darkbishop | NOCTIUM INBOX

[Listen, he wouldn't have given Linhardt the offer of later if he didn't expect just that - Linhardt likely took a nap before showing up, and Hubert's hardly surprised that his version of "showing up" is just that. He rolls his eyes at the text and moves to get the door.]

You could have informed me you were on the way.

[But he steps aside to allow Linhardt entry anyway. He's been in most of the day anyway, so it isn't as though Linhardt's inconvenienced him any.]

I could have, yes, but if you had limited availability, you would have specified a time for me to arrive.

[So it clearly isn't necessary. Besides, he doubts Hubert would give others such warnings. He steps inside and nods his head.]

May I have your phone? I would like to show you something.

I am glad you were home. I wanted to check on you.

[Which is a lie, but a plausible one to anyone who doesn't know Linhardt well. Even if he had wanted to check on Hubert, he'd never tell him that. Rather, in his incessant badgering of the GemScis and other personnel on the ship, Linhardt had discovered the concept of something called 'micromanagement' which, upon further questioning revealed that apparently, some of this strange and new technology can be used to listen to people. (Although his new acquaintances described it as 'being bean-counting ninnies who don't understand the scientific process and think it can be counted based on hours in front of a keyboard').

So, knowing Hubert's tendency towards paranoia, he's going to put them elsewhere. But if they are being listened to, it's not good to suggest he knows that, is it?]

[He raises an eyebrow at that, but doesn't point it out. Linhardt wouldn't bother with false niceties like that unless it was necessary, which means that something's up.]

I suppose. Here.

[He hands over his phone, curious to see exactly where this will go. He doesn't really have anything all that sensitive on there, and he's got passwords on most things anyway, so surely this will be fine.]

[Linhardt takes Hubert's phone and nods, but he doesn't actually show the other man anything, opting instead to take both the phones into the bedroom and place them on the nightstand. He then turns around and walks back out to the hallway like that is a perfectly normal thing to do.]

I discovered that the smartphones may be able to record their surroundings for later playback without your awareness. I thought you might appreciate that information.

[A peace offering before he badgers you, Hubert.]

[Hubert watches without comment, though when Linhardt returns his visible eyebrow has arched even higher.]

Fascinating. I had thought something of the sort may be possible, but I do appreciate the confirmation of it.

[The ability to record video definitely put him on edge, but that's good to know.]

Of course. Annoyed you did not think of it first, Hubert?

[Linhardt is teasing, of course, one of his signs of affection. He stretches out with a yawn and heads past Hubert to take up his perch on Hubert's couch. Well, it's less a perch and more a sprawling layabout.]

What I wished to ask you about is your magic. Specifically, your dark magic. I assume that you've tested it here.

[Hubert is far too thorough to have done otherwise.]

Do they all work exactly as they do in Fodlan?

[He scoffs at that but... yeah, kinda. Shush.

Anyway, Linhardt moves to take over his couch and Hubert joins him, taking a seat in a chair nearby so Linhardt can lounge to his heart's content. The topic is a good one, and he nods at that.]

Aside from requiring Manna to cast, almost everything works as excepted. I haven't had any luck using my magic to warp, however.

[that's entirely because i wanted it nerfed since he doesn't get to have plot powers here!!!]

Have you noticed anything odd?

[He knows you, Hubert. And Hubert knows Linhardt as well; he's so considerate to pick a chair to sit in that doesn't make Linhardt crane his neck to see him. Linhardt stretches out with a groan, down to wiggling his toes. He's too tall for the couch, his feet dangle off the edge.]

I lack my fire magic.

[He's blunt, but it's obvious that he's disgruntled.]

I even tried, Hubert.

[The situation is dire indeed.]

That's interesting. There could be multiple reasons for that, either strategic or practical.

[But to return to his original question.]

Almost everything? What's varied? You know quite well that minor variances are the key to variable identification.

[Hubert is almost as intelligent as Linhardt, it's a shame that he has that stubborn sense of loyalty and no sense of curiosity whatsoever.]

Do you know if there is a limit to the amount of Manna you can hold in reserve? If so, does a full reserve of Manna allow you to approximate the amount of spellwork you would be capable of in Fodlan?

[Are the energy requirements the same? Can Hubert cast fewer, the same, or more spells in Noctium?]

[He figured it would come down to this, and a full explanation is easy enough to offer.]

