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

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Me? Rarely. I provide the tools, I prefer to overlook the battle from afar," Q admitted.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot could understand that. "Well, I've done... a lot of fighting. If it's helpful. I mean I can't say I enjoy it but I guess I've gotten pretty good at it. With magic, I mean. Not with a sword."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"If that's what you'd rather do, I can put in a word with the captain, but I promise you this is a far more comfortable position. It's your choice though, I make no demands," Q assured him. "Wouldn't you rather use your powers to help develop things that would aid those in battle? Things to keep them safe? Things to ensure a win? I know they say glory is on the battlefield, but I assure you there's plenty to be found here as well. ...And it's a lot safer."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"No, I just.... want to be useful," Eliot said hastily. "If that's enchanting arrows or whatever, that's okay with me. I'm not a danger junkie, trust me."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"I promise, right now you couldn't be more useful," Q assured him. "I'll make you a copy of the enchantment, with your help I should be able to get this done before we make port."

[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."