Tangled

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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."

watch the Grand Sage and Elverly bicker. Their dynamic reminds me of an old married couple, though I'd never dare say that out

safest place for me while

Sage's eyes twinkle with understanding. "Ah, yes. It's always important to step away from new mates. Wolves don't

the subject, I nod towards the papers scattered on the table in front

on? Looks

up. "Indeed it is. I'm developing a communication device. Something smaller and more portable than what we

I lean in, genuinely curious. "Like

that. But I'm working with limited options due to our lack of supplies." We're refugees, after all. It's not like we

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Lisa: Would a Watch

do you

fully. "Not everyone in our camp

Yes. Obviously that's what that means. "Right.

have always been

table, fascinated. "So, how does that work with werewolves? I mean, their whole shifting thing

ability to manipulate other forms of magic. It's a bit like how some humans might have extraordinary physical abilities but no talent for, say, mathematics. They are unrelated. Now, let's get back to the communication device,

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

tapping it against the paper. "The basic principle is to create a network of energy that can carry messages across distances. Think of it like your human radio waves, but

nods. "Yes, but not in the way you might think. The device itself would be charged with magical energy, but using it wouldn't require any magical ability from the user. It would be like using a flashlight. The electricity makes it work,

on."

I suppose that's why he works on magical technology, trying to

come by in our current situation. And then there's the matter of testing and refining the design.