shellphones | (text - public post.)

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(text - public post.)

Type: Text
Sender ID: conclusively (Mycroft Holmes)
To: Public
Subject: Research Requests
Warnings: N/A

Greetings to my fellow travelers. I have recently joined your ranks, and am endeavoring to familiarize myself with what would have been unknown in my home realm but is remarkably common here. To that end, I am requesting aid in regards to texts on magical theory and the fundamentals of such. The Conservatory has been helpful in providing archives to sort through, but the sheer breadth of resources leaves me desiring some instruction on where to go for the most optimal education, as well as accounts from those knowledgeable that do not exist in a book's pages.

While magical theory is my primary focus, I would also welcome some direction regarding accounts of flora and fauna as well. They are no less critical to understanding this world, though the fundamentals of their research are not as opaque to me.

I am perfectly ready to negotiate for compensation to those that wish to lend their knowledge in this matter, should they wish.

-M.H.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[were they home, he could have waved off this concern, gone to the meeting alone. but they're in strange waters, and it still hasn't been many months since they arrived in this land. some caution might be warranted.

whispering back:]

Judge them for yourself, Douglas, and if you have cause for concern, then I will say your curiosity has also been raised.

[and then, at a volume for the crewman:]

I recently spoke to your captain, Moon Supreme Dongfang Qingcang, about making inquiries on magical theory, and was invited to come by. If he is present, I'd like to speak to him in person.

[there will be no shortcuts on how to address this man. he'd replayed the message a few times on the journey to Nogard, ensuring his pronunciation would be accurate, and decided he'd follow the lead of addressing nobility when it came to manners.]

[The sailor gave a quick salute to indicate they'd heard the man and not long after, another sailor leaned over the side and gestured with great energy to the cargo gangway. The gangway would take them to the lower level, but there were stairs to the main deck that could be accessed through any of the five moongates on the outer walls of the lower level.

When the two did choose to approach, they'd find another sailor waiting to help them up the gangway if they needed it and then lead them up to the poop deck and then further still up another stairway to the aft deck, which was covered by a great arch of red painted wood acting as a shade for the raised and many tiered deck. The tiers were wide and rather reminiscent of a garden's tiers in how they kept the deck level at each step but otherwise rose up with the incline of the aft line.

Sitting (lounging) with a book in hand in the shaded deck at a low table near the back, was Dongfang Qingcang. He neither stood at their arrival nor looked up at their approach. Waiting until they had been left alone by the crewman to simply wave with his free hand at the cushions set out.]

You may sit.

[What an unusual title, thinks Douglas to himself-- but there's no time to ruminate on it further, as the Phantom Moon sailor is already inviting them aboard and to an audience with Dongfang Qingcang himself.

As they continue along the length of the ship, Douglas hangs back behind Mycroft a little, taking the time to silently observe the ship and its crew. They may be in another world, but the colors of their skin haven't changed. Until it's abundantly clear it isn't a problem for Douglas and his friend to behave entirely as equals, he'll proceed with his usual unassuming bearing and caution. He'll let his friend take the lead in addressing the sailors and their captain for now.

At last, they arrive at their meeting. Without another word, Douglas sits at Dongfang Qingcang's request, offering the stranger a respectful nod-- then turning an expectant eye towards Mycroft. This man's bearing is undeniably... regal. Dealing with the upper crust is Mycroft's forte; leaving it to his friend was the right choice, it seems.]

[the ship itself is no mean feat of engineering, and it's impressive, Mycroft taking it all in as he follows where they're being led. his barometer for ships is lower than Douglas, more room to be amazed, but even so, this is no ordinary ship. it would draw praise from nearly everyone he knows - and he's glad his brother isn't here, to start trying to analyze every angle or dismiss it all as not within his purview. funny, the moments when you miss someone.

but that voice is the same as the one over the messages, even if they weren't led straight to him. and Mycroft does the same - a bow of the head, before taking the invitation. something in him reminds Mycroft of how it feels to sit across from the Queen. someone who is simply used to having their every word adhered to, and not contradicted.]

Moon Supreme. Thank you for your generous invitation. I am Mycroft Holmes, and this is my colleague, Cyrus Douglas. We are grateful for your hospitality.

