[Pen/Pencil Review] The LEGO(tm) Pen – 3-Pack
It’s time to get back on track. I was off kilter last week, muddled through and now I’m back – or at least back-ish. Trying to get everything back to kilter (whatever kilter actually is). So, pens! Let’s talk about pens. This week, we’re taking a look at LEGO™ pens I picked up at Half-Price Books a few weeks ago.
This was a 3 color pen set – black, red, and blue – for $6.99. These pens are the definition of “stick pen”. Capped, these pens are 6.25″ long and with the caps posted they’re 6.75″. They’re 0.25″ on each side, because they’re LEGO™ bricks. There are ink color matching panels just above the grip and below the post. The upper color panels are the interlocking brick pieces. They can attach to each other quite strongly. The caps also post securely.
The grip has some tapering leading to the steel point. The points are a 0.7mm or a 0.8mm with gel ink. The points are scratchy and the ink stutters – they may just need some time to “break in” or the ink is old. I’m not sure. The pen is narrow and with all the angles it’s not a comfortable pen – at least not for me.
They’re fun for the novelty aspect. They’re fun for short run writing. But for the long haul, I have others that I like much better.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 0.5 – They’re useable, but have some issues. The barrel is narrow and all angles. The ink may be old or just scratchy.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – There are no ergonomics. This pen is a solid plastic. The edges are rounded, but it is a square pen – it’s an odd feel.
3. Material – 1 It’s a decent quality plastic and metal pen.The cap posts securely.
4. Overall Design – 1 -It’s weird and odd and cool all at once. But it’s not comforatable
5. Price Point – 0.5 – It’s expensive. These run $6.99 at Half-Price Books – most of that is for the LEGO™ name. It’s not for the faint of heart.
3.5 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Write the Story] A Spy on the Job
Prompt: A Spy on the Job
Words: apostle, kitty, myriad, investment, republic, crimson, flint, postern, original, field
Story
Kitty Carone slipped through the postern gate out into the field beyond the stone ramparts of the monastery. She ditched the crimson cloak she’d worn as she’d navigated the myriad corridors, avoiding apostles at every turn.
A whistle, much like a bird but off, drew her attention to the left. The signal. She hurried from shadow to shadow until she reached the stone-colored ground car in the gulley between flint walls.
“Was it worth the investment?”
Kitty gave the gentleman in the driver’s position a baleful, sideways glance. “It’s good to see you, too, Simon. I’m fine, by the way.”
“You know I know you’re fine or you wouldn’t be here. Now, tell me. Was it worth it?”
Kitty reached into a pocked and pulled out a crystal drive. “The original plans for the attack on the Republic’s state house. Conversations between conspirators. Names, dates, and contacts.” She watched the scenery speed by.
Simon took the drive with one hand. “It’s good work. We’ll extract…”
“Not yet. I need a little more time.”
“What for?”
“Weapons dealer. Drop me off here.” She put an address in the navigation system. “In an hour, we should be able to move.”
“You have an hour.”
Word Count: 202
Written: 7/4/19
Note: Kitty Carone is a character I created a while back and always like to bring out to play every so often. Her original story is called “Justice Survives” and can be found in my new collection The Astronaut Stole My Sharpie and Other Stories available on Amazon right now.
[Pen/Pencil Review] Zebra bLen 0.5mm Blue Ink
This week’s pen is a new design from Zebra. I picked this up at Kinokuniya on the way back from my Favorite Ex-CoWorker’s wedding. If we’d thought it through, we’d’ve left for the wedding earlier and stopped on the way UP. But this one is something interesting…and I’m looking forward to working with it more to see if it lives up to the design hype.
The Zebra bLen is a team-up between Zebra and a design company, Nendo. It’s supposedly designed for those of us who use pens for long periods of time. Tokyo Pen Shop does an unboxing video on it. They talk about how it’s designed for artists, designers, and writers to be comfortable for long periods of use. And they do it without being bulky. It’s…interesting.
This pen is about 5.5″ long retracted and about 5.75″ long with the tip extended. This is a typical length for a retractable pen, but that’s where it stops being “typical”. This pen touts having a brass weight close to the tip to lower the center of gravity. It’s slightly wider than an ordinary retractable pen, but not as wide as say a Dr. Grip or other “ergonomic” pen. The grip is a softer rubber/plastic than the upper barrel. And though you can refill the pen, there’s no ridge or bump where the two parts of the barrel connect, leaving a smooth, even surface.
