Tobias is waiting, torches lit. You tune into his mind, and then he attempts to draw a lot of energy into his mind, with a "Ta da", and nothing happens. Molly laughs. "That's what you get," she says, "for trying to show off."
I'll hold back a chuckle at Molly's comment. Not completely, just showing enough of a sign that I found Molly's comment and the situation amusing.
After I put the torches out:
"Can you relight them by reversing the process?"
If so:
"Can you show me how while we're at it?"
If not:
I'll attempt to relight the torches by reversing the way I doused it. I'll try and focus on taking heat from inside me and nearby and focus it on the torch. I want to design the skill so that it only lights one torch, I don't see a purpose in ever lighting more and hopefully it makes it easier to do.
Thoughts:
That's neat, flashy too. Would have been flashier if it was done on the ta da of course, but that was just begging for a complication.
"Can you relight them by reversing the process?"
"Um--"
"Uh--"
"I've never heard of anyone doing so," Tobias says. "Create foxfire, yes, but not real fire, as far as I know."
You attempt to reverse the process, but it doesn't seem at all similar--the energy before was focused in one place and you pulled it out and spread it around; now it's scattered, and you can't get a handle on it so easily. There's probably a way to do this, but at the moment you can't find it.
--M. J. Young
"What is foxfire?"
Thoughts:
That's weird, I assumed reversing the process would be widely done. If I could just get a handle the energy better and focus it I'm sure I could eventually manage it.
"It's like a glow, light without fire. Some plants do it, and light bugs. It's not very bright, but it's usually enough to see."
--M. J. Young
"That sounds neat, is that the next thing I should be learning to produce or is it too difficult for me still, and if not what should I be learning next?"
Thoughts:
Foxfire sounds neat, then again everything I'm learning is so exciting.
"Oh, no--you should probably learn to wish yourself elsewhere first, and to predict the weather, and I think before that we should find someone who knows how to dig."
--M. J. Young
"How does digging work? Does it destroy the dirt or just move it elsewhere and do you know who's able to do that in the castle?"
Thoughts:
Wow, I looked silly there, didn't realize foxfire would be that complex.
"It works like an invisible shovel, silly. It's something that the elves do often, but some wizards also do it."
Wow, I looked silly there, didn't realize foxfire would be that complex.
"Well, as someone explained it to me once, when it's dark and you make light, you're making something out of nothing. It's only light, but it's still something."
--M. J. Young
I'll blush slightly at being called silly.
"I never thought of it that way. It makes sense though that making anything from nothing is difficult. Anyway, who in the castle knows how to dig that way? I hope to ask them tonight about when they could teach me."
After the answer to that;
"I should probably get to the dining hall to get ready for the queen's meal. I'll see you both after at the party."
I'll then shake Tobias's hand and give Molly a hug and head to the dining room to get ready for the queens dinner.
Thoughts:
Pretty much speaking my mind still.
They mention a couple names, apparently not certain who does know the magic--it's not something for which they have much opportunity. "Just ask around at the party," Molly says. "I'm sure someone will know."
"It must be fine, taking meals with the queen," Tobias says.
"He doesn't eat with the queen, silly," Molly answers. "He watches the queen eat, and makes sure no one tries to kill her. Then he eats when she's finished."
--M. J. Young
I'll make a quick mental note about the names, at least its a starting point for who to ask tonight.
"Molly's right, I don't eat when there. I really only do two things, try to listen in on Durer's thoughts and block my own hunger out."
That's said with a bit of a chuckle near the end. I'll head down to the queen's dining hall and get ready for dinner then.
Thoughts:
Hopefully I can get a hold of Durer's mind this time, still so new at this.
You dress for duty, and reach your post just as the guests are arriving. As usual they are all waiting in their places before Katherine enters.
You attempt to connect with Durer's mind as he fawns on Loguire, but fail to do so. Then the queen makes her entrance, and everyone rises and waits for her to sit.
