Video: UN - Maresh

[unbreakable_king]

Good Afternoon all. My name is Rhy Maresh. And I'm starting to wonder just what is going on in this place. If I might be quite honest, I do not remember being here before this. Yes, I've been told what happened, yet I do not know that it makes sense. I have been kidnapped before, but nothing as elaborate as this.

[Deja Vu? Hasn't Rhy already done an announcement and arrival video? And yet... There he is, looking far more confident and a touch less... confidently sauve. A very different sort of royal.]

When I call to the water beyond the glass here it feels so... expansive. Oppressive. Like touching the ocean, but no man can move the ocean, no matter their spell. So I find myself intrigued. Clearly this is more than merely magical working to make this place. So science, then. That thing that Gray Worlders discuss. I cannot see why they would be so eager to copy the magic of my world when such wonders can be created as this place.

Ah, but I find myself distracted, do I not?

My question is this. I have seen some people in the streets so far, and they greet me with familiarity. Which would imply they are aware of my appearance. I have even been called out to by name. This is most definitely not Arnes, so that does not seem logical.

So I fear I must ask: Have I lost memories?

[Oh dear, this Rhy from another universe is just... well, perhaps he is a touch smarter than his younger self?]

Comments

[gadaboutdetective]

Hm... That’s a fair assumption, given that we are where we are, but you’ll find there is a very wide variety of foods to choose from. It seems that this world intends to make sure we’re uh... happy where it comes to such things. You will find there is a little of everything to choose from, familiar and unfamiliar.

[He wracked his brain, trying to think if he’d come across anything that he hadn’t enjoyed.]

I can’t say that I’ve across anything was wasn’t enjoyable?

[unbreakable_king]

Ah, then perhaps you are not trying enough. I think we should try and find at least one food that isn't amazing. Which means we shall, of course, have to work together. At nearly every meal.

[Look at him, flirting in a more subtle way for the repressed man. Older Rhy is smoother.]

[gadaboutdetective]

Mm... No, I don’t imagine that to be the case. If the opinion of my colleagues is to be believed, I have a rather perplexing appetite.

[Honestly, people had all but given up on questioning him. Either they accepted that it was part of his process, or they preferred to avoid pursuing something that was futile.]

That is a rather intriguing endeavour, to go out with the intention of discovering sub-par food on purpose. Of course, two can cover twice the ground on an investigation than one can.

Although, nearly every meal is quite a lot of meals, though I would never say no to a joint investigation if the other person seems sensible.

[As admirable as subtly is, and it certainly saves the man from startled surprise, Llewellyn got more caught up in the idea than anything for the first minute or two. Tapping the book to his face thoughtfully, a thought came to him that the offer could also be construed as something of a flirt. This evoked a rather curious little expression, peering over the top of the hardback.]

[unbreakable_king]

No, I think I'd rather do the exploration together. A companion with which to share it is the best digestive aid ever. So I would prefer the company.

[But he smiles when he sees that curious look.]

A date then?

[gadaboutdetective]

Well! I suppose I can’t disagree with that logic. In that case, I would be happy to accompany you whenever you should feel the need to find something to eat.

[Now that was more direct than he had been expecting, and it’s quite apparent on his face as it freezes into something a little more contemplative.

Llewellyn was trying to be a little more brave when it came to such things, especially now that he wasn’t reeling from both the shock of waking up here and the inner fear and conflict he’d been wrestling with already prior to his arrival. Still, his answer comes slowly, and he’s not really making eye contact.]

Mm... I suppose it could be... if that’s what you really want to call it. Although we have only technically met, you know. I could be lying to you about quite a bit... Should a king not be more cautious in a strange place?

[unbreakable_king]

Oh, I am more than capable of defending myself. Unless, of course, you can outrun fire.

[gadaboutdetective]

[He does take a moment to think about that, he’s quite good at running after all. He’s part of a club for it and everything back in his own world, and it had saved his neck often enough over the years.

Of course, magical fire was not something he was confident with the idea of getting away from. So with a little shrug of his shoulders and dropping the book down on a stack next to him, he smiled again.]

Nope! Well... No. Can’t say that I’m confident enough with my own abilities to say that I can. I suppose that means you have nothing to worry about.

[unbreakable_king]

I truly do not. I work fire and earth and metal. I'm rather secure in my own safety.

[gadaboutdetective]

Well, I stand - or sit, I suppose - corrected.

[Oh, he’s very intrigued. That’s quite a lot of magic, after all.]

I guess in that case you can risk dinner with whomever you please. That said, it... goes against my personal philosophy to do harm to another at any rate. I simply had a curiosity that needed to be voiced.

[unbreakable_king]

[Ah, but there are plenty magics he cannot do. This, though, he likes that he can protect himself.]

You are quite welcome to feel that violence is never needed. As a noble that is sadly part of my life. Protecting myself and thus my nation means having to be willing to harm others so far as is required to protect myself. I am, after all, only mortal, and must protect that spark of life which I possess.

[gadaboutdetective]

[He clearly takes a moment to consider that, and doesn’t find fault with it. It’s simply that... Well he hadn’t anticipated that Rhy would take it that way. With a small, awkward little gesture he shook his head.]

Uh... No, I can understand that certainly. It wasn’t my intention to suggest that one should abstain from violence if it is for good reason such as defence of self or of another... What I mean is that my personal philosophy tends to limit my own actions, reconciling myself with the idea of doing harm to another, regardless of my reasoning, has never been something I’ve been able to do. So despite my prior inquiries, you likely have little need to defend yourself around me.

