unplanned landing

[characterquarry]

She's at the lead of a formation of six Witches, flying her metal not-quite-a-broom out on a routine patrol. She carries her bow, sword, quiver of arrows, four loaded flintlock pistols, two pot-bombs. The usual loadout.

What she finds is not any alien invader she's familiar with. It's a flying snake with a mirror for a head.

"Pull up! It's faster than us, so use formation wagon-wheel!" Bows come out, and arrows fly at it, but they bounce uselessly off its mirror-head and scales. After a few minutes of this she charges in, drops one of her pot-bombs on it at point blank range, then pulls a roll to dodge as it charges past, but not fast enough-

And she's somewhere else entirely.

Comments

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"Oh. Those, yeah, sort of. The creatures that are only made of one cell are different than the cells that make up bigger creatures."

[characterquarry]

"More for my reading list, I suppose. I've always learned best by reading."

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"Sounds like a convenient way of learning. We're going to have to change, so unless you want an eyeful you should probably leave the room for a bit or go back to sleep or something."

[characterquarry]

"Back to sleep it is."

And she does in fact go back to sleep. When they return, she's reading again.

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"My brother wrote back," Jaromira reported. "I read his response after you went back to sleep this morning. He's willing to come and teach you, but given that you have a demonstrated military bent he's going to want to truth-spell you again."

[characterquarry]

"As long as the spell is lie-detecting and not compelling me to speak the truth I am alright with that."

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"Yes, that. Lie detectors are more reliable than truth-tellers anyway."

[characterquarry]

"And less invasive, which is the part that matters to me."

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"It's always convenient when the more ethical solution and the more practical one are the same thing."

[characterquarry]

"And bonus points if it's also the most interesting or fun solution. I think I want to get a book on refrigeration technology, and farm machinery. Food is one of the biggest challenges we have recently, since the Neuroi-destroyed lands have been mostly good farmland and not uninhabited wilderness. And since Neuroi lands produce hurricanes every 22 days like clockwork."

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"Yikes. Maybe we should be focusing on getting some kind of stable transit between our worlds, if we can, it definitely sounds like some of our kind of magic would be helpful."

[characterquarry]

"That would be very nice. I remember reading that trade helps everyone, unless one side is being outright exploited. Economics or something. I didn't get too much formal schooling before I started Witching instead."

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"We'll see what we can do. Kanimir's a lot better than Jawbreaker, anyway."

[characterquarry]

"Any leads on the archery teaching job, or have you not figured out who to talk to yet?"

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"I have a few leads. I think I'll have an interview set up for you by this evening."

[characterquarry]

"I'm slightly concerned that my qualifications don't exist here. Though perhaps my actual skills will make up for that. I'll bring my bow. Say, do you suppose I could eat somewhere other than the dining hall? I admit I'm curious to see what kind of restaurants this world has."

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"Sure, why not. We can go out this evening. It's a little far to town, but Daphne has a car."

[characterquarry]

"Very nice. I'd like to fly for a while. Not on my steelwing, it's too much of a pain to maintain if I fly it regularly. Is there a broom or pole I can borrow somewhere? Just about anything will do for casual flying if it's pole-ish and asymmetrical."

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"I bet no one will mind if we borrow one from the custodial closet so long as you bring it back none the worse for wear," Daphne suggests.

[characterquarry]

"Of course."


She inspects the available implements and ends up choosing the flat-bristled broom over the traditionally shaped but rather limp mop.

"I'll be back in an hour or so. Will one of you please be here to let me into the room?"

[maggie_of_the_owls]

The two exchange a look.

"I can," Jaromira says.

[characterquarry]

"Sorry if I'm imposing. I'd ask for a key, but that seems even more inconvenient. Would it be better to come back earlier, later? I could bring a book along."

[maggie_of_the_owls]

"You can borrow mine," Jaromira says, shrugging. "It's more convenient to use it, most of the time, but I can pick the lock."

[characterquarry]

"Thank you. In that case, you won't have to be here if you don't want to. See you in a couple of hours."

Presumably the key is handed over and Gepard heads for the woods, broom in tow.


Some hours later, she comes back to their room and resumes reading engineering and military history textbooks.

[maggie_of_the_owls]

Eventually, Daphne will come in and say that they are planning to leave for dinner soon.