As they return to their seats, you connect to Durer's thoughts. He is thinking that he is having a great deal of trouble bending Loguire to his position, as the man remains stubbornly supportive of the monarchy and of Katherine in particular. It is going to be particularly difficult to rid the universe of psionicists as long as the queen is protecting them here, and the future of the universe depends on the present of this backwater planet.
That is the gist of his thoughts at present, although they also drift to the quality of the food, some of which he thinks very good and some of which concerns him because of the world's lack of refrigeration and modern hygiene. You maintain the link for about ten minutes before it starts to fade.
--M. J. Young
I'm relieved to hear Durer doesn't have Loguire turned against the queen.
I wonder why Durer believes the psionicists have to be eliminated for the universe, although that's more of an academic inquiry, I'm not about to let him do that regardless of why.
After dinner I'll get some food before heading to the party.
I'd like to find out who knows how to dig before it gets too late in the night so I'll do that first when I get there.
Thoughts:
I feel much better that Durer doesn't have Loguire, and doesn't seem to be close to converting him.
You very quickly learn that Randall knows the skill and would be glad to teach it to you if you want to learn it. Randall is very talkative when you get him started, and he starts telling you the story of how that skill is the one that got him in the most trouble. His father had sent him out to plow the field, and instead of doing it by hand he used magic, and one of the neighbors saw him. He was whipped in the village square for that, and his father told him never to use witchcraft again--almost threw him out of the house, if his mother hadn't intervened.
He'll be glad to show you how it's done tomorrow afternoon, although he's not all that good at it because he's not had much use for it since then.
--M. J. Young
"Thank you very much Randall, both for being willing to teach me tomorrow and such a story. I've always liked to view getting into trouble as one more story to tell, makes life more fun. I'll see you tomorrow then, I'd like to dance a bit before I have to get some sleep to be ready for tomorrow."
At that I'll go and try and find Molly and see if she would like to dance. I'm very excited to be able to incorporate flying into dancing.
I'll mention that Randall knows how to magically dig and agreed to show me tomorrow afternoon and otherwise just engage in small talk.
I'll be going to sleep early again tonight to be able to wake up the next morning.
Thoughts:
Around Randall:
I can understand wanting to take shortcuts, it's a shame he was punished for being efficient. The world can be cruel.
While dancing with Molly/around Molly:
This is a really great way to end the day, dancing with such a pretty girl.
I can understand wanting to take shortcuts, it's a shame he was punished for being efficient.
"Oh, I know. That's exactly what I said, you know? But they were like, not with magic, hard work is important, it forms character, you're allied with the devil, you have to give up your evil ways. I was born a warlock. I never made a pact with anyone. It's just crazy. But then, a lot of us have scars from beatings and brandings and such. It's little wonder the older warlocks and witches stay in hiding."
I recall that you had initiated some sort of exercise program; is that also done before bed, or at some other time in the day?
--M. J. Young
I had my exercise program primarily to fill in the hours between breakfast and lunch when things are slower pace.
I'll make myself a sandwich then, if there is any ham I'll preference that over other types of meat. I'll also take 2 extra rolls to eat before lunch so that I don't get hungry midway through lunch.
After eating I'll work out for a bit. I'd like to split the time I have until lunch into 4 segments.
First I'm going to work on body strength. Primarily push-ups and if I can find a solid horizontal bar or anything else to hang off of of suitable height I'll add pull-ups to the mix. I'll do crunches in between those two.
Second I'd like to practice flying.
Third I'd like to go on a run. I'm not sure how exactly the castle looks like so I don't know where I could run, but I'm sure after being there for a few days I've found some stretches of castle that would work.
Fourth I'll be getting ready for lunch. Once I'm ready I'll dedicate the rest of the time to practicing reading thoughts.This is going to be my schedule for between breakfast and lunch for a while. Want to improve myself both physically and my skills mentally a bit.
Not going to exercise after drinking, and since I drink a little at the party I'm just going to go straight to bed.
