1 cuff | video | joint post

[barbarus]

[ The video turns on to reveal a large man, who is providing it with a close-up shot of about half of his face, and one strong, muscular shoulder. Most of his skin is bare, aside from a white tunic-like garment pinned at that shoulder. It's evident that someone is in the room with him, since he's focused on them and not on what he's doing. ]

Is it working? I cannot tell if --

[ Another voice interrupts, directing his attention back to the camera, and then Damen adjusts it so that his whole face is on screen. He is dark-haired and dark-eyed, and his olive-toned skin is well bronzed by sunlight.

He could not look less comfortable with a camera in his hand. His smile is a somewhat awkward attempt at friendliness, but it's obvious this is new to him. ]

Hello. My name is Damen. [ His eyes flick away from the camera at that, looking again at his companion. 'Damen', and not 'Damianos'. A pet name given to a network of strangers. He sees no reason to hide their true names - but he’ll do it, even so.

While he is introducing himself, the person who had his attention earlier decides to make an appearance. Or better yet, he decides to slide into the space by ending half on Damen’s lap, one hand lazily lifting to sweep a little of his hair back from his forehead. Where the original man is large and olive skinned, Laurent looks fair and slight in comparison. He isn’t actually in miniature, a fact he will press upon people at some point, when perspective is brought up. And where there is bare skin on show behind him, his is all covered up by the kind of clothing that looks restricting even by modern standards. ]

And mine is Laurent. [ He somehow manages to look like he’s smiling without following through, which is a power he possessed before the Porter ever decided to bless him with new ones. ] As you might have guessed, we’ve only recently arrived to this wonderful place.

[ Damen has rearranged himself to give Laurent space, and slide an accommodating arm around his waist. At that comment, though, he rolls his eyes up at his lover. Be nice, Laurent.

Laurent catches that look out of the corner of his eye, mouth twitching slightly like that smile he’s been curbing is threatening to break free. ]

We would like any advice you can give about acclimatising while here. This world is unlike our own, your buildings, modes of transport, ways of communication - [ Lifting his brows upward as if to indicate the device . ] - they’re all unfamiliar. We would not like to remain ignorant.

[ Then Damen leans in, tagging onto the end: ]

And I have need of a place to train. I prefer the sword. If any of you would test your skill against mine, I’d welcome it.

[ The glance they share then seems to be one of mutual agreement. Laurent shifts slightly, reaches out to turn off the feed. His sleeve obscures the view, but to those with extremely good hearing they might catch the as if anyone could best you before Damen interrupts his own smile to reach forward.]

Wait - there was something else. [ There’s a brief scramble for something beside him, and then Damen lifts his file into view. With his eyebrows lifting and expression dubious, he reads from the page. ] Can someone tell me what-- ‘Sunday School’ is? I am supposed to teach it.

[ He glances up at Laurent, nodding. ] That’s it.

[ It’s settled then, Laurent angles the camera once, so that his sincere ( no, really! ) expression can be caught. ] We appreciate the aid.

[ ooc: Damen is red and Laurent is blue. ]

Comments

[sidequestings]

[ luckily (or unluckily) for laurent, mahanon happens to be pretty amiable and has some experience with people who're.. not. see: madame le fer and/or solas. ]

I have to admit, I was a little concerned I'd just have to go hungry here my first few days. I nearly managed to destroy the stove. The refrigerator is a marvel, though. I still have no idea how they keep everything cold like that without magic, or at least ice.

[ though he's slowly picking up how the technology works here.. piece by piece. you never know, after all-- maybe they can make use of it back in thedas. ]

Hopefully you have decent housemates. [ that can show them how to work the microwave and stove and oven. ]

[kryo]

We have not yet met. But it is common to have them, then?

[ Honestly, he's already half tempted to find a place of their own. He doesn't exactly want to share his space with anyone but the man beside him. Being forced into close quarters like this has him uncomfortable. ]

You mentioned magic. [ Like it was familiar. ] Is that something native to your land then? [ A day ago, he would have laughed at the idea of it. A day ago and he was in Akelios, a day ago he could not make ice with just a touch. ]

[sidequestings]

It is, yes. I don't spend a great deal of time in my own household-- [ the dalish and stifling little houses don't mix well, really. ] --but I have at least three others that I'm aware of. People come and go, though, so that may change from month to month.

