012

[7/10/2014 10:06:41 PM] Canto: So when last we left, you guys broke into a church, found another rift in reality in its steeple, this one more advanced than the one in California.

[7/10/2014 10:07:24 PM] Canto: This one seemed to intensify your abilities.

[7/10/2014 10:10:14 PM] Canto: AFter you guys left the steeple, when you came back, Theo confirmed that the door to get up there was now warded. The necromancer you came in search is somehow mixed up with the rifts.

[7/10/2014 10:13:41 PM] Valerian: Valerian nods.

[7/10/2014 10:14:44 PM] Canto: Theo:  So. The ghost engine you guys found was making a rift, right?

[7/10/2014 10:15:34 PM] Josie: Either that or it was placed there to exploit the rift.

[7/10/2014 10:15:42 PM] Hank: Hank nods towards Josie.

[7/10/2014 10:15:43 PM] Ella: That or pouring energy into it.

[7/10/2014 10:15:55 PM] Hank: It was inside it for some reason. Can't say what.

[7/10/2014 10:16:53 PM] Canto: Theo:  But whoever made the ghost engine has some connection to to the necromancer and the Thule.

[7/10/2014 10:17:19 PM] Hank: You don't think these 'rifts' are just coincidence?

[7/10/2014 10:18:00 PM] Josie: Right.

[7/10/2014 10:18:03 PM] Canto: Theo:  True coincidence is exceedingly rare in this world.

[7/10/2014 10:18:12 PM] Josie: I doubt it was a coincidence.

[7/10/2014 10:19:24 PM] Canto: Theo:  Yeah.

[7/10/2014 10:19:34 PM] Canto: You guys arrive back at Theo's apartment!

[7/10/2014 10:21:02 PM] Canto: Theo:  Portals to other places are not uncommon. There are places where reality wears thin, and it's easy to punch a hole through them if you have the know-how.

[7/10/2014 10:21:57 PM] Josie: ... you might end up anywhere. Or... anywhen?

[7/10/2014 10:22:54 PM] Canto: Theo:  Indeed.

[7/10/2014 10:23:25 PM | Edited 10:23:33 PM] Canto: Theo:  Hell, the Earth isn't *really* hollow. But it is, and occasionally you can find a way down there.

[7/10/2014 10:23:29 PM] Hank: So what do they actually do?

[7/10/2014 10:23:40 PM] Canto: Theo:  They're doorways. Or windows.

[7/10/2014 10:24:05 PM] Canto: Theo:  The amplification effect, though, that's odd. I've not heard of that.

[7/10/2014 10:26:47 PM] Josie: When I was looking for your mind I found... *all* the minds.

[7/10/2014 10:27:00 PM] Canto: Theo:  .... want some coffee?

[7/10/2014 10:28:26 PM] Josie: Yes, please.

[7/10/2014 10:29:17 PM] Canto: Theo pours some. "... there's something about that church, too.  Not sure what.  There was something weird about the energies swirling around it."

[7/10/2014 10:29:57 PM] Canto: Theo:  ... you guys should head back to the chapterhouse. See what you can find out about the site.

[7/10/2014 10:31:20 PM] Josie: All right. Are you sure? Are you all right?

[7/10/2014 10:31:52 PM] Canto: Theo:  Yeah, I'm fine. The guardian took it out of me and I need to recuperate a bit anyway.

[7/10/2014 10:32:47 PM] Josie: ... all right, I'll come back later to check on you.

[7/10/2014 10:32:55 PM] Josie: Josie hunts for her keys.

[7/10/2014 10:33:06 PM] Josie: Oh, right, here they are.

[7/10/2014 10:33:08 PM] Hank: Didn't open your stitches or nothin', rght?

[7/10/2014 10:33:38 PM] Canto: Theo:  Oh, no. I got the wound patched up yesterday.

[7/10/2014 10:34:17 PM] Josie: They can do it by magic.

[7/10/2014 10:34:32 PM] Hank: ...I see.

[7/10/2014 10:35:13 PM] Canto: Theo:  Yeah... they can accelerate healing. That's why I needed the stitches, to make sure everything was where it should be.

