R for return

[willtolove]

[Well, have another familiar face returning to the Duck, everybody. Will is looking annoyed at her phone one minute before breaking into a huge smile.]

You're back! Or I guess I'm back. Either way, I'm glad to see everyone. So much happened since I lost my connection that I don't even know where to start.

You should start by turning me off and focusing on your studies! If your mother sees another F on your report card, she is going to ground you for life!

[Well, that's an unfamiliar voice. And it seems to be coming from Will's phone, as she cringes.]

Please tell me I was the only one who heard that.

Comments

[a_complicated_shine]

The fact that your computer is talking to you, or you are failing school the worrisome part?

[willtolove]

My phone, actually. And you're a talking pony and that's still the least weird thing that's happened to me this week.

[She sighs, and there's a strange spark of static electricity coming off her hair.]

[a_complicated_shine]

Things can get weirder, I'm sure of it.

Your phone huh? When did it gain sentience?

[willtolove]

Not JUST my phone. Everything with a current running through it. I've got my calculator trying to help me cheat in math, my phone nagging me all the time, the fridge making suggestions on dieting, and the toaster warning me when my bread's about to burn.

...Okay, that one at least is helpful, but the rest is giving me a headache.

[a_complicated_shine]

Everything with a current you say? Some kind of thurmathalogical factor then. Did you come into encounter with any form of lightning magic before?

[willtolove]

Nope. Just used to have some strength and flight and not much else. Got a surge in powers, but no idea what that means.

[a_complicated_shine]

That probably means something was unlocked in your power set.

I know when I was in duress, I winked across the town. That's teleporting by the way.

[willtolove]

Huh, that's kind of like folding. I'm supposed to be able to do that now.

[a_complicated_shine]

Then there you go. It's probably an unlocked tier of strength or power that you had yet to get until now.

[willtolove]

Maybe. Our aurameres' powers had to be used to maintain the Veil, but I don't know why mine had to take the biggest hit.

[a_complicated_shine]

Well looking at it from a point of view.

There's five elements of harmony, with a sixth being magic. Mine wasn't unlocked until I accepted the friends I made. So it's sort of like a keystone, a seal of some sort.

[willtolove]

Maybe. Still seems kinda weird, though.

[a_complicated_shine]

I'm sure everything'll be fine. I doubt you will have problems with it. Unless your household devices talk during awkward moments.

[willtolove]

Right. And a calculator trying to help me cheat isn't awkward.

[a_complicated_shine]

Ask him to at least explain the process so you learn something. It's not cheating if you're learning step by step.

But not during tests.

[willtolove]

It's not even math! Sammy's doing this during history! And then Professor Collins gets mad at me because I'm whispering at him to shut up, and I get sent to Knickerbocker's office!

[a_complicated_shine]

Can you at least tell him to hold off on it during formal lessons and then do it during the rest of the study time?

[willtolove]

I would, but then he almost got me arrested.

[a_complicated_shine]

Sounds like someone needs a massive time out.

[willtolove]

No kidding.

[a_complicated_shine]

Threaten to take out its batteries if he doesn't cooperate.

[willtolove]

I'm not even sure that'll work.

[a_complicated_shine]

That's persistent. How...? Oh right, magic. But even magic has rules.

[willtolove]

Gonna be honest? Yan Lin really hasn't explained this whole magic thing well. Oracle either. A lot of it is "You've got powers now, go save the worlds."

[a_complicated_shine]

... how in the world...? How long have you had your powers exactly?

Because that is careless. VERY careless.

[willtolove]

Um, maybe a year?

[a_complicated_shine]

And no one has filled you in on what you can and can't do? No power training? No control training? No studying basic magic theory?

[willtolove]

There's a theory behind any of this? 'Cause mine is that everyone's still kinda crazy.

[a_complicated_shine]

No, I mean, actual magic theory. Lessons, plans, energy channeling and abilities. I'm surprised you haven't learned any of it.

[willtolove]

Uh, we kinda make it up as we go. But we train! Sometimes. At Shell Beach. By ourselves. When nobody can see us.

[a_complicated_shine]

Oh my Solaris...

You girls need some formal training in magic.

I'm coming over.

[willtolove]

And I'm really going to have to get used to worldhops actually working around here for a change.

[a_complicated_shine]

This is new for me too. I don't have any experience with worldhopping.

[willtolove]

I'd try to help open a fold for you, but I keep throwing off my aim and winding up in weird spots.

[a_complicated_shine]

I'm good. This device is science. I can work with science.

I'll get a pile of books and be right over.

[willtolove]

Thanks. That's a big help, honestly.

[a_complicated_shine]

I hope you have a place where we can study with your friends.

[willtolove]

Shell Beach is the best place. Hardly anyone goes there, especially now that it's winter.

[a_complicated_shine]

That would be good for practical training but what about theory? You have to hit the books and the outdoors isn't good for it if it's snowing.

[willtolove]

Well, I guess there's Kandrakar now. The Oracle might be willing to let us study there.

[a_complicated_shine]

It might work. We'll figure it out on the way.

[willtolove]

Okay. And thanks.

[a_complicated_shine]

No problem.