deernet | [Transmission 02] [Text] [UN: A_Wesker013] "This isn't exactly our normal operation."

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[Transmission 02] [Text] [UN: A_Wesker013] "This isn't exactly our normal operation."

My name is Dr. Adrian Winters, though some of you reading this may know me by another name.

I'm accustomed to seeking answers less directly. I'm accustomed to following the scientific route and seeking them in the field. But this is a case where the field is so outside my range of experience, I am at a loss as to where to start. I have a position as a journeyman Blood Minister at the Lumenarium, however I have a sense that my rational mind and approach are a handicap in this place.

How does one approach the magical when you hail from a world where magic does not appear to exist (but where things exist which appear wondrous or supernatural, until one finds the natural if strange cause that existed all along)? For those of you with similar origins, how have you managed to adapt? I regret to admit, I have the sense of the proverbial square peg in the round hole, which is far from a comfortable place to be.

And a far more concrete request. Does anyone have any spoiled food lurking in the depths of their ice box? I am willing to get it off your hands.

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I went from a place that operated on tech to a place with magic and demons. My main weapon didn't work anymore and I had to adjust to living in a fucking Japanese folktale horror story.

Can't say it was easy. It's not easy even here. But the people around me really helped, ya know? With a bunch of demon-possessed tools in the same boat as me it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Sappy as fuck but there's my advice. Crew up, boss. Experiences and lessons from other people could help ya here.

Mmmm, Ah, "Doctor Winters." Good to hear from you again.

[She recognized the id, and part of her vaguely recalled the alternate name, or was she mistake? It didn't matter. The question was of interest.]

My recommendation would be a methodical, calculated approach. find a way to measure the energies involved. Some form of actually regimented value that you can measure. Once you have units of measure, you can start calculating the way in which they interact much more easily yes?

Even an alchemist has to figure out how many eyes of new that they need, after all. [She laughed softly.]

Why spoiled food?

I speak as somebody who has mastered the highest forms of magic in my land. Having spoken to scientists previously... I cannot say I find our practices to be so very dissimilar.

To perfect new spells, I develop modifications of incantations and spell glyphs based off what I know will succeed. Light magic uses a certain script; changes to the language result in changes to the way the spell manifests. To accomplish chemistry, one requires experimentation and observation. To accomplish magic is exactly the same.

In the end, everything works through a set of rules, even if one doesn't fully understand those rules.

To give a short answer: It's a personal matter.

A longer answer: It involves an effect of the moon. Thank your stars that you're unaffected.

Ah
I'd say I understand, but frankly I'm still trying to wrap my head around being here in the first place.

In terms of rationalizing the supernatural, I'd say there are two possible paths here. You can either look at it the way a caveman would look at an iPhone and call it the next stage in evolutionary science we just don't understand yet, or you could embrace insanity. I'm leaning toward the latter. Haven't decided yet.

And I thought that I was experiencing ontological whiplash. You have what empathy I possess. I take it that you have done some travelling, in a manner of speaking?

Which will also take some adapting toward. I'm accustomed to playing the Lone Genius, but I have a sense this place loves loners rather too much.

A new life in a new world and a new take on my usual discipline seemed to call for a new name, though the surname may be an old one reborn.

In another words, it helps to translate everything into one's familiar language? It almost fits weirdly, since I'd dealt with, shall we call them, forces that can't be detected by conventional means. I remember once reading an article where a medical missionary explained germ theory to a local witch doctor. She wondered why he poured antiseptic rinse over his hands while treating a wood cutter's compound fracture, which he explained to her as "a charm to keep the evil spirits off his hands".

What bothers me the most are the rituals. It seems like mere fiddling about, when part of me prefers to get to the heart of the matter.

[She made a mental note of the name change. She wasn't about to question it. It certainly fit the idea of an entirely new take on life, after all. Starting over.]

It can prove to be an over-simplification of the issues at stake, which is a danger, but so long as people are willing to learn the reality behind the dissembling it can work. The illustration is very much a similar translation I suppose, though defining the actual measurement can be valuable. "Mana" is a common unit of measurement of mystical energy, for example.

