Sunday, July 22, 2018: 8:00 PM
I woke up this morning feeling like I might have missed something yesterday, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it, so I set the feeling aside, and started with my morning meditations. I know I am not yet up to snuff with electrical engineering, but I also know someone who is. I decided to get the Mini-Avengers broken up into two camps, and have one camp of four start working on the goggles, and the other camp of four working on the gloves. This leaves the four sets I was planning on making for S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark Industries, but I can work on them after I get the deal done. There was just enough Salt remaining to finish the order for the city, and complete a singular safety item.
I had mulled over the thought of a safety item after finishing my notes last night, and came up with a variant on what I had made for Agent Coulson before he went to Golarion. I looked at the necklaces that I had picked up at the Thrift Store yesterday, and picked one that I thought would not look out of place for Amber, and took it over to the enchanting table. I grabbed the last bit of salt that I had, and started to force the enchantment into the plain silver pendant. There were some aspects of the enchantment today that I just could not get away from and still make it work, so I didn’t fight it.
Maybe there was a bit too much energy invested into it for how much salt I had available, maybe it was because of the fracas that happened, where Rex was chasing the kittens around merrily, or Bright-Eyes jumping up on my lap to get a good vantage point for watching the wacky racing, because it didn’t follow my normal Ley-Line enhanced and focused process. The enchantment process almost got interrupted, but was saved at the last minute, but a lot of excess materials ended up landing right in the enchantment circle, including a bunch of the stones that I used to make the Constant Energy stones, two of my remaining gold coins, the single platinum coin that I had from Magnimar, and two of the rubies that ended up not being used some how. They all ended up sprawled across the table when Rex banked too slowly and knocked them down from where they were stacked for later use. This caused a sudden increase in the amount of energy flowing into the pendant, and the only way I could continue the process was to take that extra energy and focus it back into the pendant, causing it to remold itself. The form it took, when the blinding energy finished coalescing, was fitting in some ways to the situation. I guess all of the resonance from everything going on made it happen this way.
The formerly simple dimpled silver pendant, was now a highly detailed antique looking electrum pendant that shaped itself into a Rhamphorhynchus, in the exact position that Rex was in when he bumped into the table, a flat ascending curve. The head and neck of the flying lizard were extremely intricately carved from the reshaped amber, and the two rubies ended up inside the head of the figurine, right in the proper locations for their eyes, having just a skin of amber left over them. The pendant had electrum filigree throughout it. The wings were of the creamiest, glassiest, translucent light green jade, with the bones and phalanges composed of intricately carved and inlaid electrum. The body of the pterosaur was of highly polished granite that was now blue with black and gold flecks, while the legs were smoothly shaped of perfectly clear quartz that had golden fibers looking like lightning bolts going through it, with the same electrum forming extremely intricate talons, even including the separation of the nail bed.The tail was formed of a thinning encased snowflake obsidian piece, where the shapes of the snowflakes were almost identical, but the size decreased down as the thickness of the tail did. At the end of the tail, down to the end where there was another quartz point that formed a brilliant cut gem, this one was a smoky yellowish-brown in color and had perfect symmetry on the eight axis.
The ornately carved electrum seemed to form some kind of knotwork, with a section around the neck where the amber would connect to the granite, looked to be two hands holding a stylized knotwork heart, kind of like the fur pattern that Bight-Eyes had, if you squinted and looked at it a certain way. The electrum encasing each stone was tight and well connected, and made it look seamless. There was a carved bail connected to a loop on the neck, near the head, that had more knotwork, that kind of looked like a heart. I think that might have been the kittens factoring into the build. I grabbed the biggest box, a scarlet velvet box, with the same inside, that any of the jewelry had come in, the only one that would fit this much larger pendant, along with a herringbone chain that could fit through the bail.
Looking at the time, I saw that it was well past breakfast, neigh on an hour past sunrise. I figured that it was likely that Amber was already going about her day, and I didn’t want to try to pull her out of her tasks immediately, so I asked her if she would like to continue last night with lunch today if she wasn’t too busy. It wasn’t a minute before she replied that she would love to, and asked if I wanted to pick her up at her apartment, and when to be ready. I told her that we are going to Saltine, and that I would be picking her up a little before noon, so she had a few hours to get whatever tasks she needed done, before I would pick her up at quarter to twelve. She acknowledged this, and said that she would be ready.
