"How did you do it? I thought that practitioners couldn't move between dimensions."
"Yes, yes," Alex says, "that is the million-dollar question, as your idiom has it. Press him for answers."
Blankenship shakes his head. "Chloe will have the same question. I'm happy to answer, but I'd rather tell you both at once."
As if summoned by her name, Dr. Ellison returns with a collection of patterns on disposable pattern paper, as well as a poster that she unrolls and places on the floor. "Bob, if you will."
Bob's smile brings out wrinkles around his eyes. "I'm myself, but I know you can't take my word for it." He struggles to his feet and shuffles into the poster's center.
Dr. Ellison hands you a pattern card. "Channel this while I talk to him. You'll be able to sense whether he is himself."
The pattern on the card has a brown aura to it, with tinges of purple and green along its edges. It will let you detect cross-dimensional effects. And it's one of the most complex mind magic patterns you've ever seen.