Esoterica 6

[10/11/2015 5:37:14 PM] Canto: So you were off to the Airship Dock, I believe.

[10/11/2015 5:40:21 PM] *** Josephine was! She'll take one of her dad's carriages. ***

[10/11/2015 5:47:05 PM] Canto: Okay! You and Theo drive out. It's just around two or three in the afternoon. YOu were heading out on the advice of one of your dad's imps, who provided some vague sinister clue.

[10/11/2015 5:47:55 PM] *** Josephine snuggles up to Theo a bit in the carriage. ***

[10/11/2015 5:49:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well. That wasn't so bad.

[10/11/2015 5:50:09 PM] Josephine: Not at all.

[10/11/2015 5:50:28 PM] Josephine: Though I'd certainly like to get you all to myself for a few days.

[10/11/2015 5:57:05 PM] Canto: Theo smiles. "That is definitely an appealing proposition.  How do you suggest we proceed?"

[10/11/2015 5:58:24 PM] Josephine: We'll start with the airship launch.

[10/11/2015 6:00:07 PM] Canto: Theo nods.

[10/11/2015 6:01:47 PM] Josephine: Then the observatory, if that doesn't yield any results.

[10/11/2015 6:14:14 PM] Canto: Theo:  Which observatory?

[10/11/2015 6:14:47 PM] Josephine: ... oh, that's a good question. I keep forgetting there are more than one.

[10/11/2015 6:19:55 PM] Josephine: It doesn't matter, I suppose.

[10/11/2015 6:24:05 PM] Canto: Theo:  Which one did you have in mind?

[10/11/2015 6:27:17 PM] Josephine: The Royal Observatory.

[10/11/2015 6:35:17 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "It's a good thought.  Why do you think the imp giggled so much when he told your father his riddle?  I don't have a lot of experience with them."

[10/11/2015 6:36:15 PM] Josephine: It'll mean something nasty is there, or the answer is rigged to mean something we wouldn't think of.

[10/11/2015 6:47:05 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "I haven't been to the airship dock for a few months.  Have you?

[10/11/2015 6:49:49 PM] Josephine: No, not for a while. Why?

[10/11/2015 6:50:40 PM] Canto: Theo:  Just wondering. Last time I went there they still hadn't installed any protective wards against incantations or other thaumaturgical devilry.

[10/11/2015 6:52:31 PM] Josephine: Bother. Truly? That seems unwise.

[10/11/2015 6:55:58 PM] Canto: Theo:  Extremely. Apparently it was rather tied up in bureaucracy.

[10/11/2015 6:59:54 PM] Josephine: That isn't surprising.

[10/11/2015 7:00:04 PM] Josephine: There are so many groups, all bickering and jockeying for position.

[10/11/2015 7:01:04 PM] Canto: Theo:  The politics of old world magic is extremely tiring, isn't it?

[10/11/2015 7:02:40 PM] Josephine: I haven't much to do with it, since I don't practice.

[10/11/2015 7:04:32 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well. They are.

[10/11/2015 7:07:52 PM] Canto: Your carriage arrives outside of the Airship tower! It is pretty tall from down here, oneo f the tallest buildings in london, just by necessity.

[10/11/2015 7:09:26 PM] Josephine: I'm so glad they put lifts in.

[10/11/2015 7:09:35 PM] *** Josephine looks to the top of it. ***

[10/11/2015 7:14:10 PM] Canto: There are no airships docked at the moment.

[10/11/2015 7:14:26 PM] Canto: Two guards stand outside the entrance.

[10/11/2015 7:16:13 PM] *** Josephine just passes between them. ***

[10/11/2015 7:18:02 PM] Canto: They don't stop you!

[10/11/2015 7:18:22 PM] *** Josephine takes the lift up! ***

[10/11/2015 7:19:07 PM] Canto: You pass through the lobby, heading toward the lift. Another guard is there, and he stops you! "'Scuse me, ma'am.  They're doin' some work up there."

[10/11/2015 7:20:53 PM] Josephine: We won't get in the way. I'm merely showing the best view of the city to my American friend.

[10/11/2015 7:23:34 PM] Canto: The guard eyes Theo for a moment. "Well... I'm really not supposed to let anyone up there." You can tell he's a bit cowed, realizing from your dress and accent that you're high-born.

[10/11/2015 7:25:02 PM] Josephine: It'll only be a few minutes.

[10/11/2015 7:25:09 PM] *** Josephine just heads for the lift. ***

[10/11/2015 7:26:30 PM] Canto: Theo follows! The guard says 'Miss! Miss..." Weakly a couple of times, but doesn't stop you!

[10/11/2015 7:31:16 PM] *** Josephine smiles at him as they go up. ***

[10/11/2015 7:31:47 PM] Canto: Theo:  I wonder what they're working on.

[10/11/2015 7:33:00 PM] Josephine: I've no idea. Had I stayed I would have had to lie a bit, and I'd rather not.

[10/11/2015 7:37:12 PM] Canto: Theo:  That was very impressive.

[10/11/2015 7:38:26 PM] Josephine: Taking advantage of someone with my rank? I suppose it could be considered so.

[10/11/2015 7:44:02 PM] Canto: Theo:  I don't know if I would say that. It was more of a force of personality thing, I think.

[10/11/2015 7:44:25 PM] Josephine: Possibly both. I hope he doesn't get fired.

[10/11/2015 7:54:46 PM] Canto: Theo:   ... you're very thoughtful.

[10/11/2015 7:55:33 PM] Josephine: I was more worried about the guards at the museum.

[10/11/2015 7:55:59 PM] Josephine: What were they supposed to do, with a vampire controlling their minds? It wasn't their fault, they ought to have charms or something preventing that sort of thing.

[10/11/2015 7:56:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  I had almost forgotten the theft, what with everything else going on.

[10/11/2015 7:57:25 PM] Josephine: I'm still rather annoyed with the vampire.

[10/11/2015 7:59:19 PM] Canto: Theo:  do you think anything should be done about him?

[10/11/2015 7:59:45 PM] Josephine: Yes, but it isn't likely the law can be of any help.

[10/11/2015 7:59:47 PM] Josephine: There's no proof.

[10/11/2015 8:01:21 PM] Canto: Theo:  Mmm. A fair point.

[10/11/2015 8:02:37 PM] Canto: The elevator dings, and the doors open to a blustery wind.

[10/11/2015 8:11:32 PM] Josephine: Goodness.

[10/11/2015 8:11:36 PM] *** Josephine steps out, carefully. ***

[10/11/2015 8:13:06 PM] Canto: Also wet!

[10/11/2015 8:13:29 PM] Canto: There are several workmen here, but they don't seem to pay any attention to your arrival.

[10/11/2015 8:15:03 PM] Josephine: Take a look, is there any magic here?

[10/11/2015 8:16:32 PM] Canto: Theo pulls out his glasses! Your arm is itchy.

[10/11/2015 8:17:12 PM] *** Josephine makes sure no one is looking and peels up her sleeve a little bit. ***

[10/11/2015 8:21:26 PM] Canto: Roll a d10!

[10/11/2015 8:22:27 PM] Josephine: ((8!))

[10/11/2015 8:33:03 PM] Canto: Nice! As you squint against the drizzle and the wind, you swear you notice your markings moving on your skin.

[10/11/2015 8:38:26 PM] Josephine: Theo! My arm.

[10/11/2015 8:39:54 PM] Canto: Theo blinks, and looks at your arm. "Whoa.  It's... radiating something.  What does it feel like?"

[10/11/2015 8:40:45 PM] Josephine: Itchy.

[10/11/2015 8:42:07 PM] Canto: He adjusts the lenses on his glasses. "There's something here that's interacting with it.  It didn't read as magical before, to my perceptions anyway, but it does now."

[10/11/2015 8:46:19 PM] Josephine: ... interesting.

[10/11/2015 8:46:21 PM] Josephine: And worrying.

[10/11/2015 8:49:37 PM] Canto: Theo:  Concentrate on it. Maybe you can dowse with it.

[10/11/2015 8:50:44 PM] Josephine: ... are... are you sure it's safe?

[10/11/2015 8:52:39 PM] Canto: Theo:  I don't know. I don't think it's harmful to you, though. We would have sensed that earlier, if it was. And we do know there's al ink between Lady Emberly, and the seance where you got thse markings.

[10/11/2015 8:52:41 PM] Canto: Roll a d10!

[10/11/2015 8:53:36 PM] Josephine: ((4!))

[10/11/2015 8:53:46 PM] Josephine: This is true.

[10/11/2015 8:58:42 PM] *** Josephine hesitates, but concentrates on her arm! ***

[10/11/2015 9:01:28 PM] Canto: Okay! Roll another d10.

[10/11/2015 9:01:46 PM] Josephine: ((3!))

[10/11/2015 9:07:41 PM] Canto: So, you concentrate. The squiggly lines on your arm seem to shift and move as you watch, smoothly serpentine in their movements, and there is something very mesmerizing about the shapes they form as you watch. You feel the world around seem to fall away -- the wind, the rain, the tower, even Theo... they all fall away and you find yourself in darkness, walking on a golden road that seems to describe a complicated pattern to walk.

[10/11/2015 9:08:40 PM] Josephine: ... oh...

[10/11/2015 9:09:40 PM] Canto: There is definitely magic here, and the path would seem to lead you to what you seek.

[10/11/2015 9:12:10 PM] *** Josephine starts walking, slowly. ***

[10/11/2015 9:13:01 PM] Josephine: ... Theo?

[10/11/2015 9:14:23 PM] Canto: He does not seem to be around!

[10/11/2015 9:15:23 PM] *** Josephine keeps walking, looking around. ***

[10/11/2015 9:17:01 PM] Canto: Following the path?

[10/11/2015 9:17:17 PM] *** Josephine stays on the path. ***

[10/11/2015 9:19:15 PM] Canto: Okay. You follow the winding path, for all its switchbacks and windings. It doesn't seem to cover a lot of distance, but  you can only see about five feet ahead of you at any one time, so it's hard to gauge how long you've been moving. Suddenly, the darkness falls away and you're back at the airship dock, standing in front of a crate. Theo is talking you. "Josie?  Are you back with me?"

[10/11/2015 9:20:07 PM] *** Josephine blinks. ***

[10/11/2015 9:20:13 PM] Josephine: ... Theo? What... what happened?

[10/11/2015 9:23:17 PM] Canto: Theo shrugs.. "I'm not sure.  You went into a trance of some kind.  Pretty deep, you didn't seem able to hear me or see me.  Then you walked about the platform a bit, and stopped here."

[10/11/2015 9:23:42 PM] Josephine: Oh. ... I wonder why.

[10/11/2015 9:23:45 PM] *** Josephine looks around. ***

[10/11/2015 9:23:53 PM] Canto: There's a crate in front of you!

[10/11/2015 9:26:57 PM] Josephine: Help me open this.

[10/11/2015 9:27:02 PM] *** Josephine starts prying it open. ***

[10/11/2015 9:32:39 PM] Canto: Theo does! You open it! One of the workmen come over. "You.  Shouldn't open that." His voice is deep, menacing, and gutteral.

[10/11/2015 9:33:49 PM] Josephine: Too late.

[10/11/2015 9:33:51 PM] *** Josephine looks inside. ***

[10/11/2015 9:38:03 PM] Canto: The interior is filled with straw. At the center is a strange statue, made of a ceramic-like substance. The statue looks new, but old, all at the same time. It's only vaguely humanoid, and its only features are a pair of eyes made of ruby. Or maybe just red glass.

[10/11/2015 9:38:11 PM] Canto: Workman:  You shouldn't have done that.

[10/11/2015 9:38:16 PM] Canto: Roll a d10!

[10/11/2015 9:45:10 PM] Josephine: ((2, of course.))

[10/11/2015 9:45:17 PM] Josephine: Why not?

[10/11/2015 9:46:22 PM] Canto: You are taken quite off guard as the workman rakes claws down your back. Theo is as well, moving to draw his gun from his holster.

[10/11/2015 9:50:33 PM] *** Josephine makes a surprised little shriek and grabs the statue. ***

[10/11/2015 9:53:56 PM] Canto: Theo draws his gun! The other two workmen come over, their forms shifting and changing, beomcing more bestial and demonic.

[10/11/2015 9:56:14 PM] Josephine: Ooh, Mr. Crafter, I think you're going to have to shoot them!

[10/11/2015 9:56:28 PM] *** Josephine jams the statue into her blouse, if it's small enough, and then readies her parasol! ***

[10/11/2015 9:58:56 PM] Canto: It's a bit big, about the size of a wine bottle!

[10/11/2015 9:59:38 PM] Canto: Theo nods, and is already readying his weapon. You brandish your parasol!

[10/11/2015 9:59:52 PM] Canto: Shall we leave it there? CLIFFHANGER.

[10/12/2015 7:40:55 PM] Canto: CLIFFHANGAR

[10/12/2015 7:41:09 PM] *** Josephine brandishes her parasol! ***

[10/12/2015 7:44:15 PM] Canto: Yep! There were three demonic looking workmen! One of whom had raked Josie across the back.

