Test Drive #3

[felldenmods]

Welcome to the November test drive! We're so excited to have you with us.

A few things of note:

✦ Test drive threads can be considered game-canon if you choose. They're essentially in a shared dreamscape and take place between your character leaving their world and arriving in the audience hall with their faction leader.
✦ Reserves will open at 12:01 AM UTC on December 1st, and continue to be until 11:59 PM UTC on December 7th. This is to reserve a character, not an application slot.
✦ Applications will open at 12:01 AM UTC on the 8th, and remain open until 11:59 PM UTC on the 15th, or until all application slots have been filled. Once Activity Check ends, we will have an application slot number available on the application page. The IC & OOC intro logs will be posted two days later.
✦ Questions? We have a FAQ that's chock full of good information! If they are test drive specific, we have a top level thread below that allows for OOC questions to be posted.
✦ The network is available to use! No matter where your character is, their compass arrived on their person. Please feel free to include a network post in your top-levels! Once opened, the compass will display instructions on use, such as using voice-commands to activate it. Usernames are your characters first name or their most common nickname.
✦ Below will be a header for OOC questions as well as a request for Fortuna if you risk having your fortune read in Kyst.
✦ Current players who participate in the test drive by tagging new players will be eligible for a secondary blessing in December.

All set? Perfect! Welcome to Fellden.

AS THE MOON RISES.♪ You’ll find yourself just outside the Temple doors, which will be locked if you try to open them. A little rude, keeping you out after bringing you all this way. The thing is, you can hear a lot of commotion in the distance, and smoke rising from the center of a district; you may want to check that out. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire! Except the smoke is not at all something to be concerned over. Instead, people are gathered near a large bonfire in the decorated city square, drinking and carousing, singing songs of celebration; Moon saviors have arrived! War winners! The residents of the city laugh and sing and dance in pairs throughout the square that's dusted with snow, grateful for those who have come to aid them. Their merriment doesn’t dwindle as the sun begins to set on the horizon, twin moons rising in its place. When you (and other new arrivals) are finally noticed by the revelers, do not expect to be left alone! Crowns and laurels of fir and juniper will be deposited upon your heads, seasonal fare of food and drink placed into your hands, while live musicians play loud enough for the dead to hear. You’ll be invited to dance, to drinking games, and offered food and flowers and other items of value. Some may cry when they look into your face, thanking you for becoming their champions during this long and exhaustive war. Hopefully you’re here to enjoy the festivities. Sneaking off is just fine, too, but don’t expect to be let go of quietly; the people of the Moon Temple are so happy to see you! Enjoy the celebration while it lasts long into the night. If you do manage to leave, a helpful citizen of the Temple will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

THE SETTING STARS.♪ You'll find upon your arrival that the castle is not accepting visitors as they decorate the interior in preparation of the festive season that quickly approaches. Guards at the door will instead direct you to the center of the city where further preparations are being made. Venturing there, you'll be greeted either by those who are decorating for the evening's party that will enlist you to help, or perhaps you're a late arrival and the celebration has already begun! Festivities are in full swing in the Court of Stars. Starfolk have begun their celebrations of the new arrivals and the ushering in the season of the Winter Festival. Once hesitant, guarded, the Stars citizens now welcome new arrivals with open arms, celebrating their appearance with a deep gratitude. Large circles of dancers will pull you into the fray or pull you to dance one-on-one. Others will place bundles of cedar and juniper in your arms for decorating or perhaps learning to weave your own wreath to wear: some will even take pity, create it for you, and set the laurel upon the top of your head. You'll be invited to dance, drink, eat, and participate in the festivities through a snow dusted square. Even the soldiers will join, knocking shoulders and welcoming you to the Court of Stars. Whether you choose to remain for the festivities or wander off, one thing is certain: you are more than welcome in your new home. If you do manage to leave, a helpful citizen of the Court will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

MARKETS OF THE COAST.♪ The coastal city of Kyst is abuzz for the holidays, some calm finally beginning to settle in after the rocky past few months. Newcomers will be welcomed with smiling faces from merchants as they look to try to sell their pricy but beautiful wares. Tavern owners and barkeeps will beckon with the promise of warm food and delightful drinks, a place by the fire, and stories of holidays of old. The air is rife with music and the smell of delicious baked goods. Perhaps you'll hear or smell something you recognize from your home; as Fellden is the beginning of all worlds, it wouldn't be an impossible likelihood! Those looking to help out might be coaxed to assist in decorating homes with laurels, garlands, berries, and other bright green, red, silver, and gold colors. Those who seem very eager to help might be recruited by shopkeepers to stand outside and try to get customers in to see their wares, to have a drink, or to rent a room. Anyone willing to do so even for a day will receive free food and drink for the duration of their assistance. And for the auspicious, some may notice a person who has set up a mild little stall in the back of town, sipping eggnog as she offers fortunes. "Fortunes for the new year, my friend," she tells any who approach her. She offers only a small smile. "A laurel for a card. Only one."

