discounting the magic). Especially with repeated comments about “sharing” not being a good idea for the two of them. Sooo, where are we at?

1) Zona has been unduly influenced by Mentl’s magic to have feelings for him that she wouldn’t have developed.

OOPS! Big problem for everyone. It would probably kill Mentl, although it does have the interesting possibility that Mentl and Zona could stay friends and the relationship between Mentl and Tula could blossom. That would be an odd twist, but as long as the storyline is centered around the trio (and maybe a few more companions adding in), we get a classic love triangle setup.

2) Zona has been influenced by Mentl’s magic but only to the point of speeding up the relationship. IOW, if there was no magic and no pressure, they would have eventually stepped that way eventually, but it might have taken several years.

No big deal here, several different ways to play it. You could get a milder variation of the love triangle above, especially if either Mentl or Zona (or both) want to “cool it off to be sure” for a while. Time of extra flirty between Tula and Mentl, with or without consummation.

3) No influence from Mentl’s magic beyond icebreaker (Zona would have dismissed him from thought as a partner). No problem there, Zona has just fallen harder than she ever has before and Mentl’s magic just turns her on extra (quicker than a couple of drinks and dancing at the club, but there you are).

Easiest one in some ways (although we can get plenty of drama during a six month separation, or whatever bit of that it takes for Mentl to be trained enough to do the next mission with more control). I think about six months could be reasonable since they trio just ripped the head enemy a new one and potentially killed some of his key henchmen that he has to replace.

4) This one is a sneaky thought. Mentl did influence Zona unintentionally, but he also influenced himself by putting himself into the songs he was singing for her (not just love songs, look at page 280). So now there is no way to separate them, because they are too closely bound together and balanced. Now both of them are stuck in it.

NOTE: This assumes that Zona would have had some strong feelings for Mentl anyway, at least Copper Path or close, which means that it isn’t against her will, just a bit more than she would have probably let it develop into “naturally”.

Mentl will get to go all angsty on us and Zona will whap him upside the head in her practical manner and explain that now that it is this way, she doesn’t want to change it and it is all good. Especially if his magic is also weaving them into the force to counter a returning god of evil…

Heh, I still think that the Gallery picture “LegGrabber” is going to happen at some point, at least the sentiment behind it.

Heh, as long as I’m being chatty, with all this power Mentl has under wraps, Zona’s “too much male spirit” problem could probably go away after they handle this little issue in front of them. Oh, more fun to think about.

Heh heh heh. I DARE Karna to imply that Mentl turned Zona into a puppet love-slave with Zona in the room to hear it. I wonder, will Karna still be conscious or even breathing afterward?

I like the idea of a month long or longer break during which Zona isn’t exposed to magic and Mentl gets some training, even if it isn’t for the silver path it may be the best approach. Questions get answered and the wild magic gets tamed, at least in theory, plus it gives everyone a chance to think about the situation before jumping to conclusions. The only problem is I don’t think there is time for that right now. Remember the greenies are massing along the border and have been meddling in local politics, I doubt they plan to sit and make camp for a few months before making serious trouble.