ioduanlogs | silent, in the trees [open]

Entry tags:

silent, in the trees [open]

Characters: Trahearne, open to everyone
Date: Early February
Location: In and around the Dreaming Bridge
Situation: There's a quiet plant guy lurking around. That might be a little weird.
Warnings/Rating: Nothing yet

A. During the day - outside the Dreaming Bridge
When he's not busy with other matters, Trahearne has been spending some time right outside the Dreaming Bridge building. He mostly walks around the outside of the Quayside wing, though sometimes he makes a circle around the Breakwater wing as well, to cover all his bases.

What exactly he's doing out there might not be immediately obvious. When he's not just walking around, examining the dirt and peering under bushes like he's looking for something, he's been leaving little pieces of jerky in specific, tucked-away places. Trahearne later returns to check to see if the jerky is gone, but even when it's disappeared, he seems to keep walking away with nothing to show for the endeavor.

Whatever kind of animal Trahearne is trying to lure out hasn't yet revealed itself, but he's certainly patient enough to continue trying.

B. At night - in the Dreaming Bridge lounge/lobby
Trahearne hasn't been sleeping well. Tossing and turning is one thing, but after the first night when he kept waking from terrible nightmares, he decided that persisting in a useless endeavor would only end in disturbing his roommates. The idea of having to explain what he was seeing in his dreams to two complete strangers wasn't just unappealing, he knew that it wouldn't help matters any. He'd still have trouble sleeping, and he'd still wake them with it, whether they knew what was happening or not.

Instead, he's taken to slipping out of his room after the others are asleep, taking with him a small pile of books on the Planes that he's obtained from one of the local libraries. Trahearne then curls up in one of the more comfortable chairs in the public lounge, reading by the light of a lamp, up until he dozes off or simply can't see straight anymore. Whether he's found awake or asleep, he's always gone before sunrise, either to get breakfast or to return to his room to prepare for another day.

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It's all very complicated, and Tenn is still as considers it. So, some people choose to travel within the layers rather than being pulled unexpectedly? That is good. Though he'd prefer not to have to die to return to his world... he's not going to say that. Dark humor would not go over well, circumstances being as they are.

"Intriguing... it sounds chaotic, but the layers exist in harmony. Though if I came through a portal to get here, I wouldn't have known." He doesn’t remember anything of the passage, not even getting the circular marking the other Dreamfolk have, and that worries him.

He goes on to admit, "Nothing resembling what you or these books have described is acknowledged as existing in my world." Even in the whimsical dramas and musical he's played in recently... those details about worlds colliding were only a basis for a plot, a little imagination for the audience to pull them into the dream. "The concept is considered mere fantasy by most." A considering pause. "Or we may just be unaware of such things."

Well, Trahearne might have been rambling a bit with his explanation of the Mists, but comparing worlds seemed like a useful exchange of information. It certainly couldn't hurt, even if it ended up not revealing anything important.

"I'm afraid I have no memory of a portal, either. ... But there's truly no similar concepts in your world?" Trahearne holds his chin in one hand, certainly sounding intrigued. "There's always a possibility that it does still exist - though I find it hard to believe that any world wouldn't eventually learn how the universe around them operates. Then what about your world's magic? Does that have some separate source? It seems that magic comes from the three planes here."

A slight shake of his head. "There are theories of alternate realities and parallel worlds, but unproven. None are acknowledged as absolute fact." Though for people to have incorporated these theories into popular fiction, Tenn wonders if there's some truth behind it. Certainly there are common themes.

He manages a smile. Another debatable topic, but he feels more confident answering this one. "We don't have magic. We work with physical materials to create things, like the people here do. It's likely why they were able to adapt my technology so quickly." Possibly why they are letting him work as a beta tech as well, but Tenn will dwell on that later. "One of the technicians recognized my device, so it seems I am not the first person to arrive from my world." He’s heard names of countries he knows bandied around the Dreaming Bridge, but the fact that no one has recognized him is an indication things are more complicated than they seem.

"You don't have magic?"

Trahearne is visibly stunned, and doing a poor job of keeping it off of his face. No magic. In a very basic sense, the threat of having magic taken away was what was plaguing the world he came from. The idea of Tyria without magic was akin to imagining what an apocalypse would look like.

"Of course, other worlds would work differently," he mutters to himself, straightening up in his chair. "I simply can't picture such a thing. The asura have technology with similar concepts to what exists here, so I... simply assumed there was some sort of magic involved, as there is on my world." Trahearne still seems a bit shaken, though, his voice not quite as level as it usually is.

Tenn didn't expect him to be that shaken, and immediately offers a reassuring smile. After all, he himself was wearing an expression like that when he first arrived. This world wasn't like a stage set or CG, and the other races weren't just makeup and costumes. What would it be like to meet someone without magic? Probably what it's like to meet someone with magic.

His posture is relaxed as he leans forward, balanced on the armchair, chin resting on the back of his hand. "I imagine that to many, what we create looks like magic... everything revolves around the knowledge of how things work, after all. Isn't magic also something one learns how to use? Building technology is similiar, we simply have different elements and power sources.”

Trahearne nods slowly. "Well, yes. Magic is both an art and a science, though of course knowing the basics makes one better at using it. There are some forms of technology on Tyria that don't use magic, but they're not nearly as advanced as asuran technology, or what I've seen here." It was still mind-boggling to think that non-magical science and engineering could go so far as to mimic asuran systems - and those asuran systems were rarely ever as small as the yimo devices.

"It seems I have more to learn about this place than I thought," Trahearne said, offering him a small smile in return. "It is good to know that such grand things can be created without needing to rely on magic. It speaks quite highly of the ingenuity of the people here, and of your own world as well."

