NaNoWriMo Day 2
Nov. 3rd, 2009 12:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wolfanficsWordcount: 7905 :D
Morale: Decent
Characters: generally behaving
Plot: slowly emerging
Scenes: 9 complete; 1 to write
Current music: Regurgitator - I Wanna Be A Nudist
Current mood: Would liek some food. And sleep. XD
And on to today's writingz. :D Finished off the last scene I posted yesterday. Will include the whole scene for context. As usual, this is the draft word-vomited version and will probably be tidied up later on, so any mistakes will be fixed later.
From Chapter One
Home Sweet Home. After A Fashion
Andrew was ready for a long sleep once he arrived home. Once he'd made sure his things had arrived and had been brought to his rooms, he bathed and changed his clothes before even thinking about going to greet his family. He needed the time to clear his head. Just as he was putting the last of his clothes away, his brother William came to see him.
"So. The prodigal son returns," he said, leaning against the door frame.
"Couldn't find an excuse to stay any longer. How are you? It's good to see you again," Andrew said. He smiled and pulled his brother into a warm hug.
William clasped him tight before moving past him to sit on his bed. "Better for seeing you, my dear. I have been ever so lonely without you. Tell me, what have you been learning down in jolly old London?"
"Medicine is ever so tiresome, but I did manage to pass well enough to satisfy our uncle. As for the rest, well, that's my little secret." Andrew smiled.
"You shall tell me all about it, dear brother! I insist on nothing less," William said.
"Close the door. I do not want us overheard," Andrew said.
William left the bed, closed the door, and returned to sit opposite his brother. They were only two years apart, and had always been close. Their older siblings were several years their senior, and had been groomed as heirs since birth. William and Andrew, brothers who had been born to their father's sister before she and their father had been killed, had been adopted by their uncle though they were never really treated as anything other than excess baggage. It had bonded them closer than they had anticipated and they kept few secrets from each other.
"I have been learning magic, William. From the professors at university. Do not tell our uncle, he will not be pleased," Andrew said.
"Magic, you say? How did you convince them to teach you? I thought you must have studied it prior to university to obtain their tuition," William said.
"I have my ways. And my grandfather's books. I have managed to teach myself enough to convince them I was good enough to teach. I took magic lessons while I was studying. And engineering. I have been learning all sorts of things more interesting than medicine," Andrew said.
"Well, you do seem to have a knack for that sort of thing. I really have missed you, brother. It has been very hard to be apart from you for so many years. Do not leave me again, for I do not think I could bear the loneliness. It was unbearable here without you," William said, taking his hand.
"I know, and I wished to return when I had learnt all I could. I am sorry it took so long. I promise not to do so again," Andrew said.
Andrew hugged him again. He had quite forgotten how much he had missed him. Left to their own devices a lot of the time, they had had more freedom than perhaps their own parents might have allowed them. They spent their childhood exploring the grounds of their estate, exploring the ancient wings of their mansion, and generally keeping out of sight. They were never going to inherit, so there seemed no reason for their uncle to bestow the sort of attention on them that he gave to his own children. It didn't seem to matter. Andrew appreciated William's friendship. They had each other. They might not have had their parents, or their uncle and his family, but they had each other, and that meant the world to them.
"You really don't know what it was like here. The war got worse, and our uncle was harder on me. There were riots while you were away, and I had to fight. All I wanted was to be with you instead, rather than be trapped in this insufferable mansion. You must teach me magic, brother, when we are alone. I must learn it. I cannot abide not knowing how to cast it when you yourself have learnt. Our grandfather would be proud of us if we took up his talents," William said.
"I should be pleased to teach you. But not now. We shall set up my workshop again and I shall teach you everything there is to know in the dark of night where we will not be disturbed," Andrew said.
"I shall hold you to that. Now, come, our uncle is anxious to see you again. I was sent to get you," Wiliam said.
"I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. Come, let's get this over and done with," Andrew said.
