folklorist | ϡ - Chapter TwentyOne; Return [action/voice]

[ There’s the sound of shaky uneven breathing coming over the transmission and then a cough or two. It’s almost as if the person on the other side is a bit startled, a bit confused and a bit in pain. The sharp intake of breath and the murmured exclamation of surprise doesn’t really yield anymore good results for those listening in. ] I-I can’t…

[ Helios can’t see more specifically he can’t see out of his right eye and it’s very troublesome if not startling. As if he didn’t run into things frequently enough—now this was just added to it. Next will come a painful humorless laugh very odd and uncharacteristic from his lips. But how could a man who has perfect vision not laugh at now only having half his vision. The Malnosso have a sick sense of humor indeed. ] Oh how very ironic of them. [ A sigh. ]

I’m back. I’m terribly sorry…to have worried anyone. But I'm fine.

[ Such a lie. It’s said in a very tired voice not the usual flair or characteristic upbeat tone the man usually has. ] I-I’ll be back to the apartment shortly, in a moment, I just need to-- [ It was supposed to be a healing spell and yet it went so very wrong. There's a sharp yell of pain on his end before a breathless confused one worded exclamation. ] Wh-what!?

[ The transmission will be abruptly cut off and if you’re anywhere in the town square today you can see a blonde haired man slumped against a building his right hand over his right eye and half of his face covered in freshly drawn blood, no thanks to a healing spell backfiring on him of course, also his entire right side seems to be bloodied like the Malnosso only worked on that half of him. If he wasn’t in pain he’d be making it back to the apartment by now but as it stands the blood lose plus lacking sight isn’t helping any. The feed is turned on again after he’s gotten a fair handle on himself. He really just doesn’t want to alarm anyone right now that’s just how he is. ] I’m going to need some...some more t-time. Perhaps some...assistance as well. My apologies.

[Helios is not going to say what’s wrong but you’ll probably find out through his voice alone something unforeseen has occurred, because it’s riddled with confusion. How could this have happened; he was just trying to heal himself and now…this. They did something his spells that was the only clear definitive answer. Now he just needed to figure out how to fix it. Helios will be staggering to his feet and leaning against the side of the building as he makes his way back to C7. ]

(( ooc; No posting order and time and space are broken. Who needs chronological events anyway? So multiple people can help him. He totally needs it anyway. ))

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[ He waves the other off. ] Nothing of this sort usually. Bumps and bruises mostly but it comes with the territory of knowing and interacting with mythological creatures I suppose.

[ Helios goes silent taking sip of his tea while listening to Robert. ] I know. It's just...no magic. I never imagined having to go completely without it.

[As if Robert would know what that entails. Still, it makes his gaze flicker down into the green depths of the tea.] ... I see. Something of an occupational hazard then? [The tone isn't as mirthful as it should be for a half-hearted attempt at humour.]

... You depend on it that much, then? [Some surprise from Robert. ~~As if he doesn't depend on his technology just as much.~~] I rarely see you using it here... or perhaps I am simply not around you often enough.

[ Helios will chuckle a little. ] Something like that, yes.

[ A pout. ] Not depend it just...gives you a feeling of security I suppose. Especially in this place one needs all they can get sometimes. It's--it's been with me since I was born. It feels odd, really, to be able to use it on a whim. [ Another sigh as he leans back eyes closing. ]

I don't tend to use it in public because back home it wasn't widely advised.

[That pout is weirdly adorable on Helios.] Ah, I see... ... You had magic since you were born? So it is a genetic trait in your world, part of your physiology?

...

Why wouldn't all humans have it, then? It seems like it would be evolutionarily advantageous. [It really does. And it's also confusing that something so advantageous wouldn't be well-known.]

Does the scientific community in your world know about this? [Does his world even have one?]

[ Isn't it just? Helios does pout a lot so you know Robert will probably see it often. ] Yes we--I mean the Magic Council thinks it's genetic. Er, they're not entirely sure however. Ah! That is the trick question isn't it? Only certain bloodlines are apparently able to wield magic in its purest form.

[ Helios will laugh at that. ] Oh dear I don't think so. They might do experiments on us or even worse...magic in the wrong hands could lead to so much trouble. We keep it from most people because...it might cause an all out war.

[Robert blinks at this. That's odd.] Perhaps it is a recessive gene then, or a gene passed through only certain pathways. I assume your world's humans must not interbreed very much then, if it is so limited.

[And now he looks actually indignant. Not angry - indignant.] Experiments on you? I should hardly think that would be an issue - unless it was something barbaric like the Malnosso's "experiments".

But magic seems like something that can and should be dispensed to all. [Robert here does not get the concept of people fighting and killing over things.] At the least it could have the potential to revolutionize your world's understanding of physics... Imagine all the practical applications for such knowledge. Your world is missing a great opportunity. [Robert shakes his head.] Knowledge is something that should be shared and distributed freely.

You're right. Most magical families keep their ties with other families close. So it might just be because we've never truly...had relations with normal humans. I can't really however...it's not up to us to choose. [ A soulmate that is. Helios will look at Robert and frown slightly. ]

I'm afraid that might be the case. People in my world...they fear things they cannot comprehend that they do not understand. Revealing our magic might cause a massive worldwide panic. And something akin to the witch trials might reoccur. That's one of the reason most if not all of us went into hiding. We can't take that chance because they out number us two to one. [ he sighs a bit more tiredly than he would have liked to let on. Today has been a very long day. ]

I wish we could share our knowledge truly I do. It's--it's why I...opened my school in the first place. Before anything we need to learn to trust in one another.

[Robert frowns deeply, because this sounds like exactly the kind of self-censorship that other major stigmatized groups have done in the advent of aggression from outside sources.] I see... well, I would say the only way to counter this kind of stigma is to provide rational evidence to the populace. If the scientific community of your world is anything like the scientific community of a world ought to be, then evidence will be accepted readily if it is given in a way that is consistent with scientific principles. Though I would imagine that it would initially be received reluctantly, such data would be cause for quite a physics revolution.

But... your world is pre-Terran. I suppose it is understandable that they would fear the unknown. [This being said by the cultural xenophobe.]

... I must commend you on your effort to resist that, Helios. However strange your world is... prejudices are something that should be overcome. [So much hypocrisy.]

Accepted or feared. I'm not sure which would occur; there's a good chance both but fear would possibly be more readily. I-I'm sure the Magic Council wouldn't be willing regardless of the outlook--our people have been scarred you could say from the Witch trials back in the sixteen hundreds. Lots of families were wiped out because of it. There's only a handful of us left you see--so we tread carefully because we are outnumbered and, well, marred by past transgressions.

[ Helios will blink looking at the other with a small smile. ] Oh no it's nothing really. I'm sure anyone would look to such an alternative if given the chance. [ A sigh. ] I just want people to get along, you know? To see us for not what he can do but who are outside appearances are only so profound and easily disregarded. It's--well the inner workings of a person that makes them who they are, hm?

Like all other minorities, though, the magical humans of your world cannot win any rights, respect or freedoms if they continue to hide themselves. All oppressed minorities have had to negotiate and campaign for their rights before they were accepted... But I must admit, I do not know much about how. Equality is no longer negotiable on Terra.

Your words are quite truthful. People's bodies are only so indicative of whom or what they might be - it is their internal workings, their minds - and I suppose, in your world, their "souls" - that comprise what a person truly is... Sadly, some places have yet to reach this realization.

ϡ - Chapter TwentyOne; Return [action/voice]

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