Behold, Your Excellency is here.

Greetings. I am the Most Reverend Percival, Bishop of the Hater Empire. You may call me Bishop Percival, or if you’re feeling spicy, Percy. I spread the Gospel of Glorn by venerating Lord Hater, Glorn incarnate, and provide support to our evil empire. Services are held every Slornday 4am. Our Church is located on floor B4 past the boilerworks. Visiting hours are Mon - Fri 6pm - 9pm

[bishop-percival]

[[Wander Over Yonder watchdog RP blog. I'm @joeyprotozoa]]

[[I also run @albertbutyoucancallmebert and @soldiersam]]

[[Proshippers and ppl 13 and under please dni]]

[bishop-percival]

@stuckinuniformdevelopment

Teddy texted Mike a bit before noon.

[text] My transfer is at 2.

[text] Any sign of Amy?

[text] Being transferred, huh? I’ll visit you real quick, then

[text] Unfortunately not, but I’m looking

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap was admittedly a little disappointed, that was a really good excuse to avoid the question. He tried to think of something else to say to dig deeper, but ultimately couldn’t think of a proper way to steer the conversation back effectively. [text] Fair enough, I appreciate the opportunity, though just based on what I know of things I do think you’ll have to turn to them for something like this.

[text] Alright, thanks for your insight. If I have any other learning opportunities for you I’ll let you know.

Mike figured it would be best not to be insistent with Gaap right now. The important thing was that he found a spell that actually worked. The next challenge of casting it on Miriam would be difficult from any angle. But he had some options, like continuing to gain trust with Gaap, or maybe he could try to hire a different sorcerer to help. Regardless, it would take some planning, planning that he would like to discuss with Teddy. 

Speaking of Teddy, Mike had other pressing matters to attend to today anyways. He needed to figure out what Bishop Percival’s big plans for him were, and he needed to find Amy. He decided she would be his first priority.

[necromancer-gaap]

Gaap received texts from Mike the next day.

[text] Good news: the spell worked and I found what I was looking for. Thank you for your help.

[text] I’m not quite done though. I need a way to cast that spell on another person. I have a few amulets or wands we could try to imbue, but I’m not sure how well it would work given the physical aspect of the spell. Thoughts?

Just as Gaap had suspected, the purpose of the spell wasn't solely what Mike had told him about, the question now was if Gaap had the leverage and capacity to play his cards right in order to get the real story. He considered his options, before settling on one that might do the trick. [text] Glad to hear it and happy to help. [text] Well my magical capacities are admittedly limited since I've only been able practice them quite recently, would somebody more skilled and fluent at it like Priestess Miriam or Bishop Percival not be the better choice to ask? They could probably bypass the physical aspect too. He considered it a good method to interrogate Mike on that sticking point, especially since he was quite certain Mike already understood that he knew this was a matter that needed to be worked around the pair, hitting the nail on the head like that when Gaap already had an inkling why that wouldn't work would put Mike in the position to divulge, or otherwise make excuses, and he felt there would be something to be gleaned from even that.

[bishop-percival]

Now that Mike’s head was more clear, while he was thankful that Gaap figured not to say anything to Miriam and Percival last night, surely he must be wondering why not. Mike really didn’t want to even suggest he was doing anything against Bishop Percival, especially to someone learning and benefiting from him. While Mike appreciated Gaap’s willingness to help, he still didn’t trust him enough to divulge much. He had to make himself seem less shifty.

[text] Yeah, but I figured I’d ask you first to give you some practice. I don’t have much to lose besides amulets and wands I can replace.

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap considered an answer momentarily only for Miriam to cut in, a slight chuckle at her comment. Gaap waved as Percival called to him. “See you,” As Miriam looked him Gaap merely gave a respectful nod, when finally left alone Gaap made his own exit to return up to his room. He considered briefly the entire event with Mike. Try as he might to conceal it, his requests of Gaap were suspicious, and the confirmation that this was to be an action taken outside Bishop Percival’s purview only made it more so, but he had plausible deniability either way, so he’d continue to help where he could. On his way back to his room he briefly wondered if he could learn, either on his own or with likely Bishop Percival's assistance, enough teleport or otherwise transporting magic to avoid the hassle of the confusing stairs, but that would be a matter for another day.

