[Ben just passed Red's party on the way to the lab.] * Ben walks down the hall. * Ben and Alvar and Worthing get to the computer lab, presumably. [The lab actually looks like a fairly conventional one, with a few extra rules on the wall like that wands are to be kept in pockets at all times and that hastening magic is forbidden.] [The actual technology itself is fairly up to date if not cutting edge. Good for a school, all told.] [There's a slightly unkempt looking man in robes behind a sysadmin desk. He looks of an age to be a teacher but wasn't on your key faculty list.] [There's currently a few students working in the lab of variable years.] [No students that you recognize from the list.] Ah, the headmaster and two brought here by the same purpose, welcome to the lab. [The students are actually mostly just working alone. One is providing some research help to another. Apparently the tools for figuring out potion ingredients can be fairly complex.] 'Hello. I'm Benji Ward.' Ben sticks out a hand to be shaken. 'I'm thinking of sending my daughter here- I guess you knew that- and I've got a few questions for you, if you don't mind.' * Computer guy shakes his hand. "Seth. Pleasure to meet you. Go right ahead." His tone is a bit different from his last comment. * Worthing watches the interchange. (Explain 'tone is a bit different') (From distant to friendly) * Ben waits to see if Worthing will introduce herself as well. * Worthing doesn't just yet. * Alvar chats up the students, checking as to the status of their studies, giving a pointer or two. 'First, what do you teach your students? Just how to use applications, or real programming skills?' Applications at low levels, programming for interested students later on. Also cybermancy, but that's not my field. 'Cybermancy? What's that?' Magic and computers combined. Mind if I use one of these, Seth? * Seth in a slightly distant voice. "That hardly matters, does it?" (Was Seth talking to Ben just now or Worthing?) (Worthing) * Worthing looks at him oddly but starts using a computer, using a guest login listed on the wall. * Ben starts to walk around the lab as he talks, looking around. 'Nice set up,' he notes approvingly as he looks at a random computer. Then, he looks over at Seth and asks, 'Magic and computers combined? I thought they interfered with each other. Wasn't there some sort of problem with the computers in the school, because of all the free floating raw magical power?' 'I remember Alvar and Emily talking about it a few minutes ago.' Ben grins. 'All over my head, of course, but I think I got the basics.' Well, they work well enough; just have to make a lot of backups, and treat them friendly. ::He pats a nearby computer.:: * Ben glances over at Worthing to see whether she reacted to that. * Worthing didn't. She seems pretty intent on the computer she's using at the moment. * Ben wanders over to where he can get a look at what Worthing is doing, though from a ways back. 'I notice that sign saying that wands can't be used in here. Do they interfere with the computers? I'm very concerned that a magical education will interfere with my daughter learning computers.' * Seth looks over to Ben. "They'd distract from things. Cybermancy is an advanced study. Students attempting it before they are ready could damage the equipment." [Worthing had been looking at a network configuration screen, but she switched over to the potions applications shortly after you glanced over.] 'Hm. It sounds like a useful skill, though, for Penny to pick up. How good are your students at this cy-ber-man-cy thing?' Ben grins. (Worthing trying to hack the system? Naughty, naughty.) (And what's Alvar doing during all this? Is he paying any attention to either of us?) * Seth smiles. "Not my subject actually." He then glances back at Worthing. "No spells please." He then looks back to you. "But they far exceed me in ability. An actual cybermancer can easily match the skill of a trained professional." He then gets the slightly distant voice. "But all is impenetrable, shrouded in trickery, as you'd both doubtless know." Normal friendly voice again. "And thus really hard to integrate into larger applications." * Worthing gets an innocent look. "Just checking on the spells against interference." 'Are you okay, Seth? You keep sounding kind of funny.' * Alvar looks over to the two of you, with slight suspicion at Worthing. "Not necessary, I assure you." 'And you can do all that cybermonkey stuff on just these regular computers?' Ben says, sounding impressed. (And yes, he says 'cybermonkey'.) Quite, although magical enhancement would help, of course. And I do have a bit of a problem with, err, a cold. ::distant voice:: the vision ::normal:: Err, a vision cold, worst kind. * Worthing glances over at Seth with a suddenly puzzled look. She calmly asks though, "Have wireless networks here?" The magic causes too much interference. We use land lines. 'Magical computers? Those sound expensive.' Ben sounds resigned. 'I'll have to buy one for Penny, I suppose. Even if she doesn't need it, she'll want it.' Ben has a slightly longsuffering look. 'What's the best, and how much does it cost to buy one?' Happily, if your daughter decides to pursue cybermancy, she can enhance her own. * Ben brightens. 'And that will be good enough? She won't need me to get her a better one?' 