Kishan smiles at the question, "No, it's not a blue bar. It's more like... walking, running, lifting... if you could imagine the way you feel after you've done a bunch of hard work or exercise, but without the muscle fatigue; just the deep down sensation of exhaustion. It's almost like you could take whatever it is that gives you the energy to do those things, and deplete it directly, without actually doing the physical chores you'd usually need to extract it. It leaves me tired. Not out of breath, but in a way I'd still have more trouble running or sprinting even if I needed too. Blood sugar might be the best explanation, I guess. After a significant working of magic, I just feel like all my fuel is gone. Getting onto this roof or off again however..."
She veils herself again with the coat's enchantment and then hops off the side of the building, using the gliding ability to float down to the ground. Once settled, she drops the veil once more.
"Is about as difficult as walking, and not about to leave me wiped out."
She walks with the boy back towards the strip, and spotting the tire store down the street puts two and two together, and shifts their heading in that direction.
As they walk back to the others, Julian gets noticeably flustered and falls in line behind Kishan.
"So I guess these guys are your magic friends, huh?"
"Recent friends, but they've put themselves on the line to help me already, with no thought of reward, and so I'm inclined to trust them."
She checks with Jackson to get an estimate of how long it will be until the truck is ready, and then hearing that, heads back outside to find a quiet place to concentrate. She looks for a greenspace, if she can find one, like a park bench, or even just a spot under a tree, if anything of the nature can be found close at hand. If not, she just moves around the side of the building, to be out of the direct line of the noise from the road, and the dust that is occasionally stirred up.
Once settled, she pulls out John's hairs, and begins to work a tracking spell.
As usual, she surrounds herself in a circle, while she gets the spell set up (loose salt if she is on grass, or chalk if shes on concrete). She takes out the items she requires for the ritual, arranging them around her within the circle; her chalk or salt, a small bowl, a bottle of water, a leaf, a small lock-bladed knife, and of course John's hair, held securely against a sudden gust of wind.
Once the spell is complete, she breaks the circle and sends her will outwards looking for Odd John. Once she finds him, she opens herself to his impression, allowing his sensations to temporarily override her own, so that she can see where he is, and if he is safe Once she is in contact, she sends her thoughts across to him, "John, it is Kishan. I've established a link based on the gift you left with me. Are you alright? You can just think your reply; they will not be able to overhear. The truck was damaged, but should be repaired soon; we will be with you as soon as possible."
John? I'm John? Not Julian? Yes, I am John.
Suddenly a sense of self begins to return, thanks to Kishan's call.
I must be sure to tell her how important the reminder was- with out it, there were two within me, seperate.
"Kishan, I'm here. We're still driving, supposed to meet with the parents in a few. Is the boy well?"
"He's fine, and on board with us for the time being, though I think it may take a bit more before we earn his trust. The truck should be ready in minutes, and we'll be in route the moment we're able."
Aaron waves.
"Hey. I'm a 'magic friend', yes."
"Hello, m-my name is Julian," he says to Aaron, awkwardly jutting out his hand for a handshake. By the puzzled look on his face, Aaron could tell that Julian had no clue as to how Aaron heard that comment.
His more reserved body language eases into relief when the super normal shotgun man speaks up. "Ha, I'm glad I'm not the only normal one then. Hi, Julian."
"The only magic I know about is followed by 'The Gathering' or is casted by my pal in our game of DDO. I like fields more myself. Football, baseball, soccer, 'track and field', I'll dominate just about any of them. That's why my friends call me 'The Hammer'. They say I put the nail in any record I come across! Julian's excitement quickly turns to a bashful hush. "But I mean, y-you don't have to call me that. It's kind of embarrassing."
Aaron notes the puzzled look.
"My hearing is really, really good. So is everything else." he says, and shakes.
"It's good to meet you, Julian. I'm Aaron."
"I wouldn't call you normal. No offense, but I've never seen a normal guy move up the side of a building the way you just did. Have you always been able to do stuff like that?"
