middaeg | I'm a Binary Code that You Cracked Long Ago [Open]

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I'm a Binary Code that You Cracked Long Ago [Open]

Who: L Lawliet and YOU
When: August 8- August 16
Where: Around various places; the Coven, the bakery, etc.
What: Catchall! There are a couple of open prompts and a couple of closed ones. This Witch is Bonded and taking a break from quests to continue working at Runetchers and honing his craft. Meeting new people is a headache, but arguably necessary.
Warnings: To be updated. ALSO, because L is Bonded with the SQUIP and they have a psychic connection, there's a possibility for threadjacking depending on how your talks with L go!

A. Runetchers

[L has gotten all he can out of this job, really... but his life is in a state of flux with a new Bond and the challenges that accompany Rich's arrival in Geardagas. They have a lot to deal with, and so for now, a set of familiar duties and a reliable income are boons that L isn't going to take for granted. It's a blessing, really, that he can expend his mental energy on the things that require it most.

If you're someone who has known him for a little while, whether you're a coworker or just an acquaintance, you might notice something is subtly different about him. He lives his life now like there's a guidebook behind his eyes telling him how to behave for maximum social benefit, and that's more or less the case. L, after all, is Bonded to only being in Geardagas who exists for the sole purpose of guiding humans toward social success, and neither of them have squandered opportunities for it to fulfill just that function. Little things like his improved grooming habits, clothes that fit his skinny frame more accurately, and generally more "correct" mannerisms all hint toward something being afoot.

If you're new, though, it's a chance for him to test his ability to make a first impression.]

Welcome to Runetchers... is there something I can help you find?

[He's odd, certainly staring too long and seeming a little too intense... but his effort is earnest, and the longer you talk, the more that will ease off, because there is literally someone unseen whispering tweaks and advice into his ear about how to specifically approach his encounter with you.]

B. The Bakery

[Just about every bakery in Geardagas is frequented at least weekly by the wan detective, who, in spite of his very angular and hungry appearance, takes in a fair amount of sugary food. The SQUIP discourages it, of course, encouraging him towards the kinds of nutrients and activities that could build a more impressive and masculine physique... but there are changes he isn't ready or willing to make at this point, and his diet is one of the few things in life he's taken consistent comfort in over the years. He is going to get his baker's dozen of cupcakes, in other words, whether or not the voice in his head wants him to.

In spite of being largely cooperative with his partner, there are little ways he likes to assert his independence, and this is the one that is the most immediately satisfying to him. They know him, here, but... there's an issue, and they're immediately kind of apologetic and sheepish. The cupcakes are about to sell out, and he isn't first in line. Maybe you're the one purchasing them, or just witnessing this, but either way, he seems fairly disappointed. No, it's safe to say that this is actually day-ruining for him.

"Have a nice day," the baker says in a tempered, cautious tone to the customer who purchased the last of them.

L mumbles something that sounds suspiciously like]

Because you clearly need them so much...

[And it's absolutely heard. He made sure of it.]

C. The Coven

[L is practicing spells today in the courtyard. Divination, as always, is a strong point he almost doesn't need to work on... but other branches of magic don't give him quite as much of an advantage.

Conjuration, for instance, is one that is a little bit tricky. He's only made significant headway with one spell in this branch of magic, and it sure is a random one. He sits reading, squinting at the pages to see if he missed something that explains the coffee cup full of ink sitting in front of him. A large white duck wanders around his legs, occasionally taking a blunt-beaked snap at one of the untied laces of his boots.

Whether you're just passing quietly by or you're actively approaching him, he seems a little tetchy when he jerks his head up and asks]

Yes?

[Notably, his teeth and tongue are stained dark blue.]

D. The Apartment (Backdated to just after this thread, Closed to the SQUIP)

[L slips his bare feet out of his boots, sliding them into place by the door as he drapes his jacket over the couch. Little disheveled indicators of his existence are the "human" touches in this dwelling, typically, because while he's generally a clean person, somewhat germaphobic and avoiding dirt and grime, he can be a bit sloppy in terms of organization. His way of distributing his possessions makes a great deal of sense to him, and that's what matters, even if it might be a bit of a headache for any roommate who prefers uncluttered and neat spaces.]

You're here, aren't you? It goes without saying that we need a game plan.

