tushanshu | (no subject)

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[The post opens on the video setting, with a curious-looking rather pointy-nosed sandy-haired man in Victorian garb looking at the console. He adjusts his cravat slightly.]

I believe this is the 'video' setting? And you all can see me? This really is marvelous, you know—or perhaps you don't, if you're used to it-

[He then abruptly switches to the audio setting, his voice gaining a shading of amusement.]

And I can certainly see the advantages of being heard, but not seen. How thoughtful of our hosts.

[Then the audio cuts off too, his fascination with this new technology overwhelming his usual good manners.]

And this, of course, is text. Most similar to what I'm used to, though this letter arrangement does not seem to be the most efficient. Are we capable of changing this? I'm sure there's a better arrangement for these.

qwertyuiop

That makes very little sense.

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[How rude.]

I usually find the simplest way isn't the best. Randolph Lyall, and likewise.

Mr. Lyall, I take it you're not familiar with the typewriter, then?

I can't say that I am.

May I ask the year and place from which you come?

London, the year 1873. May I ask why?

[Dorian is surprised and confused, and it shows.] But—ah, it's only that I am also from London, and from the same century—and your manner of dress suggests the era I knew, so I was right—but by 1873, a fair number of Londoners used typewriters. And you strike me as one who wouldn't miss such an important invention.

[He speaks well, he dresses well, and he expresses curiosity towards technology. That person doesn't miss the fact that typewriters are around.]

Of course not. I keep up with all the scientific journals. [He seems slightly offended at the idea that he wouldn't.]

But I really haven't a clue what you're talking about, Mr. Gray. Would you be so kind as to enlighten me?

I was certain you must.

I don't know if I myself completely understand. But perhaps it is a trivial point, and I am misremembering the 1870s. [Which is physically impossible.]

I'm sure I would remember the development of something called the typewriter- what does it do, precisely? I have been tracking inventions for...well, longer than you've been alive, my dear sir. It's of great interest to me.

[And even considering Dorian's extended lifespan, that's the truth.]

[Dorian mutes an 'I seriously doubt that' laugh (wait until he finds out) and then lifts a hand, to signal a pause.] Give me but a moment.

[Dorian snatches up a few pieces of papers from his desk, picks up the pen he was using for transcribing French poetry, and speaks as he sketches] It is simply a mechanical device with a layout of characters, similar to the one you commented upon, where, when a character is pressed, the connected bar bar rises to print that character on paper. Usually paper, anyway. You can imagine the advantages in speed of production and standardization. A close friend of mine very much preferred to produce his works on a typewriter.

[He holds up a sketch--a very precise one--of a Sholes and Glidden Typewriter] It would look something like this by 1873.

[Lyall does look rather young to be making that sort of claim about anyone, questions of immortality aside.

He examines the sketch with great interest.]

Oh, yes, I see- that would certainly be very efficient, once one learned the best way to use it. I really can't imagine why nobody has ever come up with one. It would certainly be better for recordkeeping at BUR- though paper is less durable than metal, and you can't use it with an aethographer.

[And we are back to confused.] I'm sorry, I've never heard the term 'aethographer' before. What is it?

It's a sort of device that sends message to other such devices through the medium of the aether. I know they aren't very common.

I would say they are unheard of. By aether, do you mean the theorised medium of transmission for electromagnetic force? That was disproved.

[This is getting nowhere. He tries something else] Forget that. Perhaps I missed the relevant literature. What is the BUR? A learned society?

On the contrary, they have been proven quite effectively- [The change of subject, however, is probably for the best.]

No, the Bureau of Unnatural Registry. Where the records of supernaturals are stored. [He is starting to really believe that people come from many different worlds. Any Englishman in his world would know the BUR.]

[Dorian pauses, then laughs.] I should have been thinking Doctor Who. That clears up everything. [Except that Dorian is even more interested now, leaning towards the screen.] Are you telling me that supernatural beings live in the open in your England?

Oh, yes, perfectly openly. [He smiles, his canines visibly pointier than they should be, and lets his eyes go wolf-yellow.] Vampires, werewolves, and ghosts, all loyal subjects of Queen Victoria. And very useful ones, too.

[Lyall, no. Don't do that. Because Dorian's eyes widen a moment, and the look on his face is not one of fear. Dorian is completely charmed.] I have no doubts about the usefulness of supernaturals to the Crown. But where I'm from, they tend to prefer secrecy. Hence the lack of Bureau.

[He is glad that Dorian isn't frightened, though. Fear is not the appropriate response to nice harmless werewolves.]

England is the only country that I know of that has accepted supernaturals as much as they do. Henry VIII brought us into the light, so to speak- though most of us prefer to avoid the sun.

[Dorian rubs his neck at his jugular, expression amused.] It seems that particular monarch chooses to make radical changes to England in more than one timeline. I think I might prefer your version of it.

[Lyall's eyes track that movement- experience with vampires? they're so fond of necks- though his expression stays mildly curious.] Did he? What did he do in yours?

Broke off with the Roman Catholic Church and declared himself the Head of the Church of England. The Pope wasn't very happy with him, to put it mildly.

Oh, yes, it was quite a spectacular break. The Catholics do not approve of us monsters. In King Henry's favour, however, you really can't find the Roman Empire on modern maps and that's certainly not the case for Britain.

[He's a little smug about that.]

[Dorian can tell. He grins.] Do you still say 'the sun never sets on the British Empire,' or did that phrase not seem appropriate?

I have heard the expression, but I've always thought it just slightly tasteless. [He chuckles.] Especially considering the effort that we supernaturals put into it.