001 [video]

[dogsanddaughters]

[Have a wide-eyed teenager fussing with her phone. The video is a little shaky. She's sitting in one of the apartments, Barnaby's head in her lap, and seems to be sincerely cheerful despite waking up someplace far from home. Miriam waves.]

Hi! Looks like we're all stuck here for a bit, so I figured I'd introduce myself and what not. It kinda sucks right now, but that doesn't mean I don't wanna meet you guys! Anyway, I'm Miriam, and this handsome dude is Barnaby.

[Barnaby sneezes.]

He's my guy, so don't shoot him or anything. He won't do anything bad.

Two things.

First, uh, I know it's a long shot and all, but anybody seen a lady named Bethany? She's really tall and she's got brown hair and she's my mom, so it'd be really cool if I could find her. Maybe she's not here, but I gotta ask.

Secondly--

[Miriam holds up a crude drawing to the phone. It's the logo for the Sons of Plunder - a human skull with blue roses for eyes.]

--anybody walking around wearing this? Asking for a friend.

Comments

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle smiles sheepishly.]

I appreciate the flattery, though I insist you must not have met many magicians if this is all it takes to impress you.

[Says the guy who has never pet a dog and was in awe over a single trick.]

[dogsanddaughters]

[Miriam shakes her head, still grinning.] Dude, we don't have anything like that at all. That's so cool! Can you make it different colors and stuff?

[tongueamok]

If so desired.

[He sets his device before him and tucks the first ball into the crook of his arm, closing his fist to summon another. First one is a reddish hue -- into the crook with the other it goes so he can bring forth a third -- violet -- ball of light.]

Let's see if I can still do this...

[Collecting all three in his hands, he tosses one into the air, then another, then the last one as the first comes down. He only manages to juggle for about three seconds before he drops all but the violet ball; the other two land off-camera, fizzling out with a pop!]

Woefully out of practice, as expected.

[dogsanddaughters]

[Whatever Carlisle thinks of the display, he's got a rapt audience with Miriam. She claps, laughing happily, and pokes Barnaby until the dog looks up at the phone.] Look, Barnaby! Lookit! That's the coolest thing I've ever seen!

[tongueamok]

[That's a genuine grin she gets from him -- still on the nervous end, but it's the best he can do most days -- as he gives an appreciative nod to his audience.]

I'll, er. Work on that before I come meet your dog, granted that's still something you'd permit me to do at some point.

[dogsanddaughters]

Of course, dude, I said you could. Oh! You could throw those light-thingies, and Barnaby will chase them for you!

[tongueamok]

I'm not sure how much he'd enjoy that, as they do pop rather easily, but perhaps I can find something suitable for play.

[A stick, perhaps. Stumbles liked sticks, as far as he can remember.]

[dogsanddaughters]

Yeah, do that! Barnaby likes to chase stuff.

[tongueamok]

Right! Of course he does. He's a dog. Dogs love that, I hear.

[Look at him, all Mr. Expert On Dogs now.]

I've yet to get settled in, but we'll set up a meeting at some point, then?

[dogsanddaughters]

[Miriam giggles, fluffing up Barnaby's ears.] Well, Barnaby does. He likes people lots.

[Actually Barnaby loves chasing people far more than he does sticks or tennis balls, but Miriam decides not to mention that detail just yet.]

Yeah! Let's do that! And you can show me more magic stuff.

[tongueamok]

[The things he'll find out in person.]

That sounds fantastic. Until then, uh... then.

[And now he's going to figure out how to hang up. Forgive him -- he comes from a place that doesn't have telephones.]

[dogsanddaughters]

[Poor man. Be prepared to experience drool and possibly a friendly mauling. Miriam waves.]

Bye, Carlisle.