[console | video] then we do it again (pre-hurricane)

[edgeoftheknife]

[Hi there, Keeliai. Remember this guy? It's been a while.

He's sitting in what looks like a cafe out in the city. For those who don't remember him from his previous stay, he's beautiful, with striking eyes that unfortunately have some pretty dark circles under them. He looks like he hasn't slept well in ages. He's wearing a three-piece suit and cradling a cup of something in his hands--lid on, because his hands shake.

He's... seen better days.

When he speaks, he's got a pronounced Irish accent.]

Right, I... I'm back. Surprise. [He smiles and his face lights up for a moment before the smile slips.]

I don't know how many of the people I knew are left. I know... I know we're missing some. [Studiously going to avoid mentioning Anton, thank you very much.] If you're still around and we were friends, or... talked, maybe drop me a line? And hello to all the newcomers. I know I've spoken with a few of you.

I'm back at the shelter, so. I mean, Brigid and Sonja are doing the real work, the paperwork and all that. I couldn't keep paperwork straight these days if I tried.

[The thought trails off. He looks a bit lost.]

If anyone happens to spot a talking skeleton, let me know, will you? He's got another punch coming if he shows his face again. And... if anyone happens to spot a tall, skinny redhead with an accent like mine, please tell him I'm looking for him.

Comments

[edgeoftheknife]

Yes, it's... a bit disconcerting, coming and going like this.

[He has so many other reasons for his memory problems, but it's a convenient excuse to latch onto. At the second part he smiles a little and gives a half-hearted shrug.]

I suppose it was, yes. It was also a lot like babysitting at times. Being in charge of every idiot sorcerer in the country isn't as much fun as you'd think.

[isochrone]

[ His reply makes Elizabeth laugh at the description. ]

Oh come now, it couldn't have been that bad. So... you're a sorcerer? How extraordinary.

[edgeoftheknife]

Trust me, you have no idea. [But he's chuckling a bit himself.] I am, yes. Does your world have magic?

[isochrone]

It doesn't-- well, in books and fiction only. Nothing demonstrable, of course. But I don't know how different the fields of science and magic must truly be, when both have rules of their own.

[edgeoftheknife]

It is a bit like science at times, you could say. Knowing how objects and forces interact with each other. Knowing how much force to apply, or how to apply it, to get the result you want.

[He carefully holds his cup out, balanced between both hands almost as if he's offering it out to her through the camera... and then the cup starts to float. It levitates smoothly a few inches above his hands, still held out with palms upward.]

It's like science, but it's not quite.

[Sorry Elizabeth, he's an insufferable show-off.]

[isochrone]

[ She's had to ask other people to demonstrate, so that Erskine volunteers it makes her even happier. ]

It's amazing learning about different systems of magic from other worlds! But it's reassuring, somehow, that they all have rules they need to follow. Is that strange?

[edgeoftheknife]

No, that makes sense. Without rules we'd never get anything done. Anarchy and magic don't mix well, let me tell you.

[The cup floats gently back down to his hands, and he very carefully sets it down again. Curiously, the cup seems to clatter less when it's held by magic than when it's in his hands.]

And what about you, Elizabeth? What do you do back home? Student?

[isochrone]

Does anarchy and anything mix well?

Oh, I-- yes. I suppose I was, after a fashion.

[edgeoftheknife]

Let's see.... Anarchy and idiots? Anarchy and... I don't know, fire? [He laughs] You're probably right. Nothing good, at least.

'After a fashion'? Meaning 'not exactly'?

[isochrone]

Well, it means that I never studied anywhere formally. At a school, I mean. I suppose you could say I'm home-schooled?

[ That is the biggest stretch of her actual situation in existence... ]