The barrel actually elongates into almost an oval as it moves up to the clip and pusher. The oval end makes the plunger wider and easier to click. The plunger cap flows into the clip that is accented with color on the shaft – at least with the white barrel versions. These have color-matching and point size on the plunger. There are also black and gray barrels.
The bLens come in 0.5mm and 0.7mm in red, blue, and black inks – the black and gray barrels come with black ink. The ink is rich and dark, which I’ve come to expect from Zebra’s emulsion gel ink. It’s just an amazing pen. I’m probably going to have to get more of them. At least I know Tokyo Pen Shop has them, and they’re not that expensive.
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 1 – This is a solid, utility pen. The white barrel line comes in the three primary colors and has a good solid line with smooth ink. The weighted tip and balance make it easy to work with.
2. Look and feel – 1 – It’s average length with a slightly wider than average diameter. The grip is comfortable. The line is thin but strong. It is sleek, smooth and comfortable.
3. Material – 1 – It’s a mostly plastic utility pen. It is what it is, and it’s solid for what it is. The clip is metal and plastic and strong.
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s actually a new design and innovative (which is difficult for pens like a retractable gel).
5. Price Point – 1 – They’re between $2.50 and $3.00 – depending on where you get them, but they’re only available online or a shop that gets their stuff from Japan – like Tokyo Pen Shop or Kinokuniya. They are refillable, come in the basic colors and in at least 2 point sizes.
That’s a 5.0
[Write the Story] Stranded in a Foreign City
Prompt: Stranded in a Foreign City
Words: Baptist, assets, cupcake, showcase, neurology, workaday, pine, cushion, assistant, firmament
Story
“All I wanted was a cupcake.” Eva plopped down on the pine bench.
“We’re in Versailles,” Andy, Eva’s assistant, said. “At a neurology symposium. What makes you think there would be cupcakes?”
Eva sighed. “It’s France? They have exquisite food. Cupcakes fall in that category.”
“In a workaday, North American mindset maybe, but French pastry chefs are no mere cupcakes unless it is a showcase now far above the rest of the pastries they can be.”
Eva grinned. “By all the stars in the firmament, I’ve not heard a more passionate sermon since this old Baptist preacher I once knew.” She heaved herself up from the bench. “Come on, Andy, it’s time to go home.”
“I have a couple of assets to check in with before we get to the airport,” Andy said.
“Assets.” Eva snorted. “You sound like a bad spy novel. Or a bad spy period. Hurry. I’ll meet you at the station.”
#
Eva stood inside the train car heading to the airport. She watched Andy rushing to the closing doors. He’d cut his time cushion too short. She warned him. Stern, suited men surrounded Andy as she pulled away. He knew the risks. He would pay the price.
Word Count: 202
Written: 6/26-27/19
[Pen/Pencil Review] Spoke Pen in Green with Black Ink
This week’s pen was an unexpected gift from Jimmy. He got it from the good people at Spoke Pencils and (now) pens. I think it was finally a replacement for the pencil he gave me a while back that I gave back to him because it works with his Pentel P-205 collection. This pen was designed with the guys at Spoke Pencil with Brad Dowdy from ThePenAddict.com and Nock cases. This may have been part of their Kickstarter because Jimmy’s a huge supporter of Brian Conti.
The pen, like the mechanical pencils, are machined aluminum with anodized satin colors – mine is (shockingly) green. The pen is 5.5†long capped, and 5.15″ uncapped. The cap has a solid magnetic fastener with a black steel alloy clip. The cap does not post. That’s the only drawback. The aluminum body is hexagonal with cuts that let you see the black interior barrel – so you have a color contrast. It’s tapered for a finger grip. It’s pretty well balanced – good weight without being “heftyâ€.
The grip is etched, ribbed shiny titanium – light and strong. The grip fits a standard gel pen refill – this one comes with a Uni-ball 0.5mm Signo UM-151 refill in black ink. The grip is long so you can grip it at several points without the ridge where the grip meets the barrel from digging in. And, honestly? DARNED COOL LOOKING. And apparently, they have stands? I don’t’ know if they come with, but hey, that’s something to keep in mind. But, they’re “artisan†pencils. They are not cheap.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It’s a great. I might someday debate Brad Dowdy about the Uni-ball Signo UM-151 being the best ink refill ever, but it’s a really good ink. The cap is secure but easy to manipulate. It’s easy to refill. Everything you want in a pen.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – They fixed the grip problems with the pencil – they’ve been making the grips longer and better balanced without the ridge digging in. There’s nothing soft and squishy about the pencil – it’s all metal. They have made an attempt at ergonomics, but it is what it is.
