Tangled

Unshift 311

Unshift 311

311 Lisa: Would a Watch Work?

LISA

"You've gotten fat. Elverly greets me, in that traditionally hateful way of hers.

Does the fact that I missed her toxic tongue mark me as abnormal? Probably. But I hug her anyway, smiling when her body doesn't tense, even as she grumbles at me for touching her without permission.

The rest of the night with Kellan was nothing but awkward silence. Being away from him is a blessing right now. I just keep thinking about how he smelled-yeah. No. Not thinking about that. "I'll ask next time. How have you been?"

Elverly's snort could mean anything really, but I choose to interpret it as I've missed you too.

Maybe I'm psychotic. Or delusional. But I'm pretty sure that's what she means.

"Their food is terrible," she mutters. "Not a cook among them."

"They are refugees from war," says the Grand Sage, sounding rather resigned. "It isn't as though they would gather the kitchen before escaping."

"Food is important, the old gnome woman snaps. "Eating well is an important part of recovery."

""Yes, yes."

Their dynamic reminds me of an old married couple, though I'd never dare say that out loud. Elverly might actually bite my head off if I did. "It's good to see you, Lisa," the Grand Sage

place for me while Ava and

understanding. "Ah, yes. It's always important to step away from new mates. Wolves don't have the same deep-seated

to change the subject, I nod towards the

Looks like some kind of

it is. I'm developing a communication device. Something smaller and more portable

I lean in, genuinely curious. "Like a magical

limited options due to our lack of supplies." We're refugees, after all. It's not like we have access to the latest tech or endless resources. "Plus," he continues, "it

11:34

<

Would a

you

our camp

that means. "Right. Gnomes can't

gnomes have always been

how does that work with werewolves? I mean, their whole shifting

question," the Grand Sage says, his eyes lighting up. "Werewolves do indeed have a form of innate magic that allows them to shift. But that doesn't necessarily translate to an ability to manipulate other forms of magic.

to look at his sketches. They're intricate, full of symbols I don't understand and diagrams that make my head spin. "So, how

basic principle is to create a network of energy that can carry messages across distances. Think of it like your human radio waves, but powered by a different kind

magical ability from the user. It would

on."

its inventions, but I suppose that's why he works on magical technology, trying to blend the two things. "That makes sense.

running a hand through his beard. "Resources, mainly. We need certain materials to construct the devices, and they're not easy to come by in our current situation.