video;

[withermarked]

Type: Video
Sender ID: WitherMarked (Faulkner)
To: Public
Subject: Introductions, and a question
Warnings: trans healthcare/unaffordability thereof, mild references to mood swings/mental health issues, reference to history in a cult

[The video takes a moment to come into focus, before you see a young man wearing an awkward, lopsided grin as he seems satisfied with figuring out what buttons to push. He has soft features, freckles, and messy blond curls in a cut that looks suspiciously like a grown-out mullet. He looks friendly, if more than a bit stressed and sleep deprived. When he speaks he has a notable rural-American accent.]

Hey, folks. Name's Faulkner, and I'm new around here. As you can... probably see, I'm still getting used to all this electronic message business.

You sure we don't have to offer up a hosanna to the Wirebitten Child to keep using this stuff?

[There seems to be some sheepish humour there, leaning into how much he's not from around here, but some genuine confusion, too. He doesn't really believe people don't owe some kind of a higher power for their fancy tech.]

Anyway, I've got a question. Tried askin' uh, a friend here, but they didn't know. Does anyone here take... testosterone? Do you have that kind of treatment, here?

[More genuine uncertainty: there's both more and less technology than he's used to. Beyond being a little awkward, he doesn't seem concerned one way or the other about outing himself.]

It's weird enough getting used to a brand new world—could do without missin' my shot, too.

[A pause. He really would rather avoid that—his mood is shaky enough as it is.]

At least... if I'm gonna be able to afford it? I don't know how these things work, here. Haven't exactly gotten signed up for insurance.

[And he doesn't exactly have the Parish of Tide and Flesh here, with 'uncle' Mason and all his less than above-board deals with local doctors and pharmacies, taking care of the kids who joined the Trawler-man's faith in a way said kids couldn't find anywhere else.]

Comments

text | un: astudyinviolet

[astudyinviolet]

I have not heard of that ingredient. However, there are numerous apothecaries and magical healer who might be able to provide something comparable.

If it is easier to understand, there is a text function which you can liken to passing notes.

[withermarked]

[There's something a little funny to him about knowing something other people don't. It's not like he his education went past highschool, and even then he spent most of his time skipping class. Then again, he supposes it's truly not a relevant fact for a lot of people.]

It's the male hormone. Well, everyone has some, but the one they've got more of. I guess I could try that, if it's safe.

[He's... wary of transformations that involve magic, because he's used to those being horrific.]

We've got this kind where I'm from, too. The text kind. Just never really took off where I grew up. The Saint Electric prefers radio, and she's the one we mostly rely on for everything out there.

[astudyinviolet]

[ What exactly is a "hormone"? Is this yet another thing that hasn't been discovered yet? Or perhaps it is called something else? At least he knows what a radio is; someone had explained that technology roughly around the time he first arrived a year ago. ]

Ah, so your world is further ahead in technological development even if you do not use it on a regular basis.

I've had some of my injuries healed by magical means with no ill effects. While it is strange at first, healing magic does have a certain convenience to it.

[withermarked]

We have healing magic, too. There's Pox Monks, who can take on your physical injuries from you.

[He was surprised when Chris hadn't heard of those.]

But magic that changes you is usually... different.

[It's so weird having to explain something that's such common knowledge where he's from.]

Where I'm from, that's when a God makes you a Saint. And Saints aren't much like people, anymore. It can be a blessing, of course, if you want it. But it's not for things like this.

[Of course, he's assuming Sherlock understood 'hormone,' or else this might be... a very confusing train of thought.]

[astudyinviolet]

[ Taking someone else's injuries upon themself sounds like the worst and most abusive way to do healing. Sherlock is glad to have yet to encounter such a manifestation of magic. ]

The healing magic I experienced accelerated the healing the body does naturally rather than a radical and lasting change. Once the magic was no longer in use, my ability to heal returned to normal.

No god was at play, and I am no god's saint.

Yet, I understand the desire for caution. You wish for something more medicinal with dosages you control, correct?

[withermarked]

I can tell you're no Saint.

[A sentence that would, you know, sound insulting in a lot of contexts. But the Faulkner is picturing definitely can't type. So... that's points towards trusting the 'magic' in this place, he supposes. Even if he's not convinced there aren't still higher powers at play.]

