Portal Malfunction [Jauntside, shortly after Jaunt start]

[professorwolf]

Ah. Um. Lyall here, infiltrating as the biology professor here, but I'm also myself. If anyone has any questions about this place, as I am also a local, I can do my best to answer them. The biggest thing I suppose is that there's magic here, and the fae folk. Don't call them that, they get touchy.

Also, I need to ask, is anyone else having trouble opening a portal to liminal space? I, er, I can't seem to get in.

[If this were not text, it would be obvious just how alarmed and nervous he is by this.]

If anyone would be so kind as to stop by my classroom and see if I can use their portal, I would greatly appreciate it.

Comments

[professorwolf]

At least here you won't have to hide being something not entirely human, or having odd powers. There are some Jaunt worlds we visit with no magic whatsoever, so we stand out rather more than usual. Here we might just blend in without trying too much. I could have passed myself off as a normal sort of werewolf, even if I wasn't doing this half-infiltrating thing.

Just don't go announcing we're from another world, and try not to react to anyone who doesn't look at all human, if you can see past their magic. They won't take it well if they know you can see their true selves.

[breakaleginhalf]

It's not anything. All the rooms are gone, it's just pure white nothingness.

[professorwolf]

Oh. That must be what Thorne meant by locked down. That sounds horrible-- though better than being trapped here, I suppose. Do liminal skills still work?

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

I would say that being clearly romantically involved with someone like myself would quite enhance his reputation, what. [Nigel points out, only half teasingly. Modesty is definitely not his strong suit.] But don't worry, I shan't be too outrageous.

[He wraps his arms around Lyall's waist, kissing the top of his head.] Shall we just say I'm your long-distance lover, come all the way from England to finally propose after years spent in passionate correspondence?

[thornsofmalkav]

Oh good. Subtlety. We're great at that.




... god, I miss tone on the network already.

[professorwolf]

I can imagine it. I think I can recognize sarcasm even if I can't hear it in your voice.

And some of us aren't too bad at subtlety. It's just... us as a group that gets into trouble, I suppose.

[professorwolf]

As sweet as that sounds, if you do that, everyone will be very concerned when you disappear in a few weeks, and poor Professor Lupin will just be confused at everyone feeling badly for him after your abandonment.

[But he's enjoying the embrace, even if he does stretch out a foot to close the classroom door, at least, for that much privacy.]

[thornsofmalkav]

Any individual Traveler can be sort of subtle at least. It's when you get us in a group.

[restinglichface]

[Did he mean to go all pep talk on her? Maybe, maybe not. But whatever his intention, his words hit their mark.]

Thanks, that helps. I didn't realize there were worlds we had to hide magic in. Guess that makes this one of the less shitty ones.

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

Right, then I'll have to be your handsome suitor that you only intended to have a whirlwind love affair with because you're far too dedicated to your work. [And if that door's closed, there can be more than just forehead kisses, can't there?]

[professorwolf]

Much more do-able, thank you.

[Keep those up, he's entirely happy to be pampered a little for the moment.]

I don't know what I'm going to do for the full moon, Nigel. I have a cell here, but....

[professorwolf]

[Well, he meant to get teacher-y, but pep-talk is also good!]

Indeed. There are plenty of Jaunts we've been on where there was nothing out of the ordinary at all, and anything we did would cause quite a stir. Those aren't good sorts of places to be a werewolf. Though at least then no one assumes the big shaggy dog could actually be a person, I suppose.

[set_your_watches_for_fun]

We'll be with you. [immediately - Tick-Tock hasn't thought about when the full moon might be, but of course Lyall has - he guesses it's one of the first things the werewolf checks when he arrives on a Jaunt.] Are you certain you'll turn? Is the fellow you're inhabiting also a werewolf?

[restinglichface]

Can I throw you another question or did I use up my quota for the day?

[professorwolf]

I'm a teacher. I don't have a limit to the number of questions I can be asked in a day.

[That may be a joke. He does add,]

Go ahead. I'll see how well I can answer whatever questions you have.

[professorwolf]

He is, yes. That's why I know I have a cell I can use. I just don't know if it's going to be strong enough-- I'll need the rest of the pack between me and the rest of the school, if it isn't.