I spent the next few hours trying to figure out how the extra energy got into the process, and all I could think is that maybe there was an actual Ley-Line disturbance connected to this one, or that since Rex was flying around and bumped everything, his magical bleed-off energy, coupled with the added gemstones, meant that it was a bit more than I was ready for. The main benefit that this had, was that the amulet functions can all be carried out mentally, instead of needing to voice the command words. I planned on keeping track of the energy fluctuations in the future, as I might not be so lucky next time. I also came to the conclusion that I would need to better plan out my resources for the next batch of specialty protective amulets that I make for those who have helped me. As it stands, I think I will need to make between eight and ten additional ones, so proper materials are essential. At around eleven, after some much hypothesizing and contemplating, I cast my Phantom Chopper spell on my E-Bike. It would not do to have it losing charge while I was driving to deliver some protective gear to a trusted associate.
With that settled, I changed my clothing and armor, via the Power Suit, to look like a similar version of what I had it be last night, with my spectacles being changed to be mirrored. Before I left, I asked Rex to keep the mayhem to a minimum, and to try to stop the cats from breaking anything too important. Rex gruffly chuffed an acknowledgement, and I told him that if everything was still good, I’d find a way to get him something really special to eat after I got back. He responded back with a slightly more satisfied snort, and one of the kittens, in their sleep, cried out “Fear me” in Draconic. I shook my head and smiled, before dimensionally hopping out of the storage unit.
Before leaving, I texted Bob his advice on what restaurant to go to, if I had something important to discuss with a lady. He replied back to me that Saltines was probably the best place to take her for lunch. The next message had a smiley face for some reason. I thanked him in reply and started out, taking the enhanced S.H.I.E.L.D. bike, and driving to Amber’s apartment. I had worked out pretty much what I was going to tell her about the abilities and how to make them work fairly quickly. The fact that it only worked for her bloodline was something I would have to disclose, in case she needed someone not of her kin to activate it to help her. I wove through traffic without any difficulty and rode up to her apartment complex. I texted her that I was there as soon as I stopped outside the door.
She responded back fairly quickly that she would be right down, and that I should wait. I could tell that there had not been any rain yet, but it looked like it might be coming within a few hours, so it would be ideal to get into a place before the rain started. When she walked out of the building, the light from the sunlight reflected off her calf length silver dress, with long slits up the sides and a fairly plunging neckline, directly into my eyes, even through the tinted spectacles. As she came to the bike, I told her that she looked radiant, hoping that the message was taken well.
As she almost got to the bike, a young thief tried to grab her “clutch” and run off. I leapt off the bike, adopted my Running Hunter’s Stance, for the extra speed boost, and told her not to worry, that I’d be right back. It didn’t take but half a minute before I caught up to him and told him that he can stop now, or he can keep running and be tired when he stops, because I won’t stop following him. He did as commanded, and turned around. I could see that he was famished, and I asked him when the last time he ate was.
He told me that when his family disappeared, he had some food left in the house, but that it ran out and he got his house taken from him by some gang members. I asked him where his house was, and he told me. I put the information into my phone, and told him that I would get someone to check this out. I gave him my S.H.I.E.L.D. contact Jonathan’s phone number, and then I told him to go to the Norfolk Shelter, that they can help him, and that he should contact S.H.I.E.L.D. if he gets in trouble. Finally, I reached into my wallet and gave him one of the twenty dollar notes that I had, and told him that stealing will get him into trouble.
He thanked me and ran off. I made my way back to Amber and my bike, and she was sitting on the seat, legs to one side, waiting for me to return. She said that I was her “knight in shining armor”. I smiled and laughed a bit, before telling her that my armor was anything but shiny, and that maybe she’ll get a chance to see it later today. I got on the bike, and got her situation behind me.
She held on tight, as tight as last night, which I could only figure because the dress that she was wearing looked like it was made of satin, so it was likely fairly slippery. I started up the bike, and out of respect for her attire, ramped up to speed more gradually. We made it to Saltine, the restaurant that Bob had recommended to me when I had texted him earlier, as a place where private conversations could be had. When we got to the parking garage, there was a valet there, who didn’t know what to make of my bike, so he showed me to the motorcycle parking and I slipped him a twenty dollar note as well. We made our way to the elevator, and rode it up to the restaurant.
