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Aqueos Nova here from Los Angeles Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Californicating
#176: Jul 29th 2012 at 10:43:17 PM

[Tables]

Phoebus speaks up again, "Oh we just had a king no one liked oppressing people taxing the heck out of everything and having everyone including the elves shivering in fear. His army was absolutely huge. Luckily a few cities simply turned over to our possession, something about less taxes and intimidation you know?"

He takes one of the baked potatoes and uses a fork to begin deconstructing it.

"We just hope this revolution actually works out, he was the result of yet another revolution."

Phoebus quickly thrusts a piece of potato into his mouth, he seems to have some table manners, but they're seemingly odd ones.

Wylfing puts down his glass, careful to make sure it doesn't clank too loudly against the table.

"I must ask though, how did you manage that magic with the hors d'oeuvres? I can hardly manage to levitate that many things without accidentally picking up everything in a room, let alone sort everything and put it down without a bump."

edited 29th Jul '12 10:44:04 PM by Aqueos

Bet you didn't see that coming
Elfhunter NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP! from India Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: My elf kissing days are over
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
#177: Jul 29th 2012 at 10:52:45 PM

"Well, there's no harm in introducing myself twice, I guess," said Daniel, "Daniel Harper, Nice to meet you too. And yes, my world does run on magic - two different kinds of magic, in fact. But chi runs through all worlds, changing it's nature as it jumps worlds. If you could open another one of those doorways you mentioned, I could probably open a Sorcery-based portal to your world as well."

I won't be able to post for another 4 hours. Sonzai plz don't go away :(

edited 29th Jul '12 10:53:33 PM by Elfhunter

If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
SnowyFoxes Drummer Boy from Club Room Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I know
Drummer Boy
#178: Jul 29th 2012 at 11:00:01 PM

[Tables]

"Oh. You seem to be following a normal pattern." Matthias slowly moves his finger in a large circle. "New government. New government begins to fail for any number of reasons. People are unhappy. Disorder. Revolution. The revolution has its own cycle, by the way. And at the end, either a glorius new age or an even worse one or everything returns to status quo. Don't you love politics? I'm kidding, it's terrible. My wife loves it, though."

He smiles. "As for the hors d'oeurves, it helps when you have a Manifestation. I don't suppose you know what those are, do you? I suppose you can think of it as a familiar. Mine likes to be called Balto."

edited 29th Jul '12 11:01:16 PM by SnowyFoxes

The last battle's curtains will open on stage!
Sonzai Since: Sep, 2010
#179: Jul 29th 2012 at 11:04:39 PM

[Hors D’Oeuvres]

"Well, the doorway was provided from here - we don't have anywhere near that kind of technology," Kazue said, "the main doors in this dining hall could open back up to the room we came from in my universe, if you wanted to try there? I'd think magic of any kind would be helpful - we've been recovering from quite the disaster, and I fear far greater things than us are still waiting out there in our galaxy."

I've waited far longer than that before, don't worry about it, especially since I'm going to be offline for (up to) 12 hours here any minute. :P Generally, waiting even a day or two is fine. Also, note that while he can certainly try, due to no fault of his own, (or of Kazue), any connections to Kazue's home universe from here will be denied, as in all spells will fail, etc. Finding out why is generally beyond the scope of this thread.

Yomegami Since: Jan, 2011
#180: Jul 29th 2012 at 11:06:51 PM

Hors D’Oeuvres

"Uffern is basically Briton's underworld - it's the 'hell' I was talking about earlier." Caer explained. "You can probably guess what an 'Uffern-spawn' is from that - it's all the creatures like demons that come from it." She turned briefly to see if Kazue wanted to say anything, but found that she had found another person to talk to. Yay, now my job's even easier, she thought.

She turned back to Estela. "Magic in Briton is generally used for desperate situations, yes. The few people who can use magic don't think it's worth using outside of that. However, combat magic does have a bunch of different applications in and of itself. Gwinny here uses Blade Magic, which is basically using magic in place of swords, shields, and other weaponry, for example."

Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
Night The future of warfare in UC. from Jaburo Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
The future of warfare in UC.
#181: Jul 29th 2012 at 11:25:46 PM

[Balcony]

"The hijacking thing is mostly what I'm concerned with," Sanderson replied. "I'm Physical Security and Enforcement. I deal with people who attempt to take over a ground station, steal things, or threaten personnel. And also in theory with anyone who manages to get as far as committing a criminal act related to our jurisdiction, but that's pretty rare. Most of them get busted by national or local police forces long before they come close to bothering us."

Linna grinned. "He fails to mention that a week ago he was suited up and shooting his way into a warehouse to arrest a Special Assistant to the Chairman from one of the megacorps."

Sanderson shook his head. "I didn't say it doesn't happen. Or that it's not flashy when it does."