BEYOND THE CITIES.♪ In the distance from Kyst, a large forest looms, the Gods Wood imposing even from this distance. Should you travel there, everyone you encounter will urge you to be respectful while within the forest. There, people can be found visiting intricately decorated shrines, prepared for the upcoming holiday, while people leave seasonal offerings in the bowls and plates within the shrines. You're free to leave the crown you were given at your faction celebration, or perhaps something else that you've been granted since your arrival is better suited for your offering. Be mindful of your actions though; those that show disrespect will be forcibly removed from the Gods Wood by the trees. Best foot forward! If the forest is too intimidating, there appears to be a gathering at the nearby Lake Theta where the Festival of Aeons is taking place. You'll be drawn into the fold readily where people will inform you that it is a celebration of souls, both living and passed beyond the veil. You'll be taught how to make paper lanterns to be set into the sky when twilight falls, with further revelry coming after. Be prepared for a long night of celebration ahead of you as the dancing, music, and festivities last long into the night.

Comments

President Jed Bartlet | The West Wing

[iamthelordthygod]

i. The Setting Stars

[It’s easy to pick out Jed in the crowd. The city may have its share of portly middle-aged men, but not many look quite as somber as Jed, and nobody else is wearing a rain-soaked Hickey-Freeman suit.

He takes in the sights and sounds of the celebration like a deaf man. His gait is like that of someone with both feet on the deep end of the pool. All the while, the numbers from Joey’s poll reverberate in his head.

1,170 registered voters in a crucial industrial swing state.

(44 million Americans without health insurance.)

83% with a negative attitude towards an elected official concealing a degenerative illness.

(20% of American children - 13 million - live below the poverty line.)

71% are less likely to vote for the official's re-election.

(Homicide is the leading cause of death for black men under 35.)

78% of the most likely voters - women over 55 - saying they wouldn’t vote for a candidate with multiple sclerosis.

(3 million Americans are behind bars.)

74% believe MS to be fatal.

(5 million Americans are drug addicts.)

62% of registered Democrats won’t vote for him. 65% of self-described liberals won’t, either.

(3.5 million children go to schools that are falling apart at the seams. The repair costs run up to 127 billion dollars.)

He jangles the compass in one pocket, trying to give some organization to his thoughts. He’d been ready to go into State and face the press. He hadn’t been prepared for - this.

Maybe someone tries to pull him in for a dance, or places a hand on his shoulder, or offers him something to eat. Whatever it is, his reaction is the same: a momentary jump as he’s startled out of his thoughts, then, with both hands up in declination:]

No, please, I couldn’t-

ii. Markets of the Coast

[It’s been some time since Jed was in the city, and with time comes acclimation. The suit’s a little drier than it was when he first came in. He’s quick with a smile if you catch his eye, but there is still a tinge of sadness to his mood, like excess paint dripping off the canvas of a watercolor. He’s got no money with which to buy anything, but that doesn’t stop him from browsing, flitting in and out of the market stalls with a puffy wool overcoat that he picked up from someplace.

He’s just about to pass by one of the stalls when he stops dead in his tracks.]

Is that-?

[It can’t be. Jed whips out his reading glasses and picks up a sheepskin-bound volume. He traces over the title with his fingers before flipping through the pages. Each successive page only serves to confirm his suspicions - he’s holding the original copy of Commentarii de Bello Civili.

He looks up at the shopkeeper over the rim of his glasses, holding the tome aloft.] How much?

iii. Lake Theta

[The festival is hard to miss. It’s the paper lanterns that draw Jed in, and you’ll likely find him working alongside a more experienced lantern-maker, following them step for step as the lantern lights reflect in his reading glasses. He’s in good spirits, but there is a certain kind of thoughtfulness in his actions. The ceremony is sacred - respect for tradition is a must.]

Is that a- oh, so it’s a concentric fold, I see, you’re going a little fast for me-

[The end result isn’t perfect - it’s odd and misshapen from certain angles, but it takes to the sky just fine.

