tushanshu | (no subject)

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(no subject)

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You don't have them? They transmit messages through the aether, but they're rather complicated to use. You need to have the proper channel open, and they must have someone ready to receive the message- it's usually used for important but brief messages. We generally use the post.

That... sounds really complicated and cumbersome. Where I come from, we have something called the internet. It's a pretty recent thing, though. I don't know what the aether is in your world, but in my world we have things called fiberoptics and wireless boosters that use radio frequencies to transmit signals and allow networked communication.

[Well this is a brilliant start to this relationship, YAY TECH TALK.]

[Lyall takes his time sorting through all that. He isn't one to react too hastily, and he wants to see what he can make of it before he asks.]

The aether, my dear sir, is a layer in our atmosphere. It is combined of two different sorts of charged particles, as far as anyone can determine, and while most of it is congregated well above us, particles seem to be present practically everywhere. Other than that, it remains primarily mysterious despite the efforts of our best scientists.

We have tried wireless communication before the aethographer, but the aether always caused too much interruption. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with any of the technology that you mention- though it does sound absolutely fascinating.

Huh. That doesn't sound like anything that exists in my world. We have the word "aether", but it's more of a metaphorical concept than an actual, scientific thing.

Actually, that makes me wonder how things work here - if it's more like my world, with radio waves and microwaves and sound waves - or if it's more like yours, with your "aether". I hadn't really thought about it before.

[Finding that out could help point him in the direction of the dreamer, after all.]

I really couldn't say. I haven't anything with me to even try detecting aether, and it is just a little bit invisible. If we could discover how these consoles work, I imagine we'd be closer to an answer, though.

Yeah, I think I've just found my next project.

I'm Arthur, by the way.

[Lyall's eyebrows go up. That's hardly a proper introduction, sir... but good manners dictate not calling him on that.]

Professor Randolph Lyall. It's a pleasure.

[It's perfectly proper where Arthur comes from, okay?

He just gives a nod.]

Professor of what, might I ask?

Sheep, mostly.

[Shh, he's not a real professor. Don't tell.]

Sheep?

You mean, like, agriculture?

Animal husbandry, yes.

[He bears the expression of one who has heard all the jokes. All of them.]

Huh.

[Well he doesn't have any jokes about that, and it sounds pretty boring, so he'll move on to something else.]

You like technology, then? A hobbyist?

[Thank you.]

Yes. I do try to keep up on the latest devices, though I haven't got the knack for inventing myself.

I'm a bit of the same. I like to tinker, but I couldn't build this stuff myself.

I simply lack the soul, so I commission other people and stick to my ovinology.

Soul? I just don't have the scientific and technical know-how.

If it were a matter of scientific knowledge, I would be set. I lack the creativity to make anything new.

I've been told before that I have no imagination, but I'm not sure I believe that.

Well, I am sure you would be the best judge of that. We don't always let people see our inner worlds.

Mostly I disagree because the person who likes to say so doesn't exactly like me much. [He's amused, though.]

So that would be a very biased perspective.

Maybe, but still useful sometimes.

Naturally. It's essential to know how other people view you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(no subject)

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