[River clicks his tongue trying to think of an answer. Miss Steinbeck is way older than he is and could basically be his and his cousins' grandma. They haven't known her as long as her other friends and acquaintances.]
I mean, I'd imagine that a witch of her caliber has a lot of people wanting things from her. So that can probably get annoying.
[He shrugs.]
Sorry man, I'm not too privy to her psychological state of mind. I'm not that kind of doctor.
Probably. But she doesn't seem to be the kind of person who has trouble saying "no."
[He's calling you stubborn, Amelia, sorry not sorry.
But he shrugs, still looking out the window. The lake glistens at a distance, reflecting the sunlight. It's a nice day, at least.]
I figured there was no harm in asking, at least. I'd like to get to know her a little better, but she likes to keep an arms-length, sometimes. [It's said almost off-handedly before he focuses on a new tidbit of info:] You're a doctor? What kind?
[Ohh? And now he turns his head to look at River, eyebrow hitching up. No comment on Amelia. They'll see if she opens up or otherwise; with Henry's gentle prodding, maybe sooner rather than later. (Or not. It's often hard to say.)]
As part of your... abilities, you mean?
[That's not a psychic skill any of them ever possessed back on his world, at least. How strange.]
Yeah. Honestly, my skill set pertains to healing only. I mean, I can talk to people telepathically, but only if another telepath hooks me up, y'know what I'm saying?
[As signs for Blue Moon Lake increase, River takes another turn on the road and all of them will suddenly feel a shift in the atmosphere and it washes over them and the truck like a gentle vibration across their body. It makes Emily giggle and Simon shudder slightly.]
Oh, yeah sorry I didn't warn you 'bout that. It's Miss Steinbeck's wards. Gotta keep the normies out! Or else we'd have to feed them to the Belly!
[It's a joke, honest...! As River finds a decent parking space where they don't have to walk far to the lakeshore, he speaks a little more.]
So yeah, I'm a normal doctor and a psychic doctor. If you break an arm or get mauled, as long as you've got all your parts, you'll be 100% if you see me.
[And more if you're diseased but that's a detail for him to keep.]
[The atmosphere shifts, a little jolt through his system, but at this point? He expected something like that to happen, a sort of ward to keep the "normies" away from a lake with a giant, hungry lizard living in it.]
Must be difficult for you. I can't imagine you can use your psychic abilities on "normal" people, can you?
[What's it like, knowing that you can help some people, but not always to your full capacity? He wonders if it bothers him, if that's the case.
Ah, but here they are. Time to pile out of the truck, and Henry does just that. He'll wait, though, for the "coffin" to be retrieved again. He doesn't mind carrying it to the lake.]
Well... In my case, it's a bit more complex. I can see normal people as my patients but yeah. Gotta do some workarounds.
[Like memory suppression or big payouts that mostly go back to the Collective... But yeah that's weird esper politics and River looks like he wants to focus on their task at hand. ]
Anyway, enough of the boring talk! Let's get set up.
[After Simon leaves the truck, he helps Emily out of her seat.
Simon hands the coffin-box to Henry while River opens the back of the truck to reveal boxes and boxes of foodstuffs. Amelia had tasked him with going around the local grocery stores in his area to gather extra stock, whether it was fresh or about to expire and he's gone above and beyond.
Speaking of... River looks out towards the lake (its surface is beautiful and shimmering in the late afternoon sun). There's someone in the water and River grins, calling out to the person within.]
[And suddenly, Amelia emerges from the water, dripping wet, and soaked to the bone. Someone had gone swimming while waiting for the rest of the party. She's wearing a black V-neck shirt and shorts and well, they're wet, everything is wet.
She takes a deep breath before waving to all of them and proceeding to squeeze the water from her hair.]
River! Oh, you brought Simon and Emily too?
[She gives a short nod to Henry but turns her attention to the little girl who's bounding up to her trying to decide whether to hug the soaked witch or not.]
[He doesn't think it's boring talk at all, River. But for now, they'll have to put that thought on hold.
because... ma'am???
Henry's followed River, stopping just a few paces behind him, and catching the sight of Amelia emerging from the lake. She's indeed very wet, and though the sight isn't indecent on its own, it's still not something he's sure he was prepared to see. Clothing clings when it's wet! And while he shouldn't care, he finds himself turning his head to place his gaze elsewhere, just for a moment.]
And whatever's in the coffin-shaped box, like you asked.