After securing his grandfather's magic books and the radio and setting a protective spell over them, he accompanied William back down to the main part of the house where their uncle was waiting for them in the dining room. He was a large man, an old soldier, and had a way with words. Andrew was almost thankful he wasn't his son. He knew his own children were treated worse than what he and William had to put up with.
"You wanted to see me?" Andrew said, approaching but staying a distance away. William kept behind him, for moral support more than anything else.
His uncle turned to face him. He did not look pleased to see him. "I'm assuming all is well, and that you were diligent with your studies." The way he spoke was short and curt, never using more words than necessary.
"I got my passes, sir. Did very well, according to my surgical professor," Andrew said.
His uncle straightened, and a flash of pride crossed his face. "Good. Then I am assuming you will soon be leaving us for residence in the hospital."
"I have not yet decided. One of my professors is looking for placements and will write to me when he finds an institute that will take me. Until then, I am staying here," Andrew said.
His uncle tried not to look too disappointed; he settled for resigned. "That, I suppose, will have to do."
"May I have my workshop back?" Andrew said.
"Certainly not. We have discussed your need for ... tinkering ... before. You have no need for that sort of thing, not when you are on the cusp of a great career in medicine. Do not spoil it by being eccentric."
Andrew caught the implied meaning behind his words. He had already decided to set up anyway. He needed somewhere to get away from them. It just would've been nice to have his uncle's permission first. He felt William clasp his shoulder in support, a subtle urging not to argue with him.
"Are we done?" Andrew said.
"Do not sound so ungrateful. I brought you and your brother here out of utter kindness and love for your mother. You owe me everything," his uncle said.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Andrew said, bowing slightly before turning and leaving.
He made his way outside to the front garden and sat on the steps. William joined him and sat beside him. The air was cooling as night approached. Andrew wanted to run back to London. He was not free here.
"I wish you'd stop antagonising him. You know it never does us any good," William said.
"He should let me have my workshop then. I would be perfectly civil to him if he allowed me that, rather than forcing me to sneak around and hide it from him. He brings it on himself," Andrew said.
Chapter Two
A Wizzard, A Gay Pirate, His Lover, and Their Men
Craig was quite pleased with how his mission had begun. He'd managed to secure enough information about Andrew to know his house was worth investigating. He was already planning further meetings to befriend him and gain entrance into the manor so he could get a better idea of the layout. Craig was nothing if not a careful thief, and Jalyn appreciated his efforts.
Craig smiled as he approached the fortress city. It had a formal title, but everyone called it Shard End due to its location on the outskirts of town and the fact it had been built on the remains of an old factory destroyed in the riots three decades earlier. It had been built from shards, and bricks, and whatever else had been lying around and was now quite a formidable city. Craig didn't know exactly how many people lived there, but estimated it to be about three hundred at any one moment. Many were narrow boat crews, given Shard End's location near one of the canals that led into the main network. Others were soldiers, the Dissenters own Territorial Army, recruited from their followers to match the Army controled by the Earl of Aylesford, who was the main force protecting the Royalists and their territory. The rest were riff-raff, those seeking protection, canal pirates, and other assorted people who sympathised with their cause.
Craig was always impressed by the mammoth size of the place. It was not built like a traditional fortress, and jutted out at strange angles. The walls were sharp and twisted, with spikes and other weapons to detract anyone from climbing them. The main gates were huge, and were topped with a watch tower. The gates were thick wood, and very heavy. Craig waved to the sentries in the tower, who signalled to open the gates. They never opened very far, not just to let one person in. Craig slipped through, said his thanks to the door men, and headed off to find Jalyn.
Inside the fortress, it was like a labyrinth. The buildings were re-enforced with steel and brick, and did not follow anything resembling a coherent street network. People built where there was room, and this meant knowing the whole layout very well if you were not to get lost. Craig knew the way to Jalyn's camp very well, and didn't waste any time in seeing his other friends. He found Jalyn busy with his weapons, Bev and Michael sitting around the fire.