[10/12/2015 7:47:45 PM] *** Josephine waits for one to attack her, or for Theo to shoot them all! ***

[10/12/2015 7:47:48 PM] *** Josephine is not an action girl! ***

[10/12/2015 7:49:14 PM] Canto: One of them is right next to you, the one that already hit you. He's rearing back, ready to hit you again.

[10/12/2015 7:51:54 PM] *** Josephine thumps him on the head with her parasol, a sharp tap! She's... just not very strong. ***

[10/12/2015 7:52:44 PM] Canto: Okay! As you bring the parasol down on his head, your arm tingles agin. Roll a die!

[10/12/2015 7:53:37 PM] Josephine: (( 9!))

[10/12/2015 7:56:13 PM] Canto: Nice! This weird, blackish red energy comes off your arm, tendrils of black lines coming off and seeming to wrap around your umbrella, which begins to glow with a red outline as you bring it down on the attacker's head. There's a might, charged crack, and the attacker vanishes. Just poofs out.

[10/12/2015 7:56:41 PM] Josephine: Oh good gad! Theo! Did I just send him to Perdition? Bother!

[10/12/2015 7:59:03 PM] Canto: Theo takes a couple shots at one of the others.

[10/12/2015 7:59:15 PM] Canto: That one also vanishes!

[10/12/2015 7:59:18 PM] *** Josephine gets her parasol ready for another one. ***

[10/12/2015 7:59:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  I wouldn't worry, I think you just sent him home.

[10/12/2015 8:01:31 PM] Josephine: Well I don't want to help them.

[10/12/2015 8:02:19 PM] Canto: The last remaining attacker belches FIRE in your direction!

[10/12/2015 8:03:57 PM] *** Josephine yelps and jumps back. ***

[10/12/2015 8:08:58 PM] Canto: Your parasol opens on its own! And manages to deflect the hellfire. Which it was definitely not designed for!

[10/12/2015 8:09:25 PM] Josephine: Damnation!

[10/12/2015 8:21:44 PM] Canto: Theo takes aim and takes another shot! This one does not banish the attacker, but the attacker still does not seem to enjoy this.

[10/12/2015 8:21:55 PM] Canto: He lumbers forward toward Theo!

[10/12/2015 8:26:46 PM] *** Josephine darts over and tries to crack him on the back of the head with the parasol! ***

[10/12/2015 8:26:53 PM] Canto: Roll a die!

[10/12/2015 8:27:18 PM] Josephine: ((6! ))

[10/12/2015 8:29:56 PM] Canto: Crack! You crack the brigand, and he poofs as well.

[10/12/2015 8:32:28 PM] Josephine: What the devil was that.

[10/12/2015 8:33:41 PM] Canto: Roll again, please!

[10/12/2015 8:33:56 PM] Josephine: ((1 of course!))

[10/12/2015 8:37:18 PM] Canto: you pass out! You are suddenly completely and totally exhausted. It just hit syou like a sack of of oranges over the head.

[10/12/2015 8:38:08 PM] *** Josephine faints quite neatly and in a ladylike fashion. Whether Theo catches her or not is entirely up to him. ***

[10/12/2015 8:40:24 PM] Canto: He does!

[10/12/2015 8:40:47 PM] *** Josephine hopes she'll wake up eventually. ***

[10/12/2015 8:43:05 PM] Canto: Yep! She actually hear's Theo's voice say "Awaken," and there's some magical force behind the word, and you come to, like magic smelling salts.

[10/12/2015 8:44:43 PM] *** Josephine opens her eyes. ***

[10/12/2015 8:44:58 PM] Josephine: That... wasn't a dream, was it? Was it a dream?

[10/12/2015 8:46:59 PM] Canto: Theo:  No, afraid not. That was very impressive.

[10/12/2015 8:48:25 PM] Josephine: What was impressive?

[10/12/2015 8:49:17 PM] Canto: Theo:  The way you banished them.

[10/12/2015 8:52:36 PM] Canto: Theo:  They were tied here with some pretty powerful summonings and bindings, and you unraveled them like they were nothing.

[10/12/2015 8:53:44 PM] Josephine: That's ... I don't think it was me.

[10/12/2015 8:54:11 PM] Josephine: It must be some sort of magic working through me. My arm, perhaps. ... do you think we ought to cut it off before it spreads?

[10/12/2015 8:55:59 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... I think we should consider that Plan B.

[10/12/2015 8:58:08 PM] Josephine: I don't want to be a demon.

[10/12/2015 8:59:19 PM] Canto: Theo:  I think there's more to it than that.

[10/12/2015 8:59:59 PM] Josephine: Like what? This is... I don't know anything about this. It's the only thing I haven't studied.

[10/12/2015 9:02:26 PM] Canto: Theo looks you over, looks in your eyes, adjusts the lenses on his glasses. "You're not showing any of the usual signs of demonic possession nor are you showing any signs of demonic investiture, either.  You didn't accidently become a warlock or anything.

[10/12/2015 9:02:56 PM] Josephine: Possession? I don't mean possession, I meant me.

[10/12/2015 9:05:03 PM] Canto: THeo:  I know. But I mean, this power isn't coming from anywhere else.

[10/12/2015 9:07:20 PM] Josephine: ... bad blood will tell.

[10/12/2015 9:07:47 PM] Canto: Theo:  Blood isn't good or bad, Josie. It just is.

[10/12/2015 9:12:17 PM] Josephine: I'm part demon. I suppose I'm just lucky it manifested like that instead of something worse.

[10/12/2015 9:18:20 PM] Canto: Theo:  No talk of amputations just yet, please. Come on, on your feet.

[10/12/2015 9:20:18 PM] *** Josephine stands up, shakily. ***

[10/12/2015 9:20:25 PM] Josephine: Father will be so happy.

[10/12/2015 9:20:34 PM] *** Josephine bursts into tears suddenly. ***

[10/12/2015 9:20:42 PM] Canto: Theo:  About what....?

[10/12/2015 9:20:55 PM] Canto: Then he pulls you into him.

[10/12/2015 9:24:27 PM] *** Josephine cries a little bit, and then snuffles. ***

[10/12/2015 9:24:37 PM] Josephine: He always wished I'd take up magic.

[10/12/2015 9:27:12 PM] Canto: Theo:  You're not a sorcerer yet. Think of this more like your mental powers.

[10/12/2015 9:27:45 PM] Josephine: But it's not the same.

[10/12/2015 9:36:12 PM] Canto: Theo:  No, it's new, and strange, and different, and we don't understand it yet. But we will.

[10/12/2015 9:39:01 PM] Josephine: ... right. Right. I'm sorry, how very... silly of me.

[10/12/2015 9:40:33 PM] Canto: Theo:  No need to apologize. It's natural to be wary of what is not understood.

[10/12/2015 9:41:14 PM] Josephine: It isn't that at all.

[10/12/2015 9:41:18 PM] Josephine: I'm just wary of me.

[10/12/2015 9:44:03 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well. I'm not.

[10/12/2015 9:45:47 PM] *** Josephine hugs him tightly. ***

[10/12/2015 9:47:55 PM] Canto: He hugs back! IT's still cold and drizzly up here.

[10/12/2015 9:49:33 PM] Josephine: Let's go somewhere warm and dry out. Back to Father's house I suppose. Oh, I didn't drop that statue, did I?

[10/12/2015 9:51:56 PM] Canto: It is still in your other hand!

[10/12/2015 9:53:18 PM] Josephine: Oh, there it is. Good.

[10/12/2015 9:53:34 PM] Josephine: Right. We'll bring this back to papa.

[10/12/2015 9:55:24 PM] Canto: Theo nods! Right.

[10/14/2015 8:01:00 PM] Canto: So! you guys had left the Airship dock after your melee with demonic assailants! And you had a small statue, about the size of a wine bottle.

[10/14/2015 8:01:54 PM] *** Josephine leans on Theo a bit on the way back down! ***

[10/14/2015 8:05:41 PM] Canto: The back of your dress is a bit shredded as well!

[10/14/2015 8:06:27 PM] Josephine: ... oh... May I borrow your coat, please?

[10/14/2015 8:08:11 PM] Canto: Theo nods, already taking off his coat. "Sorry about your dress. "

[10/14/2015 8:09:16 PM] Josephine: It's not in fashion anymore anyway.

[10/14/2015 8:09:43 PM] Canto: THeo:  It's not?

[10/14/2015 8:09:56 PM] *** Josephine puts his coat on over her dress (and her own shawl, likely also shredded). ***

[10/14/2015 8:10:14 PM] Josephine: No. Sleeves are fuller now.

[10/14/2015 8:11:22 PM] Canto: Theo:  How do you tell?

[10/14/2015 8:12:34 PM] Josephine: ... by looking?

[10/14/2015 8:14:18 PM] Canto: Theo:  I mean, in general, how do you tell what's in fashion?

[10/14/2015 8:14:42 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... It's like a secret language I don't understand.

[10/14/2015 8:15:24 PM] Josephine: Oh, the same way you learn anything.

[10/14/2015 8:15:40 PM] Josephine: You read about it and keep abreast of the issues at hand.

[10/14/2015 8:15:52 PM] Josephine: Magazines help a great deal.

[10/14/2015 8:17:34 PM] Canto: Theo:  Hmm.

[10/14/2015 8:18:40 PM] Josephine: Of course there are good ones and bad ones, just as with academic journals.

[10/14/2015 8:23:30 PM] Canto: Theo:  I don't read a lot of periodicals, I suppose, besides the newspapers.

[10/14/2015 8:24:18 PM] Josephine: And academic work relevant to your field, I assume. Goodness, I don't even know if you went to university, I just assumed it.

[10/14/2015 8:28:29 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "Harvard, back in the states."

[10/14/2015 8:29:20 PM] Josephine: A very good school indeed. Have I been misaddressing you all this time? Is it Dr. Crafter?

[10/14/2015 8:29:52 PM | Edited 8:30:45 PM] Canto: Theo:  They don't offer doctorates for my chosen fields just yet.

[10/14/2015 8:31:25 PM] Josephine: Ah, good.

[10/14/2015 8:31:40 PM] Josephine: ... well, not good. But I'm glad I haven't been rude.

[10/14/2015 8:33:08 PM] Canto: THeo smiles. "Hardly."

[10/14/2015 8:36:24 PM] Josephine: Good.

[10/14/2015 8:37:06 PM] Josephine: I just want a hot cup of tea in front of papa's fireplace. Only I'd rather have it with you in front of mine...

[10/14/2015 8:39:18 PM] Canto: Theo: ... yes, that does sound pretty great.

[10/14/2015 8:40:59 PM] *** Josephine will let him help her into the carriage if they're there? ***

[10/14/2015 8:42:30 PM] Canto: Yep! He does so, and takes the statue from you to inspect it once you're on your way back home.

[10/14/2015 8:45:19 PM] *** Josephine lets him, albeit slightly reluctantly. And then clings a bit more than usual. ***

[10/14/2015 8:47:36 PM] Canto: Theo shakes the statue. There's definitely something rattling around inside it.

[10/14/2015 8:47:56 PM] Josephine: ...what's inside?

[10/14/2015 8:48:24 PM] Canto: Theo:  Can't be anything too big.

[10/14/2015 8:50:16 PM] Josephine: A key? Or something magic?

[10/14/2015 8:51:14 PM] Canto: Theo:  I can't tell if it's magical:  Probably the reason it's in the statue in the first place, to stymie scryes and divinations.

[10/14/2015 8:52:04 PM] Josephine: ... I hope it doesn't portal us to a demon dimension.

[10/14/2015 8:55:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... that would be very inconvenient, yes. And inhospitable.

[10/14/2015 8:56:23 PM] Josephine: And we'd probably be killed and eaten.

[10/14/2015 8:57:47 PM] Canto: Theo:  There's a very good chance. And tha's not the way I want to go out.

[10/14/2015 8:59:10 PM] Josephine: How do you want to go out?

[10/14/2015 8:59:47 PM] Canto: Theo:  I haven't thought about it. But 'eaten by demons' is pretty much at the bottom of the non-existent list.

[10/14/2015 9:00:06 PM] Josephine: I promise I won't eat you.

[10/14/2015 9:00:12 PM] *** Josephine hugs him. ***

[10/14/2015 9:03:55 PM] Canto: Theo:  I wasn't worried about that.

[10/14/2015 9:04:01 PM] Canto: He holds her!

[10/14/2015 9:06:17 PM] Josephine: I might nibble a little.

[10/14/2015 9:07:30 PM] Canto: Theo:  That's different, and acceptable.

[10/14/2015 9:12:19 PM] *** Josephine smiles, and hugs him. ***

[10/14/2015 9:20:37 PM] Canto: Theo kisses her!

[10/14/2015 9:21:07 PM] *** Josephine kisses him back, and very nearly forgets they're in a carriage. ***

[10/14/2015 9:23:03 PM] Canto: Before long, though, you're back in front of your father's house.

[10/14/2015 9:25:06 PM] Josephine: ... bother.

[10/14/2015 9:25:10 PM] *** Josephine catches her breath. ***

[10/14/2015 9:26:09 PM] Canto: Theo:   Indeed. Your father's driver is very efficient.

