Quentin Coldwater (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
moderatelymaladjusted) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
networkinthenight2019-09-25 09:12 am
moderatelymaladjusted) wrote in networkinthenight2019-09-25 09:12 am
[Network - voice] @ SuprNerd- we could be heroes, just for one day
[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]
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]
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[And Quentin wants to ask so badly, it's almost on the tip of his tongue. But. People have to volunteer the info on their own, not because Quentin is being very annoying over voice. So. He doesn't. But he wants to. Which means that there's a long stretch of quiet before the voice-chat cuts out.]
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Sorry. A bunch of us are trying to fix that. To get information to everyone, there's challenges... if we had someone like Jiminy-
Well. We don't.
[ He wouldn't wish this place on anyone, even if he wishes he had his knack for organizing and disseminating information. Would've come in really handy. ]
Learning my healing magic doesn't work on the more serious injuries cost a guy his life. He never came back. I see what you're trying to do, and I want to believe your intentions are good.
Not sure everyone else is gonna see it that way.
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What kind of challenges? No, wait, that's not-- I'm sorry? About. The guy. I don't know you, but I know what it's like when magic doesn't actually fix things? Like you thought it would. So. I'm sorry.
I hope most people will see it. Will see that we need each other more than we need to keep our secrets. And. We're dead. I don't want to be that guy, but what have we got to lose?
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That said, he doesn't quite know what to do with the kindness Quentin shows when he sympathizes; Riku thinks he could have dropped that bomb just a little bit gentler. ]
It happened. I just wish I knew why. What about your magic? Do you have any sense of what's happened to it?
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[Had he sounded doubtful about someone dying? Maybe? Sometimes he gets too overeager and most people find that off-putting and strange on several levels. Quentin knows this, he just has no idea how to fix it, and he sounds even more sincere when he answers.]
No, not really? I mean, the magic I use is-- it's based on hand movements and chanted spells. I'm better at the Sumerian ones than the ones based on Coptic, but. It's-- I channel the magic? Like, it's in the air around us and I direct to where I want it to go and do what I want it to? Only, here it's less like gently directing and more like pulling?
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[ 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.
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[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.
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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.
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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.
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[ 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. ]
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[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.]
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[ 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? ]
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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.]
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...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.
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[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?
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[ 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.
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[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.
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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. ]
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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?
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He should get one of those, or at least get used to wearing stuff with long sleeves.
It's more his approach than his greeting that prompts Riku to turn to face him, as if he's a little more vigilant than your average millenial. ]
Quentin, right? [ And, with a little tilt of his head, Riku leans forward. It's a mild tease: ] Or was it Super Nerd?
[ He saw the username. Did he really pick that himself? ]
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[Quentin says with an eye-roll, smiling a little before he holds his hand out to Riku.]
I wasn't sure you'd find it? Not everyone-- I mean, not everyone comes all the way out here? Much? Or. Ever? But. It's the one things aside from the library that I can actually find in the dark without much trouble. So. Yeah. Hi. Thanks for meeting up with me.
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I came in on the first ferry. Since the last reset.
[ He's had more time to get the lay of the land than some of the newer people, and if he hangs around long enough, might discover that he's been bit by that bug called wanderlust. If there's a new place to see? He's probably all in to see it. ]
No sweat. If you're having trouble with the dark, try asking Rastus if you can borrow a torch from the bonfire.
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You were one of the first ones here? That-- I'm sorry? How-- I-- did you even have food? Was the whole place set up for-- was everything in place, or. Uh, did you have to figure it all out from, like, scratch?
[Okay, so maybe he shouldn't be leading the conversation asking a million questions about this place. That's not what they're here for, and he shakes his head to make his mouth shut up.]
I'll, uh, yeah. Thanks, I'll ask him. Not sure how I'd carry it, but. Yeah, it might. Help?
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Whether it's because he just thinks that fast or he's afraid he won't have the chance to ask if he doesn't get right to it, Riku can't say. He folds his arms and listens; in contrast, Riku himself is reserved. If anything, it's just his eyes that do most of the nonverbal communicating. ]
The resets destroy some things, like the bridges that people before us built over the river. But the buildings in town? They were all here. We just hadn't explored any of it.
Rastus and Will... and Winters? They survived the last reset and were here to help us get started.
[ As for the torch, Riku tips his head to the side. This time, there's a bit of a laugh in his throat, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. Come on, Quentin. ]
You'd carry it like a torch. He'll just light one for you from the bonfire, it's not like he's gonna hand over a burning log.
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Okay. Okay, so. Resets don't erase everything. Just think that might have been mended. Or, things people might have interfered with.
[Sure, why not. Jane Chatwin had reset them 39 times before they managed to get their shit together, and by 'they' it was mostly just Quentin getting over himself to let someone else do all the hard work. Even if all that hard work had killed her. Or, she niffin'ed herself out, which came to the same thing. He shuffles his feet in the dirt, looking out over the park and not directly at Riku or his shining hair.]
You must be getting so sick and tired of this place. Oh, uh, no? I meant, how am I going to carry around a torch and still carry my lantern and maybe do something else with my hands? Not. I know how a torch works.
[With a small smile.]
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