deernet | video; un: polaris

[ asriel has been described as an imposing figure, and the harsh lighting in this place does nothing to dispel that. it's a spacious room, and what light there is seems swallowed by the darkness of the shadows. the lamp on the desk beside him provides most of what there is, and it also illuminates the mess of books and papers he did not bother to tidy before making this.

his snow leopard daemon sits calm and still at his side, all except for her tail sweeping back and forth. there are the sounds of ravens chattering nearby unseen, but as the cat seems more attentive to asriel, they don't seem to be the cause of her anticipation. ]

I am Lord Asriel Belacqua. Few of you will know me, as I only recently found myself in this world, which is why I am here now.

For various reasons, I am interested in the pthumerians, but my research will take time and is more limited in some areas than I would like. I would rather hear it from the rest of you since the people alive here right now are more relevant than the opinions of authors who may no longer be with us. Do you consider them friends or foes? What role does their presence play in your lives? Do you approve of their influence on you? Consider me taking a neutral stance, so all sides have value; if it is worth mentioning, I would hear of it.

[ it's intended to be some encouragement to those who might wonder if their information isn't important enough (because it is), but asriel being asriel means it comes out sounding more like a command. ]

You needn't answer all the questions either, just whatever you like.

[ yes, the snow leopard talks too, but stelmaria's manner manages to be gentler, at least. ]

Given the implications of the illness problem, now seems an appropriate time for an exchange of information, don't you think?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The personalities are the concerning part, but as long as none of them suddenly decide their place is ruling over the rest of us, we can coexist.

[ because he won't pretend he wouldn't fight if it came to that. it's not a stance he's willing to abandon. ]

Molecular biology is not a branch of natural philosophy that I'm familiar with, but the discipline may be known by another name in my world.

[ asriel has never heard of this, but he wants to know more. this entire exercise was, in part, intended to draw out the scientists and the scholars, and it's worked out well so far. ]

What does your work entail?

I suspect most are far above seeing themselves as ruling over us. Some don't seem to take much notice of us, and the ones who do generally seem to see us as part of the ecosystem and useful if not worthy of their protection. I have a sense most of them seem to have too high a sense of responsibility to rest on their metaphoric laurels.

"Natural Philosophy". I could be wrong, but that's an old term in my world of origin for what we call 'science'. Molecular biology, to put it simply, involves studying life on the most minute level, examining the components of cells and understanding how they function on a chemical level.

These days I'm working on a more median level: I split my time between treating patients at the Lumenarium and in a small clinic out of my own home, and in research at Soma.

But here I am rabbiting away and I've not introduced myself. My name is Dr. Adrian Winters.

No, I think you have it exactly right. In my world, all functions of society have been closely controlled by the Magisterium for a very long time, so our language has stagnated along with everything else compared to worlds that developed more freely. I work in experimental theology, but perhaps you would know it as particle physics.

[ he's picked up some things preparing and recruiting for his war. ]

I wonder if you've observed anything of note about whatever's afflicted the Pthumerians? I am trying to understand what they're made of and how they operate, so perhaps our interests align.

Hmm, the poet in me prefer some of the older terminology. For that matter, there's times when I wonder if it's better that humanity progressed more slowly with some of the sciences. Humanity in my world learned how to split the atom, but proceeded to use it as a terrifying means of warfare. [A small, dry cough of a laugh in his throat.] I suppose, though, some people might consider the same for some of my work, since I was seeking to strengthen and improve the human person.

Admittedly, regarding the recent developments, I've been some what distracted by the amount of Lockjoint cases - including my own bout of it. But I've heard interesting reports coming from the Sleepers who have ventured into the distant city.

I will say one thing, the Pthumerians are made of sterner stuff than anything I've seen in the make of Earth beings, even the enhanced ones I'd been instrumental in developing.

I'm not surprised that your world weaponised what we use for atomcraft, given the immense release of energy. Nuclear fission inspired the original theorems that I eventually used to open doorways to other worlds. Others arrived at the same ideas and used them to conduct very unpleasant experiments, but from their perspective, I was the danger. Progress always comes with a risk, so you mustn't lose sight of what it's all for.

[ vague and ominous? mostly he's done plenty to yield results, so he gets it. ]

We Sleepers possess something of that "stuff" that gives the Pthumerians their edge, so gaining a thorough understanding will surely be a boon to us all. What have you heard about the new city?

video; un: polaris

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[CW: Nuclear warfare referenced]

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