1st summon [audio]

[likesfootnotes]

Saved!

[There is an unmistakable air of vindictive triumph to the voice, and a squelch that just might be a blob of essence thrusting gelatinous limbs into the air to celebrate. This disolves into the sounds of dripping, as the blob falls apart and reforms sluggishly on. Then a few sloshes as Bartimaeus takes a gander at his surroundings and the device in front of him.]

No pretentious Mr. Mandrake here? Those were the sharp hooks of a summon I felt tearing at my essence. Not that I'm here to complain! Between an untimely and undignified death by silver tureen and a summoning to his presence, I would have to take his presence, even withstanding his atrocious fashion sense, the stench of that horrible prepubescent cologne he wears, and that terrible propaganda story-telling he does.

[Some more sloshing as he makes sure the insults have not done their part to summon up the magician. Nope, no silver-tipped spear being angrily thrust in his direction. This makes him pause; the only thing that could summon him would be his master, and the distinct lack therein suggests Mr. Mandrake did not survive to see through the summoning. That must mean he is home, sweet home!]

This is oddly well-formed for being the Other Place. Someone is being a little over ambitious. There are far too many spirits that like physical things lately -- skeletons, yucky fleshy bodies, and making rooms of our home. That's not a good sense of style.

Comments

[keepthedeaddown.livejournal.com]

A pleasure to meet you, Bartimaeus.

This is the Elegante. It is a passenger liner under considerable magical influence. So it's purpose would be to carry us to our destination, I suppose. There are also many aboard who are not human at all. They come from other places - other worlds - as well.

[likesfootnotes]

I will make an exception and call it a pleasure this time.

Ah, of course there is magic. How many magicians are there?

[Bartimaeus wants to know how many people he is going to be avoiding. There is someone else at the top of that particular list.]

Ah, any other djinni? Maybe crazed looking middle-aged men who like to float and lock djinni in silver tureens?

[keepthedeaddown.livejournal.com]

You are too kind.

[The nicety slips from Sabriel's mouth completely devoid of sarcasm, but her smile is patently insincere. What sort of back-handed compliment was that?]

I am sorry, I don't know everyone aboard, let alone how many are capable of magic, though the Captain is certainly. Why do you ask?

[She may just find that out before admitting to being a mage herself.]

I would not recognize a djinni were I to meet him in the halls, but I have heard no-one claiming to be, no. And as for crazed men... Again, the Captain, certainly.

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Because it is never too early to make a list of people to avoid. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all. In my situation, a great deal of absence from magicians would be required. A great deal.

[Bartimaeus dislikes all these references to the Captain. Wizard, nutjob, or possibly another Faquarl grown too accustomed to the disgusting idea of being in a human body. Yuck, the idea still makes his slime tingle.]

Then, ah, I may let him keep his peace for now. It would only be fair.

[One intimate encounter with a soup tureen is enough for him.]

[keepthedeaddown.livejournal.com]

I highly doubt most magicians aboard would trouble you. Magic is more difficult here, and the Captain discourages violence, after a fashion.

Though he will most likely let you keep your peace if you let him do likewise.

[likesfootnotes]

Difficult is as difficult does. If difficult decides to do cruel things to a magician's efficiency here, then who am I to judge! Commend it, I think. That would be an appropriate option, don't you?

[Bartimaeus would like a word with this captain, yes, but the longer he puddles here, the more it occurs to him that meeting whatever charge has been made of him here will send him back there sooner. Having half drowned in clam chowder, that is not a dish he is likely to crave.]

I might allow him a respite from my presence. Summoning can be quite the ordeal. [Cough, yes; this is Bartimaeus being gracious and not a sludgy pile incapable of defeating a sponge sent to mop him up.]

[keepthedeaddown.livejournal.com]

Hardly. There are worse things aboard than corrupted mages.

[Oh he is being ever-so-gracious, isn't he? Why, one would almost think him reluctant.]

[likesfootnotes]

Usually those things are the spirits the magicians summon to do their bidding. Mind, they're all corrupt anyways. My concern would be that they summoned an afrit or a marid to run amuck.

[Reluctant? No, dear Sabriel. Pride dictates he not admit that, nor the part where he is hesitant or wary. There are standards to adhere to, after all.]

[keepthedeaddown.livejournal.com]

I highly doubt any passenger aboard would have the ability to summon any spirit of power without a great personal cost, even if they were corrupt. But I suppose you will keep your own counsel in that regard.

[Speaking of pride, Sabriel's has been quite offended. A dislike of mages, she could understand. But though she may be taken for a necromancer at first glance, she is not corrupt thank-you-very-much. This is Sabriel, hanging up.]