After about 5 minutes, the crypt door creaked open and Mike wearily took a peek out to confirm everyone had left. He shut it and resumed sitting against it. The horrible pain was starting to subside, and as it did Mike could see more clearly what the spell had restored. It took him nearly an hour to process it. 

Eventually, Mike heaved a sigh and slowly rose to his feet. He still had a residual headache and it felt like his energy had been zapped. He slowly picked up the spell book and laptop from the ground and set them on the desk before feebly climbing into the chair. He dug in his pocket and retrieved a usb drive which he plugged into the laptop as he opened it back up. The drive contained various files that pertained to Bishop Percival assassination planning. 

Mike copied the text document he’d been working on into the drive, then added another page to it. He noted the date and time.

“Physical Trauma Memory Restoration Spell

Attempt 1: -Caster’s hands placed on head -½ incense burned -New candle -Closed eye during incantation Results: No observable results

Attempt 2:

-Caster’s hands placed on head -New incense -New candle -Eye open during incantation Results: Onset of migraine-like symptoms which impeded focus, could not immediately recall anything. Minutes later, observing Percival and Miriam triggered the recollection of a memory involving them. Migraine symptoms intensified.”

Mike added another page and started typing.

“I recovered the memory of when I first met Percival. He sought me out in the food court to tell me he could help me break my sister out of the Anomalous Watchdog Abilities Research Program facility. I recall questioning him extensively but unfortunately I can’t remember the specifics. Evidently I heard enough reason to agree to his help. I was wary but desperate. I also foolishly figured I’d get rid of him if he did anything out of line. 

Our plan succeeded and we broke her out. Once we reached the hangar to make our escape, I lost sight of the two. Presumably, that must’ve been when Percival kidnapped her right from under my nose and brought her to Schwarzschild. I was swarmed by guards and thrown into the brig. Some time later I had forgotten entirely about the partnership. As far as I knew, I pulled off Miriam’s AWARP jailbreak alone and that it was squarely my fault for losing her. 

It wouldn’t be until about a month after I had been transferred to a prison on Mati that I would meet Percival for what I thought was the first time. Now presenting himself as a magical Glornist bishop, he had broken Miriam out again and the two found me to do the same.”

Mike sighed and leaned back in his chair, skimming over the blurb. He decided to cut it and pasted it into a separate document. He then wrote a much more concise version in the memory restoration document so it was suitable to send to the group chat with Teddy and Albert. 

He took off his glass and rubbed his face. What a night. He was filled with an absolute loathing for Bishop Percival, but was also excited by the prospect of restoring Miriam’s memory. But how in the world could he pull it off? Miriam sure as hell wouldn’t let Gaap near her with a spell like that.

Mike figured he'd discuss some options with Gaap tomorrow, as it was getting late. He took a few more ibuprofen, gathered his belongings, and did a quick sweep of the crypt before locking up and heading to his bedroom for the night.

[drysqu1d]

i tend to avoid discourse because most of it is trite and pointless but just this once i feel like i need to state my opinion: i think everyone should bend to my dark and evil will

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap started to follow out and gave Percy a wave and a slight bow of the head in greeting. He was glad for Bishop Percival’s praise, he knew just being able to use magic only meant as much as he was good at wielding it. “Eh, nothing in particular, I’ve been largely focusing on the Necromancy, reading over what we have on the topic in the library, I’d like to crack that nut before turning to anything new.” he explains, knowing better than to fess up to what they’d been doing given the context, but at the same time he wasn’t lying in his answer either.

Bishop Percival tilted his head in response. “Oh. That’s all? Then what—”

“Percy, you forgot your dagger,” Reverend Miriam called out as she rounded the corner at the end of the hall. She briefly eyed her brother and Gaap, but didn’t pay them much mind.

