folklorist | ϡ - Chapter Twenty; those who have gone missing [action/voice]

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ϡ - Chapter Twenty; those who have gone missing [action/voice]

[ There's a clear strained sigh coming from the opposite end of the transmission. A few moments later some shuffling as someone moves about in the background. ] Frederic's been...taken. He, um, has been for awhile. I-I wasn't supposed to make anyone worry, I'm terribly sorry for not saying so sooner. [ There's a clear tone of guilt in his voice. It goes against Frederic's wishes but he has been gone for awhile. Helios will pull out a chair and take a seat next to his journal. ]

I'm not sure when he'll back, but I thought his friends should know. I apologize for this--especially before the holiday. [ A pause accompanied by a sigh. ] I don't understand why they do such things in the first place.

[ Filtered Poorly, lol how does I technology, to Poland ]

Frederic left you a letter. He asked me to deliver it to you. Do you mind if I stop by?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Frederic?

... Mr. Chopin?]

Helios, do you perhaps mean Frederic Chopin? I... heard he was here, from Doctor Faye-Ling. [That doesn't explain why Helios knew about it, but that information isn't currently relevant so Robert doesn't ask.]

And you say he's been taken? ... Presumably for experimentation? [Robert's tone is obviously disturbed. It takes him a moment to think of anything more to say - but his next sentence is a little... quiet, and slightly gentle.]

Is there... anything I may do to assist?

Yes you're correct on both accounts. [ Sigh. ]

Ah-- [ He notes the tone and is pretty grateful for it. ] --that's kinda of you to offer. If you'd like to stop by you're more than welcome to. Perhaps we can talk a bit more about your world? [ There is a lot they've yet to discuss about it. ]

I would much like that, Helios. [In reality, it isn't just wanting to share Terran information - it's also that Robert doesn't want Helios to be sad. He doesn't know if he can really help Helios feel better - but he wants to at least attempt.]

Whereabouts is your home located?

Community housing seven floor five room twenty-two. I'll make some tea if you wouldn't be opposed that?

[Cue Robert referencing the handy-dandy map ~~that his mun finally knows he can actually see~~.] Ah, that's... not much further out of the way than I had thought. But it may still take me some time.

I would appreciate the tea very much, actually. Doctor Mizuno introduced me to some of the tea here, and it was quite nice... [There's a smile in his voice.]

Shall I set out now? I haven't any other obligations.

Oh do take your time then! Tea will be good for today it's rather cold out, isn't it? [ Not that he can tell but Helios does not need anyone freezing while making their way to his apartment. ]

And yes if you'd like. Better before it gets dark at any rate.

It is rather cold, yes... Though I have no knowledge of the typical climate here, yet, so I cannot say if it is abnormal.

And I shall set off immediately then. [Robert reflexively brings the journal with him as he dresses in his coat and boots, so Helios is treated to the soft crinkling sounds of fabric. Eventually Robert starts to walk out the door and heads toward Helios' building.

It's a roughly east-northeast (?) journey for Robert, which is a different route than the other ways he's gone to get to the shops, so the going is slow and punctuated by both Robert analyzing the area and his heavy breathing - Helios is no doctor (just a magician!) but even so he can probably tell that it's abnormal. Even after being in Luceti for two weeks, Robert's health hasn't improved much and all this exercise is difficult for him. Regardless, he isn't actively complaining; it's just betrayed by his laboured panting.

Eventually, probably after half an hour to forty-five minutes, Robert makes it to the door of the Community Building. He opens it and sighs audibly at the prospect of having to climb stairs in his condition.]

... B-Bugger these stairs. I will never get used to them.

[ He does note that and is a bit worried. How can you not be when there's heavy breathing coming from someone over the journal? He'll finally speak after hearing the other. His tone of voice will be one of concern when he finally speaks over the journal. ]

Robert are you alright?

[Robert's voice is... tired when he gets enough breath to reply. He leans against the foot of the first staircase.]

I... I am alright. Somewhat. I-It's just that I simply do not have the... c-constitution, for all this walking. [His voice just makes it more obvious that he's anything but alright. Despite this, he's actively trying to walk up the stairs - though he stops when he reaches the top of the next flight.]

G-Gah. I... I a-apologize for my condition. [Robert's ashamed of how out of shape he is, and how much it shows. He even considers filtering the journal, but doesn't have the energy to think of a filter right now, so he stands there trying to recover some semblance of breath.]

[ Well he feels rather bad now. ] Would you...ah, like assistance? I do feel bad having you walking up so many flights. [ Fifth floor, poor Robert he will be half dead by the time he gets up here. ] I-I'll be down in a moment.

[Robert wouldn't have asked for help himself, but the fact that Helios is basically insisting on it makes it easier to just accept.] A-Alright. ... Th-thank you.

[For the time being, he braces himself against the wall, face flushed with both exertion and shame, and just focuses on breathing, cursing every fibre of his paltry muscles.]

It's no trouble at all. I just hope you're alright. [ And he'll be coming down that flight of stairs now. ] Ah! There you are. I'm terribly sorry for this. You could have said something. I-I would have stopped by instead if this was the case.

I... didn't anticipate feeling this weak. But this is a route I have not used before and I suppose I... g-got too overzealous.

At any rate, it is my fault, not yours. [Robert shifts to a standing posture, looking a little better now that he's had time to recover.] My physician would likely be most alarmed by my lack of sense.

[Robert looks over at Helios.] I did mean to visit you at some point... though I do wish it was in less discomforting circumstances.

