Modern Magic

[Lemming]

Lancaster

I looked at the Bastet image again. Of course! Professor Catrina could help. She knew everything about Egypt and Egyptian mythology, and I always suspected she thought that animals could have magic, as well.
I remembered her classes I'd taken and blushed again at the memory of her. Gods she was beautiful... he'd never had the courage to tell her, and he knew that being a student and her being a teacher, well... He quickly ended that train of thought and left his room, locking the door and placing his normal wards on it. They weren't very strong, but then he laced them with myriads of illusory wards, some seemingly weak, some seemed as if setting them off would destroy the entire campus.
He surveyed his handiwork quickly, satisfied no one but a select few of the professors could even tell the difference between the real and imaginary wards. Then he set off to Professor Catrina's apartment with the amulet in hand, covered with an illusion of a notebook to keep away any curious on-lookers. He was one of the select few to know the locations of his teacher's homes, one of the perks of being top of the class.

I finally reached the apartment and knocked on the door, admittedly a little nervous. I clutched what seemed to be a notebook to my chest, not willing to break the illusion until I knew she could help me alone...

 

[Vivid]

David

"Yes, " he admitted, "I love, er..., I meaned loved her very much. Don't get me wrong, you are fantastic, But Sheila, my wife, I so special."

His face blushed slightly as he pondered her last question.

"Yes, her sending ability got us in trouble more than a few times. She had the natural talent for bringing other people to the emotional state she was in. Like you, with some of the stronger emotions, she couldn't supress it. The trouble came from Sheila's um... appetite." He could see the puzzled look on her face and continued, being blunt.

"Sheila was instaiable, sexually. Neither I nor any of her other lovers, male or female, could keep up with the demands of her body. Even if we all.... cooperated in our efforts, she was never satisfied for long. Even if she helped us along empathically. You see, she could project sexual desire onto entire rooms of people. The resulting orgies would oftentimes be outrageous." He smiled in nostalgia.

"With her 'pushing' men rivaled women in the amount of pleasure they could receive and women's responses were heightened greatly." He shuttered slightly, his body remembering the pleasure of it.

"So, being the vessel for channelling her would not be.... without risks." He considered the possibilities.

 

[Firegirl976]

Catrina

I heard the knock on my door and glanced outside of it with my "Eyes". I saw Lancaster and immediately slipped off the kitchen chair. Boy he works fast I thought, I raised my hands above my head and calling on my powers lowered them quickly. My outfit was not one of simplicity, blue jean shorts (that showed off my dancers legs) and a deep green tank top the just showed my toned stomach. I answered the door and immediately noticed the notebook but I also noticed the illusionary spell that hung around it. Not wanting to pry I stopped there and smiled up at him warmly. "Hello Lancaster, can I help you?", I asked this keeping my warm smile and noticing his eyes once again.

 

[Song]

Jessica

Jessica got up from David's lap and started to get dressed.

"Looks like I've had my exercise for the day! I've still got to try to make it to practise, though."

As Jessica was pulling on her clothes, she started thinking aloud to David. "So, what we need to do then is start talking to people and set a time to actually do this--to bring your wife back for you. You said that your wife projects to everyone in the room--that means that whoever is involved has to be willing to, well, accept whatever happens. And whoever is channeling her has to be prepared to be the...center of attention of everyone.

"So I guess the first thing to do is to talk to Mistress Catrina to see if she's willing to be the focus of the channeling. You're right--she's the better choice, but if she's not willing to do it, I think I could be convinced." Jessica looked up at David with a playful expression.

"And then, we need to get--Lemming, was it? We need to get Lemming to put the illusion onto Cat, to make her look like your wife, Sheila. And you said that you found a good student necromancer, Gary? And we'll have to coordinate it all with Gabriel. Did you need any help trying to convince anyone to assist? Because I'm good at...convincing..."

Jessica had finished dressing and was ready to leave. "Just tell me what I can do and I'll be happy to do it." She smiled a warm, caring smile at David. "But, I'll have to do it later. I really do have to be running now." Jessica reached up and gave David a slow, soft kiss. "And thank you for a lovely morning."