"Well, I mean, my mom says I was always active as a kid. Climbing trees, running around, swimming for hours. I've been working out most of my life, as far as I can remember. It's what I love to do. I've been watching some parkour videos lately, so I thought I'd give it a try."
"You mean that guy who looks like me? That still blows my mind! I was so confused. I've never seen myself from a distance like that. I don't know what you mean by if I want in, but I think those people are going to harm my family. I don't think I'll be much help in a real fight, but I need to make sure their safe."
Julian takes a moment to look at Kishan, then Aaron and Jackson, and then down at his hands.
"This is all so weird and it's happening fast, and I still don't know if I understand everything going on, but I really want to thank you guys, and your 'comrade' too. It seems like you put yourself in danger to save me. I can tell you no ones ever done that fo me before, but I've also never been planted with a bomb or kidnapped either. Uh, th-thanks, very much. It means a lot to me."
sings to himself
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round."
and again
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round."
and again
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round."
and again
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round."
and again
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round."
and again
"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round."
in response to the guards glares:
"I can't help it.
That tune gets stuck in my head when I'm in the backseat of a car.
My girlfriend haaaates it."
"Sing away kid, we'll be there soon. So you play football, right? What's your favorite play?"
"It's not really the play, it's the players.
I'm pretty good at most things, so I like it best when I can make the other guys play better so they look good, too.
Being charged up with the team is the best part."
Kishan moves back into the tire shop, balancing her bowl of water, and taking care not to spill any.
"I have a connection to John, and I can guide us to him. When will the truck be ready? He is getting further and further ahead..."
|
As the service attendant informs Jarrod that his truck is ready, Kishan appears from her tracking magic. Thanking the attendant, he waits for him to leave before turning to the Warden. "Truck's ready to go, Dragon Boy here is coming along, and we have a bearing I hope," he said. "So lets quit wasting daylight people and get back our shifter." With that, he jumped into his truck, started the engine, and waited for the others to pile in.
With the truck fixed up, you pile in and Kishan manipulates her spell to track John.
----------------
John, they drive you out of town to an industrial park, not making you feel any better about the situation. You pass drive along access roads and along chain link fences until you come to a guard post like. The guards (two of them) check ID on the agents hauling you around. You see signs that indicate this area is controlled by a not at all surprising shipping company. Driving through the gate, you head toward an entirely bland factory building toward an area full of loading docks, one garage door at street level is open, allowing the SUV to drive straight into the building.
Inside the building, you can see that it is partitioned into several rooms in the center of the building. From what you can see through open doors some are offices, some look like exam rooms. There are three summoning circles permanently laid in different metals into the floor. Large circles. There are construction vehicles, and even a military transport helicopter.
As you approach the gate, the passenger seat suit says, "Ok, kid, here we are. Your parents are inside. This is one of our safe houses, maybe you've seen something like that in a movie or something? Here we can protect you from whoever has it out for you."
As you pull into the building, "Hop out there kid, those two guys will take over from here. They are going to take you to a medic, who is going to check you out. Your parents are waiting for you in the exam room right over there."
He points toward one of the doors that is closed.
Two more apparent agents come toward you. They wear dark suits, sunglasses even though they are inside, and look quite capable of "defending" the heck out of you.
One of them waves his arm toward you, "This way, Julian. Right this way."
-----------------------
The SUV takes a circuitous route to its destination to shake off any pursuit. That combined with some not quite legal driving gets the chase team to the industrial park right on the heels of John's arrival.
Aaron sits impatiently in the shotgun seat of the truck, while Kishan and Julian are squeezed into the middle.
They should have called it faster.
"Can I see my parents first?
I don't really get along well with needles."
Kishan reaches out to John again...
"John, we're here. We're parked about 90 meters down the street, and we can see you getting out of the SUV. I'm thinking we need to wait a bit longer to find out what their game is, but let me know you know you want us to play this; it's your ass in the fire."
Julian awkwardly twiddles his thumbs as he tries his hardest to minimize his large frame within the truck.
