And the lanterns themselves were strange. I didnt even immediately understand why. Only then did I realize: the light was not like what I was used to, it gave off a cold blueness and something otherworldly. Is it also magic?
Theres your house, Charlotte waved her ghostly hand. Somewhere towards a whole street of identical brick cottages. That is I dont know, can a house be called a street if even the most seedy road does not lead to it? Neither to the teaching village, nor to the dormitories. It's like they're flying on broomsticks here! What is magic?
Charlotte, hearing about brooms, explained:
There is a portal network. You need to learn how to open portals everyone can do it, even children. It's simple.
Oh yes, I forgot to say Im not a magician. Although no. She spoke.
Now a magician. Charlotte didnt seem to hear my irony. Her chilling, otherworldly emotionlessness was beginning to frighten me. It would be better if she screamed and became hysterical, like at the very beginning! You got the body of a sorceress. It remembers, it needs you to remember too.
Translating body memory into conscious knowledge is a wow task! How?!"
Charlotte's ghostly body suddenly enveloped me, embraced me in a sticky, chilling way. The hand went up on its own, as if pulling back a curtain. Behind the curtain a piece of the living room was revealed: a bright green armchair, a glass table, on the table there was a teapot, a cup, an open packet of cookies and an open magazine turned upside down. On the cover, a doll-like blonde in a short flared fuchsia dress smiled invitingly. The trends of the season are brightness! shouted large letters over the blonde.
I stepped there somehow I stepped in a special way, fully aware that this step would eat up at least half an hour of walking, at least half a day on the plane. The curtain gently fell behind him, cutting off the path. Charlotte hung next to me, and I was finally able to breathe in normal air, and not the cold of the grave.
Very simple. Do you remember?
I wanted to say that I didnt even understand anything, but Well, yes, I didnt understand. But I can repeat it, I felt it.
? how to determine where to go? Only to familiar places?
I will take you everywhere. Until you get the hang of it. And for public portals, it is not necessary to know what the exit looks like. If you want some tea, the kitchen is to the left. Did it seem, or did she actually sigh? I hope you like cupcakes. This body loves them.
Cupcakes, tea and a story. Detailed, but not too clear. To begin with, this is actually Earth, really England, but magic is the order of the day here. Instead of the metro, buses and trains a public portal network. Chemistry is the one that I now, in theory, must know at least at the bachelors level, and not a long-forgotten school course! is divided not only into organic and inorganic, but also into magical and not. Healers this is generally a special conversation, because they master magic at a very high level. ? They are trained in this very academy with a teeth-breaking abbreviation instead of a name.
Panacea Armoran Academy of Applied Healing and Chemical Biological Research, Charlotte said. And she added: Everyone just says Panacea Academy. And Dr. Norwood's department is of potions and elixirs. Magical pharmacology is this name easier for you to understand?
Its much simpler
Dont be afraid, you wont have to do anything complicated. Especially with Dr. Dougal I myself, dont touch, dont touch! The assistant is doing the paperwork can you really understand the papers? Registers mail, receives and sends. The professor has an extensive correspondence, he is a world-class luminary, she explained with unexpected pride, as if she had lit this luminary herself. We'll have to control the class schedule. Make sure there are no overlaps. It happens that he is called to a conference or an urgent consultation. Then everything needs to be adjusted and replacements arranged. And if he has an important phase of the experiment, he gives an unscheduled control. Then youll just sit in the audience and make sure they dont cheat. He even makes his own coffee.
In general, something like a secretary. Okay, I can handle it. Maybe. You know, friend, it seems to me that you are still in love with him. At least a little.
Do you think that a rather frivolous and selfish girl can fall in love with a man who, instead of hello, says you look disgusting. If you collect your hair, you will ruin the potion, and instead of goodbye And finally disappear from my sight?
Do you think that I will fall in love with him? And in just a week.
Are you frivolous and selfish? Charlotte asked, but did not expect an answer, as if she already knew him. Although, to be honest, I wouldnt be able to answer. We are all selfish and frivolous we happen. And we are also different. And with different people different. Look, the same Mrs. Wilburn thinks Im sweet and sympathetic, and our production editor thinks Im a notorious bitch. How can I know what I will be like next to the unknown Dr. Norwood?
A heart-rending ringing sound came from somewhere above.
Alarm clock, Charlottes ghostly face rippled: she was probably wincing like that. Still, if there is something constant in all worlds, it is alarm clocks and a general dislike for them There is a bedroom. In an hour you should be at the department.
Did we talk all night? I was amazed.
Almost. ? now you have to get yourself in order, change clothes, comb your hair
Collect your hair so as not to spoil the potions, yes, I understand. By the way, thanks for reminding me where is your mirror? I want to finally see who I have turned into.
Well, it could be worse, I thought, looking at the huge wall-length mirror in the bathroom. Okay, much worse. Nature did not deprive Charlotte. Perhaps this body would be called luxurious by those who are not delighted with modern fashion trends. Thin waist, steep hips, defiantly high voluminous breasts. It was heavy, I felt it very well already, having walked with her for only a few hours. Hello, Barbie, I thought gloomily. ?except maybe not blonde. A shiny mop of chestnut curled in unruly curls. How long does it take to style such hair? Horror. In an hour at the department?! This is clearly not enough to wash, dry and give at least some kind of sane appearance.
I do not like? Charlotte asked, floating into the bathroom. I liked that one.
Maybe I should get a haircut? I thoughtfully tugged at the wavy strand. I dont see a hairdryer or electricity here at all. By the way, where does the light come from? the chandelier in the living room and the ceiling lamp in the bathroom were burning quite as usual, brightly. Not as deathly as street lights. But no sockets, no switches.
Magic. Let me show.
Again, the almost familiar feeling of a slimy cold jellyfish swallowing you and your hands shot up, making passes. R-time a hot wave passed over my head, my hair shone and lay hair-to-hair. Two the unruly hair is arranged in a high, strict hairstyle. Tr-ri the traces of a sleepless night and a difficult conversation disappeared from the face, the cheeks softly flushed, the eyes sparkled fervently. Gorgeous!
Its impossible to fall in love with such an assistant your Dougal is definitely a cracker, I voiced the logical conclusion.
Charlotte waved my hand again, turning off the light in the bathroom.
And now to the kitchen. Ill teach you how to quickly prepare breakfast and make coffee.
To the pulpit Charlotte me or us? delivered five minutes before the start of the working day. Dougal was already here, and I stared with greedy curiosity at my intended betrothed. He, however, was almost entirely hiding behind an unfolded newspaper it seemed German. All she could see was the burning black top of her head and her long, ringless fingers. Moreover, Charlotte immediately retorted: