New Year, New Trials

[auspex_caelo]

Stratos hasn’t been in the Nexus since Halloween, but today the Imperial tribune is standing in the middle of the plaza rather than at his people’s desk. Both his steel-plated boots and the red cloak draped from his shoulders are spattered with mud. He cradles his crested helmet under one arm, running a hand through his untidy hair.

It’s been a rough few months for him, but he’s refusing to show it. Especially since the first days of the new year have brought yet another emergency for him. Another very personal emergency.

“Good day. Does anyone here have information on the whereabouts of Captain James T. Kirk? Alternatively, a method to contact him aside from use of a PINpoint?” He glances down at his pocket, urgency creeping into his voice despite himself. “Preferably before anyone does something… reckless in pursuit of him.”

Comments

[auspex_caelo]

Which one? That raises an unexpected complication. Stratos lifts his eyebrows at the young lady. "I only know of one man by that name. He's about ten years younger than I, perhaps a little shorter. Fair-haired, blue-eyed, clean-shaven, typically in a Starfleet uniform. My brother Felix is rather attached to him."

In his defense he really has no idea what the other Jim Kirks might be like or what features distinguish them.

"What sort of magical communication are you suggesting?"

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione studies Stratos carefully as he speaks. The uniform he is wearing is familiar. And when he mentions Felix, that confirms things for Hermione.

"A Patronus." Hermione explains. She pulls out her wand, and casting the spell, the otter spirit appears before her.

"I can send any message you might like. What do you want to say?"

[auspex_caelo]

His eyes narrow slightly at the summoning, but he nods. It's worth a try, although he doesn't know this woman's magic, and he feels he should warn her...

"His realm is quite nonconducive to magic. This may not work. However, if it does, I need to know if he's well, if he's safe, and I want to know how to reach him."

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione nods to his recommendations. She holds out her hand to the otter, and speaks to it softly. "Jim. It's Hermione. I am here in the Nexus, with Felix's brother who is quite worried about your welfare. Can you assure us that you are safe?"

She then concentrates all her happy feelings and thoughts, to send the Patronus into the Nexus. It swims away from her, until it is out of sight.

The witch keeps her focus on her spell, watching her wand with all her energy. After a moment, she speaks, "You are quite correct about his realm. I sense litte innate energy for my spell to draw upon for further strength."

Hermione continues to concentrate. It is becoming harder and harder for her to focus on her spell, because of the challenges facing her. But Hermione takes a deep breath and focuses more of her magical energy. If Stratos can sense magical energy, he would sense a powerful energy around the wtich right now.

"It sees him..." She gasps. And then before the otter can deliver its message, or receive one back, the spell breaks. And Hermione curses. "Merlin's Beard!"

"He is alive. And very calm right now. My Patronus did not sense any danger around him."

[auspex_caelo]

Stratos watches closely as the younger mage works, the magic she's drawn on shifting and focusing around her. So far as he knows Felix's familiars can't do anything like this, bu the strangeness of the spell mattes far less to him than the chance it will work.

There's such a moment of hope, when she finds Jim. Stratos's eyes light up, unobserved: an expression quickly tempered when he feels the spell break. Still.

"Alive." Stratos lets out a long breath. "That's... deeply reassuring. Could you learn anything else?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"Not by sending another spell in his world." Hermione feels a little drained from extending her Patronus that far. But she does know of another method to get information.

"But I do know his Arthimancy rune!" Hermione opens a small beaded bag hanging from her belt. She waves her wand over its opening. Several runes float up into the air.

With a flick of her wrist, she sends one into the center, and starts adding different numbers around it. She starts calculating the numbers, moving runes from one column to another. New runes enter the equation. Other runes leave the equation.

"He is 30 years old." Hermione speaks, as she continues a very extended calculation. The runes start to circle each other. "He is in good health and has no major injuries. He is alone."

The runes continue to circle each other, no matter how she changes the calculation. And Hermione nods, making another notation. "The circle is where one would find him."

[auspex_caelo]

He waits with feigned patience, even if he has to fold his arms to make sure he doesn't betray himself. It's never easy to be on this end of the scrying, hanging on every scrap of an answer about a matter of heartfelt urgency. Easy to understand why his fellow officers grumble and fidget so much.

"Forgive my ignorance of this magic, but does it tell you how he can be reached?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"Hmmmm let us see." Hermione pulls out another rune from her beaded bag. The rune in question represents 'Communication'. She uses her magic to include it into the Arthimancy equation.

The runes start to circle each other faster and faster. Until they become so close-knit, that they soon unite into a sphere. And they float there. As a sphere.

"They reinforce that it is the circle... the sphere... where one will find him."

"I am not familiar enough with his world to understand the meaning behind the symbolism."

[auspex_caelo]

"I'm sure we'll find him on a sphere, but that hardly narrows it down." He grimaces. "Scrying is an uncertain science, however. I'm grateful for what you have learned, and I'll relay it to his... friends. Thank you, Miss...?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"Hermione Granger." She answered his question for her name.

"I met Felix very briefly, after some people were taken during the Halloween party. I was helping him to open a portal, when everyone came back."

[auspex_caelo]

"Ah, Felix mentioned you, yes. He didn't say much but I did gather you were helpful - then as now." He bows a little. "Tribune Stratos Caelus of the Imperial Legion. Thank you for your assistance, Miss Granger. I must continue searching, but I will inform you when Jim is found safely."

There is no other possible outcome to acknowledge, of course.

[mudblood_andproud]

"I would appreciate knowing that he was found safe. Thank you."