002 - In which Howl opens for business.

[likepaleglass]

[There's that man again on the screen. That one you can almost smell through the electronics, though that's a complete impossibility. (Lavender today, by the way.) The apartment behind him, obviously Newcomer-standard, is in the beginnings of what will become a fine shambles, dirty dishes piled high in the sink, a banana peel draped elegantly over the edge of a garbage pail, and everywhere books -- books upon books and scraps of metal and odds and ends that aren't even quite identifiable. In the midst of it, Howl is impeccably clean and groomed as always, with not even a wrinkle.]

An introduction seems in order. I am the Wizard Howl Pendragon, conjuror and constructor of magical artifacts, creator of curses, cantrips, and charms from the large to the small in scale. Need to win a duel or your worst enemy's hair to fall out? Find me. In need of your one-bedroom flat to become a 5-bedroom palatable estate? Call upon me. Fees are negotiable.

[A release of breath, and he nudges back his hair.] I usually rely on word of mouth, but considering the circumstances, it seems I am my primary advertiser.

[A pause.]

I'd also like to know more about this Core -- and its record. The library hasn't been as helpful as I would like.

Comments

Video

[that_is_asecret]

[Seems as though there is more and more competition in the field]

My goodness, seems magical services have become quite the craze.

Video

[likepaleglass]

[But do you do it with as much style, Xelloss?]

Usually there's a high amount of demand for such things.

Particularly high-quality work.

Video

[that_is_asecret]

[Much more really]

Well, here a lot more prefer science.

[A bit of a shrug]

To each their own.

voice

[freeholding]

[Oh dear mother of God, this is familiar. He'll have to tell Dresden about this later.] You should advertise in the phone book.

Though I must ask; if your magical ability is so acute, why you have not conjured yourself a more palatial apartment?

video

[likepaleglass]

[Have a look like you've just suggested eating a dead rat.]

The phone book? No.

As for the other, I have what space I need for the moment.

[In spite of his pretenses towards grandeur, Howl has always opted to live within his means. His own castle at home contains three rooms, a bathroom, and an outdoor yard.]

Not to mention that the landlord and I are already . . . somewhat at odds.

voice on his end unless otherwise stated

[freeholding]

Why not? An associate of mine advertised as the only wizard in the phonebook and it seemed to work for him. If you need work, explore all avenues.

Already? [Perhaps mages and real estate just don't mix. Would explain the remote towers of legend.]

video

[psychopath]

Oh, goodness, I've never seen a wizard before! [and he certainly imagined one to be cleaner...........] Welcome to the port, Lord Howl.

video

[likepaleglass]

[Hey, see those sleeves? He's immaculate! It's just the apartment that's . . . not.]

"Wizard" Howl will do fine. And thank you.

[Howl is particularly magnanimous.]

They have no wizards where you're from?

video

[psychopath]

[dude even your ceiling is dirty. nnope. but he has piqued jack's curiousity.]

We probably don't call them wizards, but ah...magic is a curious thing. And pretty! [yeah he's 24 years old and fascinated with the sparkles.] What sort of magic is your specialty?

voice

[madeinoblivion]

How...negotiable are we taking about, here?

video

[likepaleglass]

[Pale eyes, rather like marbles, flick across the screen, even though he can't see the other beyond it. For a moment, he gives a pause.]

Name a price, and we'll see what we can do.

Re: video

[madeinoblivion]

Um... well.... you see we haven't got a lot saved up, which is why we'd need a new place, but if we could get a smaller place and just make it bigger on the inside...

We could pay you back?

[circumsutus]

I see magical cleaning isn't within reach of your abilities.

[likepaleglass]

[A flickered glance around him.]

I prefer it this way. I know where to find everything.

[circumsutus]

Do you usually need to find your dirty dishes and garbage?

[madvaporskillz]

How very unfortunate, to have the answers.

[likepaleglass]

[Ah, the Talking Cat.]

Care to unburden yourself?

[madvaporskillz]

Perhaps.

[Read: probably not, given how helpful he was last time.]

Video

[princeofpictionary]

I should send Agni over there to clean!

Video

[likepaleglass]

[What is it with this man and cleanliness?]

Very kind of you.

But no.

[You don't just come over and clean a man's house. Or, conversely, have a servant do it.]

[dr_orpheus]

Another Newcomer with magical inclinations has joined us? Welcome!

[likepaleglass]

Magical ability, yes.

[And a good deal of that, if he does say so.]

I take it you are versed in the arts yourself?

[dr_orpheus]

Dr. Byron Orpheus, necromancer, at your service.

[pullsheavendown]

I told you it might not have much on magic.

video

[likepaleglass]

Worth a try. Recreating notes on the subject will be tedious.

I would have settled also for more information on this Core. Though the library contains some history on the subject, it is surprisingly light on what has been learned about this Core and what has been done to or with it in recent years.