Linna shrugged and changed the subject. "We're working on the bionics thing, but in all likelihood we'll just get cloned bits. At least unless or until somebody fixes the issues with the existing ones."

Sanderson frowned. "Assuming there are real issues with them."

Nous restons ici.
Aqueos Nova here from Los Angeles Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Californicating
#182: Jul 29th 2012 at 11:32:08 PM

[Tables]

Wylfing raises an eyebrow, "Manifestation? The only spirits we have in our world are hard to summon, and not a good idea to mess with. It's barely worth the effort, sure if you succeed you can do impressive things, but if you fail you can get possessed, or worse. I suppose non magic users can summon them, but that is extremely dangerous, they can't even fight them if things go south."

Phoebus continues to dismantle the potato, a tad annoyed the subject has shifted to something he's almost clueless in.

Wylfin continues "One of my main problems is that I can't keep track of that many things. If I hear a loud noise or I get tapped on the shoulder, I might accidentally push someone into the ceiling and pass out from exertion. If I wanted to take a thing or two fine but everything...."

Phoebus interjects "What else happens in your world though Matthias? Perhaps we could discover something to prevent ours from falling into ruin once again, at least for a time. Wylfing here will be around forever, chosen and blessed. It's conjectured I might, the elves and their half insane joining ceremonies."

He laughs a little into his hand.

"I still can't believe they went through with that."

Bet you didn't see that coming
TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#183: Jul 29th 2012 at 11:55:14 PM

"Well, to be honest," said Colin, "I'm probably making bionics sound a lot better than they really are. I mean, this?" He held up his hand. "Pretty much the only reason I got it was because, A, it looked cool, and B, I wanted my nondominant hand to be slightly steadier. Plus, I can also do this..." He rotated his hand a full three hundred and sixty degrees. "...but that's mostly good for turning screws more easily."

Colin continued examining his hand, even though he already knew all about it. "Part of the reason this was a big breakthrough was because of the more natural motion. With the older versions, the fingers were a little... jerky. These are a lot more fluid." He flexed them to demonstrate. "Pretty much indistinguishable from the real thing."

He shrugged. "But we're advancing on them, so better versions are probably going to be available soon, relatively speaking. Maybe it'll be required for infantry to get them so they can carry more gear or something, I don't know."

CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit (Living Relic)
#184: Jul 30th 2012 at 6:02:43 AM

[hors d'oeuvres/tables]

Anita nodded, and retreated into the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Ryu drifted over to the tray that Vince replaced, the one that was full of these little ahi tuna tartare-crostinis-whatever-buttheylooktasty. The plate seemed to run out quickly, so he snapped one up and took a bite once he was near a table. Oh, it was delicious.

Will be working for a while.

edited 30th Jul '12 6:08:24 AM by CrystalGlacia

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
Elfhunter NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP! from India Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: My elf kissing days are over
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
#185: Jul 30th 2012 at 8:24:48 AM

[Hors D’Oeuvres]

"Well, I was only really making a point," said Daniel to Kazue, feeling a bit embarassed. "It's a lot more complicated than that. Normally, a stable portal needs four things - matching of chi, matching of composition, a sorcerer activating the right rune, and knowledge of which universe he wants to enter. I can take care of the third condition, you can provide me with the fourth, but if I don't have the other two the portal will destabilize, ripping chunks of one world and throwing it in the other." Daniel stopped to take a breath. This was, as far as he could remember, the first time he had the opportunity to explain stuff to anyone. He must be an expert right now, seeing as how many times he'd heard Gaios...

Daniel smile faded. He didn't want to remember that name again. He'd come to the gala for that one reason and he'd failed in the first ten minutes. Still, he was in the middle of a conversation, he should at least finish what he started.

"Anyways," He continued, his tone now dull, "the doorways created by Miss Carr seem to manipulate chi in some fashion. Where originally matching the chi and knowing the location where the portal previously worked would have brought me to the dining room door, it instead brought me to the stage. Chances are acquiring the two remaining conditions from one of her portal spells might send people to the wrong part of your universe."

wow, I never realized my character was such a talker. He's supposed to be depressed, damn it. Also, that fixed the problem nicely, right Sonzai :P

If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
SnowyFoxes Drummer Boy from Club Room Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I know
Drummer Boy
#186: Jul 30th 2012 at 11:19:31 AM

[Tables]

"Well, Manifestations can be quite dangerous as well if you don't know how to use them. We have contracts to help make sure that doesn't happen. But one sure way to make a Manifestation dangerous is to get distracted." Matthias looks sternly at Wylfing. "You, young man, seem to need serious work with your focus. I'm not sure how magic works where you come from, but I doubt a stronger mind would be a liability."