 

[Lemming]

Lancaster

As she opened the door, I took one look at her outfit and swallowed, then made every effort to keep my eyes on her face. I knew she was pretty casual during class, but I didn't quite expect... well, I wasn't sure what I was expecting.
I noticed her looking into my eyes and looked down as I answered her question, suddenly realizing in my excitement I'd forgotten to put the usual illusions over myself. "Yeah... I wanted to ask you a couple questions about Egypt and their beliefs on the powers of cats..." You never could tell who was listening, and unless I made a conscious effort I never was able to detect magic very well. Except illusions, of course. So until we were in her apartment, which I assumed was well warded against scrying, I'd keep the innuendos going.
As I looked up at her again I subconsciously cast an illusion to cover my creeping blush. "Especially Bast..."

 

[Violet_J]

Gabriel

[OOC] I'm still here. Just figured I'd say, 'hi'.

-Violet

 

[Firegirl976]

Catrina

My smile widened a bit at Lancasters' response to my outfit. I invited him in and offered him a chair as I sat on the couch listening to his explanation of the surprise visit. As he explained that he wanted to ask me some questions on Ancient Egypt and their beliefs I watched his blush deepen a bit and smiled once again as I could actually feel the way his body and mind were reacting to me. "Well Lancaster, I would be more than willing to help you anyway I can." I said warmly, "But first" I leaned foreward a bit to the edge of the couch and touched his arm to make him look at me "What's with the illusionary book??".

 

[Lemming]

Lancaster

I felt her touch my hand as she asked me about the illusionary book. Normally I'd be cursing myself for not making a better illusion, but now I was just trying to cover my blush at the intimacy she was showing... But I did look over at her, which is what she wanted.
"Uh, this book? Well... It's something else, that I didn't want anyone else to see while I was on my way over." I let the illusion slip away and held the amulet in my palm, letting the chain fall between my fingers. I held it out for her to examine. "I know this may sound strange, but this ... cat gave it to me. And it spoke to me, too!" I looked away, knowing she'd probably laugh me out of the apartment for saying that...

 

[Vivid]

David

OOC: meant to post sooner, rolling blackouts in CA and resulting comp troubles kept me so busy! Good to see the people still around (Thanks Violet).

David sits in surprised silence. She didn't think him 'twisted', she didn't see him as gross for attempting one last meeting with his departed wife? He manages to pull his pants on while watching her dress. He waves the door quickly shut from the prying eyes of the clerk and officers who couldn't help hear the two of them.

As he inhales the lingering scent of Jessica in the office he marvels at how he somehow gained an organized ally in this project. David opens the database once more.

Finding the contact info for this Catrina, he begins a Z-mail.


Greetings Catrina,

My name is David Greys. I serve as security for the same college you work at. This correspondence is more of a personal nature, however.
I'm embarking on a project to channel a spirit - my departed wife, actually. Nothing harmful or illegal, I assure you. Though, there are other complications to be discused later if you're interested. I've been informed that having someone with shapeshifting ability as a conduit for the channelling increases success. I have discovered you have such a talent.
I've enlisted the aid of several individuals including an illusionist, a technomancer, and others. Of course, you are free to bring any trusted friends to ensure your own safety.
If you are interested in such an endeavor we can discuss things further.

Sincerely,

David Greys



David began a reply to Gabriel as well.


Dear Gabriel,

I've contacted a necrotically-talented student and have a few possible spirit conduits in mind. Can you think of any further assistance or resources (e.g. a room reserved here at the campus, etc.) we might need.
By the way, I realize the computer program illusion would not ultimately be in my best interest, but I would like to move forward with the channelling. I've recently been reminded that closure and moving-on would be the best for me right now.
I will be forwarding a copy of this letter to Lancaster Pir. Please coordinate with him as well.

Thank you,

David Greys



He also sends another message off to Gary, the new transfer student whose record showed an interest in Necromancy. David had not heard from him yet. He again offered the consulting position, money, and the chance to be part of a team.

He sent the four letters off and turned his thoughts to whom else might be needed. His thoughts turned to Jessica and he reviewed her file. She's had several classes on Empathy control and seem to have excelled in them. She might be more ready than she thinks to have the chameleon sigil deactivated.
A quick database search shows David what he's looking for. A young man recently reserved a public magic lab for runic research and mystical symbol study. He shows fascibation for the ancient arts and high aptitude. David begins a letter to this Robert Phoenix.

