Drider Tickle Story

Chapter Sixteen

"Okay, so, according to this book," as she read, certain words began appearing in parentheses, "'diastimancy is composed of three different facets: chronomancy (interaction with time), choromancy (interaction with space), and both, also known as diastimancy'. In order to interact with anything space-time related, one most have either a node or a module. Node: a physical object in which several modulators (people) channel a certain quantity of synergy towards, simultaneously. Module: a physical object within which resides a fragment of one's consciousness. Currently, there are only three modules in existence (mine being one of them) as they are EXTREEEEEMELY difficult to construct. It's', she paused, 'big brain magic, that's why the SLEC officers used nodes'..."
"What about the pocket?"
"Here it is. It says to put the book down and say «surgere et res»."

As the incantation left her lips, a female voice, identical to that of Siri but with a Delhi accent, began speaking. "To initiate any kind of chronomatic interaction, a minimum of four people must conduct synergy into any kind of time-keeping device..."
"Oh... Indian... cool," remarked Rita.
"...clock, watch, analog, digital, doesn't matter. Th-"
"Oh wait! We're not time travelling. We're trying to enter a pocket the Professor reserved for us."
"Ah, I see. One moment..." After about 5 seconds, a wall of what appeared to be curved space moved from one end of the cave to the other. "Done. Would you like help with anything else?"
"Is... was that it? Are we now-"
"In the space-time pocket, yes."
"Oh... cool... thanks."
"You're welcome!"
"That was... easy."
"The procedure was pre-written by the Professor. He instructed me to relocate you once you were ready."
"Cool."
"He also instructed me to let you watch the trial on page 4, when it happens 5 days from now."
"5? Isn't it supposed to be 20 days between arrest and trial?"
"This is the Sorceric Law Enforcement Committee and the Professor."
"Ah, right, good point. Yeh, I would like to. Would you guys like to watch?"
"Certainly. T'will be my first time observing this 'justice system' the Professor told me a bit about."
"What about you, Ventris?"
"Sure." Ventris was discreetly sulking at the prospect of having to spend any length of time with anyone other than Rachael.
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~Ugh... god! Feel even worse than before. Like I have some sort of... super cold... with a headache, minus the snot and sore throat, double the fever. And I'm freezing, Jesus!~ Rachael slowly rose from the bed, which Ventris noticed instantly despite not looking. She quickly scurried over to her to help her up.

"Oh, Rachael, you're awake!"
"Good catch, Ven. Good catch."
"I kind of already know the answer, but... how are you feeling?" Rachael simply glared at her. "Yeah, okay, I'm sorry. We're about to watch the Professor on a trial thingy. Would you... care to join me?"
"On trial? What is he on trial for?"
"Well-"
"They discovered your relationship with Ventris," interjected Rita.
"Oh... shit... but what's he got to do with it?"
"Long story. One I know he'll love to tell."
"Silence everyone! The trial is commencing!" Above the opened notebook of enchantments floated a holographic, size-approximate depiction of the courtroom with deep resolution. It changed according to what was unfolding within the room.
"This is real-time?"
"Yes," responded the auditory guide.
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At the front row sat the Professor with nothing but his lab coat and pencils... and clothes. A few metres opposite and a few centimetres above him sat the judge; a 59 year-old Caucasian man with short, mostly white, chestnut brown hair and a monocle. "Rachael Evelyn Stephanie Pines; 19 year-old, British, human girl, student at Leeds University of Synergistic Interactions. Ventris; drider. Professor, you are being accused of forcing a human girl into a relationship with an NWS, a new-world specie. What say you?"
"Judge, before I answer that, may I consult?"
"Consult what, Professor?"
"The invisible lawyer sat next to me?"

The ill-tempered judge quickly snapped at the Professor's humour. "Just answer the question, Professor! What say you?!"
"Fine. I say... no. I did not force Rachael Evelyn Stephanie Pines into a relationship with Ventris. I simply... introduced them to each other and they went on a date." The judge inhaled deeply and slowly, clasping his hands and leaning forwards.