You’ll find him looking up, trying to keep track of it amongst the hundreds of others that took to the sky. His lips move as he recites a verse of scripture to himself - and then, when his lamp disappears from view, he nods.]

You take care, Dolores.

stars! but that last prompt is rude.

[bearcat]

[ when jed looks up, there's a giant, cold, black nose in his line of sight. if he steps back a bit he'll be able to see that it belongs to a square head, white fur covering it and the high slope of her shoulders.

its. a bear head. and yet, her eyes are bright and dog-like, and those floppy ears lessen the severity of her appearance, and if jed hasn't run away yet... there's a long, fluffy tail wagging behind her.

naga pokes her nose against jed's ear again, snuffling as she tries to figure him out. despite her dog traits, naga wears no collar, and yet its easy to tell she is domesticated.

especially when she gives him a light bark and rolls onto her back, paws in the air. ]

as a certain someone might say you gotta deal with it 👉😎👉

[iamthelordthygod]

[Good lord, that is a massive dog.

Jed has seen some pretty big ones in his time - Leo, bless his heart, once entertained the thought of adopting a Saint Bernard that was approximately the size of a small Volvo. This one is bigger, though, in the same sense that Van Gogh outranks little Timmy from Miss Pritchard's sixth period in doodling ability.

There's some flinching as Naga feels him out, and then some hesitation as she rolls onto her back. So a giant bear-dog wants belly rubs. You know what? Jed's had a long year. Jed can get behind this.

One hand is dedicated to belly-rubbing while the other is tucked into his pocket as he searches for someone who can possibly lay claim to this giant.] Good girl. Where's your master, huh?

screech

[bearcat]

[ naga wiggles on the floor as jed rubs her stomach, those front paws folded over under her chin and one back leg kicking happily. she's the very image of pure joy right now, in the way that only dogs can be. ]

Naga?

[ her head snaps up, and she lets out a loud boof to let korra know where she is. as the young woman approaches, this friend-shaped animal called naga rolls over and lifts her head up high. ]

Ugh, Naga, no! [ she jogs up, squishing naga's face in her hands. ] I'm so sorry, she didn't beg you for food did she?

[ korra promises she doesn't starve her dog... she's just very big... and requires so much. ]

*muffled hail to the chief playing in the distance*

[iamthelordthygod]

[Oh, so here she is.]

Hm? No, no, she didn't-

[He gives one last pat to Naga's head before stepping back and straightening out his sopping-wet suit.]

-it's fine, [he says, making a dismissive hand gesture.] Nothing to worry about. If she smelled food, it wasn't on me. I haven't-

[Another dismissive wave.] -no appetite to speak of.

[bearcat]

[ now that she's got naga in hand, korra can better look at the person she was bothering. ]

Hey, are you okay? [ other than being completely discombobulated by being in a different universe, she means. this guy is completely soaked down to the bone and korra's wondering if he fell or was pushed into one of the fountains that dot the courtyard. ]

[iamthelordthygod]

[There's no way Jed is going to do anything but bluff his way out of this, and so his response is:]

What? Oh, yes, I'm fine.

This happened- [he motions to the suit, the hair, the everything] -before I came here. It's storming back home.

[He holds out a hand.] Jed Bartlet. A pleasure to meet you.

[bearcat]

Korra.

[ it takes a second, looking at his hand like she has no idea what to do (she's not sure she'll ever get used to this) before finally taking it and giving it a firm shake. her grip is solid to match her frame, but it's obvious that she knows her own strength and of what she is capable. ]

Stand still for me? [ though it's a question, she's hardly asking, and korra pushes a shoulder against naga's chest to back her up. ] This'll just take a second.

[iamthelordthygod]

[Jed looks around the area and shrugs. Where else would he go? Where else could he go?]

You're not gonna ask me to turn my head and cough, are you?

[Humor is just one coping mechanism of many.]

ii. markets

[epidioko]

[ Kassandra wanders the markets with no clear destination or purpose in mind. She's always been fond of agoras, of the bustle of people and the wide array of goods on offer. They are also excellent places for information, more often than not, but that's neither here or there at the moment. She isn't here as a mercenary today; merely as a spectator.

