[It takes a moment for any response to come. At last there is a click, and Ivy's voice comes through.]
There. Did that do it? I'm not the most skilled with these things.
[Her voice is slightly low-pitched, and with a heavy accent he might peg for Fereldan.]
Well met, Mister Rutherford. Are you keeping safe in these trying times? I have been more or less stranded at the clinic, and it does no favors for my patience.
["More or less" when she isn't venturing out on, um... let us call them "excursions."]
Not as such. I've been staying at the clinic to keep things running and protect it, if need be. Though I am anything but trapped, should I choose to leave. Sword and all.
Oh, I see. I'm glad to hear it's a case of choice and not coercion. It's a bit late to go tramping to the Down to cut my way through Creationist scum, but for a friend of a friend, I was willing to be flexible.
[There's something lighter in the last part of that. Truthfully, he'd do it for a stranger just as easily, but he's not out to impress her, just make conversation.]
Ever since I arrived here, I've been keeping an eye out for other swords. I'm up to my eyeballs in mages from Thedas. Not a single other warrior to be seen. Where are you from?
How gracious. Thank you for the sentiment in any case.
[She makes a note to ask Neria about Cullen when next she sees her and they aren't running around madly scrambling to put out fires. Sometimes literally.]
Yes, firearms are largely the weapon of choice around here. It has taken some getting used to.
I come from a city called London, in the British Empire. Though my time is some 400 years behind, so there has been a bit of a learning curve, needless to say.
I know a little of Thedas, from what Neria told me. So you are a warrior, then?
[Something of his turn of expression to distaste comes through the next words.]
They're very loud. [That's somehow the most offensive things about them to him.]
Four hundred years in the past? Relative to whom? It seems to me there is such a jumble here of cultures, times, and worlds. Although I admit yours is the largest gap I've heard of thus far. I suppose the technology came as a shock to you much as it did to me?
[A beat.]
Yes. I spent my youth training as a templar and much of my adulthood in the Order.
[It's far enough. No sense in embroiling her in tales of war, betrayals, rifts, and the mage/templar issue that still lies largely unresolved.]
Firearms are not unheard of, back home, but are not terribly practical. The ones here fire at great speeds and somehow reload themselves, so they are quite more dangerous. Though not invincible.
[Especially when your sword is... special.]
They have calculated the year here as something past 2000, whereas the year as I remember it was 1591. There was... quite a bit less in the way of innovation then. Not dissimilar from where you come from, as Neria has described it.
[She's a big nerd, so has tinkered with as much of it as she could find.
He was a templar. That confirms to her where Neria befriended him, though she will not get too far into that heavy topic with him.]
A templar is a bit more than an ordinary swordsman, as I understand it. You might say the same of me.
I won't risk a retread of information you may have already learned from Neria about our experiences with black powder. It seems to me as though they pick at least some of us by the criteria of how uncomfortable this environment will be for us.
You seem to have done all right for yourself. [He could say that of anyone who befriended Neria.]
Yes, we're specialized warriors, trained specifically for fighting rogue mages, those who are possessed, and demons. You have me at something of a disadvantage knowing more of this than I know of you. I'd hear more of your training if you'd speak of it.
[Oh. Hmm. She knew the bit about rogue mages but the demon bit... had slipped her mind.
So she'll need to be a little careful in her phrasing here.]
Certainly. I'm actually first and foremost an alchemist. There are elements of chemistry and mixing substances, of course, and transforming one element to another. But there are also applications of modifying and imbuing magical energy into things. My sword is no exception.
Though alchemy is not "magic" as your mages can use. Rather, mine requires a laboratory, tools, calculations, and timing.
Ah, yes. I'm familiar with alchemy. We have several in our employ in the Inquisition. It's not enchantment, per se, not quite like what you're describing. Alchemists in our world make all manner of potions, and they don't always require mana to do so.
Fascinating. So you enchanted your sword? What does it do?
Yes, my own world's concept of it is a bit different than others I have heard. Though magic is not well understood by my world at large, so it is a bit of an obscure practice.
[She tries not to sound like she's boasting too much.]
It shifts from a blade to a whip, and moves with far more control than such a thing ought to. I built it myself, and used alchemy to imbue it with such properties.
[He chuffs a laugh.] No, I suppose you wouldn't have. Let's hope the wait isn't too long, and not just for my own selfish reasons.
If you do decide to make good on your threat, you'll have aid should you wish it. I refuse to support anyone who does the sorts of things this so called Creator has done here.
[She laughs softly.] I would not normally say such a vulgar thing. But I am also not normally made to kneel for the arbitrary sin of them deciding I ought to.
[She'd been a little surprised at her own phrasing there... and was quite proud of it, actually.]
I certainly hope you will not end up in the thick of things... though if I happen to see you, I will be happy to help.