[he resists the urge to look at Douglas and see his reaction to that introduction - that was the one thing he hadn't cleared with the other man before showing up.]

[Once they were both seated, Daqiang sets a marker into his book and shuts it. Puts it aside and gives them both his attention. There was a lack of expression on his face that gave him a very good 'resting bitch face' and when he spoke, his tone remained the same bored and even tone as he had spoken with over the shellphones. It could almost come across as if he had no emotions to express at all.

He gives a single, shallow nod to acknowledge the both of them.]

You are interested in learning magic? Both of you?

[As they were not his subjects, nor his crew, he saw no reason not to get straight to the point.]

[Too bad Mycroft doesn't look over at his friend, because he misses the slightly incredulous expression that crosses Douglas' face. Buddy can you PLEASE warn him ahead of time when you do this--]

[A second later, though, he's recovered, continuing evenly as if Mycroft hadn't caught him off-guard at all.]

Less the art itself, so much as how it functions in this world.

[But he'll let the other man pick up on the answer from where he leaves it off.]

Exactly so.

[his attitude remains friendly, open - not relaxed, but a sense that the conversation will proceed at Daqiang's pace, and not his. stepping cautiously in a brand new space.]

Magic does not exist where we come from. What some see as such always has an explanation rooted in the world as it is. It's the realm of legends, of myths, pure fiction. Coming to this place, obviously that system of thinking no longer applies, and it would be foolish to essentially ignore the very real impact of magic here. We seek to understand in the same manner that a man might look to understand any other strong forces on the world, to be able to more accurately know the place he lives in.

[they must adapt to this world, for it will not bend for them. and Mycroft cannot live with the itch under his skin that he would be in any way ignorant.]

We wish to make it less strange and frightening a concept, and instead something we can embrace as part of where we reside.

Edited 2024-01-17 23:13 (UTC)

Then you are not interested in learning magic. You are interested in the academics of it.

[To others there might not be a distinction, but to him there was. Plenty of people who had no talent for magic were well educated scholars who could understand curses and spells and talismans without being able to channel the power themselves. Or at least not to the extent that those talented in it could. Everyone could do a little magic in the immortal realms. He was less certain about those of the mortal realm. But he didn't think it was very common there.]

The two of you are scholars? Researchers?

Not professionally, although I speak for myself, rather than Mr. Holmes.

[But Douglas does have to admit to his own curiosity, now that Mycroft has dragged him into this a little more deeply.]

I have been a sailor for much of my life. I am no stranger to the seas. But as my colleague mentioned, [cue the slightest sidelong glance at him,] the concept of magic is as fantasy to us both. The longer we remain here-- and I expect it shall be for some time-- the more vital it will be to understand it. A man cannot navigate his ship with no awareness of the winds or tides, after all.

[maybe, at one point, he'll break down, see if he could try for himself what it felt like to experience such forces, what it was like to use magic. but right now, they still remain imposing and alien, and so he cannot say he'd feel comfortable with it immediately.]

My scholarly interests have also been conducted in my free time. I was a civil servant, before.

[if not for Douglas, he might have entrenched himself in one of the Paladin offices and clung to the familiarity of the office. as it is, he's had help adjusting to what's required to sail, and he's perpetually grateful for it.]

Winds and tides.

[He murmured the words, contemplative for a long moment as he continued to observe the two. The one called Douglas seemed to look to the one called Mycroft for cues on how to act or react. When it was appropriate to speak or not. But in the current world, his knowledge was more readily useful than the former civil servant's. So he had confidence in his words that Daqiang suspected might not be there normally, with the way he followed Mycroft and glanced at him every so often.

He tilted his head, curious.]

Cyrus Douglas. Tell this venerable one what you mean about the winds and tides? This venerable one has only recently begun learning to sail and has been told that the stars are to be used to navigate, not the winds and tides.

[He was honestly interested, but also, he wanted to see how the two would react to the apparent 'follower' being addressed directly and the leader being otherwise ignored.]