He laughs. "We keep our autonomous little city-states running with spying, assassination, abduction, and puppetry. It even gets that way within families—just look at my two children. The life of a noble is bloody and short. The life of a noble who can play the game is just bloody. And the life of a noble who loves the game is the bloodiest and shortest of all. The hardest part is convincing your people you're not doing anything fishy. Now, if you think that sounds fun, establish a limited national government and give great power at the regional level. It'll devolve into an orgy of murder soon enough, even with elections."


[Hors d'oeurves]

"Interesting. You categorize your magic a bit... rigidly, it seems." Estela tilts her head the other way. "Does using it come at a high cost? That would explain why it's not so common."

The last battle's curtains will open on stage!
Sonzai Since: Sep, 2010
#187: Jul 30th 2012 at 12:55:27 PM

"I ... see," Kazue said, looking rather confused, "I suppose I'll have to take your word for it, not much experience with portals or interuniversal travel myself."

"But if what you claim about this Chi is true, perhaps you could teach me to use it?" Kazue said, "I'm always looking for new things to try out - especially if they'd help my job. That is, of course, if you're up to it - is there something bothering you?"

What problem? You mean the interuniversal portal? They can feel free to try, it just wouldn't work. (Note that this may not be true for all my characters, but it is for these.)

Aqueos Nova here from Los Angeles Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Californicating
#188: Jul 30th 2012 at 1:07:44 PM

[Tables]

Phoebus stares and blinks a few times. "We'll definitely keep that in mind. It sure doesn't sound like you come from a place that is particularly enviable." He idly places a few more hors d'oeuvres on his plate.

There's silence for a few seconds, but Wylfing breaks it again. "I could probably get away with magic like that, but I'm just worried about what will happen if I screw up." He sighs, "I've done more impressive things under more pressure, but then again I've killed a few people in my history under far less. Not to mention I decided not to bring my familiar, I've practically grown dependent on him, but he's much too bulky for this."

Phoebus grins, "Are you sure you just didn't want him making comments on everything while we..."

"Phoebus!" Wylfing's cheeks and ears turn a light pink.

Bet you didn't see that coming
Yomegami Since: Jan, 2011
#189: Jul 30th 2012 at 3:03:25 PM

Hors D’Oeuvres

"Some spells have a high cost to them, but really magic in Briton is so uncommon because there's a very steep learning curve if you weren't naturally born with it," Caer said. "I can use it because fairies are magical creatures by nature, and Gwinny is descended from King Arthur, who himself was probably magically attuned."

While the other two were talking, Guinevere took the time to sample some of the food she had gathered. Since it wasn't likely they'd be heading back to their table any time soon and she really couldn't participate in the conversation as it was, she might as well see if this stuff tasted as good as it smelled.

Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
Night The future of warfare in UC. from Jaburo Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
The future of warfare in UC.
#190: Jul 30th 2012 at 3:16:05 PM

[Balcony]

"Unless you can convert back, or you keep them in the service until they die, you end up with a class problem of your own creation." Linna noted. "Unless you can effectively decommission them back to human or near-human levels."

"And the legal question I mentioned earlier. If a cyborg, even one that has surrendered, is capable of killing an unaugmented human without much effort, you eventually end up having to weigh the rights of the cyborg against the rights of the arresting officer." Sanderson said. "It gets ugly. That's the real reason cybernetics failed for us."

Nous restons ici.
KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#191: Jul 30th 2012 at 4:10:39 PM

Asayu smiled sweetly at the Regent, then turned to her sister. "You know," Asayu said, "I can think of someone who'd be perfect to help our little experiment."

"Your little experiment," Malo said. "Tell me you're not thinking of your enemy-with-benefits?"

"Really," Asayu said, "we're more like... rivals-with-benefits. If he were an enemy, I'd have snapped his neck before instead of sex with him. Or done it after. Or during. Whatever struck my fancy."

Malo sighed and said, "I should come with you, make sure you don't get distracted fucking him. Or Alice."

Asayu looked genuinely shocked and disgusted and said, "...Alice?! I... no, just..." she shook her head, trying to get the horrifying image out of her mind. "I... Alice?!" She shuddered. "Don't ever suggest that again."

As they left, Malo laughed and said, "I can't believe it. Someone you wouldn't actually fuck? And a human, no less?"

Asayu replied, "but... it's... it's Alice."

And with that, they were gone.

edited 30th Jul '12 4:11:32 PM by KillerClowns

Elfhunter NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP! from India Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: My elf kissing days are over
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
#192: Jul 30th 2012 at 7:31:02 PM

"What? No, it's just..." Daniel looked down at the floor, "some memories I'd rather not have remembered." A moment later, he shook his head and put on another disarming smile. He'd had to practice a lot to effectively pull these off everytime.

"But, forget about that. I think you misunderstood something. Aside from portals, Sorcery rarely depends on chi. Chi is simply energy that flows through universes and is absorbed by all living things. What does depend on chi," Daniel dug a hand into his pocket, "is mana production." He pulled out a small green orb. "But you only have to worry about mana if you're a sorceror. Here, catch." He threw the orb to Kazue.

