*Dream 12*

[wantedtostudy]

The wind whips at her face and body, and it is beyond cold. The land around her is frozen and bleak, utterly inhospitable, and the howling wind is so frigid that it literally stings every bit of bare skin on her body. Still, Jaina digs her staff into the snow, trudging on

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[kyudousha]

[She recognizes Cornelia in the dream. Conflict, conflict. On a whim, she picks up the dreamberry.]

... Does she die?

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[kyudousha]

[Since this is Rita and this is a video call, you can probably see the phone shift a little as Rita realizes that she's practically hit the jackpot, so to speak. She's now scribbling furiously in her notebook, pen a blur, and there are already theories in the margins just waiting to be proven.]

No. No, no, no! Don't apologize! This is just what I want to hear. Saves me so much trouble asking for details, really.

[She's still scribbling. There are so many terms that she's unsure of, but she's taking them down, and putting them in context. Now that she's realized there are books from all sort of dimensions gathered there, she's pretty sure that there's going to be book that might explain these terms for more detail. As much as she can sit here for hours, she's a little afraid that her incessant questions will drive this well of information away.]

It seems to me that the variety of spells depend heavily on the variety of sources where you can pull your magic from. It sounds like a complex system, and judging from what you've said, I

[wantedtostudy]

Oh? I'm glad.

That's not entirely correct - you can cross over between types of magic. Many Warlocks - practitioners of Fel magic - were once Mages like myself, who sought the quick route to power beyond exhaustive study. I know of one worshipper of the Light who was lost in the wilderness and learned how to commune with the spirits as Shamans do. And the Moon Goddess Elune bestows powers on both Divine and Druidic casters.

It's... hm, how do I put this? It's like learning another language, though once you've learned it, it becomes difficult - if not impossible - to speak your first language. A Mage who has turned to practicing Fel magic will find it difficult to work any Arcane spells he had once known.

I have to admit, *she smiles*... it's nice to see someone young so enthusiastic about studying. You remind me of... well, myself.

Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself - I am Lady Jaina Proudmoore, Archmage of the Kirin Tor. And yourself?

[kyudousha]

That's another interesting analogy. Magic really is like a language. So it's like a five-point system, then? One magic at each point, affiliation with the two others on nearby points, one magic that is opposite in function? Once you hop categories, your capabilities to cast other magics also differ because of affinity in general, but the possibilities are limitless in the beginning, so to speak. Just throwing it out there.

Looks like we're on the same wavelength in general, though. I've been looking around for someone to discuss these things with, but it's so hard to find someone who actually knows what I'm talking about. So... it's really happy to meet you?

Um, I'm Rita Mordio of the Imperial Blastia Research Academy. Does your world use the word 'mage' like we do? As a studier of magic at an academic level? Or do they just detonate practitioners?

[wantedtostudy]

Hm... it's slightly more complex than that - the rules are rarely so clear-cut - but that's perhaps as good of a quick summary as we're likely to get.

I'd be delighted to discuss these matters further with you. I've been using my time in this world as a way of learning about other worlds and their systems of magic as well - it's so nice to see someone with the same goal in mind. You should come with me to the library sometime - it's so fascinating. Knowledge from uncounted worlds, all here...

...there isn't any hard definition of Mage, so I'd lean more towards simply referring to practitioners. It's not unheard of to have someone teach themselves low-level magic, but it is difficult. I've been studying magic since I was a girl, myself.

[kyudousha]

There are probably little nuances in the system that someone who hasn't experienced it first hand can't really factor into the picture. Glad I'm at least somewhat close - it's been... forever since I last had a discussion on these things. But on that matter, I'm glad someone here has gotten their priorities straightened out, though. This place is a well of knowledge, it's illogical if you don't take advantages of it.

... To the library? [A sudden startled face. ... No one's ever... asked that before, especially for discussing magic.] Yeah, I've been holing myself up there for a while now. It's convenient now that I don't have to eat or drink - less distractions for optimal research, I guess. I, um... really would like to have a discussion? It would be good to do an information exchange and swap notes. I have a few working theories on this place, but it would be nice to get some feedback

[wantedtostudy]

That is the essence of the matter, yes. And please, I assure you that I enjoyed it as much as you. I've been a scholar of the matter for years - if I didn't enjoy these discussions at length, I'd be in quite the wrong vocation, wouldn't I? *Another smile*

I'd love to compare notes with you sometime. This place is... well, it's very fascinating. I've never quite seen - or heard of - anything like it before.

