soul_campaign | 003 (mar. 7) / video.

[it's been over a month since qilby last showed his face in a personal post on the network, and since then the pile of books on his workspace have grown to obscene levels. either he's been spending all his food money on these things -- he certainly isn't looking any less gaunt than usual -- or someone's been seriously ignoring their due dates at the library…

due dates don't apply to kings, anyway. and that's the truth!

he smiles a tired smile.] Believe it or not, I think I'm beginning to exhaust Shibusen's library of its resources. A word to the wise -- the selection is smaller than it first appears, when the majority of books are restricted to the public.

[is that a subtle jab at the way things are run? probably not. he's still generally-cheery looking, after all.] I wonder what the policy on traveling outside the city is, when one's not accompanying their partner on a mission. It's dangerous out there, of course, but I'm curious about the rest of this world outside the city's walls. It's not every day that I-- [well, that'd be a lie] ... That most people get to see a new planet, and I'm sure I'm not the only un-partnered individual who's got an itch to explore. The libraries of the world await...

... Perhaps, when things calm down a bit. [you know, when you mighty warriors can afford to sit around and lounge by the pool all day.] In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions as to other ways of acquiring study material? A man needs to keep himself occupied.

[you have no idea.]

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[no, because like 80% of you people are crap to talk to--

oh, he can't say that out loud, can he? fine, he'll just stick with the pleasant smile.] Information about the magic and technology available on other worlds -- while fascinating to hear about -- isn't something I can practically apply on this one. I forgot to mention I'm conducting this research for an express purpose.

But... I'm beginning to get the gist of things as they work in this universe, I think. It's familiar, but all so different.

That's good to hear. I fear that I won't be able to help you much in that case, though... I was able to combine the knowledge and technologies from different worlds for my purpose, but I take it that yours has to be a lot more sophisticated than reading plans and rebuilding an instrument.

[hm. seems like he's not the only one with busted tech.]

Perhaps, perhaps not. My talents were almost entirely with knowledge and theory, with actual invention taking only second place. [but the way he smiles, while not quite smug, makes it pretty clear he's understating himself.]

I have a sister who is a real technological genius about both coming up with ideas and putting them into practice, but I fear that I myself never have managed to get to a level that's past helping her from time to time by playing assistant.

[He chuckles a little.] On the other hand, she always keeps claiming that I have a knack for finding a system's weak point which makes me the optimal test driver.

[and he laughs at that, pulling a face.] Well, we're only as great as the people who choose to support, or put up with us. Even the greatest of inventive minds needs someone to tell them what they're doing wrong -- it's difficult to see those little details from where we are, so high up.

Your sister isn't here, is she?

[He joins the laughter, but then sobers up at the question.]

She was.

I'm sorry. [and he does truly look it.]

I've... A sister as well. She's already been taken from me once -- I couldn't imagine having her here, and having it happen a second time. BREW can be cruel. [especially from what he's seen the past few days...]

[He gives him a weak smile.]

Thanks, and I'm sorry to hear that. Losing somebody close... or family.. can be very hard on you. Especially if you don't have many of them to begin with.

[qilby doesn't have much else to add to that. that's about the long and short of it, it is.

change of subject.] Aah-- what sort of device is it that you have here? Is it one of your sister's?

It is. [He smiles faintly, nonchalant.] It's one of her pet-projects, something like an advanced pacemaker for a worst case scenario.

I'm, aah-- [a bit of a sheepish look] ... I'm afraid I'm somewhat unfamiliar with the term. Our technology was impressive, but we relied on magic in equal parts. We had few of the more advanced inventions that seem to litter this world in abundance.

Oh? My apologies, then. Demon technology is a lot advanced from those the humans use back in our world, but here most seem to be familiar enough with similar devices that I tend to forget that not everybody has the same types of knowledge or would recognize its terms.

[He thinks for a moment.]

A pacemaker is a small device that uses outward energy to prompt a body to keep working as it normally would, even when it is mortally wounded.

[his brows raise.] Now, that's the sort of thing that'd certainly require magic on my world. I'm impressed.

But, aah-- do you often find yourself in situations where you're mortally wounded? [it's part gentle teasing, part genuine curiosity.]

As a wise man once said: the only difference between magic and technology is knowing that there is a switch you have to move.

[He chuckles.] Quite often. Some people are rather ardent about killing us all. [Which isn't even a lie.]

I... I'm sorry. [awkward! qilby has the good grace (or, more accurately, the good acting) to look mortified.] I didn't realise--

[he clears his throat.] My own people suffered similar attentions. It was inconsiderate of me to pry.

[He laughs lightly, shaking his head.] Don't be, it was to be expected. Humans don't like demons. A system can't permit those who seek to interfere with it to exist. Be it persecution by humans or demons, we are adapted to deal with it.

[His expression turns sober.]

Or were. Something has come up that has turned the tides heavily against our favor. I'm sorry that your kind had to suffer the same.

A system should be fluid, for a brittle foundation is far more easily crumbled than a pliable one. [but it's not like an eliatrope king to pry, even if it's like qilby to be curious. he doesn't follow up the statement.]

Our ordeals weren't anything quite of that nature, but-- the sentiment is appreciated all the same. [and then, with a nonchalance that's almost noticeable:] Humans don't like demons, as you say. I don't suppose I could blame you if that sentiment went both ways.

003 (mar. 7) / video.

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sorry, hiatus is over now!!