Matthew shifted his weight impatiently while he waited for Merlin to arrive. He wasn't exactly sure what the wizard was up to, but he'd seemed excited when he told him to wait 'here, at this door' and then tottered off somewhere. He sighed and leaned against the wall while he contemplated the changes that had taken place in his life until then. After all, only a year ago - it really went by fast - he'd been just another orphan in a city filled with them; then Merlin had come into the orphanage like a great hunched gargoyle and after but a few words had swept him away to a life he'd never even considered. Of course, he'd had his doubts, especially when the codger had begun teaching him 'magic', but he was willing to put up for a bit of eccentricity in order to get away from the damn orphanage. He chuckled at the memory. He'd been shocked to all hell when Merlin showed him what he was
really capable of. Even after a year of tutelage he still wasn't sure how exactly Merlin had made the extradimensional mansion he was currently in. Something about taking the universe and pinching a it of it off? It was confusing.
And then, thought Matthew,
life got good. Who could ask for more? Living in a frickin' mansion had it's benefits, plus the magic tutoring, which he had to admit was as tough, often tougher, than any school course he'd encountered. Unlike the latter, though, the results were totally worth it. Elemental manipulation, life-force manipulation, spells for growth and spells for shrinkage, flight, fire, and many many others had been drummed into his, head, though Merlin said that he wouldn't be able to perform most of them for several years. But he'd apparently proved a good pupil, and the old guy seemed happy enough. There he was now, scurrying down the hall. Matthew stood up as he approached, Merlin already talking.
Ah, good, you're here still. Open the door, please. Matthew opened the indicated door, curiously finding that it led to solid wall.
Now stand aside, lad, and watch what I do here, this'll be a good lesson for you, Merlin said as he bustled to the door.
Er, not to pry, but what are we doing here?, Matthew asked as he stepped aside to let the wizard past. He only gave him a brief glance and said,
Expanding. Now watch the door, lad. Matthew turned and looked at the door, searching for any surprises Merlin might've hidden in it, but it looked fairly normal to him. Meanwhile, Merlin had pulled out a piece of chalk and had traced the outline of the doorframe. He then drew several things he seemed to include when he was doing a spell of some focus: A pentacle, various symbols inside the pentacle and all around the circle, and a bunch of muttered word under his breath seemed to complete the initial ritual: the lines of chalk went alight in a curious shade of magenta and the air around the door suddenly began to smell of spice. Curious as to what was really happening*, Matthew reached out with his Sight and saw - well, apart from the ambient energy of the house, he saw that the doorframe was already interwoven with a number of enchantments, for
stretching, seeking, binding among others, and the symbols Merlin had drawn on the door seemed to be the activation key? Even as he watched, the energies of a spell Merlin had placed upon the door reached out - but here Matthew was confused, as he could see that their strength was too low to do anything but reach out blindly in the ether. Surely Merlin wouldn't have -
And then Merlin activated the other part of the spell. Matthew saw a second set of energies, shaped in the same style of magic as the previous one, except reversed, in a way; if one set of runes was the lock, this one was the key.
Matthew vaguely saw Merlin gesticulating before the door as the two sets of energies met and fused together. He phased back to normal sight and saw ... just the same door. The markings had been scrubbed off, no visible burn marks or smells hung about the door - altogether a fine piece of spellwork. He blinked and shook his head to find Merlin looking at him.
Well, Matthew, he chuckled,
what was I doing just now?Matthew blinked.
Er, I guess you were connecting two things. Leastways that's what it looked like to me. But what two things? One was this door, so the other was another door?Quite right, Matthew; come, take a look with me, Merlin said, opening the door. Looking through it, Mat saw ... a decrepit shop. It was mostly made of wood, with a desk that was obviously supposed to have inlaid glass that had been smashed out some time ago. There was a thick layer of dust all over everything that whirled up in great clouds when they set foot in the room, obscuring their vision and sending Mat into a coughing fit.
Sorry about that, Merlin apologized.
it's a side effect of the spell. Here... The wizard gestured, and the dust seemed to fold in on itself, and then it was gone, leaving the room relatively clean.
I never really liked the dancing brooms anyhow, Merlin commented. Shaking off the last of his coughing fit, Mat wheezed,
Well, yeah, but what are we doing here? This place is even more trashy than the outside of the house!It was true. The room was dark interspersed with a few beams of light shining through thanks to a few small windows at the presumed front of the store, but from what Mat could see, the ceiling-high shelves at the sides of the room were rotted and broken, and everything was the same shade of brown.
Well, lad, Merlin said,
being a wizard isn't all being cooped up in a tower or mansion or what have you, learning nknowable secrets. An important part is also utilizing these gifts, and a good way to do that is by helping out the local community. Merlin stepped toward the door, talking as he went.
In this case, the ghyettou.Do you mean ghetto?Yes, that, Merlin said as he opened the door, revealing the nightscape of a street that
looked rather dilapidated. Matthew blinked in confusion, and turned to the wizard.
So what are we doing here?Merlin looked over at him.
Have you ever seen or heard of those mysterious shops wherein you can find strange magical artefacts and good advice?Yes...There you have it. We shall fix up the shop, and then we shall need to procure materials to manufacture our trinkets. Nothing much, really; I'll get you to do that. I have some reserves of money back at the house that should be sufficient for the errand.With that, Merlin clapped him on the shoulder and turned around to go bsck inside, presumably to get a broom. He beckoned over his shoulder, saying,
You'd best head to the shops from the house; this neighborhood is still rather run down. Come on, we haven't got all day. Mat hurried back after the wizard, closing the door behind him.
Full Act: Merlin connects a door in his abode (in a room full of such doors) to a door in the back room of an abandoned shop in a ghetto. This door functions somewhat like the door to the mansion in that access to the mansion can only be gained through it if Merlin or Matthew open it.
Null Act: Merlin fixes up the shop, making it suitably wizardy and giving it that mysterious shop feel, as well as sweeping out the dust and replacing the broken glass and shelves with unbroken replacements.
Null Act: Matthew goes out shopping with about $50, buying cutlery such as spoons and forks ($25 worth) and glass cups ($25 worth). He does this on multiple trips over a few days, carrying only a bit of money on him at a time to avoid attracting attention. He's also given a stipend pay of $15 to buy something he wants.
Null Act/Matthew Act: Once all the materials are procured, Merlin helps Matthew with reshaping the cutlery and glass into little amulets, beads, necklaces, etc. He does this with magic, if it isn't obvious.
The shop remains unopened for now, though.