When we got out, there was a bit of a line, where a man was checking people in for reservations. I briefly panicked internally, and hoped that I didn’t just make a fool out of myself for not phoning ahead. Before I could say anything, the man looked at the both of us, and there seemed to be some kind of recognition across his face. He rushed forward from his podium to come up and shake my hand, and told us, right this way. Amber and I followed him, and as we were walking, the man mentioned that they always had a seat available for Mr. Stan and his companion.
Realizing the mistake, I stopped him, took down my glasses and told him that I wasn’t Sebastain Stan, with a sigh. The man turned around, slightly faster than a calmer person might have, maybe because he assumed we were just trying to sneak in. Then he looked at me and seemed to recognize me. His face changed again, to show something of an impressed look. He then said that he was sorry for the mistaken identity, Mr. Zine, or would I prefer Verdigris?, and that he would take us to a better table.
I expected the table to be some out of the way booth, likely to save face, but he put the two of us in the middle of the grand dining area. I walked behind Amber, and moved her seat in, as one is supposed to, and then went to my seat across from her. She was taking in the experience of this restaurant, and I heard a few murmurs in the people about who I was to get this table. Almost immediately, a server came up with the menu, and said that it was the chef’s pleasure to serve the hero of the city. I stopped him, and said that I really didn’t expect him to do more than he would for any of the other patrons, but that I was certain that his food would be… magical.
The waiter then asked for our orders and I looked back to Amber and asked if she had any preferences. She seemed a bit out of her depth, but recovered and said that she was certain that I could make a good choice for her. I told the waiter that I’d like a Boulevardier, and that she’d try a Lust for Life. I added a Lavender Lemonade for both of us. I also added that we would get the Saltine Signature Fried Shrimp, for both of us.
The waiter wrote it down quickly, and scurried off to go put the order in. I looked around and it seemed like people were starting to get back to their own business, so I started up the conversation I was planning on having today with Amber. I told her that I knew that she was in danger from being associated with me, and that last night probably sealed it, as us being seen together like that would just confirm it for everyone. I told her that I had decided midway through the dinner that she was going to need something special. I told her that I had something for her today, but that I would like to explain it first, if she was okay with that.
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Amber seemed to be hanging on every word, likely realizing how important it was to understand the proper rules for the item I was giving her, before I even presented it, so intuitive. So, I started out by telling her about how magic is real, where I am from, and how I seemed to have brought my magic back with me, and linked it up with this world. I told her how the goggles and gloves that were being handed out to the EMT’s were actually enchanted, but that I needed to keep people thinking that they were technological. She listened as I told her that what she was going to be given by me, was designed and made by me in the time between leaving her last night and contacting her this morning. I added that I had intended it to be a bit less… ostentatious… but the magic wove as it was fated to do so, and the result was something… more.
I asked her if she had anything that she needed clarity on before I continued, to which she shook her head silently, still paying rapt attention to me. I went on to tell her that this item that I had made for her, was a means to help keep her safe from harm, help her recover if she did receive harm, and help out with everyday tasks. I told her that this item would allow her to raise a fog cloud around her, if she needed to get away, but it would only last a minute or so. I added that she could also use the item to heal herself, or others, if needed, and that each of those functions could be done once a day, which resets at sunrise. I continued with telling her that she could also use it to repair items with minor tears, breaks, cuts, or other damage, and perform a bevy of tasks like cleaning and controlling the taste and temperature of items.
I watched her maintain full attention while I went on. I told her that the item would stabilize her, like the gloves did, once a day, should she be injured and dying. Then I went on to tell her the downsides to the item, that it was linked to her and her past and future bloodline, that only they could use it, but I added that each feature could be activated mentally or audibly. I told her that I wanted to be sure that it was properly a thing to rescue her, and that no one else could just take it and use it. I asked her if she had any questions before I presented it to her.
She shook her head and just as I was about to pull out the box, the waiter came back with our drinks and appetizers. I thanked him and he asked if we had any preferences for an entree. I asked him what he recommended, and he looked at both of us and said that he’d recommend the Crispy Lobster Quiche & Sweets. I ordered us two after I saw Amber nodding. I took a drink from my Boulevardier, and she took a fairly deep drink of her Lust for Life.
We tried the shrimp and had the Lavender Lemonades, as I explained some of the things that I had done for the city, without revealing any secrets from S.H.I.E.L.D. or Stark Industries. She was raptly listening as I told her these stories. I was simply trying to explain the dangerous forces that had aligned themselves against me, but I think that she took it more as bravado unfortunately. I finally felt that she had a good grasp of the possible downsides and negatives of getting access to this magic, so I decided that it was the right time to give this to her. No time like the present, right?
