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

[hsalf]

I see. [He breathes in and out, the concept interesting but the potential abuse of it leading him to dread.] That sounds gruesome. So am I wrong to guess that there's an issue with Ghouls dying out as a result of people taking advantage of that?

[hideyourself]

[after another, longer pause for a myriad of reasons, though potential for abuse wasn't truthfully one of them.]

they've always been a smaller population.

but, in answer to your question: they're more than "pretty strong" compared to a human. and how to make the weapons isn't public knowledge; plus, only humans who want to fight ghouls in the first place would bother, but few know who is a ghoul and who isn't; so, no, actually, it's not being entirely taken advantage of.

though someone might argue that it's done at all is taking advantage.

[the quinque to be produced were typically second thoughts to extermination, but they hadn't gotten there yet. Hideyoshi wasn't sure if the story would get there.]

it's a precarious balance, honestly. but what about your world? is there anything like that? the media treats meta-humans alright, but there must be some scaremongers.

[hsalf]

The scaremongers are out there, but more dangerous than them are the ones who try to take advantage of the situation.

I would say the closest thing to what you describe is the government of my world. The army in particular has an expressed interest in meta-humans for use in the military. Human weapons, who can destroy armies effortlessly with their grand powers.

[He pauses, wondering if he should express this next part -- well there's no harm in it. He's strictly against it.]

Once, a few years ago, they approached me trying to create a means of using gene therapy to create mind control for interrogation use. Another time they tried to kill a man able to use nuclear energy to harness his body for research purposes.

[hideyourself]

the ghoul killers are mostly government employees... funny how those trends pop up.

[funny in the way a tree falling atop a man was funny; unseen, Hideyoshi tilted his head at the words, thoughts first centered on what an impressive variety the mutations provided.]

"tried to"

i can't imagine pissing off a walking nuclear bomb is a good idea. [a little prodding for more, but moreover,] and you didn't agree. did they drive you under after your refusal?

[hsalf]

They tried, but I run a well-established research lab and had plenty of dirt on them. Things they wouldn't want released to the public.

[And really they would deserve all the ire they'd get. But Wells knows holding something over a person's head is smarter than letting it fall to the ground.]

I think the lesson here is that governments, as a whole, will always seek the most power they can get their hands on. Groups like ALASTAIR are no different, if we just look at all the people who have been brought here.

[hideyourself]

hey! nice move, doc! :D

depending on your view of fate, ALASTAIR revolves around keeping timelines in the manner that probably benefits them and theirs the most. what do you mean about the people brought here, though? we're a pretty motley crew.

[hsalf]

I would say many people here have a great power and skill. Utilizing it all together, for a nefarious purpose, would not only be easy - it could be devastating. And anything that involves sticking ones hand into time and twisting it around can't be anything but selfish and dangerous.

[Says the man who did just that.]

[hideyourself]

[hypocrisy was a normal trait... though maybe not for world domination. eh.]

for argument's sake: but they've left us without leadership or clear guidelines, allowing us to act as we see fit.

besides, we're "protecting" the timeline. which is pretty amusing, given the sheer number of alternate realities we boast in our numbers alone.

[hsalf]

"Protecting" is a broad word. You can use that term to just say you're keeping it intact. And if that's our goal...I wonder then about this predicament between the humans and goblins. If this disruption between them is proper for the timeline, or if we're changing something without being told.

[hideyourself]

ah?

sounds like you believe in fate, doc.

[hsalf]

[He snerks out a small laugh and chuckles for a couple seconds before going on.]

I know, I'm a terrible man of science! Believing in magic and fate, but...well I suppose I would blind myself if I didn't acknowledge these factors as existing.

[hideyourself]

hah! maybe.

either they really do, or it's because you haven't the equipment and time to really figure out what makes what people call "magic" tick.

[hsalf]

That too. Though I admit to lacking interest. Science is my game and I play it well. Arrogant as I may be, there are people better equipped to analyze true magic.

[hideyourself]

[interesting division between genetics and magic, there. but, at the end of the day, it made sense. so.]

fair enough.

anyway, sorry i haven't much else to add. then again, i'm sure this world - especially the goblins - will give you plenty enough to look into.

[hsalf]

You don't need to apologize. This talk was interesting and, really, that's all I ask of anyone when I speak to them.

[hideyourself]

aw, that's flattering! you're an awfully accommodating guy... [the irony?? ah.] take care, doc!

[hsalf]

Same to you.

[And he realizes belatedly that he never got the other person's name...ah well, such things are tedious when you're only speaking to someone through a jewel anyway.]