004

[6/25/2014 9:05:42 PM] Canto: Well! You discovered a thingy in a theater. You called up Caspar, who asked you to stay in the area until he can get down there to secure the area.

[6/25/2014 9:06:41 PM] Hank: Hank lights a cigarette and leans against the building.

[6/25/2014 9:07:24 PM] Josie: Everyone smokes.

[6/25/2014 9:07:42 PM] Hank: 'cept you, you mean?

[6/25/2014 9:08:28 PM] Josie: Yes.

[6/25/2014 9:09:47 PM] Hank: Why not?

[6/25/2014 9:10:08 PM] Josie: I tried once. It made me sick.

[6/25/2014 9:10:39 PM] Hank: Heh. Happened first time I had one too.

[6/25/2014 9:11:44 PM] Canto: It's just after seven at this point. YOu guys are loitering around a streetlight and a a payphone.

[6/25/2014 9:13:00 PM] Josie: ... I wonder how long it'll take.

[6/25/2014 9:13:12 PM] Hank: For Mr. Quentin to get here? Not sure.

[6/25/2014 9:14:18 PM] Hank: You feelin' all right now?

[6/25/2014 9:15:43 PM] Josie: Oh yes, quite a bit.

[6/25/2014 9:16:22 PM] Canto: You can hear applause from inside the theater again.

[6/25/2014 9:16:59 PM] Hank: ...think we're gonna need more instruction before the next job.

[6/25/2014 9:17:51 PM] Josie: If he wants us to do more than what we did, yes.

[6/25/2014 9:18:03 PM] Ella Burke: Oho yes.

[6/25/2014 9:18:40 PM] Canto: After about twenty minutes, Caspar shows up!

[6/25/2014 9:19:02 PM] Hank: Hank puts out his cigarette and stands up to meet him.

[6/25/2014 9:19:14 PM] Josie: Mr. Quentin.

[6/25/2014 9:19:48 PM] Ella Burke: Hi. We found a thing.

[6/25/2014 9:20:05 PM] Canto: He's got a briefcase. "So I heard.  Care to show me?"

[6/25/2014 9:20:06 PM] Josie: It seems to be a canister of... ectoplasm, maybe? Something ghostly.

[6/25/2014 9:20:32 PM] Hank: Hank leads the way back to the canister!

[6/25/2014 9:21:02 PM] Josie: Josie follows.

[6/25/2014 9:21:45 PM] Canto: He's got an electric flashlight!

[6/25/2014 9:22:32 PM] Canto: He looks at the thing. "Huh. So what can you tell me about this thing?"

[6/25/2014 9:22:45 PM] Ella Burke: Whatever that was, it was able to influence my shadows, but not sustain them on its own.

[6/25/2014 9:22:52 PM] Hank: 's not movin'. Not a machine.

[6/25/2014 9:23:58 PM] Josie: It said "Let me out" over and over again with a lot of different voices.

[6/25/2014 9:24:58 PM] Canto: He nods, and he scowls. "Ghost engine.  I've seen this sort of device before.  Necromancer work.  It captures a bunch of souls and uses them as a power source to some end or another."

[6/25/2014 9:25:16 PM] Hank: Engine? How's an engine work without any moving parts?

[6/25/2014 9:25:37 PM] Josie: Then we should let them go.

[6/25/2014 9:26:51 PM] Canto: Caspar:  No moving physical parts. The trapped souls are doing all the moving.

[6/25/2014 9:27:40 PM] Canto: He looks at Josie. "No argument there.  But it has to be done properly, or the spirits might get stuck as ghosts."

[6/25/2014 9:29:34 PM] Josie: How?

[6/25/2014 9:30:07 PM] Canto: Caspar:  We need to get an exorcist out here.

[6/25/2014 9:31:17 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Once the souls are freed, the device will be deactivated.

[6/25/2014 9:33:16 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Right now, they're desperate for any escape. That's why they were pulling on your shadows.

[6/25/2014 9:33:44 PM] Hank: So what else do we need to do, sir?

[6/25/2014 9:34:02 PM] Josie: I can... try to tell them, but I don't want to be sucked into it or something.

