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Rintrah gave you another incredulous look. <span class="mu-g">“Why, I’m Humphrey Bogart, of course! From <span class="mu-i">Casablanca</span>! I do so love his movies.”</span>
Ah. That’s where you recognized him from. Either way, you were impressed by Rintrah’s convincing illusion. There was no indication of his original size. Even his shadow and footfalls were convincingly human!
<span class="mu-r">“That’s a good look for you. It’s a lot less conspicuous than a giant green bull-man.”</span> you said.
He bowed awkwardly, but genuinely. <span class="mu-g">“I thank you.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Just to cover the basics, a Silvertongue is an ancient parasitic creature that’s capable of consuming languages.”</span> you began. <span class="mu-r">“Apparently, if it feels threatened enough, it can eradicate a language in a given area from the memory of all that speak it out of spite. It wouldn’t blow up New York outright, but it would definitely be apocalyptic to the modern world.”</span>
Rintrah’s eyes widened, and he gave you a considering look that lead you to believe he was trying to figure out whether you were joking or not.
<span class="mu-g">“<span class="mu-s">THAT</span> is what a Silvertongue is!? Oh dear. What was <span class="mu-i">I</span> thinking of, then?”</span> he muttered absently, glancing up and away.
<span class="mu-r">“Probably some other tongue-related magical oddity.”</span> you quipped. But Rintrah nodded as if you were saying something entirely sensible and reasonable. <span class="mu-r">“You said that you might have some books on them, right? Do you know if they have any crippling weaknesses?”</span>
Rintrah returned his attention to you and gave you what he had hoped was a reassuring smile. But again, it simply looked wrong on a face like his.
<span class="mu-g">“While I cannot recall anything currently, I am sure that something will come up if I devote enough research to it.”</span> he proudly declared, thumping his chest. <span class="mu-g">“For the time being, do you have a space sufficiently sized for a sentient such as myself to relax and…”</span>
He gestured at the space around him.
<span class="mu-g">“Spread out?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“I think you’ll feel right at home where we’re going, pal.”</span>
—-----
Shortly after you returned to the mansion, the others came to you with their list of required supplies.
Louise didn’t require much of anything. Apparently, she had an arsenal ready to go in the van parked outside Madame Web’s estate. Marc was the same, except he was somehow capable of funding his own escapades, and therefore had no intention of imposing on you to get his gear.
Nico and Rintrah were a different story, however. They both needed rare materials to complete ritual circles, wards, and prepare test components for their research on the Silvertongue’s weakness. Louise was able to provide the most basic of supernatural banes, such as cold iron, silver, mirrors, salt, mountain ash, and funnily enough, flamethrowers!
But considering how this creature was mostly an unknown entity to all of you, the others felt it necessary to explore some of the more ‘unusual’ avenues of paranormal research.