3. Material – 1 This is high-quality anodized aluminum. It’s sturdy but light. The point and cap seem solid and bright. It does seem to be top notch materials.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – The knock is simply because you can’t post the cap. Otherwise, it’s very “engineered†looking. It’s sharp, it’s well-designed. It’s pretty while being utilitarian. BrianConti and Brad Dowdy put a lot of thought and work into this. They get credit for that.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – They Are. Not. Cheap. I got this one for a gift, so bear with me here. Jimmy was an early supporter – so I have no idea what HE paid – which probably isn’t what’s on the site. The website will sell these for $55-60 – if they’re available. I’m only knocking a half point off because they’re artisan. This is not something you can get in a store. They’re art work. Oh, and they have stands. If the stands come with them in price, then you do have a piece of functional desk art.
I give it 4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Write the Story] A Child’s Dream Literally Comes True
Prompt: A Child’s Dream Literally Comes True
Words: high school, captivate, portfolio, argyle, witness, fertile, eyebrow, pentagram, thirsty, guidance
Story
Peter waited in the wings of a moderately-sized auditorium full of people. Not just people, but peers, all there for this moment. His Moment. That’s when the butterflies began.
“You’re awfully nervous.†The familiar voice seemed to speak directly in Peter’s ear. “Worried you’re taking credit for my work?â€
Peter brushed the voice away. “Go away. I don’t hear you.â€
“Hmpf. Cheeky child.â€
Peter clutched his portfolio closer to his chest. The voice had been with hm since the pentagram and now was his ever-constant witness to…everything. But he didn’t have time. He was on. Peter strode out onto the high school stage. The audience’s fertile imaginations giving him a dose of confidence. He set the book down and straightened his argyle bow tie and went into his schtick.
A guidance councilor brought out a child, about ten, to the cheers of the captivated audience. He studied the child, a girl in rainbow colors. He gestured over her eyebrow. “What is it you dream about?â€
“Right now?†she squeaked. “I’m kind of thirsty.â€
“No,†Peter said. “Something bigger.†With a low incantation and gestures, a pink unicorn appeared with a saddle and streamers. She squealed in delight. The audience erupted in a beautiful cacophony. Maybe the deal he made wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Word Count: 215
Written: 6/18/19
[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot Precise V5 RT – Classic Colors
I often do revisits of pens or different versions. This is another Pilot Precise V5 RT (retractable) in a classic color 3-pack – red, blue, black. That I picked up on a clearance table at Staples when I “needed” to get a narrow-ruled legal pad for a job thing – because I have preferences about office supplies that I don’t foist on other people. 
These pens hold up to the heavy-handed writers like me. This is a 0.5mm – hence the V5 – but it’s still a decent point. I have no idea if I have become less heavy-handed over time, or needle points really are sturdier. Either way, needle-points are something I’ve come to appreciate.
These pen is about 5.5″ long and has a decent retraction mechanism. It’s light but well-balanced. The ink is richly pigmented and flows well from the tip. The lines are smooth and the ink dries quickly on paper with minimal smearing. The barrels are plastic with classic lines and color matching designs. The grips are rubber with dimples that make them relatively comfortable .
This is a good workhorse pen that has a price point, so if it’s stolen off a desk, it’s no big loss. It’s refillable so you can use them a good long time. I believe I picked these up on sale for just a dollar or two – so either they over-bought or maybe there’s going to be a design change?
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 1 – This is a solid working pen. The ink is well-pigmented. The point is relatively solid for a needle point.
2. Look and feel – 1 – It’s a basic retractable pen. There’s a nod to ergonomics. The clip is metal, so that’s solid.
3. Material – 1 – It’s recycled plastic with a metal clip. It is what it is. These are classic colors and designs.
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s functional. It’s an average length retractable pen with a decent point and ink. It’s refillable and eco-friendly
5. Price Point – 0.5 – Though this pen is refillable, I don’t know that many ever do. If you get them on sale, they’re a good deal. Otherwise, I think they can range in price that makes you have to think.