I would be practicing reading thoughts throughout the day whenever I have time and the chance to. It's really important to me not to let the queen down, so I'll be pretty dedicated to working on that in random free time along with the time I set aside in the morning.
During the confusion before breakfast you are unable to attach to Durer's mind; you do manage to connect, though, once everyone is seated. He is thinking his usual thoughts, looking for ways to undermine the queen; he often says things which suggest that the queen is unfair to the nobles, although Loguire usually objects to these. It is evident from this thoughts that these are calculated statements, attempting to increase dissatisfaction among the nobility.
--M. J. Young
After breakfast I'll get some breakfast and then go about my morning exercise routine, which should take me up to right before lunch.
I'm considering talking to Brom and Maris to see whether it wouldn't be a good idea for in an emergency situation for me to contact them telepathically. In a world with stigmas against witchcraft I don't want to ever contact them or the queen without their express permission beforehand, but I could see situations where it would be a huge asset.
I'm explaining that as I wouldn't be thinking it while directly interacting with everyone, I tend to focus on people I'm talking to except in rare circumstances. If any witch or warlock caught me when I didn't know others were there or I wasn't talking to anyone they might pick that up from my thoughts.
Thoughts:
Durer is such a snake, but at least Maris and Brom are aware now and I can watch over him. Looks like his master is keeping him on a leash though and correcting most of his comments
I'm a bit confused. You wrote
I'm considering talking to Brom and Maris....and then you wrote
I'm explaining that....To whom are you explaining it?
Also, did we already have a conversation in which you told Maris and Brom of Durer's intentions? I seem to have forgotten what you said on the subject, but I do forget things like that sometimes.
--M. J. Young
I had previously expressed to Maris and Brom that Durer was plotting against the queen. This is similar enough to that that I doubt they would want to hear me just repeating the same things over and over again and I'm under the impression I'm just supposed to come to them when I have a significant amount extra. This information will just have them keep me watching over them, which I doubt they would take me off of anyway.
I was explaining to you why I was including:
I'm considering talking to Brom and Maris to see whether it wouldn't be a good idea for in an emergency situation for me to contact them telepathically. In a world with stigmas against witchcraft I don't want to ever contact them or the queen without their express permission beforehand, but I could see situations where it would be a huge asset.
since it wasn't coming into play yet. I tend to over explain myself. I could see Molly picking up on the fact that I'm thinking this because I talk to her so much, or anyone who listens to my thoughts a lot may pick up on it. It's just not a primary thought when I'm around everyone since there is so much else going on.
Molly does pick up on your thoughts.
"Telepathy?" she asks. "That's what you call our mind-talking, right?"
I assume you affirm that, and she continues.
"As far as I know, you and I are the only ones in the world who can do that. Quite apart from whether it would frighten others for us to do it, it might be best if we don't tell people until we've got some idea of whether it's safe and what might happen."
--M. J. Young
Does this entire event happen after lunch or did it happen already or did I manage to see Molly in between breakfast and lunch (which seems unlikely)?
When it happens doesn't change my response, but if it happened after lunch I was curious whether I overheard anything from Durer at lunch.
Either way my response is:
"You're right, we should keep it to ourselves until we understand it more. Sometimes I form plans while being blind to some of the pitfalls. Thanks."
I'll be blushing a little.
Thoughts: Pretty well in line with what I said, nothing really extra.
So that event can happen at any time, I would think either yesterday when we were playing flying games or sometime today after lunch personally, but your call.
So where were we besides that little event? My routine between breakfast and lunch and then listening in to Durer during lunch after which I'd hopefully see Molly when I get my own lunch.
You do connect on the second attempt at lunch, and listen to his thoughts for the entire meal this time. You're getting more comfortable at finding his mind.
His thoughts are generally disdainful of everyone--the Queen, the Duke Loguire, the other nobles, the Mocker and his people at the House of Clovis, the warlocks and witches, the primitive weapons and armor of the guards, the entire culture of the planet.
