Seventh Mind Read - Getting Down to Business

[justcharles]

[Having finally having had a chance to speak with Fred about his plans for Cerebro, Charles figures it's high time he spoke with his other potential assistants. He knows it's a big project, but it'll be well worth everyone's time in the long run. Sitting out on the roof, Charles clears his throat a moment, before writing a filter into his journal.]

Comments

[mc_blackheart]

[MOLOTOV IS ALWAYS ON THE ROOF, no not always, but a lot. Also, she is an elf right now, and something about that keeps driving her to be outside as much as possible.

She peeks out from behind a turret to snort a little.]

Were you not told? The castle is magic. What else is there to be curious about?

[justcharles]

[Charles just smiles that patient, winning smile of his.]

Oh, I'm well aware of the castle's magical nature, but even taking that into consideration, I'm still curious as to the actual process of it. Simply saying "magic did it" isn't a satisfactory explanation, at least not for me.

[mc_blackheart]

What, you think all the furniture grew legs and walked around like a cartoon? Perhaps there was a song and dance involved.

[justcharles]

[Charles laughs. He knows she's being sarcastic, but the mental image amuses him just the same.]

Perhaps. After all, no one was able to actually witness it happening, so there's no telling how it was accomplished. Personally, I find myself imagining the castle's ghosts acting as some sort of otherworldly moving crew, carrying all of our worldly possessions down the numerous flights of stairs to their new homes. Of course, none of the ghosts will confirm this, but it's still something to think about.

[mc_blackheart]

I think it is more likely that the castle used whatever magic grants the wishes and simply made everything appear in a different place.

[justcharles]

Hmm...perhaps you're right. Even still, I would have liked to have seen it. Magic of the variety employed by the castle is something I can't say I've ever seen before, and even though I've been here for a few months now, I still find myself fascinated every time the ghosts bring me something I've asked for.

[mc_blackheart]

I cannot say that I understand what there is to be fascinated by. The castle uses its magic to make us miserable -- who cares how it works?

[justcharles]

True, but it also grants us opportunities we might not otherwise have had. I know I would have never had the chance to meet elves and the like had I not been brought here. Beyond that, by gaining a deeper understanding of the castle and how it works, we may possibly find ways of leaving our imprisonment. It's a long shot, sure, but it's better than giving up.

[mc_blackheart]

I am not an elf, and I have been here long enough to realize that there is no way out. Whatever magic is controlling this place, it is far more powerful than anyone it brings here. Someone told me that they knew people capable of creating this kind of place. And yet, none of them are here.

I think that the castle would not bring someone that can thwart it.

[justcharles]

I wasn't implying that you were, my dear. One of my first acquaintances in the castle was an elf by the name of Galadriel. She's become one of my dearest friends here, despite me never having encountered an elf before her.

You do have a point, but does that mean that we should just give up? As much as I have enjoyed my time here, I'm not so in love with the place as to sit idly and simply allow Paradisa to do as it wishes. If there is a way that I can help us leave here, even if it isn't something direct or drastic, I'll do it.

Besides, I'm a scientist. I'd be remiss if I didn't at least show some curiosity for the way things work.

[mc_blackheart]

Elves are disgusting. I am fairly sure this is why the castle turned me into this. Because the castle makes people miserable.

In love with the place? Nyet, I hate this world. But that does not mean I am willing to waste time and energy fighting and trying to manipulate something greater than myself. Besides, I would think there are more interesting things for a scientist to investigate than a world which refuses to share secrets. Like those bizarre ponies. Those must be interesting to a scientist.

[justcharles]

Oh, they're not so bad, once you get to know them. A little uptight maybe, but we all have our moments of that, yes?

Part of being a scientist often involves confronting forces much bigger than ourselves. It's how progress is made. Paradisa, such as it is, is the ultimate challenge for someone like myself.

As for the ponies, I can't say I've had the chance to meet one of them yet. I've no doubt that they come from a world were all animals are thusly intelligent. Of course, I'd need to conduct a proper study on this to be sure.

[And there's the distinctive sound of a pen scratching on paper as Charles writes himself a note to investigate the intelligent ponies of Paradisa.]

[mc_blackheart]

I suppose, if you consider the abomination of interspecies breeding to be "not so bad" and merely "uptight". Nyet, the elves are repulsive.

That may be, but part of being wise is being aware of when you are fighting a losing battle, and figuring out instead ways to make your situation bearable. Do you not think it a bit presumptuous of yourself to believe that you are so smart that you can do what hundreds, if not thousands, of people before you attempted so hard and for so long?

Look for the pink one. I am sure she would provide hours of interesting study.

[Her tone is a little dry on that one.]

[justcharles]

[Charles has a small moment of realization with Molotov's statement. Suddenly, he understands why she's so repulsed by her current form; she's jealous.]

As a man who's life's work involves the study of mutation and evolution, I would honestly be fascinated by such a subject. Though discounting the castle giving the residents children during the spring, I don't think there's anything to worry about in that regard.

Perhaps, but I know I'm not alone in my desire to learn more about this place. Losing battle or not, I'd be remiss if I didn't at least try. As for those who've come before me, I'd never presume I was more intelligent than anyone else here. If anything, coming to Paradisa has proven to me just what an idiot I truly am. That's why I seek to learn more, and to teach others what I've learned.

[He smiles, seeing an image of Pinkie Pie in Molotov's mind. She does seem fascinating.]

I think I'll do that. It should be an enlightening experience, if everything I've heard of her proves true.

[mc_blackheart]

[Jealous? Maybe of the fact that her dog-slash-boyfriend seems interested in some of the lady elves around here, and she knows that lady elves are into human men. And Brock is irresistible! But jealous of huge ears and weird eyebrows? Not so much.]

There is a difference between evolution and the horrible hybrid offspring of two species. Would you father a child with a chimpanzee? I think not.

If you wish to waste your time, that is no concern of mine. I am merely telling you that, if there is an exit, there is no way to reach it. And if there was, do you think the castle would really let you leave without doing something horrible to you?

[justcharles]

[He totally gets that! He might not be saying as much, but that's only because he doesn't want to seem like he knows more than he does.]

No, I can't say that I would. Even still, in my studies of the journal I can't find a single example of any of the residents having children, outside of the time during the spring when they're given to us whether we want them or not, despite the fact that most of the residents are indeed human, and given to the same biological needs as any human. I don't think there's any need to worry about the possibility of half-human, half-elven children.

[He means that to sound reassuring, as though he's not getting that it's just the act of interspecies breeding itself that gets her goat.Probably not, but given that it's a choice of freedom versus continued imprisonment, I'd say the risk is worth the benefits it will impart if we're successful, yes? Don't get me wrong, I'm perfectly happy staying here as long as it takes, but I'd rather my time be spent in helping other people, as well as solving the riddle