4.5 out of 5 bronze pencils.
[Write the Story] A Countdown
Prompt: A Countdown
Words: plumber, witty, oyster, voluntary, asparagus, centralize, judge, puddle, pointer, ampersand
Story
“You know, you don’t have to give anyone your password. It’s nobody’s business what post but you.†Sid poked the oyster with his fork. “Are these supposed to be swimming in a puddle of goo?â€
“Since it’s oyster stew, um yes? And what’s wrong with asparagus with ampersands for the a’s?†Hilda dipped deep into her stew and after her scoop, used the spoon as a pointer. “Besides, it’s voluntary…â€
“When do you have to let them know?â€
“Well, the centralized databank has a timer on the application…â€
“What happens if you say no, Hilda? Will they judge against your application if you don’t say yes?â€
“I don’t know. But I aced the interview, and my skillset is spot on. The panel said I was witty. That’s a good thing. Besides, I have nothing to hide, Sid.â€
“It’s not about that…I just think it’s weird they want your password when you’re applying to be a plumber.â€
“Space plumber, Sid. Space plumber! And you know there has to be a time line, they’re launching soon. I have to do this. So password in 5…4…3…2..1…â€
“Blast off.â€
Word Count: 185
Written: 6/13/2019
[Pen/Pencil Review] The SoonerCon Coolness
EDIT: THE ARTIST IS CRAIG GRISWOLD!
This is kind of a double review from some of the stuff I picked up at SoonerCon following a Day Job Conference. I could do the random collection of swag pens I picked up – or I could show you these two awesome pieces.
Since it’s a pen blog – let’s start with this amazingly fun mermaid tail pen. My friend, Lillian Butler – who also designs awesome jewelry – has found a vendor that does not only the weird tentacle pens (which I love) but also these mermaid tails. These pens are long but not obnoxious. It runs just under 7.5″ long. It’s a hard resin carved with scales but the grip is smooth and just on that edge of being too narrow but not quite.
The metal tip leads into the tail. There’s an edge, but I don’t think it’s going to be too uncomfortable. It is a (by US standards) a “fine point” so it’s a 0.7mm tip with decent feeling ballpoint. The black ink flows well and dark. It doesn’t smear much on a glossy page.
Which leads me to the page I did the sample on – it’s a black cover Field Notes 48-page notebook. These are nice 3.5″ x5.5″ pocket notebooks. But that’s not the coolest part. That notebook is inside a handmade leather by a Colorado artist who’s name completely escapes me – but pretty sure his initials are “CG” (Sorry, Peri). He does sturdy, beautiful leather work. This is the harder leather which gives a sturdy enough surface to make a note on without needing a table, and I couldn’t resist the quote from Princess Bride. There’s a beautiful scroll work on the back I’ve treated this cover with a waxed-based leather conditioner I got at Scarborough Renaissance Festival years ago to weatherproof it as well. The cover is completely refillable and I have a TON of similar sized notebooks to put in it.
I look forward to years of working with the notebook. The pen? I hope to get a goodly bit of use out of it.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 0.5 The pen is decent. It’s a bit on the long side and almost too narrow. Probably spent more on it than I needed to. The notebook is functional – kinda wished I’d picked up one of them that had a closure band.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – It’s a mermaid pen. There’s nothing ergonomic about it. But it is what it is. A decent novelty pen. The notebook is just amazing. I love a good leather notebook.
3. Material – 1 The pen is carved resin. The notebooks is leather with a great brand of notebook inside
4. Overall Design – 1 -It’s a fun stick pen with the separate cap already gone. The notebook is my happy place
5. Price Point – 0.5 – I got these from friends at a convention – that means supporting local artists. The pen was $5 – which yes, you can get them in bulk on Amazon for WAY cheaper, but supporting artist with something fun. The notebook was $25 – but handmade and unique design? Totally worth it – not cheap, but a good investment. Especially since it helps an independent artist.
4.0 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Write the Story] Peri Potter and the Sorcerer’s Bowl
This is isn’t one of the exercises – this is a gift for a friend this SoonerCon weekend.
Peri Potter and the Sorcerer’s Bowl
By Rhonda Eudaly
“Mingus! I know what I’m missing!”
“Yes, Boss?” the henchman’s voice hesitant. As if the excitement in his employer’s tone frightened him.
