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[nulland]

Sender: Rob
To: All
Subject: The Past

So, is it normal for things to suddenly jump backwards in time here? I see that these books are still some kind of weird email/letter combination with a throwback pen, but other than that this is pretty different from what I saw a few weeks ago.

I'd mostly like to know if it's a good idea to stock up on things that may not be available later. You know, non-perishable food, soap, explosives, that sort of thing.

Comments

[thegamesafoot]

[ Another victim of the litigious Doyle estate. ]

Agreed. They're a fine way for an enterprising young man to clear a rock slide, dig a mine, or otherwise pass his idle time.

As to the other supplies you've mentioned, I find food and most necessities in ready supply. You'll find most of us well-fed and properly bathed.

[ A moment's pause, then: ]

What is "email"?

[ If he were physically present to pose the question, he might pronounce this "eh-mail." In fact, he is doing that right now as he writes it in his journal. ]

[nulland]

Among others things, yeah. [Pause.] Do rock slides happen a lot here?

Good to know. I was hoping to avoid smelling an era before basic hygiene.

[He has to think about that question. Honestly, people not knowing about email isn't that crazy to him, but he's still never explained it before.]

It's kind of like this, but instead of a book it's a screen and you write with

[Another pause.]

yeah I don't know how to explain a keyboard if you've never heard of one.

[thegamesafoot]

Given the variety of things that do happen here, I would not rule out the odd rock slide. Always be prepared, my dear fellow!

[ The reference to a "screen" trips him up more. Is it some kind of mesh? A partition? What does that have to do with a keyboard? He doesn't allow himself to get too hung up on it, though. ]

A keyboard—like that on a typewriter, I assume? If I may ask, what is your year of origin?

[nulland]

Oh. Right. That is what I'm trying to do here, you know.

[Rob is pleasantly surprised, not that you can write that tone easily.]

Actually yes. Exactly like that. And it was 2019 before whenever this is.

[thegamesafoot]

The year 2019! I'm well over a century ahead of you, Mr Rob. Around the turn of the 20th, to be precise!

I expect you will be missing all manner of modern conveniences—flying automobiles, books that read themselves, mechanical butlers! This humble town must seem quite repulsively primitive to your futuristic sensibilities.

[nulland]

[For the record, this is getting another Look. He's used to not being able to explain things to people, at least.]

That explains a lot. Or some of it.

Yeah, not quite. I mean it's definitely like living in some historical reenactment, but I'm used to having to get by on whatever I can find.

[thegamesafoot]

That enterprising attitude will take you far here! Scavenging and improvising are quite a pleasant diversion.

And then, of course, there is "dreamotion." If cleverly employed, I suspect it should fill some of the technological gaps.

[nulland]

That's one way of putting it, sure.

Dreamotion? [The spacing is a bit bigger on that as he tried to make sure he was copying it properly.] Is that some old alchemy thing I've never heard of, or is it part of the weirdness around here?

[thegamesafoot]

The "weirdness," as you so aptly termed it. It's a form of energy that pervades this world. With practice, it can be manipulated to various ends.

I'm loathe to use such a whimsical word, but one could liken it to a sort of magic.

[nulland]

Huh. Sounds accurate to me from what you just described. How various are we talking about here?

[thegamesafoot]

As diverse as the individual and his or her imagination!

To date, I've witnessed people conjure the various classical elements, manifest illusory creatures, will inanimate objects to life, and imbue items with protective qualities.

However, as with anything, it takes practice to master. Especially if you desire a predictable, reproducible outcome and not so much whimsical helter-skelter.

Not that there's anything wrong with the latter. A dose of raw mayhem can be energising.

[nulland]

Interesting. That does sound like something worth utilizing. Gotta be honest, I've had enough mayhem for, well, my entire life.

How do you even practice something like that without blowing up the wrong thing or something like that?

[...He's really not that into bombs, they're just on his mind right now.]

[thegamesafoot]

That is an excellent question! One I've yet to find an answer to, Mr Rob.

[ Is that to imply that he's already blown the wrong things up? Maybe. ]

If I find it, you shall be the first to know. In the meantime, might I suggest speaking with more established denizens of Reverein. Or, I suppose, those who are practised in the manipulation of ethereal energies in their worlds of origin.

[nulland]

Okay, Mr. Rob is my

Actually, nevermind. It's just Rob.

Thanks. Is there some easy way for me to figure out who you're talking about? I mean, apart from just asking everyone. That would probably get annoying.

[thegamesafoot]

[ Another new acquaintance, another insistence on dropping titles ... he's starting to notice a trend of informality here. ]

Oh, I do encourage asking around. Then again, that's my professional prerogative as a detective. I can't expect everyone to be so [ annoying ] bold.

However, if you would like some leads try Miss Anya, Miss Susato, or perhaps Mr Seventy-Six. (The latter two are employed at the Wild Harvest.) They've all been here for some time and are quite proficient.

[nulland]

[Ah, a detective. Maybe that explains the name. And maybe he'd more okay with a title if he was older. Or had a last name.]

I'm pretty sure it's not going to be that easy for me. [Considering you can't see him right now.]

OK. I'm pretty sure I met Susato already. That explains all the fire.

[thegamesafoot]

[ Sholmes gives the words in his journal a thoughtful frown. ]

How do you mean? You need not worry, my good fellow! I've found the citizens of Reverein to be fantastically accommodating.

After all, it behoves us to help one another out, that we may better weather the odd nightmare.

[nulland]

I'd like to hope so. That makes the most sense. Too bad most people don't stop to think about that and just go with whatever they feel like doing.

[thegamesafoot]

That's exactly the sort of pessimism that will land you in a nightmare, Mr Rob! I recommend operating on the assumption that people are innocent until proven rude.

[nulland]

I was being realistic, not sure how that's supposed to affect my dreams. Also "rude" and "innocent" aren't opposites. Totally possible to be both.