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string theory [closed]
Without any warning or preamble, a set of messages are sent briefly over Communion.
To D and Matt, the message is simple. It’s time. Go to The Crown to meet Coalbrand. He’ll be the one getting you to the tower. And indeed, they’ll be welcomed by the demon with a glittering smile and cloying words asking if there’s anything he can supply them with. Whether they do so is up to them, but it’s not wise—that’s how you end up in debt to the house. But eventually, a magical slumber will greet them and they’ll awake within Aetós’s tower.
To Flat and Gen, the message is a bit more complicated, but it amounts to “it’s time to work”. Bring whatever you might need for a few days, since the work itself isn’t usually quick. But when they’re ready, come to The Crown. Aetós will meet them there.
To D and Matt, the message is simple. It’s time. Go to The Crown to meet Coalbrand. He’ll be the one getting you to the tower. And indeed, they’ll be welcomed by the demon with a glittering smile and cloying words asking if there’s anything he can supply them with. Whether they do so is up to them, but it’s not wise—that’s how you end up in debt to the house. But eventually, a magical slumber will greet them and they’ll awake within Aetós’s tower.
To Flat and Gen, the message is a bit more complicated, but it amounts to “it’s time to work”. Bring whatever you might need for a few days, since the work itself isn’t usually quick. But when they’re ready, come to The Crown. Aetós will meet them there.
no subject
[ but sure, if matt wants a cookie, then flat will let him go in order to go to another side of the room. when he comes back, he’s carrying a somewhat crumpled bag with a bunch of cookies. ]
It’s important to keep yourself healthy so that you can withstand the strain. It’s like astronauts— they basically have to be in perfect health before they go up in space. So if you’re in a bad state, then the risk of you not being able to withstand the procedure rises.
[ he says all of this casually, taking one cookie for himself and munching on it absentmindedly.
after swallowing a piece, he adds: ]
I think it would be a waste if you guys died. So let’s make sure that you don’t!
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You're very practical. [ Matt sounds faintly amused--he'd bet it's not people's first or strongest impression of Flat--but impressed. ] How do you keep all that stuff top of mind when things get stressful?
no subject
[ matt would be right in assuming that that's not the first, second, or even third thing that people think about flat, and it's obvious on flat's face as he blinks a few times to process it. maybe something's wrong with matt's brain, since the mage himself cannot see anything else that could be causing him to think like this.
well, considering how matt volunteered himself into this situation, flat figures that's the likely answer. ]
I just do. [ he shrugs, as if there were nothing else to say on the subject. he's just the maverick kind of person. ] It's important to keep calm when it matters most!
no subject
[ Speaking of, he takes a bite of his cookie. He chews quietly for a moment before continuing. ]
I mean, staying calm specifically I'm okay at. I meditate. [ And thanks to magical talent, long practice, or some mixture of both, he can usually slow both his mind and his heart rate when he employs yogic breathing exercises. ] But the self-care pieces I've clearly been neglecting a little bit. Pushing too hard, I guess.
But you don't seem to have that problem. [ A quick, quirking smile. ] Unless you're one of those "do as I say, not as I do" guys.
[ No judgment if he is. God knows Matt's pestered Gavial, Drizzt, and Tezca often enough about the need to take some R&R. ]
no subject
[ flat smiles awkwardly, clearly a little embarrassed by being praised so highly by matt. it’s not a common thing for the young man, so he’s unused to it.
even so, he continues in his usual tone. ]
Mm, it’s not that I don’t get stressed. But it’s not an efficient way to be, you know? So I’ve figured out ways to deal with it, just like you have. Maybe I’m just more self-aware than you?
[ he hums, eyeing matt from his head to his toes. ]
And, if something stresses me out too much, then I let it go. It’s not worth it— I’ll only do things that I want to do. So stuff doesn’t feel stressful that much, because it’s more like an adventure!