[10/14/2015 9:27:45 PM] Josephine: And, I am happy to say, hard of hearing.

[10/14/2015 9:28:09 PM] *** Josephine lets him help her out, and smooths out her dress a bit. Well, the remnants of it. Her back is already starting to hurt. ***

[10/14/2015 9:30:04 PM] Canto: Yeah, the scratches there are itchy. Luckily your father has some pretty good healing salves.

[10/14/2015 9:31:15 PM] Josephine: The scratches itch. ... are... are demons infectious?

[10/14/2015 9:33:14 PM] Canto: Theo:  Some are poisonous, but if that was the case, you would have felt the effects by now.

[10/14/2015 9:33:31 PM] Canto: Theo:  and they would have been more drastic than some itching.

[10/14/2015 9:34:22 PM] Josephine: ... good. I think.

[10/15/2015 7:18:15 PM] Canto: So! You're outside of your father's house.

[10/15/2015 7:20:55 PM] *** Josephine brings Theo indoors where it's dry and warm. ***

[10/15/2015 7:22:53 PM] Canto: Yep! Your father's maid takes your coats and goes to preparing you some tea.

[10/15/2015 7:23:36 PM] *** Josephine goes to change her clothes. ***

[10/15/2015 7:24:29 PM] Canto: I assume you have changes of clothes there. And you can be brought some salve for your wounds, if you ask for it.

[10/15/2015 7:25:47 PM] *** Josephine does. And wishes she were at home so that Theo could put it on for her! She makes do with a female servant, likely. ***

[10/15/2015 7:27:15 PM] Canto: Indeed! But one of the maids helps you.

[10/15/2015 7:29:30 PM] *** Josephine then asks for tea and hunts down Theo first. ***

[10/15/2015 7:30:48 PM] Canto: Theo is sipping on tea in the sitting room. You suddenly realize that you're super hungry, too.

[10/15/2015 7:32:48 PM] Josephine: ... I'm half starved all of a sudden.

[10/15/2015 7:33:35 PM] Josephine: Is that normal? For magic?

[10/15/2015 7:33:41 PM] Canto: Theo:  Probably has to do with the energy you expended.

[10/15/2015 7:37:17 PM] Josephine: ... good. For  a moment I thought I might be hungry for... well, you. Or human flesh.

[10/15/2015 7:39:08 PM] Canto: Theo:   Well, you're not shambling toward me, moaning out.

[10/15/2015 7:39:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  Does your hunger seem unnatural? Any specific cravings?

[10/15/2015 7:40:04 PM] Josephine: Roast beef and mashed potatoes, smothered in gravy.

[10/15/2015 7:40:54 PM] Josephine: Rather natural for a British person.

[10/15/2015 7:41:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  Then that's normal. Even for halflings like us, magic can be taxing. And the banishments you were serving up were rather strong.

[10/15/2015 7:47:19 PM] Josephine: They were?

[10/15/2015 7:47:24 PM] Josephine: ... I still don't know how I did that.

[10/15/2015 7:47:35 PM] *** Josephine sits and grabs some food and tea. ***

[10/15/2015 7:48:21 PM] Canto: They brought you some biscuits with your tea.

[10/15/2015 7:49:00 PM] Canto: Theo:  You did it without spell or ritual. Which is pretty impressive.

[10/15/2015 8:01:23 PM] *** Josephine eats the cookies. Mmm. ***

[10/15/2015 8:01:31 PM] Josephine: Are you sure it was me doing it?

[10/15/2015 8:14:58 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "It was your intent."

[10/15/2015 8:15:51 PM] Josephine: But I didn't intend it.

[10/15/2015 8:19:02 PM] Canto: Theo:  You wanted them gone.

[10/15/2015 8:19:33 PM] Josephine: Well, yes, but...

[10/15/2015 8:19:47 PM] Josephine: ... bother. Let's go find papa, perhaps he knows what on earth is going on.

[10/15/2015 8:24:11 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "We should see what he can tell us about the statue."

[10/15/2015 8:25:31 PM] Josephine: ... oh, yes, that as well.

[10/15/2015 8:26:43 PM] Canto: Theo:  If he can't tell us anything, I'll take you back to my lab and we'll see what we can figure out.

[10/15/2015 8:27:02 PM] Josephine: ... that sounds rather promising either way.

[10/15/2015 8:30:20 PM] Canto: Theo's face is blank, then he blushes a little, then he gives a smile. "Well.  Yes."

[10/15/2015 8:31:08 PM] Josephine: ... good thing papa wasn't here to hear that.

[10/15/2015 8:33:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... yes, I suppose it was.

[10/15/2015 8:33:59 PM] Josephine: Let's go and dig him up.

[10/15/2015 8:34:44 PM] Canto: Theo nods, and follows you!

[10/15/2015 8:35:46 PM] *** Josephine puts her tea down and looks for her dad! ***

[10/15/2015 8:38:37 PM] Canto: Okay! You can smell ritual candles and incense coming from his study!

[10/15/2015 8:43:57 PM] *** Josephine knocks. ***

[10/15/2015 8:44:11 PM] Josephine: He might not want to be disturbed just now.

[10/15/2015 8:45:19 PM] Canto: Theo nods. You hear your father's voice! "Come in!  I've just finished."

[10/15/2015 8:47:27 PM] *** Josephine steps in. ***

[10/15/2015 8:48:17 PM] Canto: Your father is currently standing the middle of his ritual circle, wiping a sweaty brow with his hankerchief. "Hello, my dear, hello."

[10/15/2015 8:49:27 PM] *** Josephine ignores the sweat and hugs him. It's totally inappropriate but suddenly she needed the dadness. ***

[10/15/2015 8:53:34 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Something wrong?

[10/15/2015 8:53:59 PM] Josephine: I did magic.

[10/15/2015 8:54:29 PM] Canto: Marcus:  ... how do you mean? What did you find?

[10/15/2015 8:55:51 PM] Josephine: We're not sure.

[10/15/2015 8:55:58 PM] *** Josephine lets him go and hands him the statues. ***

[10/15/2015 8:56:04 PM] Josephine: I apparently banished some demons. ... hard.

[10/15/2015 8:59:45 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "We went to the top of the airship dock.  Found some disguised creatures, posing as workmen.  I'm not sure what they were doing, but Josie found this statue, and when she did, they attacked."

[10/15/2015 9:00:10 PM] Josephine: And I... made them go away.

[10/15/2015 9:01:28 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "She banished them."

[10/15/2015 9:03:35 PM] Josephine: And then I fainted.

[10/15/2015 9:08:00 PM] Canto: Theo nods.

[10/15/2015 9:08:24 PM] Canto: Marcus legs you go. "Hmm, hmmm.  Fascinating!  I say, did you change your clothes?"

[10/15/2015 9:08:53 PM] Josephine: I had to, one of the demons scratched me with enormous claws.

[10/15/2015 9:09:01 PM] Josephine: Annie helped me put salve on it.

[10/15/2015 9:15:12 PM] Canto: He nods. "No poisons, then.  Good, good."

[10/15/2015 9:16:07 PM] Josephine: No. I ought to've had Th--Mr. Crafter look at it first I suppose, or you. Someone who knows more about this sort of thing than I do.

[10/15/2015 9:22:58 PM] Canto: Marcus:  If you had been poisoned, you would know, trust me. But you believe the source of these new powers to be your markings?

[10/15/2015 9:23:32 PM] Josephine: My arm tingled while it was happening.

[10/15/2015 9:23:42 PM] Josephine: ... or before it happened, at least.

[10/15/2015 9:26:56 PM] Canto: Theo:  She also managed to dowse this statue.

[10/15/2015 9:28:22 PM] Josephine: Well, yes.

[10/15/2015 9:30:53 PM] Canto: Marcus inspects the statue! "Hmm.  Nothing I recognize offhand..." he turns it upside down, checkout out all its angles. "Can't tell what it's made of..."

[10/15/2015 9:30:59 PM] Canto: Theo:  Volcanic ash.

[10/15/2015 9:31:59 PM] Josephine: It's got something inside.

[10/15/2015 9:33:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  Yeah, there's something rattling around in there.

[10/15/2015 9:33:58 PM] Canto: Your father jiggles it!

[10/15/2015 9:36:27 PM] Josephine: Volcanic ash, really?

[10/15/2015 9:42:05 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "Yeah.  You can tell by the marbling."

[10/15/2015 9:43:48 PM] Josephine: We'd quite like to know what it is, papa.

[10/15/2015 9:44:03 PM] Josephine: ... and whether I'm going to turn into a horrible slavering demon...

[10/15/2015 9:45:46 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Why would you do that? No, no, I think there's something else at work here.

[10/15/2015 9:46:15 PM] Canto: Marcus rattles the statue around. "Whatever's in here seems to be metal."

[10/15/2015 9:46:38 PM] Josephine: Can we get it out without breaking it?

[10/15/2015 9:47:04 PM] Josephine: ... and you know why, papa.

[10/15/2015 9:48:00 PM] Canto: Marcus:  If you were turning into a demon, you would not be able to banish demons.

[10/15/2015 9:48:37 PM] Josephine: Oh! Really?

[10/15/2015 9:54:13 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Indeed. Demonic magic focuses on conjuring and dismissing such entities. Not banishing them.

[10/15/2015 9:54:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  This was definitely banishment. They were not happy.

[10/15/2015 9:55:04 PM] Josephine: Oh thank goodness.

[10/15/2015 9:55:11 PM] *** Josephine relaxes a little. ***

[10/15/2015 9:56:43 PM] Canto: Theo:  My own knowledge of this kind of thaumaturgy is limitied.

[10/15/2015 9:58:16 PM] Josephine: Well, yes, that does make sense.

[10/15/2015 10:03:44 PM] Canto: Marcus:  It will take more study to determine what this power is, mind you.

[10/15/2015 10:08:36 PM] Josephine: Yes, of course.

[10/16/2015 8:37:14 PM] Canto: Here we are!

[10/16/2015 8:40:26 PM] Canto: So, yes. Your father had confirmed that your new powers are not manifesting because you're turning into a demon or anything.

[10/16/2015 8:42:29 PM] Josephine: ... it's just that I don't know what else it could be.

[10/16/2015 8:45:38 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Mmmm. Yes. Well, it could be fae magic.

[10/16/2015 8:45:41 PM] Canto: Theo:  It's not.

[10/16/2015 8:46:36 PM] Canto: Marcus:  A bit of an expert, are you?

[10/16/2015 8:46:40 PM] Canto: Theo:  A bit, yes.

[10/16/2015 8:47:25 PM] Josephine: Indeed.

[10/16/2015 8:48:29 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Well, I'm afraid that I am not much of an authority on fae magics, myself.

[10/16/2015 8:48:54 PM] Josephine: I think we can take his word for it, papa.

[10/16/2015 8:50:43 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Indeed. Well. Those are the two larger and more prevalent magicks, so it must be one of the other, more arcane methodologies. I will continue trying to identify the markings on your arm; I suggest you do the same.

[10/16/2015 8:53:21 PM] Josephine: ... without anything to go on it'll very much be a needle in a haystack, papa.

[10/16/2015 8:55:35 PM] Canto: Marcus: Very much so, yes. Continue following up your leads, and I will do the same. That statue is important somehow, according to my impish informant. It ties into your friend's new pyrokinesis, somehow -- a power that also does not read as demonic.

[10/16/2015 8:56:27 PM] Josephine: You're sure I'm not in danger of being taken over by something?

[10/16/2015 8:59:01 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Not by anything demonic, at any rate.

[10/16/2015 8:59:13 PM] Canto: His eyes flash over at Theo briefly, then back at you!

[10/16/2015 8:59:52 PM] Josephine: ... you think he's taking me over, really?

[10/16/2015 9:00:22 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Hmm? No, no. Just thinking.

[10/16/2015 9:00:31 PM] Josephine: Are you quite sure?

[10/16/2015 9:01:02 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Well, it had occured to me, of course, but I expect that's normal of most fathers.

[10/16/2015 9:04:21 PM] *** Josephine smiles. ***

[10/16/2015 9:04:23 PM] Josephine: Fair enough.

[10/16/2015 9:04:56 PM] Canto: Theo:  I'm not.

[10/16/2015 9:05:20 PM] Josephine: I know.

[10/16/2015 9:05:51 PM] Josephine: All right. I expect you'll start here. I've not got much on proper magic, just folklore, so I suppose we had best head to a library, or perhaps your lab, Mr. Crafter.

[10/16/2015 9:10:44 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "Yes, I'd like to do some analysis of your markings."

[10/16/2015 9:11:03 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Hm. What kind of analysis?

[10/16/2015 9:12:38 PM] Josephine: ... I hope nothing strenuous involving needles or some such thing...

[10/16/2015 9:14:16 PM] Canto: Theo:  I have a fairly thorough alchemical and thaumaturgical setup back at my home. No needles required.

[10/16/2015 9:15:47 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Ah. Well. Perhaps your machines can discern something.

[10/16/2015 9:16:28 PM] Josephine: And perhaps I can meet your friend. Is he a thaumaturgist as well?

[10/16/2015 9:18:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  Caspar? Somewhat. But he's out of town, on family business in Rome, I believe.

