-when I turned they both had gone-

[bobthewizard]

*turning slowly in the middle of his classroom, which is littered with spattered ink and bits of quills, brushes, and parchment* Havoc. Complete and utter havoc. I should have asked someone to ward my classroom against those... things. Well, too late now. It's going to take days to sort all this out.


[[Filtered to Bob's students]]

For anybody who did not receive the current assignment due to last week's... security issues, the project involves some of the abrasive inks which were fortunately left untouched. You will each select two pieces of slate from the stack by the wall, trace the letters of a common household spell on one of them in white graphite chalk, choose the correct ink from the table on Page 132 of Deciphering Ancient Runes, and then use a Number Three brush to practice etching letters and lines in your second piece of slate.

If this is your first experience with volatile materials, be sure to wear dragonhide gloves. The ink will burn if it touches your skin, but it can be flushed away with water. Allow the marks to stand for two minutes before wiping the residue away from your slate, and DO NOT write on your first slate until you are reasonably confident in using the ink. For homework, two inches on the type of ink you are using and why it is the right ink for the slate.

[[/filtered]]


[[Filtered to Daisya]]

I would advise against any further nocturnal activity. If you really want a wild fruit bat, discuss the matter with your Care of Magical Creatures teacher or cast Point Me during the day, when you will have the added advantage of finding them asleep.

[[/filtered]]


[[Late post... sorry, everyone! Essentially, a couple of Jakk's friends broke into Bob's classroom and made a mess of parchment and materials, causing him to dismiss several of his classes early. Feel free to have witnessed or heard of the debacle. XD As usual, brief notes on how your character managed the assignment are for the win! And Mell, can we say Izumi pranks Bob in some way before Halloween?]]

Comments

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

Well, it depends on how the two forms of magic would interact. An analysis of the situation would have to be far more detailed than object plus magic.

*thinks for a minute* There's a book in the restricted section that may help you: Lex's Hexes by Alexis the Vexatious, who was vexatious enough to provide detailed numerical tables of cause and effect at a time when most magic was done by "feel". That should give you at least the theory behind the application you wish to make.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

*looks slightly confused but nods and pretends he knows what Bob's talking about*

Yeah, I'll check that out, thanks.

*picks his wand back up and tries Repairo, the pieces spring together into one page*
Huh. I'm surprised it didn't blow me up or something. *sets the paper aside and goes to work on the other scraps*

Happen to know how they charm candy?

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

*has noticed Dwayne's hesitation regarding spells and such, but hopes the book will help and isn't about to embarrass him by taking undue notice*

Not at all. *bends over the repaired parchment, reading it over* Ah, the surest way to a woman's heart? *chuckles* If the candy already has a Cheering Charm or the like, your wand movement will have to be altered a bit -- that's why so many people stick to potions and nostrums in the first place. You'll add a slight twist at the end to incorporate your hex. *demonstrates with his forefinger*

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

*nods, watches attentively as Bob demonstraits*
Cool. Maybe I'll have to brush up on my potions skills too. Don't wanna make this too complicated.

*stares thouhtfully at the scraps*

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

Oh, simple is always better -- best to minimize the intervention of chance.

Hmm: this may help. *recognizing pieces of students' papers by their handwriting, he begins to sort the scattered scraps by writing the students' initials in the air above each piece of their essays*

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

*blinks in surprise that Bob seems able to do some magic but shrugs it off*

Yeah. I'll check out that book and look up a couple potions.

*eyes the initials and starts collecting the corresponding paper scraps into individual piles, sends repairo at each pile and is pleased when most of them spring back together*

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

*doesn't really notice -- writing in the air is one of his very few abilities that affect the material world, and he does it every time he gets the chance*

*smiling at the distinct lack of mess* Hmm, we seem to be making progres.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

*gives a relieved sigh that most of the work is done*

Man, I'm glad I don't have any students right now. I can't believe I was actually WANTING all this.

*gestures towards the papers*

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do appreciate it. I have another lot coming in here first thing tomorrow. Still, we couldn't all manage your job.... I'd be bored out of my skull with nothing to do.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

*amused huff*
I AM bored out of my skull. But I hate kids, so it works itself out. I'm fine just where I am. Though a little TA work would be good to give me something to do when it gets too boring and the hangovers too painful.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

*chuckles; contemplates siccing Daisya on him, but no, that would be too cruel*

As a matter of fact, my own TA left for greener pastures some time ago.... *irritated handwave* There haven't been many problems, but it's good of you to offer--

..Half a minute. Do you know young Kenny McCormick?

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

..... *eyes the ghost suspiciously*
Yeah. He helped me out in getting some stuff for my revenge.... Why?

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

Well, Mr. McCormick missed several Runes assignments while he was recovering from a series of unfortunate injuries. He's doing his best to catch up, but if he does need more help, it would be reassuring to know I could refer him to you.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

I don't know anything about Runes, so I don't know what help I would be.

*is slightly uncomfortable*

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

*chuckles* Well, never mind, then. If there's a subject you do want to TA in, some student will need help in it eventually. They generally do.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

*still looks uncomfortable but nods*
*sigh* I don't know how much help I'll be to anyone.

*flushes in embarassment*
I can't even remember simple charms.... *shakes head*

I'll help out where I can.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

*not unsympathetic* Yet when you do remember a charm, you are able to do it without much trouble... *waves a hand at the repaired essays* If it's simply a problem of retention, there must be some system that could be of assistance.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

It's not a problem of retention.

*barely audible, now looks half amused and half annoyed*
It's a problem of age. And caring.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

*very still (which is not unusual), his face hidden in shadow; wonders how old Dwayne actually is*

*taking an academic tone to spare Dwayne's sensitivity* Things do tend to blur over time... but I've found it prudent to keep my skills sharp, no matter if I'll never use them again. I was a wizard once. There's no reason to become less than I was just because I'm dead.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

*shoots the ghost a shrewd, calculating stare*

It's hard for things not to blur when you both dislike the thing and have had no need to use it up until now. Where I'm from, I don't need magic to defend myself, and anything else can be done physically. *shrugs*

*mutters about stupid restrictions on teachers and idiotic brothers taking jobs without consulting anyone*

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

True. *doesn't catch much about the teachers and brothers, but gets the general idea that Dwayne doesn't want to be here* Well, feel free to tap my not inconsiderable fund of knowledge -- it'll do more good in your head than in mine.

Re: *in person and unheard*

[tastefulsilence.livejournal.com]

*nods and gives a resigned sigh*

Yeah, I'll keep that in mind.

*finally gets all the papers repaired, stacks them as neatly as he can and gets to his feet, stretches and sighs*

I'll talk to you later.... Thanks.

*is awkward with the thank you but genuinely means it, nods and exits the room*

Re: *in person and unheard*

[bobthewizard.livejournal.com]

Not a problem. And thank you. *inclines his head, also means it; watches Dwayne leave and then turns back to his work*