[6/25/2014 9:34:51 PM] Canto: Caspar:  No, don't contact them at all, Dr. Black.

[6/25/2014 9:36:42 PM] Josie: Josie nods.

[6/25/2014 9:37:17 PM] Ella Burke: Who knows how long they've been here. They could be crazy.

[6/25/2014 9:37:26 PM] Hank: Is there any way to figure out what they're doin'?

[6/25/2014 9:37:26 PM] Ella Burke: Or malicious.

[6/25/2014 9:37:36 PM] Ella Burke: Or both

[6/25/2014 9:37:53 PM] Canto: Caspar:  No, I have to admit, I've never seen a ghost engine this small before.

[6/25/2014 9:38:12 PM] Josie: ... how big are they normally?

[6/25/2014 9:38:42 PM] Canto: Caspar:  The size of a small car, or bigger. Depends on their purpose.

[6/25/2014 9:39:21 PM] Hank: If you don't mind, once it's cleared out, I'd like to be able to take a look at it. Learn how it works.

[6/25/2014 9:40:50 PM] Josie: ... are you a necromancer, Mr. Stevenson?

[6/25/2014 9:41:03 PM] Hank: No ma'am. Mechanic.

[6/25/2014 9:41:48 PM] Hank: Worked on a lot of engines and other machines.

[6/25/2014 9:42:45 PM] Hank: Guess you could say it's what history is to you.

[6/25/2014 9:43:21 PM] Josie: Your passion? ... I suppose you *do* need to know how it works to be able to take something like that apart safely.

[6/25/2014 9:43:41 PM] Canto: Caspar:  We'll see what we can do. Council policy on Necromancy is pretty cut and dry:  manipulation of souls is strictly illegal.

[6/25/2014 9:43:57 PM] Hank: Oh, no sir. Wouldn't want anything to do with souls.

[6/25/2014 9:44:04 PM] Hank: Just the machine.

[6/25/2014 9:44:37 PM] Canto: Caspar opens up the briefcase he brought and pulls out a metal disk about six inches in diameter with some strange runes drawn over it.

[6/25/2014 9:47:15 PM] Canto: He sets it on the floor near the base of the cylinder.

[6/25/2014 9:47:35 PM] Hank: What's that do?

[6/25/2014 9:47:44 PM] Josie: ... it's gibberish.

[6/25/2014 9:47:58 PM] Josie: Those are norse--the ones that look like toothpicks--that eye is Egyptian.

[6/25/2014 9:48:20 PM] Josie: I think that little phrase is from the Book of the Dead.

[6/25/2014 9:48:22 PM | Edited 9:48:31 PM] Canto: Caspar:  It's a charm. Should calm down the souls being held captive.

[6/25/2014 9:48:33 PM] Josie: And that piece there is from the Kabbalah.

[6/25/2014 9:49:28 PM] Hank: 's that like wearing the symbol of every religion hopin' one's listening to you?

[6/25/2014 9:51:52 PM] Canto: Caspar nods, and mumbles a few words low. The symbols on the disk begin to glow with a bluish white light. "Kind of.  Several variations of the same spell, basically.  Acts like an echo chamber, so the effect of each spell is amplified by the other spells.  And since they're all basically the same spell, it's just the one effect."

[6/25/2014 9:53:31 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Now, stand back, please.

[6/25/2014 9:53:42 PM] Josie: Josie moves back, carefully!

[6/25/2014 9:54:12 PM] Hank: Hank backs up.

[6/25/2014 9:54:25 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke steps back a bit, making sure nothing isbehind her, first.

[6/25/2014 9:55:31 PM] Canto: He takes out a canteen from the briefcase and unscrews it. He pours its contents around the base of the device -- looks like water. He touches it, and it freezes up and expands, creating a wall of ice around the ghost engine.

[6/25/2014 9:55:52 PM] Josie: ... interesting...

[6/25/2014 9:59:27 PM] Canto: Caspar:  It's a special alchemical concoction. It won't melt until I make it melt.

[6/25/2014 9:59:47 PM] Josie: As ice does it remain pliable to you?