Petunia whirled on him with a swirl of red skirts. “Yes, Mingus! This spell. This incantation. This…this prophesy needs…” she paused, throwing her arms wide. “A BOWL!”
“All right?” Mingus glanced around. “Which…?”
“Oh, I’m not talking about one of these. This must be a special, never been used vessel.” Petunia tapped the corner of her mouth with a well-manicured fingernail. “I have a job for you, Mingus.”
“Yes, Boss?”
“Find me the best potters in the land. I need an artisan’s help.”
“Right away, Boss.”
Petunia didn’t notice Mingus slip out the door. She had already focused back on the task at hand. The future wasn’t going to work itself out on its own. She had plans. The future was hers to shape, but only if Mingus was successful in his quest to find her a potter.
“Um, Boss?”
Petunia whirled, energy crackling around her fingers. She stopped herself before blasting her minion out of the tower. “Mingus! What have I told you about startling me?”
“That’s why I’m no closer than I am, Boss. You didn’t respond to my other methods.”
Petunia took a couple of long, deep breaths, giving Mingus a fine view of the sorceress’s impressive cleavage. “Well, then, you have my attention, what did you need, Mingus?”
“There are potters downstairs awaiting your pleasure.”
Petunia blinked. “Already?”
“You made the request sound urgent. Also, my sister dabbles in the art. She knows all the best ones. I brought most of them here.”
“Most? Not all?”
“All but one. But…there are reasons. And he wasn’t that high on the list. I’m sure one of the ones I brought will be more than sufficient.”
Mingus shrank from Petunia’s withering glare and seemed to be mentally checking his various body parts were still in their original positions and size. “Um…”
“Well, come along, Mingus, let’s go see who you’ve brought me.”
Petunia swept along the corridor to make her “Grand Entrance”. She sailed into the room with energy crackling around her, drawing every eye and silencing any
comment, complaint, or conversation.
Before she spoke a word, two of the eight potters in her library fainted, landing on the rich rug with muted thumps. The other six quaked in their boots. One by one they sank into quivering bows or to their knees—some in respect, others in abject terror.
“Oh, for goodness sake, get up. All of you. How do we figure out a future partnership if all I know of you is the tops of your trembling heads?”
Slowly the potters staggered to their feet. “Come along to the workshop. I’ll explain what needs doing.” She turned to sail out of the library and gestured behind her. “And bring your unconscious fellows with you.”
In moments the whole crew milled about Petunia’s workshop. Mingus took up a spot along the wall to keep an eye on the group. Most had the wide-eyed wonder she expected from those whom she allowed in. The others seemed frightened, but that was to be expected. People were awed by the fact she had more space on the inside than one expected.
“Come along, come along. Let me tell you what I need.” As Petunia started through her requirements, the potters began arguing.
“Oh, no. You don’t need a bowl. These spells are always done with a goblet or a stone or something.”
“No! Jewelry. And you don’t need one of us, you need a metalsmith, or your spell will go all wrong.”
Petunia’s lips compressed thinner and thinner the more these…people…continue to explain her spell to her and how it was wrong. She shot a look to Mingus, who edged back. He knew her looks and when they didn’t end well.
“ENOUGH!”
Those in the room stilled instantly with Petunia’s thunder, not that she actually raised her voice. The potters shrank before her power.
“But…but…”one of them stammered. “We were only…”
He got no further. Petunia pinned him with a glare. The potter may not have actually shrank from the weight of that particular look, but he did seem significantly smaller.
“You dare mansplain my magic to me?” Sparks danced around her long-nailed fingertips.
The potters all shuffled their feet and mumbled incoherently. Petunia rolled her eyes. Nothing bode well for any of them, but she didn’t have time to teach them a more permanent lesson. She waved her hand, and a small pop cleared the room. She nodded, satisfied with the sudden quiet.
“What…? Where did they all go?” Mingus asked.
“Not here. They were…tiresome.”
“You didn’t…?”
“Oh, they’re home, Mingus. I sent them home. They were annoying but not worth of the headaches I would’ve had from pepping them out of existence.” Petunia huffed just a little bit. “But now, you said there was one more.”
“Oh, him. Yes, the one who wouldn’t come. Said you’d have to come to him.”
Petunia tapped her chin. “Normally I would be perturbed by that, but now. Now, I’m intrigued, given the rest of the ilk. Come along, Mingus, let’s go. You know where this potter’s lair is. I need you.”
