(no subject)

[bulletwithmyname]

[when the feed comes on, it’s focused on the very freckled face and curly ginger mop of a teenaged boy. he’s way too skinny, hollow-cheeked and bird-boned with shoulders that hold his shirt like a bent coathanger. he’s also leaning against someone else, but all that’s visible of this other person is a shoulder and a fall of long black hair. the redhead has an affable face, gawky and harmless, and a riot of curly red hair that reaches his shoulders]

There, I think I got this working.

My name’s Ash Trine, and I’m hoping that someone out there can help me out a bit. I’ve got two big questions.

So, where we come from, people have Talents, sort of like the god powers I’ve heard we all get here. But that’s not the only kind of magic there is. There’s magic everywhere, in everything, if you know how to see it and use it. And we do, but that doesn’t do a damn bit of good here.

[he sighs a little, settling more against his silent companion’s shoulder]

But I reckon if the gods are handing out Talents, there’s like as not some kind of ambient magic here, something else we can use. Spells, symbols, rituals, anything like that. And I need to know about that. There’s some stuff I need to do. So anybody who knows anything about it, I’d be much obliged if you’d share. Anything at all would help, I don’t mind having to figure out most of it myself if it comes to that. Just somewhere to start.

Second thing, I’m looking for a job. I’m pretty good with numbers, if anyone needs a bookkeeper, but it’d be even nicer if someone’s in need of a cook. Most of what I know how to make is savory, hearty kind of food--stews, roast and potatoes, shepherd’s pie, that sort of thing, but I’ve been told once or twice that I catch on pretty quick.

[there’s a snort from off camera, and ash turns to the person he’s leaning on]

Are you offering up an opinion, Kieran?

[the voice that answers is considerably lower than ash’s, with a distinct drawl and a definite tone of amusement]

No. I already said you ain’t poisoned us yet, what more d’you want?

[ash rolls his eyes]

Such a glowing recommendation. You’re sleeping on the floor.

[a puppy-huge tattooed hand reaches over from offscreen, knuckling ash’s chin]

The hell I am.

[the feed catches a second of a sweet smile turned at the man offscreen before ash remembers the video and shuts off the feed.]

Comments

[Video]

[bulletwithmyname]

That makes it sound like a really recent thing.

[he's not paying much obvious mind to the scowling thundercloud sharing his screen space]

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

It's probably been here as long as the world itself, but we haven't known about it the whole time.

[Video]

[bulletwithmyname]

Well, sure. It wouldn't come out of nowhere. That would just be weird.

[no sarcasm there, he really means it]

So I need to go talk to this Aladdin fellow in this guild, then? Or are there books about this?

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

There might be books in the library's center chamber. It used to be closed to us, but it's not any longer.

[Video]

[bulletwithmyname]

I'm looking for the path of least resistance.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Well, Aladdin won't be opposed to helping you at all. I'd say that's your best bet.

[Video]

[bulletwithmyname]

...seriously? He'll just teach anyone who walks in?

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Yeeahhh, sure. Almost. Not hundred percent certain, actually.

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

So really you don't know. Guess I'll be finding out.

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

You'll probably have to join, but that's not really difficult.

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

Is there a test or something?

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

I didn't take a test.

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

...this is way too easy, you know.

[he smiles like he's joking, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes and there's some hint of distrust in his voice.]

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

I don't really see why. Or what that means, anyway.

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

Show up somewhere, ask nicely, and get offered access to all the information there is on the magic here? It's way too much like helpful. Not as sure what to do with helpful as I used to be.

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

We're also all in the same situation. Why wouldn't we help each other?

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

No reason. My belief in the goodness of human nature's just worn a bit thin.

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

And why is that?

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

That's a really long story I'm not sure I'm ready to tell. Let's just say that our recent past has involved a lot of people trying to kill us for existing and not a lot of anybody willing to help.

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

Ah...

Yeah, that happens. But let me tell you, there are probably more the latter here.

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

[he shrugs]

Not saying our story is special. It just happens to be ours, so I'm a bit attached to it.

[ash would like to believe in the goodness of people, since he's signed himself up to save them. deep down, he does. but people have made that hard]

Guess we'll see.

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

Of course it's special, every story is special.

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

Now you're having me on.

[video]

[comeonthensexy]

Why would I be? I'm completely sincere.

[video]

[bulletwithmyname]

That's a thing people say, not one they mean. Everyone being equally special means nobody's special at all, and nobody cares the same about everyone. There's always priorities.