I heard The Vault has all kinds of rare books and research documents. They also have books for beginners, right? Are there any books you'd recommend that explain ether and magic basics?
Who taught you your magic? I want to know more about your magic abilities too. I still can't believe you built a ladder on the spot!
I can point you out to the right section. I've only managed to get through a few. A lot of the wording is difficult and I'm still learning. I only started learning how to read when the Corsairs picked me up. The Imperials wouldn't let me touch any of their books. They
got mad.
I mostly taught myself. I didn't even know I was able to use any magic, I think it might have been an accident. None of the basic books mention any sort of magic like mine, but I think I just applied it into something I understood.
I didn't realize. Just checking- is my writing clear? I'm new to this language so I have things to learn too. Would it be better to message by voice? We seem to be doing okay so far.
I heard the Imperials were strict about books and who gets educated. I hope when the Corsairs win the war they will make public education something everyone can get.
If you're the only one who uses that kind of magic, does that mean you invented a new kind of magic all on your own by instinct?
It makes sense enough. Sorry my responses have been a little slow, but I think I'm getting better at it. Voice is fine but this is good practice.
Strict doesn't begin to cover it. That's the first time I found out what a suppression band does.
I guess? I think there are lots of different kinds of magic, or at least the potential. What they teach are basics, but in my case I think it helped that I didn't have anything to go off of, or even know exactly what I was doing. So yes, in that way it was more like going by instinct.
I wouldn't have guessed you were new to reading and writing. I don't think you've been particularly slow. Please don't worry about it.
[ On the other hand, his own replies are very quick, written with an arm that doesn't tire from fast notes.
He wonders how long Donnie had been held by the Empire, but he doesn't want to demand a detailed explanation for a painful memory. Maybe if they knew each other a little better. ]
As a mechanic your instinct is to build and adjust, right? So it's fitting you can build a ladder with your magic! Maybe your understanding of how things work helped to make it a success?
I'd love to try magic myself to understand it even more, but I kind of doubt a robot can do that. Sorry if I end up bugging you with a bunch of questions about what it's like.
When I first was brought to the Vault, I spent a lot of time in the library. Still do, even if a lot of the books are still frustrating to get through. But I'm glad to know I've improved.
That makes sense. I do tend to build things up from the inside out with my magic. It's the best way I can picture to make something functional, but I can do more than ladders.
Ether is used as energy to power things, but it's also the source of magic. I wouldn't be surprised if you could harness it the way people use magic. It's fine though, I don't mind answering questions but I'm not that great about explaining some aspects.
[ He considers suggesting that they have some study sessions in the library, but he is already stuck on Donnie like Velcro for other reasons- he doesn't want to drive him nuts making it sound like he intends to follow him everywhere. ]
I didn't think you only built ladders, but even if you did, it's still cool! What's the most complicated thing you've built with magic so far?
So, if I'm following, you think maybe I could harness ether for spells once I start using it as a power source?
[He wouldn't mind the occasional study sessions, at least.
Donnie thinks a moment. A lot of his mystic builds have been experimental and on the fly.]
An Armor cannon. But I modeled the concentrated blast like whatever magic I saw Gohan use during one of the battles we were in.
Exactly! Ether is basically an energy. The machinery we make is very basic and has very specific functions, and most of the designs are developed to put that power to use for those functions. In a way, we've built in the "mind".
But you have a mind, you can think and apply your energy into the abilities you have. So I think it shouldn't be any different generating spells the same way once you have an ether source. I've been told that living things naturally absorb ether, so it's just become a part of us. It's why we can keep some ether-powered things functioning just by having them with us, we're kind of like a charge for them, and in turn I guess we're charged by our surroundings.
When you get your own Armor, are you going to build weapons onto it mid battle like that?
I wouldn't have guessed that I could use ether for anything but what I was built to do because most stories about magic back home seem to imply that it requires a living person's soul or willpower to work. Some of the humans wouldn't like the suggestion that robots have souls, and some of them don't want to accept that we have a will. Many of them think of it as an imitation of humans, and less genuine than the "real thing." Even some of those who acknowledge our free will and self-awareness aren't sure how real it is.
But if you can build machines that can technically use magic, I guess in this case it might passes up some of those concerns. Not that people of my world know anything about real magic anyway.
It'd come in handy. But it'd only be temporary, although at least I shouldn't need a Zepter to do it.
