Despite the dark atmosphere

[curiousdiscoverer]

They are in a derelict warehouse, the owner was quite happy to rent the place, it was easy to see why, it took all day to clean the floor and create a space to properly write the spell circle.

Despite the dark atmosphere, their purpose was far from evil.

Franklyn observed Ada draw the circle, while Maeghan read a book, using her cloudpine to support herself more comfortably. Maeghan looked bored, but Franklyn knew she really wanted this to work more than she was letting on.

Because if this worked, Franklyn would have magic, actual personal magic, the first male witch in this world.

Actually, the second male witch in this world, since this spell was meant to bring a male witch from another world so they could do another spell to copy them.

When Ada completes the last line of herbs in the cycle, Franklyn helps her memorizing the spell’s verse.

“Nothing will go wrong,” Maeghan assures Franklyn when Ada starts speaking the spell...

Comments

[intricate_engineer]

"I like both genders, so Echo being a girl makes sense."

[of_all_trades]

"Oh, lucky!" Franklyn says smiling.

Then he smiles falls.

"Oh, damn it," Franklyn says "I completely forgot about it... so... daemons... huh," he breaths deeply "they do parallel socialization, talking with other daemons and so on and one aspect of that is... cuddling... while their humans are being intimate."

[intricate_engineer]

"Why is that a bad thing? Oh, when we go back home... Will they be unhappy?"

[of_all_trades]

"It feels awkward," Franklyn says "literally half of you wouldn't be participating. I am not sure how adaptable people can be on the subject. Most people never separate from their daemons so it isn't a common issue."

He drinks a sip of water.

"I promise try my best to fix that."

[intricate_engineer]

"Really? And how do you plan to do that?"

[between_worlds]

"And I'm going to go get a glass of water," Alex stands up and makes a speedy exit.

[of_all_trades]

"I don't know..." Franklyn says "but consider me at your full service."

He might be blushing, just a tiny bit.

[intricate_engineer]

"Hmm, you are very cute. I think I will." Glen grins.

[of_all_trades]

"Thanks. You are cuter!" Franklyn says "and I can tell you have a passion for your work. I love that!"

[intricate_engineer]

"Thank you," Glen blushes, "Here," she digs into a pocket and pulls out a small clear stone, pressing it into Franklyn's hand.
"It's a teleport stone, just think about where you want to go. Don't tell anyone I gave it to you."

[of_all_trades]

Franklyn stares at the stone for a moment blinking in surprise.

"Okay," Franklyn says finally "please tell me this is a very common and cheap thing for you, because if this is like... your world equivalent of a car, I couldn't take it."

[intricate_engineer]

"It's a fleet of cars to everyone else. But I designed them, so I can make as many as I want."

[of_all_trades]

"I don't know how to thank you enough," Franklyn says still staring at the stone "... and I have to be very clear if this is exactly between you and me? How about Maeghan? Ada? or Alex? I know that Maeghan can be... uncharismatic, but she is actually very responsible and neither would tell anyone. Ada half-pretends she is mortal sometimes..."

[intricate_engineer]

"No, it's fine. You can tell them and Alex won't care. Just don't go around announcing I gave you one."

[of_all_trades]

"I understand," Franklyn says smiling.

He pockets the stone (very carefully) and looks back at her adoringly "Yambe Akka! Thank you so much," pause "can I give you a hug?"

[intricate_engineer]

"Yea," Glen stands up.

[of_all_trades]

Hugs!

Franklyn is more than six feet tall, Glen is lift up for a moment.

[not_without_scars]

A door opens quite abruptly.

"Alex are you...?" Maeghan starting asking "Oh, fuck. That was fast. I think even dad wouldn't be that fast. Have you explained about her to them? You really should explain about her to them before... whatever was going on here."

[intricate_engineer]

Glen grins, "Hi Maeghan, who's her?"

[between_worlds]

At the sound of Maeghan's voice, Alex wanders back in.

[not_without_scars]

"Franklyn should explain it," Maeghan answers to Glen, she turns to Alex "So I just want to try just one last healing spell on you before giving up. All you have to do is stand in the middle of a spell circle for a minutes, is that okay? I can set it all up in less than 10 minutes"

Considering she is talking about healing, it is amazing how threatening her smile looks.

[of_all_trades]

"I will explain it," Franklyn says to Maeghan, before turning to Glen "Her... is our father. Witches in this world have to be female, or at least partially female. Most are born with a body that matches their female minds. Our father was genderqueer, preferred female pronouns and terms, with the exception of 'father' or 'dad'. She said it just felt more accurate."

Franklyn pauses for a moment.

"That is not all..."

[intricate_engineer]

"What else?"

[between_worlds]

"Sure?" Alex says to Meaghan, then turns to Franklyn.
"Should I be worried?"

[not_without_scars]

Maeghan rolls her eyes and says "I will call when everything is ready."

She leaves the room, presumably to set up whatever needs set up.