“It’s a shop, Boss, not a lair. He’s a potter, not a villain.”
“Semantics, my dear, Mingus. Semantics.” Petunia took Mingus’s head in her hands. “Now concentrate on the location. Ah…yes, there it is.”
And with the familiar “pop” of changing locations, they were somewhere else. They stood outside a hut with rounded window and doors. The carved wooden door swung outward, as did the ornate shutters, letting breeze through the sod covered walls. The arched, shingled roof gave the quaint building a rakish top much like a hat. The whole area glimmered with dappled light through the canopy of trees.
“This is rather charming,” Petunia said.
“Appearances can be deceiving.”
“What was that, Mingus?”
“Nothing, Boss.”
“Then let us see this potter of yours.” Petunia swept towards the door.
“I’m not taking credit for him,” Mingus muttered as he followed the sorceress.
They stepped through the hole shaped doorway to realize why the door and windows stood wide. A wall of heat slapped them in the face.
“You don’t know how to knock?”
Petunia took a step back. For a brief moment she couldn’t believe what she heard and had to bite back a comment. Mingus stepped forward before she completely
composed herself. “Apologies, the door was open?”
“There’s still an expectation of politeness. What business brought you here.”
“I have need of a potter.”
“Obviously, or you wouldn’t be here.”
Petunia caught sight of a quick movement. Mingus seemed to be holding his breath. He apparently thought she was about to level the whole shop. She shook her head and waved him back. “May we speak with you, sir?”
“Give me a moment. My kiln is about done.” Almost on cue a bell dinged a silvery chime followed by creaks and rattles. Petunia scanned the room to see if she could learn something about the potter. Mingus shifted from foot to foot, uncomfortable apparently around so many breakable objects.
“Relax, Mingus. The man is simply doing his job. Let him do it.” She smiled at his incredulous gape. “What? He’s an artist, there’s bound to be a bit of temperament. To create well takes time, passion, and focus. I understand the process and can wait. And stop with the dead fish look, it’s not becoming.”
Mingus clamped his jaw shut. She resisted the urge to wink at him, but he was already unsettled, that would just make it worse. A bustling clatter drew her attention from her minion to the potter emerging from the back portion of the shop. He was shorter than she expected, a bit on the round side. He wore a leather apron smeared with clay over a cotton shirt and ragged bottomed, coarse woven pants. His unkempt brown hair framed a friendly, round face and cheerful brown eyes.
“What can I help you with?” He wiped his hands on the clay-smudged apron before holding it out to shake.
Petunia studied the man for a beat before gingerly taking his hand in three of her fingers to keep most of the dirt away. “I have need of a master potter.”
“You’ve come to the right place. I’m Peri, welcome to my shop. What do you need?”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Peri. I’m Petunia, and I’m in need of a bowl.”
To his credit, Peri didn’t even blink at her name. Most people quaked with fear, or blanched, or something, but not the potter. She liked that about him.
“Soup, salad, or scrying?”
“Spell casting.” Mingus heard the note of amusement in her voice.
“Potion, charm, or curse?”
Petunia paused to study the man a beat. He didn’t even blink. She liked him more and more. “What if I said it was for a prophesy with a dash of curse?”
Peri rummaged in his apron and pulled out a small, leather-bound book and a stubby pencil and opened to a page. “Are you providing the prophesy, or am I?”
That did surprise Petunia. “You can do that?”
Peri shrugged. “It costs extra but it can be done.”
“I have my own prophesy, thank you.”
“Is the prophesy imbued or ingested?”
“Overlay.”
Peri nodded thoughtfully as he made notes. “That gives us a few options. How big does this bowl need to be?”
“Between soup and mixing, say six to eight inches round?” She measured a space with her hands.
“I can do the body of the bowl in a nice Burrows clay. It’s a fire clay that takes design work well depending on how you want to incorporate your prophesy.”
“I was thinking something in metal and runic design?”
“Your choice,” he said. “Additional materials in crease the costs unless you provide the materials. It’s do-able. I’m happy to recommend materials and design
work if you give me an overview of the prophesy. However, if it’s a death prophesy…”
“Let me guess, an additional fee?” She let some amusement into her voice to keep from scaring anyone.
Peri seemed thoughtful for a moment. “No…but there is a waiver releasing me from any consequences of your curse.”
“Of course.”