[7/10/2014 10:36:41 PM] Josie: ... come on.

[7/10/2014 10:36:51 PM] Josie: Josie motions everyone to the door and heads for the car.

[7/10/2014 10:36:58 PM] Hank: Hank follows.

[7/10/2014 10:37:32 PM] Josie: Josie drives everybody back.

[7/10/2014 10:37:41 PM] Josie: ... isn't there *something* about all this you, like, Hank?

[7/10/2014 10:38:03 PM] Hank: What d'you mean, Doc?

[7/10/2014 10:39:00 PM] Josie: You frown *all* the time.

[7/10/2014 10:39:41 PM] Hank: Hank shrugs. "Don't find much to smile 'bout lately."

[7/10/2014 10:40:08 PM] Josie: ... not even healing by magic.

[7/10/2014 10:41:21 PM] Hank: I'm not a big fan of all this magic mumbo-jumbo... but seems to me there'd be a lot more people that could use healing like that. Why's it not used everywhere?

[7/10/2014 10:42:23 PM] Josie: ... maybe it is, and that's why people get better for no real reason sometimes.

[7/10/2014 10:43:19 PM] Hank: 'scuse me if I don't believe that.

[7/10/2014 10:43:41 PM] Josie: I do think it's a good question.

[7/10/2014 10:44:56 PM] Josie: You certainly don't want them using it only for the rich and powerful or something like that.

[7/10/2014 10:45:23 PM | Edited 10:45:56 PM] Hank: 'cause the ones with magic and powers ain't powerful?

[7/10/2014 10:46:14 PM] Josie: *Exactly.*

[7/10/2014 10:46:17 PM] Josie: It's a very good question.

[7/10/2014 10:48:23 PM] Josie: There are so many possibilities now that there weren't before.

[7/10/2014 10:48:35 PM] Canto: You drive through the magic chapterhouse wall!

[7/10/2014 10:50:33 PM] Hank: This sort of thing has to be ancient. Wars fought with men bleeding out on the ground, diseases run rampant... so many people that could have used *anything* just to hold on.

[7/10/2014 10:51:31 PM] Josie: We don't know they haven't been getting as many as they could, though.

[7/10/2014 10:52:51 PM] Josie: That kind of thing does take energy.

[7/10/2014 10:53:46 PM] Hank: Hank starts to say something but stops. "Doesn't matter anyway."

[7/10/2014 10:54:16 PM] Josie: Why  not?

[7/10/2014 10:54:22 PM] Josie: Josie hops out of the car.

[7/10/2014 10:55:04 PM] Hank: Hank follows. "I'm sure they've convinced themselves that it's better this way or they're doing all they can."

[7/10/2014 10:55:26 PM] Ella: Ella scrambles out and follows them.

[7/10/2014 10:55:32 PM] Josie: I'm sure you're convinced they haven't.

[7/10/2014 10:56:56 PM] Hank: It's not my place to make decisions like that. Don't mean I gotta be happy about them.

[7/10/2014 10:57:20 PM] Josie: You don't even know what they are!

[7/10/2014 10:59:26 PM] Hank: There's a lot I don't know. I'll admit that.

[7/10/2014 11:00:07 PM] Josie: And neither do I, but we should at least ask before we assume they're horrible.

[7/10/2014 11:00:39 PM] Josie: ... *or* that they aren't.

[7/10/2014 11:01:03 PM] Canto: You run into Anya coming out of the garage.

[7/10/2014 11:01:11 PM] Josie: Oh, hello, Anya.

[7/10/2014 11:01:30 PM] Ella: Hi!

[7/10/2014 11:01:47 PM] Canto: Anya:  Hello. How is Prometheus?

[7/10/2014 11:02:01 PM] Josie: He seems all right, I think.

[7/10/2014 11:02:06 PM] Josie: I was going to check on him later.

[7/10/2014 11:02:33 PM] Canto: Anya:  Good, good. He is investigating?

[7/10/2014 11:03:01 PM] Josie: I think so.

[7/10/2014 11:03:02 PM] Josie: Josie nods.