"Mission underway, Mr Jalyn sir," Craig said, saluting in a lazy manner as he stopped in front of him.
Jalyn looked up at him and set his sword aside. "Good work, lad. Think he'll pay up?"
"I reckon he'd join us, given half a chance," Craig said.
"I didn't know we were recruiting," Jalyn said.
"Just trust me on this. Just talking to him as we walked, I got the sense he wasn't looking forward to going home. Gimme some time to work on him and I reckon I could bring him round," Craig said.
"And what, exactly, would be bring to our cause?" Jalyn said.
"He's a doctor, he knows his way around building stuff, and he's a musician. But not just any musician. He mentioned he was playing in an orchestra at the coming Music Festival. Why is this useful? Because we don't have anyone inside at the moment. If we get him, our plans will be that much easier, don't you reckon?" Craig said. He straightened and smiled, pleased at his ability to procure such information from Andrew on their first meeting.
"Oh, you are a dirty little minx, aren't you? Good work. Excellent work. Go tell our Majesty what you've learnt. I'll make yer tea," Jalyn said.
Craig saluted again and scampered off. Jalyn finished off his sword before grabbing some stew from the pot hanging over the fire. He settled down next to Michael and got eating.
"He does have his uses, even if he is an annoying twat," Jalyn said.
"I've stopped claiming responsibility for him. He's all yours," Bev said.
"Why, thank you kindly, sir. Neither of you two'd do as good a job as him. 'Sides which I need yer on the boat. He's better off as me little thief spy." Jalyn took another mouthful. "This is good, Michael. I see you managed to get hold of some decent food."
"Hijacked a cattle train. Nicked a few heifers for later. That'll keep us fed for a while. Danny's got some weird idea about breeding them, so we don't have to nick 'em anymore, but who knows how that'll work. I'd like to see him keep a bull in the fortress and see how long he lasts," Michael said.
"Not as strange an idea as it sounds, you know. Food supplies are okay at the moment, but it wouldn't hurt to be more independant of the mob over west. I'd give him a chance to see how it goes. You never know, it might work," Jalyn said.
"And pigs might fly, Jalyn. It's a disaster. Mark my words," Michael said.
Jalyn chuckled quietly. He made a decision to go see Danny later on, just to see how he's going. Might go see Ulysses as well. Mad old dog needed a visit every now and then to make sure he hadn't disintegrated himself again. Maybe his hair had acquired another colour. He smiled at the thought just as Craig ran back.
"You were quick," Jalyn said.
Craig grabbed Jalyn's fork and stole some of the stew as he sat down beside him. "Well, I couldn't let you eat all me tea, could I? Man, this is good. Did you guys actually steal some good meat this time?"
"They did, and that's my tea," Jalyn said, taking the fork back.
"You said you'd get me tea. Therefore it's mine. I've been a wonderfully good boy. Don't I deserve some food? You wouldn't want me starving to death overnight, now would you?" Craig said, batting his eyelashes at him in a bid to guilt-trip him.
Jalyn sighed and handed over the bowl. "Here you go. I did promise, didn't I?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm after. You'd hate yourself if I starved," Craig said with a mouthful of food.
Jalyn reached over and mussed up his hair. Craig winced at his touch and batted him away. There would be time to play later. Jalyn watched him squirming and had a sudden urge to prod his ribs.
"Oi, lemme eat first. Then you can chase my arse around the fire," Craig said, shifting away from him.
"Confident, hey? I don't think so. Besides, we got an early run tomorrow. You, sir, are going to bed after supper," Jalyn said.
"Yes, mother," Craig said. He looked up from his meal to see Ulysses approaching. "Oh, look, Daddy's here!"