He asks Robert to contact him or stop by the Security office for a project and a chance to study a pretty powerful limiting sigil.

It's late morning when David finally emerges from his office. With letters sent and his uniform arranged again he steps out of the office to make his rounds.

 

[Firegirl976]

Catrina

I release Lancasters hand and take the medallion, realizing that he thinks I am going to laugh at him and that is why he is blushing so deeply. I look at the pendant studying the writing and detail, not bad work I think to myself. "Baset" I said in a soft voice before looking back to him "She was a feline goddess with the head of a cat and the body of a human, she could take on either feline or human form though." I again smile warmly at him "she was prayed to for protection mostly by the men but the women prayed to her for other strengths, such as Fertility, and love." I tilt my head to the right to show him my own alter to the goddess. I hand him back the medallion not yet having commented on the "Cat" part of his statement. I am just about to question him further when I notice the envelope under my door. "Would you excuse me a moment?" I ask politely as I stand "please just make yourself at home, theres beer int he fridge or soda." That said I walk over retrieve the envelope and head to my room to read the letter. So the head of security wants me to help him channel his dead wife, I shudder a bit and remember the last time I had helped someone channel a loved one. I still couldn't remember everything but what I did remember was being a dog, YUK! I quickly sent a response saying that I would be interested but would like to know more and could we get together to discuss it, as my knowledge would probably help even if my body wasn't available. I sent the message and was about to walk back out to Lancaster when I sensed him casting another illusion spell. I probed him lightly and sensed his unease in my presence and decided to confront him a bit. I walked out ready to ask some questions and smiled as I noticed his mildly improved appearance. "Mind if I ask you a question or two Lancaster??"

 

[dragonmld]

Alexander Draconis

Draconis walks through the hallways nodding to the few students he knew from his classes, and making his way to the faculty lounge for a hot cup of coffee. On his way passing thesecurity office where a very lovely young lady walks out looking flushed as if she has either been working out or something much more fun. Taking his mind away from that he walks on towards the faculty lounge and steps inside glancing around seeing just a few other teeachers sitting around chatting to one another. After picking up his coffee he sits down beside the thaumaturgy proffessor, a young man by the name of Samuel Radstokes I believe.
So Professor I hear you and I share a few of the same students, namely a young lady named Haley? I notice a slight blush cross his face then quickly pass.
I was wondering if you knew anything more about her, she seems like a fairly bright young lady but very unatentive in class. I was wondering if perhaps the young lady might need a little guidance on keeping on track with her studies what do you think?


OOC: sorry I havent posted in a while been having comp troubles. figured I'd bring the guy who started the thread back into the story *Smiles* take it away Prof.

 

[Lemming]

Lancaster

When she left to go get the mail I knew I had my chance. I put up the usual illusions. Nothing major, but enough to cover up the imperfections in my face, make my eyes a little brighter, perhaps, and my hair like I'd had a hair cut recently.
I thought of her offer for some beer or soda. I didn't drink beer (nasty stuff), but she was already coming back, so I didn't get a soda. I wasn't too thirsty, even if my throat was a little dry...

I couldn't help but notice how her altar to Bastet (and couldn't help but remember what Catrina had said women pray to her for) resembled the amulet, but I passed it off as coincidence. Before I could let my train of thought cover her ignoring the talking cat part, she came back in, asking if she could ask a few questions.

I nodded, "Yeah, sure. Anything you need to, and I'll do my best to answer. Though this is a little different from school..." I tried to lighten the mood with that, but it reminded me just how different an atmosphere from school it really was...

 

[Firegirl976]

Catrina

I grinned a bit at his show of light heartedness, "indeed and since it is such a different atmosphere I won't expect raised hands, deal?" MY smile widened as I saw him relax a bit at my attempt at humor although he apparently couldn't still his mind, since I could still feel his reaction to my presence. I notice that he didn't grab a soda so I wave my hand non challantly and grin as a glass with ice and a can of soda appear next to him on the table as a glass of wine appears on mine. Conjuring is a skill almost no one has anymore, but with my knowledge in the ancients language I had picked up a skill or two most hadn't, as I sat down next to him I noticed how wide his eyes had gotten at that small show of true magic. "I rarely use it since so few appriciate it" I shrug as I say this figuring to belittle the gift. "Now, the biggest question I have for you is when you say it spoke to you, do you mean actaully spoke like we are now or spoke mentally??"

