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[reshapes]

action + written + crystal

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a very mysterious invitation

[matchymatchy]

[ When Bartimaeus is — at some point, presumably — out of the dungeon, he'll receive a terribly mysterious written invitation to meet on the edge of the Gallows, where a small decrepit wooden boat has been moored. A stranger (equally terrible, equally mysterious) may already be waiting.

Bartimaeus doesn't have to actually follow the invitation. Not intentionally. Should he ignore or otherwise attempt to circumvent its summons, a chain of coincidences (terrible, mysterious, you get it by now) and suspiciously well-timed accidents will load the dice to get him there roughly on time.

The invitation is beautifully calligraphed, and smells like roses. It also smells like roses in the boat, owing to the enormous quantity of petals strewn within. They seem, on closer inspection, to be cheaper flowers doused in bad perfume. There are also several candles burning, which is definitely a fire hazard, but at least a self-correcting one.

OOC Note: Gareth is played by Ema. Feel free to play out a thread, handwave things, or ignore it entirely, but check with each other first! ❤ ]

after bartimaeus has been freed from his most terrible captivity, an unsolicited call

[rathercommon]

What's your world like, anyway?

[reshapes]

I-- [A loud bang.] What?

[rathercommon]

Oh, you know. The realm you're from. Where you stay when you're not on Earth. [ Well. ] Or here. [ Also - ] What was that noise?

[reshapes]

Don't worry about it. [But it may have something to do with why he's so eager about--] Now, imagine a place where you're very comfortable. The most at peace you've ever been. Picture it clearly in your mind and then describe it to me.

[rathercommon]

Er -

[ Kitty is not really someone who tends to be comfortable or at peace. So the question flummoxes her a bit. ]

I don't know. Under a tree or something. Why aren't you answering my question about the noise?

[reshapes]

Because I can. Now come on, Kitty! Put some thought into it! You can't just say under a tree or something. That's lazy beyond belief. Paint me a picture.

[rathercommon]

[ Ugh. She is suitably distracted, for the moment, by this request. ]

I don't know. Maybe - under a tree, in a park, after me and my friends have - finished a cricket match or something. Better?

crystals;

[triamour]

Mssr. Bartimaeus?

[ apparently: the chamberlain ]

[reshapes]

[oh, he already doesn't like this. whatever this is. paranoid? him? don't be absurd. this is the wisdom of experience talking.]

Who's asking?

[triamour]

Oh, I am new to the Gallows! I have seen your advertisement in the grounds. About, [ her voice lowers, like a ghost story. just picture the flashlight, tipped under her chin. ] The poisons.

[reshapes]

[Mention of an advertisement warrants an intake of breath in preparation for something along the lines of 'Wrong number, lady'-- It dies gently in his throat. Hm.]

Oh? Interested in [uh] ...it, are you?

[triamour]

One must be. It is so exciting, when someone is poisoned — in stories, yes? — but I think this excitement is not so good for the digestion.

[reshapes]

[Breezy and light:]

Is it not? Well that certainly explains a few things.

crystal

[thekohakuriver]

I have a question for you.

[reshapes]

[Ooh, that's an unpleasant sensation. It feels like getting caught with his hand in the metaphorical cookie jar, only he isn't sure what the jar looks like or even what kind of cookie he'd been reaching for.]

Yyyyeeees?

[thekohakuriver]

Have you ever heard of a spirit without a name?

[There is a brief, hesitating sort of silence. He must have lost his damn mind, asking a fucking Djinni this sort of thing. And yet...]

Or, one who had one, and lost it?

[reshapes]

[He doesn't scoff. Consider it a sign of his respect and/or strong sense of self preservation.

(Spoilers: it's the second one.)]

Oh sure. But it's not like it ever lasts - nothing good ever does. Someone always digs it up eventually.

[thekohakuriver]

[Bartimaeus doesn't seem to suspect the truth, at least.Small blessings.]

Hm. I suppose it can't be helped. Though, Humans don't exactly summon my kind the way they do yours.

[Because it would be suicidal, you see. And also, because in Japan, people have manners.]

Wisteria Poppell. Do you know her?

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty's voice is sort of small on the crystal. ]

Bartimaeus?

[reshapes]

[His is not:]

Yyyyyyyyyeeeeees?

[rathercommon]

[ It's so - absurd, so boisterous, that she doesn't even know whether she feels like laughing or crying. So she's quiet just a little bit too long. Then, finally, what comes out of her mouth is: ]

Are you busy?

[reshapes]

[A great, labored sigh. Somewhere, Bartimaeus replaces the torch he'd been intending to light the end of a trussed up Kirkwall brigand back into its holder. He makes a one moment please gesture to the squirming cut purse.]

Has that ever stopped you before?

[rathercommon]

Erm - right. I was about to...

[ Kitty trails off, distracted somewhat by - ]

What's that noise?

[reshapes]

There's a dog whining out here. Now go on. Regale me.