A nod, though his next words are dismissive; what his people have achieved is still not on par considering Earth is far more stable by comparison. "They've done an excellent job adapting, considering the changes their world has been through." He's still separating the stories from the factual history, but what he's heard has been interesting to say the least.

Watching Trahearne, something else occurs that he'd pushed to the back of his mind. The barrier over the Aifaran would fall under 'magic'. Tenn's smile fades in a curious tilt of his head. "Are there beings like the Great Turtles in your world – Tyria? I've heard they are a source of magic here, but I can't say I understand it."

"Yes... there's been a good deal of upheaval in this place, hasn't there?" It's mostly a rhetorical question. Trahearne keeps coming across references to it in his reading, and already has a mental list of those topics he'll have to look up later.

"Ah, the magic of Tyria isn't controlled by any sort of god - though the human gods have at various times used powerful objects to give magic to others or take it away. Tyria's magic is a natural resource, as much a part of the world as the sun and the rain. Everyone has some capacity to use magic. There are other powerful creatures in my world, but their function is to consume magic, not grant it." His expression isn't quite as pleasant anymore, his gaze gone distant. Trahearne is far, far too familiar with that part of his world's magic theory, and not all of those memories are pleasant.

Tenn falls quiet at the downcast response. Not a good topic? He curbs further questions on the matter, though his mind wanders. If magic is a natural resource, of course there would be forces to control and consume that magic... for survival? One’s own ends? The debates he’d heard about accessing the power of the Dreaming come to mind, though Tenn has yet to decide where he stands on the matter. The give and take of power – and the complexities thereof – he understands quite well. He brushes past the subject as something he prefers not to dwell on right now. No sense adding anxiety to a sleepless night, after all.

"I see... either way, such a resource sounds incredible." He’s curious to learn more for comparison but redirects to the current situation. “You said you can still access your magic. Since coming here, have you noticed any changes?"

Trahearne snaps out of his distant gaze when Tenn continues talking, looking back to him with a small smile. "Incredible, yes. Even after using magic for so long, it's hard to not feel that way at times."

Well, there's nothing quite as good of a distraction as another question. He could probably talk about magic all night, if Tenn let him. "The interesting part is that my magic hasn't changed nearly as much as I would have expected." He says it with a roll of his shoulders, but his tone is rather thoughtful. "Some of it is more difficult to use, but the rest feels rather normal. Even my summoned minions look the same, and they come from a realm that isn't supposed to exist here. My best guess is that the magic on this world is malleable enough to mimic what I know. Perhaps it's the same way for everyone here."

Be careful what you wish for; Tenn may let him talk about magic and otherworldly matters all night. The explanations are easier to understand than what he was trying to absorb from the local academics, and the nighttime quiet and lack of distraction allow him to focus.

Tenn straightens his posture and raises his head. Summon? Minions? He's unsure of the exact context and reins in assumptions, but his curiosity is evident in an intent stare. "You said people didn't appear and disappear in your world, but you can call to other realms. Then this summoning is different?” Calling warriors from the Mist, perhaps? Trahearne mentioned portals, but not how those portals form. Or are they… no, that couldn't be. How could – why would – anyone summon the dead?

Getting that question makes Trahearne's lips twitch, like he might be on the verge of a smile. "It's quite different, yes. I can't summon people. My minions aren't living beings in the first place. They're constructs, empty shells that are animated through my force of will. I can make one act as though it were a living creature, but that's the most of it."

Leaning in a little closer, he said almost conspiratorially, "I can give you a demonstration, if you'd like. But I do have to warn you that their appearance can be a bit startling."

Constructs as in golems or elementals? Tenn played enough video games as a child to have a wide range of the concept. Not that any of those could exist... until now. But that last line has him checking his interest. Trahearne's appearance is 'startling' enough. Tenn questions his definition of the word and errs on the side of caution.

After years of standing on stage, it's a simple matter to hide his unease. Tenn returns a wry smile. "Perhaps later. I do plan on sleeping tonight." Though he would like to see such a summoning, sometime in the future, and preferably under peaceful circumstances.

Chuckling softly, Trahearne settles back into his chair with a nod. "That's completely fair, and I'd hate to trouble your sleep. I'll be happy to show you my magic whenever you like."

Though, speaking of sleep... Tenn had seemed quite fatigued when they started talking. Trahearne was no better, but it didn't show as easily in sylvari. His habit of sleepless nights was starting to show in his leaves instead, the edges having slowly started to curl the longer it went on.

"Has all this talking settled your mind? I fear that it might only keep you up longer. I know that it must be a lot of information to take in at once."

Tenn shakes his head, though his smile dims. "It's fine. When I can't sleep, I prefer to be distracted.” If he doesn’t distract himself, he’s left scrolling through old chat logs, looking at familiar names separated from him by more than just time zones.

“It has been.” He admits that much at least, though he won’t confess to the extent of it. He’s always thrived under pressure, but it’s been some time since learning was such a priority. “But if I'm going to live here, I should know these things. Magic and the presence of other planes are where this place differs most from the world I know. I won’t burden others with ignorance." It’s a dour note that Tenn meets with a determined countenance, but he trades it for a polite nod to Trahearne. “I appreciate the time you spend explaining your world and view to me. Thank you.”

Regarding him with a smile, Trahearne said, "You're quite welcome, but I would never refuse to share knowledge. It's one of our best tools for understanding this new world we've found ourselves in. There might even be some common thread for why Dreamfolk arrive here. We'll never know for sure unless we're free in exchanging what we know."

Granted, the change that they'd find out anything about Dreamfolk that the locals hadn't already figured out was small, but it was still there. They couldn't discount the possibility.

"I admire your resolve to learn, especially when these topics are so new to you. If you have other questions in the future, I'll be happy to tell you anything more I know of."

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silent, in the trees [open]

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