voice;

[stubble]

[ Learning to use the communication device is a process, one that Cullen has yet to fully master. There’s nothing like this in Thedas, and despite countless hours spent messing around with it now that he knows it isn’t possessed by demons, he still isn’t confident in his ability to use it. Knowing that he’ll never be unless he practices, and having used it twice with some success already, he decides to give a try.

And prays to the Maker that he isn’t making a colossal fool of himself.

It’s audio only, not out of shyness, but simply because that’s the setting he manages to find first. His voice is smooth and clear, carrying a faint accent that in this world might be reminiscent of a British one. ]

Forgive me if I fail to follow proper protocol for using this device. There is nothing like it in my world and I fear this is my first attempt at holding a public conversation on it.

[ At least, he thinks that’s what he’s doing. The details are a bit sketchy in his mind. Everything since his arrival has been a lot to take in. ]

I was wondering if there are others here who come from a place not quite as… [ He pauses here, uncertain how to continue. After a brief moment, he sighs. ] I’m uncertain of the term. Advanced, perhaps? There are so many things here that do not exist where I come from. I know neither their names nor their uses. And I wondered if there were others having a similar experience. If so, I would ask how you’re adjusting.

[ Another pause, slightly longer than the first. ]

And if you might have any advice for me in doing the same.

Comments

[curled]

[ Well, he's going to be helpful in his Dorian kind of way. ]

They've a machine that makes toast. [ . . . ] Were I you, I would not use the higher settings.

[stubble]

[ What. ]

It makes toast? Is it magic? What happens on the higher settings?

[ If there's a demon involved, he's going to feel vindicated for his paranoia. ]

video

[glitchinthesystem]

[ Hmm...well, he can kind of relate to what this guy is asking. About a year ago all of this stuff was just make believe from history. It took him a considerable amount of time to figure out how an oven worked or that cars existed.

So, might as well say something. ]

The protocol is don't use it to broadcast executions and torture. Otherwise, you're good to do whatever.

[ but he'll raise his hand somewhat at being from said world of lacking this privilege. ]

Annnnnnnd sort of. I kind of was told where I'm from we lost all this shit. [ except not but he's not saying that out loud. ]

permavoice;

[stubble]

I see.

[ That's easy enough protocol to follow, considering who Cullen is. ]

Have you found adjusting to that with which you're unfamiliar to be difficult?

[illuminescent]

Sir, you must only practice, I should think!

[stubble]

Are not these devices fragile?

[ Or possibly flammable? They remind him a little of dwarven artifacts and sometimes those explode. ]

I fear too much practice may have unforeseen consequences.

voice;

[marriedmedium]

Oh, I am! My mobile phone doesn't have nearly as many features as the free one they've given us here. It's really quite advance in comparison.

[stubble]

A mobile phone?

[ Only two of those words make any kind of sense at all. ]

What pray is that?

Voice

[kanadian]

Well, I kind of have a bit of the opposite experience, which ended up being pretty similar. [ World too advanced to get this kind of tech, but you know. ]

Have you signed up for any classes? Er -- I think it's best if you work hard with getting to used this kind of stuff, so it starts to make a little bit of sense.

And if you need help, you can always ask. I think most people are used to dealing with people who don't know a computer system from a smartphone, these days.

[stubble]

I was unaware that teachers were offered for the machines, though I was told I could request aid with these powers I supposedly have.

[ There's some uncertainty in his voice at that. One of those powers has already manifested itself and he can't outright deny it, but the other has yet to appear. Both seem born of magic, and that makes him uncomfortable. ]

Did it take you long to adjust to this world's advancements?

video;

[rideme]

Push buttons, talk a lot. Try not to post any accidental pictures of your ass.

[BOY I BET YOU MISSED THIS BIG MORON. And that shit-eating grin of his.]

Hey, Cullen. How's it going?

[stubble]

[ Well, here at least is someone recognizable in a world that's anything but. ]

Iron Bull. I was told you were here.

[ There will be no accidental ass shots! He doesn't even know about photographs. One thing at a time! ]

You've taken to these devices, then? Grown accustomed to this world?

video;

[rassera]

Kiiiiiinda.

[While Kaneda came from a rather futuristic place, it did seem like it was still stuck in the 80's for some things. Like cell phones and-]


They have plastic cards that hold money somehow. That was pretty weird to find out.


[--that.]

[stubble]

[ He's set to ask how a card is used as currency. They have cards in Thedas: rectangles and squares of stiff paper used for such things as carrying notes, invitations, and occasionally marking places on tables. None of these things seem to carry special value.

