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Video | un: emet-selch
And why exactly is it that you require my help with your little aetherology lesson? I seem to recall you passed that course with flying colors during our time at the akadaemia.
[The feed is dark for a moment, and then the video at last cuts on to accompany the unabashed grumbling, revealing two figures who could not be more different if they tried. The one is white-haired and scowling, permanent furrows creasing his brow as his luminous yellow eyes narrow into the camera - as if by doing so it might surrender up its deepest, darkest secrets. Beside him is a man with a loose lavender braid hanging over his left shoulder and an expression filled with both amusement and mischief.]
And ‘tis an achievement I hold close to my heart to this day. But you’ve always been better at public speaking than me, and I’d hate to have a fine lesson such as this be soured by my sub-par presentation skills.
A fine lesson which borders on ridiculous if you ask me. What use is a discussion of the elemental wheel in a city which can scarcely scrape together enough aether for the most rudimentary of spells? –-and why is this blasted thing blinking again? Don’t tell me you’ve already begun to make a record of our conversation!
Because it’s an integral part of our world, of course. If we’re to share something about Etheirys with others, why not pick the most important part?
But yes. Observant as ever. [Pleased as punch, Hythlodaeus turns his attention to the camera as if he hasn’t just pressganged his dear friend into this] As you’ve already gathered, we’re here to share a bit of our world with the rest of you, and it is my hope that you’re inspired to join me in sharing something of your own worlds in kind. ‘Tis a project of mine I’m most eager to begin.
For my first guest, I have with me today the illustrious Emet-Selch of the Convocation of Fourteen.
[He steps to the side, and gestures to a drawing on the whiteboard]
If you would be so kind?
[A slow, painfully put-upon sigh follows, as if Emet-Selch would much rather be anywhere else. Yet there comes a visible moment where the man appears to give in and collect himself. His posture straightens, and with one last quiet huff, he flourishes widely - almost theatrically towards the whiteboard his companion had indicated but seconds before.]
Behold, the elemental wheel in all its glory.
We begin north and follow the hands of a clock in a cycle, each symbol representing in particular order: lightning, fire, earth, ice, water and wind. ...As you’ve doubtless noticed, Hythlodaeus’s diagram is also broken into two distinct triangles, each describing a series of actions - conquests and submissions - that one element presents upon another. If we divide this diagram further in half, the three “upper” elements are those more closely associated with the Astral - or active. Whilst the three lower ones are prone to stasis - the Umbral.
[A pause to let all of that sink in as he stretches out his arm to emphasize the highest point of the diagram.]
Starting with the upright triad, we have lightning, which is grounded by earth, which in turn is eroded by water, which is boiled by lightning. In the upper righthand corner of the inverted triangle, we have fire which melts ice, which in turn blocks wind, which has the capacity to extinguish fire.
Yet 'what of the astral and umbral?' you might ask. Simply put, although some of the elements are more commonly associated with one or another, each element has the capacity to fall under either polarity. Take water for example. It can exist in the form of a placid, mirror-still mountain lake, or it can thunder and rage as ocean waves tossed by a violent storm, a cascade tearing down the edge of a sheer cliff.
’Tis true even of those elements closest to each polarity. Lightning, for example, despite leaning heavily towards the astral, can still exist in a more passive form–the static in the air before a thunderstorm, for instance. Not wholly still, but not nearly as electrifying.
Of course, these are just the basics, but a starting point is a starting point nonetheless!
A starting point would indicate there is more to come.
[Emet-Selch says in his usual grousing tone, his arms folded over his chest.]
Who knows? We aren’t the only visitors from Etheirys, after all. Perhaps our future fellows would like to continue.
Anyroad, to all those who have come to listen, my deepest thanks for your time. And should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’ve taken the liberty of using Emet-Selch’s phone for the occasion, and so he should be happy to receive any and all questions on the subject.
[Emet-Selch’s eyes widen in shock, and then he frowns, grasping immediately for the phone and pushing it face-down into the sofa. Unfortunately he has, as of yet, not learned the proper method for ending a feed - and thus the audio continues.]
