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
( Read more... )
And I shall set off immediately then. [Robert reflexively brings the journal with him as he dresses in his coat and boots, so Helios is treated to the soft crinkling sounds of fabric. Eventually Robert starts to walk out the door and heads toward Helios' building ( ... )
Reply
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.
Reply
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. ]
Reply
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.
Reply
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.
Reply
... 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.]
Reply
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.
Reply
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...
Reply
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 ( ... )
Reply
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?
Reply
I think the only way to truly find out would be to test it, hm?
Reply
He's still curious.]
You may indeed have a point.
But would it be dangerous to test it here?
Reply
Perfectly safe in terms of using it. But, ah, there's a catch. You have to um...use some blood. Yours specifically--it's a key component for such a spell.
Reply
... My... blood? ... [Robert looks down at his small hands. They're basically unmarked.
... But... ... there are his arms. As much as he doesn't want Helios to see the scars there...]
... I see... Why would blood, of all things, be necessary for a spell?
[But Robert definitely seems curious, even if he's... reluctant. He keeps absentmindedly running his fingers over the subtle scarring on his wrists.]
Reply
A person's blood in the most closely related thing to their soul, their mind. Wwhen transporting yourself somewhere it's best to use the one thing most closely related to you, correct? Hence the reason why blood has to be used.
Reply
... Souls, hm? [Robert's expression looks momentarily derisive, but... He sighs.] And what if one doesn't have a soul? Since... Terra never had any evidence for any.
... Still.
[Robert looks down at his hands again. The urge to learn - to know, to see this for himself - is overpowering. Finally he looks up and kind of uncomfortably levels his gaze.]
... Do you perhaps have a... sterile cutting implement?... [Robert... really does want to see if this works. Enough that he's willing to cut himself.]
Reply
Leave a comment