[Thankfully(?), when Amelia kneels to greet Emily properly the air around her shifts until she's dry again. Her hair spills across her shoulders, glowing in the late afternoon sunlight and it's as if the lake hadn't touched her to begin with. Emily grins at this simple but effective display of magic and hugs her. Amelia returns it (awkwardly) before standing back up.
It's Simon who takes the opportunity to ask a question.]
"What's in the box anyway Miss Steinbeck?"
Hm? Oh, yes. [And with her usual dry delivery...]
That's the body of the monster Henry assisted me in subduing. It was laying around my house so I figured it was better to use it as food for the Belly.
[River turns his head around squinting his eyes at the witch while the two children stare at her wide-eyed. Simon scoots away from Henry and the box.
So don't worry Henry, you are not the only one who thinks this particular witch is... Out there...]
[Ah, yes, but this is the sort of "out there" that actually has Henry's somewhat morbid sense of humor piquing, twisting his lips and making him release a soft laugh.
When he glances back, he's a little amused -- and thankfully(?) Amelia's back to being dry.]
Despite popular belief, I do have some propriety. If we're going to serve a new meal, it can be dressed up a bit.
[While the younger ones wander over to River to help him set up for what appears to be an impromptu picnic (he takes out two coolers, one for food and one for a drink, and a small grill), she gestures at the cluster of trees nearby.]
We can let the coffin rest over there. The blue moon won't appear until we're done with dinner.
And you’re not worried about a lake monster getting splinters in its teeth?
[The way he says it clearly reveals more amusement than actual concern. When Amelia indicates the copse of trees, Henry walks with her in that direction, box in tow.]
He’s a little talkative, isn’t he? But he’s friendly enough. An open book — those are particularly easy to wrench answers from.
That said, it’s odd speaking to others who have some kind of psychic abilities in this world. Their circumstances here are so different than mine. It’s enough to make a man green with envy.
When I said the Load can eat more than just food, I meant it. Splinters will not be an issue with a stomach like his.
[And she's serious as usual but that small twitch at the edge of her lips at least indicates she understands his amusement.]
River's boisterous for an esper. Many of them adopt outgoing attitudes to make up for the mental and emotional strain — [coughLienKhacoughcough] but he's particularly genuine and open-hearted.
[Amelia nods at Henry's latter observation.]
And that's why I thought it would be fine to talk with him especially. River is affiliated with the Collective but he does not strictly adhere to it; just the more benevolent functions and base philosophy.
[A pause.]
And I thought it would be good for you to see and hear a different perspective from mine.
It's still hard to wrap my mind around the fact there are enough espers for a collective to exist.
[He says mildly as they reach the trees. Henry decides to place the coffin down against one trunk, stepping back and still finding the sight comedic, now.]
There are so few of us left back home.
[(Because he killed most of them, his reasoning twisted, but it made sense in his own mind. The only way to save them.)
[She sounds oddly dubious. Though they both agreed their meeting was fortunate (poor first impressions notwithstanding ) it doesn't seem like she had particular expectations about how Henry views her.
Yes, even after he said she was interesting. To her that isn't necessarily positive. This does seem to speak of her actual self-esteem when it comes to relating to others.]
[A strange rebuttal of a question, at least to Henry's ears. But Amelia doesn't quite understand how much of a trial it is for any human to register as interesting on his scale. Misanthropy paints everyone as the same, people with masks, lying to themselves--
And maybe she's no different. But there's something to be said about someone who's powerful, with other facets lying vulnerable beneath, that entices him. Makes him want to know more.
Good, bad? Somewhere in-between? It's hard to say when one has earned Henry's attention, but this is the reality of the situation for now.]
Of course not. [Does she think she's someone to easily become tired of?] There's still plenty I'd like to know about you. River said that you're a tough one to crack, but I see that as a challenge.
[One has to wonder sometimes if Amelia wants to be left alone because she starts to feel antsy about being in someone's eyes for too long. If you're alone, you can't be hurt and be thrown away (because even the Witch King who could be entertained by the mundanity of humans, dropped his interest in her for a time).
But even she's trying to overcome that, isn't she? More than a decade ago she couldn't imagine herself striving to be a public-facing educator or forging friendships across the supernatural world with those who do not neatly fit into the status quo.
And here's Henry Creel, a stranger from another world who, despite having the goal of returning home, wants to know her even after taking the brunt of her obstinate personality. It stirs up something complex within the witch, a reminder of sorts.