That sounds pretty complicated. But I don't think anyone here would really have figured you to be anything other than human. With some interesting and strange abilities, sure, but you haven't acted so different that I'd have ever thought you anything but alive. And you can make your own decisions so isn't that kind of like having a will? It definitely suggests a mind.
This isn't your world so the people from where you're from shouldn't concern you. Here you're adapting to survive. You're also open to new potential. They can't tell you what you should be capable of or what to do.
Maybe the trick is the build weapons into it that are effective for most situations, but ones that can be easily modified with your magic for certain situations. If that's possible.
[ It's fascinating to think about. Hopefully he wasn't overstepping making wild suggestions. ]
Right. I keep worrying about things from home out of habit. I usually have to walk a fine line to balance my support for fellow robots and being a friend to as many humans as possible. I'm kind of famous back home and seen as a representative for robotkind.
But you're right. So far here I'm simply treated like an odd human. Maybe after a little more time I'll be used to it. Thanks for pointing that out.
Modified might work. Maybe if I just have something like the base form, I can skip ahead to supplement the power. I wonder if I don't even have to magically construct an entire weapon... But I'm not sure if that's more suited for Zepter armors. Those are the ones that specifically are designed for magic to be channeled through it. I'd rather have something with more physical capabilities, and magic used in supplement.
A representative? Interesting! The gate brings all sorts, so you may as well just be an odd human. I still get weird looks sometimes and that's from natives to this world, but I guess turtlekin aren't a common sight. Which I guess makes sense since I've never seen any others aside from my brothers.
[ It's in text but something tell Atom that this might be a less than happy subject. If it wasn't a big deal and his family was living peacefully somewhere else, he probably would have volunteered that information. ]
Sorry if that's a difficult subject. You don't have to explain.
[ Should he try to change the subject? What's the more polite thing to do? He's starting to wish they were talking face to face. ]
[It's maybe a moment or two before his response comes as he hems and haws about it. Talking about it isn't ever an easy subject for him.]
They're safe. Hopefully. It's a long story.
[Longer than he'd feel comfortable typing, although maybe that'd at least make it easier since he can hide his emotions this way. But he doubts the method would make much difference in the end. For him it really is a difficult subject, and he's only spoken about it to a few people.]
[ This is where he would give Donnie a respectful quiet nod in acknowledgment and move on. It's difficult at first to decide on a word to use instead, and his reply is slower this time than his typical speedy delivery. ]
I understand.
I have a younger sister at home named Uran. I think she's going to envy all the adventures I get to have here. Especially seeing real magic. I am definitely telling her about your ladder.
Think of something really cool and let me know when you're ready to show me. I promise I'll tell her about that too, and I won't call you the Ladder Wizard.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2024-10-18 03:53 am (UTC)Well, please keep me updated on your findings. You'd know better than I would as to what you need.
Magic is very flexible, sometimes frustratingly so! Perhaps you'll find something similar to work with.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-18 10:08 am (UTC)I heard The Vault has all kinds of rare books and research documents. They also have books for beginners, right? Are there any books you'd recommend that explain ether and magic basics?
Who taught you your magic? I want to know more about your magic abilities too. I still can't believe you built a ladder on the spot!
no subject
Date: 2024-10-18 05:04 pm (UTC)got mad.
I mostly taught myself. I didn't even know I was able to use any magic, I think it might have been an accident. None of the basic books mention any sort of magic like mine, but I think I just applied it into something I understood.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-21 08:11 am (UTC)I heard the Imperials were strict about books and who gets educated. I hope when the Corsairs win the war they will make public education something everyone can get.
If you're the only one who uses that kind of magic, does that mean you invented a new kind of magic all on your own by instinct?
no subject
Date: 2024-10-21 04:37 pm (UTC)Strict doesn't begin to cover it. That's the first time I found out what a suppression band does.
I guess? I think there are lots of different kinds of magic, or at least the potential. What they teach are basics, but in my case I think it helped that I didn't have anything to go off of, or even know exactly what I was doing. So yes, in that way it was more like going by instinct.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-23 11:36 am (UTC)[ On the other hand, his own replies are very quick, written with an arm that doesn't tire from fast notes.
He wonders how long Donnie had been held by the Empire, but he doesn't want to demand a detailed explanation for a painful memory. Maybe if they knew each other a little better. ]
As a mechanic your instinct is to build and adjust, right? So it's fitting you can build a ladder with your magic! Maybe your understanding of how things work helped to make it a success?
