voice; username: h. wells

[hsalf]

Hello...hm - fellow victims. Not sure what we call ourselves. Teammates? Comrades? ALASTAIR-ains? Considering we've all been ripped from the homes we know, victim perhaps is apt enough until I begin learning names.

[Ok but that's not what this is all about, so moving on:]

I want to pose some questions regarding the powers many people here seem to have. Both of a magic and genetic variety. I'm a physicist who studies the latter back home, from the angle of how environment can effect the spread of genetic mutation that brings people to have special abilities. The phenomenon is a relatively new one back where I came from, so it's still a topic of curiosity for me.

I'm not as well-versed in magical concepts, but from my standpoint they seem to be akin to miracles - powers that warp reality, even in small ways. And not everyone is predisposed to using them. Many of these sorcerers and witches are among the most powerful beings alive.

[He pauses for a moment, the message stopping as he thinks on his idea before continuing to transmit it through the jewel.]

It's nothing you need to get deep about if you don't prefer to - I just want to know what powers you have and what you use them for. Be it back home, or here, since I imagine the use would be far different given our circumstance.

If you're not keen about talking on your abilities, I'm equally curious about the perception of abilities in different world environments. Are they accepted or reviled? Is it everyday or miraculous? Back in my home, most people are still reluctant to believe. Those who do...well, there are both heroes and villains who use abilities for their own means.

[There's another pause, shorter, and then he softly laughs before going on.]

The multiverse is a vast realm of infinite possibilities. I like to learn as many of those possibilities as possible, if people wish to indulge me. Curiosity is a vicious bug.

Comments

perma-voice

[hsalf]

Just "Wells" is fine. [And she is a small child, but he knows how looks are deceiving.] So you can heal through magic. A useful power in any situation. Does the "Green" have some affinity with your power - nature maybe?

[grunehexe]

Wells, then.

[People here had the strangest names...]

It does. The basis of my spells is drawn from nature- whether it be herbs, water, or stone.

[hsalf]

[He makes a small 'hm' sound, delighted by his correction assumption.]

Reminds me vaguely of photosynthesis - the process of which plants absorb sunlight and processes it into nutrients and chemical energy. In a similar way, you absorb the energy of the nature around you and fuel it into your magic. Am I right?

[grunehexe]

["Photosynthesis"...]

So that is what you call that process in the outside world... I see.

I require the physical item as well- the combination of those focuses results in what can be used in a spell.

[hsalf]

[Outside world?]

Then your power would be useless if you weren't in an area full of nature? Unless potted plants count. [He jokes, but it's an unfortunate weak spot.] Have you never heard of photosynthesis?

[There's no judgment in his voice, only a question of 'why.']

[grunehexe]

I require only the item itself- my proximity to the still living source is irrelevant.

[she doesn't seem to get that a joke was even attempted]

- I have not. Is that "science"?

[hsalf]

Yes, it is. More used to magic where you're from I take it. It seems this world follows a similar way of being.

[grunehexe]

[... She's loathe to admit this, but. If he knows about "science", then perhaps... He could teach her things she might not know otherwise.]

The magic I was taught in my village... I am told it is not dissimilar to the "science" of the outside world.

[hsalf]

Perhaps not. There's a saying that magic is just a science not yet understood. I wouldn't call magic and science the same, but I would say that the two have more affinity for interaction and cross-study than others are willing to accept.

In some worlds, magic may just be science itself, if science is nothing more but researching and discovering the unknown. The study of the world and how it functions, to be a bit more precise.

[grunehexe]

I have yet to experience the world outside of my village, not truly- so I cannot tell you the truth of my own world.

But you are one who studies science in yours?

[hsalf]

[Ah so that's what she meant by "outside world."]

Yes, I do. Though science is such a vast field in my world, I only study parts of it and not the whole scope. I do dabble when I can, out of a thirst for knowledge. Things are no different here, even if I am away from all my resources.

[grunehexe]

And do you know anything of "chemistry"?

[She says these things not from any real basis of understanding, but simply words she's heard, but.

She seems particularly intent on the more specific answer.]

[hsalf]

Yes, I do. Chemistry is the study of change in the world. It looks at the properties of different structures that make up the world and how interactions between different structures can create something new, or cause destruction of something existing.

[grunehexe]

["Create something new". She mouths it to herself a split second after he says it, her gaze pensive before she returns it back to the device]

- may I propose a mutually beneficial trade?

[hsalf]

You may. What are you interested in?

[grunehexe]

This "chemistry" of yours. If you will teach me what you know of it, I will reciprocate with what I know that pertains to your own research.

[hsalf]

I know a lot about chemistry. It's a very large subject as a whole, like most sciences are. I fear I wouldn't have enough time to teach you all I know, but I can teach you the basics to start. Would that work?

[grunehexe]

I am a witch, Master Wells. I assure you, I am a fast learner.

[And she isn't exaggerating- she may not be a witch like the story books, but she was a genius of the highest caliber]

- but I understand you have other obligations. I will not monopolize your time.

[hsalf]

You can just call me Dr. Wells. [If she's a fast learner, then he won't make it slow either.] I'll give you about two hours every other day to teach you, barring any intrusions from our duties to ALASTAIR. Does that sound fair?

[grunehexe]

Doctor Wells, then. I find that most satisfactory. I am sure you will not mind if I am accompanied coming and going by my butler?

[hsalf]

Not at all. Who is he?

[He has a suspicion, but he won't voice it.]

[grunehexe]

Sebastian Michaelis is his name- an English butler to an Earl.

[She supplies it readily, and it might seem unobservant, but... she tries to respect privacy and not read other peoples threads.]

[hsalf]

Ah, I see. I've spoken to him already - he seems like a rather polite man. You can tell him he's welcome to learn anything from this as well if he wishes.

[grunehexe]

Oh, I see- he is indeed quite a competent servant, I should have expected he would identify your message as worth pursuing.

I will inform him.

[hsalf]

That's good to hear.

How do you feel about starting in a few days for our first lesson? Provided nothing happens to interfere to any great amount.