"S-so this is where they were going to bring me, huh? I'm glad to help. He did this for me, after all. It's only fair that I go in there and help get him out."
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The trip wasn't too bad, though Jarrod nearly lost them a time or two. Clearly the fake feds didn't want to be followed. As he pulled over a ways away from the compound -because with that set up, it had to be considered a compound- he looked over and noticed that the Warden had a slightly glazed look in her eyes. Figuring that she was doing something magical, he instead turned to Aaron and asked, "So, anything tingling your spider sense?"
"Not as of yet... The connection to John is taking the majority of my concentration, an I can't use a lot in terms of magic until I let the tracking spell lapse. I think it wiser to keep the connection intact until we form a plan of action, or learn that John is in danger. I believe Mr. Drachman is sensitive to magical energies; perhaps you would be kind enough to scout the area for us; so long as you think you can remain unseen or innocuous doing so. I'd remain clear of the grounds proper though, just in case any magical wards have been placed for security."
"Dragon sense, actually." Aaron says, rolls down the window, and and concentrates a bit.
Julian sits up at the mention of dragon and takes a deep gulp.
"D-dr..." he clears his throat and decides to not even ask.
Descriptions:
"The guards are running a little cold, though they LOOK human. Probably more Fomor like back at the docks. They're communicating in the ultrasonic frequencies but I can't make out what they're saying or if it's just white noise. I don't sense any Demonic presences."
"Hmm. Likewise, there is a bit of magic out there, but it's muted... distant. It could even be an aftereffect of whatever magic John is using, though with those Fomor guards about, it's unlikely."
Seeing the ongoing look of confusion on Julian's face, she turns to address him for a second, "I mentioned the 'bad guys' that were trying to take you, right? Well, they're called the Fomor. They're not so much any particular creature from legend, so much as all the left over dregs of legend that aren't memorable enough to have their individual stories survive the centuries. As their power faded, they were forced from the lands by all the more powerful creatures and monsters out there, and they ended up taking refuge in the seas. Most of them have aquatic features now, though whether they were like that originally, or changed themselves to suit their current home is anybody's guess; as I said, they weren't interesting enough for many tales about them to survive. However, at some point they started banding together, and forming their own society. With strength in numbers, and ruthless organization that reminds me of old mob movies, now they are starting to move back out onto the land, and are making the kind of waves that say the rest of us were foolish to write them off and to have ignored them for so long."
"A couple of years ago, there was a major upheaval amongst the powers that be, and one of the major players, called The Red Court were completely wiped out. Don't get me wrong, they were as evil as the come, and wont be missed for a second. My people were at war with them, and it was apparently one of ours that kicked off the events that wiped them out. The problem was that their departure left a massive power vacuum. Ever since, the Fomor have been making a major play on the Red Court's old territories. They have been kidnapping everyone they can find with any smidge of magical ability, but mostly minor talents. People that have gifts, but would never be strong enough on their own to be major players and therefore can't easily defend themselves, or people like yourself, who have not had time to come in to their powers and learn how to use them, and thus make easier pickings. We have no idea yet what they are doing with all the missing people, but I do not think it is coincidental that their magic seems to have increased in power by such a massive degree from what we remember. If I had to guess, I'd say they were harvesting it; syphoning it away from those they take in order to increase their own power. It's a theory, anyway."
"That's the five minute version, so you at least have a vague idea of what is going on. Sorry there isn't time for more; I know this must all feel like a wild hallucination."
"Can I see my parents first?
I don't really get along well with needles."
The agents laugh, "No needles kid, that would hardly be practical. And we will bring your parents into the exam room, if that makes you feel better."
He leads John across the concrete floor to one of the doors.
He swipes a key card and the door opens with a pop. It seems strange to have such an expensive lock on such a flimsy wall. He ushers you into the room, revealing what looks like an upscale private emergency room. Another door opens further into the complex.
"Just take a seat on the bed there kid, the doctor and your parents will be back in."
Julian takes a seat the agents depart, closing the door behind them.