I'd love to try magic myself to understand it even more, but I kind of doubt a robot can do that. Sorry if I end up bugging you with a bunch of questions about what it's like.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-23 05:08 pm (UTC)That makes sense. I do tend to build things up from the inside out with my magic. It's the best way I can picture to make something functional, but I can do more than ladders.
Ether is used as energy to power things, but it's also the source of magic. I wouldn't be surprised if you could harness it the way people use magic. It's fine though, I don't mind answering questions but I'm not that great about explaining some aspects.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-30 09:15 am (UTC)I didn't think you only built ladders, but even if you did, it's still cool! What's the most complicated thing you've built with magic so far?
So, if I'm following, you think maybe I could harness ether for spells once I start using it as a power source?
no subject
Date: 2024-10-30 06:07 pm (UTC)Donnie thinks a moment. A lot of his mystic builds have been experimental and on the fly.]
An Armor cannon. But I modeled the concentrated blast like whatever magic I saw Gohan use during one of the battles we were in.
Exactly! Ether is basically an energy. The machinery we make is very basic and has very specific functions, and most of the designs are developed to put that power to use for those functions. In a way, we've built in the "mind".
But you have a mind, you can think and apply your energy into the abilities you have. So I think it shouldn't be any different generating spells the same way once you have an ether source. I've been told that living things naturally absorb ether, so it's just become a part of us. It's why we can keep some ether-powered things functioning just by having them with us, we're kind of like a charge for them, and in turn I guess we're charged by our surroundings.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-31 08:23 am (UTC)I wouldn't have guessed that I could use ether for anything but what I was built to do because most stories about magic back home seem to imply that it requires a living person's soul or willpower to work. Some of the humans wouldn't like the suggestion that robots have souls, and some of them don't want to accept that we have a will. Many of them think of it as an imitation of humans, and less genuine than the "real thing." Even some of those who acknowledge our free will and self-awareness aren't sure how real it is.
But if you can build machines that can technically use magic, I guess in this case it might passes up some of those concerns. Not that people of my world know anything about real magic anyway.
no subject
Date: 2024-10-31 05:21 pm (UTC)That sounds pretty complicated. But I don't think anyone here would really have figured you to be anything other than human. With some interesting and strange abilities, sure, but you haven't acted so different that I'd have ever thought you anything but alive. And you can make your own decisions so isn't that kind of like having a will? It definitely suggests a mind.
This isn't your world so the people from where you're from shouldn't concern you. Here you're adapting to survive. You're also open to new potential. They can't tell you what you should be capable of or what to do.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-01 02:42 am (UTC)[ It's fascinating to think about. Hopefully he wasn't overstepping making wild suggestions. ]
Right. I keep worrying about things from home out of habit. I usually have to walk a fine line to balance my support for fellow robots and being a friend to as many humans as possible. I'm kind of famous back home and seen as a representative for robotkind.
But you're right. So far here I'm simply treated like an odd human. Maybe after a little more time I'll be used to it. Thanks for pointing that out.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-01 03:31 am (UTC)A representative? Interesting! The gate brings all sorts, so you may as well just be an odd human. I still get weird looks sometimes and that's from natives to this world, but I guess turtlekin aren't a common sight. Which I guess makes sense since I've never seen any others aside from my brothers.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-01 01:16 pm (UTC)You have siblings?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-01 09:34 pm (UTC)I have three. There's Raph who's the oldest, and Leo who's the same age as me. And Mikey is the youngest.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-02 10:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-11-02 04:55 pm (UTC)It's just me.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-04 02:04 pm (UTC)Sorry if that's a difficult subject. You don't have to explain.
[ Should he try to change the subject? What's the more polite thing to do? He's starting to wish they were talking face to face. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-11-04 05:46 pm (UTC)They're safe. Hopefully. It's a long story.
[Longer than he'd feel comfortable typing, although maybe that'd at least make it easier since he can hide his emotions this way. But he doubts the method would make much difference in the end. For him it really is a difficult subject, and he's only spoken about it to a few people.]
Maybe later.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-05 12:31 pm (UTC)I understand.
I have a younger sister at home named Uran. I think she's going to envy all the adventures I get to have here. Especially seeing real magic. I am definitely telling her about your ladder.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-05 10:26 pm (UTC)[He can do sooo much cooler stuff than ladders and if he's going to have stories told about him, he doesn't want to be known as the magic ladder guy!]
winding off?
Date: 2024-11-09 11:39 am (UTC)*thumbs-up!*
Date: 2024-11-09 05:44 pm (UTC)