What is the Alethiometer doing here?

[of_all_trades]

When the spell was cast Franklyn expected it to lead them to some sort of wilderness, maybe even the ocean if they are unlucky.

The spell pointed then to a city, and Franklyn was afraid that the Alethiometer had a owner, likely some rich dude that kept it a secret for any number of reasons.

But he and his sisters are approaching the Alethiometer location and it is very bad neighborhood, half the buildings are dark, either empty or without electricity.

It is too late to come turn around now, he is nervous to come forward, but they need to check.

What the Alethiometer is doing here?

Comments

[sneak_thief]

The monkey dæmon rushes forward suddenly at the mention of money and hovers over the boys dæmon. Close, but not touching.

Aaliyah scowls and reaches down, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and then placing him on her shoulders. "Abu, stop."

"We don't need your money, you've helped us enough." She turns to face the girl. "Did your family live here?"

[not_without_scars]

"No we never did," Maeghan replies "we need the spell because we have no idea where to find it. Franklyn I think we should go back to the hotel."

[of_all_trades]

Franklyn seems that he wants to say something but just offers a warm smile and turns to leave.

[sneak_thief]

"Wait!" She moves forward and touches his arm. "What's your name?"

[of_all_trades]

"Oh," Franklyn says mildly alarmed "I am Franklyn Whitepond. This is my sister Maeghan Segaard."

Franklyn takes a card out of his pocket and hands it to her

"Huh, if you ever go to Seattle and need help."

[not_without_scars]

Maeghan manages a expression that combines fondness with rolling her eyes.

"What is your name?" She asks.

[sneak_thief]

She smiles and Abu takes the card from him. She ignores the question, looking at the card. "What kind of help do you give?"

[of_all_trades]

"My sisters offer witchcraft magic," Franklyn says "and I sort of run the business. A lot of charity work, like improving homeless shelters or community gardens. Mostly we trade healing to gain the means to finance the other stuff."

[sneak_thief]

"And now you're taking a holiday to Vegas to search for this mysterious family trinket?"

[of_all_trades]

"Yes..."

[sneak_thief]

"What does it look like? Maybe I've seen it around."

[not_without_scars]

"Maybe we should just go," Maeghan says tugging her brother's arm.

[of_all_trades]

"Maeghan..." Franklyn says "maybe she saw it... We are looking for a lost Alethiometer. It isn't from a family, but there is a complicated reason why Maeghan calls it that. Part of the explanation, is that I should be able to read Alethiometers... have you happened to see one around here?"

[sneak_thief]

"What does an alethiometer do? Why do you want it?"

[of_all_trades]

"It answers question with objective truth," Franklyn says "it could be used for all kinds of scientific uses, but museums keep theirs like works of art. We are trying to develop better spells with them... We don't like how witches can't be useful to society as they could be and..."

He trails off.

[sneak_thief]

"And your spell told you it was here?"

[of_all_trades]

"Yes, but we aren't sure how reliable it is."

[sneak_thief]

She looks over to Maeghan. "What clan are you from?"

[not_without_scars]

"Me and my sister belong to the Olympic clan."

A true answer, but not for that question.

[sneak_thief]

"Do the witches of this area know you're looking for this alethiometer?"

[not_without_scars]

"No..." Maeghan says eyes narrow "as long it isn't in the clan's lands witches can go wherever, and this house isn't in a clan land. Even if a witch lived next door we wouldn't be trespassing in their territory."

[of_all_trades]

"We are still trespassing..." Franklyn comments.

[not_without_scars]

"Yes. We all are trespassing," Maeghan says "except Ada and it is for a good cause."

[sneak_thief]

"We're all trespassers here." Aaliyah laughs.

[of_all_trades]

"I promise not tell anyone if you don't," Franklyn chuckles.