Application for Griffin: H.G. Wells' Invisible Man

[invisiblemadman]

The Sorting Room appeared unchanged from one minute to the next, but a new student had joined Hogwarts. The most perceptive persons might have heard the sound of bare feet on stone, but there was no movement until a sheet of paper lifted itself up into the air. Even the quill seemed surprised when a Voice came out of thin air to answer the

Comments

[m_otherhen]

M arrived in time to see the parchment rise of its own accord. She walked around the apparent source of the voice, sharp eyes alert to any sign of its owner. But they found none.

"And just why do you imagine someone might be 'after you,' as you put it?" she asked.

[invisiblemadman]

Too close, woman. The owner of the voice took a step away from her. "They want what they can't see," the Voice said. "I also find that one mob might be paranoia, but two is a sign that can't be ignored. It is not my imagination that leads me to believe that people are after me."

[m_otherhen]

One eyebrow raised. "Are you quite sure that hadn't more to do with the charm you find in petty theft and terrorism? To say nothing of voyeurism, no doubt. Mobs in my experience tend to focus less on acquisition and more on vengeance."

She tapped a finger against her lips. "I can see where one might find you a valuable asset. That could be an attractive bribe offer. To the right person, of course."

[invisiblemadman]

"A mob is nothing more than the clamoring of simple minds into a destructive force set against something too advanced for the masses to understand," the Voice said angrily. "Like even the lowliest animals, they strike back against what they can't comprehend."

There was silence except for the sound of callused feet moving against the stone floor in a circle around M. "Show me the man who wishes to bargain, and we might do business," the Voice said.

[m_otherhen]

"I find mobs have less to do with simplicity and complexity and more to do with fear," M said with a mildness that would set off alarm bells for anyone who knew her. "Plenty of people hear disembodied voices, you know. Not all of them feel threatened by them."

A sound somewhere between a cough and a choked-back laugh escaped her throat. "Do you only do business with men, then?"

[invisiblemadman]

The Voice scoffed. "I am not the product of some madman's fevered imagination," it said. "I am real enough to hurt you, if you require demonstration."

Now the Voice laughed. "I would have lost as much of my mind as they claim if I were to enter into business with a woman."

[m_otherhen]

"That would be most unwise," M replied drily. "On any number of levels really. But perhaps wisdom isn't your long suit, then? If 'they' are in any position to know, that is. Are they?"

[invisiblemadman]

"And who's to stop me?" the Voice asked, closer to her. "You'd do well not to provoke what you can't see. Don't make to insult my intelligence, woman. I am the greatest mind you'll ever hope to come across."

[m_otherhen]

M laughed aloud at that.

"I'd tell you, but then he'd have to kill you. Of course, he'd probably kill you anyway, just for interrupting his supper. And I assure you, if I make to insult you, you'll have no doubt of it. It was you who brought up the matter of what 'they' say about you, after all. Why shouldn't I enquire further?"

[invisiblemadman]

"If you were smart, you would shut that hole of yours before I find myself compelled to act on what anger you might arouse." The Voice was right next to her.

[m_otherhen]

She tsked, turning her head in the direction of the Voice. "You know, I rather think you fail to grasp how this little game is played. You have information I want - though not much - and I've got information you want, whether you realize it or not. Unless you already know where you are and why you're here?"

[invisiblemadman]

His only care was that he was no longer in Port Stowe. "Why should I be concerned with such things?" the Voice asked. "Where I am is immaterial, as I can leave when I wish if the place no longer suits my needs."

[m_otherhen]

"There's the door." M waved a hand carelessly in its direction. "By all means don't delay on my account."

[invisiblemadman]

The Voice laughed. "Do you think I'm as easy to fool as that? Even an idiot would be able to figure out where I am if I open that door in front of you."

[m_otherhen]

"That presupposes that anyone here cares where you go or what you do," M said with a shrug. "You'll have to do better than this -" she tapped the application form, "- to arouse that level of interest in this bunch. It's really rather run-of-the-mill."

[invisiblemadman]

"Oh?" A sheet of paper fluttered into the air, then was set back down on the table. "Yet not too long ago you seemed quite interested. Why is that?"