“Oh! Piercy, how could I have left you behind?” Percival exclaimed as he met Miriam and took his dagger back.

Mike was thankful that Gaap seemed to know to keep quiet about what they were doing, and further thankful that Miriam showed up and distracted Percival. He was going to duck into his crypt, but the sight of those two in the narrow hallway made him pause.

After staring at them for a moment, another wave of pain tore through Mike’s head as if a shovel was burrowing into his brain to dredge up a memory buried deep inside. Dizzy, he lurched forward before correcting his trajectory toward the crypt, pushing through the door and promptly shutting it behind him by leaning his back on it.

Bishop Percival perked up and looked between Gaap and the crypt door. “...What's his problem?”

“Probably forgot to check the humidity,” Miriam snidely remarked.

“Him and his humidity,” Percival scoffed as he turned and began walking away. “See ya tomorrow Gaap!” He called out over his shoulder before he entered his chamber.

Miriam took one more glance at Gaap before turning to head off as well.

[tragbarerpanzrabwehrkomplexfagot]

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap hands it back, he wonders if there’s any reason why Mike would be opposed to letting him keep it until tomorrow, something that a closer look would clue him in on, or just something Mike wouldn’t want him learning. After all the book likely also contained spells for altering memories, and though Mike was cautious with his charms, if Gaap did decide to learn how to do so between now and their next attempt, he could see how that would be a reasonable concern of being taken advantage of. “Sounds like a plan, hope the recovery doesn’t take too long, it didn’t look particularly fun.”

Mike tucked the book between his side and the laptop, hiding it. The main reason he didn’t want Gaap to have it was because it might get inadvertently confiscated from him if he didn’t safeguard it. And it would’ve been suspicious for Mike to instruct Gaap to hide it from Bishop Percival.

“Thanks, yeah, I’ve had plenty of headaches before but nothing like this,” he bemoaned. “Maybe a few more ibuprofens… Just need to lay down… Maybe see Gloria… Eh..,” he continued to mumble, though it was to himself rather than to Gaap.

Mike hobbled to the door they came from and opened it. When he stepped out into the hallway, he was met by the voice of the last person he wanted to run into right now.

“Two-Eyes!” Bishop Percival jovially shouted from down the hall. He had just come from hanging out in Miriam’s chamber and was heading toward his own when he spotted the priest.

Mike’s stomach dropped. But it wasn’t like he was totally surprised; this was the floor that Percival spent a good chunk of his time on and he knew there were risks to staying here. This scenario was exactly why he wanted to take the spell book. 

Bishop Percival next caught sight of Gaap following Mike and started trotting over. “Gaap too? What a treat! What are you guys up to?”

Despite his dread combining with his headache to make him nauseous, Mike tried his best to seem nonchalant but quickly replied, “I was just asking Gaap about how his magic studies were going. Having him demonstrate some things.”

Percival nodded. “Mm! He’s a sharp student, huh?” He looked at Gaap with a wide smile. “Anything interesting you've learned lately? Y’know, besides the necromancy we’re studying together.”

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap watched with some concern as Mike staggered again, more violently this time. Gaap nodded at the question but considered the idea that a misspell could technically probably cause head trauma instead, though he was confident enough in his abilities that he didn’t think that was the case. “Yeah there’s only so much your brain can probably take,” he agrees.

Mike let out a sigh and closed the laptop before putting all of his charms and necklaces back on. 

“Thanks for your help. Once my head clears up I’ll let you know if anything comes to me. If not, we’ll resume tomorrow.”

Mike (very slowly) stood back up. After a moment he shifted the laptop under one arm and held out his other hand toward the spell book. “I’ll hold onto this.”

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap shrugs but nods. “Sure, can do,” he put his hands around Mike’s head once more. Despite his general demeanour, he thankfully wasn’t particularly shy or awkward, so this didn’t bother him much, in the end of things the more useful he was to somebody in a position like Mike’s, the more likely that he’d benefit in the long run. He took his own breath to focus and recited the incantation once more.