[6/25/2014 10:00:19 PM] Hank: Was startin' to wonder if it was just 'battleship stuff.'

[6/25/2014 10:00:26 PM] Canto: Caspar:  As long as it's ice I made, yes.

[6/25/2014 10:01:14 PM] Josie: ... that's rather frightening. Or it would be if we didn't share an employer.

[6/25/2014 10:01:19 PM] Canto: Caspar:  There's some holy water and water from a sacred spring in there as well, for good measure. Should keep the hauntings down.

[6/25/2014 10:01:57 PM] Canto: Caspar:  I don't have a talent for spells, really. But I'm not bad at alchemy. Goes well with my gift.

[6/25/2014 10:02:13 PM] Canto: He gives a grin. "You should see the bullets I can make."

[6/25/2014 10:04:32 PM] Josie: ... worrying.

[6/25/2014 10:04:59 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Anyway. Should be safe here until the exorcist shows up.

[6/25/2014 10:05:18 PM] Hank: Hank nods. "All right then."

[6/25/2014 10:05:30 PM] Josie: Josie nods.

[6/25/2014 10:05:42 PM] Josie: So. Now what?

[6/25/2014 10:07:23 PM] Canto: Caspar:  You guys head home. You finished your first investigation. You did well.

[6/25/2014 10:07:42 PM] Hank: Did we? That's all we do?

[6/25/2014 10:08:22 PM] Canto: Caspar:  What were you expecting? You went into a place, determined it was haunted, and found out why.

[6/25/2014 10:08:45 PM] Hank: ....not sure, I guess. Just used to work being a bit more.... work.

[6/25/2014 10:08:58 PM] Josie: I think he's going easy on us.

[6/25/2014 10:09:08 PM] Josie: We *are* eventually going to learn to deal with things on our own, aren't we?

[6/25/2014 10:09:50 PM | Edited 10:09:55 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Of course.

[6/25/2014 10:12:02 PM] Canto: Caspar:  If you want more shootouts on gothic cathedrals, I can probably arrange for something. But that's not necessarily the job. The job here will be flexible, and you're going to be have to be flexible too. Sometimes a job will just be exploring a basement. Sometimes it's going to be talking to people. Witnesses, experts, et cetera.

[6/25/2014 10:12:44 PM] Hank: Hank frowns but nods.

[6/25/2014 10:14:03 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Sometimes something more physical might be required. Heavy lifting. Shootouts.

[6/25/2014 10:14:36 PM] Hank: Now you're just tryin' to make me feel better.

[6/25/2014 10:14:54 PM] Josie: .... I don't really want a shootout, thanks. I'd need to change my shoes.

[6/25/2014 10:15:11 PM] Canto: Caspar:  You're not drafted, Stevenson. It's a job. You can resign whenever you want.

[6/25/2014 10:15:44 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Howard would probably give you a decent job on his airfield if that's what you want.

[6/25/2014 10:16:00 PM] Hank: Just want to be useful, sir.

[6/25/2014 10:16:46 PM] Josie: ... maybe he could have a shop on the airfield as part of his salary.

[6/25/2014 10:18:03 PM] Canto: Caspar:  I'm not a 'sir'. You're not in the military, Hank. Sooner you get that through your head, the better.

[6/25/2014 10:18:57 PM] Hank: Hank sort of frowns but nods.

[6/25/2014 10:20:13 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Anyway. Head on home. Early day tomorrow.

[6/25/2014 10:21:08 PM] Josie: It is?

[6/25/2014 10:21:18 PM] Ella Burke: Hoo boy.

[6/25/2014 10:21:34 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Yeah. Starting your training proper.

[6/25/2014 10:21:51 PM] Josie: What time?

[6/25/2014 10:22:33 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Be at the airfield by six.

[6/25/2014 10:23:02 PM | Edited 10:23:05 PM] Hank: ...that * is* early.

[6/25/2014 10:23:02 PM] Josie: That's practically the middle of the *night.*

[6/25/2014 10:23:08 PM] Josie: Josie keeps students' hours!

[6/25/2014 10:24:13 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Sensei Ping is flying in, and he wants to see you all as soon as possible.