Even if she still looks like a mercenary-- or perhaps some sort of universal depiction of an old-timey warrior, anyway. Her own, customary bronze cuirass and leather pteruges have been switched to a more cold-resistant gear, warm fabrics in Moon Temple blues fortified with chainmail pieces, forearms protected by gleaming bracers and greaves strapped to her sturdy boots. Her longbow's at its usual place at her back and a large dagger dangles at her hip. But her demeanor is open and affable enough as she meanders closer to the stall where a man in a hearty coat has evidently found a item of interest.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Kassandra stops and eyes some of the books herself, though she isn't a particularly avid reader. She's more interested in people's actions as they happen in real time, and this instance is no different. ]

Good book? [ she asks the man curiously while the merchant dithers over the price. ]

[iamthelordthygod]

[Jed is in better spirits now than he was when he first came in - Kassandra will be able to see that in the way he looks at her and smiles, looking for all the world like a grandfather out doing Christmas shopping]

"Good" is a loaded word, [he says, adjusting his glasses.] The Maltese Falcon is good. Harry Potter is good. What this is- [he says, holding the book aloft so Kassandra can read the title] -is important.

[He tucks the book into the cradle of his arm, flipping through its pages with the care, ease, and speed of a librarian.] It's Julius Caesar's account of his civil war against Gnaeus Pompeius and the Senate. It's not as famous as his volumes on the Gallic Wars, but his grammar and diction are absolutely superb - better than a lot of undergraduates I used to teach, I'll tell you that much.

[Jed holds up the book, gives the merchant another questioning look, and gets another dithering response.] No dice? You know, back home, I could just offer you an autograph and be done.

[It's a joke that flies right over the merchant's head as Bartlet turns to Kassandra and offers his hand.] Jed Bartlet. A pleasure to meet you.

sorry for the delay, busy weekend!

[epidioko]

Uh-huh. [ She'll just take your word for it, Jed. ] Who's Julius Caesar?

[ It's an idle question Kassandra isn't wholeheartedly expecting an answer to even as she tips her head slightly to eye the title of the book. Look, she's from 422 BC Greece, the rise of the Roman Empire is still quite a few years away. As such, the title nor the explanation sparks no recognition in her.

Kassandra's pensive stare is aimed at the merchant next, waffling over the price. The joke flies over Kassandra's head as well, though an impulse begins to brew-- but then the older man is moving onto introductions instead. Gamely, Kassandra reciprocates... only she clasps his forearm instead of his hand, a greeting of a warrior usually given to a comrade-in-arms. It's the only one she knows. ]

Kassandra of Sparta. Tell you what...

[ She trails off and extracts some silver coins from the leather purse hanging on her belt, pressing them into the merchant's palm along with a significant look-- she's not gonna haggle, so don't even try. Though she just got generously paid from her latest quest and can well afford this small act of kindness, she knows how some of these market merchants are like. ]

Here. Let the man have his book-- in the spirit of being festive. [ The suggestion seems to work. ]

not a problem!

[iamthelordthygod]

[As expected, Jed fairly boggles - at both Kass's generosity and her professed ignorance of perhaps the most famous Roman to have ever lived. The fact that she's from Sparta explains it, but it makes him conflicted. Is this like a prime directive thing? Where's Kirk when you need him?

Eventually, he settles on:]

Well, I'd tell you, but I think he's a little after your time.

[He chooses an appropriate length of brown paper wrapping and twine before wrapping the book up in a hasty covering.] Keep an eye out for him. He'll be across the Ionian and to your right. If you hit Ariminum, you've gone too far.

[And if you think that joke was bad, you ain't heard nothin' yet.

He pauses as he turns to Kass, a certain thoughtfullness in his eyes as he bundles the book against his overcoat.]

Thank you for this. I mean it. We had copies on my homeworld- [God it feels weird saying that - "Scotty, beam us up"] -but all of my bookcases were full and moving another into the residence would've been a-

[Well. He almost swears.]

-it would've been a pain.

[epidioko]

Huh. I suppose I'll wait and see, then. Is he known for more than warring? [ That's almost Spartan of him. ] One general is rarely all that different from the rest of them.

[ Says the granddaughter of King Leonidas-- she, if anyone, knows just how legends are born. And little does she know that she'd end up living over 2000 years and would yet come to learn all about Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire's exploits. As it is, she's gotten well accustomed to the idea during her time in Fellden that a lot of the Otherworlders might well be from the same world as her-- just several centuries from the future. A strange thought, but her whole life tends toward the strange in general.

She arches her brows and smiles in amusement, good-natured anticipation gleaming in her eyes at that pause-- but no swear follows. So close! She chuckles. ]

You're welcome. I'd say welcome to Fellden, but that can be a double-edged sword.