Oh he’d be overjoyed by it all, would he? Need I remind you that I agreed to no such thing? A “simple” favor, you called it!
And a simple favor it is! In return, I’m more than happy to teach you how to stop recording. Now if you'll just let me have the phone…
[The feed is dark for a moment, and then the video at last cuts on to accompany the unabashed grumbling, revealing two figures who could not be more different if they tried. The one is white-haired and scowling, permanent furrows creasing his brow as his luminous yellow eyes narrow into the camera - as if by doing so it might surrender up its deepest, darkest secrets. Beside him is a man with a loose lavender braid hanging over his left shoulder and an expression filled with both amusement and mischief.]
And ‘tis an achievement I hold close to my heart to this day. But you’ve always been better at public speaking than me, and I’d hate to have a fine lesson such as this be soured by my sub-par presentation skills.
A fine lesson which borders on ridiculous if you ask me. What use is a discussion of the elemental wheel in a city which can scarcely scrape together enough aether for the most rudimentary of spells? –-and why is this blasted thing blinking again? Don’t tell me you’ve already begun to make a record of our conversation!
Because it’s an integral part of our world, of course. If we’re to share something about Etheirys with others, why not pick the most important part?
But yes. Observant as ever. [Pleased as punch, Hythlodaeus turns his attention to the camera as if he hasn’t just pressganged his dear friend into this] As you’ve already gathered, we’re here to share a bit of our world with the rest of you, and it is my hope that you’re inspired to join me in sharing something of your own worlds in kind. ‘Tis a project of mine I’m most eager to begin.
For my first guest, I have with me today the illustrious Emet-Selch of the Convocation of Fourteen.
[He steps to the side, and gestures to a drawing on the whiteboard]
If you would be so kind?
[A slow, painfully put-upon sigh follows, as if Emet-Selch would much rather be anywhere else. Yet there comes a visible moment where the man appears to give in and collect himself. His posture straightens, and with one last quiet huff, he flourishes widely - almost theatrically towards the whiteboard his companion had indicated but seconds before.]
Behold, the elemental wheel in all its glory.
We begin north and follow the hands of a clock in a cycle, each symbol representing in particular order: lightning, fire, earth, ice, water and wind. ...As you’ve doubtless noticed, Hythlodaeus’s diagram is also broken into two distinct triangles, each describing a series of actions - conquests and submissions - that one element presents upon another. If we divide this diagram further in half, the three “upper” elements are those more closely associated with the Astral - or active. Whilst the three lower ones are prone to stasis - the Umbral.
[A pause to let all of that sink in as he stretches out his arm to emphasize the highest point of the diagram.]
Starting with the upright triad, we have lightning, which is grounded by earth, which in turn is eroded by water, which is boiled by lightning. In the upper righthand corner of the inverted triangle, we have fire which melts ice, which in turn blocks wind, which has the capacity to extinguish fire.
Yet 'what of the astral and umbral?' you might ask. Simply put, although some of the elements are more commonly associated with one or another, each element has the capacity to fall under either polarity. Take water for example. It can exist in the form of a placid, mirror-still mountain lake, or it can thunder and rage as ocean waves tossed by a violent storm, a cascade tearing down the edge of a sheer cliff.
’Tis true even of those elements closest to each polarity. Lightning, for example, despite leaning heavily towards the astral, can still exist in a more passive form–the static in the air before a thunderstorm, for instance. Not wholly still, but not nearly as electrifying.
Of course, these are just the basics, but a starting point is a starting point nonetheless!
A starting point would indicate there is more to come.
[Emet-Selch says in his usual grousing tone, his arms folded over his chest.]
Who knows? We aren’t the only visitors from Etheirys, after all. Perhaps our future fellows would like to continue.
Anyroad, to all those who have come to listen, my deepest thanks for your time. And should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’ve taken the liberty of using Emet-Selch’s phone for the occasion, and so he should be happy to receive any and all questions on the subject.
[Emet-Selch’s eyes widen in shock, and then he frowns, grasping immediately for the phone and pushing it face-down into the sofa. Unfortunately he has, as of yet, not learned the proper method for ending a feed - and thus the audio continues.]
