alt_charlie | Order Only: Weird devices & George McCalman

So, Tonks and I went out this morning to check up on the weirdness from the device thing. We went for the methodical approach -- flying all about at calculated distances in various directions, approaching the line of the disturbance from all sorts of directions, trying to quantify what we were feeling, that sort of thing.

It's definitely related to the whatsis. We started out plotting the line we thought we felt, and it went along with what Sirius and Tonks felt the other day: northwest to southeast, along the coastline. Then we tried flying out at odd angles and crossing back over where the line should be, waiting to see when things got weird again, and it was the same line.

Once we'd established that, we were planning to fly up it and see where it led to, but by that point my broom had bucked me off four times and refused to take off again until I moved further away twice, Tonks kept getting so dizzy she could barely see, both of us were feeling incredibly drained like we'd been using immense amounts of magic, and the problems kept coming and going in waves as we flew along, in no pattern we could figure out except that it got a little worse every time we got hit. So we decided it would be better for us to leave it for a bit until we could recover some.

Second part of the day was up to Armitage to see if we could pick up George McCalman. I'm sorry to say that didn't go well enough either. George is at Moddey now, at least, but his parents weren't very interested in hearing us out. Mrs McCalman was bad enough, arguing that the Protectorate was looking out for them and we had no business being there when "the wizardfolk" would know what to do with their baby for the good of everyone, but then Mr McCalman came back from his work detail and flipped his lid about us talking treason and his wife cheating on him because no child of his would have turned out that way and their baby being sent to poison the work of this great nation... you get the picture.

It was rough. We Obliviated them both before Mr McCalman could turn more violent and faked a cot death, but now I'm worried Mr McCalman will take that out on his wife, too.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

alt_bill

You got bucked off your broom four times? I never would have believed such a thing.

You're sure you're all right, both of you? Don't suppose Poppy could check you over, but Frank and Alice hopefully did while you were at Moddey?

Oh, and there's the obvious: could whatever-you-ran-into have been doing something to your brooms? They've been checked too, I hope?

Well, I'm glad that George McCalman's at Moddey Dhoo, anyway. The more babies, the more attitudes we'll encounter, I guess. (We do seem to be getting a bit less consumed with second-guessing and guilt when these situations come up where the parents are hostile. I'm not sure it's entirely a good thing, but I still think taking the kid's the right decision.)

From:

alt_charlie

We're all right, we checked each other over well enough. I was starting to get a bit worried after the umpteenth bout of the dizzies -- Tonks had it much worse than I did, but I got hit a bit, too -- but it cleared up soon enough after we got out of the range of the whatever-it-was. We took an extra long lunch to make sure the effects had time to wear off, and food helped, too.

I checked the broom over pretty carefully after the first time it went all wonky on me. The Cloud of Doom didn't seem to be messing with the enchantments on it, or if it was, it wasn't in a way I could spot with all the diagnostic charms I know. We're going to have to be very careful when we check it out further -- it'll have to be expert flyers only, I think. If I'd been one pinch less experienced with keeping my seat in the midst of anything and everything, things would've ended much worse.

Our best guess was that the Cloud of Doom is messing with our magic, on some sort of innate level we can barely even feel, much less measure. Tonks was experiencing some disruption with her metamorph abilities, even -- said it felt like slogging through mud to shift.

And yeah. No doubt in my mind that taking George was the right thing to do. Merlin alone knows what would've happened to him if we'd left him.

From:

alt_sirius

Yeah, that's what it felt like. I was honestly concerned about shifting to Padfoot, as well.

But good on you for your virgin camp mission - and it sounds like it was quite the trying one.

From:

alt_nymphadora

Too right about the flying. Frank, love: this one isn't a job for you!

From:

alt_frank

ta, you.

From:

alt_nymphadora

We could have used you in the camp, though. You've got the touch sometimes when I can't imagine what to say next. I mean, no one's better set to tell parents how their children will be taken care of.

