Though there was no lack of it in the literal sense, Gaelen could already tell that dealing with mister Marvin would prove to be an absolute breath of fresh air. The man seemed to have an air of dignity and class that Gaelen deeply admired, though where certain characters displaying similar qualities often also exhibit a degree of arrogance, Ike seemed at least somewhat genuinely amicable.<span style="font-style: italic">A true professional? Perhaps this dreary day is to be salvaged after all.</span>Besides, meeting someone seemingly far less dismayed by their travels here than himself helped to swiftly ease his frustrations. And he was right; the overcast skies made it impossible to tell the time. Had it not been for the digital clock above the voracious fare-counter in the cab before, his, let’s say, ‘playful’ sense of time would have utterly unraveled during the walk into the township.<br/><br/>Gaelen deliberated, far less concerned with his dripping attire as he was a moment ago. The mysterious man had made an interesting proposal, instantly refocusing his attention on the task at hand. The satisfyingly deep overhead rumble should be a warning, but only helped to convince him to head to the ancient site directly, especially as the heaviest of the rain seemed to make way for the oncoming spectacle. Alice, seemingly unto his train of thought, began a brief cawing protest.<span style="font-style: italic">She’s right, of course, and probably stressed enough as it is.</span>Gaelen gave the bird a reassuring nod.<span style="font-style: italic">And Faradayan protection or not, no way I’d take you to that place until you had some rest. </span><br/>The thought did spark an idea in him though. The notion of visiting the Callandish Stones by this weather seemed outright dreamy; very much in line with the romanticism of ancient and powerful places that had pulled the Englishman to his esoteric studies in the first place. Being (even potentially) struck by lightning would rather put a damper on the whole affair however.<span style="font-style: italic"> And that-</span>, he thought to himself,<span style="font-style: italic">would make for a very poor, if spectacular impression on my new companion indeed.<br/></span><br/>Collecting his belongings, Gaelen stepped to join the Asian man under the slight shelter of the chapel and straightened himself out. He had encountered countless students and professors of myriad backgrounds and ethnicities, but found the gentleman beside him curiously difficult to place. His accent, for one, had already proven to be veritably enigmatic. Then again, the languages Gaelen studied weren’t exactly the most conventional ones, and even then he doubted he’d recognize an Enochian accent if he heard it.<br/><br/>“Mister Marvin, I don’t suppose that by any chance, you share a rapport with the couple running the B&B here? As you likely inferred, my companion and luggage would be better off left there. And to make up for lost time, I was hoping that we might persuade them to lend them their automobile for this occasion? The thought of visiting the site by thunder and lightning is very alluring- and knows what we might witness!” Gaelen was broadly smiling by this point, uncovering some of his needle-like teeth. Realising he’d just raised his voice, he tried to recover from his outburst by taking on a more placid tone.<br/><br/>“Nevertheless relying on the safety of a car does seem a prudent course of action as to observe such an event in, and even if that doesn’t pan out, I will have to relinquish myself of these regardless.” he spoke, lifting the cage and luggage up somewhat. “If you have no objection, I suggest we be underway?”