Magic Tricks

(October 10th, closed to Merlin and Mirage.)

Ok...so it had become apparent that this spell wasn't going to wear off. Trouble was, Mirage wasn't aware of anyone experienced in magic within the Hero army, and she sure as heck wasn't venturing into HV territory to try and find a solution - she'd be killed on the spot. However, despite Mirage's lack of knowledge, there were in fact a few experienced magic users within the Hero army - she just hadn't met them.

[Yay...really short post...bleh.]

Since he'd arrived in the Hero's Camp, Merlin hadn't really mingled much with any of the heroes. He'd spoken with Arthur, and raised a memorial stone in the graveyard, but he hadn't really done much else. So far, his major contribution to the war effort had been to pinch a young dog's nose in the form of a crab.

He'd decided to find a quiet spot, and catch up on some reading. Specifically, ways to counter black magic if, or more likely when he found himself fighting one of the sorcerers amongst the HV Army. He tried to find a good shady spot, but everything seemed to be bathed in the hot African sun. But being a wizard had its advantages. Merlin simply conjured a small cloud, and settled down in the resulting shade, not really expecting anyone to disturb him.

Mirage happened to notice Merlin reading. She took in his appearance - robes and tall hat, half-moon spectacles, long white beard. And...he had a cloud floating about his head. Just hovering there. Which could only mean one thing. Mirage all but bounded towards the wizard, heart accelerating slightly at the thought that maybe, just maybe, a member of the Hero army could indeed help her.

"Do you practice magic?" she asked quickly and urgently, coming to a quick halt by the wizard.

Merlin glanced up as a lioness came towards him, moving faster than any large feline tended to move when not hunting or fighting. That in itself was strange. Besides her approaching him so quickly, he'd noticed animals tended to keep more to themselves than mingle with humans, and vice verca.

"Me? Practice magic? I should say I've about mastered it," he huffed. "Why? Is there something that needs a wizard's attention?" he asked, a bit grumpily. What a lioness might need a wizard for was beyond him. But it did seem urgent. He supposed his studies would just have to wait. He carefully closed his book, making certain to mark his spot.

Mirage sat down heavily, the action accompanied by an equally heavy sigh of relief. A hopeful smile appeared on Mirage's face, before she proceeded to explain her situation to the wizard. "Yes, yes there is...to put it plainly, I'm not a lioness. I'm a human...I'm only this way thanks to a spell." Although the spell was greatly inconvenient, Mirage supposed it was better than Nasira killing her...but if it could be reversed, well, that was fantastic. "Is there perhaps something you can do to sort this out?"

For a moment, Merlin just stared, caught completely by surprise. That was the last thing he'd been expecting. Who on earth had decided to change her into a lioness? No one he knew, that was for certain. And why?

The old wizard decided it didn't matter, and he set his book aside, and got to his feet, adjusting his glasses, and peering closely at the lioness. "Well, are you certain it won't wear off on its own? How long has this condition lasted?"

If it had been him who had changed her into a lioness, he'd have been able to lift the spell in a wink. But if he tried to change her back to her true form without knowing more, he could very well do more harm than good. "You wouldn't happen to know who cast this spell, would you?"

Mirage stood as Merlin did, before proceeding to answer his questions. "I've been this way since escaping from the Human Villain dungeons..." she replied. She hated reliving those moments in her mind. "Nasira was the one who cast the spell...I don't exactly know why she chose a lioness..." She really hoped that there was something Merlin could do...she just wanted to be back in her own body. (You would be surprised how much you missed simple things such as hands, rather than paws, when you didn't have them.)

Merlin stroked his long white beard as he listened to her explanation. So, Nasira had turned her into a lioness. The old wizard couldn't fathom why. Maybe it was all some cruel practical joke. He pulled his long, billowing sleeves back, and reached his hands out, holding them on either side of the lioness's head. He took a deep breath, and closed his eyes, using his magic to probe at the curse holding her in the form of a lioness.

"I just realized I didn't catch your name," he said, still keeping his eyes closed. Knowing what her name was might just help him break this spell.

Mirage hadn't been expecting Merlin's hands to hold her head on either side; the gesture threw her off somewhat, and she flinched a little, but otherwise remained still, mentally telling herself that the wizard knew what he was doing. At least, she hoped he did. Her tail involuntarily flicked as she stood there, waiting for the wizard to come to some sort of conclusion. But when he spoke again, it wasn't any manner of conclusion as Mirage had hoped, but rather a query - he asked her name. "Mirage," she replied, only then registering fully that her tail was moving, and stopping it from doing so. Her tail still didn't feel like part of her.

For a few moments longer, Merlin remained silent, and completely still. Nasira had done a thorough job with her spell. The old wizard had to admit she was quite skilled. Then he opened his eyes, and let his hands drop to his side for a moment. He lit his pipe as he regarded Mirage thoughtfully, eyes narrowed behind his spectacles.

"Well, the bad news is I can't just snap my fingers and turn you back," he said, puffing at his pipe. "Only Nasira, or perhaps a Genie, could do that."

As much as Merlin hated to admit it, his staunch refusal to study black magic did have its drawbacks. But he'd made up his mind a long time ago to avoid that stuff like the plague. And as it was, he'd gotten rather out of practice with countering curses and the like.

"The good news is I'm certain I can reverse this spell, given enough time," he stated, stroking his beard again.

Mirage's heart sank as Merlin said what the bad news was. She thought, for one horrible moment, that she would be stuck like this. But thankfully, her spirits were lifted a little as the wizard countered the bad news with good. There was still negativeness in the good news, though...and Mirage couldn't stifle a disappointed sigh. But waiting a little longer was better than being stuck as a lioness for good. "How much time do you think it will take?" Mirage asked, eager to know how much longer she had to wait.

Merlin didn't answer right away, carefully considering his answer. In the unlikely event he had a major breakthrough, it might be only a matter of hours. On the other hand, it could take weeks. But he should know something in a couple of weeks.

"It's hard to say for certain. But check back with me in two weeks. By then, I'll either have a solution, or a better idea on how long it will take to come up with a counterspell," he said, puffing at his pipe a bit more. "You must understand, a single misstep could have dire consequences for one or both of us. I won't bore you with details, but I must be absolutely certain of success before I remove the curse."

He didn't want to go into detail because some of the possible outcomes were horribly unpleasant. But he didn't show any sign of misgiving. After all, he'd had centuries of practice dealing with magic, and he could be extremely patient when he needed to.