[6/25/2014 10:25:33 PM] Hank: Guess we'll get back then.

[6/25/2014 10:26:07 PM] Josie: Josie nods.

[6/25/2014 10:26:20 PM] Ella Burke: Guess so.

[6/25/2014 10:26:34 PM] Canto: So, you guys head back?

[6/25/2014 10:26:54 PM] Josie: Josie does!

[6/25/2014 10:26:57 PM] Hank: Sure...but Hank's gonna hit the bar for a bit before bed. lol

[6/25/2014 10:27:06 PM] Canto: Easy enough.

[6/25/2014 10:28:28 PM] Ella Burke: ((Yep, unless miscellaneous shenanigans happen.))

[6/25/2014 10:29:30 PM] Canto: Okay! So, next morning rolls around.

[6/25/2014 10:29:47 PM] Canto: you guys all get to have more dreams, too. But it's more of the same.

[6/25/2014 10:32:27 PM] Hank: Hank is ready to go!

[6/25/2014 10:33:33 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke is up at a perfectly reasonable hour, namely five-ish.

[6/25/2014 10:34:07 PM] Josie: Josie will be ready on time, too. Perfectly coiffed.

[6/25/2014 10:34:27 PM] Hank: Hank on the other hand looks a teensy bit ragged and red-eyed.

[6/25/2014 10:36:56 PM] Canto: So you guys meet Cas on the airfield as a small plane lands and a tiny asian man in an orange and yellow robe steps out.

[6/25/2014 10:38:28 PM] Hank: Hank kind of crosses his arms and waits.

[6/25/2014 10:38:35 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke wears something comfy and easy to move in, and has tied her hair back.

[6/25/2014 10:39:41 PM] Josie: Josie smiles tentatively.

[6/25/2014 10:40:49 PM] Canto: The man comes over and looks each of you over in turn. His expression is unreadable. He's.... it's hard to tell how old he is. Somewhere between 40-70, you'd guess.

[6/25/2014 10:41:34 PM] Canto: He inspects Josie first, then Ella, then Hank.

[6/25/2014 10:41:47 PM] Canto: Then he frowns and turns around, heading back to the plane.

[6/25/2014 10:41:58 PM] Josie: ... excuse me?

[6/25/2014 10:43:16 PM] Josie: Aren't you here to teach us?

[6/25/2014 10:44:42 PM] Canto: He goes inside the plane! A moment later, another figure comes out. It's man-shaped. Seven-feet tall and four feet wide. He's wearing the same kind of robes as the asian man, but much bigger. Also, he's a yeti.

[6/25/2014 10:44:54 PM] Canto: He rubs his eyes like he just got woken up and strides over to you guys.

[6/25/2014 10:46:08 PM] Josie: ... sir?

[6/25/2014 10:47:00 PM] Canto: He winces, and you notice his yellow eyes seem a bit bloodshot. "Ow.  Ow.  Ow. Not so loud.  Shh.  Shh."

[6/25/2014 10:47:40 PM] Josie: ... are you *hung over*?

[6/25/2014 10:48:13 PM] Canto: Caspar facepalms. "Dammit, Ping."

[6/25/2014 10:48:30 PM] Hank: Hank shifts his weight a little.

[6/25/2014 10:48:47 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke says quietly, but still quite audibly,

"Eesh, you're as tall as Olaf, as wide as Gertrude, and as hairy as Farley. Same color as Farley, too."

[6/25/2014 10:49:14 PM] Canto: Ping:  Look. We just won a major battle against the whatsits. Shamblers. There was a celebration. It would have been rude not to partake.

[6/25/2014 10:49:35 PM] Canto: Caspar:  ... the celebration would have been in goddamn Nepal, Ping. You were on a plane by then.

[6/25/2014 10:49:42 PM] Canto: Ping:  I was with them in spirit!

[6/25/2014 10:50:58 PM] Canto: Ping clears his throat. "Okay. Okay.  Okay.  I'm gonna lay down for like, six seconds.  Then we'll get started.  With the stuff."

[6/25/2014 10:51:04 PM] Canto: He stretches out on the tarmac.

