[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

[ursulamajor]

A lot of it's... very studious--it's learning formulas and incantations, and the intricacies of a spell. Which doesn't change the end goal, but...

It isn't a matter of just wanting it or just visualizing it.

[She sighs, a little.]

But I don't want to make it out like it's boring! It's fascinating, how something so scientific can also be so wonderful.

[eyeinfusion]

Ah, studying, huh... [Good thing his own magic doesn't work the way she's describing...he's never been very studious.]

The last time I heard something like that, it was alchemy. You're a professor, right? Should I call you "Professor," then?

[ursulamajor]

Well... I'm not your teacher. At least, I'm not yet!

[Should she offer to start magic classes? How would that work? She needs to think about it. After all... she's here for the long haul.

And there are a lot of younger people here.]

So you don't have to.

[eyeinfusion]

Sounds good. [And sensical, which is probably the more important part! He's actually used to calling teachers by their title even if they aren't currently teaching a class he's taking though. Or he used to.]

So you're researching magic in this place? Is there something you're hoping to find?

[ursulamajor]

Well... mm.

I don't mean it in a lazy way, but nothing specific. I want to understand it--how it works. How it's different from what I'm used to.

If it can be taught.

[eyeinfusion]

Ah...

[He scratches his head.]

Mine probably can't. [For one thing, he wouldn't be able to explain how he knows how to use it, himself.]

My Talent probably can't be taught, either. [Which is another thing he just kind of naturally knew how to use. Which is a little scary if he thinks about it, but he doesn't really think about it! he's used to oddness when it comes to magic.]

I guess I had someone helping me, though.

But is the magic here different from what you're used to?

[ursulamajor]

I don't think most Talents could... ah, that's too bad. Most of the magic here is quite different, though. Which is nice.

[She shakes her head once.]

I have more to learn!

And, I think, the theory of magic could hold true no matter what.

[eyeinfusion]

Would be pretty fun if we could teach other Talents, though, huh?

[That might be pretty chaotic, but it could also be pretty fun!]

If the theory of magic holds true, maybe you could learn another Talent! Or is that not how it works? [Magic being called "talent" might be starting to confuse him a little.]

[ursulamajor]

It would! I don't know that it's possible, but...

[She shakes her head.]

Even if I can't -- and I have my doubts -- understanding them better would help. But no, I think their magic works differently.

Maybe we need better terms...

[eyeinfusion]

[He's actually pretty skeptical that understanding it would help—but that's just Judai being Judai. He's always operated on his gut.]

If you ever figure it out, I guess you can count me as one of your students. [He'd be a terrible student, but who's counting?]

There's also something to do with...turtles? [Which, admittedly, he only knows about because of that one time he was chased by religious zealots, but Pepper had also brought it up, so that...counts, right?] And something about the Dreaming.

[ursulamajor]

Would you? I would be happy to have a student, too! I wonder... hm. I'll need to do some experiments!

[She looks up, then, and blinks.

But nods.]

I've heard we're on the back of one. A giant turtle.

[eyeinfusion]

[Uh-oh, "experiments" doesn't sound good. What did he get himself into??] I hope they're not too taxing! [He hopes he doesn't have to volunteer as a participant!]

Do you think we are? I mean, do you believe we're on the back of a giant turtle? Sounds kinda far-fetched! [But despite his words, his tone is light, like he doesn't disbelieve it.]

[ursulamajor]

Don't worry! Nothing dangerous.

But... I think we could be. I'd like to find out--and talk with the turtle, if we are.

[eyeinfusion]

[He'll take your word on that, Ursula...]

Maybe you could talk to some of the religious orders around here, then. [He scratches his head. His one interaction with one of those orders hadn't been very pleasant for him, but they didn't do anything wrong...he wonders if he should tell her that one of said orders considers him an omen. But then again, considering how he'd turned down their uh, enthusiastic invitation, he might have been thoroughly uninvited by now.]

...Do you think religion could be considered magic, or is that uh, you know, blasphemous or something?

[ursulamajor]

Mm, well...

I don't think it's blasphemous by default, but someone might see it as blasphemous. I think I should feel that out first, before I start asking questions.