[He's brisk and businesslike when he speaks, going to the kitchen to root around in the freezer for ice cream, but there's a kind of manic energy to his movements. While this is certainly going to be a wrench in their goals' machinery... it's kind of exciting, in a way. It gets his blood going, and gives his intelligence and creativity a pleasurable direction to be deployed. He is famously always onboard for this kind of thing.

The ice cream hasn't turned up, yet. If it's thrown it all away, again...

He raises his voice, and it rings through the apartment that has so far been quiet.]

Trick or treat, SQUIP, I'm peckish.

E. Wildcard

[Don't see it? Want it? Hit me up via PM or on Plurk or Discord and we'll figure something better out!]

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[It's almost that stupidly simple.

Wandering around blindly certainly had its advantages when it came to soliciting help from folk around the city, though as one might expect they didn't always have time to answer Myr's questions in detail or kindly (and much to his chagrin) take his arm and lead him place to place. So there is a very good probability that while he'd gotten a description of what Runetchers sold, it was not a good description as far as deciding whether he could find what he was looking for there.]

Only enough to say that if I was looking for something enchanted, I might find it here. She was in a hurry and I hardly had time to explain what I'd wanted, so-- [He gives a one-shouldered shrug.] --here I am.

[Then he dithers a moment on whether to go on; what exactly...are...the social rules for exchange with a shopkeeper? Did he just blurt out what he wanted or was there some kind of question-and-answer process involved here to get to that part?]

--Though it sounds as if you're a lot more specific than merely enchanting...? [He settles on; maybe if he elicits a description of what they actually do he can spare himself the potential embarrassment of going into all that detail for naught.]

[It's certainly true that looking disadvantaged in some way can be incredibly useful. L himself has done so a few times, because judging from his appearance alone, others have been led to believe that he's in fact a few crayons short of a box, younger than he is, or at the very least in some kind of trouble. It makes others lower their guards; it inspires them to trust and grant the benefit of the doubt to someone who might not deserve it, who is in fact a seasoned detective who can use even shreds of damning evidence to piece together an accurate account of what happened, and how.

He cants his head, regarding the other young man a touch critically.]

I'm afraid that "enchanted objects," while accurate, could benefit from more detail for me to adequately advise you. Runetchers, as the name implies, specializes in runes... that is, scrolls enchanted to dispense one-use spells.

[Perfect. Exactly what he'd wanted and it's little cost to his dignity if the other fellow thinks him slightly daft--

Because that's not precisely untrue here, is it? All right, so it chafes at his pride a little to not be omnicompetent here; that much shows briefly in his expression. Then his usual easy smile is back in its accustomed place.]

Ah--there's my mistake, then. Runes are the permanent sort of enchantment back home. [Which...is a strange problem to have: Everyone sounds like they're speaking Trade to him but what's come through as runes surely isn't.

Something to ponder later.] You wouldn't know who does that sort of thing, would you? I need something that can take the place of a candle--that looks like it's got a flame.

[L is more likely to believe that people are stupid than daft; currently, he doesn't believe that Myr is either, but it's also true that he's struggling a touch to draw a bead on him. One doesn't need to be omnicompetent to be hiding something, after all, and the fact that Myr is navigating with any success while wearing a blindfold suggests that he's figured out something important and useful.]

Not a mistake. A rune on a scroll will function differently from one inscribed on a door or a wall, for instance... as well as the skill and experience of the one etching it. It's just a matter of what you're looking for, whether it's more important for it to work for a long time or be portable and accessible regardless of magical skill.

[After all, a skilled witch probably doesn't need a lot of the spells they infuse the scrolls with. They could cast a spell on their own that would pretty much do the same thing, with far less expense and trouble.]

"Something?" Is a candle with a flame difficult for you to come by?

[Why can't it just be that?]

[Huh. So not as far off as Myr'd thought--it's strange to find himself teetering between expecting everything to be as it was back home, or expecting it all to be strange, and having those expectations violated both ways.

Probably, he ought to sit in on classes with the Coven and alleviate some of the ignorance feeding the issue.

But that's a step a little too far when he's still aching over having lost his magic.]

That is more familiar--and I s'pose the scrolls are something we could have done, too, but it'd be a profligate use of lyrium.