He also thinks that tonight might be a good night to set off the banshee; he can try to poison the Queen at breakfast.
--M. J. Young
Thoughts:
Set off the banshee? How does he set off the banshee? He's not a warlock or a witch, he's so obviously disdainful of them. That means the Banshee must be a trick and not actually a magic being, or most likely so.
I'll tell Brom and Maris that Durer is planning to poison the queen the next morning, and that he intends to set off the banshee tonight. I'll explain I don't know how he intends to set off the banshee however, how I'm not sure of, I'm hoping to pick that up at dinner.
I'll then go get lunch, where I'll hope to see Molly.
After the conversation that already happened I'll bring up that Durer was thinking about setting off the Banshee tonight, I'm not sure how but I was wondering if she would be interested in talking it out with me before dinner to see if we can figure it out, as I have a couple of questions about previous banshee appearances.
Questions are:
"Does the banshee always appear in the same spot or the same side of the castle?"
"Does the sound seem to come from all around or from the banshee or from another source?"(a Banshees wail I imagine to be incredibly high pitched, which makes it easier to pinpoint source if you know how, which I'm used to doing from sound setup, not sure Molly would notice this but in case she does I wanted to ask)
"How long does the banshee stay for each time? A couple of minutes?
"Poison her at breakfast?" Maris almost exclaims.
"I wonder how he intends to do this," Brom says. "Nothing goes on the queen's plate but what I taste. He must be clever indeed if he thinks he can poison her--but we'll be on watch, and you, too."
They are both puzzled by the notion that he is going to set off the banshee, which seems so like a magic creature they can't imagine what else it could be.
Molly is also puzzled by the thought, and indeed would love to help you figure it out.
"Does the banshee always appear in the same spot or the same side of the castle?"
"Does the sound seem to come from all around or from the banshee or from another source?"(a Banshees wail I imagine to be incredibly high pitched, which makes it easier to pinpoint source if you know how, which I'm used to doing from sound setup, not sure Molly would notice this but in case she does I wanted to ask)
"How long does the banshee stay for each time? A couple of minutes?
The Banshee appears on the battlements below the East Tower, always there, a dim glow like foxfire or will-o-the-wisp, easily seen from beyond the edge of town, dressed in a tattered shroud, the body of a voluptuous woman with the head of a rabbit, with pointed teeth. It stands about ten feet tall. Its voice begins as a ululating soaring wail which grates like nails on glass, then becomes a low moan and rises through a keening cry to a stabbing shriek holding for an extended time. It appears for perhaps five minutes and then vanishes.
--M. J. Young
"Well, I think going to check out the battlements below the east tower would be a good place to go now. If Durer is lurking around that area in an attempt to set off the banshee I'm going to want to be just as familiar with all it's nooks and crannies as he is. If it's always in the same spot there has to be a reason restricting it to that spot."
I want to fly around the area of the battlements, becoming familiar with the terrain and looking for anything that looks out of the ordinary. My two thought processes right now are any mechanical devices for the creation of sound or visual, or anything electronic really, as that's a dead give away that it's Durer's and doesn't naturally belong in this pre-electronic area. I'll also be making note of flat surfaces in the battlements that have line of sight with where the banshee appears.
Those are really really high in my thoughts as flying, and I'll start explaining before Molly even asks.
"I know my thoughts probably sound really weird for you right now Molly, I have an idea what Durer may be doing to create the illusion of a banshee, but I can't be sure until we search the place or catch him in the act, and if the banshee is only there for 5 minutes catching it is going to be pretty hard. I have a lot I probably should tell you, but not exactly sure where to start. We should try and figure out how Durer plans to do this all first though. For now keep an eye out for anything that looks out of place while we fly around the area."
Wish I could describe to Molly what I'm looking for better but explaining what makes electronics look unique is harder than just explaining to look for anything that looks out of place.
You wind up walking to the battlements; your flying wasn't going to get you there.
