Nick picked up the Bracelet of Telepathy, turning it over in his hand. Like most magical objects, it seemed, the Bracelet was rather plain and cheap-looking, like something you'd buy at someone's stall at a street corner. Still, Nick thought about how much better off he would be now if he had just taken this last night instead of the glove. Even if somehow he were stuck with the Bracelet, reading people's minds all the time would probably be less of a problem than uncontrolled clothing changes, and he wouldn't be stuck as Megan.
Just then, Mr. Fisk called out "Last stage now... brace yourself!"
As the last fork sounded, Nick could feel vibrations moving over him, until all his skin felt like it was going to fly off. As it built, Nick felt a shock go through his hand from the Bracelet, as it sparked with blue energy. Nick barely had time to cry out, though, before it abruptly ended. Shaking, he dropped the Bracelet back on the table and tried to catch his breath.
"Well it's done." Said Mr. Fisk, looking less than pleased. "That blue burst shouldn't have happened, though... what was that in your hand?"
"It was this bracelet... I was kinda wishing I had just taken that instead last night instead." Nick admitted, rubbing his still-sore left hand.
Mr. Fisk frowned "That bracelet is known for having interaction issues. Let's test out the tuning right away."
Nick nodded, and thought about wearing the jeans and blouse he walked in with. Nothing. He concentrated, focusing all his thoughts on images of himself, as Megan, wearing jeans and a white blouse. Still nothing. "I don't think it's working at all... or if it is, I'm not sure how to trigger it."
"Really?" Mr. Fisk raised his eyebrows dubiously. "let me see the bracelet." He said, stepping forward. As he approached, Nick's bathrobe became a red dress. They were both surprised, but Mr. Fisk frowned, and then raised an eyebrow, and seemed to stare intently at Nick for a moment. Within seconds, Nick was wearing a ballerina outfit, complete with tutu and ballet shoes. Mr. Fisk looked concerned "Oh dear."
"What?" Nick demanded "What the hell is this? I didn't think of either of these things!"
"No... I did. I'm afraid that the Bracelet has infected the tuning process, such that now the glove will react according to the thoughts of others." He stepped back a few paces, then moved forward slowly until , when he was about two arm's lengths away from Nick, the tutu melted away, and once again Nick was in the bathrobe, this time with a pink, lacy trim.
"Well, it seems to have about the same range as the Bracelet "“ 6 feet or so... but it does seem rather sensitive. It didn't take much focus to return your bathrobe, and I offered only the barest hint of wanting it to be a little more feminine."
Nick was aghast "You mean what I'm wearing is at the mercy of everyone around me?! How the hell can I go out in public now?"
"Well, I did warn you that this was risky...if it's any consolation, the glove's enchantments do include masking properties, so that those with no knowledge of magic won't notice any changes, and simply believe that the new reality was always there... fairly standard sort of thing, you know."
Nick seemed unmollified "Well, try it again!"
"No chance of that!" Mr Fisk said right away "Even if I thought it would be successful, it's too soon "“ things need to stabilize... if we tried to do it again so soon, it may well kill you outright, and in any case I can't get the fine control needed for at least another 24 hours, preferably more. You may stay here out of sight if you wish, but you will need some of your real clothing if you wish to try the medallion again later, and in any case my security system will not allow you to stay overnight, I'm afraid."