Maybe some food and some tea will give you back some stamina. [ He'll be eying Robert with a rather concerned look. ]

Ah, well, I'll apologize now the mess back at the apartment. I did try to tidy up a little before you came. [ Because there were papers and crap all over the floor. ] At any rate shall we be going? Are you well enough is the important question.

I... I think so. I seem to be fine enough now. [Robert turns and begins to make his way up the next flight of stairs with a mildly grim look. He's... slow, and cautious. But his breathing doesn't seem to be as laboured as it was.]

It's rather pathetic of me to be having so much difficulty here... but I am not used to having to walk everywhere.

Ah that's good then. Very good! [ A slight smile coming from him. He's relieved at least the other wasn't hurt or anything. He'll be keeping an eye on you just in case any...mishaps occur. ]

Not at all. If your world isn't like this it's no wonder that you wouldn't be used to it. To be honest I do enjoy walking around town...but I sometimes miss transportation like cars and such.

[~~Robert is one big mishap. :|~~ Robert continues to pick his way up the stairs, mindful of how slow he's going but nervous to go any faster. His breathing is still heavier than it should be.]

W-Well... back on Terra there would be high-speed transport pods running throughout the city. There's... absolutely nothing of the sort here, which is d-disconcerting.

High speed transport pods? [ He'll regard the other with a curious glance. ] That sounds rather fascinating. We didn't have anything like that on Earth. Though one could compare a teleportation spell to such things. It's a very quick method of traveling--er well besides drawing out the spell circle.

Yes, high-speed transport pods - essentially flexible polymer pods travelling through tubes that run throughout the residential and economic regions of Terran cities, where pods are deployed at will from a central hub.

[Robert looks over at Helios at that.] I had teleportation magic demonstrated to me by a certain Ms. Iris... But she did not need any sort of extraneous object for it. It was quite near instantaneous...

Hrm. All of this implies more difference between magical physics in worlds than I thought. That could compound the difficulty of my eventual studies.

They actually made tubes to cover entire areas? So you have no cars? Ah, but what about planes? To get to other places, perhaps across oceans or something.

[ He'll be rubbing his chin thinking. ] Is that so? Hm teleportation without a circle, that's rather impressive. Certainly not something easily obtainable in my world. [ A small smile. ] I guess that just goes to show you how different worlds can be. [ He'll give Robert a curious glance. ]

Studies? Ah, so you're going to take up learning about it then?

[Robert looks a little surprised.] Well, there are some aircraft - most are powered by solar panelling or hydrogen fuel cells, though. But they generally are only needed in rare events because the planetwide Internet generally covers most of what would otherwise necessitate direct contact.

[He nods at the second part.] Since you and Doctor Mizuno both seem to think there are principles behind magic, and since I had that conversation with you about how spells function, I have been considering trying to do some sort of report on magic and its physics. If I had my nanocomputer it would be much easier... the journals are one thing, but they lack the robustness of a good nanocomputer's holoprojectors, and are completely without any tools for study.

[While they've been talking, the two have managed to make it up most of the stairs. Robert glances around himself.] Ah. We're nearly at the fifth floor...

Solar powered hm? [ He kinda sort got the rest of that...no, wait, he didn't nevermind. Just a look of confusion dots his face before it turns to one of subtle surprise. ]

Really? [ He sounds pleased at that thought. ] Reminds me of my time learning such things back when I was younger actually. [ Have a smile at that. ] Well, there are some books from my world here on such physics, if you'd like to look at them. Admittedly they're a bit...old in terms of diction but you're certainly welcome to use them.

[ Helios will blink noting that. ] Oh! We are, aren't we? I didn't even take notice.

[Robert can't help but be mildly amused by Helios' confusion.] Ah, I suppose one day I must explain to you the concepts behind such energy sources. On the off-chance we may remember, you would do well to take them to your world.

Yes. I have rationalized to myself that if magic does exist here, then it must surely have a logical process. Hence studying the process will do me some good towards understanding this place better. [Robert looks questioningly at Helios.] If you have studied this yourself, surely you would be aware of the logistics of teaching it.

At any rate, I am quite curious to see your apartment.

[ Don't laugh at his obvious technology fail! ] I've heard of it, power obtained from the sun, water, and wind. But for the life of me--I just cannot understand how they do it. They use solar panels correct? [ He's trying not to fail too hard but hopefully he was right on the mark with that one. ]

Certainly! You're absolutely right about that. I wouldn't mind helping you in said studies if you'd allow me to, of course. [ Helios will be going over to the door of the apartment and opening it; motioning for Robert to enter. ]

Pardon the, um, mess. [ Mess meaning papers strewn about the table an floor. A lot of them will have symbols and designs that probably make no sense, and have little meaning to Robert. ]

[Robert nods.] Yes, solar panelling is used to collect solar energy. Terran solar panels mimic the organic process of photosynthesis to maximize their efficiency at solar energy collecting, but otherwise they should not be too different from the solar panels you are knowledgeable of.

I would appreciate any and all help I could recieve on the matter, Helios. Especially from someone who himself works in an educational institution.

[Robert kind of stops in the doorway, noticing all the papers all over the place. He makes an expression that's somewhere between mildly amused, mildly concerned and mildly disturbed.] Ah, that's... quite a bit of, er... paper, there. [Definite note of disturbance on Robert's voice on that paper. But the symbols are extremely intricate and therefore immediately interesting. The scientist stoops down to check the nearest one out with a curious expression.]

Is this your work? It looks very nearly like some sort of diagram.

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