But then he encounters another difficulty. ]

What is plastic?

text; anonymous

[nastygram]

[Not that he'll get anon probably but it's a matter of principle.]

newb

[stubble]

[ He tries, he really does, but that doesn't look like any word he knows. Which means it's likely another language and not any from his world. ]

Forgive me, but I'm afraid I cannot understand what you've written.

[ Written? Does it count as writing when it isn't parchment and ink? ]

voice

[knightunerring]

I'd strongly recommend against putting metal in the microwave. It tends to start fires.

[Just going to establish the most important things first, it's been a rough few weeks.]

There's quite a few of us from worlds that don't have technology like this one. I spent most of my first month here at the library.

[stubble]

The microwave is...

[ He really tries to figure it out, but there are so many weird things in this house and none of them are familiar. ]

I'm uncertain which is the microwave. Can you enlighten me?

[tactical_lalafel]

I've rather more experience than most in Eorzea with advanced technology, for various reasons. In most ways, it's been a great benefit here, though riding elevators still makes me nervous.

[It's not the heights - he's spent enough time in the Sea of Clouds or the Churning Mists for that not to bother him. It's the Allagan death robots that have him twitchy.]

The best advice I can give? Find a local child, tell them you're from very far away, and ask them to explain how some things work to you. Make sure they explain how to use search engines. After that, the world is your oyster.

[stubble]

Elevators. That is not an unfamiliar term to me. They aren't an elaborate affair in my world, but the dwarves have constructed simple platforms operated by pulleys and I believe there might be gears involved that allow them to enter and exit mineshafts more easily. Is that what you mean?

And if I may ask, why children specifically?

[ Is it like Kirkwall? Does he have to go back to operating by Kirkwall rules? ]

voice;

[fistofthejoestar]

[this voice is a proper British one, crisp and courteous. the vague familiarity may offer some comfort, but if not the empathy in Jonathan's words certainly will.]

Everything is tremendously easier to muddle through if you come to terms with the fact that you'll never quite grasp everything. I've been here over a year and there are still aspects of this world that catch me completely off guard.

[and he still kind of struggles to text quickly with his gigantic bara hands, but that's a personal problem.]

[stubble]

[ Ah, thank the Maker. Someone else who understands. ]

I'll confess that that eases my mind somewhat. Many of those I've spoken with since my arrival have seemed extraordinarily comfortable with the machines of this world. I've felt at a considerable loss. Is your home different from this place?

[ Cullen can sympathize with the hand problem. And his have many calluses from wielding a sword. Typing is a trial. ]

[beneathbluerafters]

Get someone to explain the kitchen appliances to you, and make great use of the microwave. It warms frozen food, it's a wonder.

[stubble]

[ What is a microwave? That's what he ought to ask first. But there's this other matter that seems more important. ]

Why would it be frozen? Are there no markets of fresh food here?

voice

[rathercommon]

I'm from a place where the technology is...a little bit behind this world's - not by much, about thirty years or so, I think - but entirely different. Powered completely by magic, instead of electricity and all that. Even that was an adjustment. Though a good one. The internet is brilliant.

Anyway, you're doing very well with using this device.

[stubble]

I thank you for your kindness. Though I'm afraid I must confess that I've no idea what an internet is.

[ He could act like he does, but that will only lead to embarrassment down the line. ]

Ah, but—you said your world was powered by magic? Magic has a great presence in my own.

[Voice]

[monge]

[Well gosh, it feels like Komasan's experience with "Learning how to City" is finally becoming useful. If anyone knows how to explain the marvels of modern day science, it's him.]

Whatever you do, don't look at the moving stairs, z-zura! You'll get dizzy... Ungh... I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it, zura...

[stubble]

Moving stairs?

[ This sounds like magic. Of course, everyone in the world keeps insisting it isn't magic but Cullen's credulity can only be stretched so far. ]

Where are they? Are they magical?

voice; apologies for lateness, just getting back from hiatus

[whathawksdo]

[ That voice? That name on the network? The porter has got to be joking.

Really? Really? ]

Oh, sure. There may even be dozens of us. [ Dozens, Cullen! Although she'll see if he even recognizes her voice in turn, being well aware of that other Hawke existing out there, somewhere. Failing that, she does have that particular Ferelden accent going on. ] First word of warning? Don't stick anything metal in the holes in the walls. Trust me on that one.

no worries!

[stubble]

[ While he recognizes the accent—or thinks that he does anyway, who knows with this place—the voice itself isn't one that he knows. He has heard that there is a woman named Hawke here, but he does not make the connection. ]

If there are a number of people facing the same problem, perhaps we may help each other overcome it.

[ He's trying so hard to look on the bright side. ]

What happens when metal is inserted into the holes in the wall?