There is a shiny spot in the outer wall that has the appearance of the top of an aluminum chassis for some kind of electronic device. It is an 8”x8”x2” white metal box centered between crenellations of battlements below the east tower, recessed flush with the stone on top and side, with a round transparent circle on top. (The 8x8 surface is toward the walkway, the circle on the 2" top.)
You've spotted it; what now?
--M. J. Young
Does the device look like it has a switch to turn it on? I'm thinking probably not, having to turn it on manually is a needless risk for something this high-tech.
Does it look like it has any way to produce the sound?
Am I able to move it? If so I'd like to remove it from it's location. (unless it has a switch, in which case I have a different plan.)
Are there screws holding this together? or does it look to be a uniform piece of aluminum?
If I manage to get this removed from where it is:
"Molly, I think we should go find Brom and Maris, they should be notified immediately about this. I want to make a stop by the warlocks dorms to pick up some tools I have that may help take this apart and figure out more about it."
I'm going to go pick up my pliers, hammer, screw driver and pocket knife. I'll go find Maris and Brom then, Maris is probably easier to find so I'll go to him and figure he has an easy enough way of getting Brom if Brom isn't too busy.
"You're welcome to come with me Molly, not sure how interesting this will be I'm just going to take this apart and find out how it runs"
When I get to Maris:
"Hello, I know I normally don't report except after meals when I find something new, but I think I found how Durer was planning on setting off the Banshee."
I'll gently put the device on the table.
"I believe this projects the image of the banshee and produces it's sound as well. I want to take it apart to verify this and learn exactly what we're dealing with, but I wanted to run it by you and Brom first. I have the tools with me to take it apart carefully if that's what you want me to do."
If he allows me to I'll take it apart, using the tools I brought with me (the hammer was only brought to tap the screwdriver or pocket knife into a tight crevice, not actually smash the thing.)
Thoughts:
I should have thought of this sooner, but I had no reason to think anyone had access to this type of technology. Hopefully this throws Durer off his game and he postpones his plans for tomorrow. It might even allow me to see what he's planning better when I'm listening to his thoughts.
Does the device look like it has a switch to turn it on?
You do not see a switch. You do see a cable coming from it. It is pinned or glued into the corner of the crenelation, and traces to the outer wall where it vanishes down the outside.
Does it look like it has any way to produce the sound?
Assuming that the transparent circle is a lens and not a speaker, there is nothing else visible on the exterior.
Am I able to move it? If so I'd like to remove it from it's location.
When you touch it you get a shock--not a severe shock, just the sort of bite one gets from an improperly-grounded audio amplifier (I'm guessing that's familiar to you). The box is secured to the stone by means not visible to you, but it appears that the front is hinged and would probably pry open easily enough.
Are there screws holding this together? or does it look to be a uniform piece of aluminum?
I think that's probably been answered adequately in the previous statement. If there's some aspect of that you need to know that isn't answered, please clarify the question.
If I manage to get this removed from where it is:
I don't see you succeeding in removing it without both figuring out what's holding it and getting the proper tools. You did not provide a contingent plan for if you were not able to move it. I would expect that you would get the tools for certain, but it's less likely that you would drag Maris and/or Brom up on the battlements at least until you know more about it--but you might.
Molly will come with you, whatever you do. She's wondering what kind of magic the box is, and what you mean by "technology".
--M. J. Young
Thoughts:
Ugh, hate electrical shocks, you'd think I'd get use to it working with speakers so much but it still hurts. I have a lot to tell Molly after this, but I need to focus on handling this before tonight.
I'll use the screwdriver to pry open the box, but standing to the side of it while I open it in case it's trapped. I doubt it, but better to be safe. I'll let Molly know it may be trapped before I do this and advise she stays a ways back.
I'm going to have all the same tools I listed before with me.
There is a very small circuit board inside the box, along with a couple other larger components, one of which is the projector, one a remarkably powerful speaker for its size, and one an object of uncertain function with a tube at one end which points in much the same direction as the projecting lens. There is also a power pack, and it apparently recharges from solar energy on the case, although it does not look like the typical solar panels you've seen.
