[voice]

[ursulamajor]

[Ursula's voice crackles over the network. She sounds curious as ever. After all, some interesting things have been raised. Things related to... magic. Ursula has a thread of excitement running through her entire voice when she speaks.]

Hello, my fellow Dreamers!

I'm quite curious about magic in your worlds. I was a professor of magic, in my home world, and I understand it can vary considerably. Not to mention the native Talents...

What was it like, where you came from? Do you practice magic? Do you know someone who does? Inquiring minds.

[a beat]

That's me. I'm the inquiring mind. Th-that was kind of lame, huh?

Comments

[video]

[necrocabbage]

[Trahearne wastes very little time in replying to this one. He's green and leafy and slightly wilted, but his expression is pleasant, if not quite smiling.]

It's not 'lame' at all. It's an honor to meet someone so skilled in the art.

My name is Trahearne, and I have studied necromancy for well over two decades.

video

[ursulamajor]

[A plant person! Ursula swaps to video -- one to go with the flow, her -- and is smiling. She's used to different sorts of people. It isn't that she lacks surprise; she just channels it into delight.

Even though necromancy surprises her.]

Have you? Ah, amazing! Is necromancy common on your world?

[It's controversial, on hers.]

video

[necrocabbage]

It's just as common as other types of magic, yes. Magic on my world is split into a spectrum, and most spellcasters learn only a few of them. As a necromancer, I primarily use death magic, with a little blood magic thrown in.

[ursulamajor]

Ah... the study of it is restricted, on my world, though mostly in trying to return the dead to life.

[Ursula taps a finger against her chin, considering.]

We typically teach a broad range of magic types, but there are specializations. I would love to see a demonstration sometime!

[necrocabbage]

Let me reassure you that I do nothing of the sort. There are many other applications for necromancy that don't involve attempts to raise the dead.

I would be happy to give you a demonstration - particularly if you'd be willing to return the favor. Do you personally use a range of magic as well?

[ursulamajor]

I admit that's a relief to hear.

I would be happy to see one! Ah, and, I could show you some of mine, too. My magic... well, it's quite varied. I can do a lot of little things, with some specializations.

[necrocabbage]

Then let's make plans to do that soon. I'm sure we can find an area near the Bridge with enough space.

video;

[denyamenti]

Magic is largely unknown now, in the world I'm from. It's believed mostly to be a myth, although some have taught themselves, which normally ends poorly for them.

video

[ursulamajor]

But it does exist, then?

Mm, I suppose... it is dangerous. Without a system to teach people, then... a lot of people could hurt themselves.

Re: video

[denyamenti]

Most assuredly.

If they go mucking about with things they don't understand or respect properly, then they get what's coming to them.

[ursulamajor]

Mm-hm.

[She hesitates a moment, as she considers the implication.]

Do you know some magic?

[denyamenti]

Some.

Not the usual type that people recognize, however. What most people think of, would have been learned by a mage or magician.

[ His tone implies very clearly he is Not One Of Those. ]

[ursulamajor]

That's one way to make me curious!

[Because she's dying to know, now.]

What's yours like?

video; 1/2

[eyeinfusion]

Isn't magic something you're not supposed to understand?

[He's joking though. After a moment, he continues—] I guess there was something like that in my world. There's—

[A sharp whine interrupts him (while he talks on obliviously), and the rest of his words are swallowed by static for about half a minute, before the feed cuts out entirely.]

2/2

[eyeinfusion]

Sorry, my yimo's broken! What was the last thing you heard?

[ursulamajor]

Well--yes and no! I think, like most things, it can't be--ah?

[He flickers out. That surprises Ursula. She quiets for a moment, and then she shakes her head and lights up when he comes back.]

You had just started to say that there was something like magic on your world.

Have you had a chance to take your yimo to Opara Core?

[eyeinfusion]

I did! Most of them ran away from me when I kept going back.

This is a test one, but I guess it’s not working out too well.

[But she sounded enthusiastic in responding to his joke, which makes him feel a little bad.] Yeah, there was magic in my world. What were you saying about magic?

[ursulamajor]

How strange! I wonder why...

[She shakes her head. Focus! One thing at a time, Ursula reminds herself.]

Magic can't be completely understood. After all, even if we know how it works, we can never entirely know what it means to people or how it affects them.

[eyeinfusion]

Probably—

[Aaand then it cuts out again.]

[When he comes back on, he sounds sheepish.] Sorry, it did it again. You're using voice, so you don't want to show your face, right? Is there some kinda magic you could whip up so we can talk that way? I can use wind, if that helps.

[ Voice ]

[perfectenn]

Not at all. Gathering and comparing information is an excellent idea.

[From the Dreamfolks' perspective, especially, as Tenn has concerns about the prying of the locals.]

Are you researching Talents in relation to other forms of magic?

voice

[ursulamajor]

Why, thank you! I thought it might be a good idea.

I think someone should, and I have the background in it. How much about Talents do we really know?

voice

[perfectenn]

Very little. Those I spoke with weren't able to explain particulars, simply that it happens only to Dreamfolk and the Talents should be honed for constructive use.

Do sudden acquisitions of magical talent happen in your world as well?

[ursulamajor]

No, they typically do not. One is born with the potential for magic, but it has to be learned. Even when it seems sudden... there is a reason. Finding an artifact, or the like.

Have you had a chance to experiment with your Talent, yet?

[perfectenn]

[A few seconds of silence as he considers his answer.]

I'm not certain I have one. The world I'm from doesn't have magic.

[ursulamajor]

Ah... I heard they can be associated with a mark, which appears on your body?

[...which is a little awkward to say.]