01: A thought (voice: TheOtter)

[of_bokthersa]

I find it interesting that ever so suddenly things are beginning to become unraveled. Suddenly, once people who are new and different arrive. Perhaps I've been around nobles too long, but it seems to me as if someone was waiting for just this moment to do whatever it is that they're doing.

The local's darker turn is interesting too. It takes a good bit of charisma to cause so many to defend one's honor so. I'm certain I could never do it. And yet, forgoing coin out of loyalty, or so one would suspect. After all, to many a merchant, coin is coin no matter who is offering it.

It should be very interesting to see where things go from here.

Comments

[jaglikethecar]

But it was right there in the memory. Time doesn't mean anything to the Sphere.

Also, has anyone taken a look at the model numbers on these implants? Are we sure they're the same sort the older folks have?

[of_bokthersa]

[A lot of those words make no sense to him. Model numbers and implants - that sort of thing seems to be something very different in his world.]

As far as I'm aware they have not. Though I admit, I have no idea what those are.

[jaglikethecar]

Uh...right. So, model numbers were created when people started manufacturing items in bulk, yeah? When you make a lot of...daggers for instance, use the same shape and whatnot, but different materials of different qualities, you assign each different series, or daggers with the same attributes, a model number. That way you know which is which, even if they look the same. They may be completely different things.

What if we all have one series of implant and the older residents have another. What if those different series can be used separately to influence us?

[of_bokthersa]

[Ah, so a bit like a maker's mark, if the maker were building in bulk (which, in Seregil's opinion, would probably degrade the quality of the weapon.)]

So you're saying that you think people are being influenced to do things based on the things clinging to our heads?

[Odd, but not the strangest of ideas. Especially when you take into account what they're working with.]

[jaglikethecar]

No. I'm saying I think it's possible. It's just as possible they all just see us as a threat: classic mob mentality. "You lot are different from us, so please fuck off and die. Thanks."

[of_bokthersa]

Very true. Have you been looking into this business about the Sphere's memory?

[jaglikethecar]

I have, but I'm not having too much success. Not actually being able to reach the scene of the crime makes it kind of difficult.

[of_bokthersa]

The scene of the crime might not be what needs to be reached.

My friend has an idea on what might have happened, but we're in need of someone far better understanding of technology than we are.

[He's just going to give Jag a visual of the tattered toaster that Alec is trying to put back together so they can see if it actually bakes pastries (which makes no sense since you just need a good hearth fire to make good pastries).]

[jaglikethecar]

[Jag doesn't say anything for a moment.]

What's a broken toaster got to do with the Sphere?

[of_bokthersa]

A visual example of how poor our grasp of your technology is.

What's a toaster? [He thinks he gets the idea and what it does, but it's best to ask in this situation - and to not tell Alec until he figures it out himself.]

[jaglikethecar]

A simple machine to toast bread. A...worker is someone who works, yeah? So...a toaster's something that toasts. Get it?

[of_bokthersa]

Ah.

[So it was exactly what he thought.]

There may be several more of these questions in the future.

[For now it's time to move on, and he picks back up the conversation before the toaster interlude as if the later never happened.]

How much do we know about this Sphere? I assume it's also a piece of technology and not magic, correct?

[jaglikethecar]

I'm game, but I might want something in exchange if it keeps up.

[And he, of course, means knowledge, nothing nefarious.]

If it's technology, it's not like any I've ever seen before, except in fiction.

[of_bokthersa]

That depends on what you want in return.

[It's important to get these things clear before you agree to it.]

Has anyone shown knowledge in it's function?

[jaglikethecar]

I've never met anyone who wasn't from a world like mine. I show you mine, you show me yours. Fairtrade, yeah?

[There's the sense of a shrug, which Jagger probably did physically, too.]

The Council says they're supposed to keep order, but from what I could see paying the thing a visit, the only way someone got through that glass was teleporting. Which...isn't outside the options here, but I don't know anyone who can do it.

[A beat.]

You can't teleport, can you?

[of_bokthersa]

Within reason, yes.

[Don't expect a personal story or things that he's not willing to share. Everything will be more about what it's like from an omniscient point of view.]

My companion and I have no magic to speak of. My -

[He thinks better of it. People can see what's said - or hear it more. That puts them all at a disadvantage.]

It may be best to continue this in person.

[jaglikethecar]

I'm not asking for a biography, mate.

[And he wouldn't be provided one, either.]

Yeah, sure. Have someplace in mind. I wouldn't say the locals are the most trustworthy sort any longer.

[of_bokthersa]

There is a place.

[He'll give him directions to one of the newly discovered pods.]

[jaglikethecar]

[He'd heard about them. He'd even explored some of them.]

I'll be there soon.