I don't know if that would have made the difference today or not. This one was really dead set against our traitorous plans. And he was so... I don't understand how someone in his position could think the things he did. Or said he did. But he really seemed to believe all the rubbish he was shoveling. I mean, it didn't seem like the performance someone might give if they thought they were being loyalty tested.

He was really trying to call the guards in on us. So, really, in the end, there wasn't much choice but to stun him. And then, well, no going back from that, really. So then we were at Obliviation. Confunding them and taking the baby was the least of it, see?

From:

alt_frank

people will do strange things sometimes to defend the life they're living. makes it easier to bear, maybe.

maybe he was more comforted by what he knew.

I hope to merlin we can get enough people listening to the radio out of aldrich. give them something else they can pin their hopes on and find comfort in.

remember what it was like before.

From:

alt_nymphadora

I hope so.

I thought going in today that we might add a button contact at Armitage. There were loads of people out in the fresh air when we got there. It was a nice autumn day up there--which was nice after we had steady cold rain all over Norfolk.

But I don't know what to think about our chances in Armitage now. I doubt the McCalmans are the only ones who think like that, and if that's true, I wouldn't want to trust the wrong person with a button.

Anywiz, in the end, we just got out as quickly as we could.

From:

alt_frank

might check with fawcett, see if he knows anyone there who'd be useful.

our list of dogstar operatives doesn't include armitage, though.

From:

alt_terry

You did the right thing for sure. As for what would have happened to him, I'm so glad he'll never have to know.

From:

alt_nymphadora

It wasn't an easy choice at all. And if the father hadn't shown up when he did, I'd have left the baby there with its mum until we could persuade her to see things differently.

But he was...

In the end, I couldn't quarrel with the decision.

From:

alt_charlie

You really would have left him there with her if it hadn't been for the father going mental on us like that?

I don't know if I could have done that. I really don't.

From:

alt_nymphadora

We could have come back and tried again with her. Confunded her if necessary so we could start fresh the next time. Sometimes you just get off on the wrong foot and need to make a fresh start. And sometimes you learn something partway through working with someone that shows you where their soft spots are or their sore points, so then you've got a better idea how to manage them on a second go.

I'd definitely have given it another round if I could have. If it had only been her.

But it wasn't.

From:

alt_evelyn

I've been plotting things on the map in the secret room to follow along with the octobori.

The fields follow the coast, but I wonder how long they go for. And they don't appear to curve.

I wonder what you'd find at Great Yarmouth. Would there be another one there that it meets up with?

Edited Date: 2013-11-05 04:00 am (UTC)

From:

alt_evelyn

There's only eight. Aren't there?

Or do we just assume there are because of the name?

Because I keep trying to start from Walsingham and see where the next one might be, and I use up all eight very fast.

From:

alt_charlie

I'd be interested in seeing that map. Might be a good place to start looking from.

From:

alt_evelyn

I've worked out a few different scenarios, but keeping it down to eight just doesn't fit. The coast is just too fiddly and lumpy.

I've been using onionskin to trace out angles and things so they could layer over the map in different combinations. I can send along a map and the ones I've drawn out so far to Doughty with pig if you'd like, but they're all just guesses.

And I'm not sure if I got the angle right exactly with what you and Tonks and Mr Black described, so there's that too.

From:

alt_nymphadora

Oh, do send it! We'll have a look and compare it to what we saw there.

It'll be dead helpful.

I expect Cecilia Perks would like to have a look, as well. If that's alright with you. She's promised to make models and arithmantic charts for us, but she needs a few more sure points before it'll be more than guesses. No harm having more than one person comparing guesses!

From:

alt_neville

I didn't know you were working on that.

Let me see it, too, Ev, before you send it off. One of the garden design books I've studied uses overlays a lot when graphing lines and curves for design, so I'm used to thinking using that method. Maybe I'll think of another possibility you missed.

From:

alt_evelyn

That's where I got the idea from!

And of course I will. I'm really just poking in the dark at this point, but if it's following the coast, there look to be a few points where it'd have to change direction.

I've got a variety of angles, only because I'm not entirely sure of the precise heading Tonks and Charlie and Mr Black took.

