1st Spell - Video

[whatthewrackspurt]

Hello, everyone.

I've never been on a ship like this before. Or any ship, really, so I can't say for certain whether the person in charge is always so elusive when it comes to answering questions. I suspect he thinks it's all in good fun, making you believe one thing but telling you another. I don't think I understand his humor, though.

I'm a little concerned about having made a deal with him - he could be one of the Rotfang conspirators in disguise and is set on prolonging this journey indefinitely until all our worlds are nothing but dust and spores.

Is that why all of you are having such strange dreams?

Either way, I hope there's pudding involved. It makes death seem just a little bit cheerier. I think that's why people eat so much at funerals.

Ghosts must get very jealous during mealtimes.

Comments

[whatthewrackspurt]

I think so, too. I'm not much for people getting hurt, even if they're trying to hurt me.

When do you think we'll reach whatever's coming?

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, you should -- meet my friend Scott. [He has a feeling you two would get along pretty well.]

Soon, I think. Things are getting a little -- stranger. Did someone fill you in on the whole Mirror Barge?

[whatthewrackspurt]

I'd like to. What's Scott like?

No. Is it a Barge with particularly reflective surfaces?

[voluntaryapnea]

He's a really good guy. The kind that doesn't give up on people and he's -- well. He's pretty much the best guy I know.

I -- no. It's...sort of this other Barge that's also traveling through time and space, set up kind of like this one except...basically it's everyone's opposite self. The wardens tend to be horrible people who treat the inmates terribly in an effort to basically break their spirits so the wardens get their deals.

[whatthewrackspurt]

I know someone like that, back home. HIs name is Harry. He sounds very much like your Scott.

[Luna's eyes go very wide and round]

That's terrible.

And a bit fascinating.

[voluntaryapnea]

[He can't help but grin at the comparison because -- he sees it too. Always has.]

In that case, you'll definitely like him.

But yeah, that's...pretty much how it goes. They're telling people to try and prepare. Supplies and everything.

[whatthewrackspurt]

I suppose I should offer to help. I'm very good at magic: do you need a witch?

[voluntaryapnea]

I'm pretty sure most people around here will be glad you're around to help.

I'm Stiles, by the way.

[whatthewrackspurt]

I'm Luna. Are you a wizard, Stiles?

[voluntaryapnea]

Ah, no. Alas, I'm just a human. No powers or anything.

[whatthewrackspurt]

Wizards are humans, too. But you must be a Muggle, then. There's quite a lot of you on this ship.

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, a Muggle. [Except when he's possessed by an evil fox, anyway.]

There are. But I think -- well, there are a few other magic users around, too. They don't all call themselves witches or wizards, though.

[whatthewrackspurt]

What do they call themselves?

[voluntaryapnea]

That...is a good question, actually. You know, I'm not sure anyone's really said.

[whatthewrackspurt]

Perhaps they don't have names. Or saying them aloud carries a curse. Or people still hunt witches and wizards where they come from.

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, could be. Or they're just -- really private about all of it.

[whatthewrackspurt]

That could be, too.

I expect I'll need to learn how to do things the Muggle way, here. Most people I've met don't seem to know much magic.

[voluntaryapnea]

Well, some things anyway. But there's probably a lot you can do around here with magic, too.

[whatthewrackspurt]

Oh, no. I'm not allowed to do magic in front of Muggles, or outside of school. I'm underaged, you see. I could be expelled.

[voluntaryapnea]

Oh. Right. Yeah. [He pauses, uncertain.]

...but I'm not sure that applies here on the Barge?

[whatthewrackspurt]

Do you really think so?

I wonder if the Ministry knows this place exists.

[voluntaryapnea]

Yeah, I mean...things here are a lot different than where I'm from and it's all been okay. [Mostly. At least in that aspect of things.]

[whatthewrackspurt]

Where is it you're from?

[voluntaryapnea]

Beacon Hills, California. [A beat.] In the United States.

[whatthewrackspurt]

I've never been.

I'm from Hogwarts, in Scotland. Is it nice in the United States? Are the witches there friendly?