“Don’t open that!” Peri shouted.
Petunia turned to see Mingus yank his hand away from a lidded container on a shelf with intricate design work. “Why?” he asked. “Is it dangerous?”
“More than you know. A djinn is in there!”
Petunia perked up at that. “You have a djinn? Trapped? Really? How?”
“It was a commission.” Peri turned back to her and his pad. “Do you have any other specifications?”
“Do you have any desire to tell me I’m doing this incorrectly or now I should do it better.”
“Pish. It’s your curse, you know what your need better than I do. I will tell you this…”
Petunia stiffened. Mingus shifted his stance in response, in case he needed to clean up the mess. “What?”
“With your requirements, I will need five days to a week to complete the work, once we finalized the details. I have a couple of orders ahead of yours to handle first. Simple things. Different magic, and to keep my professional reputation I cannot jump your order in the line.”
Petunia considered a moment. “A week then.” She fished out some coins and a charm from her pockets. “Your first payment. Use the charm to call me when the work is finished.”
Petunia and Mingus popped back to her castle to wait. She patiently worked her way through the rest of the prophesy spell. She found Mingus hovering every so often, watching to see if she was going to crack or something. She tried to reassure him, but it was his job to be protective. She also worked on a few other projects, just to keep Mingus from having to be overly protective.
“Why aren’t you more impatient?” he finally asked.
“Come now, Mingus, why should I be? Peri was upfront about his process. I appreciate his professionalism.”
Before she could explain further, the call came – day sooner than she expected. She popped them back to the shop. This time a smartly dressed blond man with spectacles stood with Peri. “Who’s this?”
“This is Moody, my partner and my attorney. I believe I mentioned the waiver.”
“You did.” Petunia was cautious.
Moody unrolled a rather lengthy piece of parchment with neatly and rather small lettering. “This releases Peri from any legal or magical repercussions from any spell, curse, or prophesy successful or not.”
“It seems rather…comprehensive.” Petunia scanned the document.
Moody shrugged. “Not our first deal of this nature.”
“It only takes one unethical sorcerer to ruin it for all of us.” She saw the incredulous expressions around her. “What? Just because I fall on the ‘evil’ end of the power spectrum doesn’t mean I don’t have standards.”
“Then when you’re ready, sign at the bottom.” Moody handed her a pen.
Petunia hesitated before signing, weighing the risks and consequences. She knew all the problems which could lurk in the document. But she needed the bowl and had the means to break most loopholes – she was pretty far down the Evil Spectrum after all. She signed.
Peri reached under the counter and pulled out a cloth- wrapped bundle and reverently placed it before Petunia. “I am very proud of this piece. It should take your prophesy easily.”
“How long will it last?”
“Barring the bowl being broken or otherwise smote,” he paused, looking confused. “Smited? Smitten? No, smote is the correct tense. Or otherwise smote, the bowl and any subsequent spell, curse, or prophesy should adhere for decades. Depending on the strength and power of the casting. I guarantee all my work to be wash safe, cook safe, bake safe, and magic safe.”
Petunia smiled as she turned the bowl in her hands. “It’s a masterpiece. You have done well, Peri Potter. Thank you.”
“Thank you, Petunia, and please come again.”
Petunia studied him for a moment. “If you’ve done the job I think you have, I will.”
Peri balked just a smidge. “I…I don’t…”
“Oh, pish, somewhere either in this bowl or the contract you had me sign is a return clause.”
“Of course, if you’re not completely satisfied with the bowl…”
Petunia’s smile sparked a wicked gleam in her eyes as she plunked down the rest of the price of the bowl. “Oh, honey, I think we both know that clause has nothing to with the bowl. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me – and I’ve met with your ‘competition’.” She used air quotes around the word. “You will get my business regardless of any charm you tried to put on me.”
Peri wilted in relief. “I told Moody it wouldn’t work on you, please don’t be angry with him.”
“Heaven’s no. I’d’ve been more surprised if you hadn’t. I’m just telling you you don’t need it. The quality is enough. I will tell my colleagues of my Peri Potter Sorcerer’s Bowl. You’ll have more work than you can handle. A good potter? So hard to find.”
She swept out of the store giggling over the new bowl. She knew he would soon have a line of less magical bowls on display. She saw the replication clause. That worked for her. Let those who after her work through a production run. They’d never find the real bowl – the original – until it was too late.
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