4th footnote [text] how to dismiss your djinni 101

[likesfootnotes]

Unleashing a horde of hawks upon the Keep gains you marks for creativity, but you are missing the mark by a substantial degree if you think that raptors alone could rid you of my enchanting presence. ¹

Obviously you lack the intellectual fortitude to assess the means by which to free me and gain some peace. As a being of magnanimity, I will offer you a tip to help you along this path:

There's nothing like a good dismissal incantation to scrub away my essence from this dismal plane. ²

While all the magicians that I know to be present puzzle that one out, a query to the commoners: Has anyone seen a delightful orange squash with pleasant enough demeanour?

[aka: 'Djinni seeking nubile young pumpkin for long rolls on the beach and loud mocking of magicians.' Bartimaeus had good fun chatting with her before the wonderful Hallowe'en festivities. Yes. Wonderful. He had a good chuckle over it all.]

1 - Were I restricted to the form of a raven, this method could work. The key term here being 'were' for the fact that I am not restricted to just any form. I could, in fact, take your hawks and raise you a dual-horned, goggle-eyed dragon with a taste for feathers.

2 - Don't expect me to hand the answer to you on a silver platter. That unfortunate alloy aside, providing you magicians with the means to an end is the same as assisting you. I cannot allow this on a professional level, no matter how the ache of existing builds up. We spirits have certain rules and standards we hold ourselves to.

Comments

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

Why are you looking for a pumpkin?

[Kairi has had more than enough of pumpkins.]

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

The same reason as you might search for your favourite pair of socks. There is nothing quite as comforting as a kindred spirit in a drab place like this.

[Bartimeus has not and will take all the pumpkins off your hands, if you like.]

I don't suppose you've seen her.

[Note: Not really a question so much as an observation. He's not really expecting anyone to have his attention to artistic detail enough to remember one in particular.

And, as a result of this low expectation, his voice is cross, glum, and with a hint of pout.]

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

[Despite his childishness, Kairi can't stifle a giggle.]

Well, usually when I want a kindred spirit, I don't go looking for my socks.

But, no, I haven't seen her. Sorry. Where did you see her?

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

She resided on a path up to the Great Keep, whispering all manner of things about secrets and torments. (All fairly standard laments for the atmosphere and season, but she had a particular way of phrasing it.)

[Likely that someone smashed her. Baritmaeus assumes that means she's gone back to the Other Place once freed by that, but no harm asking.]

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

Secrets?

[She's just going to ignore the part about torments.]

What kind of secrets?

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

[The torments are the best part, especially when they refer to tormenting magicians. Kairi, he is going to expand your perceptions of the world to appreciate the finer things in life.]

Nothing so dramatic as "Deior has a fuzzy purple auto-mobile that he likes to drive around the countryside." What she did have, however, were insights on exactly how to escape this place. I'm of a mind to take her up on it, but that's where we hit the snag. I can't very well take her up and out of here without knowing where she is, now can I.

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

She told you about a way to leave this world?

[So focused is she on the first part of what he's said, that she completely misses the second.]

Can you tell me how?

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

It was bound to be found. In my experience, whenever a human says there is no way out, they are simply hoping that you will give up. Deior is hardly the first and will, unfortunately, not be the last. Humans are persistent and imaginative like that.

[Bartimaeus sounds very dismissive through all this, like it's nothing new - to be fair, it's not. At least, not to him.]

There isn't anything special to do. She just mentioned an area where there's an exit.

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

[... That seems really simple, enough to make even Kairi suspicious.]

Where? Do you think someone could have taken her there already?

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

You're suggesting that she would abandon such a charming djinni to this place?

[Not that unrealistic according to djinni law; when there is a chance to get away, it's ever spirit for him or herself.]

She mentioned a tower, a forest, and some water. It's so obvious that it must be the answer - the plain sight rule is one of the most important when it comes to evil geniuses like Deior. Why are you so curious?

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

Hehe, no reason!

[Really, if he can't figure out why she's asking, then he's asking for a little good-natured teasing.]

I hope you find her.

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

Planning on heading out there by yourself, are you?

[Oh, but it's fun to let them ramble before he guesses, you see.]

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

[She giggles.]

No.

[She's planning on heading out there with Riku.]

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

Laughter is the biggest giveaway of any evil scheme, you know. Not only that, but it's very cliché.

[aka: what am believe you?]

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

I'm not scheming!

[And she's not evil. But it is cliché.]

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

Of course you're not.

[A deadpan; see the belief you instil in him?]

I suggest concocting an excuse that has some meat in it, for when I doubtlessly catch you heading out that way.

[lightwithin]

But, I didn't say I wouldn't go there.

[likesfootnotes]

[audio]

That eager to take the word of squash?

[Sweet, helpful squash, but squash nonetheless. Bartimaeus is in a position to trust it, but he finds pumpkins far more trustworthy than watermelons.]

Then off you go! Do be sure to write and tell me how it goes.

[Because he's not testing his essence on it, thanks.]

[lightwithin]

Hehe, you don't want to come?

[Wasn't he just threatening to catch her?]

[likesfootnotes]

[audio]

No harm in employing a lab rat, wouldn't you agree?

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

I'm not your rat!

If I went, why would I tell you what was out there?

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

Consider it repayment for the tip.

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

Hehe, maybe you should've asked for the payment before you told me.

[She probably would tell him. They all had to work together on this and well, she had no reason to keep secrets. But if he was going to play with her, then she'd play too.]

[Audio]

[likesfootnotes]

You're awfully stingy. Maybe I won't tell you precisely where it is unless you agree.

[Audio]

[lightwithin]

I don't mind exploring.