(Untitled)

[iliketodruitt]

John wasn't sure what the island normally looked like, having arrived after it changed, but he was conflicted about its current appearance. The Victorian period held one of the happier times of his life, but also one of the darkest. He was thankful that there was no Whitechapel here, already it was hard enough to be here. It seemed as if half

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[submitwithwill]

Exploration was my only goal that day, walking through the unfamiliar streets and wandering in and out of the various shops. When I had been warned of the massive changes that could occur with the seasons, I certainly hadn't imagined anything such as what I found myself in, but I also found I didn't mind it so much. For one the fashion, while not familiar, was at least cut to lengths that were familiar to me outside of the bedroom or the Night Court. For
my own garments, once I had determined exactly how everything was to be worn, I was quite comfortable. The island had even been kind enough to provide a warm cloak to wear over my ensemble so that I did not catch a chill walking through the town.

Yet it was the man talking to himself who caught my attention that day and not some strange shop, causing me to pause my steps. I did not recognize him, but I was hardly one to count that as strange. Nearly everyone in this place was still a stranger to me, but he did not have the appearance of one who had fully adjusted to his surroundings and I felt for him a little.

"Pardon, Messire, are you quite alright?" I addressed him in the common language of this place, not sure if he would understand my native tongue and I wanted to be sure he understood me.

[iliketodruitt]

"Oi, Mademoiselle," he said with a nod, slipping momentarily into what he hoped was the native French of the woman. If not, it was a remarkably good accent she was putting on. John didn't have quite the talent for languages that say, Nikola and Helen had, but he'd been alive long enough to come to a good understanding of the more common romance languages.

The woman herself was beautiful, dark haired with a sense of sensuality that conveyed itself without a single word or action. It simply was.

"I assure you I'm quite fine. Merely wondering out loud. I'm sorry if I disturbed you."

[submitwithwill]

I smiled at his use of what the locals called French, and was tempted to respond in the same until he continued. It was obvious he felt more comfortable with the common, English, speech and with my fluency in both it mattered little to me.

"Not at all. I was simply concerned. Can I offer you any assistance?" As I had no definitive plans of my own, it would be a simple enough matter to detour and assist someone.

[iliketodruitt]

"I think I am quite alright on my own, but I would not be opposed to pleasant company," he said with a smile. He had not seen the woman about before in the few days that he was here, he was sure he would have recognized her.

"I was alive when London was first like this, or quite similar, so it is interesting to see it again. I was merely wondering out loud if Santa Claus was going to make an appearance, I have heard from several others that he comes to this place this time of year."

[submitwithwill]

"Were you? Then I daresay you have me at an advantage. This apparent time period has many wondrous things for me. Not to mention the island as it usually is."

I had to confess, it was gave me a slight sense of satisfaction at hearing and seeing many of the island's residents confounded by the change in surroundings. I felt a little less out of place when it came to my own wonderment, but to run across one who seemed native to these times, it was perhaps an opportunity I should not overlook.

"This Santa Claus you mention, is he a deity? I've heard him mentioned more than once of late."

[iliketodruitt]

"You don't seem all that out of place. I am sure that you would fit in here quite nicely if you were required to do so for any length of time," he said. She was gorgeous and well spoken, two traits that he had always observed served women well.

"And he is more a legend that has grown with time. Originally he was nothing more than a kind and generous priest."

[submitwithwill]

"I have done a great deal of traveling in my home, and learned about many fashions and cultures. I try to respect and learn about them all."

Not to mention how useful it could be. The less one stood apart from the crowd, the more one could see without being observed. It was a lesson I'd learned early and well, even before my studies with Delaunay. Be silent and you can stay, fight and struggle and you are forced to leave.

"I've known many types or priests and holy men and women, do you know the name of the deity he followed?"

[iliketodruitt]

"As have I," he said with a smile. When you lived for over a hundred years as a teleporter, you eventually came to visit nearly everywhere. "I have found my travels significantly enriched when I immerse myself in the cultures of the places I visit."