The orb should glow in your hand. That is, unless you want to spend a few more paragraphs learning sorcerytongue

edited 30th Jul '12 7:37:27 PM by Elfhunter

If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
Sonzai Since: Sep, 2010
#193: Jul 30th 2012 at 8:36:07 PM

Kazue caught the orb, and it glowed in her hand. She looked it over carefully, and thought, it looks like some kind of interior-decoration light or something...

"Okay, so what is this and what does it do?" Kazue said.

Elfhunter NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP! from India Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: My elf kissing days are over
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
#194: Jul 30th 2012 at 8:49:28 PM

"That is a Sleeper Detection Orb, or SDO for short," Daniel replied, "We use it to find Sorcerors who are in hiding and induct them into our faction. It does nothing as long as it's absorbing mana. But when it's not, it glows if a source of mana is nearby. That glow signifies what I suspected; that you are not a sorceror."

If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
Sonzai Since: Sep, 2010
#195: Jul 30th 2012 at 9:02:27 PM

"I suppose that was the expected outcome," Kazue said, looking slightly disappointed, and tossing the orb back to Daniel.

"So what is this faction you speak of," she said, "I'm assuming it's a group of sorcerers, but to what end?"

SnowyFoxes Drummer Boy from Club Room Since: Oct, 2011 Relationship Status: I know
Drummer Boy
#196: Jul 30th 2012 at 9:13:49 PM

[Tables]

"Ah, shame. I rather like conversing with other species. They have a unique perspective, you know? Manifestations don't have physical bodies. Balto is sort of around here." Matthias waves his arms around. "Doing whatever he does when I don't need him. Manifestations don't like talking to us fleshlings very much. What is your familiar like?"

Dependence, eh? "You seem to be in quite a bit of trouble, young man. Do you, er, train regularly?"


[Hors d'oeurves]

"Hm." The Threads probably don't reach other universes. Perhaps it's time to turn the conversation to something else. While she thinks of something, she takes a cracker topped with smoked salmon and a dollop of some creamy sauce and takes a bite.

A gust of wind hits Estela's face as a ghostly falcon forms in the air and lands on the table in front of Guinevere.

<Feeling lonely?> Guinevere should hear the words in her mind, unless her mind is protected by barriers and whatnot.

The last battle's curtains will open on stage!
Elfhunter NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP! from India Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: My elf kissing days are over
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
#197: Jul 30th 2012 at 9:20:21 PM

For the second time in this conversation, Daniel's smile faded. "The worst possible one," he answered. "I'd rather not talk about it."

If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
Aqueos Nova here from Los Angeles Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: Californicating
#198: Jul 30th 2012 at 9:45:02 PM

[Tables]

"Well um, my familiar generally takes the form of a dragon. His true form is a lot more.... abstract, he generally stays out of it. He communicates through only thoughts emotions and our memories but I will add he can only talk to me about anything, if you can call it that."

Wylfing sighs, "It's unfortunate, but I've had to focus all my effort on combat magic in recent times, and the only point of casting it was with him after all. Without his being boosting mine I'm not the best at it, and even now I'm a lot better at severing a bunch of spinal chords, than say levitating a bunch of delicate objects. Even then, I'll admit I've spent most of my time learning how to neutralize magic in an area. I've slacked off since the war ended, done little but archery really."

Phoebus seems to hastily swallow something before he comments. "Still though, no matter what we do that familiar just won't quiet down. Doesn't matter if Wylfing's sleeping, he'll wake him up and I get a fist in the face."

Wylfing scratches the back of his neck, "It's not that bad. Plus he helps me with my magic and gives me energy right?"

Bet you didn't see that coming
Sonzai Since: Sep, 2010
#199: Jul 30th 2012 at 9:46:05 PM

"If you don't want to, that's fine," Kazue said, "but I do happen to be the head of security for our government, so while I can't necessarily guarantee any resources, I could possibly help with tactics, or other advice, if that could help?"

That, and I'm not so sure if an invading wolf-commando team would be exactly welcome in another universe... she thought.

TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#200: Jul 30th 2012 at 9:48:45 PM

"It's still a work in progress," said Colin, waving a hand vaguely. "Plus, with, you know, the military, they get all the good stuff, and it gets taken away once you leave, so if they replace the better prosthetics with ones closer to the norm when the soldiers get discharged, there shouldn't be too much of a problem. And it might not even happen anyway, what with what you're talking about. I dunno." He shrugged.

"Although some days I kind of wonder how long infantry will last before they go out of style," Colin continued, half thinking out loud. "It's not long now before they get replaced by something like robots or simply cruise missiles. They're almost outdated, don't you think? Everything's so long-range now, soon we'll be able to snipe each other from between cities."


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