She isn't blushing at Henry's tease (goddammit River) but Amelia's intertwined fingers move back and forth in a restless fashion. And before she can stop herself, she says:]
... It doesn't have to be a challenge.
[But additionally.]
But it may very well end up just being that way knowing me. [And now she glances away looking mildly embarrassed.]
[One does wonder. Perhaps it has something to do with her unusual upbringing, perhaps it's something more human, more insecure. Heavens knows that only makes Henry Creel more curious.
He watches as she fiddles with her fingers. A little tell.]
Well. That's all right.
[His head tilts.]
You could say I'm pretty stubborn. And I'm the same way. Maybe we'll both just regret it if we get to know each other more.
[Henry has his fair share of skeletons in the closet. So, so many of them. Despite his human form, this is not his body any longer. Despite his smiling face, that is not his true self. Despite the show of his powers thus far, they are much more insidious in nature than he's let on.
Maybe all of that will be too ugly for Amelia to stomach, later down the line. He is not ashamed of any of it; but he is self-aware. Still, nothing for it but to keep pushing on, to keep centered on the goal of returning home.]
But we won't know until we find out, right? [He leans aside, nudging her gently with a shoulder. It's the first gesture of physical anything from Henry, even if it's a negligible thing, playing at his tease.]
[The little shoulder nudge gives Amelia a bit of a start and she stares at him blinking. Her mouth opens to reply but before she can reply, River calls to them, gesturing with some tongs. The smell of charcoal begins to fill the air.]
"Yo, Miss Steinbeck! Time for dinner and time for Henry to have his mind BLOWN by Korean barbecue!"
[It's a good distraction and Amelia points over to the espers.]
Let's eat. I don't know if you'll have your mind blown but you can at least be full before we go into the lake.
[Oops, looks like the moment's interrupted -- not that it wasn't near its end, anyway. Henry turns to look at River in the distance, then arches a brow towards Amelia.]
Food's food. I'm sure it'll be interesting because it's different.
[Everything is better than twenty years of lab food. Henry isn't picky. Every meal has been a net positive thus far.
Time to wander over and see what River's all on about.]
[When they settle down for dinner, River is more than happy to show Henry the ropes of grilling, the type of meats they had, and also the accompanying vegetables and sides ("It's like the perfect balance of protein and fiber bro! But it isn't boring at all!"). It's a pleasant dinner with iced tea passed around and some light conversation between River and Amelia (she asks about any new patients or trainees and though his information is vague, he seems like he's happily busy) with an occasional quip by Simon.
Emily sits between Amelia and Henry with her own bowl of rice and cut-up meats. At one point, she reaches into her bag and offers Henry a shiny mandarin orange ("It's seedless," she tells him seriously as she offers him her treasured fruit).
The sun fades and the sky goes dark and the only light comes from some lamps that River brought along and the charcoal of the grill. River's truck has already been arranged so that it's parked near the lake shore and Amelia has helped him set up a ramp so that the boxes can slide down into the water.
And finally, the full moon hovers above the lake reflecting on its surface. Emily is the first to sense a change in the atmosphere (a change in pressure, it smells of salt, unknowable plants, and air, and the sky looks so much clearer with hundreds of thousands of stars). She pushes herself off of her chair to run to the edge of the lake.
She points to it excitedly.]
"It's blue!"
[The normal denizens of Blackgale only know Blue Moon Lake as a quaint moniker and not an indication of something literal. But this view, this very reality they're in, is the world of magic and espers who live alongside fantastic wonders, only for their eyes.
Amelia has already stood up and has taken the coffin in her arms.]
Well? [She gestures her head at Henry towards the water.]
[It's... strange, to do anything like this. To be outside, to watch someone grill and try to inform him about the ingredients that make up a Korean BBQ. To engage in idle chatter, though Henry remains mostly quiet throughout. To earn a mandarin orange slice from a child -- and realizing the weight behind it, knowing how children are.
These are all mundane things, the roteness that Henry had disliked so much when he was twelve, and all those years after. It had always felt like a facade, like happiness was a mask, or that everyone was marching to the beat of a ticking clock, playing their parts until life was wrung from them. Wasted, withered away. Pretending to smile the whole time.
And this outing isn't enough to change his mind—no, these are long-ingrained thoughts of his, steel walls he’s built up around himself, hard to crack without knowing where to needle in—but even Henry Creel has to admit: it isn’t as bad as it could be.