A moment later there is a rap on the door and a woman in a lab coat enters. She has a stethoscope around her neck. She is a small Asian woman, about 5'2" with chin length hair and a tiny scar where crows feat would be next to her right eye.
Right behind her, Julian's parents rush into the room. His mother rushes to him and wraps her hands around him, while his father hangs back, looking at him sternly, sure that he is in some sort of trouble.
The doctor says, "Julian, I'm glad we could get you here. I'm Doctor Ori, and I'm just here to take a look at you, make sure you are ok. Would you like for your parents to stay here or should I have them step out?"
After waiting for an answer, she begins her examination. Taking blood pressure, listening to your heart and pulse, having you breath. She tests reflexes, growing increasingly tense and concerned with each step. Finally, she takes a tongue depressor and a pair of tweezers from a tray and asks you to say 'ahh' then raise your tongue. She moves the tongue depressor around, almost as if looking for something. She seems to be trying hard to disguise her distress with the exam.
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|
"So, more Fomor, huh?" Jarrod said, though he wasn't really surprised. Getting out of his truck, he reached behind the seat for his shotgun and his box of varied ammo. "So, how we doing this? Full frontal smash-and-grab? Stealth mission? I think at least one of us should set up a distraction. Warden, you can hide the rest of us, right?" As he talked, he unloaded his previous rounds and loaded up the iron slugs, pocketing a few rock shots just in case.
"We don't know how many are in there, so we should probably go quiet. But fast. Who knows what they're doing to him."
"I appreciate the info, Ms. Kishan, and I don't mean to offend you or anything, but this is all a bit much for me to take in all at once. . My world's flipping over like, 50 times in a row, or something. If there's a wiki page about all this stuff you could link me to or something, that'd be cool, but right now, I just kind of want to keep it as simple as possible. Just tell me what to hit and how hard to hit it."
Julian turns to Aaron and Jackson.
"I can do fast, and maybe quiet."
Kishan exchanges a look with Jarod, and then another with Aaron. She turns to Julian, her voice using that delicate tone that is trying desperately not to be patronizing, but like most like most adults do when addressing someone they consider a child. "Julian, I want you to see what is going on in the world, and to know why you might be at risk from creatures like the Fomor. However, this will not be a wrestling match, nor a rugby scrum; these guys will be carrying guns, if not trying to blast away at any opposition with magic. I have no doubt that you have more abilities than any typical human, and that you have the potential to be a tremendous warrior some day, but this is hardly the kind of encounter someone should cut their teeth on. The Fomor will likely try to kill us when we go in there, and even if they don't, chances are that if we are captures, no one above sea level will ever see us again. I think it would be wisest for you to hang back, play it safe, watch our backs, and if anything goes wrong, run like hell."
"Do you understand?"
Once that is addressed he responds to Jarod and Aaron's questions, "I can veil us, yes, but not until I sever my connection with John. To answer Mr. Drachman's question, 'I know.' My tracking spell has connected me with John; we can speak to each other through my mind's eye, and I can see and hear everything he is perceiving. He is still alright, forthe moment."
The doctor says, "Julian, I'm glad we could get you here. I'm Doctor Ori, and I'm just here to take a look at you, make sure you are ok. Would you like for your parents to stay here or should I have them step out?"
to Dr. Ori
"They stay."to parents
"What did they tell you?"
Julian lets out a deep sigh and acquiesces.
"Heard."
"Are my parents in there with him?"
Parents:" Julian, thank God you're all right. They said someone was trying to hurt you, some sort of hate group or something. There were threats, they framed you for being violent. Thank God you're all right."
Seeing through John's eyes, Kishan is able to remain up to date with what he is experiencing, but without being able to share the vision with Julian, it is difficult to tell if there is anything more beyond the usual going on with Julian's 'parents.'
"John? Do you have any ability that might tell you if these are really Julian's parents? Would you be able to spot doppelgangers?"
