2nd Blight - video

[bryces_pup]

Who: Riona and you!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: On the Blue Fish, if you really want
When: Now

[The device is propped up somehow on Riona's bed. It affords a view of her stretched out on said bed, fiddling with a long knife that she picked up on the station. It's sheathed, and she seems to be doing it just to occupy her hands. Don't worry, she's not about to go around threatening anyone with it.
She glances over at the camera and offers a smile.]

It occurred to me this morning that it's been approximately a month since I arrived here. Admittedly, it's put me in a bit of a contemplative mood. Been thinking of the usual: what I'm supposed to be doing right now back home, the people I left behind, my dog...

[She misses his slobbery kisses...]

But fear not, I'm not here to weigh everyone down with me waxing nostalgic and pining for home. As while I was doing that, it also occurred to me that I've learned quite a bit in the few weeks I've been here. Not just about all this technology and whatnot - though I am of the mind that refrigerators are one of the loveliest things ever invented - but with what I've been able to experience and, of course, the people I've been able to meet. Before anyone goes off, I'm not applauding Atroma. They're still a bunch of bastards. It's more like making the best of a... well, weird situation.

So I pose a question to you all: if there is one thing you could take back with you to your world - whether it's a physical object, an experience, a bit of knowledge you've gained, or so on - what would it be? Feel free to take the question as seriously or not as you'd like. I'm curious to see what all of you would be willing to take from our time here.

Comments

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[bryces_pup]

It is fascinating, isn't it? So much of what I've learned has already challenged what I know and how my world works. If I'm still here months down the line, I may have to look back on this entry and compare.

[But that's, obviously, for another time.]

Er, forgive me, but what's an... anthroughpologist? An - An-thro-pol-o-gist. [She has to sound out each syllable to get it right.]

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Ah, sorry-- anthropology is the official study of other cultures, languages, customs, et cetera.

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[bryces_pup]

Oh, okay! So a scholar on other peoples and their way of life. I've met such a person back home; we just don't have a sophisticated name for it.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

It's a fascinating profession, really, I wish it was a bit better back home. There's so much we don't know-- or refuse to learn, whichever you want to call it-- about other species.

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[bryces_pup]

[It's always so nice to hear that cultural ignorance and racism is a universal thing.] Given how you said your world treats werewolves, I suppose that might not be entirely surprising. What other species are there where you're from?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Quite a few. Centaurs, goblins, house-elves, merpeople, vampires, et cetera. All with about the same rights and recognition as werewolves.

What about your world?

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[bryces_pup]

Not nearly as many as yours. [And most of them are ones she's never heard of.] We have humans, dwarves, elves, and Qunari. [And darkspawn, but considering they're (for the most part) mindless creatures intent on nothing but destruction of all life? She doesn't count them.]

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Qunari?

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[bryces_pup]

They are... very tall horned people. Gray-skinned, very powerful. Most of them adhere to a religion called the Qun, though by my understanding, not all of them do. Those who don't technically aren't considered Qunari.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

[The problem with this is that there are a thousand questions he wants to ask. Finally, he settles on:]

So-- what happens to them, then? If they don't believe.

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[bryces_pup]

I am... not entirely certain. They are called Tal-Vashoth. It is said that, without the Qun to guide them, they resort to mindless violence and must be brought to heel. But, I do not know if that is necessarily true or just what the Qunari say.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

I don't know that I believe that-- that religion, any religion, is so vital as to keep someone sane- but then again, they're of your world, not mine.

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[bryces_pup]

I find it questionable, too, though I should add that the Qun isn't just a religion, it's a way of life. The doctrine dictates almost all part of a Qunari's life, even what occupation they have.

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Ah. Well, that's . . . god, I can't imagine breaking away from that. It seems impossible not to feel lost.

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[bryces_pup]

Certainly makes you wonder, doesn't it? Sadly I'm not more educated on the subject so I can't really say much more.

[Might be time for a happier subject change.]

What of the peoples of your world? You listed quite a few I've never heard of, like... merpeople?

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Ah-- those who live in the water, instead of on air. Half fish, half person. Upper half person, that is, and right around their waist they change into a tail. They've their own language, of course, but I don't know very much about them besides that-- they're secretive, and as I said, my world isn't too concerned with cultures other than their own.

Centaurs . . . they're half-horse, with a man's torso coming out. Very . . . mystical, I suppose you could say? I've heard they're best for predicting your future, if you can get one to actually pay you any mind, cos they know the stars better than we could ever read them. Not that I'm any good at reading the future anyway, but.

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[bryces_pup]

People that live in the water? They must breathe like fish do, then. [She wonders if the sailors back home had such stories. The docks were not a place she got to visit often enough to hear many of their stories.] I wish I could see one. Though, Maker, their skin must be quite pruny all the time.

You can... read the future in your world? By looking at stars? [wut]

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[theshabbiestofmen]

Well, I can't. Not the stars, anyway. I could do a read on your tea leaves, but as I said, I'm shite at it, and it's not . . . it's all very vague, anyway. Things like you'll face danger or face your fears soon.

[bryces_pup]

Mm, that doesn't sound terribly helpful, no. And in tea leaves? [Color her a little skeptical here, because that almost sounds like weird peddler crap you see in the streets.]

[theshabbiestofmen]

Well, the tea leaves bit is solid, at least. It's part of your essence; they touch you, your aura, your person-- so if anything is going to read your future, it's going to be that. Now, whether or not they can is up to you, but.

[bryces_pup]

[It still doesn't make a lick of sense to Riona.]

But why tea leaves? I mean, we all touch many things throughout the day. And how do they touch your aura? [A beat.] What even is an aura?

[Have fun, Remus.]

[theshabbiestofmen]

Well, tea is good to consume, and it's a quick and easy way to pick up someone. But-- all right.

[Professor Remus Lupin is a go. He doesn't have glasses, but he rather gains the air of pushing them up the bridge of his nose as he settles in.]

An aura is, essentially, you-- your essence, your presence. It's not something you can see, really, but-- well, I'm sure you've met people who come off as particularly menacing, or meek, or charismatic, all without them having said anything. That's an aura at work. You might be as magical as a rock, but you can sense it regardless.

Understand?

[That isn't meanly said; it's a real question-- he'll go on, if she needs him to.]

[bryces_pup]

[And her back straightens, like a student readying for a lesson. She listens attentively, hands folded in front of her.]

Mm, I think I understand what you mean now. It's that feeling you get from someone, essentially?

[theshabbiestofmen]

Precisely! The feeling that they generate-- that's your aura, more or less.

[Sort of. Close enough!]

The offer still stands, if you'd care to drink a cup of tea with me sometime.

[bryces_pup]

[It's as close as you're gonna get with a non-mage Thedosian, anyway.]

Oh, I can't pass up a cup of tea, especially with such nice company. I'd love to, anytime you're free.