From:

alt_frank

I've been there, man. never easy.

went through it with trixie and bart's folks too. they were pieces of work.

and with these black wands, it makes everything that much harder.

From:

alt_nymphadora

I keep thinking about the father and the things he said. And whether we could have said anything differently that might have at least got him to listen to us.

You still thinking about it, too?

From:

alt_charlie

Yeah. Yeah, I am. Have been ever since we gave up and admitted we weren't going to convince either of them. I've been going back over every single damn thing I said and wondering: too forceful? Not forceful enough? Sugar-coating things too much? Did I miss the one thing that would have made them understand?

I know I was trying too hard, I could tell it wasn't working even while I kept arguing, but I kept thinking that if I could hit on just the right phrasing, I could make her realise that flesh and blood should come before political allegiances. There was that moment when I almost, almost thought I was getting through to her ... and then he walked in, and that was that.

I hope I didn't make it too hard for you.

From:

alt_nymphadora

No. No worries about me.

Only, I was a bit worried about you. I mean, in the heat of it. With him.

It really got you, didn't it?

From:

alt_charlie

I was trying so hard not to let it, but I guess it did really hit me. I know you said about how we can't make it personal, and I didn't think it was going to be personal, and then we were there in the middle of a fight and both of them were talking about their own baby like he was going to -- I don't know, like he was going to single-handedly bring down the whole Protectorate just by drooling. Or something like that. And it got personal, really quickly.

Makes me want to go back to Moddey and cuddle George extra, just to let him know that even if he wound up with parents who've bought into the whole shite stew, that doesn't mean nobody cares about him. (I know, I know, Alice and Frank and the rest of them will do all the cuddling anyone could want, but I feel ... almost responsible for him, really.)

Anywiz. Even though it was rough, I'd still like to come back with you again in future if you'll have me. Or put together another expedition to find more about the octoboroses. Dizziness, puking, falling off brooms, magic-disrupting Clouds of Doom, pissing-down rain, screaming parents, and emotional gut-punches aside, I had a nice time with you today. (Which sounds horrible. But you know what I mean. Today was awful in a lot of directions, but it would've been more awful alone or without you there to make bad jokes with.)

From:

alt_nymphadora

Don't beat yourself up over it. This was as tough a first mission as I can imagine, and we got George out without anyone being the worse for it. So that's success!

And there wasn't only dizziness, and puking, and being bucked off our brooms, and magic-disrupting Clouds o' Doom and pissing-down rain. There was also a very fine lunch and time to warm up together before we had to go out and face parents going shouty bloody crackers at us.

And, after all, it was only rain pissing down on us, so it could have been an awfully lot worse.

I'd say if you tot up both columns, we came out ahead. I'd definitely have another go with you. Camps or octoboroses or whatever you want.

From:

alt_charlie

You can have another go with me whenever you want, luv!

(Sorry, you walked straight into that one.)

And, yeah. George gets to grow up at Moddey with people who'll love him and getting to learn how to use his magic instead of having to hide it, and you're right, that's a win overall, for him and for us, even if it isn't the absolute best way it all could've come out. I just have to keep reminding myself that things aren't failures just because they weren't smashing successes. ~~And just because I keep thinking about Percy doesn't mean~~

And don't say things could be worse! You'll jinx it!

I think I'm going to take my bruised backside down to the hot springs for bit of a soak. How are you feeling? Is the last of the dizziness still lingering? I've never seen you look that pale.

From:

alt_nymphadora

I was doing better by the end of the evening. The garden was a jolly place last night.

I've got to say, though, I was done in by the end of my shift, and then I came home to a bit of madness, and it's been mad all day and no sleeping for me.

Ugh. It's the bloody Watch again. I'd forgot they were likely to wind themselves up over Bonfire night. Anywiz, I got home this morning to find Bea with Kreacher and Themselves already at Laszlo's.

Apparently, Remus had firecalled Ellie just to see if she remembered there'd be a delivery before half-eight that she'd need to open the cellar for, and she came completely to bits.