Especially once this mundanity gives way to something far more enticing, something that draws his attention to the swath of stars in the sky, the atmosphere changing, the reflection of a swollen, blue moon. The reflection of it catches in the own blue of his eyes as he look at Amelia, hitching his brow up and grinning that little grin of his. This bit should be interesting.]
[River gives the rest of them a thumbs up from the truck. He'll be making the boxes slide down and also just keep an eye out in general on the surface. Meanwhile, Amelia has the siblings hold hands as she uses one hand to encase them in a box of runes. The box wobbles and stretches, transforming into a more spherical bubble. The instructions are concise.]
Walk into the water and then touch the bottom to sink down in the reflection. When you're done with your visit, touch the top and keep it there to sail back to shore. Got it?
[They nod and Simon leads Emily to the water. Their rune bubble keeps their feet dry and the brother leads their descent when they walk on top of the blue moon reflection. Slowly they sink down and disappear.
It's Amelia and Henry's turn now. She stands next to him and performs the same spell to encase them in a magic bubble. The witch mutters some stray thoughts as she finishes it up.]
And no ear popping so underwater pressure shouldn't be a bother ... There we go.
[They're fully enclosed now. Amelia looks at Henry and holds out one hand.]
Might be a good idea to hold on. [She hesitates and then adds.]
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sunfloras2023-04-20 07:42 pm
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[River clicks his tongue trying to think of an answer. Miss Steinbeck is way older than he is and could basically be his and his cousins' grandma. They haven't known her as long as her other friends and acquaintances.]
I mean, I'd imagine that a witch of her caliber has a lot of people wanting things from her. So that can probably get annoying.
[He shrugs.]
Sorry man, I'm not too privy to her psychological state of mind. I'm not that kind of doctor.
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[He's calling you stubborn, Amelia, sorry not sorry.
But he shrugs, still looking out the window. The lake glistens at a distance, reflecting the sunlight. It's a nice day, at least.]
I figured there was no harm in asking, at least. I'd like to get to know her a little better, but she likes to keep an arms-length, sometimes. [It's said almost off-handedly before he focuses on a new tidbit of info:] You're a doctor? What kind?
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But trust me, she's probably the kindest person you'll ever meet. She'll open up eventually.
[At Henry's question, River lights up.]
Oh yeah! I'm just a general practitioner.
[Simon remarks sardonically.]
"On paper."
[River pretends to be offended.]
Bro, don't diss me like that! I know medicine and the license is real.
[He clarifies for Henry as they near the lake.]
I'm a healer. I use my energy to patch up people and ease pain.
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As part of your... abilities, you mean?
[That's not a psychic skill any of them ever possessed back on his world, at least. How strange.]
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[As signs for Blue Moon Lake increase, River takes another turn on the road and all of them will suddenly feel a shift in the atmosphere and it washes over them and the truck like a gentle vibration across their body. It makes Emily giggle and Simon shudder slightly.]
Oh, yeah sorry I didn't warn you 'bout that. It's Miss Steinbeck's wards. Gotta keep the normies out! Or else we'd have to feed them to the Belly!
[It's a joke, honest...! As River finds a decent parking space where they don't have to walk far to the lakeshore, he speaks a little more.]
So yeah, I'm a normal doctor and a psychic doctor. If you break an arm or get mauled, as long as you've got all your parts, you'll be 100% if you see me.
[And more if you're diseased but that's a detail for him to keep.]
Anyway, we're here!
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Must be difficult for you. I can't imagine you can use your psychic abilities on "normal" people, can you?
[What's it like, knowing that you can help some people, but not always to your full capacity? He wonders if it bothers him, if that's the case.
Ah, but here they are. Time to pile out of the truck, and Henry does just that. He'll wait, though, for the "coffin" to be retrieved again. He doesn't mind carrying it to the lake.]
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[Like memory suppression or big payouts that mostly go back to the Collective... But yeah that's weird esper politics and River looks like he wants to focus on their task at hand. ]
Anyway, enough of the boring talk! Let's get set up.
[After Simon leaves the truck, he helps Emily out of her seat.
Simon hands the coffin-box to Henry while River opens the back of the truck to reveal boxes and boxes of foodstuffs. Amelia had tasked him with going around the local grocery stores in his area to gather extra stock, whether it was fresh or about to expire and he's gone above and beyond.
Speaking of... River looks out towards the lake (its surface is beautiful and shimmering in the late afternoon sun). There's someone in the water and River grins, calling out to the person within.]