I reached inside my “sport coat” (which was actually my Power Suit), into the extradimensional pocket, and pulled out the large scarlet velvet jewelry box and placed it before her. I carefully opened it, with it facing her as it opened, so she could see the pendant and the necklace. She saw how it was a representation of Rex, the “secret” dinosaur that she had seen flying back to his room one night while he was still staying at the hotel. The stones were beautifully carved and crafted, and the silver was well carved, and I could tell she was taking in all of the details of it. The item was a one of a kind, and she was looking at it when I told her that this is a promise of my commitment to her safety and future.
Seeing her look at it fascinated, I asked her, do you want me to put it on you? Amber had her hand over her mouth, and almost looked to be tearing up, but enthusiastically nodded her head. I got up, walked around the table, and stood behind her as she remained seated. I took the necklace with the pendant out of the box, aligned so all who might be looking could see it, and placed it around her neck. Just as I clasped the necklace together, I heard a song go off from someone’s phone that started with the words, “So she said, what’s the problem baby, what’s the problem, I don’t know well…” before the person stopped it and apologized that his ringtone wasn’t silenced.
Before I could move or even get my bearings, I heard applause and some woman saying that this was beautiful. I thanked her sheepishly for the compliment for the pendant, knowing that I really didn’t do the work to make it this intricate and ornate. As I walked back to my side of the table, I could swear I had almost heard her whisper something short, like one word, but it was right when that song went off and I didn’t catch it. As I sat down and looked at her, I saw that she was smiling but crying at the same time. I asked her if it was too much, and she vigorously shook her head no.
She seemed to really be taking this gift to heart. I wonder if she has not had any sense of security before now. She took her hand away from her mouth to down the remaining half of her Lust for Life drink, and seemed to stabilize a bit more. She asked me if I did this all for her, and I told her “Of course, why ever would I not?”. Amber smiled a little and asked how it looked on her.
Even I knew that this requires a compliment, and thinking quickly, while evaluating everything, I told her that the stones really make her eyes sparkle and show her good soul. Amber was smiling broadly, even with her tear filled eyes, as she held the pendant away from her chest to admire it, when she told me that it was the most beautiful thing she has ever seen, and that she knows it is more than just a piece of jewelry. I thanked her and told her that it was something that only fate could have brought together. She perked up at that, and looked like she was going to say something, when the waiter returned with our entrees.
I thanked the waiter and he left quickly, to leave us to our lunches. Amber looked like she was going to say something, before she stopped, took a drink of her lavender lemonade, and composed herself enough to eat. I followed suit, tasting and memorizing it, so that I could reproduce the taste later with Prestidigitation, some day in the future. I don’t know why, but I have an inkling that this particular meal will be important later. When we had finished with the entrees, when a somewhat older couple approached.
The man introduced himself as Jack Doyle, and his wife as the City Council member for this ward, Courtney Doyle. Jack said that he was proud of the work that I was doing to give back to the community, and that he’d like to shake my hand, if I was amenable. I excused myself from sitting with Amber, stood up, and shook the man’s hand, while telling him that it wasn’t all me, as S.H.I.E.L.D. and even the City sheriff and deputies were all doing what they could, that they were the true heroes.. Courtney looked at Amber and said that it really was an exquisitely beautiful piece, and a lovely presentation as well, and then turned to me and told me that she was glad to see this kind of commitment in these dark days. I looked to Amber who seemed to be even further on the verge of tears, so I reckoned I should sit back down quickly, and thanked Courtney, and told her that there were lots of good people doing all they can.
The two of them thanked me again for everything I was doing for the city, and went about their way. Amber recovered fairly quickly, and dabbed the corners of her eyes, drying them. She spoke up and said that this was quite a lunch, and inquired as to what else I had planned for the day. I thought about it, as I didn’t have anything I could make, or anything that needed a focus, so I told her that I basically had the day off. Amber smiled and told me that there was a movie about dinosaurs, you know creatures from this world a long time ago that look like Rex in some ways, and that we should go together.
It took barely a second to agree, as I did have a lot of time today, and no pressing issues. Everything else would be dealt with tomorrow. I asked her if she wanted to go home to freshen up or change or anything. She shook her head and said that she was heading to the rest room to get ready. While I waited, the waiter came over and told me that our bill was covered by the City Council Representative.