Ritual methodolgy usually helps when one is 'working' with their will. If they are using that strength of will to enact the ritual's intent, the belief in the efficacy of the ritual helps to make it grounded in reality. I actually think they're the opposite of helpful for you, because you have no belief in those rituals.

Perhaps craft your own rituals to suit your methodology?

[Very Mage the Ascension of her.]

Yeah, I've been around the block.

I think so too. It's nothing I did well with back home or in Hakagemachi. Can't say lonely sits well on me.

I dwelled for a time in this world's predecessor. I know how it goes: besides settling into a new world, one has to calculate how to fit oneself to its ecology, broadly defined.

I would go with evolutionary science. I worked in virology before I was summoned here - for lack of a better term for it - thus I have an understanding of things evolving and adapting to changing circumstances.

It helps to consider that our hosts may be alien entities rather than gods, though I suspect some dwellers here may take issue with that.

Did you manage to fit yourself into its ecology in the time you were there?

I work in psychology. I guess you could say I have an understanding of things evolving and adapting to changing circumstances too, in a way. It's just a little less applicable to the whole blood thing.

I've sought to find the similarities, but without much luck, though I may be coming at it from too direct of an angle.

So one must take it on faith? I regret that I've not been much for that, but perhaps there's a chance that can change.

Light magic might be faith.

The rest is based on a series of calculations and an understanding of the essences comprising the natural world. For instance, fire magic is derived by drawing in the heat from external sources and concentrating it on a specific point.

I suppose you would call it... Reason.

I'm still new to inter-dimensional travelling, outside of this world and its predecessor. May this be our respective terminus.

I suppose it would do well for us both, if we found a mentor in this matter. It would broaden ones social circle as well as ones skills.

I'd have to settle on a system to adapt, though I've yet to find one to my liking. The fault might be on me for being too particular. Some of the modern systems I'd looked at among the would-be dabblers in my world of orgin were... irritatingly consumerist, requiring absurd amounts of bric-a-brac and preparation. I'd prefer some system that can be invoked on the fly with whatever one has at hand, rather than, say, a hand forged silver athame and hand dipped candles of the purest beeswax. I may appreciate creature comforts, but I'm a pragmatist who's learned that improvisation can spell the difference between success and failure. A mentor of mine even called me 'Practical Al' when he didn't think I could hear him.

It wasn't an easy fit, but it was a fit. As far as I could see, I would dwell there for only a short time. I wasn't wrong, but I feel I could have done more to fit in

There's some theories in Japan that different personality types are linked to different blood types, though it's about as applicable as a horoscope. This world might be the rare case where something like that applies, where a blood type matches with a person's skills.

For transparency's sake, before my arrival in this world's predecessor, I worked in genetics and virology for two different pharmaceutical companies. You can probably deduce why I have a mental block with some of the aspects of this place.

Yeah, I can hope. I'm two out from home, though, haha.

You got a point. Kinda hard to put yourself out there, or whatever.

That is the thing with ritual, for those who use it. It relies on belief, which is tied to memory, reflection and assumption. Smells of the 'finest sandalwood' and incense imported are as much powerful because they are the thing that works for that person. It is similar to why some of my people rely on guns for their work, while others use staff or sword. Even parts preference and training, but each weapon capable in the right hands.

But that is 'will working' on its face. A great deal of magic is much more easily defined in clinical terms, particularly Alchemy. It is about quantifying the elements and energy sources involved, making sure the equipment is capable of housing them. I do believe there is a path forward for you, however, in determining the middle ground in this.

It will just take time.

So it's a matter of convincing the essence of the elements to pay attention to your will, then focus that energy where its needed? Or have I oversimplified the matter?

Though reason lines up well with my own philiophy and training.

May this world be the last place we both are reborn into, on that note.

It's a challenge to have a social life when you're balancing studies for a new slant on an old career with settling in and watching your back against the things that make more than mere bumps in the night. Not that I was exactly a social butterfly in any other life I've had even before this place.