Miss Steinbeck! We're here!
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She takes a deep breath before waving to all of them and proceeding to squeeze the water from her hair.]
River! Oh, you brought Simon and Emily too?
[She gives a short nod to Henry but turns her attention to the little girl who's bounding up to her trying to decide whether to hug the soaked witch or not.]
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because... ma'am???
Henry's followed River, stopping just a few paces behind him, and catching the sight of Amelia emerging from the lake. She's indeed very wet, and though the sight isn't indecent on its own, it's still not something he's sure he was prepared to see. Clothing clings when it's wet! And while he shouldn't care, he finds himself turning his head to place his gaze elsewhere, just for a moment.]
And whatever's in the coffin-shaped box, like you asked.
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It's Simon who takes the opportunity to ask a question.]
"What's in the box anyway Miss Steinbeck?"
Hm? Oh, yes. [And with her usual dry delivery...]
That's the body of the monster Henry assisted me in subduing. It was laying around my house so I figured it was better to use it as food for the Belly.
[River turns his head around squinting his eyes at the witch while the two children stare at her wide-eyed. Simon scoots away from Henry and the box.
So don't worry Henry, you are not the only one who thinks this particular witch is... Out there...]
don't perceive
When he glances back, he's a little amused -- and thankfully(?) Amelia's back to being dry.]
Oh.
That explains the coffin.
[Ha.. clever.]
👁🗨
Despite popular belief, I do have some propriety. If we're going to serve a new meal, it can be dressed up a bit.
[While the younger ones wander over to River to help him set up for what appears to be an impromptu picnic (he takes out two coolers, one for food and one for a drink, and a small grill), she gestures at the cluster of trees nearby.]
We can let the coffin rest over there. The blue moon won't appear until we're done with dinner.
[She glances between the espers and then Henry.]
Was the drive with them alright for you?
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[The way he says it clearly reveals more amusement than actual concern. When Amelia indicates the copse of trees, Henry walks with her in that direction, box in tow.]
He’s a little talkative, isn’t he? But he’s friendly enough. An open book — those are particularly easy to wrench answers from.
That said, it’s odd speaking to others who have some kind of psychic abilities in this world. Their circumstances here are so different than mine. It’s enough to make a man green with envy.
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[And she's serious as usual but that small twitch at the edge of her lips at least indicates she understands his amusement.]
River's boisterous for an esper. Many of them adopt outgoing attitudes to make up for the mental and emotional strain — [
coughLienKhacoughcough] but he's particularly genuine and open-hearted.[Amelia nods at Henry's latter observation.]
And that's why I thought it would be fine to talk with him especially. River is affiliated with the Collective but he does not strictly adhere to it; just the more benevolent functions and base philosophy.
[A pause.]
And I thought it would be good for you to see and hear a different perspective from mine.
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[He says mildly as they reach the trees. Henry decides to place the coffin down against one trunk, stepping back and still finding the sight comedic, now.]
There are so few of us left back home.
[(Because he killed most of them, his reasoning twisted, but it made sense in his own mind. The only way to save them.)
As for the last bit, he says a bit wryly:]
Why? Think I'm getting tired of you?
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You aren't?
[She sounds oddly dubious. Though they both agreed their meeting was fortunate (poor first impressions notwithstanding ) it doesn't seem like she had particular expectations about how Henry views her.
Yes, even after he said she was interesting. To her that isn't necessarily positive. This does seem to speak of her actual self-esteem when it comes to relating to others.]
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And maybe she's no different. But there's something to be said about someone who's powerful, with other facets lying vulnerable beneath, that entices him. Makes him want to know more.
Good, bad? Somewhere in-between? It's hard to say when one has earned Henry's attention, but this is the reality of the situation for now.]
Of course not. [Does she think she's someone to easily become tired of?] There's still plenty I'd like to know about you. River said that you're a tough one to crack, but I see that as a challenge.
[It's equal parts teasing but... sincere.]
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But even she's trying to overcome that, isn't she? More than a decade ago she couldn't imagine herself striving to be a public-facing educator or forging friendships across the supernatural world with those who do not neatly fit into the status quo.
And here's Henry Creel, a stranger from another world who, despite having the goal of returning home, wants to know her even after taking the brunt of her obstinate personality. It stirs up something complex within the witch, a reminder of sorts.
She isn't blushing at Henry's tease (goddammit River) but Amelia's intertwined fingers move back and forth in a restless fashion. And before she can stop herself, she says:]
... It doesn't have to be a challenge.