Mike tried his best to stay calm throughout the spell. Once Gaap concluded incanting, there were a few seconds of nothing. Mike thought it was another bust until suddenly a sharp pain spread throughout his head, worse than before. He winced and staggered away to hold his head in his own hands.

“Agh! Shit…” Again, he slowly lowered himself to sit on the ground.

“H-hah, well, must’ve worked this time, huh?” he muttered out. He tried to focus, tried to think, tried to recall memories, but it was hard to do so with his head pounding. He could barely handle looking at the laptop screen.

Soon he sighed and leaned back. “I think… we may need to take a break. Not sure how good doing these spells back to back is for me…”

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap watches Mike’s behaviour curiously, but when he reads the details of the spell he gets it. He makes sure he knows the ins and outs of the spell before setting the book down and placing his hands carefully around Mike’s head. “I’ll make sure not to draw this out if I can help it,” he assures. “Alright, get ready for another cornball,” Gaap takes a breath to focus his magic, “Memories that bled out of wounds, return to this mind to be preserved once more!”

Mike couldn’t help but tense and scrunch his eye shut when Gaap started performing the spell. He held tightly to the candle. The flame flickered a little bit as Gaap incanted, but otherwise Mike didn’t immediately notice anything afterwards. He stepped back from Gaap. He glanced at the candle and the incense before shrugging. 

“Not sure if that worked..,” he informed. It was hard to know what didn’t work, though. Was it just not the right spell, or was the casting unsuccessful? Did he step away from Gaap’s hands too quickly? Did being so tense affect it?

He blew out the candle and tossed it aside before asking, “Um, for good measure, how about we try that one again?”

Mike bent down to replace the incense stick with a fresh new one, then got out a new candle and lit it. He stood, stepped forward and took a deep breath before saying, “Ready when you are.”

This time, he figured he’d try to keep his eye open. Staring into Gaap’s eye felt uncomfortable, and focusing on the candle light was painful. He decided to look down at the incense. 

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap was a bit amused, Mike’s clarification somewhat suggesting he might need “psychological” something else, which frankly wouldn’t be surprising given the whole evil demonic cult thing. “Got it,” He says, flipping to that section instead, reading through before glancing to Mike for any non-spell components they might need to perform it.

Mike put the hand mirror away and replaced it with a long white candle that he was to hold onto for the spell. He checked on the incense to make sure it was still burning. Then he took a deep breath in and mentally prepared himself. He read that to get the best results for this spell, the caster should put their hands on the sides of the subject’s head. Mike didn’t like being touched, let alone having something as vulnerable as his head held between the hands of a sorcerer. But he was determined to see it through.

[bishop-percival]

@aspiringferalbeast

(prev) Ayranor relaxed when Percy cheered up again and waves him off, okay good! At least they weren’t also in trouble with Percy! He then turns his attention to Lola, deciding to clear away the fallen candles first to make it less obvious they’d messed up the chandelier before moving to her and roughly shaking his friend, hoping to rouse her from where she was knocked out.

Lola’s body was lifeless until Percival was out of the room. It then stiffened up before she opened her eye and smacked away Ayranor's arms.

“Ow ow OW, stop! Geez, whatever she broke, you’re making it worse!”

She slowly rose to a seated position and grumbled. “Shit. And Bishop Percival’s mad at me…”

Her usual accent and cadence seemed off… 

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap watches as Mike staggers and brings himself to the ground, well it definitely did something, and he’s proud to hear he successfully cast the spell on the first try, that was something else he could add to his tool kit! He gives a nod and flips through the book. “Okay what next? Psychological?” He asks, skimming over it.

Mike rubbed his chin. “Psychological? No, I don’t need that.” He pointed his finger up as he added, “As in, I don’t think it’ll help me remember what I need to.”

