CLOSED ♔ destroyed my people are for lack of knowledge

[rationalizes]

WHO || Gar, Myri [Closed]
WHAT || Gar helps Myri with reading lessons
WHERE || Knight's HQ, the library
WHEN || Evening, Oct 10
HOW || Actionspam

[ As promised, Gar's been assisting Myri when she can in reading lessons, and tonight they can be found in the library, a smattering of books and journals laid open everywhere, a collection of classical literature and scientific research intermingled. Gar is currently balanced on a ladder, trying to dig out a very slim volume from a high shelf, and apparently having some trouble. ]

Perhaps I should have [ she gives another yank ] simply printed you a copy from my computer...

Comments

[witchwoman]

[Myri has been so excited about practicing her reading. She stands below the ladder Gar's climbed onto and looks up with a worried expression. Should the woman fall, Myri is prepared to try to catch her, but there's always the chance that the plan would fail.]

I've found that I prefer to read from books, when given the chance. [Not that she'd snub a sheet of loose paper. She just hopes it makes Gar feel less silly or like she's putting in too much effort for one book.] I wasn't allowed in the magician's Universities back home. So to hold books and actually understand the words... It's a wonder.

[rationalizes]

[ the ladder wobbles a bit, but gar stays steady as she grabs the volume with both hands and yanks on it with a mighty heave that frees it without bringing any other books down as well. ]

Aha! [ she grins down triumphantly ] I can hardly imagine a world where knowledge is restricted to a certain class of people... How dreadful.

[witchwoman]

[When the ladder shakes, Myri rushes to steady it. The last thing she wants is for the poor woman to take a tumble on account of her.]

It's not really anything that anyone thinks about. The Stargods said that it must be so... and so it is.

[rationalizes]

Religions that make it a part of their creed to keep the common man ignorant always did strike me as slightly suspect... [ it seems more to herself than myri and when she realizes she spoke it out loud, she looks embarrassed ] Not that I'm -- I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.

[witchwoman]

[Myri doesn't look offended. She just nods.]

The Stargods came in the belly of a great white dragon and saved my world from the blood thirsty Simurgh- the dragon who discovered a taste for man's flesh. They banished him and established peace amongst the scattered tribes. They named our land and created the University of magicians.

Even hundreds of years since their arrival, we know that only by keeping their laws can we ever truly live in harmony.

But I have come to realize that not all lands are like Kardia Hodos. And in this world, I am in greater danger without this ability. It's simply a matter of adapting.

[rationalizes]

How are people chosen in your world to attend this university? [ she starts her way down the ladder ]

[witchwoman]

I've heard it told that the University used to have dozens of magicians of all sorts at any given time, but the numbers have fallen. Admittance to the University comes at a price, you see, and not many families have the gold to support such an education.

[rationalizes]

And the rest of you: you must have some means of education, even if it's of a more vocational bent or... or oral storytelling to pass down your history perhaps?

[witchwoman]

Oh, there's plenty of all that. I learned how to be a witchwoman from a mentor, for example.

[rationalizes]

[ gar dismounts the ladder carefully, smoothing the journal open on the table ]

Did she ever speak to you about the history of the witchwomen?

[witchwoman]

[She shakes her head.]

Only that it was something she had learned from her mother, who learned from her mother before her. It was the blessing of the Stargods that we found each other when I was so young. The chances that I would also have the gifts necessary for such work are very slim.

[rationalizes]

Then it didn't run in your family as well?

[witchwoman]

I don't know. [Myri smooths the pages down with her hands.] I never knew my family.

I think it's a different sort of loss of memory than the rest. I remember Magretha and the fire... and all those years running from Moncriith. But the way the witchwomman told it, I arrived at her door as a babe. She says I couldn't have been older than two. I could tell her nothing more than my name.

[rationalizes]

Was your name common in your world? Or could perhaps it provide clues from its etymology?

[witchwoman]

No, it was not very common, but there is something to be said for those who do not wish to be found.

And if I am here now it matters even less. The past is behind us. I am much more fond of the future.

[rationalizes]

[ a wide smile and gar smooths open the journal on the desk before her. ] A philosophy worth respecting, certainly. And with an eye on the future, this would be the piece I put together on my theory for a Shadow Gate.

[witchwoman]

[Myri turns her attention back to the journal.] It will take me quite some time to read it, I imagine.

[She's a little sheepish about her speed, as it's still not very quick.]

[rationalizes]

Well, there's certainly no rush. And if you find it dreadfully dull, you don't have to stick to it to protect my feelings.

[witchwoman]

I'm sure it's fascinating. [She says with a smile.] Are you working on anything new?

[rationalizes]

Making it into a reality, of course. But that's a project that will take years... so I have more reasonable goals in mind for the short term. Finding out the essential differences between those things we call 'Shadow' and those of this world, biologically, and in terms of the 'magic' that came from their worlds. Turned into actual scientific data, it could be used to track monsters and find more efficient ways of restraining or destroying them.

[witchwoman]

[Myri is extremely thoughtful. She's still new to the various forms of 'science' but from what she's picked up in her time with the Knights (and from the few things she's read since she started practicing), she has a rough idea of what Gar is talking about.]

Can I help? Being from beyond the Veil and having magic must make me a candidate for your research.

[rationalizes]

[ gar looks pleasantly surprised ] Well, it would certainly help me to do some various energy readings on you, if you don't mind... Perhaps some bloodwork, etc.

[witchwoman]

Of course I don't mind. I want to help... and I trust you.

[The last part meant a great deal more than Myri could express. Trust was not something she could muster easily. But Gar was someone who had earned it twice over.]

[rationalizes]

[ gar seems to take it as a big deal at least, and gives a very warm smile ] I trust you as well, Myri. Which is why I've invited you to assist me in my research.

[witchwoman]

Could you show me how you do this research? [She's going to be taking the journal back to her room anyway, and now the idea of seeing how Gar works is way more interesting.]

[rationalizes]

[ the question seems to take her by surprise, but her enthusiasm peaks even further ] Of course! You're a full Knight now, which means you have access to all of our laboratory facilities, so you're free to come with me while I work.

[witchwoman]

That sounds wonderful. Name the time and place. I'll be there.

[rationalizes]

No time like the present, is there?

[witchwoman]

Really? Oh, yes. [She packs up her reading materials and jumps up from her seat, eager for Gar to lead the way.]

[rationalizes]

[ AW YEAH OFF TO GIVE BLOOD AND STUFF, idk if you wanted to keep going y/n?? ]

[witchwoman]

[Handwaving works :3 I'm sure we can do a science log later!]