'She'll want the best.' * Alvar nods. "You'll still have to buy the best normal computer, but that'll do." * Ben looks at Seth, as if for confirmation. * Seth nods and in a slightly distant voice. "You have no need to worry about those expenses." (Ha ha, Greg. Damn literal truth.) * Worthing looks over to Alvar. "I need to use the lady's room for a moment. Could you direct me?" Left, right, and first door on your left. * Worthing stands up to go. "Thanks." * Ben bristles. 'Well, would one of the better cybermonkey students,' Ben says sarcastically, as if he's taken the meaning to be that Penny isn't one, 'need to acquire a top of the line magical computer they couldn't make themselves?' he asks Seth. (Dammit, I'll lose Worthing in a second, but I have stuff to ask here still.) They could get a custom one made, I suppose, but the way the kids talk, they wouldn't want someone else's spells on theirs. Kind of a personal thing. * Worthing leaves. * Ben notices Worthing heading out the door. 'Hm, a trip to the john might not be a bad idea for me either, come to think. Might as well do it at the same time, so Emily doesn't miss anything. Where's the men's room?' Left, right, second door on your left. * Ben nods and heads out into the hall. * Ben, as he steps into the hall, looks after Worthing. [He sees Worthing walking down in the distance, about to turn the corner.] * Ben follows Worthing, but with a bit of stealth. He isn't being obviously sneaky, hiding behind things and so on, but he's treading softly and somehow blending in. [Worthing proceeds to the women's bathroom without looking back.] * Ben proceeds to the Men's room. He enters it, uses it since he's there and might as well, and emerges. * Ben waits for a moment or two to see if Worthing emerges from the Ladies' room. (Does he take his time about using the men's room or quick in quick out?) (In and out.) [Worthing apparently takes slightly longer to use the bathroom than Ben. This isn't highly surprising. * Ben waits for a couple of minutes. He leans against the wall on the opposite side of the hall, casually, not attracting attention. * Worthing emerges from the bathroom shortly after you hear the sound of a flush and washing hands. She smiles slightly at Ben and raises a hand. "I don't need an escort, I assure you." * Ben grins. 'I do. I, uh, can't quite remember how to get back. Was it left, right, or...?' * Worthing snaps her fingers. The area around you greys slightly, as if viewed through a monitor that's dying and losing saturation. "Try the truth." * Ben raises an eyebrow. 'You first.' We're protected from scrying here. This won't last long, though. Apparently we're here on the same mission. Missing property? * Ben pauses, then nods. 'Who do you represent?' * Worthing smiles. "Your turn to answer first." 'I'm here on behalf of the government.' * Worthing nods. "I've been independently contracted by an embassy official acting in an unofficial capacity. One that wasn't sure your government wasn't a party to the theft." * Ben smiles slightly. 'I didn't say which government was mine.' * Worthing chuckles. "Oh, have they been stealing from other embassies then?" 'Apparently. Since that's not one of the thefts I know about.' 'A computer from a private corporation. A suit of armour from the British Museum. A crystal ball from Lloyd's. That's what I'm here about. What are you?' An amulet. Well then, I'll have my people talk to your people. We're running out of time. Just so you know, there is a great source of magic on the grounds, it's in the wireless networks that Seth either lied or doesn't know about. However, it doesn't seem tied to the stolen amulet, or the connection is well hidden. 'The wireless network? Powering the wands, most likely.' 'Anything you can tell me about the amulet?' Belonged to a Medici. Beyond that, my employer didn't see fit to tell me. Aside from helping me find a signal. You're likely right about the wands. Anything you've noticed I've missed? 'I have suspicions, but nothing solid.' 'What's that about a signal?' Signature of the item, like its scent for a bloodhound. Right, so let's get back. We've been talking about the school. I've verified everything our dear host has said. * Worthing snaps her fingers and the grey disappears. * Ben walks back with Worthing. * Ben, when they get back to the lab, looks around to see if anything's changed. [Seth apparently has found other work to do. Alvar's still there.] Welcome back. '-so much rain in my life. Nothing like this back home,' Ben is saying as they enter the lab. 'Ah, Alvar. Sorry to keep you waiting. This place is like a maze!' * Worthing chuckles. I find it adds to the mystique. * Ben looks around and sees that Seth has vanished. 'Hm. I guess we took too long, Emily. The computer teacher seems to have left. Did you have anything else you wanted to look into here, or shall we allow Alvar to show us something else?' * Worthing shakes her head. "I'm done in here." 'Hey, I know. You wanted to see what magic items they had here, remember? Jaida said she'd show us, but then all we got to see were the things in your'- He indicates Alvar.- 'office.' Actually, they're not kept in any particular room, instead spread and kept with each appropriate class. We haven't time to see all the classrooms, as dinner will be soon. But I can take you to one or two. 'Sure. Actually, there is one class in particular I'm interested in. You see, what with Penny being less magically adept than your other students, I'm very concerned that other students might try to cast bad spells on her. Do you have some sort of, uh, anti-bad-spell class?' ('Yes, but the teachers have the life expectancy of a gnat.') * Alvar nods and waves his hand for the moment. "Yes, we do, one for protections and abjurations. I could take you to see Mr. Hurst. Oh, he seems to be busy. Well, I can take you to the room, at least." 