ϡ - Chapter Twenty; those who have gone missing [action/voice]
[ There's a clear strained sigh coming from the opposite end of the transmission. A few moments later some shuffling as someone moves about in the background. ] Frederic's been...taken. He, um, has been for awhile. I-I wasn't supposed to make anyone worry, I'm terribly sorry for not saying so sooner. [ There's a clear tone of guilt in his voice. It
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... Mr. Chopin?]
Helios, do you perhaps mean Frederic Chopin? I... heard he was here, from Doctor Faye-Ling. [That doesn't explain why Helios knew about it, but that information isn't currently relevant so Robert doesn't ask.]
And you say he's been taken? ... Presumably for experimentation? [Robert's tone is obviously disturbed. It takes him a moment to think of anything more to say - but his next sentence is a little... quiet, and slightly gentle.]
Is there... anything I may do to assist?
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I think the only way to truly find out would be to test it, hm?
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He's still curious.]
You may indeed have a point.
But would it be dangerous to test it here?
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Perfectly safe in terms of using it. But, ah, there's a catch. You have to um...use some blood. Yours specifically--it's a key component for such a spell.
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... My... blood? ... [Robert looks down at his small hands. They're basically unmarked.
... But... ... there are his arms. As much as he doesn't want Helios to see the scars there...]
... I see... Why would blood, of all things, be necessary for a spell?
[But Robert definitely seems curious, even if he's... reluctant. He keeps absentmindedly running his fingers over the subtle scarring on his wrists.]
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A person's blood in the most closely related thing to their soul, their mind. Wwhen transporting yourself somewhere it's best to use the one thing most closely related to you, correct? Hence the reason why blood has to be used.
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... Souls, hm? [Robert's expression looks momentarily derisive, but... He sighs.] And what if one doesn't have a soul? Since... Terra never had any evidence for any.
... Still.
[Robert looks down at his hands again. The urge to learn - to know, to see this for himself - is overpowering. Finally he looks up and kind of uncomfortably levels his gaze.]
... Do you perhaps have a... sterile cutting implement?... [Robert... really does want to see if this works. Enough that he's willing to cut himself.]
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Really I've never thought about it really. But not having a soul...hm, it's a very interesting question. [ Helios will blink, returning to the current situation. Helios will nod and go into his room to retrieve a small knife. A small flame will erupt in his palm and he'll run the blade's edge through until it glows a light orange. ]
There. Are you sure you want to? It--you don't have to.
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[Robert watches Helios cauterize the blade. It's... disturbing, what Robert plans to do with it. Robert doesn't think he's ever cut living skin on purpose.
But... This was for the purposes of knowledge. And it was a minor wound, and only harming himself. It was ethically justifiable.]
I... wish to... test this. I would not be a scientist if I did not test hypotheses. [Robert takes the knife. turning it over in his hands. It's a weapon. It's dangerous. On Terra it would be illegal. Robert's expression is somewhere between terrified and fascinated as he studies it.]
... Is this specifically for cutting yourself with? [A strange question to have to ask, but... Robert turns the blade so the still-hot metal hovers above his skin. He doesn't want to slice into his hand - there ( ... )
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You're quite dedicated to your work. Not that I expected anything less from someone of your caliber. [ Helios nods he makes short work of drawing a chalk like circle on the floor. It comes easily to him, like he's done it a million times before, and probably has. So now there's one white circle in the middle of him living room floor. ] A-Actually it-it is. [ It makes him sound odd actually agreeing with that, but in all honest truth he rather only have one to use than several. Not that the instrument matters. Helios does watch noting the obvious discomfort but he gives the other a small acknowledging, comforting smile. He'll hold up a finger and look over at the circle he's drawn. There's an empty space in its center and Helios quickly draw a symbol on a scrap piece of paper. He'll show it to Robert with a smile. ]Simply draw the symbol in the center of the circle and have a clear picture of where it is you want to go. ( ... )
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It's just so strange that it needs blood to work. But Robert figures he's already cut himself - so why not? Plus Helios' reassuring smile makes him feel a bit better about having done it.
Robert studies the symbol drawn onto the paper. It's nothing he recognizes, but it has an organic shape that reminds him of a stomach. Odd.]
Certainly. [Robert looks at the blood on his arm. Before it has a chance to congeal, he picks it up on his fingertip and begins to meticulously replicate the symbol in the closest-to-dead-centre he can muster. It's almost a ridiculous picture - Robert oh-so-carefully painting a symbol with his blood on the floor. The detached part of his mind wonders if the stain will ever come off ( ... )
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Then he feels a wrenching feeling in his stomach - a sensation very much akin to the sensation of sudden motion one experiences when one stands on a moving elevator platform. And suddenly the air around him is cold.
Freezing, in fact.
Robert's eyes flicker open. He is most certainly not at the fountain. In fact, he's only a few feet away from the door of Community Building Five. Still, the fact remains is that the spell actually worked.
It's a few moments before he opens the journal and speaks into it.]
I-I... Bloody hell it worked. But I'm n-not at the fountain. In fact, I am barely outside the ( ... )
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Would you like me come back down and get you? [ He sounds rather amused. Not at the other's disbelief but the fact that it actually worked! Despite the original destination not being reached it's definately a start. ]
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... Dear gods. I... I just cast magic. I cast magic. [Robert just keeps shaking his head slowly.] I... ... How many principles of physics did I just violate doing that?
It has to be at least three.
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Robert are you...alright? [ No signs of physical injury. Helios isn't sure of his mental state however. ] I'm absolutely fascinated! I honestly didn't know if it would work given what you've told me of your world. The outcome was much better than I had predicted though.
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