Ulysses was one of the Dissenter magicians, and didn't often come to Shard End to see Jalyn. He tended to spend most of his time in his tiny cottage in the woods, experimenting with magic. His hermetic nature was probably for the best, considering how he looked. His hair was a long tangled mess of many bright colours, and his long beard was black with a silver jagged stripe. His response to how his hair had gotten that way was that it was magic gone wrong. He wasn't by no means the only experimental magician with strangely-coloured hair, which made his story plausible. His eyes were deep and hypnotic, and always caught your attention. He had forgone the long flowing robes he usually wore for a less complicated outfit involving pants, a jacket, and a long-flowing cloak. He didn't wear shoes, but usually had strange symbols painted on his body. No one really knew why. The marks were supposed to be magical. Ulysses strode towards them and stood before the fire.
"I'm assuming this is important," Jalyn said.
"My word is it important. I can smell that stew from my cottage. Spare an old wizard some food?" Ulysses said.
"Oh, is that all? I thought it'd be some sort of vaguely dire warning again. 'Ere, help yourself. Finally got some good quality food. Have a taste of that," Jalyn said, serving him some of the stew. "Gets better the longer it's in there."
Ulysses took a seat near Bev. Michael shifted. Jalyn pulled Craig close. The fire crackled and burnt in front of them. It didn't need tending, not anymore. Since perpetual fire had been created, the need for fuel for fires was much diminished. Perpetual fire was, however, not something one could merely obtain at any old shop. Its use was tightly controlled to prevent unstoppable fires breaking out if they were used for the wrong purpose. Of course, since Birmingham was so utterly divided, the Dissenters took little notice of any laws or bans the Royalists tried to enact. The Dissenters had their own magicians and their own ways to make perpetual fire.
The Dissenters weren't naturally violent, nor did they really want to start a war if it could be avoided. Their hand had been forced back in 1791 when a riotous attempt was made to run them out of town. Instead of backing off and running like some wanted to do, they held their ground and stayed to fight. They wanted their rights, and were prepared to fight for them, bolstered by the success of the French Revolution as news continued to filter into the city. All they wanted was their right to practice their faith the way they wanted to, and not have to subscribe to the mess that had become the Church of England, which had had a lot of trouble trying to justify the existence of magic and its practice in light of the witchcraft trials of earlier centuries and had settled for tolerating it while it brought benefit to the country. Other churches were much more liberal, and the spread of folk magic had not gone away.
Ulysses got his latest instrument out once he'd eaten. It was a clarinet, but it created a strange atmosphere when he played it. Playing another tune, however, turned the fire purple. Yet another tune made smoke come out of the end that he used to write smoke messages with. Craig watched, fascinated, as the smoke took on an almost solid form as it hung in the air for a short while before vanishing. He had never seen magic like that before.
"Still experimental, of course, but nonetheless quite special. I'm getting clsoer to finishing the instruments we'll need. I want to get them done soon so you can practice with them. I'll need to teach you the tunes and magic to perform them correctly. It's not just a matter of playing them, as you both know. Magic is a precise art, and it does not do to be careless with it," Ulysses said.
"How's the pyrophone? Last i heard, it was still a pile of pipes," Jalyn said.
"It's still a pile of pipes, mostly. I wanted to perfect the clarinet before beginning on that. It is a much bigger challenge, though at least I know it will work with perpetual fire, so I don't need to worry about engines. I'm assuming you've been recruiting," Ulysses said.
"Slowly but progressing. Not all are gifted with the right sort of talents," Jalyn said.
"We found one today. Brilliant musician, and self-taught magician. His grandfather was one of them Lunar Society folks. I'm sure I can get him to join us," Craig said.
"Cocky little brat, in't he?" Jalyn said.
"Oi, Craig, a quid you can't get him to join us," Michael said.
"That quid's as good as mine. Just you lot wait and see. I'll bring him round," Craig said, confident in his abilities. He was sure all Andrew needed was the right sort of encouragement and he'd come running to their side faster than a narrow boat at full speed. He laughed off their comments and made sure to win that bet. He could do with a spare quid to his name.