[7/10/2014 11:04:11 PM] Canto: Anya:  Fortunada is still sleeping. Do you need any help?

[7/10/2014 11:04:56 PM] Josie: Hank had a question.

[7/10/2014 11:05:17 PM] Hank: Hank frowns.

[7/10/2014 11:05:21 PM] Canto: Anya:  Of course. What is it? I will answer if I can.

[7/10/2014 11:06:55 PM] Hank: ...don't really know how to ask.

[7/10/2014 11:07:12 PM] Canto: Anya:  An interrogative statement, I find, is best.

[7/10/2014 11:07:25 PM] Hank: A what?

[7/10/2014 11:08:01 PM] Canto: Anya:   ... a question.

[7/10/2014 11:08:10 PM] Canto: Anya:  Just ask. I am hard to offend.

[7/10/2014 11:08:40 PM] Hank: 's just about healing magic and why it's not used more... on people who aren't in this world.

[7/10/2014 11:09:21 PM] Canto: Anya:  Do you mean... ghosts? What do you mean 'not in this world'.

[7/10/2014 11:09:45 PM] Hank: Magic people. People with powers. This whole 'secret world.'

[7/10/2014 11:10:12 PM] Canto: Anya:  You will have to be more specific.

[7/10/2014 11:10:30 PM] Josie: Why don't we share healing and beneficial magics with mundanes?

[7/10/2014 11:11:05 PM] Canto: Anya:  We do. But it is very tightly... regulated? Is that the word?

[7/10/2014 11:11:37 PM] Canto: Anya:  You must understand that healing is a rare gift.

[7/10/2014 11:13:26 PM] Canto: Anya:  Those that have it, use it as best they can. Most are doctors already.

[7/10/2014 11:14:21 PM] Josie: I think what he really wants to know is, are you evil?

[7/10/2014 11:14:33 PM] Josie: Not just you, specifically, but everyone involved in this.

[7/10/2014 11:14:33 PM] Canto: Anya:  No. Are you?

[7/10/2014 11:14:43 PM] Hank: Never said that.

[7/10/2014 11:14:44 PM] Josie: Fortunada, Theo, Howard, everyone.

[7/10/2014 11:14:50 PM] Josie: No, but you were *thinking* it.

[7/10/2014 11:15:26 PM] Hank: That an observation or are you peeking in my head?

[7/10/2014 11:16:28 PM] Canto: Anya:  There was a time when we shared it. There were wars and inquisitions, deifications and self-destruction. It became infeasible.

[7/10/2014 11:16:33 PM] Josie: I already told you I don't do that, have you decided that quickly that I'm evil too?

[7/10/2014 11:17:16 PM] Canto: Anya:  There was once a country of mundanes to whom several magical societies gave powerful objects and powers to. The country obliterated itself within a decade.

[7/10/2014 11:17:19 PM] Hank: No. But I'll have you know, I was thinking about the millions of dead soldiers, not about evil and whether I happen to be working for it.

[7/10/2014 11:17:37 PM] Josie: The one *is* the other.

[7/10/2014 11:17:47 PM] Josie: ... Atlantis?

[7/10/2014 11:17:49 PM] Josie: Camelot?

[7/10/2014 11:18:04 PM] Josie: Cleveland?

[7/10/2014 11:18:41 PM] Canto: Anya:  Camelot. The first Camelot. There were others afterwards, echoes. Mu, Lemuria, Hy-Brasil.

[7/10/2014 11:19:48 PM] Canto: Anya:  Do you think our own soldiers don't die? Just ask poor David.

[7/10/2014 11:21:05 PM] Canto: Anya:  if we join in a war, what side should we join on? Soldiers are dying either way.

[7/10/2014 11:22:11 PM] Hank: Just....never mind. We have work to do.

[7/10/2014 11:22:58 PM] Canto: Anya:  No. I am curious. I would rather you ask your questions than continue to be sullen and resentful.

[7/10/2014 11:25:30 PM] Hank: What do you want me to say? I asked. You answered.

[7/10/2014 11:25:39 PM] Josie: Josie takes out her little clockwork frog and scritches him, still frowning.

[7/10/2014 11:27:15 PM] Canto: Anya:  I am curious what you would do if you were in charge.