Yeah, that's the other side. You can mess yourself up if you get the doses wrong.

[astudyinviolet]

[ No one in their right mind would call Sherlock a saint. It is everyone close to him which can claim the title for themselves. Sherlock knows it, so he can't be insulted.

And dear Lord, does Sherlock know what happens when someone gets the doses wrong. ]

Alfyn Greengrass is an apothecary with the username "apothecarry" who may be of help to you should you find yourself ailing. You can find few kinder than him.

[ Regardless of if Alfyn can provide Faulkner what he needs, it's good to know a healer, and Alfyn is about as goodhearted as they come. ]

[withermarked]

I'll try talking to him. Got a couple of leads now, it looks like.

[Which means he's feeling better than he was about things, at least.]

[astudyinviolet]

Should those leads fail, you write a request for the MANTA Board. The results will vary, but this would be in line with some of the previous requests posted.

[withermarked]

Is that so? I've been looking at the errands on there, can't say I really understand a lot of them.

[astudyinviolet]

Yes. The requests can be quite obtuse in meaning, but that only means that you are freer with yours.

[withermarked]

I suppose that makes sense. I also suppose that would have to come once I have more to offer in the way of rewards.

[astudyinviolet]

Do not overly concern yourself with that. An ear of corn was once the reward for collecting forgeries.

It truly was a simple ear of corn. Nothing more.

[withermarked]

Regular corn? Is that some kind of tradition here?

[A pause, before he has to ask.]

Does the name Sweet Jolly Crunchtooth mean anything here?

[astudyinviolet]

I do not think there was any tradition associated with it. It was simply an ear of corn.

I've not heard of anyone named Sweet Jolly Crunchtooth either.

[ It sounds like a pirate name to him. ]

[withermarked]

Huh.

Just figured I'd ask. He's a big farmer's God. And cereal brand.

[So you know, pretty heavily associated with corn. He does not seem to think using 'God' and 'brand' as nearly interchangeable is particularly strange.]

[astudyinviolet]

I would not count on your gods having a strong presence here. I've heard of many speak of their gods who had a very real presence in their world but lack the same in this one. Take that how you will.

[ That said, Sherlock still fears that the Great Old Ones from his world may have some presence with all this water. He had traveled to another world when in his own... the barrier is not so thick. ]

[withermarked]

[Right now, even he's not sure if he's counting on them to have a strong presence or he's wary of getting his hopes up that they don't. Hope is fickle and fleeting, after all.]

I don't suppose you remember what Gods they've spoken of?

[He has to wonder if any were familiar ones. Whether they're here or not, it's weird not having anyone who seems to be from the same place.]

[astudyinviolet]

[ He lists a few few gods' names he has heard along the lines of the Christian God, Greek and Roman Gods, and some which he has only heard in this world such as Nahida, Raiden Shogun, Furina, and others that he's probably heard. Unless a god in Faulkner's world shares a name with any of them, he probably doesn't list them. ]

The leviathans themselves may also fit the idea of a god.

[withermarked]

I've never heard of a one of those. There's plenty back home I've never heard of either, I suppose.

Those leviathans would be Gods or powerful Angels, where I'm from.

Don't suppose any of these ring a bell?

The Saint Electric
The Slag King
The Petropater
The Chitterling
The Cloak
He Who Walks In Fizz and Flavour
Jolly King Kipper
The Smiling And Head-Shaking Child Upon the Perfectly Balanced Scales
The Cairn Maiden

[He primarily lists off well known, commercial ones off the top of his head, partly because it seems more likely but partly out of habit; generally best not to talk about the illegal ones. But he includes one stray. Maybe his sister is just on his mind.]

[astudyinviolet]

None do.

[ Some of those names are... quite unique.... ]

[withermarked]

Strange.

[If anyone else from his world was here, he'd think they'd have at least asked about the really big ones.]

[astudyinviolet]

Yes, you'll find that happens quite often this world.

[withermarked]

To tell the truth I haven't run into anything that isn't strange yet.

[astudyinviolet]

It does not become any less surprising the longer one is here.