It is not otherwise trapped, as far as you can tell. Again, there is a wire entering it from some point on the outer wall of the battlements.
--M. J. Young
I'm going to try flying so I can trace where the wire on the outside is going. The presence of the wire is slightly perplexing to me as this charges itself. Perhaps it charges something else as well or is where it is activated from. Either way, I'm going to try following it while flying.
Thoughts:
This speaker is amazing, but I'm not even sure what some of this is. This confirms some of what I had heard before. I'm starting to doubt if Durer is even of this world.
Your effort to get airborne does not work; it may be that you're jangled from the electrical shock, but you can't focus the energy to fly right now.
--M. J. Young
"Molly, I'm not having any luck flying today, think my system may be a little jolted because of the shock I got when I touched this. I need to find out where this wire goes though, could you fly out there and check or allow me to ride with you on your broom while you do so?"
Thoughts:
Speaking my mind pretty much, same thoughts as before plus some dismay over not being able to fly right now.
Molly says not to worry about it, it happens when you're learning. She mounts her broom and easily sweeps out over the wall, hovering just beyond.
"There is something here," she says, "but I don't know how to describe it."
At your coaxing, she continues. "Well, it's kind of like a bowl, but it's sort of upside down, and it has a stick in the middle that points straight out of the bowl, and the bowl is held by another stick and a moon-shaped bar--the stick is connected to the wall, and the moon-shaped bar holds the edges of the bowl to the stick. Does that make sense?"
--M. J. Young
"I'm pretty sure what I know what it is, thank you Molly. It's a device that allows Durer to activate the Banshee from afar. I'm going to disassemble this, some of the pieces are valuable and worth keeping and as long as it's in parts Durer can't use it anymore."
In my mind I carry my wand (the psionic drill) on me at all times, but I didn't specify that at any point it was just in my mind. If I have it on me I'll be using it with my other tools, if not I'll tell Molly I have to run to get my wand quickly and I'll be right back.
When I'm back I'm going to start disassembling the device, or trying to remove it all together. My first goal is to render it unusable, in case I can't do anything else.
I'm going to cut the wire leading to what I think is a satellite pickup or something of the sort by using the psionic drill. I'll try this until I manage to sever the wire.
I'll then try to remove the box, in case the wire was all that was holding it down.
If it doesn't come up that way I'll try fitting the screw driver between the box and the castle wall. I'm willing to use a little bit of force to get it in if needed, possibly tapping it with the hammer lightly. If I manage that I'll try to pry it out.
Otherwise I'll use the psionic drill to cut around the perimeter of the box, which should sever any connections and then I'll just lift it out.
Thoughts:
Thank you Molly, your description was perfect, I really can't express properly how much you helped me just now. Past that it's just going to be me going over the steps of my plan as outlined below, psionic drill would be referred to as wand in my thoughts though, it's been called that so much I think of it as a wand first and psionic drill second.
"You're welcome," she says sweetly. "So, it's like a long-distance mind reader?"
Your first attempt with the drill produces nothing, but you've had that happen before, and you collect your thoughts and try again in a moment. The second shot damages the insulation revealing the probably woven copper sheathing of coax, and with the third shot you get a solid force that severs the wire.
The wire is not holding the box in place.
When you say you'll try to remove it, mindful that the first time you touched it it gave you a shock, how are you doing this? I know you've indicated that if you fail to remove it on the first try you'll try prying it out with the screwdriver; that implies that you're going to remove it some other way on the first attempt.
--M. J. Young
I'm going to try to move it using the multiple object TK I learned from Molly.
If that doesn't work onto trying to use the screwdriver.
You seem to be able to get a hold on the box, but not shift it, with your mind.
With the screwdriver you manage to bend the box a bit, but it seems to be cemented or bolted in place.
--M. J. Young