 

[Lemming]

Lancaster

The soda conjuration thing was a neat trick. I might have to learn that sometime... it'd be useful. I doubt I'd be too good at it, seeing as I had trouble with anything but the basics of anything but illusion, but it was still something to try...

I looked over at her while I answered her question, just letting everything come out. "I think it was a mental link, well, on her... uh, the cat's side, anyway. I spoke out loud, and she seemed to understand me. She even knows my name, somehow..." I show her the back of the amulet with my name clearly imprinted on it. "She told me that animals speak if we'd just listen... and that if I ever needed her, to call. And after that..." My voice trailed off, but I saw the questioning look in her eyes. "It felt like she was running her paws down the back of my neck, and it seemed like she sent a wave of ... uhm, pleasure through my brain as a thanks for scratching her ears. And then she left. I know it sounds crazy, but it happened. She even conjured this amulet out of thin air!" My mind still refused to put two and two together, and I just looked to her for the answer, like I had so often when I was stumped in class.

I caught myself wishing for her arm to touch mine again, but I mentally slapped myself and kept my gaze level with her face...

 

[Firegirl976]

Catrina

I continued to smile even when he mentioned about the pleasure touch. ALthough I allowed my eyes to widen slghtly at his admission that the animal had done that. "You said the cat was a she?, are you going by the sound of the mind voice?" As I mull over what he has told me I hear the last remnants of a thought he had just moments before, something about me touching him. I have yet to have made direct eye contact with him as he would probably be intimidated by my eyes but when I hear this I snap my head up without thinking and look him directly in the eyes, seeing how kind his were, then realizing what I had just done my gaze softens a bit and I look away, smiling and touching his arm again to cover the insult of turning away. "what did she look like Lancster?".

 

[Vivid]

David

Catrina's reply finds him as he patrols the grounds. He makes a mental note to call her later.
While walking his beat he sees a woman sitting under a tree. It seems she sits there often by her ease under the oak's shade.

She's older than most of the students. Even moreso than Gabriel, who is returning to school after already building a good career at her art. Also, this one has a "small town" look to her.

David walks over to her. He picks up the name from a book next to her.

"Good Morning,... Dea is it?"

 

[Lemming]

Lancaster

Her eyes caught mine and I froze. I couldn't move a muscle or even twitch an eyebrow as her eyes held mine... then she turned away and touched my shoulder and I nearly shivered at the sudden change, my mind slowly coming back to me. I shook my head slightly to clear it, then answered her questions.

"The cat was a she... I guess I just sensed it in her mind voice and the ... uh, touch." I think I blushed slightly at that, but I had another question to answer. "It seemed like a normal homeless cat at the time. But now that I think of it, her hair was clean and seemed well taken care of... She was well-fed, but not fat in any way. So maybe she had run away from home or something. Her eyes, though," I looked up into her face, drawing her eyes to mine, bracing for the shock in them, managing to get out one thing before being frozen in them once more.

"Her eyes..."

 

[Firegirl976]

Catrina

"Her eyes.....", As he says it I glance up at him on meaning to see his response to her but when I do he is watching me and our eyes lock again briefly. "What about her eyes, were they blue, what color was her fur?". As I listen to his description I reach out behind me and a book comes to my hands from a shelf nearby and opening to a specific page. On the page is a golden tabby with firelike highlights to her coat and an exotic tilt to her eyes, underneath is one word......Bastet. "Did she look anything like this?", I see his eyes react to the picture and out of surprise he reaches over and touches the hand holding the book out to him, I jump a bit at the warmth in his touch then cover it with another question. "I'll take it that means yes?", I don't think he saw my reaction but I cannot cover the reaction my body is having to him as I await his answer.

 

[Lemming]

Lancaster

As I reached for the book, my hand brushed hers. I don't know if I meant to or not, it was so hard to think with her right there in that outfit... But I nodded, that was exactly the cat that had approached me.

