Professor Moore had never been any good at scrying. After fifteen minutes of trying, he managed to get a clear signal going; for all the effort, a few strands of his hair were singed and the table had a sticky feel to it. He hoped Khymarah was at home, and that she was just as terrible at scrying as he was, because the lingering burning smell was embarrassing.

He cleared his throat, peering into the bowl of water and feeling the images move around in his head like shuffled cards. A fireplace and rug - perhaps a living room? He did not see Khymarah, even panning around the room to the best of his limited ability. His head began to ache.

"Miss Theraldon," he said, a bit too loudly, hoping to catch her attention.

Khymarah could smell something burning from the lobby. She had just walked in with a sackful of shopping. The human boy the reistance had sent to help her smiled and sniffed the air.

"Eww, what is that?!" He said, covering his nose. Crinkling her own, Khymarah starting walking around, sniffing. She followed the smell into the lounge room, looking around. It seemed to be coming from nearest the table.



The galdor nearly jumped out of her skin with a shriek. Throwing herself back out the room she grabbed the boys arm.

"Go quietly and tell everyone to stay upstairs and stay quiet!" With that, she walked back into the lounge and to the table. A bowl of water sat on the surface, and in it was Professor Moore. Sitting down and leaning over, she smiled at the wavery image.

"Professor, you scared the life out of me! Are you quite alright? You seem...crispy."

Moore's struggle to hold the connection was evident; his lips were tight with effort, and he hadn't seemed to pick up what Khymarah had just said to the human boy. "Good as new, thanks for asking," he replied good-naturedly. "I'm afraid I'm not the best scryer, as you can probably tell, though you seem to have it down pat. How are you this evening, madam?"

((ooh i got that a bit messed didn't i? lol))



Khymarah smiled at his efforts. Scrying wasn't the easiest thing to do, but she seemed to have fairly good luck with this spot. She failed with scrying stones though. Focusing her field on the scrying bowl, she inclined her head.

"I often have to scry with clientele, so its something I practice quite a lot. I am well sir, and yourself?"

"Good as ever," said Professor Moore again, professionally ignoring the fact that Khymarah had asked about his well-being twice; galdori were often a bit absentminded. "I wondered if your interest in my research had waned, or if you still wanted to go ahead with the testing. I would be happy to arrange for you to visit Brunnhold or I could come to you, if you would prefer."

Khymarah's heart suddenly sat in her throat. Still smiling politely, she nodded.

"Oh no, no waning here Professor. I am quite happy to go ahead. Although I would much prefer to come and see you at Brunnhold. There are some things I have to do there, visit the library and such." Her smile was almost plastered on, but inside she felt like a million hatchers were trying to get out.

Professor Moore didn't seem put off by this; indeed, he was used to dealing with far less cooperative volunteers, either the sort of stuff-shirt bureaucrats who wanted everything in triplicate or the browbeaten passives who jumped at shadows and wanted their money up-front and always had kitchen duty whenever he wanted them for a test.

"When it is most convenient for you, then, I will arrange a carriage to take you," he said, bowing slightly and realizing she might not pick up the motion over water. "When...would be the most convenient time? I am loath to rush you, of course, but there are many steps to take."

((bump in case sho forgot this))

((oops she did))



Khymarah thought about it for a moment, then smiled.

"I would think that Bethas 8th would be most sufficient Professor. Is that to far away? Or too soon?" She couldn't think of anything that needed her that day. Plus is gave her ample time to work and study, and be home by the time Ivan returned. Her heart skipped a little. It was so lonely without him around.

"That would be perfect," said Moore, though it wouldn't, being his nephew's fifth birthday. Wait...no, that was perfect. "I shall arrange for a carriage to pick you up at seven o'clock at your residence. I look forward to seeing you, Miss Theraldon. And now, I had better go, before this spell causes me to black out. Good day."

With a relief, Harper released the mental connection and felt the feeling swoop back into his ears and nose. Going numb - never a good sign. He was going to have to ask one of the Resident Seers to give him a few choice lessons in scrying.