[7/10/2014 11:29:10 PM] Hank: That's all way above my paygrade. I wouldn't have a clue. I follow orders. I don't like givin' 'em. There's better men for that.

[7/10/2014 11:30:17 PM] Josie: Josie tickles the frog's tummy.

[7/10/2014 11:31:11 PM] Canto: Anya:  Hmph. Well. I will leave you to your work.

[7/10/2014 11:31:26 PM] Canto: She leaves! She mutters something in Russian.

[7/10/2014 11:32:13 PM] Josie: ... we'll have to wait until Fortunada wakes up, I suppose.

[7/10/2014 11:32:36 PM | Edited 11:33:11 PM] Hank: You don't think your books'd have somethin' to say?

[7/10/2014 11:33:24 PM] Josie: ... good idea.

[7/10/2014 11:33:38 PM] Josie: Josie heads for the library, handing the frog to Hank.

[7/10/2014 11:33:44 PM] Hank: Yeah. I'm full of 'em today. I'll catch up.

[7/10/2014 11:34:20 PM | Edited 11:34:34 PM] Hank: Hank frowns, pulls out a cigarette, and looks at the frog quizzically.

[7/10/2014 11:34:58 PM] Canto: The frog chirrrps at Hank.

[7/10/2014 11:35:38 PM] Hank: Hank eyes it while he smokes.

[7/10/2014 11:35:50 PM] Ella: Ella also heads to the library

[7/10/2014 11:36:09 PM] Canto: The frog makes a weird noise that sounds suspiciously like a cough.

[7/10/2014 11:36:34 PM] Josie: His name is Archimedes!

[7/10/2014 11:36:41 PM] Josie: ... be nice to him!

[7/10/2014 11:36:46 PM] Josie: Josie departs for the boooooks.

[7/10/2014 11:37:58 PM] Canto: So, Ella and Josie head for the liberry.

[7/10/2014 11:39:51 PM] Josie: Josie does, and starts looking for information on tears and multidimensional stuff.

[7/10/2014 11:40:52 PM] Canto: She can find a *lot* of info on the subject of multidimensional portals and the like. Lots of books.

[7/10/2014 11:41:44 PM] Hank: Hank will show up several minutes (and a few cigarettes) later and leave the frog on the desk next to Josie.

[7/10/2014 11:42:26 PM] Josie: His name is Archimedes.

[7/10/2014 11:42:36 PM] Hank: You keep sayin' that.

[7/10/2014 11:42:38 PM] Josie: Josie looks for info on the old church.

[7/10/2014 11:42:47 PM] Josie: I do?

[7/10/2014 11:42:51 PM] Ella: Ella looks for books on local historical landmarks. (mostly the church, but a few other places, too) She also picks up a few books on shadowmancy, and one on mind hives.

[7/10/2014 11:42:55 PM] Josie: Josie peeks up from her book and blinks.

[7/10/2014 11:43:01 PM] Josie: ... I did, didn't I? Sorry.

[7/10/2014 11:43:16 PM] Hank: Hank shrugs. "Got somethin' for me to do?"

[7/10/2014 11:44:20 PM] Josie: Yes.

[7/10/2014 11:44:26 PM] Josie: See if you can find anything about tears in this book.

[7/10/2014 11:44:28 PM] Josie: Josie hands it to him!

[7/10/2014 11:44:40 PM] Hank: Hank takes it and sits.

[7/10/2014 11:46:05 PM] Josie: Josie goes back to focusing on the tears in reality, and what they can lead to.

[7/10/2014 11:47:26 PM | Edited 11:47:36 PM] Hank: Hank scans the book, but he's a pretty slow reader.

[7/10/2014 11:50:32 PM] Josie: ... I'm not finding anything.

[7/10/2014 11:50:43 PM] Hank: Hank shakes his head and rubs his eyes.

[7/10/2014 11:51:20 PM] Josie: Maybe we should see if our boss is awake.

[7/10/2014 11:51:25 PM] Josie: ... I wonder if he's going to bite me.

[7/10/2014 11:51:38 PM] Hank: ...why would he?

