(text - public post.)

[conclusively]

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.

Comments

voice | yuezun

[yuezun]

The crew known as 'Raiders of the Lost Arts', who reside aboard the Phantom Moon, will be able to answer much of your questions. We have gathered with the purpose of research the hidden magics of this world. Many of them are skilled in the matters you are asking after and have shown themselves willing to provide aid to those who are curious. How willing they are at this time is up to them. But if you wish to inquire among them, this venerable one gives you permission.

You may also find some answers with those from the crew of 'The Hideaway'. However, this venerable one has no say in how they conduct their matters. But this venerable one does know that many of them are also familiar with the topics you have asked after.

text;

[ligero]

Studying already. I should have known.

permatext.

[conclusively]

I thank you for the names and knowledge, and wish to know how I might make a more direct inquiry with your crew, so that you might be able to judge your own willingness. I realize I am a total stranger, but my intentions are purely to gain knowledge, and any expertise is viewed with the respect it deserves.

As for The Hideaway, if they make themselves known, I will ask them the same.

[conclusively]

I've spent far too many days adrift, Douglas. If our circumstances are not liable to swiftly reverse, then I cannot be blundering about as a willful ignoramus. It does us no good to act as though magic won't be part of enough dealings we'll face.

[ligero]

I would hardly call you a 'willful ignoramus', Holmes. Certainly not if you're going out of your way to learn magical theory. Is that not more in-depth that we'd need for simply encountering magic in our travels?

[Unless...] Don't tell me you wish to learn it?

Permavoice

[yuezun]

[The voice is bored. Has been bored. Remains bored. No emotional inflection at all.]

This venerable one does not care why you wish the knowledge or how you intend to use it, so long as it is not used to harm his people or what belongs to him.

[conclusively]

Such would be unthinkable in my mind. If it is to be used for anything, only to help, not harm.

[conclusively]

The idea has occurred to me only as an utter fantasy, I assure you. Regardless, I wish to be able to determine what we may encounter, be it from exposure or its effects on the world. It would not do to end up needing to consider a situation and overlook something obvious that magic was the source of.

[enough strange things could happen by normal hands alone. neglect to bring in magic when it exists, and things can only baffle.]

[yuezun]

That is your choice. This venerable one will not forget you have made it.

The Phantom Moon docks out of Nogard.

[ligero]

Well, that sounds more than reasonable. [And beyond getting the lay of the land, is something that hadn't occurred to Douglas to do at all.

Still. Not for the first time, the thought occurs to him: how strange, for Mycroft Holmes and that irritatingly encyclopedic mind of his to be out of his depth. It's almost unsettling, actually.]

Shall I join you at Nogard? [...............wait a minute, if he can read the other guy's comments, then...] Oh, these aren't direct messages.

[local man now squinting down at shellphone trying to puzzle out sending a normal magic telegram]

text ; un: torinoko

[torinoko]

I am fairly new to this world myself, but when it comes to generalized magical theory, I am something of an expert.

What sort of compensation were you thinking?

[conclusively]

My original thoughts were along the lines of an equal favor to be rendered in return, so long as it is within my capacity, but if you had more specific terms in mind, I am open to hearing them.

[this is the problem when you're new and don't have the same financial backing you've cultivated for years. but let it not be said he wasn't trying to be fair about it. information for information, or hours of his time in recompense - he'd not think about asking for this for no returns at all.]

[conclusively]

No, these are messages that anyone looking at this missive can read. Others are more directly targeted, and can only be read by the recipient. I've seen examples of this contraption transferring sound as well, but I prefer to remain with text alone, for the time being.

That said, my friend, you would be the first soul I would ask to accompany me, if you're amiable. Nogard is no more than a couple of days travel, perhaps less.

[that, and he feels uneasy just walking into the Corsair base of operations on his own. look, Douglas, he's thinking for once and not just heading into disaster. this will never happen again.]

[conclusively]

Thank you. I hope that our paths may cross in the next few days.

My name is Mycroft Holmes. Who will I be asking after?

[torinoko]

Oh, that would be quite sufficient, I just believe in verifying before agreeing to anything, you understand.

You're newly arrived, after all. It wouldn't make much sense to demand monetary compensation, would it?

[yuezun]

This venerable one is Dongfang Qingcang, Moon Supreme of the Moon Tribe. This venerable one is also the Captain of the Phantom Moon and leader of The Raiders of the Lost Arts.

You may address this venerable one as Moon Supreme. 'Captain' is also acceptable.

[But if Mycroft chose to use something easier to pronounce, Daqiang was, at this point, resigned enough to it happening that he would say nothing. Simply remember the slight (intentional or not) and move on.]

[conclusively]

Sense has never stopped some men from asking what they dare.

[give him a moment, fiddling this over to direct messaging for the privacy of it.]

What would you consider equivalent for this assistance? Like you, I also believe in verification, and want to ensure I do not undervalue you.

[or, you know, not get yanked into something that's going to put him in peril for the favor repaid. at least, not without at least having that be a known factor.]

-> action.

[conclusively]

Thank you again.

[it'll only take two days to reach Nogard, and with observation, it's not hard to be directed to the Phantom Moon. it's a beautiful craft, and he takes a moment to admire it as he draws near first. almost like it came from a painting, and he's reminded fondly of some illustrations he saw in a text. but just staring at a ship won't get him the answers he needs - he has his phone in his pocket to let Douglas know when the meeting's over.

so, he'll call upwards, considering that the time of day means someone has to be around.]

Good afternoon! Anyone about?

[he knows he doesn't cut the most imposing figure, limited to the simple and practical wear that a newly arrived might have, but decorum will carry one further.]

text

[fractales]

I've spent much of my time here, between other projects, studying the flora and fauna of this world. Most of my area of expertise consists of seeing how the environment can affect them and working from there in figuring out how any phenomenon may work.

Really, the variety of animals and even plants here have been quite fascinating.

[torinoko]

In this case, I'd consider an exchange of information. While there is no one more knowledgeable than I am in my own world about magical theory, we're in a different place, and I'm quite curious about other kinds of magic. And the information you might glean about this world is also useful to me, wouldn't you say?

You're a very prudent man, aren't you?

text

[standingonmyneck]

I know a few places that have a lot of old books and records that have been helpful to me personally. Sometimes the smaller libraries have a better scope to root through if you need something more specific.

But I have titles themselves as well.

[ligero]

[The magic of 5G, man. He'll puzzle out how to do voice and video options later: near-instantaneous text missives are enough of a marvel as is.]

Then I suppose we are bound for Nogard, Holmes.

[Amiable, nothing. Neither of them know what to expect from the Corsairs; if he hadn't asked him to come along, Douglas might've insisted on it regardless. Great job using your entire brain for once in your life, Mycroft.]

[conclusively]

Sooner rather than later. I wouldn't want to chance our destination moving on us again.

Do you need me to get any supplies beforehand?

[conclusively]

One tries to be, but it is a virtue that is best judged by other people.

I will be frank, I possess no magical talent of my own, as the world I come from is devoid of such phenomena. It is confined to the realm of superstition and falsehood. Therefore, what I can reasonably offer is what I gain about our current residence, though I know that is more of an extended collaboration rather than a singular favor.

[conclusively]

[what Turo won't see is how those words make Mycroft's eyes light up.]

That is the exact type of knowledge I'm looking to become at least passingly familiar with. Understanding the environment and what lives within it are so closely intertwined that one necessitates the other. Can one not predict the likelihood of rain by observing the actions of animals or the subtle changes in plants? Of course you can, and that is only the smallest fragment of what could be reasoned.