I hope you can as well. If you keep this level of enthusiasm as you grow up, I don't doubt that you will. It's so nice to see someone so passionate about learning, I must admit.

[kyudousha]

Heh. You're definitely right on that. It's our job to lounge around and hold discussions. It just happens that some of us get paid for it, is all.

But yeah, tell me about it. I've never seen anything like this either - space-time travel theories haven't seriously been developed yet in my world. Heck, we don't even have a working theory on dreams. It's times like these when I kinda realize that, you know, there's so much lacking. If I could help it... I doubt I'd ever want to leave this place, really.

Researching is my passion. Of course I'm going to keep it up. Doubt how long I'll last, though, but I'll be going as far as I can take it. You don't get a lot of people who're like us, even in your world?

I guess some things just don't change, even between dimensions.

[wantedtostudy]

I don't know about lounging around - there's also practice, and practical investigation. Not all magic can be explored by talking about it, after all.

I studied in Dalaran, the City of Mages, so... I was surrounded by people who loved to learn and study - naturally, to varying degrees. My mentor was a man named Antonidas, and he was perhaps the wisest person I've ever met. He always told me that he had "not yet begun to learn," which... well, when I was young, I couldn't understand what he was talking about. He knew so much already.

Here, though... I think I understand now.

[kyudousha]

I think it's a cultural difference, really. Mages back where I came from generally left the field work to their apprentices and to the guilds - particularly Ruin's Gate, they did all the excavation work. So lounging around would really be kinda the best description for it. But... I kinda prefer doing fieldwork myself. You get much better results that way. [That, and there was no way anyone would have shared results with you, really, but that's a different story all together.]

... But I can see where your mentor's coming from. [Jealousy, it's an ugly thing, but she definitely feels it now.] There just so much you don't realized until you... see what it's really like. And then suddenly, it just clicks. Experiences change the way we learn, but also, it kinda changes what we know - and we don't really know all that much in the first place, in the grand scheme of things. It's really what we don't know that defines us.

I guess. At any rate.

[wantedtostudy]

Really? I can't imagine not practicing theories for myself when able. As an apprentice, I suppose I spent an hour in practical study for every two I spent reading. *A nod* There's nothing like doing it for yourself.

I don't think we'll ever know all there is to know. Coming here has more than proven that to me.

You're rather wise for your age, you know?

[kyudousha]

I don't want to imagine either, but unfortunately, I kinda can. What's an apprenticeship like, anyway?

I guess it's not a matter of whether or not we will, but that we just can't. Or at least, back in our original worlds. Too many restrictions - time, resources, etc. But here... Tell me, how long have you been here?

...

... [No one's ever... She's suddenly speechless.]

[wantedtostudy]

It was... very rewarding, looking back on it. Difficult, yes, but I don't think I'd have ever grown as much as I did without him pushing me as hard as he had. I truly treasure my memories of that time.

I've been here about eight months now. Even so, this place still continues to surprise me.

*Jaina smiles* You shouldn't look so surprised. It's rare to see such a thirst for knowledge in someone so young. You should be proud.

[kyudousha]

[Yeah, jealousy's pretty ugly all right. She tries to change the subject.]

Yeah, about that. 8 months. Think you've aged at all?

And... I agree, really. I don't think I've ever had anyone my age to discuss about these things at all, really. And yeah, I'm damn proud of what I know. So... there.

[Yeah, real eloquent, Rita. :/]

[wantedtostudy]

I can't rightly say, to be honest. I don't feel any different than I did before - at least, not physically. Then again, aging is very different to notice day by day.

Is it unusual in your world for people to start studying magic at your age?

[kyudousha]

... Then, I'm going to throw this out there. I propose that as long as we stay in this Somarium place, aging is not going to be an issue. Or at least, heavily suppressed.

... Our magic systems are completely different, so... yeah, it is, I guess. Our magic is more like a science, really. It's a complex system of formulas, technology and chemistry that takes a lot of time to become acquainted with, so unless you were born smart, or something, it's not an occupation you can just 'study'. And besides, we haven't found a way to synthesize most of the technology we use, and not a lot of it's been excavated, so the stuff's expensive.

... So yeah, it's pretty unusual. Or downright weird, I guess.