And in the meantime if you find yourself at Haven for any reason, I work the reception desk. I can often be found in the laboratory in the basement as well.
Oh, that's wonderful. We are fortunately spared many of the crime that plagues the Down, so I hope that should not be an overly difficult job. But we welcome all the help we can get.
I'm quite easy to spot. I'm the one with white hair. [Among other eye-catching features.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
There. Did that do it? I'm not the most skilled with these things.
[Her voice is slightly low-pitched, and with a heavy accent he might peg for Fereldan.]
Well met, Mister Rutherford. Are you keeping safe in these trying times? I have been more or less stranded at the clinic, and it does no favors for my patience.
["More or less" when she isn't venturing out on, um... let us call them "excursions."]
no subject
[A low chuckle.]
Well met, indeed. I am far from keeping safe, I'm afraid. Neria can attest to that. When you say stranded, are you in need of assistance?
no subject
[It's nice of him to ask that so quickly.]
Not as such. I've been staying at the clinic to keep things running and protect it, if need be. Though I am anything but trapped, should I choose to leave. Sword and all.
no subject
[There's something lighter in the last part of that. Truthfully, he'd do it for a stranger just as easily, but he's not out to impress her, just make conversation.]
Ever since I arrived here, I've been keeping an eye out for other swords. I'm up to my eyeballs in mages from Thedas. Not a single other warrior to be seen. Where are you from?
no subject
[She makes a note to ask Neria about Cullen when next she sees her and they aren't running around madly scrambling to put out fires. Sometimes literally.]
Yes, firearms are largely the weapon of choice around here. It has taken some getting used to.
I come from a city called London, in the British Empire. Though my time is some 400 years behind, so there has been a bit of a learning curve, needless to say.
I know a little of Thedas, from what Neria told me. So you are a warrior, then?
no subject
[Something of his turn of expression to distaste comes through the next words.]
They're very loud. [That's somehow the most offensive things about them to him.]
Four hundred years in the past? Relative to whom? It seems to me there is such a jumble here of cultures, times, and worlds. Although I admit yours is the largest gap I've heard of thus far. I suppose the technology came as a shock to you much as it did to me?
[A beat.]
Yes. I spent my youth training as a templar and much of my adulthood in the Order.
[It's far enough. No sense in embroiling her in tales of war, betrayals, rifts, and the mage/templar issue that still lies largely unresolved.]
no subject
[Especially when your sword is... special.]
They have calculated the year here as something past 2000, whereas the year as I remember it was 1591. There was... quite a bit less in the way of innovation then. Not dissimilar from where you come from, as Neria has described it.
[She's a big nerd, so has tinkered with as much of it as she could find.
He was a templar. That confirms to her where Neria befriended him, though she will not get too far into that heavy topic with him.]
A templar is a bit more than an ordinary swordsman, as I understand it. You might say the same of me.
no subject
You seem to have done all right for yourself. [He could say that of anyone who befriended Neria.]
Yes, we're specialized warriors, trained specifically for fighting rogue mages, those who are possessed, and demons. You have me at something of a disadvantage knowing more of this than I know of you. I'd hear more of your training if you'd speak of it.
no subject
So she'll need to be a little careful in her phrasing here.]
Certainly. I'm actually first and foremost an alchemist. There are elements of chemistry and mixing substances, of course, and transforming one element to another. But there are also applications of modifying and imbuing magical energy into things. My sword is no exception.
Though alchemy is not "magic" as your mages can use. Rather, mine requires a laboratory, tools, calculations, and timing.
no subject
Fascinating. So you enchanted your sword? What does it do?
[He could talk weapons all night. Literally.]
no subject
[She tries not to sound like she's boasting too much.]
It shifts from a blade to a whip, and moves with far more control than such a thing ought to. I built it myself, and used alchemy to imbue it with such properties.
no subject
[Because really. A sword whip? How incredible is that?!]
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I would offer a demonstration, though given the current state of things outside, it may have to wait.
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If you do decide to make good on your threat, you'll have aid should you wish it. I refuse to support anyone who does the sorts of things this so called Creator has done here.
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I should be glad to see you in action as well.
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[The fact she spoke of her sword quite eclipsed the shock of her proposed use of it.]
Perhaps soon. The fighting is far from over.
no subject
[She'd been a little surprised at her own phrasing there... and was quite proud of it, actually.]
I certainly hope you will not end up in the thick of things... though if I happen to see you, I will be happy to help.
And in the meantime if you find yourself at Haven for any reason, I work the reception desk. I can often be found in the laboratory in the basement as well.
no subject
[His voice brightens as though he's smiling, because he is.]
Then I'll surely see you. I've volunteered for some guard duty there.
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I'm quite easy to spot. I'm the one with white hair. [Among other eye-catching features.]
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Truly it was a pleasure meeting you. I'll see you soon.