fourth entry ⊗ magical inquiries

[flamekthunder]

Sender: Eustace
To: Everyone
Subject: Sealing and Teleportation Magic

I have two inquiries to those who are familiar with magic.

RE: SEALING MAGIC
I'd like to know if anyone knows a way to cast some kind of sealing or restraining magic on an accessory or item that could be used to suppress one's own magic or curse. If need a more specific situation, an emergency case where one's powers are running out of control and needs to be contained. The ideal goal would be that it could affect nightmare energy, but that might be more difficult without further knowledge.

[He is definitely asking for specific reasons, but good thing there have been several occasions where things went wildly out of control last month that it won't seem too random.]


RE: TELEPORTATION MAGIC
Similarly, I wish to create some kind of portal that would allow me to easily traverse between my home and other locations that I currently own with potential to add on in the future. [Because it's about time he just accepts he owns these dogs and getting to the Corgi Tree and the Flowers home more instantaneously would be ideal. Though already future proofing? What could he be considering...] Ideally it would be a door with a function to change the location.

This might be a complicated request, if it's even possible, but even just information on how it might work will be appreciated.

[He'll get his portal door one way or another—]

Thank you.

Comments

[flamekthunder]

[....]

At least speak to the ones who have possible solutions. Only you can answer more specific questions that I'm not knowledgeable of.

[removal]

I will.

[ Eustace didn't say 'when', so he'll only do it when he thinks he has a good grasp of what the others are suggesting. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Sigh. Well as long as he does it eventually. And he's about to close this when a thought comes to mind.]

This is off topic, but I have a favor to ask of you.

[removal]

What can I do for you?

[flamekthunder]

I'd like to purchase a standing piano, but as I have no prior experience with them I'd like for your advice, including the best way to transport it back to my home.

[removal]

[ A standing piano, huh? He knows one person who said they might have liked that sort of thing... ]

I can help you find a quality piano.

They are delicate instruments and would require carts that possess as little uneven wobbling as possible. Or if there is an individual here with levitation capabilities, that would be a good alternative.

[flamekthunder]

Unfortunately I don't know anyone with such capabilities, but I should be able to procure a cart.

[Really he should just buy something for himself...surprised carriages are still not a thing yet—]

When would be a good time to meet?

[removal]

Would tomorrow after lunch be amenable? We could visit the workshops around the music studio.

[ Two weeks of recuperating has given him most of his strength back, but he isn't prepared to head out so soon. ]

[flamekthunder]

That's fine.

I'll see you then.

[removal]

[ True to his word, Phantom waits for Eustace at the foot of the tree that housed the music studio. He's dressed in his usual dark clothing and cloak, though there's no trace of nightmare energy around him anywhere. It seems his convalescence has gone well. ]

Good afternoon. There are a few artisans here that produce instruments, although the cost of a piano is comparatively higher than others.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace is a bit curious to see that Phantom seems...lighter in some ways. Is it because of less nightmare energy? If so that would be a good sign.]

What's the cost?

[Straight to business as usual.]

[removal]

[ They start walking down the riverside road; the sun's not too bright today, which suits Phantom well. ]

It would depend on the needs of the craftsman. Without the aid of dreamotion, a piano would require months to produce by hand. Of course, this world has its own ways to speed up the process. I obtained the piano at the studio in exchange for holding a performance as well as taking charge of said studio... if you wish to trade any items for a piano, it would need to be exceedingly rare or useful.

[ Exchanging one's labour or a favour works too, but he's not so sure if he can imagine Eustace working for an instrument maker. ]

[flamekthunder]

[...................Hrm.]

Is this for both crafting a new piano and buying one already made?

[He's definitely furrowing his brows deep in thought.]

The best I could do is provide some raw materials such as wood and strings, though the keys.. Hm.

[removal]

I speak of ready-made instruments. With luck, there will be at least one available... but if we are out of luck, then we would need to procure the materials as well.

[ The keys are usually made of ebony and hornwood (no illegal ivory trade in Songerein, thankfully), so it's just a matter of finding the right tree and harvesting sustainably. Dreamotion might help with the process too, though Phantom is sure he can't help with anything that requires positivity. ]

[flamekthunder]

Guess we'll have to see. And the quality of the pianos so far?

[Only the best for his wife Tifa.]

[removal]

There is a spectrum when it comes to quality, but I could introduce you to one of the more skilled artisans. They made the piano in the studio and it has served us well so far.

[ Maybe they could even customize one, but that's a decision that Eustace will be making. ]

[flamekthunder]

[A small nod.]

It's been a while since I've had a close look at the pianos to begin with, so it'll be useful research to look them over first.

[removal]

The artisans are more knowledgeable on its workings than I, but I can assist with evaluating its sound and function.

[ He'll lead them towards the shop owned by the artisan who had made the piano in the studio. Hopefully Eustace can talk out a good deal with them. ]

[flamekthunder]

That would be more important, really. A good looking piano is useless if it can't perform well.

[Harsh.

But not wrong, at least in his eyes.

And into the shop they go, Eustace looking around with a slight curious eye.]

[removal]

Of course.

[ And Phantom has no objection to that. He watches Eustace peruse the ready-made instruments around the shop before turning his attention to speaking with the owner - a speaking hippogryph. As for how a hippogryph can use tools - the power of dreamotion and perhaps some native magic allows them to control their equipment using their mind. ]

A piano, huh? I did finish such a work of art a few days ago. It's in the display room.

[ Which is an anterior room, it seems. They can go in to see, or perhaps Eustace can make his request now. ]

[flamekthunder]

[The pianos are as he expected—which is to say, about as nice and well made to the casual layman as they could be. In some ways it's a bit overwhelming because on the one hand...could he just...choose??? On the other hand, should he have Tifa come and play them? Would that matter?

Eventually he rounds back towards Phantom and overhears the conversation...and takes a moment to study the hippogryph because honestly the only ones he's ever faced were from the opposite end of the barrel—]

Let's take a look.

[A "work of art" he says. It'll be good to see what kind of talent they really have...and maybe get some inspiration on what can actually be done.]

[removal]

[ The Hippogryph leads them to the annex, where a polished and newly-completed standing piano painted with an elegant swathe of stars on a canvas of midnight blue. The sides are carved with various patterns and flourishes that lend it an elegant silhouette, and the instrument is tall enough for a human to play. ]

I call it "Jewels of the Night". A fitting name, is it not?

[ Phantom asks for permission to try the strings, and the owner obliges. He sounds out a few verses - the soundboard is working as it should. ]

[flamekthunder]

[It's certainly quite a piece.]

It is.

[...Although, it's a bit much for his taste, it's still exemplary of what they can do.]

If I wanted a custom piece...how much and how long would it take?

[removal]

[ The artisan tilts their head in thought, rolling their eyes in a circle as a sign of consideration. ]

It would depend on the customizations you have in mind. The longest I would take would be a month... barring any material shortages, of course.

[ Something that Eustace will probably have to take care of, from the looks of it. ]

[flamekthunder]

[He can handle that.]

I'll have to think on it, but it wouldn't be so extravagant. Simple, but elegant.

[He doubts Tifa would want something way out there and he envisions her on something more classical.]

Perhaps something on the front or the stand...