So yes. Craig is being a brat and enjoying every moment of it. Why am I even surprised? XD
Morale: Decent
Characters: generally behaving
Plot: slowly emerging
Scenes: 9 complete; 1 to write
Current music: Regurgitator - I Wanna Be A Nudist
Current mood: Would liek some food. And sleep. XD
And on to today's writingz. :D Finished off the last scene I posted yesterday. Will include the whole scene for context. As usual, this is the draft word-vomited version and will probably be tidied up later on, so any mistakes will be fixed later.
From Chapter One
Home Sweet Home. After A Fashion
Andrew was ready for a long sleep once he arrived home. Once he'd made sure his things had arrived and had been brought to his rooms, he bathed and changed his clothes before even thinking about going to greet his family. He needed the time to clear his head. Just as he was putting the last of his clothes away, his brother William came to see him.
"So. The prodigal son returns," he said, leaning against the door frame.
"Couldn't find an excuse to stay any longer. How are you? It's good to see you again," Andrew said. He smiled and pulled his brother into a warm hug.
William clasped him tight before moving past him to sit on his bed. "Better for seeing you, my dear. I have been ever so lonely without you. Tell me, what have you been learning down in jolly old London?"
"Medicine is ever so tiresome, but I did manage to pass well enough to satisfy our uncle. As for the rest, well, that's my little secret." Andrew smiled.
"You shall tell me all about it, dear brother! I insist on nothing less," William said.
"Close the door. I do not want us overheard," Andrew said.
William left the bed, closed the door, and returned to sit opposite his brother. They were only two years apart, and had always been close. Their older siblings were several years their senior, and had been groomed as heirs since birth. William and Andrew, brothers who had been born to their father's sister before she and their father had been killed, had been adopted by their uncle though they were never really treated as anything other than excess baggage. It had bonded them closer than they had anticipated and they kept few secrets from each other.
"I have been learning magic, William. From the professors at university. Do not tell our uncle, he will not be pleased," Andrew said.
"Magic, you say? How did you convince them to teach you? I thought you must have studied it prior to university to obtain their tuition," William said.
"I have my ways. And my grandfather's books. I have managed to teach myself enough to convince them I was good enough to teach. I took magic lessons while I was studying. And engineering. I have been learning all sorts of things more interesting than medicine," Andrew said.
"Well, you do seem to have a knack for that sort of thing. I really have missed you, brother. It has been very hard to be apart from you for so many years. Do not leave me again, for I do not think I could bear the loneliness. It was unbearable here without you," William said, taking his hand.
"I know, and I wished to return when I had learnt all I could. I am sorry it took so long. I promise not to do so again," Andrew said.
Andrew hugged him again. He had quite forgotten how much he had missed him. Left to their own devices a lot of the time, they had had more freedom than perhaps their own parents might have allowed them. They spent their childhood exploring the grounds of their estate, exploring the ancient wings of their mansion, and generally keeping out of sight. They were never going to inherit, so there seemed no reason for their uncle to bestow the sort of attention on them that he gave to his own children. It didn't seem to matter. Andrew appreciated William's friendship. They had each other. They might not have had their parents, or their uncle and his family, but they had each other, and that meant the world to them.
"You really don't know what it was like here. The war got worse, and our uncle was harder on me. There were riots while you were away, and I had to fight. All I wanted was to be with you instead, rather than be trapped in this insufferable mansion. You must teach me magic, brother, when we are alone. I must learn it. I cannot abide not knowing how to cast it when you yourself have learnt. Our grandfather would be proud of us if we took up his talents," William said.
"I should be pleased to teach you. But not now. We shall set up my workshop again and I shall teach you everything there is to know in the dark of night where we will not be disturbed," Andrew said.
"I shall hold you to that. Now, come, our uncle is anxious to see you again. I was sent to get you," Wiliam said.
"I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. Come, let's get this over and done with," Andrew said.
