Wei Wuxian (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
acrookedpath) wrote2020-09-02 08:36 am
acrookedpath) wrote2020-09-02 08:36 am
[pfsb]
The latest idea that struck Wei Wuxian mid-lunch: if he combined one of the theoretical energy talismans with a paper doll, would that allow him to search the grounds for resentful energy without having to blanket the whole inn with talismans?
It seems like a sound idea! It won't replace the planned night hunt with Lan Zhan -- nor would he want it to -- but if he succeeds, it will be a fun experiment.
First, though: combining a paper doll with a simpler talisman. Which brings us to Wei Wuxian at a table underneath the Observation Window, not an inch left uncovered by his notes, scribbling onto a tiny cutout with a ballpoint pen Bar gave him. (What an invention!) He completes the last character with a flourish and waves his hand over the doll; it springs to its "feet," and, grinning, he directs it toward the empty cup perched precariously on a corner of the table.
It seems like a sound idea! It won't replace the planned night hunt with Lan Zhan -- nor would he want it to -- but if he succeeds, it will be a fun experiment.
First, though: combining a paper doll with a simpler talisman. Which brings us to Wei Wuxian at a table underneath the Observation Window, not an inch left uncovered by his notes, scribbling onto a tiny cutout with a ballpoint pen Bar gave him. (What an invention!) He completes the last character with a flourish and waves his hand over the doll; it springs to its "feet," and, grinning, he directs it toward the empty cup perched precariously on a corner of the table.
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You sound like Lan Zhan, he chides himself, wryly.
"Your cultivation -- your magic," he corrrects. "Would you tell me more of that? We do not use the same talismans, but I am sure there are more differences than that."
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"Yes, I'd be happy to. I use a wand to cast," he says, taking his out of his suit robes' pocket. "My specialty is transfigurative magic along with charms and hexes."
He points his wand at an empty glass on the table beside him and transfigures it into a black and orange butterfly. The butterfly flutters about a bit before Tom reverts it back to its natural inanimate state.
"We also brew potions, use arithmancy for caculations of different kinds. Oh, you know the painting of the dogs playing poker?" He points towards it. "That's my work; it's a portal to my home, the House of Arch. It's warded with every type of protection I've been able to apply to it to keep unwelcome guests out."
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He's about to ask Tom how it works -- maybe it is just an illusion? But if not, what a skill! -- and then the older man says the word.
That awful, awful word.
His glass of scotch freezes midway to his mouth. For an instant, Wei Wuxian's eyes widen in sheer terror; he said painting, he reminds himself, just a painting, that's all.
"Oh?" he manages. It is most definitely not a squeak. He very, very resolutely does not look behind him to where Tom is pointing. "Ah. Yes. Very impressive. Well done."
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"Are you quite all right?"
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A strained, nervous chuckle.
"Dogs, you said? Guard your house? Just a painting, though -- ?"
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His voice rises half an octave on the last word, the glass of scotch visibly shaking in his hands. Apparently, it doesn't matter that they can't leave the frame.
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"Do you fear dogs, Wei Wuxian? Because if you do, the charm within the painting can be easily changed."
He has never - not once - considered that anyone might be frightened of the House of Arch painting. Even though... the dogs are charmed to defend the portal.
Oh dear. How many other cynophobes have been distressed by his clever portal?
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Still pitched a little too high: "Mm-hm?"
Right. Right. The dogs aren't real. They're not going to do anything (but also they're right there and now they're going to be watching him the entire time he's in the bar and who knows, if they're charmed, maybe they can escape the painting! THEY COULD. HE'S GOING TO DIE A SECOND TIME AND -- ).
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"Rabbits. Rabbits are better!"
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With a quick explanation and a flick of his wand, the dogs playing poker are no longer dogs playing poker. They are rabbits - or at least mostly rabbit-ish, the spell was done hastily and Tom's not an artist - playing poker.
The one that was a bull dog looks vaguely affronted. The others, however, take it in stride and keep shuffling cards and placing bets while scrunching up their cute little noses.
"There," he says, returning to their table. "Wei Wuxian, now I think you may be able to examine the magical portal with more ease."
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Slowly, he turns around to look at the painting.
All of the air whooshes out of him. Sure, the rabbits look... awkward, but they're still definitively rabbits. Not dogs. Good. Good!
"Thank you, Tom-gongzi," he sighs. With a self-conscious chuckle, "Yes, I would be happy to take a closer look at your work now. I, ah. Yes."
Good thing he still has half a glass of scotch. He picks it up, takes a sizeable gulp to finish steadying his nerves, and heads toward the painting.
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Tom follows him over and he explains some of the basic warding that is layered onto the portal, where it goes, how the rooms of the associative house of his family's are found throughout the Underside and drawn in and linked for residents. It's not a long lecture, but hopefully it's enough to inspire yet more curiosity, because Tom has had an idea.
"It's been some time since I last did a thorough check of the wards. I was wondering if I may hire you for the task of attempting to break through them."
After all, Wei Wuxian made short work of that mysterious scroll's ward. If there is anything that can be used against the House of Arch from a different magical world, Tom should be aware and able to counter it. He doesn't expect a return of Blodwen, but you can never, ever be too careful.
"If you find any vulnerabilities, perhaps we could work together to shore them up."
Plus, the rabbits look much less threatening than the dogs did as far as guarding is concerned...
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And then comes the job offer, and he brightens, delighted.
"I would be happy to try!" he laughs. "It may be slow work, but I have plenty of time. The rabbits will not growl at me too if I fail, will they?"
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"I can't come here every day, but you can leave messages for me with Bar. She'll make sure my messenger owl, Galatea, returns with them when I send her every day. Let me know if you have success, and we'll figure out your reimbursement and next steps soon."
Perhaps next time they meet, Tom will give Wei Wuxian a tour of the House, or, at the very least, his library with its ridiculous stacks of books and scrolls that reach up towards the ceilings now.
"I should get back, but I'd very much like to continue our conversation at another time."
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He circles his arms wide and bows to Tom, as one cultivator to another.
"Thank you for the conversation and drink, Tom-gongzi. I will not keep you any longer -- I hope you have a pleasant evening."
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"I hope the same for you." He smiles and with one last nod to Wei Wuxian, he presses his hand against the painting and steps through it, disappearing into the House of Arch.