[10/16/2015 9:20:23 PM] Josephine: That's a shame. Well, I suppose we had best get going. If I'm to be poked and prodded I hope you've a good stock of tea.

[10/16/2015 9:24:36 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "I do, no worries."

[10/16/2015 9:24:49 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Do take care, will you, dear?

[10/16/2015 9:25:42 PM] Josephine: Of course, papa.

[10/16/2015 9:25:51 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Perhaps you can come by in the next couple of days, and we can have a visit, compare notes.

[10/16/2015 9:28:39 PM] Josephine: Excellent. We shall do so.

[10/16/2015 9:29:48 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Yes, well. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Crafter.

[10/16/2015 9:30:02 PM] Canto: Theo shakes your dad's hand!

[10/16/2015 9:30:31 PM] Josephine: I'm sure you'll be seeing more of each other.

[10/16/2015 9:30:36 PM] *** Josephine smiles pointedly at her dad. ***

[10/16/2015 9:30:58 PM] Canto: Marcus:  Yes, I'm sure.

[10/16/2015 9:33:12 PM] *** Josephine heads out with Theo! ***

[10/16/2015 9:33:32 PM] Canto: You head out!

[10/16/2015 9:34:42 PM] Josephine: He definitely hates you. Splendid!

[10/16/2015 9:35:08 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh dear.

[10/16/2015 9:36:19 PM] Josephine: I'm teasing. He's just worried, that's all. Perfectly natural.

[10/16/2015 9:36:31 PM] Canto: Theo: About me?

[10/16/2015 9:36:50 PM] Josephine: About me, and my questionable arm, and also you.

[10/16/2015 9:37:44 PM] Josephine: He's afraid you'll ruin me, I'm certain. Not being aware I've already been rather thoroughly ruined.

[10/16/2015 9:40:27 PM] Canto: Theo:  Ruined? I hope I don't do that.

[10/16/2015 9:40:55 PM] Josephine: Do you? I rather enjoy it.

[10/16/2015 9:42:52 PM] Canto: Theo:  Wait, what are we talking about?

[10/16/2015 9:47:12 PM] Josephine: ... our... amorous congress. What were you talking about.

[10/16/2015 9:47:40 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh, I don't know, my general presence.

[10/16/2015 9:49:22 PM] Josephine: How would that ruin a lady?

[10/16/2015 9:51:14 PM] Canto: Theo shrugs! "I don't know.  My fae nature."

[10/16/2015 9:51:40 PM] Josephine: ... I'm part demon. And everybody knows it.

[10/16/2015 9:53:20 PM] Canto: Theo:  And historically, our antecedents don't get along.

[10/16/2015 9:53:51 PM] Josephine: Yes, but society doesn't object to fae. They're thought of as lovely and graceful and beautiful and clever and artistic.

[10/16/2015 9:55:18 PM] Canto: Theo:  Yeah, that's true.

[10/16/2015 9:58:26 PM] Josephine: And demons are bestial and wicked and ill-mannered.

[10/16/2015 10:01:00 PM] Josephine: You can get away with wicked.

[10/16/2015 10:01:09 PM] Josephine: You can even get away with bestial if you're very rich.

[10/16/2015 10:01:13 PM] Josephine: But ill-mannered, never.

[10/16/2015 10:03:10 PM] Canto: Theo:You're none of those things, though.

[10/16/2015 10:03:25 PM] Canto: So you drive to the Quentin Estate!

[10/16/2015 10:03:50 PM] Josephine: I'm not, but we're an old family with old money.

[10/16/2015 10:04:00 PM] Josephine: I can get away with being rather wicked.

[10/16/2015 10:05:00 PM] Josephine: My lack of comprehensive purity is rather an open secret to everyone who isn't papa, but as long as it's never exposed it remains merely an entertaining rumor.

[10/16/2015 10:06:01 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... magic is less complicated than high society etiquette.

[10/16/2015 10:06:39 PM] Josephine: I suppose it is, at that.

[10/16/2015 10:08:29 PM] Josephine: But back to the initial point; I will be quite ruined socially if our... dalliance comes out. But it's not likely to be more than rumor. I'm quite inappropriate with a number of men who aren't my lovers; it's the only way to get anything done. The bastards can't keep me out of the library even if they are the only one in it, damn the proprieties.

[10/16/2015 10:13:17 PM] Canto: Theo:  I see. Well. I'll try not to do that.

[10/16/2015 10:14:39 PM] Josephine: Indeed.

[10/16/2015 10:16:03 PM] Canto: Theo smiles, and gives your hand a squeeze as he helps you up into the carriage.

[10/16/2015 10:17:36 PM] *** Josephine hops in, and when he gets in, snuggles up to him a bit. ***

[10/16/2015 10:21:46 PM] Canto: Theo puts an arm around you!

[10/16/2015 10:21:53 PM] Canto: It's starting to really come down outside.

[10/16/2015 10:23:25 PM] Josephine: So many storms for this time of year.

[10/16/2015 10:25:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  I've gotten used to it. London seems to be just one big storm.

[10/16/2015 10:28:02 PM] Josephine: I've always liked it.

[10/16/2015 10:28:20 PM] Josephine: It does cover up a certain amount of sound... but likely not enough.

[10/16/2015 10:31:39 PM] Canto: Theo:  But it does seem that there have been a lot more lately.

[10/16/2015 10:33:45 PM] Josephine: Do you think it's tied to anything?

[10/16/2015 10:34:13 PM] *** Josephine starts to nibble any exposed skin he has. Fingers, maybe down around the collar... ***

[10/16/2015 10:41:24 PM] Canto: His hands and his neck are vulnerable!

[10/16/2015 10:42:47 PM] *** Josephine goes for both! All the nibbles. ***

[10/16/2015 10:45:15 PM] Canto: It's about four or so in the afternoon when you roll up in front of Quentin Manor!

[10/16/2015 10:47:18 PM] *** Josephine stops tormenting Theo long enough to disembark! ***

[10/16/2015 10:50:56 PM] Canto: You get out! It's a nice house. A bit plain, but old and in good repair.

[10/16/2015 10:51:46 PM] Josephine: Oh, it's lovely.

[10/16/2015 10:51:54 PM] *** Josephine smiles, under her umbrella. ***

[10/16/2015 10:52:26 PM] Canto: Theo goes up and you're let in by a maid.

[10/16/2015 10:53:31 PM] *** Josephine gives her the umbrella. ***

[10/16/2015 10:53:48 PM] Canto: She takes your coats.

[10/16/2015 10:54:23 PM] *** Josephine nods at her, then ignores her! That's how it works. ***

[10/16/2015 10:54:30 PM] Josephine: Are you going to give me a tour?

[10/16/2015 10:56:54 PM] *** Josephine has been teasing him for the entire length of the carriage ride, by the way. ***

[10/16/2015 10:57:13 PM] Canto: Theo nods! "Caspar has quite a library himself, I assume you'd like to start there?"

[10/16/2015 10:58:56 PM] Josephine: Yes, that would be lovely. ... you must tell me who your friend is, I confess I've never heard of him. Is he in thaumaturgy?

[10/16/2015 11:02:00 PM] Canto: Theo:  Kind of. He's a bit of a dabbler.

[10/16/2015 11:03:33 PM] Josephine: We must not be in the same social circles.

[10/16/2015 11:04:34 PM] Canto: Theo:  Probably not. We went to college together -- he attended school in the states, only came back home when his parents died.

[10/16/2015 11:06:01 PM] Josephine: Are you sure he won't object to my being here?

[10/16/2015 11:08:00 PM] Canto: Theo:  No. I suspect he would be glad to know that I had a lady friend.

[10/16/2015 11:09:41 PM] Josephine: "Lady friend."

[10/16/2015 11:11:24 PM] Canto: Theo:  That's what he always called it.

[10/16/2015 11:13:34 PM] Josephine: Very tactful of him.

[10/16/2015 11:13:36 PM] *** Josephine smiles. ***

[10/16/2015 11:13:43 PM] Canto: Theo takes your hand!

[10/16/2015 11:16:33 PM] Josephine: Show me to the library? Or perhaps you'd better give the grand tour.

[10/16/2015 11:19:20 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... that could take awhile.

[10/16/2015 11:19:41 PM] Canto: Theo:  I thought I'd show you the library, and then my apartments where I have my lab setup. Also the bed.

[10/16/2015 11:20:38 PM] Josephine: I might like to see that, yes.

[10/16/2015 11:22:34 PM] Canto: Theo:  It's a pretty good bed.

[10/16/2015 11:23:24 PM] Josephine: Mmm, but the library might be a pretty good library. And the lab might be a pretty good lab...

[10/16/2015 11:23:47 PM] Josephine: ... I do hope Mr. Quentin's staff is discreet.

[10/16/2015 11:24:33 PM] Canto: Theo:  There's only a couple of them here.

[10/16/2015 11:24:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... I tend to do my own cooking.

[10/16/2015 11:24:58 PM] *** Josephine raises her eyebrows. ***

[10/16/2015 11:25:08 PM] Josephine: A man of many talents. Many, many... talents.

[10/16/2015 11:27:01 PM] Canto: Theo gives a grin.

[10/16/2015 11:27:53 PM] Josephine: Well. Where shall we go first?

[10/16/2015 11:28:23 PM] *** Josephine doesn't let him answer; she can't quite resist the smile, and kisses him. ***

[10/16/2015 11:31:44 PM] Canto: He kisses back! You're in the library, currently.

[10/16/2015 11:32:32 PM] Josephine: ... or we could ... stay here....

[10/16/2015 11:33:20 PM] Canto: Theo:  ...we could. The maids don't come in here.

[10/16/2015 11:33:45 PM] Josephine: Oh, good.

[10/16/2015 11:35:55 PM] Canto: Theo is already unbuttoning your various articles of buttoned clothing!

[10/16/2015 11:36:48 PM] *** Josephine is preoccupied with teasing him and doesn't help at all! Curtain anyway, though. ***

[10/16/2015 11:38:45 PM] Canto: Yep!

[10/22/2015 5:12:22 PM] *** Josephine and Theo had done Naughty Things in the library. ***

[10/22/2015 5:14:10 PM] Canto: Indeed. I was gonna make a clue joke but that would be tasteless.

[10/22/2015 5:16:04 PM] Josephine: ((Hee!))

[10/22/2015 5:16:13 PM] *** Josephine is as snuggly as possible given the awkward location. ***

[10/22/2015 5:18:09 PM] Canto: Indeed!

[10/22/2015 5:18:18 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... do you want to see my laboratory?

[10/22/2015 5:19:36 PM] Josephine: Yes, very much. ... I suppose I shall have to put my clothes in order again first.

[10/22/2015 5:20:24 PM] Canto: Theo:  Probably. This place doesn't have any secret passages that I've found just yet.

[10/22/2015 5:21:05 PM] Josephine: Alas.

[10/22/2015 5:21:25 PM] *** Josephine kisses him on whatever body part is easiest to reach and puts her dress back together. ***

[10/22/2015 5:28:44 PM] Canto: You get dressed and Theo takes you back to his rooms. The main room has been converted into a lab, with a smaller bedroom attached to it. It is filled with a lot of fantastical and highly-technical yet still jury-rigged looking equipment, including a half disassembled Steam Horse with lots of its components replaced.

[10/22/2015 5:29:47 PM] *** Josephine touches it. ***

[10/22/2015 5:29:50 PM] Josephine: I thought you didn't like them.

[10/22/2015 5:32:29 PM] Canto: Theo:   I find them inefficient. I'm working on fixing that.

[10/22/2015 5:34:43 PM] *** Josephine can't quite help it, and kisses her Theo. ***

[10/22/2015 5:44:32 PM] Josephine: You are entirely marvellous.

[10/22/2015 5:48:56 PM] Canto: Theo smiles. "What was that for?"

[10/22/2015 5:50:13 PM] Josephine: Being yourself, I think. Wanting to make things better.

[10/22/2015 5:51:13 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh. Well.

[10/22/2015 5:51:16 PM] Canto: He blushes.

[10/22/2015 5:53:30 PM] *** Josephine hugs him, too, snuggling in a bit. ***

[10/22/2015 5:54:00 PM] Josephine: I almost wondered if they'd be more stable with more legs.

[10/22/2015 5:55:14 PM] Canto: Theo:  Eight? Like Sleipnir?

[10/22/2015 5:56:52 PM] Josephine: The difficulty is, it would look extremely offputting that way, quite like a spider. I don't think people would find it acceptable. ... alas.

[10/22/2015 5:58:32 PM] Canto: Theo:  That kind of locomotion would be very hard to automate, anyway.

[10/22/2015 6:00:14 PM] Josephine: I did manage to adjust the knee joints to run more smoothly, based on those of an actual horse.

[10/22/2015 6:05:00 PM] Canto: Theo:  I'm convinced that's one of the device's main problems -- it was designed to emulate a horse, but the designer didn't look closely enough at the mechanics of the source.

[10/22/2015 6:06:39 PM] Josephine: But I have.

[10/22/2015 6:07:28 PM] Canto: Theo nods.

[10/22/2015 6:07:50 PM] Canto: Theo: Of course. You're quite sensible, after all.