[6/25/2014 10:51:19 PM] Canto: He starts snoring within four.

[6/25/2014 10:51:38 PM] Josie: ...

[6/25/2014 10:51:47 PM] Josie: Josie shouts: WE HAD TO GET UP AT FIVE IN THE MORNING.

[6/25/2014 10:51:50 PM] Canto: Caspar:  So. Yeah. That's a yeti.

[6/25/2014 10:51:56 PM] Hank: Hank winces.

[6/25/2014 10:51:57 PM] Josie: GET UP OR I'LL KICK YOUR BLOODY FACE IN.

[6/25/2014 10:52:05 PM] Canto: He does not!

[6/25/2014 10:52:14 PM] Hank: ...do you *have* to do that?

[6/25/2014 10:52:17 PM] Josie: Josie true to her word, kicks him in the arm.

[6/25/2014 10:53:19 PM] Josie: You *too*, Hank? Really?

[6/25/2014 10:53:20 PM] Canto: She does not! Mid-kick, just moments after she forms the thought to kick him he turns into a blur of blue-white fur and red robes and is behind her.

[6/25/2014 10:53:39 PM] Josie: There! That's much better!

[6/25/2014 10:53:47 PM] Canto: Ping grins. "Hrm. Not bad."

[6/25/2014 10:53:57 PM] Canto: Ping:  Got some fire.

[6/25/2014 10:54:22 PM] *** Group call ***

[6/25/2014 10:54:26 PM] Josie: I don't usually lose my temper like that, but I was having a rather nice evening and had to cut it short to be here early. ... sorry.

[6/25/2014 10:54:39 PM] Josie: ((That was me. Sorry. Apparently there's a quickbutton or something for calling and I keep hitting it.))

[6/25/2014 10:56:45 PM] Canto: Ping:  S'alright. So. Lessee what we got. Telepath with a temper. Ex... military somethin, with a fish leg. And a quiet redhead. Worked with worse.

[6/25/2014 10:57:03 PM] Hank: Hank frowns.

[6/25/2014 10:57:42 PM] Josie: I'm Dr. Josie Black.

[6/25/2014 10:59:46 PM] Canto: Ping:  You'll always be Kicky to me.

[6/25/2014 10:59:52 PM] Hank: Hank smirks.

[6/25/2014 11:00:03 PM] Josie: ... thank you, I think?

[6/25/2014 11:00:43 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke grins toothily at the guy.

"Hi! I'm Ella."

[6/25/2014 11:01:08 PM] Canto: Ping:  So. I'm here to teach you some self defense basics. Not just how to escape from holds and punch a guy, but how to use your gifts to your advantage.

[6/25/2014 11:01:21 PM] Canto: Ping:  Kicky's a telepath. Ella, what can you do?

[6/25/2014 11:01:24 PM] Josie: Josie listens.

[6/25/2014 11:02:24 PM] Ella Burke: I can shape shadows. Nothing solid yet, I think.

[6/25/2014 11:03:48 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke let's her shadow swirl behind her as she says this.

[6/25/2014 11:03:52 PM] Canto: Ping:  Hmm. Alright, we can work with that. Fish-leg, how bout you?

[6/25/2014 11:04:18 PM] Hank: I bend metal.

[6/25/2014 11:04:55 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Hank's gifts only just recently manifested, Ping.

[6/25/2014 11:05:42 PM] Canto: Ping:  Hmm. Yeah, metal bending can be several things. Magnetism, matter manipulation...

[6/25/2014 11:06:46 PM] Josie: He... compressed some metal. Made it smaller.

[6/25/2014 11:08:28 PM] Canto: Ping:  Well. You got a space to practice in, Caspar?

[6/25/2014 11:08:38 PM] Canto: Caspar:  Yeah, Howard set up a hangar.

[6/25/2014 11:12:03 PM] Canto: Ping nods. "Lead the way."

[6/25/2014 11:12:05 PM] Josie: Let's get going.

[6/25/2014 11:12:09 PM] Canto: He rubs his eyes.

[6/25/2014 11:16:07 PM] Hank: Which way?

[6/25/2014 11:17:02 PM] Canto: You go to the hangar! It's been cleared out.

