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."

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

place for me while Ava

"Ah, yes. It's always important to step away from new mates. Wolves

burn at the implication. Desperate to change the subject, I nod towards the papers scattered

you working on? Looks like some

Grand Sage's face lights up. "Indeed it is. I'm developing a communication device. Something smaller and

in, genuinely curious. "Like a

working with limited options due to our lack of supplies."

11:34

<

Would a

you mean

me fully. "Not everyone in our camp can utilize or sense magic. We need a device that anyone can use, regardless

means. "Right. Gnomes can't use magic.

have always been

the table, fascinated. "So, how does that work with werewolves? I mean,

shift. But that doesn't necessarily translate to an ability to manipulate other forms of magic. It's a bit like how some humans might have extraordinary physical abilities but no

sketches. They're intricate, full of symbols I

paper. "The basic principle is to create a network of energy that can carry messages across distances. Think of it like

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

on."

surprises me how familiar the gnome is with our human world and its inventions, but I suppose that's why he works on magical technology, trying to blend the two things. "That makes sense. So, what's the

easy to come by in our current situation. And then there's the matter of testing and refining the design. It's a delicate process. But above all,