[10/22/2015 6:08:11 PM] Josephine: I wish I were sensible.

[10/22/2015 6:08:47 PM] Josephine: What's this?

[10/22/2015 6:08:56 PM] *** Josephine points to one of the other doodads in the room. ***

[10/22/2015 6:15:35 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh, that is a phlogiston regulator. I'm working on making it a bit smaller and less unwieldy so that I can use it in a component in a smaller device.

[10/22/2015 6:18:03 PM] Josephine: I really ought to learn more about magic.

[10/22/2015 6:18:34 PM] Canto: Theo:  Why haven't you?

[10/22/2015 6:20:39 PM] Josephine: ... I haven't tried for a long time.

[10/22/2015 6:20:57 PM] Canto: Theo:  Why not?

[10/22/2015 6:26:42 PM] Josephine: I get... lost in it, I guess you could say. Or I did the last time I tried.

[10/22/2015 6:28:06 PM] Canto: Theo:  what happened?

[10/22/2015 6:30:13 PM] Josephine: I turned into a demon. Or ... like one.

[10/22/2015 6:30:57 PM] Canto: Theo:  Physically?

[10/22/2015 6:32:59 PM] Josephine: ... yes. Wings and... it wasn't good.

[10/22/2015 6:34:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  Was it painful?

[10/22/2015 6:35:17 PM] Josephine: No, not at all.

[10/22/2015 6:36:15 PM] Canto: Theo:  What kind of wings?

[10/22/2015 6:37:04 PM] Josephine: ... batlike, though they had scales on them like a lizard would.

[10/22/2015 6:37:10 PM] Josephine: Very large.

[10/22/2015 6:39:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  Were they functional?

[10/22/2015 6:40:25 PM] Josephine: I... I think so. Why?

[10/22/2015 6:41:36 PM] Canto: Theo:  I'm just curious. I know that demonic magic is more... physical then fae magic. More transmogrification.

[10/22/2015 6:43:37 PM] Josephine: All it was supposed to do was light a candle.

[10/22/2015 6:44:14 PM] Canto: Theo:  .... oh dear, I see.

[10/22/2015 6:44:58 PM] Josephine: And it took a week for papa to figure out how to turn me back.

[10/22/2015 6:45:22 PM] Canto: Theo:  How did he manage that?

[10/22/2015 6:46:05 PM] Josephine: I really don't know. He promised me it wouldn't involve selling souls or anything of that nature.

[10/22/2015 6:47:46 PM] Canto: Theo:  When was this?

[10/22/2015 6:48:24 PM] Josephine: I was seven.

[10/22/2015 6:48:53 PM] Josephine: All I could do was hide in the house confined to my room. I read a lot of books.

[10/22/2015 6:57:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  Hmmm. A strange reaction to a simple spell.

[10/22/2015 6:58:32 PM] Josephine: It was like becoming what I was supposed to be.

[10/22/2015 6:58:39 PM] Josephine: It was awful.

[10/22/2015 7:02:19 PM] Canto: Theo:  What you're supposed to be?

[10/22/2015 7:02:36 PM] Josephine: Terrible, obviously. Demons aren't nice.

[10/22/2015 7:02:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  you're not a demon, though.

[10/22/2015 7:04:55 PM] *** Josephine shrugs. ***

[10/22/2015 7:04:59 PM] Josephine: Enough of one.

[10/22/2015 7:06:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  No, you're a woman with a bit of demon mixed in. And I'm not a fae, I'm a man.

[10/22/2015 7:07:30 PM] Josephine: I'll concede that point. You're very, very definitely a man.

[10/22/2015 7:09:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  As humans, we get to decide who we are. Our physiology doesn't determine that.

[10/22/2015 7:11:22 PM] Josephine: It's rather hard to believe that when you've got literal horns and a tail.

[10/22/2015 7:15:56 PM] Canto: Theo:  The world is filled with forces trying to tell you what you are.

[10/22/2015 7:16:29 PM] Josephine: I've known since I was seven.

[10/22/2015 7:21:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  That you're a woman with some demon blood?

[10/22/2015 7:23:52 PM] Josephine: That I'm both. It's just as accurate to say one as the other.

[10/22/2015 7:30:32 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "Well, you haven't once threatened to rend my flesh, so."

[10/22/2015 7:31:17 PM] Josephine: Well, I have just... a different sort of rending.

[10/22/2015 7:32:02 PM] Canto: Theo:  Quite pleasant. I imagine that usual rending isn't quite so enjoyable.

[10/22/2015 7:33:02 PM] Josephine: I don't know, I've never tried it. ... I'd rather not find out.

[10/22/2015 7:39:45 PM] Josephine: Unless you ... find it unsatisfactory?

[10/22/2015 7:43:05 PM] Canto: Theo:  What? I don't see how that is even remotely possible.

[10/22/2015 7:46:28 PM] Josephine: ... good.

[10/22/2015 7:48:13 PM] Canto: Theo:  I wouldn't even describe it as 'rending'.

[10/22/2015 7:51:28 PM] Josephine: What would you describe it as?

[10/22/2015 7:55:24 PM] Canto: Theo:  Extremely meaningful and enjoyable intimate contact.

[10/22/2015 7:55:32 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... sorry, I'm not exactly a poet.

[10/22/2015 7:56:00 PM] Josephine: No, but that was sweet nevertheless.

[10/22/2015 7:56:08 PM] *** Josephine kisses him on the cheek and smiles. ***

[10/22/2015 8:00:33 PM] Josephine: ... and I'm glad you find it meaningful.

[10/22/2015 8:01:22 PM] Canto: Theo:  I do.

[10/22/2015 8:05:10 PM] Josephine: ... well, if I turn into a winged demonic thing again, I promise not to eat you.

[10/22/2015 8:06:08 PM] Canto: Theo:  I appreciate it.

[10/22/2015 8:07:04 PM] Josephine: ... I'll simply pray you're terribly interested in wings and scales.

[10/22/2015 8:08:07 PM] Josephine: What does the phlogiston regulator do? A magical interface of some sort, I presume?

[10/22/2015 8:32:40 PM] *** Josephine touches it. ***

[10/22/2015 8:36:04 PM] Canto: Theo:  Yes. It takes in aetheric resonances, and converts them to phlogiston.

[10/22/2015 8:36:34 PM] Canto: Theo:  Which can then be used as fuel of a sort for other devices.

[10/22/2015 8:36:49 PM] Josephine: ... maybe you could teach me a bit of magic.

[10/22/2015 8:39:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  .... I don't know how good a teacher I am. But I could try.

[10/22/2015 8:42:13 PM] Josephine: If you're willing... I'll try.

[10/22/2015 8:46:15 PM] Josephine: ... it does frighten me.

[10/22/2015 8:47:52 PM] Canto: Theo:  I know. If you want to do this, though, I'll help you.

[10/22/2015 8:48:18 PM] Josephine: Will it help me keep you?

[10/22/2015 8:50:49 PM] Canto: Theo:  I won't like you any less if you choose not to do this.

[10/22/2015 8:51:33 PM] Josephine: Would you like me more if I did?

[10/22/2015 8:51:52 PM] Josephine: It doesn't matter, I want to do it.

[10/22/2015 8:53:35 PM] Canto: Theo:  Good.

[10/22/2015 8:55:54 PM] Josephine: ... I trust you won't try to kill me if I come over wingy.

[10/22/2015 8:57:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  Of course not. Wings aren't inherently evil. Who tried to teach you in the past?

[10/22/2015 8:58:10 PM] Josephine: My father, of course.

[10/22/2015 8:58:27 PM] Josephine: He knows women can do magic perfectly well.

[10/22/2015 8:59:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  I'll try teaching you some Fae magic.

[10/22/2015 9:02:56 PM] Josephine: I'd prefer that, I think.

[10/22/2015 9:03:12 PM] Josephine: Tell me what to do.

[10/22/2015 9:04:34 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... you want to start now?

[10/22/2015 9:04:49 PM] Josephine: I suppose you had better analyze me first.

[10/22/2015 9:05:19 PM] Josephine: Dratted arm.

[10/22/2015 9:08:52 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "Good idea.  Now then." he pulls out a device! It's pretty large, it's a bunch of wires and stuff wrapped around a metal-looking hula hoop.

[10/22/2015 9:09:18 PM] Canto: Theo:  Time for some science. Take off your clothes.

[10/22/2015 9:12:40 PM] Josephine: I love science.

[10/22/2015 9:13:13 PM] *** Josephine strips, draping her clothes on whatever's most convenient. ***

[10/22/2015 9:14:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  All right.

[10/22/2015 9:17:27 PM] Canto: He attaches the hoop thing to a mechanical armature and rolls it over to you.

[10/22/2015 9:17:27 PM] Canto: Theo:  Just stand there. This is kind of like spirit photography.

[10/22/2015 9:17:57 PM] *** Josephine poses for him. ***

[10/22/2015 9:21:02 PM] Canto: Theo:  ...not necessary, but appreciated.

[10/22/2015 9:24:47 PM] Josephine: I enjoy tempting you.

[10/22/2015 9:26:55 PM] Canto: Theo hooks up the wires to another device!

[10/22/2015 9:31:22 PM] *** Josephine tries another pose. ***

[10/22/2015 9:33:01 PM] Canto: Theo:  .... you're making me want to set up my normal camera.

[10/22/2015 9:33:41 PM] Josephine: But I'm sure you'd prefer the three dimensional version.

[10/22/2015 9:38:37 PM] Josephine: Though I'm glad to hear it's working...

[10/22/2015 9:38:45 PM] Canto: Theo:  Definitely.

[10/22/2015 9:39:12 PM] *** Josephine can be pretty vampy! ***

[10/22/2015 9:40:00 PM] *** Josephine can also apparently move her tail into the shape of a heart? ***

[10/22/2015 9:40:14 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... wow. Very dextrous.

[10/22/2015 9:42:01 PM] Josephine: Quite strong as well. I could likely use it as a weapon if it weren't looped around under my skirts most of the time.

[10/22/2015 9:51:49 PM] Canto: Theo:  Hmmm. Remind me to set up some targets for you later.

[10/22/2015 9:52:33 PM] Josephine: ... I'd like that.

[10/22/2015 9:52:48 PM] Canto: There's a whirring noise, and the armature starts moving, bringing the hoop thing up to just above your head before it whirrs down to the floor, scanning you.

[10/24/2015 11:27:24 PM] *** Josephine was getting scanned! And posing sexily. ***

[10/24/2015 11:28:03 PM] Canto: Yep!

[10/24/2015 11:28:32 PM] Canto: Theo:  This is all a bit like spirit photography, except it actually works.

[10/24/2015 11:29:54 PM] Josephine: I'd expect any of your things to work.

[10/24/2015 11:31:10 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well. They always do something.

[10/24/2015 11:32:58 PM] Josephine: Not always what you want them to do?

[10/24/2015 11:39:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  Sometimes my results are not quite in tune with my desire, this is true.

[10/24/2015 11:40:34 PM] Josephine: That would be unfortunate. I rather like your desires.

[10/24/2015 11:43:48 PM] Canto: Theo:  somtimes things explode.

[10/24/2015 11:44:54 PM] Josephine: I hope you don't want me to explode.

[10/24/2015 11:46:34 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh no. But then, you're not my invention, either.

[10/24/2015 11:48:53 PM] Josephine: No.

[10/24/2015 11:49:09 PM] *** Josephine waits for him to finish the scan, watching interestedly. ***

[10/24/2015 11:56:49 PM] Canto: The device whirrs up and down! You can feel the hum of electrical energy. It makes your skin kinda tingle.

[10/24/2015 11:57:42 PM] Josephine: Hm. I hope it's supposed to tingle.

[10/24/2015 11:57:44 PM] *** Josephine shivers. ***

[10/25/2015 12:01:28 AM] Canto: Theo:  oh, yeah, that'll happen. Sorry. Is it uncomfortable?

[10/25/2015 12:01:47 AM] Josephine: No. Somewhat chilly.

[10/25/2015 12:04:34 AM] Canto: Theo:  Okay. Well, let me know if it gets uncomfortable. It shouldn't, and that would be an indicator that something is wrong.

[10/25/2015 12:06:06 AM] Josephine: Mmm. Well, I can certainly think of things I'd rather be doing. But it isn't that uncomfortable.

[10/25/2015 12:09:25 AM] Canto: Theo:  Just one more pass and that should be enough...

[10/25/2015 12:11:56 AM] Josephine: Mmmm. Good.

[10/25/2015 12:14:38 AM] Canto: He adjusts some dials on a console!

[10/25/2015 12:19:37 AM] *** Josephine looks at her arm. ***

[10/25/2015 12:20:39 AM] Canto: It doesn't seem to be reacting!

[10/25/2015 12:25:13 AM] Josephine: Hm.

[10/25/2015 12:25:15 AM] *** Josephine waits. ***

[10/25/2015 12:30:22 AM] Canto: Theo:  Okay, that should do it.

[10/25/2015 12:30:52 AM] Josephine: Good.