[7/10/2014 11:51:45 PM] Josie: I offered.

[7/10/2014 11:52:31 PM] Hank: .....and you think *I* have issues.

[7/10/2014 11:53:17 PM] Josie: You've never given blood?

[7/10/2014 11:54:10 PM] Hank: I have. Even been bit before. Not the same thing.

[7/10/2014 11:54:44 PM] Josie: There's no difference between giving blood for someone who needs it to survive and giving blood for someone who needs it to survive.

[7/10/2014 11:57:34 PM] Ella: Guys, I might've found a thing.

[7/10/2014 11:57:41 PM] Hank: Don't they got... fake blood though? Whatever was in the wine glasses?

[7/10/2014 11:58:50 PM] Hank: What is it Miss Burke?

[7/10/2014 11:59:05 PM] Josie: I don't think that was fake.

[7/10/2014 11:59:44 PM] Josie: Yes, what did you find?

[12:03:26 AM] Ella: Ella lugs over a largish book. Upon examining the open portion of the book, if you wish to do so, you learn that:

On 7/11/2014, at 2:54 AM, Canto wrote:

> Old North Church was built aping the style of one Christopher Wren. Wren was known for rebuilding a lot of London after the Great Fire. Or at least his office was. One of the principle people in his office was one Nicholas Hawksmoor, who designed six London churches. Hawksmoor was interesting in that there are some that say the six churches form an arcane symbol on a map for use in ritual magic.

[12:04:16 AM] Josie: Out of *churches*?

[12:04:23 AM] Josie: Josie is obviously offended.

[12:05:01 AM] Hank: You'd think the Big Man'd have a way to stop that, huh?

[12:05:45 AM] Josie: *Yes.*

[12:09:55 AM] Canto: It's about five at this point, definitely after sunset.

[12:10:15 AM] Josie: ... let's see what Mr. Fortunada thinks.

[12:10:34 AM] Josie: Josie scoops up her frog and puts him on her shoulder and goes to look for the vamp!

[12:10:44 AM] Hank: Hank follows

[12:11:18 AM] Ella: Ella tromps along behind!

[12:11:38 AM] Canto: You find him in his office!

[12:12:41 AM] Josie: Josie knocks and goes in.

[12:12:45 AM] Josie: Mr. Fortunada?

[12:16:37 AM] Canto: he looks up from the paperwork on his desk! "Ah, Dr. Black.  Mr. Stevenson.  Miss Burke.  What can I do for you?"

[12:16:57 AM] Josie: Josie fills him in on what happened in the church!

[12:18:38 AM] Canto: He listens closesly to the whole account. "Hmm.  Interesting."

[12:19:02 AM] Josie: Ella, tell him what you found.

[12:19:44 AM] Ella: Ella does so!

[12:22:08 AM] Canto: He continues listening closely. "Interesting.  Do you think that the church is perhaps some kind of magical conduit or otherwise some kind of component in an architectual schematic?"

[12:22:48 AM] Josie: ... oh dear. I hadn't thought of that.

[12:23:00 AM] Josie: Did he make five other churches here?

[12:23:06 AM] Hank: Sorry... what now?

[12:24:48 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Magic flows in certain ways through the world. Currents and flows and lines of invisible power. It is possible for create structures to capitalize on these currents. Stonehenge, for example.

[12:25:24 AM] Josie: The church might be part of a set that forms a magical lightning rod.

[12:25:49 AM] Hank: Innt that what Miss Burke's book said?

[12:26:33 AM] Josie: Yes.

[12:26:46 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Only that the church was built imitating the style of those buildings. You tell me. How did the place feel?

[12:27:40 AM] Josie: ... like it was amplifying our power.

[12:27:50 AM] Hank: Hank nods.

[12:29:10 AM] Canto: He sits back, considering. "So Crafter is convinced that the necromancer is in the church, or is tied to the chruch."

[12:29:35 AM] Josie: He said it was the older priest.

[12:31:15 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Was there anything suspicious there? Is this a single Thule infiltrator, or has the church been compromised?

[12:31:28 AM] Hank: Probly more than the one.