[Douglas is a careful man, but nowhere near as observant as Mycroft. When Daqiang addresses him directly, he sits up a bit straighter, brightening somewhat-- he hasn't picked up that Daqiang is testing him, but boy, can he talk about sailing.]

I learned to sail when I was a young man, honorable Moon Supreme.

[He inclines his head with a slight nod. For the moment, the affected deference to Mycroft is gone: the seas are Douglas' element, and he knows it all too well to pretend that he doesn't.]

The stars are always there, of course, but these other elements must also always factor into a ship's course. Whether the direction of the wind and the conditions of the waters are favorable or unfavorable for a journey, or if a crew should navigate elsewhere for the safety of its men and cargo. Various instruments exist for this purpose, even to calculate a ship's location in relation to land.

[Did he get ahead of himself a little? Maybe. But it's clear that he's more than confident in this respect.]

[there's something that Douglas won't catch, since he's looking at Daqiang and not Mycroft - the little smile that quirks onto his face unbidden, to hear him directly addressed and appealed to for his knowledge. good. good. perhaps then he might be so bold as to out and out state that Douglas isn't just his colleague, but his true friend.

it means he listens to Douglas peacefully, considering it a matter of course. let the man be in his element, and confident.]

[Douglas might miss the smile, but Daqiang does not. It seemed the one called Mycroft was pleased that Douglas was being spoken to. Or perhaps that he was speaking up. Perhaps the one called Douglas' hesitation was a social nervousness? Either way, neither acted like the other was a servant of any kind nor were either upset by Daqiang's focus.]

There is magic that can control the seas.

[He said before Douglas could get too into his explanation.]

Magic that can control the winds.

[And here, Daqiang leaned forward to pour himself a cup of tea out of the pot that had been sitting just off to the side. Before he picked it up, however, he waved a hand and two more cups appeared as if out of thin air, clearly part of a set (blue and gold paint with stylized black cats sitting in windows). Then he poured first himself a cup and then held the teapot out for one of them to take.]

And more magics. How does that factor into sailing?

Edited 2024-01-19 02:49 (UTC)

It-- Oh.

[Douglas, wide-eyed, boggles down at the two cups that've materialized beside Daqiang's. That was impressive. He couldn't hide his reaction even if he wanted to.

No time to stare, though. He takes the teapot first with a grateful nod, then pours himself and Mycroft each a cup. The tea holds. Any lingering doubts fade: those cups definitely aren't an illusion. There's a small, curious smile on his face as Douglas replies.]

I suppose I'll have to learn more about such magics before I answer that question.

[the look in Mycroft's eyes is a mix of wonder and curiosity, taking a cup with a murmured thank you and holding it. there is an undeniable attractiveness in the ease presented. the simplicity of it, of the world reshaping to what you wanted it to. it's tempting, of course it is. but his resolve so far will not crumble - theory only. such power was not meant for his hands, and he was made to settle in the realm of thought alone.

however, he'll still let the other two have their discussion, instead sipping the tea so he can appreciate it, noting the flavor and type. it needs to be savored, not gulped down like it isn't a gift.]

[What the two of them didn't know was that Daqiang didn't create the tea cups at all. They'd simply been in his sleeves (which was a metaphysical storage space that could only fit so much in it) and he had merely set them out.

What would really blow their minds was Daqiang taking the tea pot back, setting his hand on the bottom of it, and heating it with flickering blue flames that emerged from the palm of his hand for a few moments before setting it back to the side, on it's holder. Then he took his own cup and leaned back to settle himself comfortably again.]

While you do not wish to learn to control magics, it may be easier to understand how they work in this world if you temporarily acquire some for yourself. The magic of this world is different than the magic of the world this venerable one is from. And the tattoos that unseal powers or grant them anew fade after a couple months. With them, the bearer's access to such power. You would not have to keep the permanently.

However, if you do not wish to do so, you may best be served to learn about magic in the libraries of the major ports for the basics. After which, seeking more specific texts or practical studies with those who use magic regularly and are willing to teach on it will provide you with greater understanding of both how magic works in this world as well as how it works in the world your teacher comes from.

As an example, in this venerable one's world, there are only five elements. Every other 'element' is 'sub-element' of one of the five. In this world those sub-elements are separate from each other and must be invoked separately with the correct spells.