( prompt ii: markets of the coast. )

[verisimilitudinous]

Ah. You were looking at that work as well?

[ from a pile of precociously and perilously tower of books and tomes, a ceramic doll step out from behind it to look up at the new browser of the stall. she's a tiny thing- the pile she moves away from is even taller than her and perhaps that's why she is now giving herself and the heavy volumes a healthy distance now.

that, and she wishes to speak with the man who also gravitated to the work. the little doll looks at the volume he's holding and she nods in approval, a smile gracing her lips. ]

It's a very well-written book by Gaius Julius Caesar. I can understand why those who study the field of Latin must read his works as part of their curriculum. An excellent example of Latin's use back then. [ and yet she tilts her head to the side, considering something for just a moment. ] I do admit, however, that I'm more fond of Commentarii de Bello Gallico and the laudatio Iuliae amitae.

[iamthelordthygod]

[Jed's never lost his sense of curiosity. It was what got him through prep school, Notre Dame, London, and Stockholm. A talking ceramic doll? Well, even after dipping his toes into the waters of Fellden, that rates a second and third look over the book's bindings.]

Yes, [he says, cautiously, as though he's not sure whether she's just a figment of his imagination.] It's not something I'd read to my granddaughter, but Caesar's command of the language is...

[He pauses and squints. She doesn't appear to be poofing out on him. Dare he take the chance?]

Forgive me, but you've got a very impressive command of Latin for someone of your...

[And now he moves his hands to gesture to Eira's body. It's weird seeing something he's used to pairing with fine china expounding on classical Latin.]

[verisimilitudinous]

[ eira is still standing where she is, not poofing out of existence anytime soon as she looks up at the man with big green eyes.

she doesn't seem to mind the unsaid question of his. perhaps used to it by now ever since she arrived. ] Design, sir. I'm a construct where I'm from. Created with a specific purpose in mind when my creator was shaping my form.

And thank you. [ to the compliment of her competence on latin, she means.

it seems to mean a lot to her. eira's smile is brighter now, standing up taller. she's so very happy that someone had taken notice of her hard work in her trying to master the language. ] My friend, Eric Freeman, learned of my attempts to pursue an education for myself. He introduced me to literature and suggested Gaius Julius Caesar's works when explaining them to me.

[iamthelordthygod]

I see.

[Jed has always been the inquisitive type - that hasn't changed just because he's been zapped to Fellden - and so his attention shifts from the dusty old tome to focus entirely on Eira. Although he does his best not to loom over her, his demeanor is a bit like that of a watchmaker inspecting a pocket watch.]

My Latin teacher used to spend all day picking his works apart line by line - and you can get away with it with a speaker as nuanced as Caesar. De Bello Gallico is a staple, of course, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't dip into Cicero and De Senectute from time to time.

[He pauses. He can't hold back his curiosity.]

The way you describe "construct" is - well, I think we'd call you a "robot" or "android" in my world. "Gynoid", perhaps, if someone felt like being pedantic. Have you ever heard those words?

[verisimilitudinous]

I have. When Eric Freeman was introducing me to his collection of toys and explaining the characters and the histories behind each toy he showed me.

[ collectible figures, the impression of eric freeman corrects in eira's mind.

she tilts her head to the side, quickly weighing the pros and cons before she comes to a decision: ] For reference's sake, sir, I'm from New York, the year 2005. I'm... Hm.

[ she pauses here, trying to find a polite description for herself and others like her. people have had varied reactions to her telling the blunt truth in the past. ] I'm made with an explicit purpose, as all constructs are. Not made simply because we can be made, as some robots and androids are from what I've been told in the past. Rather, we are to help those we have been tasked to care for.

II.

[irondad]

[ Sorry there, Jed, Tony's at the same stall, a few blank journals and bottles of ink in hand for his trip to see some dwarves. He's also currently got the shopkeeper engaged in definitely flirty conversation, so engaged it would seem they miss the man's question entirely.

Really, maybe it's the fact the man has a kind of presence to him that Tony looks aside at all, touching the cuff of her sleeve. ]

Odilia, honey--

[ She straightens in a hurry, dark braids spilling over her shoulder, as she pushes her tiny, thick-lensed spectacles up her nose to squint at the older man and the volume in his hand. Yeah, that first price she offers? High. Enough to firmly pull Tony's attention as well, with an appraising eye. ]

[iamthelordthygod]

[Economist superpowers, activate.