[12:31:37 AM] Hank: Got a workman that ain't working.

[12:31:48 AM] Josie: But the younger priest seemed all right.

[12:33:45 AM] Canto: Fortunada nods. "We'll send in some agents tonight."

[12:34:18 AM] Josie: .... not us?

[12:35:29 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  No. Whatever is in that church -- they're receiving power from something inhuman. You did well in investigating, but we'll need to send more experienced agents in to secure the place.

[12:36:35 AM] Josie: I suppose we have to walk before we can run.

[12:38:17 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Indeed. I don't want Crafter there, either.

[12:38:37 AM] Josie: What? Why  not?

[12:41:22 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  He's still officially suspended. And is still too close to the situation. Don't worry. You did your job, all of you. Now we'll do ours.

[12:42:41 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  I did want to ask you something, though.

[12:42:47 AM] Josie: Yes?

[12:43:13 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  You've all of you been part of our world for a couple of weeks now. Do you wish to remain part of it?

[12:43:31 AM] Josie: Yes.

[12:44:01 AM] Hank: ...there's a choice?

[12:46:51 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Oh, yes. Technically you're still just... visiting. We can arrange for you to return to the mundane world.

[1:01:19 AM] Hank: ...could I have some time to think about it, sir?

[1:01:30 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Of course.

[1:02:20 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  But if you're going to remain, we're going to have to arrange to get you started and see if you have an aptitude for spellcasting.

[1:02:35 AM] Hank: Hank nods.

[1:02:51 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  All three of you.

[1:03:21 AM] Josie: I helped make Archimedes.

[1:05:09 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Archimedes?

[1:05:31 AM] Josie: My frog.

[1:05:47 AM] Josie: Josie takes him out of her pocket and holds him up to show him off.

[1:06:15 AM] Hank: ...you feelin' ok, Doc? Seems like you keep bringing it up more than what would be normal.

[1:06:47 AM] Josie: ... well, he talked about spellcasting aptitude, I did feel it was relevant to bring up that I'd already cast something. With help, obviously.

[1:07:01 AM] Ella: She's likely just proud of it.

[1:07:12 AM] Hank: My mistake then.

[1:07:36 AM] Ella: I'd be proud, too, if I'd made something like that.

[1:08:01 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Ah, Crafter's work, as well, it seems. Well, good. Has Crafter told you what the process entails, Doctor?

[1:08:16 AM] Josie: A bit.

[1:08:26 AM] Josie: He'd made the mechanical frog first. It was a windup toy.

[1:08:51 AM] Josie: I carved the runes in and gave it a bit of my life energy to bring it to life.

[1:09:08 AM] Hank: .....*your* life energy?

[1:09:12 AM] Josie: Josie nods.

[1:09:21 AM] Josie: It was like running half a mile or something, that's all.

[1:09:40 AM] Josie: ... creating a life entails *some* sacrifice.

[1:10:00 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  All magic requires energy.

[1:10:06 AM] Hank: Wouldn'ta figured you to be one to play God, Doc.

[1:10:40 AM] Josie: It's a *frog*, not a human *being.*

[1:11:02 AM] Hank: It's 'creating a life' isn't it? Sounds like God's job to me.

[1:11:28 AM] Josie: Ordinary people breed frogs all the time!

[1:11:39 AM] Hank: Naturally.

[1:12:03 AM] Josie: What's natural about *people* breeding frogs? It's not natural at all, usually they're kept in tanks.

[1:12:42 AM] Hank: Still frogs mating, God deciding whether they fertilize or not.

[1:13:16 AM] Josie: And God could very well have decided that it wouldn't work, too.

[1:14:03 AM] Hank: Just as He could have decided his church shouldn't be home to necromancy and magic?

[1:14:29 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Are you arguing about frogs and God? Is that what is happening here?

[1:14:52 AM] Hank: ....sorry, sir.

[1:15:14 AM] Josie: Apparently he's decided I'm as terrible as everyone else here.

[1:15:55 AM] Hank: I haven't decided *anyone* is terrible. And you're the one who told me what I was thinking.

[1:16:14 AM] Josie: *And* I was right.

