Back again with a friend (open)

She nodded slowly. She didn't even pretend to understand mages.

"Is there any way to like... reverse it? Or slow it down or protect you from it or anything?"

"Does it have an expiration date, at least?"

"Do you want someone to stay with you, Professor?"

She nodded.

"All right. I'm going to call Julie again, see if she knows of anything I can do to help. I'll be back, though, to check on you. That, I promise."

She took a breath and rose from the floor, backing toward the door.

"Then I will see you again soon, Professor. Take care."

Rachel looked at Rai, but followed her out confused but holding her phone out to her to see if she can explain what's going on.

She took the phone and looked over at Rachel. Then she sighed.

"Fucking mages."

She started to dial Julie again.

Julie answered quickly.

"Yes?"

She sighed.

"He says he tried to stop the Carnival from coming and it didn't work. He says there's nothing that I can do to help him at all, but I've promised to come back and check on him. Do you know if there's anything I can do to help this... whatever it is... calm down some?"

Julie, sadly, didn't know the redhead all that well. She would be checking on the professor, not because she wanted the mages to owe her -- but because she genuinely hoped the man would be all right and safe.

She didn't count that as Julie owing her. She just counted it as her duty. Which was why she planned to come back the next night as well, if nothing but to make sure that the Professor was all right. And bring him food -- the real kind. A home-cooked meal could do wonders.