[Network - voice] @ SuprNerd- we could be heroes, just for one day

[moderatelymaladjusted]

[The audio starts with the sounds of rustling papers, as if Quentin is reading this from something he's written down (he is) and his voice starts out stilted.]

Hello? This is for all of you who live here in Beacon and it's about something I've thought about since the town meeting. At this meeting, there was one thing we didn't-- okay, so there were actually two things, but I want to talk about the one thing and-- shit. Sorry. There was one thing we didn't talk about, and that's the fact that several of us can do things. I've talked to some of you and-- fuck. Hi. I'm, uhm, Quentin and I'm a magician? We're from, well, Eliot and I are from the same world? Or, the same timeline? I don't know what to call it, but we came from the same place? But, yes. I'm Quentin. Hello.

And I've talked to some of you and you could do amazing things. Brilliant, magical things and that made me think that, what if there's more? What if a lot of us can do amazing things, but we just don't know because we haven't told each other yet? So I'm proposing that we talk to each other and if you're not comfortable with everyone knowing what you can do-- and I get that, I do, because back home we weren't really supposed to talk about magic either, at least not to non-magical people. But okay-- if that makes you uncomfortable, you could always just talk to me? There's a private setting to these texts or we could meet up. Or maybe some of you will want proof of magic and I can show you?

But most importantly, we can do these amazing things and that could maybe help with some of this? Right now, everyone is searching through the forest on foot and in small groups. If we find out what we can do, maybe it's possible to make teams that can search without having to put themselves in harms way? Maybe someone out there can fly? Someone who could fly out and see which way we need to go to get through? Maybe someone is telekinetic? Or, can talk to plants? Maybe one of you can warg in to some of the spirits? Maybe someone is a shapeshifter or a skinwalker-- or, god, you're getting all of this from popular fiction and now everyone has to hear about it... sorry, where was I?

Okay, so maybe if we talk to each other about this, maybe we can find a better way of exploring this place and maybe we can find a better solution to the problem of World Eaters coming for us.

Because the X-men were better when they were a team? And-- and even Frodo couldn't get the ring to Mordor without the Fellowship. So, maybe we can do something like that. Make powered teams and use this, to defend ourselves and to explore this world.

But, uh, it wouldn't be fair to expect any of you to share with me, if I'm not willing to share myself. So, if-- I can do simple wards? For our homes. To ward places like the church, which we know has been destroyed once already or maybe the Inn? I'd need someone to cast with me, but I think we can do it. Ward it from harm or put a shield spell on it, so it's safe. I can mend things, and if anyone wants help mending small objects, I'm willing to help.

I guess that's all I have to say. I hope you'll consider this and that you'll help me keep us all safe.

[indistinct and muttered] and fuck that guy for saying I couldn't. Stupid, fuck-- [click]

Comments

[equinoctials]

...Riku.

[ That's more of a "it happened, dealing with it" type of it happened. Quentin didn't sound like he was doubting at all, so Riku doesn't pursue the matter further. On the contrary, he seems like an earnest, helpful sort of guy who...

Probably beats himself up for not being able to help with everything. He knows someone else like that. ]

Maybe it's because this world is dead?

For me...

[ With the exception of the Darkness... ]

The magic comes from inside. It has to be channeled through something. I know my connection with it is still strong, but the effect is dampened somehow. It takes more from me to do less.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

Maybe. But that should only make magic stronger. Less people using it.

[He shrugs even if Riku can't see it, and sighs a little. Magical spell theory was hard, a discipline all on to itself and Quentin was really never that good at understanding the ground-works of it all. He tried to be, but.]

How do you know the connection is still strong? Couldn't the failing spells be because the connection to the magic you're using is just weaker here? Because we're further away from the source? I'm sorry, I just have a lot of questions about, uh, this? And-- yeah.

[equinoctials]

The magic comes from within me. It can only take shape because of how the-

Because of what I use to channel it. I'm not a sorcerer like Master Yen-Sid, or a great wizard like Merlin, I can't really explain how it works. I could show you.

Maybe it wouldn't even help us get to the bottom of this... but I think it's worth a try.

[webshoots]

Oh, yeah, I can see why aliens would seem weird compared to a giant, talking, quest-giving cock.

