darkbishop | NOCTIUM INBOX

Ah, so I'm the replacement.

[He still sounds amused by it, though. You know what, that's fair, Will...]

For the time being, I'm familiarizing myself with the city and technology. My hope is to be able to learn more about the world here and about Manna and how exactly all of this fits together; I'm hoping with that information, I'll be able to discover a way home.

[...But laying it out like that really does make it obvious that he's clinging to a desperate, most likely pointless idea. It's very likely that he won't be able to find a way to return home so easily.]

Some of my... acquaintances are here as well, so I have been looking out for them as well.

[That's not exactly accurate, there's only two of them he's actually trying to help, the others he's just watching warily from afar.]

Think of it less as being the replacement and more like... Okay, you know what, you got me there. But it's not like I enjoy talking to most people, so there's that.

[He made an attempt on making that sound less horrible. Did it work??

He makes a thoughtful hum as he listens along.]

I guess that's a good of a place to start as any. When things like this happen back home, it's usually a Primal Beast at play. 'course, I don't think this world has anything like those here aside from...Malachite, maybe? Is that what they were calling that new gem god?

[Hm. That could be a thing to look into, now that he thinks about it.]

But wait, you actually did run into some familiar faces after all? At least you've got that going for you, I guess... Are they people from the Empire?

[You know what, good enough re: the first part!!

As for the rest...]

Two of them are, yes. They aren't the sort who need me to look after them, but I would prefer to ensure my allies' safety.

[.......this is the most stilted way he could possibly say "I'm so glad people I like are here".]

[...it sure is, and even Will can grasp that much.]

Seriously? I never thought you'd be the worrying type. Sure didn't see that one coming!

[Wow, just call him right out.]

What're they like?

[...called right the fuck out.......

Anyway, he's just going to ignore that first part!!]

They're almost entirely opposites. One is outgoing and friendly; she's the sort to decide she likes you within five minutes and never leaves you alone. But she's shrewd as well; she isn't the sort to let others step on her or use her.

The other is shy and withdrawn. She's slowly begun to open herself up more to others, and the transition here has not been easy on her. She is remarkably resilient, however; she always finds a way to keep moving.

[They're straightforward, almost more an analysis on them than anything else, but he wouldn't be this generous if he didn't like them.]

[Good thing Hubert can't see him smirking right now...

But he'll cut the man some slack. He wouldn't be worried about Djeeta and crew being here since they can definitely hold their own better than he can, but he knows they'd be watching over him.

That said, Hubert's description of his people brings him to a certain conclusion.]

You weren't kidding when you said you came from a ragtag bunch yourself. Imagining you hanging out with them is pretty damn funny.

Oh, agreed. You would have found it even more amusing when we first met; apparently I was so terrifying I caused one of them to faint while standing up.

[...okay but he actually sounds pleased about that??? hubert no!!!!]

[It's Will's turn to laugh now, though far less evilly.]

Holy shit, no way! That's amazing. Sounds like you've kept up that dark mage look for a while, then.

Edited (belatedly noticing redundancy) 2021-02-09 04:36 (UTC)

I have, yes. I was trained as a dark mage from an early age, and I'm sure it goes without saying that my appearance tends to fit the general look of one quite well.

[Only some of this is intentional. The rest is Hubert just looking Like That.]

Oh, it definitely does. I did correctly pin you as one, after all.

[...]

Hey Hubert, would it surprise you to find out I'm practiced in dark magic too?

Are you? You certainly are a man of many talents.

[He's very obviously interested, though; it probably goes without saying that he's very curious about dark magic in other worlds.]

[He chuckles at that.]

I guess. But yeah. It's not that strange for a priest to have healing magic in my world, but mine ended up being of the dark variety. I'm sure there's some kinda meaning to be drawn from that, but eh. It serves me well enough.

Dark magic can also be used to heal where you're from? That's fascinating... Ours are entirely separate - the only sort of magic that can heal falls under Faith magic, while dark and black magic are a different school, Reason magic.

[No points for guessing why he's not a healer.]

[Now he's just straight-up laughing.]

Who came up with those names? As if faith and reason can't be used together. Listen, I get that there are some real religious nutjobs out there—I've taken care of a few!—but that's just offensive.

[He doesn't actually sound offended, though. Just very amused.]

I wish I knew.

[we just don't know why fódlan is like this...]

Many mages do learn some of both schools, though that doesn't change the ridiculousness of the naming scheme.

[But anyway!!]

When you say you've "taken care of" a few of those religious nutjobs - is that in the context of "punishing sinners"?

[...you can absolutely hear the air quotes.]

[Will cheerfully air quotes right back.]

Oh, I "punished" 'em, all right. Wink, wink.

[oh my god you're the worst. it gets him to evil laugh again, okay!!]

Sometimes people like that need to be "punished" regardless of the world, it seems. The Church in Fódlan is similar in that regard.

[If you're the wrong kind of overzealous then you die, if you're the right kind then you'd better hope Rhea likes you!! He is not biased against the Church at all, don't worry about it.]

Oh yeah? The Church as a whole? What've they been up to?

[Disulisioned as he was working for the Church, he didn't completely lose his faith in it. But he also couldn't care enough to be the change he wanted to see, so...]

The Church of Seiros essentially controls Fódlan; they are brutal with "sinners" and use their influence to guide Fódlan as they see fit. They've been at it for a long time, with very few willing to stand against them.

[Okay, that's a super biased view of it and not even the whole story, but that's a good enough explanation, probably.]

[Will's tone falls flat, and he scoffs.]

Lemme guess, by "sinners", you mean "people who don't agree with their exact doctrine". That's not even how it works...

[Ugh, so it's a whole organization full of religious nutjobs, then. Unfortunate. But wait...]

But Lady Edelgard is standing against them, right?

Agreed.

[Hubert holds no love for religion in general, but the way the Church of Seiros handles it is despicable.]

She does, yes. Her Majesty chose to take a stand against the Church and we continue to fight against them.

[...and you know, the rest of fódlan, but nbd—]

[On Will's end, it gives him a bit of pause. His own Church isn't perfect by any means, but having to reform the entire organization would be such a monumental task.]

Man... I hope you and the others being stuck here isn't messing that up too bad.

I know Lady Edelgard will be just fine without me.

[It isn't ideal. It will be difficult for her. But the Professor is back now, and hopefully they can at least maintain the status quo until he returns. The war has been in a stalemate for five years, after all; it's possible things won't change much right away.]

Still, I would like to return as soon as possible. I hope we're able to find a way to do that soon.

Weeeeell, if you need help, I guess I could look into it too... Especially since I think I'm gonna die of boredom if I don't get back home soon. I can only talk to you for so long before we run outta things to talk about.

[He's still going to be bored, but at least he'll be productively bored??]

I would appreciate the assistance. There's only so long I can prove to be somewhat entertaining, I'm afraid.

[and then the event happened and will immediately forgot about this—]

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