"Yes, Julian, they appear to be in there. They think John is you, obviously. They are acting very concerned. I can see them right now, through John's senses. Is there anything distinctive about them that might help us determine if they're ok? If they were being mind controlled, they might act different, or if they are being impersonated by shapechangers, they might not know something they are supposed to. If there is nothing dramatic that would help us figure it out... I just thought of something; have you seen Terminator 2? Do you have a dog? Or a sibling? If I have John make reference to something they should know, and they don't, or I have him make an intentional mistake and they don't catch it..."
"Maybe if I could taste them, but that'd be fairly creepy, don't ya think?"
"Mind control... Shapechangers?" Julian whispers a bit bewildered. "This is really happening." he continues to himself. He runs his fingers through his hair to clear the cobwebs. "Uhm... Uh... They both wear glasses. My father's eyes are brown, my mom's eyes are green... That won't help. Uhm... N-no dogs, or pets for that matter-- my father is allergic to everything. N-no siblings-- I'm an only child. I can't really think of anything extraordinary-- " A tinge of sadness shows on Julian's face.
"I can't think of anything. I mean, I kn- I know my parents, but we've never really gone on vacation, or done anything particularly memorable. They've always kept to themselves, busy with their work at the university. You could probably ask them what they got me for hanukkah last year, but they get me the same stuff every year: clothes, books, sports gear.... I guess beyond my athletic career, my life is kind of stale?"
His sadness turns to frustration as he continues to think hard. "I honestly can't remember. I'm sorry."
Showing obvious unease and concern, the doctor turns to look at the parents, "Julian, we are going to step out for just a moment. We need to talk, just for a moment. Nothing to worry about. You seem to be highly anxious, for obvious reasons. I'm going to prescribe something to relax you. We will be right back."
At that, the three of them step out of the room. A moment later a man in scrubs with shoulders like an NFL linebacker enters from the same door with one of those little paper cups like medicine or ketchup comes in. He hands that and a glass of water to John and asks him to swallow it.
As John holds the cup, the nurse turns away and reaches into a cabinet, drawing a large caliber revolver from the cabinet and turning back to John.
"OK, who are you? And what have you done with the kid? This thing is loaded with copper jacketed rounds that will explode inside you with a combination of silver and iron flechettes, so whatever you are, it is going to f+~@ you up."
"Hey, wait-wait a sec.
It's not what you think- it was the kid.
He paid me 5 grand to impersonate him today.
Said he needed the time for a 'gig'.
I just needed the cash.
It'd never been a problem before.
I just got into character and couldn't see how to get out.
Don't shoot me!
Don't shoot me!"
"Damnit, looks like he's been made."
Closing her eyes for a second, she concentrates on sending John a message, "John, I see what's happening. Stall him, we're on our way!"
Turning to the others in the car with her she says, "Someone just pulled a gun on him and accused him not of being who he appears to be. He's stalling, but we are probably going to be needed pretty quick. Aaron, out!" She gestures to the door on the opposite side of the draconic swordsman. As soon as he gets out, she quickly slides out after him.
"We didn't have time to try anything with Julian's supposed 'parents,' so we're going to have to play this carefully with them. Assume it's them, and they are innocents in this, but keep in mind they might be big nasties in disguise."
"John, we're coming, but I'm going to have to break off this connection to use my other powers. See you soon." Giving him a bare moment to respond, she then dumps out her bowl of water, scattering the power concentrated for the spell.
To those close at hand, "Gather up, I'll cover us in a veil. They won't be able to see us at first, but the may have magic that will let them know we're coming. Once they know to look for us, it won't be long before they penetrate the illusion. Julian... quick version, I'm going to make us invisible, but it probably won't last long, so don't bet your life on the idea that they can't see you."
"Got it." Aaron says and moves fast.
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Jarrod sighed as their plan went FUBAR once more. Cocking his shotgun to get it ready, he looked at the Warden and said, "Roughly how long do you think your cloak of invisibility will last? If it's going to fail at the last moment with all of us, then take yourself and Dragon Boy in under stealth while me and Aaron provide a nice, big distraction."
"Wait if I'm me then who's Dragon boy?"
"I thought that was just for the sword?"