[One corner of his mouth twitches up at the question.] No--we've plenty. But ideally I'd be leaving it burning the whole day, and without any magic of my own any longer, [he can almost say that without any evidence it hurts,] I don't trust an open flame.

[Unseen, L raises a brow. He can surmise without much difficulty that, like a fair number of people who have ended up here, Myr is used to magic... just a different kind. It's both a boon and a bit of a disadvantage, because if one is a witch, they have to adjust to using it differently and unlearn what they know. If they are a monster, well... a different sort of peace needs to be made. On several levels.]

I see. It's not exactly irrational... leaving an open flame burning all day is unsafe in all the circumstances I can immediately think of.

[Although this is consistent with some monster changes, L offers the validation.]

What I'd suggest is a more permanent rune inscribed in an area committed to hosting the illusion. It would probably be a quick job.

[Implied is the offer to do it himself; he believes that it would be simple enough; even though he's never exactly tried a spell to those particular specifications, he grows bored quickly with the routine work here, and enjoys figuring out more customized requests.]

[So far, Myr hadn't made peace with that loss, but he adapted, as he had to so many other losses. Putting the world in some semblance of order he could recognize helped--
and as Aefenglom had nothing remotely resembling a Chantry, of course he'd set about building a shrine.

Which is why he hesitates a moment at the implied offer: Not that he's in any way ashamed of his own religion, but inviting an unbelieving stranger into that sacred space?

It warrants a moment's thought. After it:] That would be ideal, [well, not exactly; it really should be a flame but they've covered already the reasons it can't be,] if you're willing. How much would it cost?

[He's at least learned to ask that now.]

[L can tell that there's likely something making Myr a little hesitant about the prospect... but desperate times call for relaxing more stringent standards. He's memorized this chart, and doesn't particularly need to consult it; one perk of having a mind like his.]

I'm absolutely willing to work offsite. It would be 2500 cune for a permanent etching to create the illusion of a candle.

[He's already sketching a rough draft of the spell he wants to try; his hand his surer with every new line. Yes, this will work.]

I can leave someone to man my post if you'd like to take me there today. Otherwise, we could schedule something at a future time?

[Roughly half a day's wages, Myr reckons; he has...no idea whatever whether he's been quoted a reasonable price for that level of work, but it's one he's willing to pay and that's all that matters.

No reason to delay.] Let's make it today. We'd be going to the Haven--the house I'm sharing, [if knowing how long the trip would be is of any service.

And--presuming this fellow's familiar with the way--it means not having to ask for directions along it.]

D'you need to gather anything before we go?

[The price is, for what their shop charges and his experience level, pretty fair. L himself only receives a portion of what he would be paid for the successful completion of the job; the rest goes to cover the supplies, the establishment, the employers who actually provide him with the opportunity to get that kind of work without having to hustle and freelance.]

Just a kit. The Haven's not far at all...

[And in fact, it's where he lives with the SQUIP, perhaps not far from Myr.

It doesn't take him long to inform his employers and fetch a satchel with the etching supplies in it, and he stiffly offers an arm to nudge the blindfolded customer.]

If this would be helpful...

[He'll lead, if Myr wants. In other words. He knows the general area, and he can ask for a house number when they're a bit closer.]

[Myr had already made a habit of discovering his neighbors among the cottages by encountering them elsewhere in Aefenglom first--so why not another?

He waits--quite still and patient now that he's decided a course of action--for L's return and makes no fuss over taking the offered arm.] It would, thank you. We're in the cottage part of the district.

[He waits until they're out the door before asking,] Are you also mirrorbound, then?

[The natives have a different cadence to their speech, he's learned, though that's not proof against misidentification.]

[L's arm is bony, perhaps concerningly so for someone of his apparent height and age, but willpower is an amazing thing. That seems to be all that powers his limbs some days, in fact.

Their journey back is mostly quiet, save for whenever Myr attempts to get or keep a conversation going; evidently, L is not much of one for small talk.]

Hm...? Oh... yes. I am. Can you tell just by the sound of my voice, or did something else give it away?

[He's genuinely interested; he wants to know how he can blend in better. They round a corner.]

More how you speak and the pace of the words, [Myr replies, thoughtfully. An opportunity to pick through his own reasoning on something is always a treat.] Many of the native folk here are faster, with more of a bounce or a swing to it.