After securing his grandfather's magic books and the radio and setting a protective spell over them, he accompanied William back down to the main part of the house where their uncle was waiting for them in the dining room. He was a large man, an old soldier, and had a way with words. Andrew was almost thankful he wasn't his son. He knew his own children were treated worse than what he and William had to put up with.
"You wanted to see me?" Andrew said, approaching but staying a distance away. William kept behind him, for moral support more than anything else.
His uncle turned to face him. He did not look pleased to see him. "I'm assuming all is well, and that you were diligent with your studies." The way he spoke was short and curt, never using more words than necessary.
"I got my passes, sir. Did very well, according to my surgical professor," Andrew said.
His uncle straightened, and a flash of pride crossed his face. "Good. Then I am assuming you will soon be leaving us for residence in the hospital."
"I have not yet decided. One of my professors is looking for placements and will write to me when he finds an institute that will take me. Until then, I am staying here," Andrew said.
His uncle tried not to look too disappointed; he settled for resigned. "That, I suppose, will have to do."
"May I have my workshop back?" Andrew said.
"Certainly not. We have discussed your need for ... tinkering ... before. You have no need for that sort of thing, not when you are on the cusp of a great career in medicine. Do not spoil it by being eccentric."
Andrew caught the implied meaning behind his words. He had already decided to set up anyway. He needed somewhere to get away from them. It just would've been nice to have his uncle's permission first. He felt William clasp his shoulder in support, a subtle urging not to argue with him.
"Are we done?" Andrew said.
"Do not sound so ungrateful. I brought you and your brother here out of utter kindness and love for your mother. You owe me everything," his uncle said.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Andrew said, bowing slightly before turning and leaving.
He made his way outside to the front garden and sat on the steps. William joined him and sat beside him. The air was cooling as night approached. Andrew wanted to run back to London. He was not free here.
"I wish you'd stop antagonising him. You know it never does us any good," William said.
"He should let me have my workshop then. I would be perfectly civil to him if he allowed me that, rather than forcing me to sneak around and hide it from him. He brings it on himself," Andrew said.
Chapter Two
A Wizzard, A Gay Pirate, His Lover, and Their Men
Craig was quite pleased with how his mission had begun. He'd managed to secure enough information about Andrew to know his house was worth investigating. He was already planning further meetings to befriend him and gain entrance into the manor so he could get a better idea of the layout. Craig was nothing if not a careful thief, and Jalyn appreciated his efforts.
Craig smiled as he approached the fortress city. It had a formal title, but everyone called it Shard End due to its location on the outskirts of town and the fact it had been built on the remains of an old factory destroyed in the riots three decades earlier. It had been built from shards, and bricks, and whatever else had been lying around and was now quite a formidable city. Craig didn't know exactly how many people lived there, but estimated it to be about three hundred at any one moment. Many were narrow boat crews, given Shard End's location near one of the canals that led into the main network. Others were soldiers, the Dissenters own Territorial Army, recruited from their followers to match the Army controled by the Earl of Aylesford, who was the main force protecting the Royalists and their territory. The rest were riff-raff, those seeking protection, canal pirates, and other assorted people who sympathised with their cause.
Craig was always impressed by the mammoth size of the place. It was not built like a traditional fortress, and jutted out at strange angles. The walls were sharp and twisted, with spikes and other weapons to detract anyone from climbing them. The main gates were huge, and were topped with a watch tower. The gates were thick wood, and very heavy. Craig waved to the sentries in the tower, who signalled to open the gates. They never opened very far, not just to let one person in. Craig slipped through, said his thanks to the door men, and headed off to find Jalyn.
Inside the fortress, it was like a labyrinth. The buildings were re-enforced with steel and brick, and did not follow anything resembling a coherent street network. People built where there was room, and this meant knowing the whole layout very well if you were not to get lost. Craig knew the way to Jalyn's camp very well, and didn't waste any time in seeing his other friends. He found Jalyn busy with his weapons, Bev and Michael sitting around the fire.
"Mission underway, Mr Jalyn sir," Craig said, saluting in a lazy manner as he stopped in front of him.