I thanked him and told him that I would definitely cover the tip then. To which the waiter said that it was already covered, but that the whole staff would absolutely crave getting a picture with me and my lady. I asked him if the staff would prefer me in costume or not. He said that he would go back to ask. By the time that Amber was back, she looked renewed, and I told her that the staff wanted to get a picture of me and her with them, but would prefer me to be in the Verdigris armor.
She seemed to be contemplating it for a minute before she perked up and nodded in acceptance. When the Waiter came back, we told him of the news, and the staff had all gathered in the kitchen. We walked back there with the waiter, and he stopped me, asking if I needed to change in a restroom or anything. I smiled at Amber as I said no, and used my Power Suit to dispel the illusions around me, restoring all of the armor to the appropriate condition. We walked into the scene, with her arm firmly entwined with mine, likely nervous from this kind of thing, as we took up the appropriate stances, with her almost painted onto me she was so close.
With the pictures taken the staff all thanked me and gave congratulations, which I accepted with humility, before we headed back down to the parking garage. As we got in the elevator, I changed the armor back into the suit that I was wearing, and Amber leaned over against me and looked up at me. She didn’t say a word, but I could tell that she felt more at ease, which meant that she felt safer, which means that her amulet is already fulfilling part of its role, which means that I succeeded, which makes me smile back at her. It was a silent trip down to the garage, but for some reason, I think that was how it was supposed to be.
We got to the motorcycle area, and were greeted by the valet, who escorted us to my vehicle, which flared to life again as it was enhanced by my long lasting Phantom Chopper spell. I got on the bike, and carefully got Amber on the seat behind me. She seemed to melt into my back, holding me tight. We took off to the newly programmed destination, the Regal Macarthur Center. When we got there, after finding parking, we saw that it was an hour before the next showing, so we walked around the center, her arm tightly entwined in mine again.
We visited an arcade where she thoroughly trounced me in a game where you match moves with the screen. I just could not get the timing right. We found a photo booth where she insisted that we take pictures together. I agreed, because it was good to see her confident and not as worried as before. When it was time, we headed back to the theater, and found spots in the middle of the room.
Absolutely no one was there, and she asked if she could get closer to me for warmth, as the room was colder than she expected. I was glad to let her, as I wouldn’t want her to be uncomfortable while I am learning about how this past time works here. David only showed us projected movies occasionally, and even then, it wasn’t as big of a screen as this. Over the course of the movie, she wedged in next to me tighter and tighter, until we were almost in the same tiny seat. I swear I heard a contented sigh escape her lips.
The move was enlightening for different Dinosaur types, and I recognized a few from rumors of animals in off locations back in Magnimar. I made mental notes to cross reference names and pictures a little later. When the movie was over, she looked up at me with a fondness that had not been there yesterday. I guess that she really needed someone to see her, so I told her that “I see you and am glad to be here for you.” When we got up out of the seats, she asked me what time it was, and then freaked out a little that she had to get to the hotel for her shift at the Bar.
I offered to drive her back home and then to the bar, which she accepted. We got up and sadly, it had rained between when we had entered the theater complex and now, so I picked her up in a cradle carry, and walked diligently to the bike, without breaking a sweat. It was easier and faster than just having her hold my arm. The whole time, she was looking up at me with the same look she had in the movie theater. When we got to the bike, I got on and helped her into place, and she grabbed around me and placed the side of her head to my back.
I elected to drive within speed limits but only just. When we got to her apartment, she ran up to it and said that she would be right back down. I stayed on the bike and looked at my phone. I had a copy of the picture that was taken at Saltines in the camera cue, as it had been used to take one of the pictures. It wasn’t five minutes and she was back down in pants and a shirt, common to when I first met her when I was moved into the hotel.
I raced to get her there, and she was again planted against my back. We got there fairly fast, and as we pulled up, I got up and helped her off the bike. She hugged me and planted a kiss on my cheek, saying that this was the best thing she had ever been given. I told her that she deserved it, and she ran into the hotel with a bounce in her step. I plugged in a place to get fresh fish, and rode there to fulfill my promise to Rex.
By the time I got home, it was late for me, and I rushed through producing more of the different Constant Energy Stones, enough for me to have one each. I received a text from Pepper telling me that Wong would be by tomorrow morning, and that he would be bringing some stones with him. I replied back thanking her profusely. Just before I set my journal down for the night, I got a text from Amber, telling me that the day was Magical. I replied back to her that it definitely was. I thought to myself that I had never experienced a magical short like that.