Though he did take a second to ponder, what if there were memories he was repressing? Maybe whatever they were, they were better off forgotten. He wanted to focus on the task at hand, anyway. He tried to recall the very scant information Albert had offered on the Synapse Discombobulator. It worked by emitting some kind of signal? Would that be physical?

“Let’s try physical,” Mike suggested. 

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap relaxed as Mike laughed, relieved that he’d avoided seeming like an annoying asshole, sure it’s what was like, expected of a Glornist? But he couldn’t imagine anyone actually wanted it directed towards them within its ranks, who would like that? “Right?” He adds, laughing as well. “I kind of feel like a big dork saying some of these out loud.” he says. “And with that, let the dorkiness commence.” Gaap focuses his magic on the mirror as he looks into it. “Disperse the fog that obscures this mind, allow memory to find its way back through!” He recites seriously, it never worked right if you didn’t commit, nobody liked a blasé sorcerer.

Mike suppressed a smirk that wanted to creep across his face when Gaap recited the incantation and instead focused on his reflection in the mirror. He was pondering how he would be able to tell if the spell was successful until the mirror caught a light, supernatural as it couldn’t have come from the dim candles lining the chamber, and deflected it into Mike’s eye. He winced but was able to keep his eye open, in case closing it would ruin the spell.

It was a brief flash, but it did leave Mike rather dazed. He let go of the mirror in favor of holding his head, which was quickly developing an ache. Did this mean the spell actually recovered something? Would the missing memories come to the front of his mind or would he have to go digging for them? The latter seemed to be the case, as nothing was immediately coming to mind.

“Ugh… I need a second,” Mike grumbled as he sat on the ground and dragged his laptop closer to him to write notes. He tried thinking back to his soldier days and the early Glornch days. It was difficult to determine if he regained anything, as memories by nature are pretty nebulous—especially those from nearly ten years ago.

Mike decided to get more specific and focus on his memories of Percy. It was something he often tried not to do, as reminiscing about how he used to be made it harder to fathom killing him. But after a second or two of thinking, Mike perked up as something popped into his head, a memory that he didn’t know he had:

Mike, Miriam, and Percy were hanging out in the newly-built vestry. Percy was bragging about his powers, telling the two, “I also know memory manipulation magic!”

Mike, always a skeptic, responded with, “Really? Prove it.”

“Okay,” Percival gleefully responded, and snapped his fingers at him. Mike forgot what they were talking about and developed a headache.

Presently, Mike sighed and started typing out the recollection, the laptop angled away from Gaap. What a stupid memory… but it was useful! It confirmed that Bishop Percival had those abilities.

Mike wondered if he could uncover anything else, but figured he should think about it later as he didn’t want to keep Gaap just standing and waiting there.

He took out a bottle of ibuprofen, tossed two pills in his mouth, and slowly stood back up.

“Good casting. I think the spell worked but I didn’t quite find what I’m looking for. Let’s try a different one.”

[bishop-percival]

@necromancer-gaap

(prev) Gaap gives a chuckle. “Have you already read the key ones to gather the supplies?” He asks before giving a hum and picking the mirror up. “Alright this is going to seem rather dumb but we’ve got to both hold this mirror between us, and then I’m going to say some cornball sounding magic spell,” he says. “Magic, by its necessity tends to be kind of literal and on the nose like that unless you’re really adept at whatever you’re doing,” he shrugs, but pauses, a look of slight embarrassment. On second thought Mike probably knew that, it’s not like he wasn’t inundated with magic despite his inability to harness it, hopefully he wouldn’t hold the slightly obnoxious ramble against him.

Mike shrugged and replied to Gaap’s question with, “Perhaps.”

After Gaap went on about magic, Mike didn’t seem annoyed. Rather, he cracked a smile and snickered. “Heh… I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks these things are so corny!”

He let out a louder laugh before adding, “Miriam and Percival always get mad at me when I make fun of their spells. I can’t help it when they sound like angsty teenager poetry. Hah!”

Mike cleared his throat to reign himself in and grabbed hold of the mirror’s handle. He stared into it while awaiting the next steps.