ORIGIN

Vargas wasn't sure what he'd expected, but a monocle appearing on the pile of sentient meat was not it.

He burst into laughter at the absurdity--a rare thing for the Leviathan: deep, bellowing guffaws. He got himself under control an instant later when the magic whispered knowledge into his mind. His interest was piqued, but so was his confusion, and he peered then to Effluvium. He already knew how this worked, so-...

"What did you just wish?" he asked bluntly. Belatedly, too, he wondered if the monocle would... actually help. Most likely, he thought, it'd be enchanted, as his and Zoey's had been. But would Effluvium manage a more coherent response to his question, now, or would it be as minor an 'improvement' as his attempt had been?