Last night a delegation of our local Watchers came by after midnight and were right put out they couldn't talk to Mr Ponds or his wife, who'd left just a mudblood to put them off. They were as ugly as could be to her. And it was so late, and she was rattled, and she's not told us all of it, I don't think. I don't like to imagine what they said or tried that has her avoiding our questions the way she is.

I expect it's going to be a long night, and we've sorted out that we all need to stay at Laszlo's tonight. There are a couple of blokes who've stopped in two or three times already today, but we've been so busy they couldn't get Remus's ear. I don't expect they'll give up, though, and I can tell he sees he's probably not going to be able to duck their 'invitation' this time to come out on the Watch with them all. Not that we've had a free moment to talk about it, because it truly has been busy.

For a holiday no one officially celebrates, I'd warrant a lot of our business today is supplying people with things to mark the night. Loads of people are wanting just one candle, thanks!, or a special sweet for tonight's afters, or a packet of Spark Sprigs that make your fire sparkle and snap in a merry way. I'm glad we got those in early this year, because at this rate, we're going to need another order before Christmas!

Anywiz. Hope your bruises aren't too horrid today. Mine are just tender enough to remind me I spent the day with you!

From:

alt_charlie

Oh, that sounds absolutely miserable. I hope you can get some sleep tomorrow -- there's nothing more awful than having to deal with stressful things when you haven't got more than an hour or two of sleep in too damn long.

And poor Ellie. Can you give her a day or two off to regroup once things calm down a bit? Sounds like someone was probably right awful to her. I wonder if you could give her some kind of talisman to keep in her pocket that she could summon one of you with, without whoever was hassling her noticing? Like the buttons, only going just to you lot and letting you 'casually' come looking for her. It might help her feel safer, if nothing else, since she can't exactly defend herself without putting herself more at risk.

As for me, the hot springs helped, and so did the bruise paste we keep on hand. Have I given you some of that before? I'll bring some with me next time, since it's likely we'll wind up just as battered the second time around.

From:

alt_nymphadora

I wouldn't know what to do with enough sleep if I ever got it, but I confess I'm not in best form tonight.

Worried for Remus. They did come back and wouldn't back down. He's already gone off with them because he didn't want them hanging about here and making our regular lot uncomfortable. I expect they'll be out late, and he'll be a wreck from trying to keep that lot from doing Merlin knows what. At least the moon's only just new.

Thank you for being calm and sane and sensible. That's an excellent idea about the talisman, by the way. I expect Remus or Sirius could make just the thing for her. It would make me feel better about leaving her here alone all those nights.

Do, please, bring us that bruise paste. I'm worse than a ripe peach for bruising. And so clumsy, I'm always crashing into things. As I'm sure you've noticed.

From:

alt_charlie

That's not clumsy, it's just not knowing where you end and the rest of the world begins. Easier to figure it out when you aren't shifting things around all the time! I'll bring along the paste as soon's I've got a spare minute to pop down.

And I can be sensible for you whenever you need. For Remus -- I wonder if the best way to handle that might be to be as useless and in-the-way as possible, until they wind up thinking he's more trouble than he's worth? (Foxy dumb, Em calls it -- apparently it took Dree years to figure out he was deliberately breaking all the dishes whenever he was left with the washing-up!) Won't help immediately, but it could get him out of things after a few more nights like this.

From:

alt_nymphadora

Ta, you.

And if that doesn't sound like the advice of a second brother! Ha.

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if Remus has come up with nearly the same thing with his awfully polite but rather inept middle-aged bloke act. He tries that on all the time with us.

From:

alt_poppy

You're certain you're not feeling any after effects? Aside from bruising.

It would set my mind at ease if you would let me know tomorrow whether you are having any difficulties.

From:

alt_charlie

Yes'm. I promise I will let you know if any of the side effects linger.

And the bruising's not awful. I've had much worse on the job.

From:

alt_poppy

No report is a good report, I trust?

From:

alt_charlie

No, I'm feeling much better today. Tired, but not unduly so, and I didn't notice any problems with my magic during the day. So at least whatever it is, doesn't linger too long.