Q

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot was feeling pretty... uneven, about literally everything on this ship. He'd made a friend in Winter, which was lovely, and assumed that John was on his side as well, considering he'd been the one to bring him here. And Guy... well, whatever that was. Eliot really had thought that his smartest move was to get on the captain's very good side, but despite feeling like the man had been undressing him with his eyes, it had ended with... report to the quartermaster. He'd thought it best not to ask what that entailed. To just do what he was told.

So he dutifully showed up in the workroom. Looked around. "Ah, I'm looking for the quartermaster."

Comments

[eliot_thespectacular]

"You've got it, boss," said Eliot cheerfully.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Just Q is fine," Q assured him with an awkward smile. "For now though, I can show you around."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot really was in better spirits now. He wouldn't have admitted it to himself, but it was a little depressing how quickly he'd jumped to thinking that he needed to use his body to prove his worth here.

"Great," he said. Then as they walked added, "You want to test me or anything? Or are do you just trust John's eye for talent?" Hopefully it was that and not just that John had a tendency to pick up strays.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Honestly? I need the help. If you're even half-way decent, you'll be better than what I have. I had another mage working with me, but they took off two ports ago. It's just myself and Tanner, and Tanner isn't a mage. He's a tactician. ...And John does have a knack for finding people with potential."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot nodded. "Okay, well, can confirm I'm halfway decent at most things anyway. And I'm a quick learner."

And the wild magic wasn't a problem most of the time.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Then I'm sure we'll get on just fine," Q replied, taking a moment to show Eliot where everything was. There were plenty of ingredients, cauldrons, assorted books on magic and plenty of equipment.

"My only rule is you make note of what you use. You don't need to ask, but we need to keep track of what needs replacing. You're welcome to make personal use of the supplies, just be mindful of how much you take. Not every port we make will have supplies after all."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Noted," said Eliot. "And ah... I can borrow the books?" He tried not to look too eager, but he hadn't seen a book the whole time he'd been here. "In fact, if you have anything else... I thought I might cart back some books if there's a place when we make port. I didn't bring much with me."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Erm, well, I have my private collection, but- I don't usually lend them out," Q admitted. "They're heavy and hard to store, and it's not as though we come across them often, but I have quite a few."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"I understand," Eliot said. Then added brightly, "But hey, you know what the carrot is for my good behavior, now. Offer me a book and I'll be an A+ student."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"I really don't think you should see me as a teacher, I doubt I'll have time for instruction," Q replied seriously, even though he was sure Eliot was joking. "Anyway, are you ready to get to work? I'll make a copy of the enchantment for you to learn, and then we can set to work. I'd like to see how many arrows we can get through today before dinner."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot had indeed been joking, so he just nodded at that first part, and then said, "Sure. Let's get to work."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q took the time to write out the enchantment, his script tidy and easy to read. He was a focused man, one who was clearly passionate about his work. Though there was an unexpected softness and warmth to him too, and he smiled as he held the scroll out to Eliot. "We can work together, if you like. I don't have much else on my plate today. After, I can help you clear out the spare equipment from your new quarters."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"I'd like that," said Eliot,and took the scroll. "Also you have amazing handwriting."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Oh, um, thank you," Q said. "I learned young. The court expected a strong grasp on reading and writing."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Well I can write well enough, just not that neatly," Eliot chuckled. "Perhaps we could have some more tea while we work?"

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q nodded, waving his hand to refill the kettle and place it back upon the woodburning stove. While it boiled he brought over a few stacks of arrows, ready to get to work.

"I do wish there was a quicker way to do this," he admitted. "I've no doubt they'll prove useful, but it's time consuming. Also, I fear they're really only of use on land. I can't imagine them being much use on the ship. They burn too bright and too aggressively, we'd risk setting fire to the ship."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Could shoot them at other ships," Eliot said with a shrug. "Though that's a good point. Is there some other kind of enchantment we might use instead?"

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Possibly. At the moment the ship's best defense is the cannons. There used to be twice as many, but it was my first project after I came aboard. I enchanted the cannons, rather than the cannonballs, increased the aim, and the size of impact. Less cannons mean we travel faster, accurate ones end flights faster," Q noted, chatting away as he started to work.

[eliot_thespectacular]

"That's clever," Eliot said, enchanting the cannons instead. "What about more defenses? Could there be something to make the ship less... flammable?"

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Mmm," Q nodded. "For a while I was using a chilling spell before battle, but that sometimes caused ice to form around the ship. Then there was the wind ward, but that caused waves, even occasionally fueled the flames... I think there's a chance the wood itself could be enchanted to resist flames, but it's a large ship- Even if we only enchanted the outer layers, it could take weeks. I'm open to suggestions though."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot considered this for a moment, and then said, "I once learned an enchanting technique that sort of... snowballed. Or like catching fire, kindling catching other pieces and spreading the enchantment to them. I have no idea if it would work, but we could try. Then we would be able to do a smaller number of enchantments across the ship."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"A rippling enchantment?" Q asked, since that was the only similar thing he could think of. "It's possible, but they use a great deal of magic and focus."

He leaned back in his seat, looking lost in thought. "It's not a bad suggestion, Eliot. I need to think on it though. It would have to be just the right enchantment, and it might require dual casting."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"I've done a lot of dual casting," Eliot said. "It's hard, but... I dunno, I think we could sync."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q nodded slightly, still thinking, then looking over at Eliot.

"I'll speak with Bond about it," he said. "If he approves, we can start looking into the best enchantments to use."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot nodded. Then after a moment, "So you and Bond are...?" He wasn't sure what word to use, so just let his voice trail off awkwardly.