Familiar events - 1.7

"We need supplies," Red rasped.  "Indoors would be better.  It would be bad if a candle blew out."

"Quite right," Miles said, "My room is a little occupied at the moment, how about your room?"  Lex looked over to see him looking at them rather than at Red.

"Why not Red?"

"I rented a rack," he rasped, looking straight ahead.

Lex immediately understood what he meant.

"What's a rack?" Ann asked.

"Imagine a large wine cellar," Miles said, "only with big flat shelves and instead of bottles of wine you have a person in each slot.  It's quite economical, perfect for someone saving their money for a big purchase."

"Why didn't he just sleep with you?" Ann asked, a wry expression on her face.

"Well, normally," Miles answered, "We would have shared a bed to keep the costs down, but this was our last free night and he wanted to commune with the stars and since I had other things on my mind he volunteered.  Now, we're going to need to stop by a general store.  We need some chalk, some string, a few candle bits and you already have an idea of what familiar you'd like, right?"

The two women started discussing some ideas they'd had for a familiar and the party soon found themselves in Ann and Lex's room with the necessary supplies.  Ann had decided to go with the traditional cat, while Lex wanted something that flew.

"Do you want an animal," Miles asked them, "Or would you rather endow a familiar spirit into an object?  I happened to choose my lute."  He whisked his fingers over the strings and it almost sounded as though the lute giggled.

Lex shrugged her shoulders.  "I did not know that was possible, but I do not have anything objects that I would be emotionally invested in.  I think I will call it in a raven form."

"Me too," Ann said, "There's just something nice about a cat.  There was a cat at home that had learned how to use a doorknob, so the kitchen always needed to be latched shut at night when nobody was in it."

"Then let's begin," Miles said, starting to measure out string for radii so they could be sure to get perfect circles of the appropriate size.  "You know, I've heard that you can buy compasses for this.  We should keep our eyes open.  If we do any more rituals in the future, it would make it much easier."

"It doesn't mention it in this ritual," Lex said, looking up from it, "Is a certain manner of dress required?"

"Not particularly," Miles hedged.  "The first time I did it, I was clothed."

"Why cast multiple times," Ann asked, "Does it get any better?"

"No," Miles responded slowly, "It's just sort of flashy, something fun to show off."

From his spot over on the bed, Red finally spoke up and rasped, "It's his pickup line."

Lex laughed and Ann blushed.

"Ok, so let's get you seated," Miles said, "The caller in the center and a supporter on either side."

Lex laughed again.  As she took her place in a side circle, she teasingly said, "So that's what you did last night."