[6/25/2014 11:18:43 PM] Canto: And now is time for a training montage.

[6/25/2014 11:18:50 PM] Hank: :D

[6/25/2014 11:20:22 PM] Canto: He teaches you some basic self defense moves. Teaches you how to throw a punch if you don't know how to. Teaches you to use your physical strengths to your advantage.

[6/25/2014 11:21:27 PM] Josie: Josie doesn't have a lot of physical strength.

[6/25/2014 11:21:34 PM] Hank: Hank does!

[6/25/2014 11:23:07 PM] Canto: Yep. He teaches Hank some holds, and teaches Josie some throws, the types where you use an oppoent's momentum and strength against them.

[6/25/2014 11:23:28 PM] Canto: Not sure if Ella is physically strong or not!

[6/25/2014 11:24:35 PM] Ella Burke: Ella Burke is average.

[6/25/2014 11:24:53 PM] Canto: So he teaches you some of the same.

[6/25/2014 11:30:02 PM] Canto: He teaches you all meditative exercises as well, so that it's easier access your gifts in stressful situations.

[6/25/2014 11:31:32 PM] Josie: Josie does her best to learn!

[6/25/2014 11:34:12 PM] Hank: Is it common to get headaches from using them?

[6/25/2014 11:34:34 PM] Canto: Ping:  From meditation? No.

[6/25/2014 11:34:40 PM] Hank: No, the powers.

[6/25/2014 11:35:40 PM] Canto: Ping:  It's common when they first manifest. Your brain is learning new ways to work.

[6/25/2014 11:36:24 PM] Josie: I used to have a lot of headaches when I was a girl.

[6/25/2014 11:37:52 PM] Hank: Guess I can see that.

[6/25/2014 11:38:36 PM] Canto: Ping:  They'll fade as you get used to them.

[6/25/2014 11:41:05 PM] Hank: There anything else?

[6/25/2014 11:41:49 PM] Canto: Ping:  Just keep at it. Practice, practice, practice.

[6/25/2014 11:43:12 PM] Josie: On each other?

[6/25/2014 11:43:19 PM] Josie: ... I don't think I want to do that.

[6/25/2014 11:44:23 PM] Canto: Ping:  Well, I was referring to Hank, mostly, as his abilities are new to him.

[6/25/2014 11:44:43 PM] Josie: Oh, I see.

[6/25/2014 11:44:57 PM] Hank: Hank nods. "Guess I got a few more things to go buy then."

[6/25/2014 11:45:16 PM] Josie: ... raw metal?

[6/25/2014 11:45:37 PM] Hank: ...and some other goodies.

[6/25/2014 11:45:43 PM] Josie: Goodies?

[6/25/2014 11:46:38 PM] Hank: Hank shrugs. "Just thinkin' I might like a little gym in one of my rooms. Not usin' 'em for anything else anyway."

[6/25/2014 11:48:01 PM] Josie: Josie nods.

[6/25/2014 11:49:57 PM] Canto: So, the training took a few days, all told. During that time, Caspar had an exorcist come in and they worked on the site to get the souls freed. They were successful, and were able to take the now deactivated engine into custody.

[6/25/2014 11:50:15 PM] Josie: Josie watches them if that was possible and tries to learn how they did it.

[6/25/2014 11:53:49 PM] Canto: Caspar allows it! The exorcist in question is an elderly Italian fellow that doesn't speak a lick of english. It's not very impressive, all told, he lights a censer, pours some holy water, and says some prayers, and the engine just stops working.

[6/25/2014 11:54:31 PM] Josie: Josie on the offchance that he's a priest, tries Latin.

[6/25/2014 11:55:07 PM] Canto: He knows Latin, but hes not terribly interested in chatting.

[6/25/2014 11:55:39 PM] Josie: Josie tries for a bit but eventually just lets him get on with it.

[6/25/2014 11:56:58 PM] Canto: You get the feeling that he didn't even want you there, but Caspar insisted.

[6/25/2014 11:57:53 PM] Josie: Josie stays quiet like a good little girl, while thinking Rebellious Thoughts.