[10/25/2015 12:31:11 AM] *** Josephine immediately hugs him, and wraps her tail around them both. ***

[10/25/2015 12:32:29 AM] Canto: Theo smiles. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

[10/25/2015 12:32:35 AM] Josephine: Not at all.

[10/25/2015 12:32:38 AM] Josephine: Any results?

[10/25/2015 12:36:35 AM] Canto: THeo:  It will take some time for the pictures to develop.

[10/25/2015 12:38:36 AM] Josephine: So. We have a little time.

[10/25/2015 12:44:57 AM] Canto: Theo:  Probably about twenty minutes. Once I have the pictures, I'll know how to proceed.

[10/25/2015 8:16:28 PM] Canto: Theo was done scanning her!

[10/25/2015 8:19:52 PM] Josephine: What shall we do for 20 minutes?

[10/25/2015 8:21:09 PM] Canto: Theo pours some chemicals in a small tray. "I have some ideas."

[10/25/2015 8:21:56 PM] Josephine: Are you going to teach me? Or shall we work on the horse?

[10/25/2015 8:29:17 PM] Canto: Theo:  We can work on the horse for now, you'd like.

[10/25/2015 8:33:33 PM] Josephine: What do you want to do?

[10/25/2015 8:36:24 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well. my bed is right in the next room.

[10/25/2015 8:38:43 PM] Josephine: ... but we just... dear me, is that a faeblood trait?

[10/25/2015 8:43:36 PM] Josephine: Superior stamina?

[10/25/2015 8:45:28 PM] Canto: Theo:  I can't say that I know.... I don't have a large information base on the subject.

[10/25/2015 8:47:23 PM] Josephine: Well, if you can I would be extremely interested in investigating the bed's properties.

[10/25/2015 8:53:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  I'm afraid it's just an unmodified bed.

[10/25/2015 8:54:13 PM] Josephine: We could always try something else.

[10/25/2015 9:00:09 PM] Josephine: Or... somewhere else.

[10/25/2015 9:00:44 PM] Canto: Theo: I would prefer the bed, honestly. My shoulder still hurts from the library.

[10/25/2015 9:02:48 PM] Josephine: What happened? I... don't think I noticed with everything else going on.

[10/25/2015 9:06:43 PM] Josephine: You can be rather distracting, you know.

[10/25/2015 9:07:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh, I slammed my shoulder into a bookcase.

[10/25/2015 9:08:37 PM] Josephine: Or perhaps I did.

[10/25/2015 9:08:51 PM] Josephine: Pity, now I can't beg you to pick me up and throw me onto the bed.

[10/25/2015 9:09:30 PM] Canto: Theo:  Hmm. YOu can try.

[10/25/2015 9:11:23 PM] Josephine: I don't want you to hurt yourself.

[10/25/2015 9:11:27 PM] Josephine: Ever.

[10/25/2015 9:11:48 PM] Canto: Theo:  I heal pretty quickly.

[10/25/2015 9:13:05 PM] Josephine: Hmm.

[10/25/2015 9:13:23 PM] Josephine: Would you?

[10/25/2015 9:22:30 PM] Canto: Theo:  I don't know. You could always try and beg me.

[10/25/2015 9:23:17 PM] *** Josephine most certainly does. And that's probably a curtain! ***

[10/25/2015 9:31:11 PM] Canto: Afterwards, Theo says:  Huh.

[10/25/2015 9:31:56 PM] Josephine: Well, we did make it to the bed. ... eventually.

[10/25/2015 9:37:08 PM] Canto: Theo:  Your wounds have healed.

[10/25/2015 9:37:18 PM] Canto: Theo runs a hand over your back.

[10/25/2015 9:37:44 PM] Josephine: They have.

[10/25/2015 9:50:28 PM] Josephine: How?

[10/25/2015 9:50:30 PM] Josephine: Did you...

[10/25/2015 9:50:39 PM] Canto: Theo:  It wasn't me.

[10/25/2015 9:50:50 PM] Canto: Theo:  I don't think it was your father's salve, either.

[10/25/2015 9:51:27 PM] Josephine: No. Demonic magic styles don't heal well.

[10/25/2015 9:56:08 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "There are still scratches there, but the wounds themselves have closed."

[10/25/2015 9:59:50 PM] Josephine: ... what is this third way.

[10/25/2015 10:01:36 PM] Josephine: Healing seems to indicate it's more akin to fae magic.

[10/25/2015 10:01:47 PM] Josephine: ... something that I shouldn't be able to easily do.

[10/25/2015 10:04:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  It doesn't feel like fae magic. It seems like some kind of invocation-backed magic. The kind where you invoke a patron of some kind.

[10/25/2015 10:08:14 PM] Josephine: I don't have a patron.

[10/25/2015 10:08:43 PM] Canto: Theo:  No, you don't.

[10/25/2015 10:09:19 PM] *** Josephine wraps her tail around him a few times. ***

[10/25/2015 10:11:04 PM] Canto: Theo:   Do your wounds still hurt?

[10/25/2015 10:13:23 PM] Josephine: No, not at all.

[10/25/2015 10:13:32 PM] Josephine: I'm a little sore... elsewhere, but not there.

[10/25/2015 10:17:13 PM] Canto: Theo:  Hmm. Well. Let's see what the photos turned up.

[10/25/2015 10:17:42 PM] Josephine: Do you have a robe?

[10/25/2015 10:23:12 PM] Canto: Theo nods, and hands you his robe!

[10/25/2015 10:24:27 PM] *** Josephine lets him go so that he can do that, and then puts his robe on. ***

[10/25/2015 10:24:37 PM] Josephine: It smells like you.

[10/25/2015 10:25:08 PM] Canto: Theo:  What does that smell like? I'm not a smoker.

[10/25/2015 10:29:01 PM] Josephine: Oil and electricity and magic.

[10/25/2015 10:29:45 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh. I hope it's pleasant.

[10/25/2015 10:32:39 PM] Josephine: It's wonderful.

[10/25/2015 10:33:57 PM] Canto: Theo pulls on some trousers! His bedroom is actually a bit messy.

[10/25/2015 10:35:14 PM] *** Josephine starts looking at the books and things, swinging her tail back and forth. ***

[10/25/2015 10:35:48 PM] Canto: The books are arranged haphazardly in stacks.

[10/25/2015 10:43:07 PM] *** Josephine reads their titles! ***

[10/25/2015 10:45:00 PM] Canto: Lots of journals and reproductions of various scientific, naturalistic, and magical theory texts.

[10/25/2015 10:49:12 PM] Josephine: Hmm.

[10/25/2015 10:49:34 PM] Canto: Some of which you haven't read!

[10/25/2015 10:51:35 PM] *** Josephine picks a few of them out. ***

[10/25/2015 10:51:54 PM] Josephine: Let's look at the photos.

[10/25/2015 10:54:00 PM] Canto: Theo nods, and moves into the lab!

[10/25/2015 10:55:33 PM] *** Josephine follows him. ***

[10/26/2015 6:40:31 PM] Canto: Theo pulls out the results of the scans from the devlopment fluids, which are this weird alchemical mix rather than the usual chemicals used.

[10/26/2015 6:42:40 PM] Josephine: That smells rather better than usual.

[10/26/2015 6:48:40 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well, the nomral chemicals don't work for my purposes. hmm.

[10/26/2015 6:49:03 PM] Canto: He looks at one of the pictures, then sets it down! then he stuides the next one.

[10/26/2015 6:49:23 PM] Josephine: Do you see anything?

[10/26/2015 6:49:36 PM] *** Josephine peers at it. ***

[10/26/2015 6:54:27 PM] Canto: Theo shows you! It's a weird picture of a ghostly translucent ghostly figure!

[10/26/2015 6:57:02 PM] Josephine: ... is that unusual?

[10/26/2015 6:59:15 PM] Canto: Theo:  No. But...

[10/26/2015 6:59:52 PM] Canto: He points at your arm in the photo, where there's this super-bright bit, much brighter than the rest of the figure.

[10/26/2015 6:59:53 PM] Josephine: ... but what?

[10/26/2015 7:04:21 PM] Canto: Theo shows you the next picture, which is a bit of a close up of the arm! all the markings are glowing in the picture. Then the next picture, is even closer, and you can see the symbols clearer.

[10/26/2015 7:04:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  Seems like they're not just random symbols on your arm, it's just... a lot of symbols, all layered and compressed.

[10/26/2015 7:15:12 PM] Josephine: ... that's hardly reassuring.

[10/26/2015 7:18:30 PM] Canto: Theo:  The closer we are to understanding, the better.

[10/26/2015 7:19:26 PM] Josephine: What sort of symbols?

[10/26/2015 7:22:41 PM] Canto: You actually recognize them! Some of them, anyway. You definitely see some norse runes, and sumerian pictograms, and some angelic iconography, and some astronomical symbols.... It's like you have many alphabets just layered over each other on your arm.

[10/26/2015 7:23:32 PM] Josephine: Oh, that's a... what the hell kind of magic is this, Theo?

[10/26/2015 7:23:59 PM] Josephine: It's all over the place. Norse, and Sumerian and Latin and Greek. It's nonsense all jammed together like this.

[10/26/2015 7:40:57 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "I agree.  But it's a start."

[10/26/2015 7:41:09 PM] Josephine: Does anything look the slightest bit meaningful to you?

[10/26/2015 7:41:56 PM] Canto: Not from what I can see.

[10/26/2015 7:46:04 PM] Josephine: Bother. Me either.

[10/26/2015 7:52:08 PM] Canto: Theo:  We'll need a better look at it.

[10/26/2015 7:54:58 PM] Josephine: How?

[10/26/2015 8:00:02 PM] Josephine: Does it feel any different?

[10/26/2015 8:00:15 PM] *** Josephine puts his hand on her lower arm. ***

[10/26/2015 8:04:01 PM] Canto: Theo feels it. "Feels the same.  Just... your skin."

[10/26/2015 8:08:49 PM] *** Josephine tries to figure out if she feels different there. ***

[10/26/2015 8:09:15 PM] Canto: go ahead and gimme a roll.

[10/26/2015 8:09:43 PM] Josephine: ((2! Theo's distracting her.))

[10/26/2015 8:15:15 PM] Canto: You don't feel anything different! Which is to say, you still feel completely normal.

[10/26/2015 8:19:07 PM] Canto: Theo:  As for how, well, I have many different devices.

[10/26/2015 8:19:50 PM] Josephine: Well, let's get started. Do use your wicked devices on me, please.

[10/26/2015 8:24:56 PM] Canto: Theo:  They're not wicked!

[10/26/2015 8:25:19 PM] Canto: Theo leads you over to what looks like a hospital gurney.

[10/26/2015 8:25:50 PM] Josephine: Well I'm certain you could make them just a little wicked.

[10/26/2015 8:26:09 PM] Josephine: ... I'm rather nervous.

[10/26/2015 8:26:40 PM] Canto: Theo:  About what?

[10/26/2015 8:27:19 PM] Josephine: The tests. And my arm altogether, I'm afraid.

[10/26/2015 8:34:13 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well, I promise this won't hurt.

[10/26/2015 8:37:12 PM] Josephine: Oh, that doesn't bother me. ... I rather like that in the right circumstances. It's the unknown, and the magic, of course.

[10/26/2015 8:42:05 PM] Canto: Theo:  As a scientist, the unknown is a challenge to be undertaken. That's one of the problems I have with 'modern' magic. It's based on tradition, practiced and learned obscurity. Archaic beliefs and limits.

[10/26/2015 8:42:49 PM] Josephine: You mean to democratize it?

[10/26/2015 8:45:19 PM] Canto: THeo:  ... I"m not interested in changing the world.  I just want to understand things.  If I can show a few people on the way that understanding magic doesn't rob it of its power, all the better.

[10/26/2015 8:47:01 PM] Josephine: I should rather like to change the world.

[10/26/2015 8:48:01 PM] Canto: How would you change it?

[10/26/2015 8:49:27 PM] Josephine: It could do with quite a few improvements.

[10/26/2015 8:50:19 PM] Josephine: I should like to be on better footing against men and purebloods. And I'm certain the poor should like to be on better footing with me.

[10/26/2015 8:51:44 PM] Canto: Theo pulls out some components and starts working on them. "Balance is a worthwhile goal, whatever your philosophy.  Balance between race, species, gender, ethnicity."

[10/26/2015 8:52:55 PM] Josephine: I should like you as well.

[10/26/2015 8:55:17 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... how is that changing the world? That's already true.

[10/26/2015 8:56:04 PM] Josephine: I meant, how do the boys put it when they play marbles... for keeps. For entirely keeps.

[10/26/2015 9:00:53 PM] Josephine: Though really, you don't seem as if you'd like to escape.

[10/26/2015 9:03:59 PM] Canto: Theo:  Escape? It's the last thing on my mind.

[10/26/2015 9:07:00 PM] Josephine: Thank goodness.

[10/26/2015 9:07:11 PM] *** Josephine kisses him on the cheek. ***

[10/26/2015 9:18:16 PM] Canto: Theo smiles, not pausing as he just straight up invents something right there, putting some small metal hoops together on an armature, and running wires between them all, along with other components.