[But additionally.]
But it may very well end up just being that way knowing me. [And now she glances away looking mildly embarrassed.]
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He watches as she fiddles with her fingers. A little tell.]
Well. That's all right.
[His head tilts.]
You could say I'm pretty stubborn. And I'm the same way. Maybe we'll both just regret it if we get to know each other more.
[Henry has his fair share of skeletons in the closet. So, so many of them. Despite his human form, this is not his body any longer. Despite his smiling face, that is not his true self. Despite the show of his powers thus far, they are much more insidious in nature than he's let on.
Maybe all of that will be too ugly for Amelia to stomach, later down the line. He is not ashamed of any of it; but he is self-aware. Still, nothing for it but to keep pushing on, to keep centered on the goal of returning home.]
But we won't know until we find out, right? [He leans aside, nudging her gently with a shoulder. It's the first gesture of physical anything from Henry, even if it's a negligible thing, playing at his tease.]
no subject
"Yo, Miss Steinbeck! Time for dinner and time for Henry to have his mind BLOWN by Korean barbecue!"
[It's a good distraction and Amelia points over to the espers.]
Let's eat. I don't know if you'll have your mind blown but you can at least be full before we go into the lake.
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Food's food. I'm sure it'll be interesting because it's different.
[Everything is better than twenty years of lab food. Henry isn't picky. Every meal has been a net positive thus far.
Time to wander over and see what River's all on about.]
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Emily sits between Amelia and Henry with her own bowl of rice and cut-up meats. At one point, she reaches into her bag and offers Henry a shiny mandarin orange ("It's seedless," she tells him seriously as she offers him her treasured fruit).
The sun fades and the sky goes dark and the only light comes from some lamps that River brought along and the charcoal of the grill. River's truck has already been arranged so that it's parked near the lake shore and Amelia has helped him set up a ramp so that the boxes can slide down into the water.
And finally, the full moon hovers above the lake reflecting on its surface. Emily is the first to sense a change in the atmosphere (a change in pressure, it smells of salt, unknowable plants, and air, and the sky looks so much clearer with hundreds of thousands of stars). She pushes herself off of her chair to run to the edge of the lake.
She points to it excitedly.]
"It's blue!"
[The normal denizens of Blackgale only know Blue Moon Lake as a quaint moniker and not an indication of something literal. But this view, this very reality they're in, is the world of magic and espers who live alongside fantastic wonders, only for their eyes.
Amelia has already stood up and has taken the coffin in her arms.]
Well? [She gestures her head at Henry towards the water.]
You ready?
no subject
These are all mundane things, the roteness that Henry had disliked so much when he was twelve, and all those years after. It had always felt like a facade, like happiness was a mask, or that everyone was marching to the beat of a ticking clock, playing their parts until life was wrung from them. Wasted, withered away. Pretending to smile the whole time.
And this outing isn't enough to change his mind—no, these are long-ingrained thoughts of his, steel walls he’s built up around himself, hard to crack without knowing where to needle in—but even Henry Creel has to admit: it isn’t as bad as it could be.
Especially once this mundanity gives way to something far more enticing, something that draws his attention to the swath of stars in the sky, the atmosphere changing, the reflection of a swollen, blue moon. The reflection of it catches in the own blue of his eyes as he look at Amelia, hitching his brow up and grinning that little grin of his. This bit should be interesting.]
Of course. Lead the way.
no subject
[River gives the rest of them a thumbs up from the truck. He'll be making the boxes slide down and also just keep an eye out in general on the surface. Meanwhile, Amelia has the siblings hold hands as she uses one hand to encase them in a box of runes. The box wobbles and stretches, transforming into a more spherical bubble. The instructions are concise.]
Walk into the water and then touch the bottom to sink down in the reflection. When you're done with your visit, touch the top and keep it there to sail back to shore. Got it?
[They nod and Simon leads Emily to the water. Their rune bubble keeps their feet dry and the brother leads their descent when they walk on top of the blue moon reflection. Slowly they sink down and disappear.
It's Amelia and Henry's turn now. She stands next to him and performs the same spell to encase them in a magic bubble. The witch mutters some stray thoughts as she finishes it up.]
And no ear popping so underwater pressure shouldn't be a bother ... There we go.
[They're fully enclosed now. Amelia looks at Henry and holds out one hand.]
Might be a good idea to hold on. [She hesitates and then adds.]
Unless you don't want to?
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