[6/25/2014 11:59:50 PM] Canto: When the cylinder is moved, though, there's a thing. Hanging in mid air. The best way to describe it is a crack. Like a crack you'd see in a stone wall. But it's hanging in mid air.

[12:02:51 AM] Canto: It radiates power, too.

[12:03:56 AM] Josie: What *is* that?

[12:04:25 AM] Canto: Caspar: I have *no* idea.

[12:07:24 AM] Hank: ...not usually part of the 'ghost engine' then?

[12:07:52 AM] Canto: Caspar: No.

[12:08:23 AM] Canto: It's a really weird visual phenomenon. Kind of hard to take your eyes off it.

[12:09:20 AM] Canto: I mean, you can, but it's tough.

[12:09:54 AM] Hank: This shit just gets weirder and weirder. ....pardon my language.

[12:10:52 AM] Josie: ... Mr. Stevenson, until I turned 10, 90 percent of the people around me thought I was a boy. I've heard a lot worse.

[12:11:13 AM] Hank: ....why would they think that?

[12:11:22 AM] Hank: ...and who swears around a kid?

[12:11:40 AM] Josie: I was skinny and annoying. And lots of people do when they think it's a boy. Boys, mainly.

[12:15:05 AM] Canto: Caspar returns, after having used the phone to make a few calls. "All right.  Here's the plan:  We're shipping the ghost engine to Boston to be dissected by an expert in arcanotech.  You three are going with it."

[12:16:05 AM] Canto: Caspar: While you're there, you're receive some basic education in spellcasting.

[12:18:16 AM] Hank: How long?

[12:20:50 AM] Josie: To *Boston*?

[12:20:57 AM] Josie: From whom?

[12:21:53 AM] Canto: Caspar: The Council has a large enclave in Boston, the largest in the States. There will be several instructors there. And I'm not sure how long. Probably a couple of weeks.

[12:23:16 AM] Josie: ... all right.

[12:23:32 AM] Hank: You ever been, Miss Black?

[12:24:03 AM] Josie: Once, a few years ago.

[12:25:58 AM] Canto: Caspar: You'll leave tomorrow evening. That will put you in at Boston the following morning.

[12:26:32 AM] Hank: Hank nods.

[12:27:38 AM] Canto: Caspar: I'm nost sure how long you'll be. I can't see it being more than a few days.

[12:28:48 AM] Josie: Josie nods.

[12:29:09 AM] Hank: Hank shrugs. "Just curious."

[12:30:30 AM] Canto: Caspar: It'll be good for you to meet with some other agents of the Council. You'll be able to spend some time in the largest archive we have in the states, as well.

[12:31:11 AM] Hank: Books don't mean much to me. Will we be able to see them take the thing apart?

[12:31:56 AM] Canto: Caspar: Oh, definitely.

[12:32:46 AM] Josie: Books mean a lot to me.

[12:33:19 AM] Hank: You can have 'em all then.

[12:34:31 AM] Josie: Even the technical manuals, Mr. Stevenson?

[12:35:10 AM] Hank: I learn better with my hands. Takin' something apart and putting it back together, tracing flowpaths. Much easier understood in person than in paper.

[12:35:46 AM] Hank: ...unless it's electrical. That's just PFM.

[12:36:14 AM] Josie: PFM?

[12:36:23 AM] Hank: Pure Fu-- uh.. Magic.

[12:37:15 AM] Josie: Josie snrks.

[12:37:58 AM] Hank: I know enough to get me by. Just prefer the mechanical side of things.

[12:38:40 AM] Josie: Josie nods.

[12:41:23 AM] Hank: Anyway, guess we should get back and get a bag together.

[12:41:40 AM] Josie: ... bag?

[12:41:58 AM] Hank: You plan on going to Boston without any of your pretty new clothes?

[12:42:31 AM] Canto: Caspar: Arrangements for hotel rooms are gonna be arranged. Bring a nice set of clothes. The Council loves official functions.

[12:42:47 AM] Hank: Hank sighs.

[12:43:18 AM] Josie: Oh, pack. All right.

[12:47:48 AM] Canto: We shall end things there!