To answer your questions: as far as I'm aware, there is no limit on how much Manna one can hold onto. My spells react exactly the same as long as I have Manna enough to cast them - having more Manna in reserve doesn't change the intensity or strength any. Without enough Manna to cast, I'm incapable of using any spells. I haven't noticed any variation in any of my spells' strengths, though with enough Manna spells can be cast repeatedly easier.

[No more per-map limits! How nice.]

The magic granted to us by our Gems seems different, though I must admit I haven't experimented with those abilities nearly as much.

[Obviously his priority was with the magic he knows, because that is what he'll default to and rely on when he needs to defend himself. While he certainly doesn't have the same level of curiosity as Linhardt, he did do the work to figure out how his own magic reacts to things here.]

I don't have an explanation for why you're unable to cast one of your own spells. I'm not entirely certain why my warp magic isn't working either, when everything else is exactly as normal.

[Hmm. No limit. Linhardt's face gets that look. The look that says he's putting things together in his mind, drawing connections from point A to point B. If there's no limit to the amount of Manna that a person can store, that indicated that it is more something that they generate and put out into the world for use later. So ordinarily, Linhardt would conclude they all had to be sharing a Manna pool, but that can't be right... He frowns. He'll need to consider that later.]

I haven't had occasion to use my healing magic that often since my arrival, but I'll examine the difference between it and my Gem magic as I go forward. Since my Gem magic overlaps with one of my Reason specialties, it's difficult to untangle the two. Your Reason specialty lacks an elemental affinity, so it is useful for comparison purposes.

In order to gather all of the data I'll need for the comparison, I will need you to do some Gem magic and communicate the findings to me.

As for our new limitations-

[And here, Linhardt just sounds offended. Because how dare Noctium? How dare it? To Linhardt, his magical prowess is an innate part of his being. Removing any of it feels violating.]

I propose we both look into it. If it turns out to be a decision and therefore politically motivated, you will take care of it, and if it turns out it's because of a natural phenomenon, I will.

[The first part gets a nod; he is lucky enough to have Gem magic that is entirely different from what he's used to. The differences will be obvious there, and will likely help Linhardt in his research, so Hubert has no issues assisting with that.

Of course, Linhardt offering his assistance in such a matter is greatly appreciated. There's only so far Hubert can get on his own, and his priorities are with learning more about the government and Malachite and what exactly is happening there. This really must be important to have caught Linhardt's interest so, though losing part of his magical ability has no doubt plays a part in that.]

Understood and agreed. I have had some success with part of the magic the Gem has given me, though I imagine it will require a good amount of work before I'm proficient.

[It's not like he's been ignoring his powers, but one part involves growing plants and it's probably not a surprise at all that Hubert has no talent for that.]

[Hubert must be unnerved if he's agreeing to indulge what he usually terms Linhardt's 'ridiculous and pointless experiments'. He's hoping that Linhardt's research yields actionable results, of course, but then, Linhardt is hoping Hubert's yield interesting research results, so it's an equal enough exchange.]

That in and of itself is useful information. I'm too familiar with my Gem's affinity; its magic is giving me no difficulty. Flying is exhausting; even more so than Warping others, but otherwise it's intuitive enough.

[Then again, Linhardt has never had any difficulty with magic, which is one of the reasons he drove his fellow magic students insane. He'd sleep through all of his classes and somehow keep up.

Those were the primary questions Linhardt had wanted to ask, so he yawns and turns to lounge on his side, grabbing one of the couch's generic pillows and closing his eyes.]

Has Lady Edelgard given you your new purpose in life yet?

[Linhardt cannot resist teasing. It's absurd that someone so practical-minded has no goals of his own. No curiosity, no desires... Linhardt doesn't know how he stands it.]

[The first part gets a nod, and he's not particularly surprised that Linhardt has taken well to the Gem's magic. Linhardt's seemingly never had difficulties with his magic lessons, and from what he knows about Amethysts, their abilities line up nicely with Linhardt's own. Flying is new... how long until Linhardt's just taking naps in midair...

But anyway, that question gets him to roll his eyes.]

My purpose in life has always remained the same, this place could never change that.

[It was just harder to accomplish Lady Edelgard's goals and look out for her wellbeing while she wasn't here!! But it's fine, whatever crisis he was having about that has thankfully been cut short now that she's here.]

[Linhardt waves an arm dismissively, not even bothering to open his eyes. Typical Hubert. Linhardt will never understand the man at all. How can he allow someone else to dictate his entire life? How can he be happy that way? Is Hubert happy?]

As you say, Hubert. I do find myself wondering which Lady Edelgard has more of your devotion? Will you seek to return to Fodlan, or stay?

