come_sailaway | Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire [OTA]

Entry tags:

Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire [OTA]

Who: The Great Maxwell and YOU!
What: Bopping around the ship, taking care of errands
Where: Library, Cabins, Windjammer, Various
When: Early October
Warnings: None Yet

Pick your poison, name your desire [Library]

It took some time to decide where exactly he'd work on Grace's suit. Though the lounge in Bobby B's is comfortable, he doesn't want the smell of cigars to permeate the fabric, not when it's so new and fresh and wonderfully pressed. Stan the Man would have been too crowded and noisy, the Atrium too open. What had sold him on the library was the presence of open tables and the soft hum of the alchemy engine.

Measure twice, cut once. It's an especially important mantra to follow when you have so little material to spare. Old muscle memory finds its way into his fingers as he works, and, steadily, the ensemble begins to come together.

He's engrossed in his work, but considering he's working in a public place, he's not about to shoo out anyone else who comes in.

I'm a great many things, but I'm not liar [Closed for Giles]

It's about a week into October when the magician comes a'knocking.

"Giles, it's Maxwell. I've run into a bit of a problem."

Despite your rage, despite your ire [Near Cabin 105]

Around midday, early in October, Maxwell can be seen entering, and very shortly after, emerging from Cabin 105- Grace and Valdis' cabin. He knocked first, then entered when there was no response... unless there was. Though he did try very deliberately to come by when he knew Ms. Grace would be out.

He doesn't make much of a deal about it, and he doesn't have a look on his face like he knows he's doing anything untoward or unusual.

Well, curiosity killed the cat, but since when did cats care about death taxes?

I'll be dancing around your pyre [Windjammer]

It's occurred to him that, given how food doesn't spoil and the depths of the Tommy Bahama are infinite, he probably shouldn't forego packing provisions for his eventual safari with Higgsbury. He knows the outing is inevitable now- the gift of a couple of very familiar pith hats from Sundries has convinced him of as much- and he wants to be as prepared as possible, given the scientist's lingering apprehensions.

He's packing a lot of bacon and eggs, an odd choice for a field mission. Perhaps there's something better and less greasy that he could be stuffing into his basket?

And our old grudges we'll retire [Wildcard]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"The fuel will go to waste, but it will be expended. Shadow magic is shaped by will and belief. Once the energy is back in the circle, it will only do what the circle instructs it to do. If there are no flowers, then all the remaining energy will go solely to maintaining the circle's activity."

He pauses, thinking.

"Her appearance is worrying, but unless you've seen her in the presence of separate beings, then she likely hasn't had any success. A summoning would run the risk of her binding herself more permanently to Their power, in which case I would be able to offer no remedy."

He nods his understanding. All right. If that's all the risk, then he sees no good reason not to go through with it.

"Then, we'd better hurry and find her. I have the means to do so, so long as she has not disabled it. I'll need to go to my room and fetch the rope that can hold her. We'll tie her to a chair if we must. Besides the book, is there anything else you need to finish the ritual?"

"I've already got everything else I need on me. Charcoal, fuel... oh. There is one thing, and it might seem suspect, but I assure you it will help. She's likely to recover far more smoothly and quickly if you provide a bit of your hair and a drop of your blood."

It does seem suspect. The narrowing of Number 6's eyes says as much.

"Why? How does that help?"

"Think of electricity. What's the best way to discharge it? You let it connect to ground. Magic is shaped by intention and sacrifice- certainly, the magic will run down over its natural course, but it will discharge much faster and more effectively if there is something present in the ritual to 'ground' her. And you, Mr. Starr... I can't think of anyone who grounds her more than you do."

He considers this for a moment. It does seem logical. As logical as magic can seem to someone with little experience.

"All right. Then I will provide you with both. Do you need it now or once we have her in the circle?"

"At the circle. The fresher the samples are, the closer they are to 'you,' and the stronger of a grounding presence they'll be."

"That's settled then. I will find her and the book and bring them to the circle. If I can send you a text to tell you I have her, I will." But his hands may be full.

"Even if I don't, be ready."