[10/26/2015 9:20:14 PM] *** Josephine tries to help. She can sense his intent pretty well most of the time. ***

[10/26/2015 9:30:11 PM] Canto: He's making a new device, you think, to scan your arm! It looks like a smaller version of the first device, one just made to scan your arm.

[10/26/2015 9:31:52 PM] *** Josephine helps! ***

[10/26/2015 9:36:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  This will hopefully get us a good look, and may allow us to start figuring out the symbols.... with enough pictures, it should delayer them so we can read them.

[10/26/2015 9:39:32 PM] Josephine: That's clever.

[10/26/2015 9:39:39 PM] Josephine: ... unless it opens a portal to hell when we read them.

[10/26/2015 9:39:44 PM] Josephine: It... won't do that, will it?

[10/26/2015 9:40:50 PM] Canto: Theo: Probably not. But that's a good point, I'll add on a philter to protect us from any mnemonic traps.

[10/26/2015 9:44:37 PM] Josephine: Excellent.

[10/26/2015 9:50:21 PM | Edited 9:50:29 PM] Canto: Theo points to some pieces on a nearby table! "Hand me that variance regulator."

[10/26/2015 9:51:12 PM] *** Josephine grabs it and brings it over. ***

[10/26/2015 9:51:18 PM] Josephine: Yes, master.

[10/26/2015 9:52:32 PM] Canto: Theo arches an eyebrow. "Sorry,shouldhave said please... my courtesy often suffers when I get into building things."

[10/26/2015 9:55:02 PM] Josephine: Oh, I don't mind it at all.

[10/26/2015 9:55:31 PM] Josephine: One does hear of demons being enslaved by humans occasionally. I wonder if this is how it happens.

[10/26/2015 9:56:21 PM] Canto: Theo:  Hmmm? how do you mean?

[10/26/2015 9:58:06 PM] Josephine: Love, or lunacy, or perversity, or the ability we seem to have to become entirely focused on a thing. ... papa's mentioned that trait.

[10/26/2015 9:59:30 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh, you mean, clever humans exploiting that trait?

[10/26/2015 10:00:36 PM] Josephine: I don't feel exploited.

[10/26/2015 10:00:40 PM] Josephine: Do you feel exploiting?

[10/26/2015 10:01:40 PM] Canto: Theo:  No, not particularly. I mean... I imagine if you were really upset by my commands, you just wouldn't do them, and might well painfully whip me with your tail by way of warning.

[10/26/2015 10:02:48 PM] Josephine: Or a simple tongue-lashing.

[10/26/2015 10:03:15 PM] Josephine: And of course the demon often gets the better of those arrangements in the end anyway. Perhaps we've been misreading them all along and they weren't slavery at all.

[10/26/2015 10:04:14 PM] Canto: Theo:  And don't get me started on stories of the fae pulling one over on some poor foolish human.

[10/26/2015 10:05:27 PM] Josephine: They usually deserve it.

[10/26/2015 10:05:44 PM] Josephine: I don't want to get the better of you.

[10/26/2015 10:05:54 PM] Josephine: I want you.

[10/26/2015 10:06:39 PM] Canto: Theo:  Those old stories are almost always morality stories about 'don't overreach your station, or demons or otherworldly fae will flay your soul and enslave you and all you own.'

[10/26/2015 10:07:19 PM] Josephine: I certainly wouldn't flay anybody's soul.

[10/26/2015 10:08:06 PM] Josephine: That would be uncivilized, and worse, rude.

[10/26/2015 10:12:13 PM] Josephine: And I am very rarely rude.

[10/26/2015 10:12:47 PM] Canto: Theo:  Indeed. You are definintely not a misguided cautionary tale.

[10/26/2015 10:14:55 PM] Josephine: Perhaps to others who become entangled with their mortal enemies. I just can't think that way, I suppose I'm not demon enough.

[10/26/2015 10:15:48 PM] Canto: Theo:  You're a human, with some demon added in.

[10/26/2015 10:18:25 PM] Josephine: And I've no idea what you are; I can't see beyond who you are.

[10/26/2015 10:22:41 PM] Canto: Theo:  That's all I am.

[10/26/2015 10:23:52 PM] Josephine: More than enough, then.

[10/26/2015 10:24:04 PM] *** Josephine hugs him from behind, but loosely, so as not to interfere with his work. ***

[10/26/2015 10:25:40 PM] Canto: Theo continues building, affixing several doodads and whatzits to the armature.

[11/5/2015 6:57:20 PM] Canto: Here!

[11/5/2015 6:58:46 PM] Josephine: ((Yus!))

[11/5/2015 7:02:02 PM] Canto: There was science happening:  Theo was building a device to further examine your arm.

[11/5/2015 7:07:01 PM] *** Josephine is helping, using her telepathy! ***

[11/5/2015 7:07:59 PM] Canto: How so?

[11/5/2015 7:08:25 PM] *** Josephine is trying to anticipate what he's doing so she can give him the stuff he needs! ***

[11/5/2015 7:16:44 PM] Canto: Oh, good thinking. It's interesting, he has a pretty well visualized set of 'blueprints' that he apparently just wrote up in his brain for just this circumstance.

[11/5/2015 7:21:05 PM] Canto: But you are able to hand him stuff before he asks for it!

[11/5/2015 7:22:34 PM] *** Josephine is quite good at that! ***

[11/5/2015 7:27:55 PM] Canto: "I need the stream-represser... Ah, you're a step ahead of me yet again." he takes the part from your hand. "So, if this works, We should be able to get a better looking at just what this mark of yours is."

[11/5/2015 7:33:40 PM] Josephine: I'm reading the edges of your mind. ... if you'd rather I didn't, I can stop.

[11/5/2015 7:33:48 PM] Josephine: And I'd quite like to get a better look.

[11/5/2015 7:40:31 PM] Canto: Theo:  No, it's quite all right.

[11/5/2015 7:40:57 PM] Josephine: It's just the very edges of your mind.

[11/5/2015 7:46:20 PM] Canto: Theo:  It's a sense you possess. I can't exactly ask you to not see me, or not listen to me.

[11/5/2015 7:47:41 PM] Josephine: I could block it out.

[11/5/2015 7:57:52 PM] Canto: Theo:  It doesn't bother me.

[11/5/2015 7:58:22 PM] Canto: He takes the armature he's constructed and attaches it to a gurney that's set up in the lab.

[11/5/2015 7:59:47 PM] Josephine: I don't usually tell people.

[11/5/2015 8:02:13 PM] Canto: Theo:   I imagine that many folk might expect you to use it for illicit purposes. Which speaks more of them then you.

[11/5/2015 8:05:21 PM] Josephine: I'm not looking deeply.

[11/5/2015 8:22:51 PM] Canto: Theo gives your hand a squeeze. "I know.  Now, lay down on the table.

[11/5/2015 8:24:41 PM] Josephine: I like where this is going.

[11/5/2015 8:24:43 PM] *** Josephine obeys. ***

[11/5/2015 8:26:30 PM] Canto: Theo gives a smile and takes your arm, guiding it through the rings of the armature.

[11/5/2015 8:28:24 PM] Josephine: ... and restraints, hmm? Are you certain you don't have something entirely else in mind?

[11/5/2015 8:29:23 PM] Canto: Theo:  For now, just science. Is that comfortable?

[11/5/2015 8:29:36 PM] Josephine: Not especially. But it's all right.

[11/5/2015 8:36:40 PM] Canto: Theo adjusts it some! "this shouldn't take long."

[11/5/2015 8:39:45 PM] Josephine: It's all right.

[11/5/2015 8:41:25 PM] Canto: The adjusts the straps around your arm. "Okay.  Hold out your arm straight."

[11/5/2015 8:42:04 PM] *** Josephine obeys. ***

[11/5/2015 8:45:22 PM] Canto: Theo:  Okay. You should feel a tingling in your skin, but it won't hurt.

[11/5/2015 8:55:28 PM] Josephine: ... oh, that is very odd.

[11/5/2015 8:55:31 PM] Josephine: It tickles a bit.

[11/5/2015 8:56:09 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "Thats just the wave variations bouncing off your skin."

[11/5/2015 9:01:28 PM] *** Josephine chuckles. ***

[11/5/2015 9:04:30 PM] *** Josephine can't quite giggle, her voice is too low, but she seems to be trying. ***

[11/5/2015 9:10:39 PM] Canto: Theo:  You all right?

[11/5/2015 9:10:49 PM] Canto: He flips a switch! The sensation intensifies.

[11/5/2015 9:11:11 PM] *** Josephine chuckles helplessly. ***

[11/5/2015 9:12:54 PM] Canto: He presses a switch a few time, and it clicks several times. "All right, now hold your arm like this." He demonstrates, bending his arm at a right angle at the elbow.

[11/5/2015 9:16:10 PM] *** Josephine tries; she's wiggling a little bit with ticklishness. ***

[11/5/2015 9:17:25 PM] Canto: Luckily, being perfectly still is not a requirement here.

[11/5/2015 9:19:28 PM] *** Josephine keeps chuckling. ***

[11/5/2015 9:32:07 PM] Canto: A few more clicks, and you feel the tingling subside. "All right, that should so it."

[11/5/2015 9:36:21 PM] Josephine: Hahahaha, all right.

[11/5/2015 9:37:39 PM] Josephine: Are you going to free me, or keep me imprisoned forever?

[11/5/2015 9:39:08 PM] Canto: THeo:  Tempting. What do you think of the idea?

[11/5/2015 9:40:16 PM] Josephine: Intriguing, in all the right ways.

[11/5/2015 9:45:36 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well, I don't have any proper containment circles, so this will have to do...

[11/5/2015 9:48:05 PM] Josephine: Do indeed...

[11/5/2015 9:49:33 PM] Josephine: ((probably a curtain there, I'm guessing!))

[11/5/2015 9:54:24 PM] Canto: Indeeeeeeeed!

[11/5/2015 9:57:11 PM] *** Josephine is extremely cuddly afterward, as usual. ***

[11/5/2015 9:57:56 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... it'll take some time for the images to be developed. Especially since I just invented this contraption.

[11/5/2015 9:59:03 PM] Josephine: Perhaps we could go somewhere more comfortable?

[11/5/2015 9:59:48 PM] Canto: Theo nods! "Good idea.  It can get a bit chilly in the lab.

[11/5/2015 10:01:19 PM] *** Josephine puts her robe back on. "Where?" ***

[11/5/2015 10:02:05 PM | Edited 10:02:10 PM] Canto: Theo:  Bedroom? Sitting room? I can see about some food, if you're hungry.

[11/5/2015 10:02:45 PM] Josephine: Very hungry.

[11/5/2015 10:05:50 PM] Canto: Theo:  Let's get some food, then.

[11/5/2015 10:06:03 PM] Canto: Theo checks a clock. "I'll fix you something."

[11/5/2015 10:08:01 PM] Josephine: Are you entirely certain you aren't a magical figment of a spell? You do seem rather too good to be true.

[11/5/2015 10:09:13 PM] Canto: Theo:  I certainly hope not. I would be better at cooking, if I was, I should think.

[11/5/2015 10:10:10 PM] Josephine: Well, I'd like to see it nonetheless.

[11/7/2015 6:59:15 PM] Canto: So after an afternoon of sciencce and naughtiness...

[11/7/2015 6:59:43 PM] *** Josephine has a very enjoyable day! ***

[11/7/2015 7:10:11 PM] Canto: Indeed! And you end up with a stack of photographs that Theo took of your arm. The earlier theory was corect, it's just a whole bunch of symbols from almost every conceivable arcane language, layered over and oever each other.

[11/7/2015 7:16:07 PM] Canto: And some of them even seem to change from picture to picture.

[11/7/2015 7:17:35 PM] Josephine: Are they changing?

[11/7/2015 7:19:27 PM] Josephine: They are. Look at that.

[11/7/2015 7:20:09 PM] Canto: Theo:  I'm afraid we've just exchanged questions for more questions.

[11/7/2015 7:22:58 PM] Josephine: Rather more interesting questions, though. Can you make out any words?

[11/7/2015 7:27:41 PM] Canto: Theo:  There don't seem to be any messages for us, no. Of the languages that I recognize, they seem to be spelling out various arcane formulae. Nothing I recognize, though.... I would guess they're always changing. For example, when you tried to divine back at the dock, I would guess that the symbols changed to accomplish that.

[11/7/2015 7:33:22 PM] Josephine: It's giving me magical ability. They're not mine after all.

[11/7/2015 7:34:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  I haven't seen this before, though. You're using your own energy, you're not taking it from another being.

[11/7/2015 7:40:14 PM] Josephine: The spells on my arm are, you mean.

[11/7/2015 7:42:11 PM] Canto: Theo:  It seems to be your own will directing it.

[11/7/2015 7:43:30 PM] Josephine: Well, yes.

[11/7/2015 7:46:07 PM] Canto: Theo scratches his head, then rubs his eyes. "Sorry.  Not providing a lot of answers here, am I?"

[11/7/2015 7:46:17 PM] Josephine: It's early yet.

[11/7/2015 7:50:45 PM] Canto: Theo:  That's true. What do you think? Any theories? Any ideas?

[11/7/2015 7:52:47 PM] Josephine: ... nothing. This simply isn't my area of expertise, I'm afraid.

