ϡ - Chapter Twenty; those who have gone missing [action/voice]
[ There's a clear strained sigh coming from the opposite end of the transmission. A few moments later some shuffling as someone moves about in the background. ] Frederic's been...taken. He, um, has been for awhile. I-I wasn't supposed to make anyone worry, I'm terribly sorry for not saying so sooner. [ There's a clear tone of guilt in his voice. It
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... Mr. Chopin?]
Helios, do you perhaps mean Frederic Chopin? I... heard he was here, from Doctor Faye-Ling. [That doesn't explain why Helios knew about it, but that information isn't currently relevant so Robert doesn't ask.]
And you say he's been taken? ... Presumably for experimentation? [Robert's tone is obviously disturbed. It takes him a moment to think of anything more to say - but his next sentence is a little... quiet, and slightly gentle.]
Is there... anything I may do to assist?
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W-Well... back on Terra there would be high-speed transport pods running throughout the city. There's... absolutely nothing of the sort here, which is d-disconcerting.
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[Robert looks over at Helios at that.] I had teleportation magic demonstrated to me by a certain Ms. Iris... But she did not need any sort of extraneous object for it. It was quite near instantaneous...
Hrm. All of this implies more difference between magical physics in worlds than I thought. That could compound the difficulty of my eventual studies.
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[ He'll be rubbing his chin thinking. ] Is that so? Hm teleportation without a circle, that's rather impressive. Certainly not something easily obtainable in my world. [ A small smile. ] I guess that just goes to show you how different worlds can be. [ He'll give Robert a curious glance. ]
Studies? Ah, so you're going to take up learning about it then?
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[He nods at the second part.] Since you and Doctor Mizuno both seem to think there are principles behind magic, and since I had that conversation with you about how spells function, I have been considering trying to do some sort of report on magic and its physics. If I had my nanocomputer it would be much easier... the journals are one thing, but they lack the robustness of a good nanocomputer's holoprojectors, and are completely without any tools for study.
[While they've been talking, the two have managed to make it up most of the stairs. Robert glances around himself.] Ah. We're nearly at the fifth floor...
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Really? [ He sounds pleased at that thought. ] Reminds me of my time learning such things back when I was younger actually. [ Have a smile at that. ] Well, there are some books from my world here on such physics, if you'd like to look at them. Admittedly they're a bit...old in terms of diction but you're certainly welcome to use them.
[ Helios will blink noting that. ] Oh! We are, aren't we? I didn't even take notice.
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Yes. I have rationalized to myself that if magic does exist here, then it must surely have a logical process. Hence studying the process will do me some good towards understanding this place better. [Robert looks questioningly at Helios.] If you have studied this yourself, surely you would be aware of the logistics of teaching it.
At any rate, I am quite curious to see your apartment.
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Certainly! You're absolutely right about that. I wouldn't mind helping you in said studies if you'd allow me to, of course. [ Helios will be going over to the door of the apartment and opening it; motioning for Robert to enter. ]
Pardon the, um, mess. [ Mess meaning papers strewn about the table an floor. A lot of them will have symbols and designs that probably make no sense, and have little meaning to Robert. ]
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I would appreciate any and all help I could recieve on the matter, Helios. Especially from someone who himself works in an educational institution.
[Robert kind of stops in the doorway, noticing all the papers all over the place. He makes an expression that's somewhere between mildly amused, mildly concerned and mildly disturbed.] Ah, that's... quite a bit of, er... paper, there. [Definite note of disturbance on Robert's voice on that paper. But the symbols are extremely intricate and therefore immediately interesting. The scientist stoops down to check the nearest one out with a curious expression.]
Is this your work? It looks very nearly like some sort of diagram.
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Hm then consider it done. I've already helped Frederic learn spells after all! [ Helios obviously likes this idea. It's been awhile since he's taught, especially magical theory and physics, to someone. ]
Oh! It is, isn't it? [ Just rubbing the back of his neck, yep. He does note it looking a bit confused. Helios will nod as Robert looks over one of his spells. ] Yes it is! A simple...teleportation spell actually. [ He'll go off into the kitchen for a moment. ] The water for tea needs to re-heated I'm afraid. But do make yourself at home! [ There is the clinking of cups and plates coming from the kitchen.
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... You helped Frederic Chopin learn spells? ... And this is the same Chopin from my world? [Robert sort of stares a bit.] ... Perhaps he is not, then. Unless this implies I could learn them as well. [Slightly freaky to think about - but also mildly fascinating.]
A... teleportation spell? And simple, no less. It hardly looks simple. In fact, it reminds me much of the structure of some diatom-like organisms recovered from one of Gliese 581... Most curious.
[Robert resists commenting on the fact that if it were his home he'd be organizing the papers. In fact, it's very difficult for him to resist doing so - even though the idea of touching the paper is a minorly squicky one.]
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The famous composer, yes, but his circumstance are a a bit--complicated. [ Helios will laugh as he brings out a tray with some food on it and two cups of hot brewing tea. ]
Simple in that it's a shortwave teleportation spell. Meaning the distance one can cover is one to two miles at most. There's different patterns for different length spells. The more ground you wish to cover the more complex the spell becomes. Why I used to make some to take me halfway across the world sometimes. It all depends on which one you draw.
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Complicated? I suppose at the moment you... would be rather adverse to discussing it, though. [Robert seats himself primly near the tray, picking up the tea and sipping some.] ... Ah. I definitely could get used to fresh tea.
[The next part fascinates Robert.] How does the process of drawing actually relate to the magic? Does it serve to distort the force... somehow? [Obviously this is difficult for him to comprehend.] I am afraid I have trouble understanding how drawings would relate to magic...
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Well it's something like incantations. Specific spells evoke specific forces and magical capabilities within said person. A fire spell will allow a person to tap into their magical capabilities and use said spell. [ He'll pick up another piece of paper with an entirely different circle drawn on it. ] Each symbol and each circle has it's own method, it's own...equipment to carry out said result. [ Helios will pause, tapping his chin as he thinks of how to relate it to something more...Robertish. A small 'aha!' will escape his lips with a snap of fingers too. ]Think of it as a science experiment. You have several methods and procedures to abide by in order to get a result, correct? And certain chemicals work together with others to yeild said results. It's something on the same lines, only ( ... )
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Well... with procedures in science, one generally constructs a model and then aims to explore a hypothesis using said model. What you are describing seems similar in some ways... But, does everybody using these methods obtain the same result? Could I theoretically even use these symbols to do so? [Robert sort of wrinkles his brow at this.]
See, were I to model a hypothesis for you using standard equipment, in theory we would get the same results with the same conditions - or at least similar results. So is this possible to replicate in the same manner? Indefinitely, even?
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