Jalyn looked up at him and set his sword aside. "Good work, lad. Think he'll pay up?"
"I reckon he'd join us, given half a chance," Craig said.
"I didn't know we were recruiting," Jalyn said.
"Just trust me on this. Just talking to him as we walked, I got the sense he wasn't looking forward to going home. Gimme some time to work on him and I reckon I could bring him round," Craig said.
"And what, exactly, would be bring to our cause?" Jalyn said.
"He's a doctor, he knows his way around building stuff, and he's a musician. But not just any musician. He mentioned he was playing in an orchestra at the coming Music Festival. Why is this useful? Because we don't have anyone inside at the moment. If we get him, our plans will be that much easier, don't you reckon?" Craig said. He straightened and smiled, pleased at his ability to procure such information from Andrew on their first meeting.
"Oh, you are a dirty little minx, aren't you? Good work. Excellent work. Go tell our Majesty what you've learnt. I'll make yer tea," Jalyn said.
Craig saluted again and scampered off. Jalyn finished off his sword before grabbing some stew from the pot hanging over the fire. He settled down next to Michael and got eating.
"He does have his uses, even if he is an annoying twat," Jalyn said.
"I've stopped claiming responsibility for him. He's all yours," Bev said.
"Why, thank you kindly, sir. Neither of you two'd do as good a job as him. 'Sides which I need yer on the boat. He's better off as me little thief spy." Jalyn took another mouthful. "This is good, Michael. I see you managed to get hold of some decent food."
"Hijacked a cattle train. Nicked a few heifers for later. That'll keep us fed for a while. Danny's got some weird idea about breeding them, so we don't have to nick 'em anymore, but who knows how that'll work. I'd like to see him keep a bull in the fortress and see how long he lasts," Michael said.
"Not as strange an idea as it sounds, you know. Food supplies are okay at the moment, but it wouldn't hurt to be more independant of the mob over west. I'd give him a chance to see how it goes. You never know, it might work," Jalyn said.
"And pigs might fly, Jalyn. It's a disaster. Mark my words," Michael said.
Jalyn chuckled quietly. He made a decision to go see Danny later on, just to see how he's going. Might go see Ulysses as well. Mad old dog needed a visit every now and then to make sure he hadn't disintegrated himself again. Maybe his hair had acquired another colour. He smiled at the thought just as Craig ran back.
"You were quick," Jalyn said.
Craig grabbed Jalyn's fork and stole some of the stew as he sat down beside him. "Well, I couldn't let you eat all me tea, could I? Man, this is good. Did you guys actually steal some good meat this time?"
"They did, and that's my tea," Jalyn said, taking the fork back.
"You said you'd get me tea. Therefore it's mine. I've been a wonderfully good boy. Don't I deserve some food? You wouldn't want me starving to death overnight, now would you?" Craig said, batting his eyelashes at him in a bid to guilt-trip him.
Jalyn sighed and handed over the bowl. "Here you go. I did promise, didn't I?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm after. You'd hate yourself if I starved," Craig said with a mouthful of food.
Jalyn reached over and mussed up his hair. Craig winced at his touch and batted him away. There would be time to play later. Jalyn watched him squirming and had a sudden urge to prod his ribs.
"Oi, lemme eat first. Then you can chase my arse around the fire," Craig said, shifting away from him.
"Confident, hey? I don't think so. Besides, we got an early run tomorrow. You, sir, are going to bed after supper," Jalyn said.
"Yes, mother," Craig said. He looked up from his meal to see Ulysses approaching. "Oh, look, Daddy's here!"