Biographically? Passing footnote? Or 'any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead...'? Because I can see how at least one-third of those could be weird.

Yeah, I'm sure it'll be appreciated by the people who need it.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

[Merlin? What?]

And you would do that? Show me? Because I, uh, would want to see that? [Should he say please? He probably shouldn't say it. No?]

It might, though. It's hope, isn't it? It's something to work on and-- really, I'm also hoping someone will step up and say they can fly or something like that. That would be so great.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

At least the cock wasn't something that tried to kill us? Which I'm guessing the invading aliens were trying to?

Uh, once my friend Julia and I were just mentioned in passing? And once I, uh. Oh, but this other time? We, my friends and I, had to go deep undercover to protect ourselves from this family of evil magicians? So, we had to have new identities and I ended up being some boring guy from a comic book no one wanted to read.

[equinoctials]

Sure, don't take it personally if I don't show all my cards, though.

[ That soft sound isn't really a scoff or anything, it's closer to amusement. ]

Come on. You just wanna go for a ride, admit it.

[ Flight - or in his experience, gliding - is one of those gifts that you really miss when it's gone. ]

[moderatelymaladjusted]

That's fine. I don't expect everyone to just, like, trust me completely on first sight. So, none taken?

[Quiet laughter, like Quentin is trying to muffle it against his arm before he comes back to talk.]

You're not wrong? I'd love to take a flight over the tree, or just. You know, anywhere? Uh, because. Fuck, flying looks so cool and not that many people can do it? Or, at least not where I'm from and sometimes, that they have to do to just hover is just. Not something-- not something I'd be comfortable with. But, yeah. I'd go flying.

[The only one Quentin knew who'd mastered the art of hovering, was Penny. And only during sex apparently. That would make flying over the tree very weird.]

[equinoctials]

Shame there's no pixie dust.

[ The mood seems a little lighter, Riku's grateful for that, for a moment when he and a stranger can share a laugh like they're anywhere else. ]

You mean it's more than just saying some words and moving your hands?

[ That's how Quentin said his magic works, right? ]

[moderatelymaladjusted]

I think that's a drug? Back home?

Uh, it's words and hands for most things? And then there's all the really dangerous stuff, or stupid stuff. That always requires a little extra. Like flying does. I mean, it's not like magic can just do everything.

[Or, maybe Riku's magic could do everything back home. And he didn't really hear a no to the half-asked flying question.]

[equinoctials]

A drug? [ He puffs a soft laugh again, amazed. ] No, I mean actual pixie dust. Happy thoughts?

...Your world has magic but no fairies?

[ Riku's used to differences being stark between worlds, but this is getting into fascinating territory. Not that he's interested in digging into magical theory.

Maybe the curiosity's something that rubbed off on him, from when Ansem... ]

Do we wanna meet up? Knowing this place, something's bound to happen and we'll miss the chance.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

You have actual pixies? That you can, well, I'm just guessing here, but you shake them and dust comes out?

[Oh my god! It's not as cool as an actual a hobbit, but-- a pixie? Still cool.]

Yeah, we have, uh, we don't have pixies. Or, that maybe magical creatures. There were some on another would, though?

Sure, we can meet. How about the park? By the crab? What time would work for you? And also, I'll probably need to know what you look like, otherwise I'm just this creepy guy in a dark park and-- yeah, sorry. Just the park would work for me?

[equinoctials]

Pretty sure they'd have more than something to say about it if you did that. Better off asking.

[ Some on another world, he says. He takes a breath like something's just occurred to him, avid in interest, but he stops himself. ]

Hold that thought. The park. Half an hour. Unless you're throwing a party, I don't think there's gonna be that many of us hanging around the park.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

They can talk?

[Talking pixies are just even better! And they hand out dust that gives you happy thoughts. Some days, Quentin just really needed a pixie apparently.]

I'm not-- no, no party. Just me. Uh, forty minutes and I'm- and I'll be there.

[equinoctials]

[ Well... depends. Tinkerbell, not so much. The three good fairies? Chatterboxes once they got going. But they can talk magical people later, after they talk about... other... magical stuff.