[Douglas does, in fact, take a moment to marvel at Daqiang's manipulation of fire before replying. It's a good thing they're getting all of this out sooner, rather than later...]

I've heard a little about this myself, from Eastern medicines in our world. [Thanks, Huan.] Nothing resembling magic, however.

Wood, fire, earth, water, and metal-- is that correct?

[Though his voice never changed from that bored tone he had, his eyes did flicker over to Douglas with clear interest in them.]

Yes. That is correct. You are the first this venerable one has encountered in this world that knew that. But your world only associates them with medicine? The five elements, in the Three Realms, are intertwined with everything.

[Paying attention to your friends does count for something, it turns out. He's grateful he remembered that. At the follow-up question, however, Douglas shakes his head.]

That much is beyond me, I'm afraid. I've just been fortunate enough to have Chinese friends in my home country whose knowledge of medicine helped me when I was sick, or injured. [A wry glance over at Mycroft. By now, the ice has been broken enough that Douglas doesn't notice how much he's allowed his facade to slip:] My companion, too, has been helped by such teachings.

Although, it wouldn't surprise me if the ideas were similar in our world.

This venerable one is only passingly familiar with traditional medicine. It is not this venerable one's job to know it as deeply as the shamans. Shangque has more knowledge of it, but neither did he, nor any shamans, accompany this venerable one when this venerable one was drawn here.

[It was a little strange that so many people from some worlds were brought but only one from others. He figured that with the Three Realms being the only perfectly made world, the other broken worlds in the Ruins of Ten Thousand Heavens were probably easier to draw people from. How and why the rifts managed to get him was still a question. But there was power there that Daqiang did not yet know or understand enough to even begin making guesses.]

Once you have made yourselves familiar with the magic of this world, this venerable one is willing to teach you something of the five elements and how they work in the Three Realms. Magic is separate from much of what this venerable one does, but the connections and influences of the elements are largely the same. If you are familiar with the five elements in medicines, then you will more easily grasp their influence in all things.

Edited 2024-02-12 11:21 (UTC)

[So Daqiang had been brought here alone? Impressive to have gathered his own crew and ship together in so short a time. It's beyond the point, however, so Douglas inclines his head in a polite bow.]

For sharing your knowledge, you have my thanks, Venerable Moon Supreme.

[He hadn't been planning to look into anything here as deeply as Mycroft, but, well. It would do him good to utilize his passing familiarity with these concepts to aid the whole magical study, and it would do him very little good to lose the bit of confidence he's gained from Daqiang.

Especially not when he's now weighing whether he'd prefer this man's ship to the Paladins' primary vessel...]

Your efforts shall not be in vain.

They rarely are.

[...yeah, no. His ego was not small in the slightest. But it was also the truth. Most of his efforts were not in vain because he did not let any get to the point that they would be.

Usually. His efforts in the current sleeping curse situation were still less than stellar. And the Xilan Heart Curse had now stymied him for longer than any other problem he'd ever encountered. Though, in the latter's case, he had not expended much efforts of late to try and counter it.]

If you intend to spend time with members of The Raiders of the Lost Arts, be aware that the Phantom Moon intends to leave port in the next two weeks for lands unknown. The crew wishes to explore and this venerable one wishes to test the ship for a longer voyage. You may join us as this venerable one's guests. But you must make the choice before we leave port. Accommodations will have to be made.

[ordinarily, he'd have to thank someone for such an offer, return home, and rearrange his schedule to make it so. but here? he is not so bound to timelines and others beyond simple negotiations with the Paladins. done in an hour, at most. it would be no trouble at all to set things up.

thus, he turns to Douglas, voice a little softer - they will be overheard, of course, but it's the principle of the thing.]

Douglas. Are you amiable to such a voyage?

[the look in Mycroft's eyes says he's already intrigued. perhaps lands unknown should be more threatening than it is, but traveling as the captain's guests means it's unlikely they'll have anyone slipping aboard to cause trouble. no schemes to thwart. just adventure.]

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cw mention of period-typical racism

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sorry for the delay!

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my turn to be sorry for the delay ;;

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