retrospec | (no subject)

It's a Judge's helmet.

I've seen one similar in my hallucinomemories. On a guy who called himself a Judge.

Judge?

[ wh...at. well, he's already shared the memory of the lizard man ba'gamnan with penelope, so it stands to reason that they might share other memories as well...but that doesn't leave him any less mystified. ]

Something like this is a bit of a far cry from black robes and a gavel, wouldn't you think?

It is, but is it any stranger than a spear, and lizard men?

[ he might argue the point on the spear, but... ]

I suppose not.

[ there really is no arguing strangeness when it comes to lizard men. ]

Do you remember anything else about the man you saw? Why he called himself a judge, for instance?

I do not remember why he called himself a judge. He seemed more like a soldier than anything to do with the law.

But he was not a good man. He tried to kill me. I fought him with a spear, and I was with some other people. The only names I heard were Judge Ghis and Vossler, though. And I think Vossler was on my side

[That's not the weirdest thing.]

I think he could use magic. Or he had some sort of crazy technology, because he was throwing around energy. Like spells or something.

Magic spells?

[ now this is something completely out of left field. giant ships flying through the sky are one thing, and lizard men entirely another — but magic? somehow he has a harder time swallowing that than anything else so far. ]

Judge Ghis... I suppose if this helm is so similar to the one he wore, then I must have known him in some regard, or of him at the very least. But I can't remember anything like that at all.

[ also, it's not a little troubling to him that whoever this guy was, he tried to kill penelope. could he have possibly been working against this judge, or isn't it more likely that he was working alongside him? for now, it's not something he wants to consider at length. ]

Yes, magic spells. Though, I don't think it's that far fetched.

I didn't have the chance to tell you but I've had a lot of memories with magic. Sometimes with me using it.

[And she didn't want to worry him, especially not about her tomato.]

Maybe you'll remember more in time? I don't know. I can say that I beat him. I remember him running from me and the other people, and then we escaped.

[ it's less worry and more confusion that he's feeling right now. though, if he knew about the tomato, that might be a different story... ]

It seems to be a given that I'll remember more, eventually. As for *what* I'll remember, though...

[ he trails off, unsure of how to finish that thought. he's not sure what the think about any of this, really. ]

I can only hope that whatever it turns out to be, it will give us some answers.

I do too, Noah.

Are you okay, though? With the helmet I mean.

Also, is there a time you're free later? I have something I should probably have showed you.

The only thing that worries me about this helmet is where I'm going to put it. Somewhere facing the wall, perhaps, so it won't look like it's staring me down.

[ that's a lie, of course. but he's not about to sort through his actual concerns where penelope can see them. ]

I don't expect I'll be working late tonight. What is it?

Magic.

I want to show you actual magic. And I'm being dead serious when I say that. I swear.

Magic.

[ right. one of those things he'll literally have to see to believe, he supposes. right... he can deal with this.

probably. ]

Right. Would it be easier for you to come to my place or did you have somewhere else in mind?

I don't mind your place, but I'd prefer a place outside. Just in case.

Would the tennis court at the park be okay with you? It's kind of between our places anyway.

[ with her reply, it occurs to him that whatever magic she could be talking about might just be of the highly destructive kind, and he doesn't particularly feel like investigating whether or not that sort of destruction is covered under his renter's insurance. good call, penelope. ]

Alright. I'll head there straight off once I'm out of the department.

Sounds good. Bring that helmet too, I wanna see

[By the time he's off and gets there, he'll find Penelope hanging out there, actually dressed in a tennis outfit because heck, she had the day off and she'd just gone to do some pickup games.

Once he arrives, she hops up from a bench and trots over, waving.]

Hey. You got off at a reasonable hour, I'm impressed.

Edited 2017-06-09 03:52 (UTC)

Got off early, actually.

[ To give himself the time to detour home and grab the helmet, since she'd asked him to bring it. He'd already set aside the box and packaging for further investigation, so when he brings it to the tennis court, it's tucked carefully — very carefully — in an oversized duffel bag. A bit much, but he'd rather not risk all those points and edges tearing anything to shreds.

He slings the bag down from his shoulder, setting it at his feet as he nods to Penelope. ]

So. What sort of magic is it you wanted to show me? [ And what sort of attention is it going to attract, he wonders... ]

Good.

