metalogs | Open | You think you're safe without a care...

[This is a man who doesn't fully understand social situations. It seems odd to stand there holding a mug when there's a table right there, but he hasn't been invited to sit down. Also if he commits to sitting here, will he be abandoning the idea of reading his book?]

I suppose that's an apt description.

As for new abilities... this is a different planet, which may have different properties from the one you knew. It's not so surprising, especially given its propensity to connect to other worlds, that its magic might be easier to access, even for humans.

[It's curious to hear someone use the word planet outside a few nerds at Oxenfurt - this world keeps throwing surprise after surprise at him and Jaskier can't wait to discover them all. At this rate, his curiosity will never be sated.

Then Sephirot used the magic (ha) word and Jaskier tilts his head, ready to have a philosophical discussion over breakfast.]

So you do consider it all "magic", then? Those guild people had a few different words for these outstanding abilities, and I haven't figured out the difference among them.

[Sephiroth tilts his head, considering, and then gives it a shake.]

I don't know that all of it could be classified as magic, no. But I have hardly been here long enough to make a study of the people brought here, the abilities they brought with them, and those they've developed since arriving.

But you called it magic. There are different sources for that, and a wide variety of applications.

[...he'd love to discuss magic over breakfast.]

There are also different sources for music, but be strings or wind, we still call it all music.

[The only source of magic he knows is chaos, but it's not like he can trust sorcerers not to hide information, hoarders of the truth that they are. Jaskier looks at Sephirot with clear amusement, head still tilted.]

Are you planning to list all possible sources while standing up?

[Sephiroth will give him a Look for the question, but you know what, he will sit down. This is actually kind of two (2) topics he likes, which is extremely unusual for a conversation with a stranger.]

Not all sound is music, but it's difficult to define the distinction absolutely. I imagine the difference between magic and "powers" is similarly inexact.

[Oh no, a look. What shall he do?! Nothing, because Sephirot isn't anywhere nearly as scary as Geralt, and Jaskier doesn't find Geralt scary anyway. He takes a bite of his pastry before answering Sephirot's question, although he's already shaking a finger as well.]

Ah! But I didn't say anything about sounds in general. What we do recognize as music does have different sources, yet it's all music in the end, you see? That aside, I could see the benefit of a classification system if the differences were actually explained to me - however, so far, it all sounds like "mysterious forces and/or energies".

[Sephiroth laughs softly to himself.]

Mysterious forces...

I think what I mean to say is that the classification is subjective. Even on my world, there are those who insist it shouldn't be called "magic" at all. It's an unscientific term.

I call it magic, and that is my background. It is the approach by which I understand these things, but many of them remain outside my experience.

Well, yes. [He says with a duh tone.] If it was scientific, it wouldn't be magic.

[Seriously! To be fair, many sorcerers in his own world also claim that chaos includes science. Jaskier has always thought they were full of shit, they never cared for the actual scientists in Oxenfurt and their texts were incompressible for anyone without access to even a spark of chaos.

But hey, socially awkward man is laughing, so Jaskier considers this conversation a great step toward getting to meet the locals. If "locals" applies here anyway.]

In short, you don't know what's up with these other powers either. [He winks, tone obviously teasing. Then he offers his hand.] Jaskier of Oxenfurt.

[Science and magic are... a bit more intertwined, in Sephiroth's world. But he doesn't care to argue it.]

I don't. But I am always curious to learn more.

[He considers the hand for a moment, but he isn't quite as socially awkward as he used to be, and he opts to take it.]

Sephiroth.

[Lots of nodding!] Curiosity is a great weapon against monotony! Knowing the right questions is as important -or mayhap even more- than knowing the right answers.

[Hooray for manners! Once the handshake is done, Jaskier returns to his breakfast, speaking between bites and sips but always keeping a curious eye on Sephirot.]

Well met. Any interesting questions or answers you've found so far to share with this humble new arrival? [There's nothing humble about him, but hey, details.]

[Sephiroth doesn't smile, but he seems to like that response. He finally settles, sipping his coffee.]

...I suppose it's worth knowing that one can encounter multiple versions of the same individual, from parallel universes.

But if this is your first experience with Earth, I imagine you have quite a few questions.

[Jaskier's chokes on his tea and as he grabs a napkin to clean his face and lap, he stares at Sephirot with wide eyes.]

Oi, oi, oi, go back to the first part! You're saying I could find myself here? [People are always telling him to go fuck himself, maybe this is his chance.] And what about my friends? How am I supposed to know who I am encountering under the familiar face? How do I even know if they're here?

I don't know that it's likely, but it is possible, yes.

...and surely, if they are your friends, you would recognize them beyond the familiar face.

[He knows his Loki, whether he's remembered or not.]

[He rolls his eyes.] Dopplers steal faces and memories. Who knows what this conjunction is capable of.

[Then there's the whole deal with Cirilla and the Deathless Mother, and if witchers couldn't smell it, then Jaskier knows there's more to this double business than it seems.

Sephirot said Jaskier would have a few questions, and yeah, he has a hundred of them. So may as well keep it connected.] Then if my friends show up -or are already here, even!- how do I know? I must wait for them to send a message to the world through the black thingy? [He waves the cellphone, not sounding very hopeful. He can't imagine Geralt wanting to chat with a bunch of strangers. After sighing, he takes out the credit card from his pocket to wave it as well.] And is this truly coin, because it sounds like I'm being pranked here.

Hm.

[Dopplers? Sephiroth sips his coffee. If Jaskier can't tell the difference then that isn't his problem.]

I suppose you might encounter them here. It seems they corral all new arrivals to this hotel.

And yes, that can be used in place of money. It bears a unique identifier linked to an account, so a record is created of each purchase. The bill is paid later. Evidently by the guilds, for now.

[He nods at the explanation as he munches on toast and jam - it's amazing how familiar yet much tastier jam is here. Finding them in the hotel, huh? Jaskier supposes it can't be hard to ask the people at the front desk every day if they've seen anyone from his world - it's not like there are that many actual beloved people he wants to see again. ...and fuck, that's a depressing thought. Better concentrate on the now.]

Ah, yes, the guilds and their seemingly endless generosity. [He leans in with a hand around his mouth, lowering his voice a bit too.] Sooooo- what's the catch?

[Sephiroth regards him coolly over his coffee.]

I imagine it's the carrot.

New arrivals are greeted with luxury and apparent generosity, coloring our impression of the guilds, and encouraged to sign on. But I've no interest in the accompanying oversight and obligation.

[The carrot, Sephirot says, and the way Jaskier grunts his understanding would make Geralt proud. It makes sense, but just because it's a carrot it doesn't mean...]

So-called generosity may still come with fine print. They said not aligning with any of them may mean trouble for my identity - how is that working for you, if you are sticking to your right to staying out of it?

[He shrugs, lightly.]

My time here hasn't quite run out yet, but I don't think getting by in this world will be so difficult.

I expect the trouble would come from the guilds, should you make yourself too visible. They seemed to take unnecessary issue with even minor vandalism.

[The worst he did was cut someone's car in half, honestly.]

[That makes him snort.]

I hope you realize you just described the average city guard. Is that the worst they can do? Stop what they consider "crime"? [He shakes his head.] It begs the question: who is actually in control here? The actual government or these guilds?

While I don't see much separation between the guilds and this world's government, I haven't determined the degree of power they wield within it. It does seem considerable.

I imagine they would have been more forceful had I actually killed anyone.

Open | You think you're safe without a care...

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