Of course, it was more difficult for a white man, nearly six and a half feet tall, to blend in a lot of places, but a pleasant smile and calm demeanor (at least calm when you weren't murdering one or more of the locals) went a long way.

"He followed the Christian God and His Son, also a deity. Or rather they believe He is the same deity, merely a different part or aspect."

[submitwithwill]

"That sounds needlessly complicated, although I imagine it makes perfect sense to them. I can't say I'm familiar with it, however. Something I shall have to remedy, I think."

I had to laugh, there was so much to learn, it was hard to even contemplate the limits of it, but I promised myself I would. Once I was adjusted to this new reality, it would be simple matter of finding the schools. In a city such as we found ourselves in there had to be some building dedicated to the purpose, more than what had changed from the original. After all, there were shops and markets and all other manner of business.

"I've started quite the long list of things to research."

[iliketodruitt]

"If you would like any help, I am something of a scholar."

Scholar, scientist, learner, John was all of those things. While later in life other pursuits had distracted him, had hijacked him, he had been intelligent and inquisitive throughout all the years. His style of learning was generally more hands on, teleporting here and there to learn about a culture or something of interest, but he was capable of research when it was required.

"I have also lived for over a hundred years and traveled all over the globe. And I think I would like to learn about worlds besides Earth as well."

[submitwithwill]

"I might like that, there are, after all only so many thing one can teach oneself."

The island certainly seemed to be presenting me with ample opportunities to meet those that were more learned than I, a fact which I was suspicious of, but still grateful. And not just more learned, open and giving as well, the entire society seemed to have been infused with the kindness of strangers far beyond what I might expect in a place of so many differing views, religions and philosophies. Physicality, as well I noted when my newfound friend revealed his age.

"So old? You hardly look it. Are all of your kind so long-lived?"

[iliketodruitt]

"I would very much like to learn of your world in return," he said. While it was the polite thing to say in reply, he really was fascinated by the idea of another world that was similar to their own. Similar enough to produce humans, as well as French. Perhaps it was merely Earth that had taken a very different turn at some point.

"And no, they are not. I only know of a small number of others who are and we are all... exceptional."

[submitwithwill]

"One would have to be to have lived so long. I am impressed. Is it a curse that had you, or was it natural?"

In all my life, I had seen many strange things. Things that as I child I would have scoffed at as a tale or a myth, but sometimes I'd found the greatest myths had pieces of truth to them. Truths that I had hoped to learn before I came here. So distracted was I, it hadn't even occurred to me that I might be rude in my question and I found myself placing a hand over my mouth as I laughed in embarrassment, color lightly staining my cheeks.

"Oh, Elua, forgive, me Messire, I don't mean to pry. Her I am asking you all these questions and we've only just met."

[iliketodruitt]

"It was an experiment done to ourselves. Though I have come to view it as a curse," he said. The asking if it was a curse let him know though that she came from a world where either magic existed or was strongly believed in. Since she seemed to be an educated woman, John was willing to assume it was real.

"And I do not mind the questions," he said, giving her a smile. He appreciated the manners, even if the apology wasn't necessary. "You may ask whatever you would like."

[submitwithwill]

"I am sorry to hear that, is there nothing that can be done to undo it?"

I could only think of my dear Hyacinthe at the moment. The burden was his by choice, and he took it willingly, but I think it had been a heavier one than he could have possibly imagined. He did it for me and yet here I was, wandering in a strange city, chatting with strangers as if these things were normal.

[iliketodruitt]

"Perhaps, though I do not know if any of us would willingly give it up," John said.

He knew that he would in an instant. The problem was that when he was possessed by the creature, he didn't want to give it up. Even when he hated what he did, at best he could minimize and redirect the damage it caused him to partake in. To be able to actively seek a cure would be beyond his ability.