[THREAD] It's as if Earth no longer existed ...

[longtobehold]

Characters: Jonathan Strange (ou), OPEN
Where: The park by the pond
When: Mid-day, although thanks to Strange's curse, it's darkest night in the ten feet surrounding him
Summary: Strange attempts some spells wit hout much luck
Warnings: Possible magic?

Comments

[ectoplasicious]

Johann watched the magical display from a distance not entirely too far away but out of sight. He was drawn here by the odd sight of the darkness surrounding the man--had followed it when he saw it was in the park, somewhat on his way (at least at first)--and anyway, he arrived there to see a man with a nasty curse surrounding him and all was clear. It would probably be rude to ask about it, so he had been simply going to leave when the man began to preform magic. Or attempted.

Johann vaguely recognized the type of magic being cast. And he was fairly certain he knew what the problem was.

He got a little closer before saying something to the man. "I don't believe your friend is to be found in this dimension."

[longtobehold]

It was debatable what surprised Strange more. The man's odd appearence, or the fact that he seemed to comprehend the nature of the spell Strange was attempting to cast.

"Sir," he said giving a quick bow, not being one to stand on ceremony in such an occasion, "please forgive me for being so direct, but do you happen to be a magician?"

[ectoplasicious]

Johann returned the bow with a respectable one of his own. He probably had more in common with this man then almost anyone else here--considering the time period in which he originally derived from at least. "Nein, I am not. But my studies are in general that of paranormal activities, practices, and entities. Magic most definitely falls within that category," he replied. It was obvious, too, where he hailed from originally; he had a distinct German sounding accent.

[longtobehold]

Strange cocked his head at Johann's explanation.

"Paranormal? I'm afrad I'm not familiar with that particular branch of studies, but magic has preoccupied my reading for the last decade or so." Strange said.

"Your accent," he remarked, extending an inquisitive finger. "Are you Prussian by any chance?"

[ectoplasicious]

"Paranormal is simply anything out of the 'ordinary'," he replied then gave a brief chuckle. "As vague an explanation as that may be. Simply put I deal with the creatures and entities and powers like magic that are supposedly only from myth and legend. But they are real--as you very well know."

He gave a sort of nod in answer. "Close. I am from Austria originally. We were never a part of the Kingdom of Preußen, but on the edge of its borders and share a fair few common traits."

[longtobehold]

"Interesting," Strange remarked, rubbing his chin. "It sounds as though you study the fey, but from the perspective of a theoritician as opposed to a practicer of magic."

"Ah, thank goodness," Strange said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I had a little misunderstanding with the Prussian army at Waterloo. Nothing serious, but you know soldiers..." he slapped his forehead. "But where are my manners. My name is Jonathan Strange, Magician-in-Ordinary to the Duke of Wellington. And you are?"

[ectoplasicious]

Johann nodded curtly at that. "Indeed. That is one way of putting it. I do study the Fey--although that is a general term for the Faerie world and it's inhabits where I am from and does not encompass as wide a range of items that I study. But--it might simply be a semantic differences between our two worlds."

Johann chuckled and waved a hand dismissively in the air. "Well, even if that were so--technically I am in the service of the United States government rather than mine origins. And we are--now--allies of England, and most of Europe for that matter."

The ectoplasmic being gave another half bow with mostly a grand nod as he introduced himself. "Johann Krauß, at your service. It is a pleasure, Herr Strange." He hesitated as a thought struck him. "Do you know where you are...?"

[longtobehold]

Strange raised his eyebrows at the mention of the United States. "Really? Well Mr. Monroe must be a great leader indeed to have a man such as yourself at his disposal." He looked wistful and nostalgic "I visited the Americas once, but I'm not sure where. I deposited a Belgian city there for a few hours to avoid an ambush by Napoleon."

"Where I am?" Strange blinked. "Well, I'm not particularely certain of how, I assumed this was one of the Other Lands, although I have no idea which side of Hell I'm on."

[ectoplasicious]

Johann paused, slight amusement being conveyed through both his body language--including a peculiar swirl to the mist trapped within the glass helmet--and his tone of voice. "Yes, well... I'm sure Mr. Monroe might have had some opinions on my being on 'his' pay-roll but... he is no longer the president when I am from. It is far past what time I do believe you are from."

"Other Lands?" the spirit asked curiously. "I am unfamiliar with that term. But--this place, the compound, which is only part of the city this park belongs to, is called 'Econtra.' It is another dimension-another universe. It is still Earth, but not the one either you nor I am from originally."

[longtobehold]

Strange listened to everything Johann said very intently, at times furrowing his brow and frowning as though he didn't like what Johann had said.

"Oh dear," he said. "I'm afraid the scenario you propose is a bit outside the purview of my experience. I've explored Earth, Faery and all the realms that lie between, but that there are other earths?" He shook his head. "It boggles the mind, sir. Do not take offense when I say I was much more comfortable when I thought I was lost somewhere in Faery."

[ectoplasicious]

Krauss shook his head. "No, I do not blame you. I felt similar when I arrived. It is easier to believe one has traveled to a foreign realm of one's own world than an entirely different world altogether. I have done the same. But you will see--all will say the same, and before he was taken away, the Warden, our caretaker, said so when one arrived."

[longtobehold]

Strange nodded, "I've heard about the Warden. He must be a powerful sorceror indeed to bring all of us here, but not powerful enough to save himself it would seem."

[ectoplasicious]

"Not a sorcerer at all as far as I know," Johann replied. "In fact, I think they 'summon' people here by the use of a very sophisticated machine. The 'AI' that controls it also supplies us with needed items such as food, clothing, and other vitals." He paused briefly. "Although it is, I suppose, possible the machine has magic incorporated into it..."

[longtobehold]

"A machine that can drag people accross space and time?" Strange wasn't sure whether to scoff or be impressed. "I suppose stranger things have happened."

He quickly perked up, "This Aye Eye you called it? Can it supply books?"

[ectoplasicious]

"Yes, that is what we are told," Johann said. He shrugged, an over exaggerated gesture from him since the suit was so awkward and he always wanted to make certain it was actually perceptible.

The mist swirled with the helmet again, this time in a different pattern but very similar. It was a smile. "Yes, it can. It sometimes has a hard time with specifics--but it does well with generals. There is also a library here."

[longtobehold]

Strange's eyes seemed to light up upon mention of the library. "Excellent, I shall have to examine their catalogue post-haste."

Noticing the smoke swirling in Johann's helmet, Strange cleared his throat. "I hope you will not think me rude for asking sir, but might I inquire as to the nature of your rather ... odd ... mode of dress?"