Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

Comments

[phaselocknroll]

Then eat some breakfast and then we shall talk about leaving.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ The corner of his mouth twitches, as though he's trying to suppress a smile. ]

I didn't take you for the mother hen type.

[phaselocknroll]

[ If it looks like she went a little red there, it's only his imagination. ] I'm just looking after you, that's all.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Even if it is his imagination, he stops trying to suppress his little smirk. ]

I appreciate it, but I'm a big boy. Lived this long, after all.

[phaselocknroll]

Yes, but I would bet you didn't have an order of murderous weather wizards on your tail, either.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That brings him up short, and his shoulders drop a little. As though on reflex, one hand gingerly touches the angry red marks on his chest. ]

... Fair enough point. Can safely say that's pretty new to me.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She frowns, watching him. ] I have something that might be able to help.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's a little confused at first, but then he seems to realize what he's doing. ]

What, you don't think they're becoming? I hear some women find scars attractive.

[phaselocknroll]

I, uh. Not the scars- I've tried, believe me.

I meant more in the realm of protection against further attacks.

[nostalgiabomb]

What've you got in mind?

[phaselocknroll]

[ In response, her book floats off of her hip, flipping open to the desired page. ]

One of my sister gifted me a shielding spell, once. I haven't used it, but it might prove useful to you.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He glances at it, and looks a little unsure, but then-- ]

You have a sister?

[phaselocknroll]

I have several sisters, though only six of us can be on the human plane at any one time.

[ she waves the book over to him, open to a page titled The Flame of the Firehawk ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That sounds familiar, and he thinks back on the stories he heard of Sirens, when it finally clicks. Right, the other Sirens. Sisters. Makes sense.

For a second he just stares at the page, still looking unsure, then he glances up. ]

I dunno if I have the knack for this kinda stuff.

[phaselocknroll]

It isn't too terribly different from the binding spell that initiated our contract. I think you could do it.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He's still hesitant -- Ravager instincts die hard -- but he relents, finally. ]

Tell me what I'm doing here, then.

[phaselocknroll]

Well, if I recall what Lilith told me correctly, the spell protects its caster by putting an invisible barrier around them. The barrier isn't completely impervious to harm- it can only absorb so much damage- but it would protect you for a short while. If the barrier is depleted, it will at least do you the final favor of setting any enemies within a certain radius on fire.

Hence the name.

[nostalgiabomb]

So I just-- memorize it and recite it every time a bad guy pops out at us or something?

[phaselocknroll]

Not really. It'll work more on an instinctual level.

That's why the spell is similar to a binding.

[nostalgiabomb]

So no chance of me accidentally blowing anyone up in town, right?

[phaselocknroll]

I don't think so. It should only become active if you're in danger.

But I do have the unbinding for it if it doesn't work out.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He slowly nods, finally deciding that as long as he won't inadvertently hurt anyone-- ] Worth a shot, I guess.

[ Peter licks his lips and reads the incantation aloud -- when he's done, he half expects an actual phoenix to show up, isn't entirely surprised when it doesn't. Too bad, though. ]

[phaselocknroll]

[ He just has to wait a second, because Maya's book suddenly bursts into flames, and yes, a phoenix does rise from the pages. It flies around him, one, twice, three times, then vanishes in a shower of sparks.

Maya's book snaps shut, extinguishing the fire. It floats back over to her waiting hand. ]

Well, I'd say it worked. You really aren't bad at this magic thing, you know.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Holy shit, that was awesome, is what his face is currently saying.

Once the initial surprise has faded, he just swallows and flicks his gaze up to her. Part of him is kind of flattered at the compliment, another part is nervous. ]

Well, I mean, it's just been readin' stuff aloud so far. Not too hard, right?

[phaselocknroll]

Well, yes. But not everyone gets it right on the first try. You're two for two, and I haven't had to coach you through any of it.