[She wastes no time in reaching underneath her shirt and pulling out a necklace. At the end is a green crystal with a small red blotch in the center of it.]

This is called Auracite. I remember the name, and...it's where some of the magic I know comes from. I didn't tell you because it happened shortly before my crazy spear.

[Which is actually in her car but ssshh.]

Now. See this blob in the middle? It's...actually not a blob. It's something called a Yahri. And I can call it out.

[Which she will now do. Closing her eyes, she concentrates on the stone and poof! A flash of greenish light, muted by the hands obscuring the crystal and something appears between them. A small creature just a little bigger than a very large doll, with a sackcloth body and a tomato for a head. it takes one look at Gabranth, gives a hurried bow, and strikes a pose. Arms wide over it's head, legs spread. Like it's expecting a photo to be taken at any moment.]

Tadah...

Yahri...?

[ And— Auracite? Neither of those words ring a single bell in Gabranth's head, but he scarcely has the time to be troubled over it before this... tomato creature suddenly appears before him. His eyes go wide and he takes a startled step backwards. ]

It's... a tomato?

[ Because, clearly, that's the most important part of whatever the hell is going on right now. ]

[Something around Penelope's eyes tightens a little, but nothing that the dancing tomato can't fix. She stoops and scoops him up, letting the little heathen wave at the nice man.]

It's an Alraune. I remember the name. And I remember hunting one down, in that other life. But this one's different. It...pretty much does what I tell it to do.

[Like offer a sackcloth hand to shake.]

Harmless. Despite the teeth.

[ When he looks between Penelo and the tomato creature, it's not without some unease. Alraune... Another word that's entirely unfamiliar to him, though he wonders if that won't change in the coming days. Because that's what he really needs to remember next. But, in any case... ]

Harmless, is it...

[ There's no sense in being rude, no matter how unsettled he is by this whole thing. So he shakes the creature's tiny sackcloth hand. ]

I'll take your word for it. [ He looks back to Penelo, eyebrow quirked. ] Don't suppose it has a name? Other than Alraune or Yarhi.

[It's weird because the cloth is warm. Like the whole thing is alive, as strange as it sounds. Creatures like this are odd.]

I've just been calling it Al, or the Tomato Guy. It's...not really a pet so much as something I think is summoned for a purpose. I've been using him to help out around the house while my roommate is home for the summer.

[She leaves off the part where she's been using it to scout out the subway entrances. And to prank her friends. Because while she can't be in two places at once...]

He's kind of cute, don't you think? A little weird, but once you get used to him, he's not so bad.

I'm no authority when it comes to matters of cute. You're better off asking someone else.

[ He's got a reputation to uphold, here. He folds his arms over his chest as he looks the thing over again, wondering about what kind and how much help it could possibly give. ]

At least you've got a useful sort of magic, it seems. Here I was worried you'd be shooting off fireballs or something of the like.

You have eyes.

[She pouts, and the Alraune hops up onto the top of her head, settling in for a ride. Or something. He's just kind of doing his own thing until she sends him away.]

And why wouldn't fireballs be useful? You say this like I'm going to run around committing arson. I mean, I already have that spear. And I remember how to use it.

[ Indeed he does, and he also has the good sense not to let himself get baited this time. This time. ]

What exactly is a fireball for if not committing arson? [ He's surprisingly adamant on this entirely hypothetical situation. Or...well, maybe it's not that surprising after all. ] Any other situation that would call for fire already has a good number of non-magical solutions for it.

[Next time, Gabranth. Next Time...]

Defending yourself? I mean, I vaguely remember using that spear and magic to hunt down one of these tomato creatures. [Which makes the one currently perched on her head make a soft, disappointed chitter. Either way, she's not surprised by this.]

Plus, it would be useful, being a wizard. I don't think I'd have much call for it now, but that other world seems more dangerous. If...being stuffed in a sack by a lizard is any indication of safety.

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Driving home from the con back in 4 hours or so..

have a safe trip!!!

\o/

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i thought this went through last night aaauuugh

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Noah Gabranth shared a photo. 5/27 near Recolle
Right, so. I've seen much and more about Retrospec sending out weapons through the post, but I think this might be a first. Whatever it is. If anyone else out there has some idea of exactly what this is -- aside from the obvious "it's a helmet," thank you, already got that one figured out -- then I'd be glad to hear it, because I haven't got a clue.