Sorry, Q. You need happy thoughts to take off with pixie dust. Might be at a bit of a disadvantage.

Riku, on account of those ten extra minutes, shows up first. And, on account of having been chopping up logs into stacks of firewood he's starting to amass along the side of the boathouse, he's dressed in jeans and a white tee - and regretting it. The cooler weather isn't too agreeable when you've grown up in a tropical archipelago.

None of that seems too remarkable.

Except the fact that in spite of his age, he's sporting the silvered hair of someone far older. The moon is waning, a new moon approaching, but even under its scant light his hair is luminous in the dark, his lantern hooked into the belt loop at his hip. ]

[saibot]

What is the extent of your magical abilities? Besides the ones you have already stated.

voice; un - jupitersgrace

[notthatjason]

[Jason can't help be a little curious what prompted this and he feels particularly called out because of the mention of flying. He's not sure how to respond at first, because there was a lot to respond to. In the end it felt right to start with his name at least.]

Hello Quentin, I'm Jason. I think it's a good idea to have an understanding of what everyone can do, since that means we know who can help with certain projects or maybe who might even be having similar problems with their abilities.

I guess I should add that I'm a demigod, the mortal son of one of the Roman gods. Like you, and I guess Eliot, we typically don't talk about that kind of thing so openly, but I guess I figured since we were all equally dead it didn't really matter to keep that kind of thing underwraps. I've been pretty open about it, including at the meeting, because I agree that my powers can help protect people and maybe, hopefully, get us out of here eventually as well.

You mentioned flying pretty specifically...were you looking for someone who could do that or was that just a random example off the top of your head?

@freddie1967

[sauntered_downward]

Consecrated wards?

@darkness

[evulsed]

Safe from what?

[webshoots]

Sometimes. As a member of the general public, I'm not going to assume I'm privy to all the finer details.

As far as these things go, choosing an identity no-one's familiar with is probably a pretty good idea if you want to be incognito. My attempt at disguises has pretty much extended to wearing a baseball cap for the Yankees and a fake moustache (not as successful as you might imagine) and wearing an ex-girlfriend's t-shirt. Also not successful.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

[Even with giving himself more time, Quentin is running late. Just trying to find his clothes where he dropped them yesterday took forever since his socks had somehow ended up underneath his bed, even if his hoodie had been under Eliot's and Quentin isn't really all that sure that something or someone isn't moving his clothes around while he sleeps.

Underwear gnomes branching out?

But, clothes on and shoes found (in the kitchen, because why the fuck not?) and he has his notebook in one pocket and his tablet in the other, the lantern in hand and now he's hurrying across the grounds and past the dark trees towards the park.

Pixies? Really? Not that that was going to be his first question, but- dude, pixies. Not as if it should come as surprise, with all the different possible worlds they found the fountains for in the Neitherlands. But he's hurrying, not falling over his own feet as he passes the ice cream crab and looks around, slightly winded and looking like he just fell out of bed.

Darkness. Everywhere.

Except for a guy, with amazingly silver hair like the Winter's Doe. Only, shorter and male. And also, no antlers. But still, it shines like a beacon under the pale moonlight and Quentin shuffles over, trying to not greet the guy all panting and too obviously out of shape. He takes a second to pull his black t-shirt and hoodie in to something that resembles an outfit fit of being seen in and shakes out the worst of the creases in his black slacks.]

Riku?

[moderatelymaladjusted]

I can do magic? I'm not really sure what else you're asking me about? Like, how much magic I can do?

voice; @elena

[otrazhenie]

[ Elena waits a while before responding, reading through and listening to the conversations others are having before adding her own two cents. Or, well, offering to add it. ]

I'll meet up and talk with you about things. Just name the place.

voice | @kol

[unpredict]

[ this is all excellent stuff! and kol is totally interested in it because quentin said magician and then ward and spell which implies witch things! and that gets him excited! ]

Can you or can you not pull a rabbit out of a hat?

[ this is how you'll find out which x-men you're most like, mr frodo. there's a legit reason behind this question, promise. ]

[saibot]

What exactly can you do? I know of two sorcerers from where I came from.

One steals the souls of others to give himself more power.

The other can create powerful entities from those who have died.