[A small, clumsy little huff that might have been a laugh at himself. An attempt at levity to correct what he assumed had been a small social blunder on his part. His curiosity about hypothetical situations (and more) could get him into them now and again.]

I’ve also been informed that I have terrible form when at least attempting to bluff.

[No, this is a man who would (and has) unfortunately throw himself in front of danger as a human shield than with any propensity to fight back. He had survived his youth by luck alone.]

[unbreakable_king]

Oh do you now? Perhaps we should partake in a friendly game of cards after dining.

[Now now, Detective, do not tell him all of your weaknesses up front. That hardly seems fair to you, correct?]

[gadaboutdetective]

Ah, well.... I don’t gamble anymore, didn’t go well. But! A friendly game would be fine. I’m sure you have games that I haven’t even heard of that might be interesting to learn.

[A moment later, realization hits and a small laugh is startled out of him.]

Oh. That was an attempt at a witticism concerning my inability to bluff, wasn’t it?

[Llewellyn is actually kind of proud of himself for catching that one, as late as he was to do so.]

[unbreakable_king]

[Rhy just smiles, his eyes dancing with amusement. Surely that is answer enough.]

[gadaboutdetective]

[More than enough, at least in this case it was apparent enough that his blunder had been amusing. The embarrassed smile spread a little further at that.

Llewellyn knew that he did sound a fool sometimes, but it was better for someone to find gentle amusement with him than respond with mocking humour at his clumsiness.]

Uh... Yes, well. That was um— clever I suppose. Humorous.

[unbreakable_king]

Ah, but not half so clever as I expect I shall find you to be, sir. Until then, I shall wait to see how correct I am proven.

[gadaboutdetective]

[Sir... Huh.

Oh right, he had neglected the very important societal norm of making an introduction. That wasn’t strange for him. As much as he tried to remember, sometimes he grew distracted by the conversation itself.]

Well, We’ll see if I can live up to that expectation then... I’m uh — Detective Llewellyn Watts, by the way. I don’t spend much time at the dormitory, but I’m easy enough to reach thanks to the technology here.

[unbreakable_king]

Detective? And what do you detect?

[gadaboutdetective]

Ah, right. You’re still from a time when law enforcement is still being formalized. It’s a newer rank, from over the last... mm... thirty or so years.

[It’s hard to sometimes remember, and he really must remember to explain it to the other Rhy at some point.]

But to put it simply...? I investigate and solve crimes. I connect evidence, patterns, and motives to find the culprit and give the victim or victims’ closure. Or uh— at least that’s what I did in my own world, I’m not entirely sure what my options are in this place as of yet.

[unbreakable_king]

Oh, now that is intriguing. If you tell me more, I'll tell you what we've done with some of your tech.

[gadaboutdetective]

I can certainly tell you more if you like, but uh... it can range from dry to ghastly depending on the case and what you want to hear about. Not everyone finds the work interesting.

[He also would have happily explained further without the need for Rhy to offer up information in return, but it was certainly a nice bonus.]

It’s a ranked system, you start off as a constable and can progress from there to constable third, second and first class. That’s what I did, and from there I moved up to Detective recently in the last few years. Mm... and from there, one can move up to Inspector and further eventually.

[And yes, was promoted quite young compared to his peers. Most constables statistically didn’t even make first class until their thirties.]

My cases range from thefts, to kidnappings, disappearances and murders.

[unbreakable_king]

How intriguing. I believe my world could use something along those lines. We have guards and patrols to deal with small crimes, but larger things... Well, those tend to also be the guard. Usually ones with enchanted blades that cut magic from people temporarily. Yet they cannot solve all things.

[He's very intrigued.]

[gadaboutdetective]

I would argue that not even I can solve all things, I’ve got... a good case resolution record, but no man is perfect.

Unfortunately the system also does have its shortcomings, it... needs improvement. Such as with the issue of laws that protect those who are guilty versus those that fail to protect those who have done no wrong. Not to mention mm... the corruption of officers or personal biases against certain kinds of victims that can get in the way of seeing justice done.

[He’s intrigued though, magic being thrown in the mix of crimes was a fascinating complication.]

Enchanted blades? That’s interesting... I imagine abuse of magic would offer a whole new avenue of issues for a guard or officer to deal with.

[unbreakable_king]

Certain kinds of victims? The poor, I assume?

[Nobility gets away with too much. But he definitely wants to think about this. Perhaps start sketching out a better courts system.]

Oh yes, it does. We've had to learn enchantments that can be etched into the flesh to remove one's magic. It is illegal to break such spells placed on others.

[gadaboutdetective]

[A grimace, and he taps a finger with his book as he lists off the victims he had seen fall between the cracks.]

The poor, people of different religions, ethnicities, inclinations, people with bad habits... The list goes on I’m afraid. If you are different or are seen as a blight on society then I’m afraid the world is not kind.

[He waved the book a little, as though to dispel the atmosphere a little and tried to imagine how the matter of etchings in skin would even work. He still has a lot of questions about magic, but he can’t quite figure out what angle to come at the matter from. He’d met several people who all came from places with magic, and it all seemed so... different.]

Hm... That sounds... Well that sounds complicated, though I expect that’s probably due in part to my lack of knowledge on the subject of magic. Is this something anyone could do or...?

[Because that sounds like knowledge that the wrong people would abuse very easily.]