[1:16:33 AM] Hank: I beg to differ.

[1:17:19 AM] Canto: Fortunada looks at Ella. "How about you, Miss Burke?  Do you wish to return to your old life?  Or to explore your potential for casting?"

[1:18:50 AM] Josie: Josie cuddles her little pet defensively, glowering a little bit.

[1:19:07 AM] Ella: I think I'll stay with you chaps. You all seem amiable enough.

[1:20:10 AM] Canto: Fortunada nods at Ella, letting Josie and Hank continue their argument.

[1:20:30 AM] Josie: You've made it perfectly clear.

[1:20:56 AM] Hank: How so?

[1:21:33 AM] Josie: Your face is entirely transparent. You frown every time anyone does anything the slightest bit out of the ordinary!

[1:23:54 AM] Josie: You don't even like the way I drive!

[1:24:13 AM] Ella: He's likely just not used to this yet. When my powers began to show, I thought grues were gonna eat my toes. I slept with the lights on, whenever my parents would let me.

[1:24:15 AM] Hank: I'm sorry... I didn't get the years of lead-up and preparation for all this.

[1:25:11 AM] Hank: I was a middle child on a farm then strictly ordinary in uniform. It's who I am, Doc.

[1:25:42 AM] Josie: I didn't get any lead-up EITHER.

[1:25:56 AM] Hank: Remind me what you study again?

[1:25:59 AM] Josie: I studied myths and legends and history and stupid things people believe even though they obviously weren't TRUE.

[1:26:25 AM] Josie: Not... how to make mechanical frogs and heal people by thinking about it and mad tears in the world!

[1:26:35 AM] Josie: Vampires are a *myth.*

[1:26:41 AM] Josie: Josie points at Fortunada.

[1:26:45 AM] Josie: He's not even supposed to be here!

[1:27:29 AM] Canto: Fortunada raises an eyebrow.

[1:27:46 AM] Canto: Archimedes chirrrups.

[1:28:06 AM] Josie: ... now you've made me lose my *fucking* temper.

[1:28:08 AM] Hank: You've always had your ability.

[1:28:18 AM] Josie: Josie glowers.

[1:28:26 AM] Hank: Hank stares back.

[1:28:30 AM] Josie: Yes, and I always thought I was crazy, too! Thank you *ever* so much for noticing!

[1:29:13 AM] Hank: Well congratulations and welcome home. Turns out the rest of the world is crazy too. But *I'm* the one getting yelled at because I think it's all weird.

[1:29:36 AM] Josie: No, you're getting yelled at because you're being an *ass.*

[1:29:47 AM] Hank: You're putting words in my head!

[1:29:58 AM] Josie: I haven't touched your stupid head!

[1:30:26 AM] Hank: I know I ain't educated, but do you think I'm so simple I look at everything wondering if it's good or evil?

[1:30:37 AM] Josie: No, just PEOPLE.

[1:30:40 AM] Hank: Or maybe I'm just too dumb to realize I should be.

[1:31:14 AM] Josie: Oh, yes, I'm obviously evil, aren't I, look at me, plotting to take over the world with an army of bloody mechanical frogs!

[1:31:28 AM] Josie: At least I'm trying instead of running away like a coward.

[1:32:01 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  The Frog King tried that back in 1878.

[1:32:10 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  He managed one town.

[1:32:13 AM] Josie: See? That's ridiculous!

[1:32:18 AM] Josie: The whole thing is ridiculous!

[1:32:22 AM] Hank: Hank runs his hands through his hair.

[1:32:32 AM] Josie: There's a VAMPIRE talking about FROG KINGS and an army of mechanical frogs!

[1:32:35 AM] Hank: I need a drink. Or several.

[1:33:13 AM] Josie: And it's STUPID but that's REALITY and you'd better start DEALING with it instead of running away into the bottom of a bottle!

[1:34:51 AM] Hank: Yeah. That's me.... a fucking coward. You got me all figured out, don't you? I'm scared, I'm a drunk, and I think everyone's evil.

[1:35:19 AM] Josie: Then show me I'm wrong! I'd rather BE wrong.

[1:36:01 AM] Hank: What do you want from me?