Jed's eyes flit over some of the dusty old tomes behind Odilia, then to some of the nearby merchants' stalls, before coming back to look her square in the eye. He undoes the Patek Philippe on his wrist and sets it down in front of Odilia.]

That'll be a deposit to hold it, if it's not enough to buy it - assuming you do that kind of thing. Or- [and here he gestures to some of the classic Latin tomes taking up space in Odilia's stall] -I could translate some of these for you.

[He pauses to let his offer sink in, then puts both palms on her stall and leans in to make his case.]

Nobody else can match your inventory on these things, but nobody else I've met here so far can speak Latin, so as it stands right now they're just taking up space. I could have a talk with the local printer and get you a solid bulk discount printing my translations. Now, I've heard that the regents at Terebellum are desperately looking for a cheaper textbook supplier. With the port just down the way, you could underbid the current one, ship to the University at next to nothing, and net yourself a solid profit. In a few months, it'll be enough to buy out your competitors, corner the market on classical literature and textbook printing in the port, and expand into more markets, which will in turn net you more profit. And all I ask - is my pick of the master copies.

[Another pause. Jed raps his knuckles twice on the cover.]

So what do you say?

ii

[drdeadagain]

[ That sort of excited and reverent tone, especially near old books, couldn't help but catch Daniel's attention. He glanced up and over at the older gentleman and then shamelessly peered inquisitively at the prize in Bartlet's hands.

Confirming his initial glance was accurate, Daniel glanced at the shopkeeper who was getting that universal 'cat who's got the canary' gleam in their eye. Not deliberately malicious, but they did have mouths to feed and a certain mercenary cunning when it came to an item a buyer appeared to want badly enough. ]

I wouldn't pay more than offering to help hanging decorations for that poorly constructed knock-off. [ He said in a dry tone, meeting the shopkeeper's wounded expression with bland neutrality. ]

You could have at least put a little effort into a forgery. [ Daniel said to the shopkeeper, who made an aghast noise/denial of such a charge! ] The ink is already rubbing off.

[ The ink was fading as one would expect it to do on an original tome of such age, but this was just like haggling with a used car (or camel) salesman. ]

[iamthelordthygod]

[Daniel's approach to haggling is a valid and effective one. It's certainly thrown the shopkeeper off their game, judging by how they sputter and stammer out rebuttals.

But Bartlet's eyes narrow as his gaze flits from Daniel to the shopkeeper, then back again. As the shopkeeper protests, Jed holds up a hand to silence him - then undoes the Patek Philippe on his wrist.]

Here, [he says, handing the wristwatch over to the shopkeeper. As the shopkeeper acquiesces and accepts the timepiece, Jed turns to Daniel.]

When you were a child, was telling other children Santa wasn't real your idea of fun?

[drdeadagain]

[ At one time, a decade ago, Daniel would have argued and tried to dissuade Bartlet from handing over such an expensive item. But he'd learned, often the hard way, when to keep his mouth shut. Not that he always kept his mouth shut when he knew he should, but in this instance the phrase fool and money leapt to mind.

Though there would also be some truth to the accusation that he may have hoped the older man would put the leather bound treasure down and wander off, leaving it for Daniel to pounce on. Instead he watches the exchange happen and can't stop a wistful glance at the book.

Ah well. He'd read the text, copies of the text, in the original Latin so he had the knowledge penned on those priceless pages. It just would have been nice to see the original. Just in case someone down the line had taken creative license with their copying.

However, done was done and in this instance Daniel accepted it. He looked up at the acquisition and smiled, an expression that reached his eyes as he laughed softly. ]

Ah noooo, not exactly. Usually I was telling them the origin of Santa, from St. Nicholas. Farthest I ever got was the Protestant Reformation before most of them tapped out.

i. i hope u don't mind another one

[primordialerebus]

[ Coraline furrows her eyebrows in further concern at his surprised expression from a simple tap on the shoulder. She thought she had been televising her intentions pretty clearly, but apparently not. That or this dude is way more like, out of it than she thought which looking at him? The latter’s way more likely. ]

Dude it’s cool. I was just wondering if you’re like, okay?

[ She says, fidgeting all the while. ]

Sorry I just. I know how like, weird this can all be? Especially if you’re from like, a modernish time which like, I know I don’t look it right now but I am.

[ If the Socal (with a hint of valley girl) accent slipping through in her nervousness isn’t giving it away. ]

So uh… like yeah…