'Certainly. Would it be possible to wait for him? I have a few questions to ask, about what Penny will need to protect herself.' 'Not to say I expect your students to behave poorly toward her,' Ben adds hastily and obviously insincerely. 'Just want to be prepared.' 'But in the meantime, let's look at the place.' * Alvar nods. "I'm not sure how long it'll be." 'Well, we can always do something else in the meantime, then. Look at another classroom first?' 'Any classes you have an interest in, Emily? So far, it seems it's mostly been me making suggestions.' [Alvar leads you along, not too far, past the library.] * Worthing hmms thoughtfully. "There a favorite teacher among the students?" Well, all students have their favorites, and I wouldn't say there's any one among the staff... * Alvar leads you into the room. The walls have a good number of scorch marks and there're circles of protection and the like on the floor. No kids in the room presently, looks like it could hold two dozen. Desks and chairs are currently in four person groups, apparently doing a lab of some sort. (Anything magical lying around?) [Lots of books on the wall and marks on the blackboard up front. There's a dragon school with magical looking markings, and a sword hanging above the blackboard under a sparkly field of some sort.] Come now, Alvar, not best teacher, just a favorite. 'What do they teach in this room?' Defense against other mages and magical creatures and items. * Ben looks around. 'Interesting. What's that sword there?' I suppose Rica would be the favorite. ::snaps his fingers:: She also does some defense work. Perhaps I'll call her in. Looks like Mr. Hurst will be a while. That sword cuts through simple magical protections. Advanced students learn to defend against it, but more important, if there's a spell botch we can fix the results with a minimum of trouble. 'Huh. Do a lot of anti-bad-magic techniques require items like that?' * Ben once again sounds like he's mentally opening a chequebook. They help, but your wand alone should suffice for your daughter unless she desires to become a hunter or a professional mage. 'Uh... Okay. But you said you try to get kids off the wands and using their own innate power. So, will she need me to get her some sort of protective gear?' Ben grins at the sword. 'A suit of magic armour, maybe?' * Alvar takes a moment to process your question, perhaps a moment too long. "Magic armour?" He thinks a moment, twirling his beard and settling. "Why, it would be helpful, but learning to innately wield magic comes from exercising it, not just wearing it. And while here, she'll have all the equipment she needs." 'Got magic armour of your own for her to use, no extra charge beyond the cool two k?' Ben grins. * Alvar chuckles. "We don't believe in nickel and dime-ing our parents." * Alvar then makes a gesture and a little shining bird appears on his hand. "Go get Rica, please." The bird flies off into the hall. 'So, if someone were to blast Penny with magic power stuff,' Ben waves a hand vaguely, 'would she need something to protect her from the bad energy?' Yes, although she'll be safe on school grounds and we'll be sure to keep her properly equipped. * Worthing has been watching Alvar carefully this whole time. 'Come to think... Is there any danger just in the general highly-magical environment that she should be protected from? I mean, if it screws with the computers... It's not carcinogenic, is it?' * Alvar shakes his head. "Not to worry, we have regular government inspections for that sort of thing. Pollution rules apply to everyone you know." * Ben appears unconvinced. 'So, there's no place in this school so full of magical power that it would be dangerous to be there unprotected?' * Alvar has a slightly worried tone in his voice, quite subtle. "We'd never leave such a place unprotected." 'As I was forced to remind Jaida, if anything happens to my little girl, I *will* sue this school for all it's worth. Now, Alvar, level with me before I find out my daughter's sterile or blind or dead or whatever. What are you not telling me?' 'I hate to have to come across like an asshole here, but this is my little girl's safety we're talking about.' * Alvar seems quite comfortable. "I quite understand. There are protected places in the school, but the students need fear no arcane threat and are protected from a good number of ordinary threats that normal schools can't protect against. If you don't believe me, check our safety record with the government." 'So you don't let kids near the big magic power storage area?' * Alvar blurts out. "Of course we don't." He then catches himself. "As always, the safety of our students is key." (Ha.) [At this point Rica Ockley makes her entrance. "Ah, parents of potential new students, smashing!"] * Ben takes a second to react to Rica's entrance, as he says to Alvar, 'Well, perhaps you should explain to me how you ensure the students' safety with such a dangerous place around.' * Rica leans against the wall. "If there were dangerous places around, students would get hurt. We'd have been sued. Litigation isn't just for Americans anymore, you know. The students are quite safe." * Alvar chuckles. "She's quite right. Storage areas and anywhere else the students go are kept completely secure, even from students that want to endanger themselves, and I don't think your Penny is one of those." So, what do you store? * Ben nods. 