[1:37:12 AM] Hank: It's been a pretty shitty couple of months for me, Doc. But by all means, come tell me how to do it better.

[1:37:16 AM] Josie: Stop frowning every time you don't like something! Have some intellectual curiosity! LEARN something! Ask *questions*!

[1:37:39 AM] Josie: Oh yes, because *you're* the only one who's ever had a bad couple of months!

[1:38:11 AM] Hank: Last queston I asked got a dragon pissed at me. Real eager to do that again.

[1:38:45 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  ... you might have irritated her, or annoyed her. If she was angry you... well, you wouldn't be here.

[1:38:45 AM] Josie: Yes, and look what happened, she snapped you in half and sucked the marrow from your bones, oh wait no she didn't, you're standing right here!

[1:40:21 AM] Hank: Wrong again. No surprise there.

[1:41:13 AM] Ella: Ella occupies herself with some idle shadowmancy while waiting for the argument to die down.

She projects an image on one of the walls.

It looks like one of those old "Punch and Judy" puppet shows.

[1:41:14 AM] Josie: Getting things wrong is the first step to learning anything!

[1:43:59 AM] Hank: You wanna know what I was thinking about when I brought up the subject? I'll give you a hint- it wasn't evil.

[1:44:09 AM] Josie: Then what *was* it?

[1:44:29 AM] Canto: Fortunada watches Ella do her thing. "Impressive."

[1:46:23 AM] Hank: Family. Friends. Loved ones. Suffering. I wanted to know why they didn't get help. I wasn't worried about Good and Evil. I'm selfish. I just wanted to know why.

[1:46:55 AM] Josie: Next time just *ask*! It's a *good question*.

[1:47:31 AM] Hank: Clearly.

[1:49:15 AM] Hank: Hank shakes his heada little. "I apologize, sir. This was inappropriate. I'm just... gonna take a walk and think a bit."

[1:49:34 AM] Canto: Fortunada nods. "Good idea."

[1:49:58 AM] Josie: ... right.

[1:50:03 AM] Hank: Hank walks out.

[1:52:54 AM] Ella: Ella grins at Fortunada's flattery. All the participants of the show bow, then they are all swept away as the entire thing collapses into a tiny spiral and pops out of existance.

[1:55:58 AM] Canto: Fortunada sits back in his seat, looking to Josie.

[1:56:42 AM | Edited 1:56:48 AM] Josie: ... what?

[1:59:33 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  I was wondering if perhaps you also needed a walk.

[1:59:49 AM] Josie: I'm *fine.*

[2:00:25 AM] Ella: Welp, I'm going to go finish that book I was reading.

[2:01:20 AM] Ella: Unless the someone put it back on the shelf.

[2:01:36 AM] Ella: See you chaps later!

[2:01:53 AM] Ella: Ella departs!

[2:01:55 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Of course, Miss Burke.

[2:02:25 AM] Josie: ... I suppose I'd better get out of your office. I'm sorry I lost my temper, I'll try not to do it again.

[2:04:24 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Apology accepted, but unnecessary.

[2:05:01 AM] Josie: Josie stands up and pockets her Archie.

[2:05:13 AM] Josie: I'll be in the library if anyone wants me.

[2:05:57 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Has Crafter told you what is necessary to start on your training?

[2:06:19 AM] Josie: I'm not sure. What are you referring to specifically?

[2:10:42 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Putting you in touch with your former self.

[2:10:54 AM] Josie: Oh. Yes, he did mention that.

[2:13:07 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  We'll have to arrange that, then.

[2:13:15 AM] Canto: ((We should stop.))

[2:13:24 AM] Josie: ((Probly!))

[2:13:29 AM] Josie: Josie nods.

[2:13:31 AM] Josie: As soon as possible.

[2:16:12 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  I can help you with that.

[2:16:28 AM] Josie: ... as soon as possible. Now, even.

[2:19:42 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  Any reason for the rush?

[2:20:03 AM] Josie: I don't like learning slowly.

[2:23:11 AM] Canto: Fortunada:  ... very well.

[2:23:25 AM] Canto: ((That will do it!))