Ulysses was one of the Dissenter magicians, and didn't often come to Shard End to see Jalyn. He tended to spend most of his time in his tiny cottage in the woods, experimenting with magic. His hermetic nature was probably for the best, considering how he looked. His hair was a long tangled mess of many bright colours, and his long beard was black with a silver jagged stripe. His response to how his hair had gotten that way was that it was magic gone wrong. He wasn't by no means the only experimental magician with strangely-coloured hair, which made his story plausible. His eyes were deep and hypnotic, and always caught your attention. He had forgone the long flowing robes he usually wore for a less complicated outfit involving pants, a jacket, and a long-flowing cloak. He didn't wear shoes, but usually had strange symbols painted on his body. No one really knew why. The marks were supposed to be magical. Ulysses strode towards them and stood before the fire.
"I'm assuming this is important," Jalyn said.
"My word is it important. I can smell that stew from my cottage. Spare an old wizard some food?" Ulysses said.
"Oh, is that all? I thought it'd be some sort of vaguely dire warning again. 'Ere, help yourself. Finally got some good quality food. Have a taste of that," Jalyn said, serving him some of the stew. "Gets better the longer it's in there."
Ulysses took a seat near Bev. Michael shifted. Jalyn pulled Craig close. The fire crackled and burnt in front of them. It didn't need tending, not anymore. Since perpetual fire had been created, the need for fuel for fires was much diminished. Perpetual fire was, however, not something one could merely obtain at any old shop. Its use was tightly controlled to prevent unstoppable fires breaking out if they were used for the wrong purpose. Of course, since Birmingham was so utterly divided, the Dissenters took little notice of any laws or bans the Royalists tried to enact. The Dissenters had their own magicians and their own ways to make perpetual fire.
The Dissenters weren't naturally violent, nor did they really want to start a war if it could be avoided. Their hand had been forced back in 1791 when a riotous attempt was made to run them out of town. Instead of backing off and running like some wanted to do, they held their ground and stayed to fight. They wanted their rights, and were prepared to fight for them, bolstered by the success of the French Revolution as news continued to filter into the city. All they wanted was their right to practice their faith the way they wanted to, and not have to subscribe to the mess that had become the Church of England, which had had a lot of trouble trying to justify the existence of magic and its practice in light of the witchcraft trials of earlier centuries and had settled for tolerating it while it brought benefit to the country. Other churches were much more liberal, and the spread of folk magic had not gone away.
Ulysses got his latest instrument out once he'd eaten. It was a clarinet, but it created a strange atmosphere when he played it. Playing another tune, however, turned the fire purple. Yet another tune made smoke come out of the end that he used to write smoke messages with. Craig watched, fascinated, as the smoke took on an almost solid form as it hung in the air for a short while before vanishing. He had never seen magic like that before.
"Still experimental, of course, but nonetheless quite special. I'm getting clsoer to finishing the instruments we'll need. I want to get them done soon so you can practice with them. I'll need to teach you the tunes and magic to perform them correctly. It's not just a matter of playing them, as you both know. Magic is a precise art, and it does not do to be careless with it," Ulysses said.
"How's the pyrophone? Last i heard, it was still a pile of pipes," Jalyn said.
"It's still a pile of pipes, mostly. I wanted to perfect the clarinet before beginning on that. It is a much bigger challenge, though at least I know it will work with perpetual fire, so I don't need to worry about engines. I'm assuming you've been recruiting," Ulysses said.
"Slowly but progressing. Not all are gifted with the right sort of talents," Jalyn said.
"We found one today. Brilliant musician, and self-taught magician. His grandfather was one of them Lunar Society folks. I'm sure I can get him to join us," Craig said.
"Cocky little brat, in't he?" Jalyn said.
"Oi, Craig, a quid you can't get him to join us," Michael said.
"That quid's as good as mine. Just you lot wait and see. I'll bring him round," Craig said, confident in his abilities. He was sure all Andrew needed was the right sort of encouragement and he'd come running to their side faster than a narrow boat at full speed. He laughed off their comments and made sure to win that bet. He could do with a spare quid to his name.
So yes. Craig is being a brat and enjoying every moment of it. Why am I even surprised? XD
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Date: 2009-11-02 06:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-03 12:48 am (UTC)