[Either way, he will be abandoning an Edelgard. He'll need to make a decision based on his own ideas and values, not just Edelgard's say so.]

That isn't a topic I'm going to discuss with you.

[He is very firmly putting his foot down on that one, thanks!! It's a difficult topic, and one he's still in the process of carefully considering. It's something that he can't ignore - nor would he want to - but it isn't something simple that has an easy answer. It certainly isn't the sort of topic he can get into with someone like Linhardt, who already doesn't understand why this is so important to Hubert.]

Don't bring it up again.

[This does get Linhardt to open his eyes and give his friend a thoughtful look. He doesn't object to the boundary line being drawn, but it makes him think. Hubert has spent his entire life bending himself to Lady Edelgard's will. While he's done unspeakable things, the purpose for those things has always been clear to him.

Noctium is perhaps the first time that Hubert has been in a position where whichever choice he takes he will need to betray some aspect of his nature.

Linhardt isn't upset. It's worse than that, he's sympathetic. The emotion flickers across his face before he shuts his eyes and turns away so they can both ignore it.

And underneath, there's something else. Something hard and hot and unpleasant. Linhardt stuffs that down inside himself with the rest and grabs a pillow to wrap his arms around.]

As you wish, Hubert.

[Something flickers across Linhardt's face somewhere in there, and that's what gets Hubert to turn his attention away for a moment. It's not like he needs to glance back over toward the door to make sure it's locked, but he does anyway just to give them both a moment. No, perhaps it's more accurate to say he's giving himself a moment.

He doesn't need or want any sympathy for this. This is a decision he has to make, and it's one no one else will ever truly understand the weight of. It's one that will undoubtedly eat him alive - even more than Lady Edelgard's absence would have, perhaps.

But he isn't angry at Linhardt, and when Linhardt simply lets it go, Hubert nods and settles.]

Is there anything else you wanted to discuss today?

[Not that he's trying to kick Linhardt out or anything, he's just eager to move the conversation away from this topic.]

[It's hardly the first time they've gotten on each other's nerves. Linhardt doesn't worry: So long as he does not endanger any form of Lady Edelgard, Hubert won't hurt him. (It's Lady Edelgard hurting Hubert that Linhardt is concerned about.)]

Yes.

[His voice is muffled by the pillow he's now squishing his head into.]

Your pillow selection is atrocious, Hubert.

[He is absolutely going to fall asleep on your couch if you don't do something.]

[That gets another roll of his eyes, and he moves to stand and snatch the pillow in one swift move, assuming Linhardt doesn't try to stop him!!]

If it's so dreadful then you shouldn't be falling asleep here.

[Betrayal! Linhardt glares when Hubert takes his pillow, then resolutely digs into the couch. He sleeps on benches, in meadows, under trees...]

Maybe I wouldn't if you weren't so exhausting.

[Is his yawn and his stretch a little more exaggerated than usual? Yes, it is. So is how he turns his back to Hubert and pulls his coat over his head. Go away. Socializing time is over.]

[That gets another roll of his eyes and Hubert tosses the pillow aside, back onto the couch.]

I will deposit you outside if I must. You aren't sleeping here.

[Linhardt deserves better, but Hubert certainly isn't going to let him get away with this!!]

[The pillow hits Linhardt square in the face. The mage sighs as though Hubert's desire for privacy is a personal affront (because it is, he's tired and he wants to sleep).]

You know, Hubert, it wouldn't kill you-

Hmmm.

I was going to say it wouldn't kill you to be nicer, but knowing you, it might. Fine, fine.

[He sits up and stretches again before finally standing.]

There's a junior scientist on Nova who's interested in my healing magic and is about to get to work anyway. I should go see them.

[They had promised him a look at the X-ray machine. Linhardt yawns and moves towards the door. Oh. Wait. His phone. With no preamble, he heads back to the bedroom and emerges with his own small rectangle.]

Goodbye, Hubert. I had a wonderful time.

Edited 2021-03-17 02:52 (UTC)

[It would absolutely kill him to be nice, thanks for noticing!!]

Try not to fall asleep on them.

[He watches Linhardt retreat into the bedroom, but given that's where their phones went, he isn't particularly surprised. The last remark gets a scoff from him.]

Perhaps next time will be just as enjoyable.

[He will never be fun to be around, sorry Linhardt!!]

NOCTIUM INBOX

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I'm just imagining Hubert with proper sitting posture and Linhardt is a gremlin

that's exactly it!! perfect.

Who needs proper sitting etiquette? Pffbt

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