Unless Maxwell has anything else to add, Number 6 will go back the way he came, to collect the rope he needs from the cabin. He will also pull out his ship phone and send Ava a text:

Pumpkin, I think I have found a way to help you. I need to speak with you urgently. Please, will you come meet me?"

She stares down at the text, critically examining for hidden messages, for underlying threats. Possibility of a trap.

But avoiding him is an act of fear, and she's not meant to give into such.

I don't need help.

She checks her tracking app to see where he's located and moves that way, to go spy on him. See what he's possibly planning...

Ava, do you trust me?

He's stepping out of their room now with the rope under his arm. He's heading in the direction of the brig.

To do what you believe is right.

But that doesn't necessarily mean it aligns with what she wants, in this mindset. She knows he doesn't want her like this. That his idea of fixing her is antithetical to her desire to purge herself of weakness.

She follows along anyway. Maybe he realizes that she can't stay away.

He continues down, texting as he walks. He does have a suspicion she might track him. He still has the tag in his pocket.

If I were not in my own right mind, what would you do? Would you let me continue on that way?

Just because you do not agree does not mean I'm not right of mind.

But she does examine the possibility... that maybe she isn't. Because it is a weakness, not having full control of her mind. One that led her to making choices she couldn't stand by just last month.

Such as allowing Maxwell to do this to her in the first place.

No. I'd do what is necessary.

Then I hope you will forgive me for doing what is necessary. And trust that I am doing it because I love you too dearly not to.

I am going to be in the brig, my love, where that circle of magic is. I and Maxwell will be waiting for you. It is not a trap. It is an invitation. If you can still feel anything for me at all, please bring his books and come find me.

She can bring herself to believe that Peter has her best interests in mind. The interests that best suit their marriage. And she knows that's what she should want, despite her inability to quite feel it.

But she does not hold that same regard for Maxwell.

"So that's what this is then?" Ava accuses from the ceiling. She's brought the book with, but it's nowhere in sight.

"Manipulating my husband with fears to get your book back? Pathetic."

"That's not at all what this is, but I doubt anything I can say will make you believe me."

He sighs.

"I'd like the real you back, Ms. Starr. I think we were getting along well, despite the incident at the joust. I'd like to go back to when we could comfortably discuss the more scientific side of metaphysics and cosmology."

"Mrs."

"Mrs. Starr. Apologies."

"I don't care what you want," she responds, staring impassively past Maxwell, to her husband.

"You agreed to allow this sloppy imposter to touch me again? I'm keeping the book from him because he can't handle it."

"Sloppy as he may be," and after having just listened to the man call her Ms. he really can't argue, "He is the only one who understands how to undo this damage. I am here to watch and make sure it gets done right this time."

He turns to look at Maxwell, "From what I understand, she does not need to give you the book, but she needs to hold it while inside that circle. Yes?"

"Yes." He's not thrilled about being called 'sloppy' but he does have to admit he thinks himself sloppy too, for making the same faux pas over and over again. No idea why he can't remember she's a married woman when her husband is standing right there.

"And she'll need to remain in the circle as I let the original ritual run its course."

"All right. Will you do that, Ava? Can you put your faith in me here and stand in that circle to let the ritual run its course as it was intended? Please?"

"This is important to you," Ava observes quietly.

She shouldn't give in to the pressure of another, give him control over her choices. Her power. Even if she had vowed so, she fiddles with her ring.

But he's right.

This is a result of a ritual gone wrong. What it's making her believe, it isn't real. And she doesn't want some invasive shadows influencing her actions, keeping her apart from the one she loves, apart from that feeling. Of course the shadows themselves would make her perceive any action to rid her of them a threat.

Ava slowly descends from the ceiling, landing just inches above the circle. Shadows swirl angrily at her feet. She clutches the book, nearly snarling at Maxwell. "Mess this up again and you will regret it."

"Then don't leave the circle this time."

He gets into a casting stance.

"Mr. Starr, if you would please add the focus."

She lunges right at Maxwell.

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i think i'll ping Ava into this thread now :)

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