video;

[dragonswag]

[ the video feed shows Lina looking right back at the screen with a dubious expression on her face, as though she’s unconvinced that this terminal thing actually works. ]

Well, this thing doesn’t look like it’s powered by magic, but it’s definitely not like any machine I’ve ever seen. Where’s Zel when you need him? I guess I’ll just have to trust that it works.

[ And then her disposition shifts a little. Lina draws herself up, smiling winsomely at the screen, hands clasped in front of her. ]

Well! Who cares about that anyway, right? Since I’m in a totally new world and none of you have probably heard of me, I guess it’s up to me to enlighten you all! Standing here before you is none other than the world’s most beautiful, intelligent, magnificent sorcery genius extraordinaire, Lina Inverse, at your service!

Comments

[audio]

[notpredictable]

Sorcery genius?

[EYES.]

video; OH LAWD

[dragonswag]

[ What the hell? She's transmitting video, but she's only getting audio from this guy? Whatever! She'll have to figure out how this weird machine works sometime soon. Either way, Lina draws herself more, jutting out her chin with an impertinent look on her face. ]

Yeah, that's right! What, you have a problem with that, buddy?

[audio]

[notpredictable]

[OH THE SORCERY OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY.]

I'm beginning to wonder if I should.

[He's oddly amused, here.]

video;

[dragonswag]

[ Okay, seriously, what is this guy's deal? ]

Feeling a little threatened, are we? I know my staggering genius and utterly supreme beauty might be a little intimidating, but try to keep yourself together, huh?

Re: video;

[notpredictable]

[His eyes bug out.]

Me?! Megamind, threatened?!

Ha! Please. I'm afraid you bolster your own who too much; the only genius that staggers me would be mine.

audio

[tuskenlancer]

[oh boy this is just what they need. Bubbly, narcissistic teenagers getting on the network and talking about magic.

CT's sarcasm is audible even through the voice modifier.]

Well thank god. It's about time you showed up.

audio

[dragonswag]

[ What is with all of these people replying only with their voices? What, are they too afraid to show their faces or something?!

Lina's reply is just as scathing, because Lina Inverse don't take no shit. ]

Hey, who asked you?! I'll have you know that I'm a hero where I come from! How many times have you saved the world, huh?

audio

[tuskenlancer]

[NO yes.]

Hey, we were talking about you, remember? What's the problem? If you're such a hero, you're gonna do more than just talk about it, right?

video;

[dragonswag]

[ Oh that's it. IT'S ON, CT. There's something a little manic about the grin on Lina's face, and a flickering little ball of light appears in the palm of one of her hands, like she's getting ready to launch a spell right here and now. ]

Oh, you want more than talk, do you? Come on, show your face! Meet me face to face and I'll really give you something to whine about!

audio

[tuskenlancer]

[The flickering light in Lina's hand is a little worrying, but CT doesn't let herself dwell too much on it. It't got to be some kind of optical illusion or something, and she's not about to be intimidated.

Mostly, at this point, she's just amused that she's reacting so passionately.]

Oh really? Since when do heroic wizard princesses [OR WHATEVER SHE SAID] issue challenges, huh? Shouldn't you be out saving people instead?

permavid | permanon

[cowled]

[Here, have Professor Devin Craig. He's a rather congenial-looking fellow in his mid/late forties, glasses, greying hair, a bit of a goatee and a little bit of scruff and a light British accent.]

... Well, after everything I've seen here, I suppose 'magic' is actually one of the less remarkable things. Is it at all based in science, do you know?

[... oh, right. Manners!]

I'm Craig, by the way. Devin Craig, it's lovely to meet you. I haven't anywhere near the prestigious title you do, but I am a professor of anthropology.

[dragonswag]

Huh? Sure it is. I mean, we know how it works -- mostly -- if that's what you mean.

[ Honestly, Lina's never really thought about it that way. But then again, to her, 'science' means things like horrific chimera experiments and people building ugly magic tanks.

Lina inclines her head a little in acknowledgement, feeling like this would be the part of the conversation where she'd shake his hand -- if she could. She won't lie, two-way communication not in person like this is a little weird. ]

Anthropology, huh? So you study cultures and history -- stuff like that, right? Man, I bet you're just full of old legends and stuff. I'm kind of a connoisseur myself! Mostly when it comes to magic lore, but hey, whatever keeps a girl in business, right?

[ She winks a little, trying to turn on that classic Lina charm for the professor -- not that anybody but her finds it cute, anyway. But hey, this guy might prove pretty useful in the future! ]

[cowled]

Would you mind explaining it to me? I'll confess, I'm somewhat fascinated by the concept. Magic doesn't exist where I'm from.

[He does in fact look politely fascinated by the concept.]

Yes, that's right. I do know a fair bit of legends, although it's not exactly my focus, per se.

[dragonswag]

Well, if you wanted an expert on magic, then you've come to the right place! It's pretty much my thing! ...It'd take a while to explain, though. Are you sure you're up for hearing about it?

[cowled]

[He spreads his hands congenially.]

I don't have anything but time here, I'm afraid.

[video]

[stickshift]

[Lina gets a bit of a smile.]

The consoles are bio-mechanical. Um... sort of a hybrid of a biological creature and a machine, if you know what those are at all?

Oh! And I'm Asami. It's lovely to meet you.

video;

[dragonswag]

[ Okay even Lina can't quite find anything offensive in Asami's sweet little explanation. Instead, the light of curiosity glows bright in Lina's eyes, and she beams back at the video feed. ]

A creature and a machine, huh? Wonder if the person who built them is still around somewhere...I mean, I've heard of all kinds of chimera experiments, but...

Asami, huh? How do you know so much about these machines, anyway?

video;

[stickshift]

Well... the city's been around for about seven hundred years, according to everyone I've asked. I'm not sure if the consoles are new, though, or if they've been around that long as well.

[... that actually bears looking into, now that she's thought about it.]

I'm... I guess you could say I'm an engineer.

[She's trying that title on for size.]

video;

[dragonswag]

Seems like you've really done some looking around, then.

[ Lina can see that. She's itching to get around to asking the locals a whole bunch of questions herself. ]

An engineer, huh? So -- what, you work with machines?

video;

[stickshift]

Mmhmm! Here and back home. It's... kind of my thing.

not here...

[demon_brat]

[Damian doesn't quite have the right words to respond (for now) - but he's so stalking to see if anything leads him to believe that this Lina is anything more than pure brag.]

[video]

[pyritic]

Impressive.

[ So strongly reminded of Yuffie. So no, this isn't too sincere. ]

When you say "sorcery"... aren't you using materia?

[ wtf isn't this how magic works ]

video;

[dragonswag]

Materia? What's that?

video;

[pyritic]

Equipment. Lets you use magic.

video;

[dragonswag]

Huh. Never heard of it! I don't need any kind of materials for magic -- most of it, anyway.