[ at least two of his housemates are relatively new additions, and who knows if they'll have another this month, or next month.

he blinks mildly at the question, lips curving faintly. ] Yes. I'm a mage, myself. Though.. I suppose you could loosely consider most imPorts here mages of some sort. [ given the abilities the porter grants people coming in, after all. ] Magic is new for you?

[kryo]

And what if a person does not wish to share their home with strangers? Is it mandatory for us to remain?

[ He'd obviously take Damen with him. And not just because he enjoys having him work his way through his complicated clothing. He would not part from him now. ]

It is. We do not have it where we are from, and if it is mentioned it is myth, lore. Nothing that one could see just by heading to the streets. You must not have found these - [ A beat, a pursing of his lips. ] - powers they give difficult to get used to, if you were already in possession of something.

[sidequestings]

[ he makes a thoughtful noise, rubbing a knuckle over his mouth as he tries to recall whether he's heard of people moving so quickly. ] Mm, I know that you can move out if you like.. but I think that you have to have the means to do so. [ as in, having saved up the money to do so. he glances back up a moment later, though. ] You might be able to ask around. Sometimes the government separates people from the same world, so some people may be willing to simply switch places with you. [ which could mean an emptier house.

but the subject of magic only deepens the thoughtful expression. ] No, I haven't really noticed any difference in my magic. [ that's not.. entirely true. the anchor aches like anything some days, and it behaves in a strange manner now.. but that's not something he intends to dump on anyone, much less someone he's just met. ] Though in all fairness, magic isn't generally looked on favorably where I'm from unless it's rigidly controlled. [ unless you're dalish or part of the mage rebellion, but that's also more than he wants to just drop on a new acquaintance.

he hesitates, head tilting faintly. ] You've already discovered your abilities, I suppose?

[kryo]

[ The means.

That's going to take some adjusting. But, they have done more with less, he thinks. If anything they could presumably pitch a tent somewhere were they to really wish to be alone. ] I think there are a lot of things I will have to ask about. [ Housing, employment, the things that fly along the road at speeds faster than any horse could. ]

Perhaps it is because you already had something useful like that. [ Laurent hadn't. He could take on a man in a fight and wheedle his way out of any tricky spot, but powers. ] Mm. Shortly after we met. Though it took me a while to believe it.

[sidequestings]

[ his expression softens, a little rueful. ] It'll probably take a few weeks, at least, even if you ask every question you can possibly think to ask. [ just the massive amount of information one has to remember from day to day here-- ] You can always message or call if you think of something you want to know, though.. and if I don't know, I can certainly ask Bull.

[ you might not be personally ready for bull just yet, though, laurent. baby steps. ]

The folder's not particularly helpful, I hear. Depending on what you were given, though, there might be people here that can help you get it under control. I think there's even a school. [ though he's wary of anything like that, given the circles back home. ]

[kryo]

[ There's so much he doesn't know and it rankles at him. He is unused to just letting things happen and being here he knows there will be a wealth of that. Mahanon is right, he may never have all the answers. He'll keep being one step behind. ]

I think I will keep that in mind. [ Then -. ] Though I will make sure not to overwhelm you.

A school? Not a Sunday one, I hope.

[sidequestings]

[ the promise earns another laugh, sounding a little tired. ] Honestly, you needn't be concerned with that. After what I've come from at home, this place is relaxing by comparison.. even considering everything I've had to learn. [ his expression softens again, a shoulder lifting in a small shrug. ] I'm glad to help if I can.

[ but as for the school.. that earns a slightly puzzled pause. ] I'm not entirely certain what a Sunday school is, but I don't think that school is considered one. They have classes all week, I think. I'm afraid I don't know much about it.. I suppose I'm naturally wary of any formal institution that attempts to tell me how to use my own abilities.

[kryo]

[ It would seem they are not the only ones who have come from a troubling time. Naturally his curiosity wars with his need to be unassuming and easy, and so for now he swallows it down. He'll learn more later, as long as he is able to stop himself from pushing too hard. ]

I might look into a tutor for it. [ Not a school though, he has always been privately educated and learning in so public a forum takes away his advantage. ] Though it has not troubled me too much yet. I am probably one of the lucky ones.