'I've raised Penny to be careful.' * Alvar looks at a clock on the wall. "My, almost dinner. Rica, could you finish up here with Benji and Emily?" ('I have to go burn down the storage area that we don't have.') Ah, what do you store? Whatever's necessary for the school. Fair thee well. Hope to teach your Devon. * Alvar snaps his fingers and disappears. 'Thanks, Alvar.' * Rica jumps the railing on the stairway into the room, landing gracefully. "So, anything old Alvar didn't cover?" She grins at Worthing. "Aside from trade secrets?" 'Well, actually, while we're on the topic of dangerous magic, what will Penny need to learn, and what equipment will she need to have, to protect herself from highly dangerous magical power of the sort that your school apparently sees fit to store on campus?' * Ben sounds faintly snide as he says this. * Rica chuckles. "We protect the students from dangerous magic principally by not letting them use it 'til they're ready. Everything else is covered by all manner of wards and protections that would bore you to tears if I gave the details." 'Okay. Well, what if someone is casting a spell on Penny from afar. What would she need to do to find out who was behind it?' She'd need to go to a teacher for the first two years. After that, Penny will know spells to fend for herself, which is far more fun really. * Worthing examines some of the wards around the room and listens. 'Also, I'm told that Penny will lack magical power stuff, whatever-you- call-it, at least at first. Given that, I've had a worrying thought. Could someone who didn't like her try to lower her levels even further, drain her as it were? And how would she protect against such a thing?' * Rica sits down and kicks up her feet on one of the chairs. "First off, there'd be no real point, but if someone was doing it, there's a few charms and counter curses to defend her. Or she could track down whoever it was and punch them in the nose, or kick them in... well, you get the idea." 'So, it wouldn't be a big deal?' * Rica shakes her head. "Nope." * Worthing nods. "She's right." Course I'm right. That's why I'm here. 'What if Penny has trouble with a really powerful other kid, like that Malcolm- wait, Mallory, that was it- someone really powerful like that? Would a simple charm still be enough?' No, that's why we have the protections on the school itself. She'd need to be more advanced to defend against a powerful mage, but Mallory's got quite the good heart. He'd never trouble an innocent like I'm sure your Penny is. 'I just used him by way of example. But surely he's not the only powerful child your school has? What if someone else of that power level- what if, and I hate to even say it, but what if even a faculty member- tries to give Penny trouble?' * Rica nods. "There are others, but as I said, there are wards. And our faculty is quite outstanding and would never do such a thing. Now, your daughter won't be perfectly safe anywhere. If you find an institution more trustworthy than us, feel free to take her there, but if you do your research, you'll find nothing to fear." * Worthing has now meandered her way behind Rica. She gives Ben a significant look and points to the teacher, then her own eyes, and then to Ben. She then looks like she's prepping to cast a spell (not at Rica). 'I just want to be in a position to judge for myself. So, if someone of much greater power tried something against Penny- say, what we were just talking about, draining her power- what then?' * Rica stretches and shifts her legs' position. "Then she'd tell you or another teacher presumably. Stealing power takes a great deal of effort and can be undone. At worst it's like giving blood, you eat, you get more. 'Uh huh. What if it's something more dangerous? Like blasting at her?' Ben shakes his head. 'All these issues when you send your kid to a magic school, I tell you...' he mutters. * Rica shrugs and starts to stand up and look around. "This is tedious. I told you, we have wards. They actually protect against other weapons some too. In the big wide world, there are also things called guns, more common really." * Worthing's still got the spell going. 'True. But that comparison implies that I'd sent my daughter to Gun School.' 'This school teaches its students how to use dangerous spells. I think it's only fair to wonder about the level of danger that poses. Don't you?' * Rica stands up. "We don't specialize in truly dangerous offensive magic and we teach defense spells well before we teach offense. Students are also protected by being on the grounds. Could you testify to this, Emily?" 'How does being on the grounds help? Is it connected to what messes up the computers on the grounds and what powers the wands on the grounds?' * Ben furrows his brow. * Rica glances around. "Emily? Oh, casting something? Well, do tell the man?" 'Rica? I asked you a question about why Penny would only be safe on the grounds.' Protective spells do require a fair amount of magic but wouldn't need to be linked to any power source or computer interference. They should work just fine. * Rica looks back. "And I've told you several times. Thought a second opinion would help. Although now that it's been discerned, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you not to cast anything more without asking, Emily. School rule for guests, y'know." [Break!]