[11/7/2015 7:52:59 PM] Josephine: I've been avoiding everything to do with magic most of my life.

[11/7/2015 7:59:52 PM] Canto: Theo:  But you're also intelligent. YOu must have some idea about it.

[11/7/2015 8:00:54 PM] Josephine: I... I recognize quite a few characters, but no intelligible words.

[11/7/2015 8:00:57 PM] Josephine: Let me think a moment.

[11/7/2015 8:01:20 PM] *** Josephine concentrates on her arm and tries to work out what any of it means using the arm's powers itself! ***

[11/7/2015 8:03:28 PM] Canto: Roll!

[11/7/2015 8:08:32 PM] Josephine: ((10!! BAM.))

[11/7/2015 8:23:12 PM] Canto: Bam! Nice. Your arm tingles a bit. what are you looking to know, specifically?

[11/7/2015 8:23:50 PM] *** Josephine is trying to work out what if any spells are on there. ***

[11/7/2015 8:28:30 PM] Canto: Okay, roll again!

[11/7/2015 8:29:58 PM] Josephine: ((7!))

[11/7/2015 8:32:42 PM] Canto: You stay conscious as a barrage of information slams into your brain!

[11/7/2015 8:34:50 PM] Josephine: Oh.

[11/7/2015 8:36:40 PM] Canto: It does kinda hurt! But the short answer to your questions? ALL THE SPELLS.

[11/7/2015 8:37:07 PM] Canto: It's like you have a thousand spellbooks attached to your arm.

[11/7/2015 8:37:33 PM] Josephine: ... it's many, many spells. Many spells.

[11/7/2015 8:37:44 PM] Josephine: So many.

[11/7/2015 8:42:15 PM] Canto: You're still not quite sure how it all works, but it responds to your will, and it uses your energy.

[11/7/2015 8:42:30 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... huh. So you just... know now?

[11/7/2015 8:43:56 PM] Josephine: I looked at it using it. ... if that makes sense.

[11/7/2015 8:44:09 PM] Josephine: I don't know how it all works, but it does do what I want using my energy.

[11/7/2015 8:48:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  Right. So the intent is yours, as is the energy used... I thought as much. I just dont' know where it came from, or why it was given to you. As you said, you had no interest in magic....

[11/7/2015 8:49:25 PM] Josephine: Quite the opposite, in fact, I had an active disinterest in it.

[11/7/2015 8:54:19 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "Maybe that's why..."

[11/7/2015 8:54:28 PM] Josephine: Why what?

[11/7/2015 8:55:55 PM] Canto: Theo: Why you got it.

[11/7/2015 8:55:58 PM] Canto: Theo shrugs.

[11/7/2015 8:56:47 PM] Josephine: That doesn't make any kind of sense. Surely it would be better with someone like you, who's been studying all his life. You'd know what to do much better than I.

[11/7/2015 8:57:51 PM] Canto: Theo:  There's a lot we don't know. Maybe it was a gift. Maybe someone wanted you to hold it for awhile. Maybe someone wanted to curse you.

[11/7/2015 8:59:55 PM] Josephine: ... curse?

[11/7/2015 9:01:42 PM] Canto: Theo:  Not in the normal sense of the word, but yes... you have no interest in magic? Well, here is all of it for you to deal with.

[11/7/2015 9:03:55 PM] Josephine: ... as long as it doesn't mean I'm going to turn into a horrible demon thing again.

[11/7/2015 9:08:04 PM] Canto: Theo:  I don't know. I think the next step would be to take some readings on the thing while you're casting a spell from it, to see what that turns up.

[11/7/2015 9:08:10 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... not today,t hough.

[11/7/2015 9:09:24 PM] Josephine: No?

[11/7/2015 9:10:06 PM] Canto: Theo:  No. You shouldn't overdo it.

[11/7/2015 9:10:44 PM] Josephine: Am I very much in danger of that?

[11/7/2015 9:15:27 PM] Canto: Theo:  Possibly. We also don't know of any side effects that using it might cause.

[11/7/2015 9:16:03 PM] Josephine: Oh. That's true.

[11/7/2015 9:16:07 PM] Josephine: Well, what shall we do instead?

[11/7/2015 9:20:30 PM] Canto: Theo:  Hmm. I don't know. Shall I take you back to your own home? Or will you stay the night here?

[11/7/2015 9:21:31 PM] Josephine: I can stay here. I had planned to, at any rate.

[11/7/2015 9:24:53 PM] Canto: Theo smiles. "Then we should get you fed.  Magic can leave you hungry, suddenly."

[11/7/2015 9:25:56 PM] Josephine: Yes. And ... you're going to cook yourself. I hope you don't object to an audience.

[11/7/2015 9:31:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  No, not at all. I just hope I'm not horribly disappointing.

[11/7/2015 9:35:24 PM] Josephine: You are aware what British food normally tastes like, aren't you?

[11/7/2015 9:37:27 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... good point.

[11/7/2015 9:37:32 PM] Canto: He takes you to the kitchen!

[11/7/2015 9:38:22 PM] *** Josephine looks around, having not spent too much time in kitchens in her life. She usually gets shooed out of them at home. ***

[11/7/2015 9:43:06 PM] Canto: Theo:  The maids have retired for the evening by now, so it's just us. Hmm. I could make you some stew, that's pretty much what I usually make for myself.

[11/7/2015 9:45:02 PM] Josephine: That sounds lovely.

[11/7/2015 9:45:42 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... And it's rather like alchemy, so it's not hard for me to wrap my brain around.

[11/7/2015 9:49:10 PM] Canto: He starts mixing stuff into a pot!

[11/7/2015 9:49:58 PM] Josephine: Another place our disciplines don't mesh. Wait, how do you know how much to put in?

[11/7/2015 9:52:00 PM] Canto: Theo:   Trial and error. It's not going to be perfect no matter how meticulously I measure. So I just kind of mix it as I go.

[11/7/2015 9:52:50 PM] Josephine: Oh. Daring.

[11/7/2015 9:53:26 PM] Canto: Theo:  That's me.

[11/7/2015 9:55:59 PM] Josephine: Sleeping with a succubus? I should think so.

[11/7/2015 9:56:59 PM] Canto: Theo smiles. "I don't feel terribly endangered."

[11/7/2015 10:02:45 PM] Josephine: I don't believe you are.

[11/7/2015 10:03:28 PM] Canto: Theo smiles, and cuts up some carrots! "I hope you like carrots."

[11/7/2015 10:06:51 PM] Josephine: I adore carrots.

[11/7/2015 10:07:27 PM] Canto: Theo chopchopchops.

[11/7/2015 10:07:30 PM] Josephine: And potatoes and onion and the gravy. I'd read about making gravy but it's quite interesting to see the process.

[11/7/2015 10:08:01 PM] Canto: Before long, Theo has the full stew laboratory set up!

[11/7/2015 10:14:06 PM] Josephine: However do you chop things so quickly without losing a finger?

[11/7/2015 10:16:49 PM] Canto: Theo:  Practice, really. My mother used to cook for us back home, and she was amazing with a knife, and I bugged her and bugged her to show me how she did it. First few times, I cut myself, but I learned.

[11/7/2015 10:21:05 PM] Josephine: Your mother cooks?

[11/7/2015 10:21:41 PM] Canto: Theo nods. "She's an alchemist through and through."

[11/7/2015 10:29:21 PM] Josephine: Are they, er... known for cookery?

[11/7/2015 10:35:08 PM] Canto: Theo:  Sure. Both alchemy and cooking are about taking disparate elements, transforming them and elevating them.

[11/7/2015 10:39:50 PM] Josephine: I don't think they do that here.

[11/7/2015 10:40:06 PM] Josephine: I'm quite positive papa's never cooked anything.

[11/7/2015 10:43:31 PM] Canto: Theo:  I think it's an American thing, to be honest. And you didn't miss out on much. Mother would often use the same apparatuses for alchemy that she would for cooking. I wouldn't suggest tomato soup prepared in an alembic that an hour earlier was used for an invisibilty potion.

[11/7/2015 10:45:01 PM] Josephine: I hope it didn't involve invisible tomatoes?

[11/7/2015 10:47:14 PM] Canto: Theo:   She said that anyting rendered invisible would only be internal. And temporary. But it did at a chalky taste to the soup that i can't recommend.

[11/7/2015 10:48:22 PM] Josephine: Hmm. It sounds unpleasant.

[11/7/2015 10:57:20 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well, just goes to show you, you should always wash your alembic out before you make soup in it.

[11/7/2015 10:59:02 PM] Josephine: Or utilize a different vessel.

[11/7/2015 11:03:07 PM] Canto: Theo:   ... someone might have used the pots to build a suit of armor.

[11/7/2015 11:07:45 PM] Josephine: Someone?

[11/7/2015 11:08:13 PM] Canto: Theo:  I was ten. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

[11/7/2015 11:14:40 PM] Josephine: You were adorable at the time.

[11/7/2015 11:17:34 PM] Canto: Theo:  Well, I learned a valuable lesson thanks to chalky soup and invisible esophaguses.

[11/7/2015 11:20:02 PM] Josephine: Was it invisible?

[11/7/2015 11:26:00 PM] Canto: Theo:  It felt invisible.

[11/7/2015 11:30:05 PM] *** Josephine laughs. ***

[11/7/2015 11:34:23 PM] Canto: Theo:  Being invisible feels strange. Kind of hard to describe, to be honest.

[11/7/2015 11:34:32 PM] Canto: Theo:  But very distinctive.

[11/7/2015 11:40:23 PM] Josephine: I've never tried. Perhaps you could show me some day.

[11/7/2015 11:41:51 PM] Canto: THeo:  It can be a very useful trick. I mean, not for everyday use, but for getting you out of a sticky situation.

[11/7/2015 11:46:09 PM] Josephine: I imagine you don't have difficulties with that.

[11/7/2015 11:50:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  I've had some close calls.

[11/8/2015 12:01:06 AM] Josephine: Everyone does seem to want to kill you for some reason.

[11/8/2015 12:03:38 AM] Canto: Theo:  Well, you don't.

[11/8/2015 12:06:15 AM] Josephine: No. In fact I think I shall have to take care to keep you safe.

[11/8/2015 12:07:58 AM] Canto: Theo smiles. "I feel safer already."

[11/8/2015 12:14:12 AM] Josephine: Mmm. I can't use magic and I can't use fisticuffs with any efficacy. Let's just hope all the threats are easily disarmed with wit.

[11/8/2015 12:15:33 AM] Canto: Theo:  Never underestimate wit.

[11/8/2015 12:20:09 AM] Josephine: I won't.

[11/8/2015 12:20:14 AM] *** Josephine kisses him on the cheek. ***

[11/8/2015 12:24:46 AM] Canto: Theo smiles. "So, are you ready to be sort of maybe impressed by my culinary skills?"

[11/8/2015 12:25:49 AM] Josephine: Very.

[11/8/2015 12:29:35 AM] Canto: Theo feeds you some very acceptable stew. You don't quite realize how hungry you were until that first bite.

[11/8/2015 12:33:23 AM] Josephine: That's wonderful.

[11/8/2015 12:33:29 AM] Josephine: I hope we're going to have enough.

[11/8/2015 12:36:31 AM] Canto: Theo:  I made quite a bit. Should be plenty.

[11/8/2015 12:36:54 AM] Canto: theo:  There's some fresh bread here, too, just made this morning, I believe.

[11/8/2015 12:37:38 AM] *** Josephine devours until she's quite full. ***

[11/8/2015 12:42:41 AM] Josephine: Magic always makes you rather hungry, doesn't it?

[11/8/2015 12:42:56 AM] Josephine: Papa's always nibbling something or other.

[11/8/2015 12:44:12 AM] Canto: Theo nods. "Magic requires energy, and usually that energy comes from food, just like other physical activities.

[11/8/2015 12:46:56 AM] Josephine: We have been doing rather a lot of physical activities just lately as well.

[11/8/2015 12:51:41 AM] Canto: THeo:  This is very true.

[11/8/2015 7:46:48 PM] Canto: I believe you were eating delicious stew. We'll fast forward unless Josie has anything else she wanted to ask Theo.

[11/8/2015 7:47:42 PM] *** Josephine didn't, just any new thoughts on the arm and possibly being chained to a radiator in her house forever. Or her being chained up to a radiator, that sounds more fun. ***

[11/8/2015 7:54:34 PM] Canto: Okay! Well, then. You stay the night in Theo's bed. Roll a d10!

[11/8/2015 7:56:52 PM] Josephine: ((3, alas.))

[11/8/2015 7:58:55 PM] Canto: Alrighty. Then roll me another die.

[11/8/2015 8:00:13 PM] Josephine: ((2! YAY. >.< ))

[11/8/2015 8:02:44 PM] Canto: You wake up the next morning and everything is completely normal! As far as you can tell.

[11/8/2015 8:04:40 PM] Canto: You do however wake up in the wee hours after you think you hear someone calling your name, but Theo is still alseep beside you.

[11/8/2015 8:05:20 PM] *** Josephine didn't wake him up, but ogled him for a while until she fell asleep. ***