[ Just wait until they figure out Damen's power, then they're fucked. ]

[sidequestings]

[ keep damen off battlefields for a while, laurent.....

he looks curious, though, head tilting faintly in interest. ] May I ask what you were given? I mean, if you're not uncomfortable with the subject.

[kryo]

[ He'll do his best, but it's like he gravitates towards them. ]

Ice. [ There's the smallest hint of bitterness in his expression, a twist to his easy countenance that suggests something underlies his reaction to it. It's easily controlled, just a moment in time that is gone quick enough. ] Moreso, the creation of it.

[ He has ice in his veins, it's charming, he's charmed. ]

[sidequestings]

[ he perks up a little at the explanation, but hesitates at first. that odd hint in laurent's expression, gone so quickly that he's not certain he hadn't imagined it--

he shifts, then reaches out, touching the table the device is propped on with a fingertip. from there, hoarfrost spirals out in lacy patterns across the surface. ]

It doesn't come as easily to me as some of my other magic, but I sometimes use it defensively in a fight. [ so he's around to talk about elemental magic sometime, too. ]

[kryo]

[ It is far more elegant than Laurent managed when he tried it, but he's a little relieved that there is someone he can turn to for it. While he is not used to ... relying on people, he is far more unused to having unnatural power and so certain things can be set aside for now. ]

I can see how it could have his uses.

[ He froze a glass, then a tabletop. But if he could wield it into something useful he might stop wanting to set fire to the Porter. ]

Perhaps when we are settled, you and I could meet?

[ It takes a lot to ask, but what choice does he have? ]

[sidequestings]

[ his expression warms again, and he passes a hand over the hoarfrost, making it melt and then turn to little puffs of steam. ]

I'd be glad to. I could always use more practice and refinement, myself. .. Particularly since I don't often have cause to use my magic here.

[ not a lot of demons or venatori to fight here. ]

[kryo]

Not even in this war we are to be a part of?

[ He's already had this conversation with a handful of people, but he's interested to hear Mahanon's point of view on the matter. ]

[sidequestings]

[ he snorts quietly, shaking his head. ]

Though I've heard some pretty awful things, thus far this is the least warlike war I've ever seen.

[ not that mahanon is a grizzled old veteran just yet, but he's definitely seen some fighting-- particularly since becoming inquisitor. ]

Anyway, I've seen more harm come from this nation's own government and a few imPorts inclined toward causing trouble than I have from any supposed Russians.

[kryo]

There is a distinct lack of preparations, I had noticed.

[ Where are the camps and the messengers and the training grounds? Shoddy work. ]

So you do not believe these Russians are the root of all evil? [ He sounds like he's amused, like this is an enjoyable joke. But really, if America is to be anything like his uncle, using another kingdom as a scapegoat for power, then he would like to know it. ]

[sidequestings]

Apparently this is the way war is done here.

[ the question earns a twist of his mouth, a little wry, a little tired. ]

I'm sorry to say that I've seen what evil looks like, and this is just.. typical of two quarreling nations, I think. I don't understand the conflict enough yet to have a more educated opinion.

[kryo]

[ True evil.

Laurent's eyebrows tick upwards slightly, adding it to a curious little list of things he'd like to know about Mahanon. ]

Someone is always to blame. Wars only start because a kingdom wishes for more power. I would not like to be forced to fight for the wrong side.

[sidequestings]

The good thing, as far as I can tell, is that there's no overt pressure to fight for anyone at all. [ he makes himself more comfortable in his chair, leaning his elbow on the arm of it and frowning thoughtfully. ] That doesn't mean, of course, that there aren't a hundred little things going on beneath the surface, though, and those who're registered do get certain privileges. Make us want to fight the Russians.. [ he trails off, then shrugs lightly. he doesn't think he really has to continue the thought-- a willing force is always superior to a conscripted one, after all. ]

[kryo]

[ Fear or favour. He's known kings who use one, the other, or both. That kind of ruling does nothing in the long-term. It does not make people loyal. It does not inspire trust. He can see why getting the imPorts unified would be a struggle. He certainly has no stake in this place's war and were he able to return home tomorrow he would do so.

But from what he has heard through the other imPorts, that's unlikely. ] Privileges?