[He's brimming over with other questions--starting somewhere around when did you last eat--as ever, but isn't deaf to social cues. Nor, really, averse to making the walk in companionable silence. But given a little bit of an opening--] Did you have magic before you came through the mirrors?

[There's a very heavy, very careful pause before L answers. Myr might be getting the idea that this man says and does very little that isn't absolutely deliberate.

What could it give away, after all, to betray that he was without magic and is taking all possible steps to grow proficient in certain branches very rapidly?]

It's not particularly unusual here, to come from a world where magic or some equivalent is in common practice. And yourself?

[He... didn't answer the question.]

[He didn't answer the question, and that's unusual.

Myr flips from "casually curious" to "engaged" just like that.]

Ah--so by the doctrine of chances that's, what, three-quarters a "yes"? More than like as not? [His tone is teasing rather than prying; he respects boundaries even if he's accustomed to wiggling a toe over their edges now and again.

The Circle taught you that.]

Mine's gone; it remains to be seen what the world's going to make of me. I came with the ears, though, [because everyone native asked, and he'd grown accustomed to answering.]

[Where he's from, L isn't used to having long-term rapport with... well, anyone, really. Most of the people he's encountered or dealt with have flickered quickly in and out of his otherwise rather static existence. No one has changed him, no one has influenced or given him cause for hope or despair in years.

Well... almost no one.

The point is really that crafting personhood is incredibly new to the detective, and even with the SQUIP's help, it's been a strange and slow process. He doesn't trust, even in small and mundane and harmless ways, because in his experience, those can be the most fatal of all.]

I would say it's more complicated than a cut-and-dried 75%.

[Another little evasion; he does not reciprocate the teasing tone, or even really seem to recognize it, though his gaze lingers for a moment on the faun, as though questioning the presence of something odd.]

You were an... elf?

[A guess, but a decently educated one. L's met Ada, after all, and a few others.]

[By contrast, Myr's probably going to get himself killed one day trusting where he shouldn't,

And he probably wouldn't count it so much a loss~~, and not all of that is the latent suicidality rolled into a martyrdom complex.~~]

What's the complication, then? Trouble summing which worlds have magic and which worlds haven't?

[Because asking that isn't chasing after whatever L's evading him on, so it's fair game.]

Still am, whatever else might grow from me, [though he's heard Fauns have ears like whatever animals they're patterned after, and Maker, he doesn't...know what to think of that, of losing the most obvious mark of being one of the People.]

Turning back to what's most likely--are you human, yourself?

It's a lot to get into on a relatively short walk, with someone whose name I have yet to learn...

[Evasion can get more difficult when people are persistent. Most drop things quickly when they suspect it's not a subject one wishes to discuss, and L takes blatant and full advantage of the fact. He's also incredibly roundabout; he is unlikely to simply ask Myr to drop it, because that's like screaming that something is suspicious at the top of one's lungs in the middle of a crowded square.

He clears his throat, in a sound like an affirmation. He is, in fact, human, and always was even before coming here.]

Speaking of names... I'm sure you don't want me to call you "customer," or "elf," over the duration of this job...

[Just asking "what's your name" would be way too direct, clearly.]

[Ah; they've mismatched on intention. He'd thought he was teasing out a silly bit of probabilistic reasoning, but clearly that's still too close to the bone.

Myr can take the point, even if he's being stubborn about it, and lets the subject go.

For now, anyway.]

Myrobalan Shivana, [and then a long considering beat, like he's still breaking himself of the habit of what follows,] of Hasmal's Circle of Magi.

But Myr's fine for everyday. And since I'd feel impolite calling you "shopkeep," or "human," what'm I to call you instead?

It's just... Linden Tailor. That's enough. and it's fine...

[He actually seems awkward, even guarded, about giving a name at all. One that's definitely real and not worthy of note whatsoever, because he is in fact very ordinary and unworthy of note, himself.

Unfortunately, one of the few things L has always been straight-up shit at is being unworthy of note and ordinary. His work on Myr's runes alone should confirm that; the job goes smoothly and quickly, and the execution and effect of the etching are both striking and elegant. If anything, L actually undercharged for the quality and precision.]

Edited 2019-09-23 05:41 (UTC)

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I'm a Binary Code that You Cracked Long Ago [Open]

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It felt wrong to just leave this hanging lol