Private message to Lana Sandoval

[alt_rodolphus]

- Lana, are you as abuzz with excitement over the QWC as the rest of our Protectorate? I admit that I've never followed Quidditch with the fanatic passion of one like my brother, but truly, this is an event worth working up some excitement for.

But for the real reason I wrote: How are you fairing with Mustinal and his arcana? I wish I could have better prepared you for whatever it is you might be facing, but in truth I do not know the man well. He's always been somewhat reclusive and protective of his art (this coming from me). I'm almost surprised that he made himself available for the Intensive, but I suppose he's put it off long enough that someone finally tightened the screws.

Tell me how you are doing. My work goes apace as usual, though I find myself missing the company I once kept.

Comments

[alt_lana]

Oh, Rod!

Yes, we're all in a whirl about the World Cup. I was just talking to Montague, who's working Protection for it, and he says they are very well prepared and working all hours to reinforce all the precautions they've set in place.

I'm not a fanatic about Quidditch by any means, but I'll be very glad for the holiday, and I think it's wonderful that Our Lord has arranged this great honour for our realm. I can't wait to see it all!

Have you dealt with that waymark yet? Did you decide you'd work on it in situ after all, or have you found a way to bring it in? I keep thinking about ways around that--when I ought to be reading for Mustinal. He's written a library full. I suppose that's something to be said for him: he's been massively prolific. Only he doesn't seem to have much use for me yet. He's not much of a conversationalist and simply won't explain himself--that's why I'm trying to read as much as I can: I think it's the only way I'll learn what he does.

It came to me today that maybe I'm practising surveillance after all: I'm learning how to make myself less noticeable than a fly on the wallpaper.

[alt_rodolphus]

I'm currently running a number of tests regarding the waymark. Ruling things out, as it were. Tedious, but really the only way to make any progress.

Now I'm fighting the urge to ask your thoughts on it, when I know I should let you immerse yourself in Mustinal's library.

As for going unnoticed, it may be the best way to learn from him. Your surveillance parallel is apt.

You would have been more challenged by Barty, but then my friend is not particularly known for his patience. It would have been significantly more dangerous, as well - something I admit to having in mind when I convinced you to layer algiz into that third moonstone.

I imagine you have little need for it with Mustinal.

[alt_lana]

Well, I've been thinking about the sensation that thing produced the day we went to examine it. Detachment first, like you might experience in a fog, and then vertigo the way it comes on you when you fly through a fog. Only, of course, there wasn't any visible fog at all. So do you go after the symptoms and suppose that you might stumble across a key to the solution that way--and if you do go after the symptoms, do you go after them in order or in reverse? Or. Do you work out a set of hypotheses about how it might produce those effects, theories for how it's targeting the mind or the eyes or the inner ear or the nerves? Or. Do you just work on neutralising the thing?

I've been spinning all those questions, and I suppose it depends on whether you've got to leave it out there along that road where it will keep bemusing people until you get it sorted. If you have to leave it there, then I suppose you're trying to dampen its effects enough to minimise its damage while you work through the solution. Otherwise, I'd think you wouldn't want to tamper with its design since that might muddy the solution.

It's really difficult not to let my mind wander when I'm sitting there watching Mustinal read, think, write, think, cast bones, think, recast them, write. Oh, it's endless tedium, really. And such a shame because I think the subject really should be fascinating.

Sad to say, I wore my comb on Thursday and realised really quickly that it's counterproductive to have my senses heightened and my anticipatory instincts prickling. I was simply itching with boredom: listening to the movement of every fly wing and noticing every speck of dust settling on his shelves was not helpful in the least.

I do love the comb, though, Rod. It's gorgeous and when I've finally got a proper placement, it will be such an advantage.

I suppose I'm just still put out that I'm not off doing risky, invigorating things--and putting your algiz rune to use!

Did I tell you Evan rubbed my nose in the fact that he's the only one Crouch has taken on so far? Honestly. Next time I have him in the sparring ring, he'd best look sharp.

[alt_rodolphus]

My own method is to start with hypotheses first, taking into account shared effects among those who have come into contact with the device, cross analysis with like specimens, and individual material construction. Neutralising is the goal, but can something truly be neutralised if you don't understand it? Meanwhile, there are ways to, as you said, dampen the effects.

I'm happy that the comb pleases you. I do think it's not worth wearing in Mustinal's company. If you cycle your wearing of it with non-magical jewelery (or jewels with different effects), then it should, over time, help to sharper the senses you were born with, whereas wearing it every day might result in the opposite.

It does sound as if you're eager to do something risky, though. Even if it's thumping Evan in the sparring ring.