Oh he’d be overjoyed by it all, would he? Need I remind you that I agreed to no such thing? A “simple” favor, you called it!
And a simple favor it is! In return, I’m more than happy to teach you how to stop recording. Now if you'll just let me have the phone…
no subject
So I see. How concerningly...in-character of him.
Nevertheless, I cannot say I will be joining in the custom - or lack thereof - anytime soon. While such freedoms are certainly appealing in their allowance for creative expression, I've little desire to flaunt about in front of everyone.
no subject
( ...Okay, sorry, look, she's a little bit of a shit too. Her and Hythlodaeus do get along, even if he's the type of person she'd fuss at also. )
no subject
That being said, I do not believe what I choose to do in the privacy of my own home is up for public discussion.
[He'd only flaunt it in front of his "friend here", thank you very much. And only because he continues to try and needle him into doing so. (Of course, he'll have to convince him for a good while longer after this.)]
Have you any other grievances you wish to air? Or perhaps we might continue on to more pleasing subject matter.
no subject
No, none at all. We can change the subject. ( ......heheh. ) Have you been enjoying your freedom in this city otherwise? It's much more peaceful than the one I come from, though I'm sure certain types find it boring for that reason.
( Maybe when the novelty of being outside runs out for her she'll join them, but for now... it's sort of nice. )
no subject
Self-expression aside, I would hardly call being trapped in a foreign city against my will "freedom" by any stretch of the imagination. Though I will allow the cultural exchange and opportunities for further learning make the situation tolerable at best, I've a rather long list of responsibilities which are in need of addressing. Things which cannot be done so long as I've no way of contacting my colleagues.
As for the general atmosphere, I'm uncertain "peaceful" is the word I would use to describe it. Vacant, perhaps. A city of this size should feel as if it has a personality and life all its own, as if it too is part of the civilization which gave birth to it.
no subject
I suppose you're correct on both points. Some associates and I have been considering this may be some sort of dream world or simulation--both would, I think, explain how lifeless this place is. Though if it were a dream, it certainly isn't any of ours... We'd be able to affect it better if it were.
no subject
The sort of controlled living conditions one might come up with if he were to create something for mankind. ...Though hardly a one-size-fits-all scenario, if such a thing would be possible in this instance.
no subject
...is what I'd prefer to have said, but given what we've witnessed already, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that we are being tested somehow. Or judged. Or primed for something which has yet to occur, although I mislike what that might mean for our future.
'Tis more plausible than a dream, perhaps. Were it someplace subconscious or imagined, I'd expect that things here would shift and change. That natural laws would cease to apply.
no subject
( not to mention the abnormality containment units... maybe she should start categorizing them by color. )
But for what research? What test? Nothing has been particularly enlightening on the subject. ( a tired sigh. ) Though I suppose if I were in their position, I wouldn't leave my research notes laying out for anyone to just find... and at this point, perhaps it would be too suspicious for most people to trust such an easy and auspicious source of information if it ever appeared.
no subject
[There's a moment of silence as he considers the rest of what she's said.]
I'm familiar with simulated environs at a fundamental level, of course, but ours were built to hold creatures and arcane entities - not peoples.
[And rarely did any creature ever manage to escape them - at least to his knowledge.]
But that's just it, is it not? Who knows what information might be hidden in plain sight. Likewise our warders (assuming we have any, that is) could wander amongst us and we would be none the wiser for it.
no subject
Firstly: no, I wouldn't. While certain former employees of it enjoy opening their mouth and spilling company secrets regardless of how detrimental it is both to them and their compatriots, I'm not one of them, particularly as we have another company from the same City here who don't particularly need to know any of it either. And they happen to be snoops.
Secondly... ( ...mmmm. ) You have a point. In fact, who's to someone on this very post isn't one of them, should we have one?
( ... )
Who's to say I'm not one of them myself? ( a short laugh, to denote it as a joke. ) It's certainly is hard to trust other people when you start thinking like that.
not here but also here.
A++]