Word up.

Yeah, you said it. So much to get used to and settle into. Ugh.

More or less.

I was making a silly joke, by the way. Faith and Reason are what we call the two branches of magic in my world. Light magic is Faith, while everything else falls under the category of Reason.

Think of the spells as commands. We can give commands to each other in human language and - if everybody is amenable - expect a result. Spells are the language that the natural world can understand; the actual magical outcome depends on your level of proficiency speaking the language and making the command. Some people also just speak faster - or more coherently - or are more pleasant to listen to, so they have a natural aptitude.

I have to ask, if you'd be willing to teach an older but still quick to learn dog some tricks, or have you enough on your hands?

I see. Dare I ask, if by Light magic, you mean the usual definition, that is benevolent.

I'm not sure if that's possible for me, as I am more or less become a creature of the darkness. However, perhaps finding a twilit path is a possible third option.

I suppose I'll need to learn if I'm a native speaker of spells, as it were, and if not, there's likely one way to learn that language. I've been possessed of a glib tongue, but I take it there's more to spells than that.

I got shit at Lull to hold down but I can make time for you no problem.

Light magic encompasses anything from healing to utility to magic specifically designed to destroy monsters. The theme can be 'benevolence,' I suppose. It's also called white magic. There exists dark magic as well, of course. It is rare where I come from.

It was a metaphor. Like anything else, some people are naturally talented, and some need to work to achieve even an adequate understanding. But everybody can learn some magic in my world if they spend enough time practicing.

I don't believe it has much of a connection with your natural charisma. More, perhaps... scholarship and logic.

I wouldn't want to impose on you. With my obligations at the Lumenarium, I know the feeling of trying to fit everything in. However, perhaps a trade is in order? My healing for your training?

Yeah, man. Sounds good.

Then let us consider this a gentlemen's agreement. One's skill for the other.

Was that a jab at my preferred method of defense?

[He says this with a slight lilt of irritated amusement.]

[More serious, he continues. There may be some scratching noises off-link as he takes some notes.]

I suppose it's my own eagerness to learn and to apply that knowledge which is part of what trips me up. That and some element of skepticism.

Heh, only in the lightest of senses my friend. [She kept up her mild amusement as they spoke.]

An eager and curious mind, when combined with healthy skepticism, is both very valuable in justifying the constant search for wisdom and further understanding, but at the same time frustrating because there are always variables, things that we can't be entirely sure about.

We have to start ferreting those variables out do we not?

It seems I have the mental and intellectual capacity. Time will tell if I have the capability of manifesting this aspect of Blood Ministry.

[Of course, his Omen takes the opportunity to peek into frame. 'Someone mention ferrets? I might close enuff.']

Cypher, leave the jokes to me. [He's having a hard time being annoyed with his Omen.]

[She blinked and then laughed, putting her hand to her lips.]

Oh, your friend is a bit of a ham, is he not? Sharona's still as quiet as ever. She never was one for the forefront.

You will keep me updated about how your progress goes, I imagine. Let us hope that you are successful, despite all of the variables we're dealing with. We just need to isolate the variables as soon as we find them.

If he wasn't so useful, I'd order him to stay inside my head permanently. But it's endearing to awaken with him curled on the corner of my pillow. Though... it gets irritating when I'm thinking out loud and he tries to turn it into a conversation.

["Oy! I'm 'ere to help yer. I only offer my input when yer seem stuck." Cypher snips.]

I'll keep you abreast of my progress. Those variables will likely prove elusive, but I am nothing if not persistent. Though I also have a second set of eyes, if those can keep focused. [He peers at his Omen.]

Till another time. [He reaches in to cut the feed. Cypher tries to nose in and switch it back on, but the boss is quicker.]

Edited 2021-11-14 18:50 (UTC)

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[Transmission 02] [Text] [UN: A_Wesker013] "This isn't exactly our normal operation."

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[Audio] [CW: Pathogens, medical situations discussed]

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