"But... Bastet? What would the goddess of cats want with a lemming?" I laughed a little, the enormity of the situation not quite reaching me. "Unless she wanted to try a different small rodent than a mouse or rat."

Then I realized that my hand was still touching hers on the book and I let it drop back next to me. "Sorry..."

 

[Dea Artia]

Dea

Glancing up from her book, Dea noticed someone standing beside her.

"Yes" she replied, nodding. Putting her book down, she asked the gentleman if there was anything she could do for him.

Dea tried to sound polite, but she was afraid she came off rather rude. She hated to be disturbed when she was reading and she had a very bad day so far. It took the better part of the morning to track down the janitor so he could open the door of the class so she could collect her books and then as luck would have it she had to return to her house to get another book she had forgotten. This whole idea of returning to school was starting to test her patience. If it wasn't for the fact that she had no where else to go, Dea would have left some time ago. She also realized she could practice again, but there wasn't much use of an old fasion witch these days, hence the real reason she was in school. The only time she felt like herself was when she was reading, and now this person wanted something. Dea knew who he was. She knew a lot of things they didn't think she knew. Oh well, she'd play along.

 

[Vivid]

David

"There might be." he began, responding to her uninviting stares with extra kindness. "I couldn't help but recognize your name from the new student profiles. I read about your time tending to the magical needs of a small community up north. Did you perchance ever call a being from beyond the grave through a medium?" He waited for the words to sink in and she looked thoughtful, considering.

"I had someone I was going to ask to help me but they haven't gotten back to me yet. I was wondering if you had any experience."

[Edited by Vivid on 03-23-2001 at 10:08 PM]

 

[Dea Artia]

Dea

Dea's eyes narrowed. She knew what he was talking about, and although she wasn't keen on the whole issue, she also knew how important this contact would mean to him.

"If you mean chanelling, yes, I do have some experience. I find it easier when the departed had no prior warning beofre death. They always have something to say that they weren't able to before they died. It can take a lot of time and energy to make the correct contacts, so I hope you know what you're getting into."

Dea collected her books and stood beside him. Looking at him directly in his eyes, she didn't try to sugar coat the issue. "I'll tell you now, things can go wrong. I've seen it happen. The spirit called often does not want to return to the world of the dead. I myself won't take the chance of letting a spirit inhabit my body, but if you can find someone who is willing, I'll do the channeling for you."

 

[Vivid]

David

OOC: nice sig picture Dea!

IC:

David considered her words. "There are others I have in mind for the conduit. As to her means of demise it was rather sudden and unexpected. The doctors say a cardiac tamponade though could not find a reason for it.

I'm not sure what she would be like if summoned. There might be complications nonetheless but those will be fully explained to the conduit. What would you require for the spell?"



[Edited by Vivid on 03-25-2001 at 01:43 PM]

 

[Dea Artia]

Dea thought outloud for a moment. "I'd have to make sure the ceremonial items are blessed and I assume I'd have to cast a cirle. There's a place not far from my home where we can do the channeling."

Dea starting naming off a list of things she would need, including something personal that belonged to David's wife, such as jewlery, or even a photograph. Looking at him, Dea smiled.

"Its been a while since I did anything ritulalistic. I'm afraid I might be a little rusty, but its exciting to be able to practice again. I have a friend on the other side who can help us contact your wife, but I don't think it will be to difficult to find her. I can sense her with us, and I'll be honest, it's not a possitive energy."

Dea rested her hand on Davids shoulder, and she instantly felt the need to warn him of something. She couldn't put her finger on it, but it involved a particular event that would happen. She pushed the feelings away and told David to contact her when he found the volunteer. He looked puzzled when she gave him her phone number. Dea laughed.

"I don't really know how to do all the new fangled things people can do with their minds now-a-days. I never really did get the hang of sending messages." Dea waved goodbye and disapeared behind the corner of a building.

 

[Firegirl976]

Catrina

I looked down where his hand touched mine then looke back up briefly when he snatched his away. "No problem, What else can you tell me about your visit?" As I waited for his answer I relaxed a bit to help him feel more at ease.