[ it’s a selfish lifestyle, marching to the beat of his own drum. as a lifestyle born out of the inability to synchronize with others, it would be more apt to call flat not a single drummer, but a one-man orchestra.
by this point in his life, flat understands that there are things that he and the rest of humanity will never agree with— so all he can do is play the same sheets as others with his own, characteristic flair. ]
no subject
That's the ideal mental state of meditation, [ he muses. ] The way I understand it, at least: being able to have a thought or a worry and let it go.
I'm pretty good at doing that in the moment. But the things that bother me usually recur unless I deal with them fully.
[ Matt crunch, crunches quietly at his cookie. When he notices Flat eyeing him, he eyes back--with a teasing expression, rather than any sense of trying to gather information. ]
Well, thanks for sharing your perspective. Gotta admit, though ... some of my favorite things in life are inefficient.
no subject
Hm? You think they're inefficient? Like what?
[ he quirks an eyebrow, as if trying to guess what it is that matt could be talking about. there's a twinkle of curiosity in his eyes, as he's never heard anyone trying to use the same terminology as he does. ]
Well, humans are pretty inefficient in general, so that's not too surprising! [ he beams, shrugging as if it can't be helped. ] But if it's something that you really really like, then I don't see how that's a bad thing. If you keep on doing it, maybe your stress levels will go down!
no subject
[ Matt tips his left hand this way and that for ehh, unaware that he won't have the ability for much longer. ]
There was some data my world's scientists collected to suggest that certain aesthetic aspects--green spaces in public, looking at sunsets or listening to music--lower stress and raise contentment. So, they're beneficial. But if we were going by pure efficiency, I don't know if they'd fit the bill.
You could definitely make arguments for the ultimate efficiency of poetry and gardening, on a long enough timescale. But I guess it also depends on what your definition of efficiency is.
1/2
[ there was, in flat's eyes, a hopeful curiosity as matt had brought up the topic of efficiency. as a fan, it felt almost like a chance to talk about something that would only earn odd stares at best, and unsettle others at worst.
but as matt keeps talking, flat realizes that whatever it is that the other is talking about... is not the vision that flat sees. it is, perhaps, a flash of lonely disappointment that flits across the mage's expression... ]
2/2
I don't think there's anything inefficient about those things! Subcultures are an essential part of humanity, after all.
[ maybe matt's just trying to beat himself down, maybe he's just trying to be relatable with the mage. regardless, flat sees a need to correct him before he continues using terminology that he doesn't know how to use. ]
So, you like poetry? What do you like reading? Any faves? I've had to read a lot of it, so we could probably talk about it, if it makes you feel more comfortable.
no subject
He's not confident enough in reading moods to decipher Flat's expression. So he doesn't quite track what the rising and deflating hope might mean. However, he has had numerous conversations in Kenos where it became clear pretty quick that he and the other person weren't talking about the same thing. ]
I do like poetry, [ he allows. ] I started off using it as a focus during spellcasting, but then it kind of developed into its own thing.
But if you don't mind, ah--what is your definition of efficiency?
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Efficiency is efficiency. You know like, um.... min-maxing and stuff like that? Maximum productivity with minimum waste.
[ does matt want flat to give him the oxford dictionary definition? he's not sure what aim he's going for here. somehow, the attempt at understanding flat only seems to make him feel more alienated, because flat himself can't understand matt's question, much less answer it. ]
Listen, I don't mind talking about the things that interest me! But there's a lot of things that I'm interested in, even some that might surprise you— so why don't you choose something else to talk about? I think it'll probably be easier for the both of us.
no subject
But then Flat suggests a subject change in a way that feels less like suggesting and more like redirecting traffic. Matt's sure he means to be nice, which is why probably be easier for the both of us feels d e v a s t a t i n g. He's not sure if he messed up somewhere, or just isn't well-read enough (or smart enough) to grok what Flat's been talking about this whole time.
Well. He can let it go. But part of him feels a little sad. A bit lonely, himself. ]
Um. No, I'm okay, thanks. Maybe I'll just finish this, [ lifting the half-eaten cookie, ] and do some breathing exercises, and I'll ... catch you when the thing starts.
no subject
[ flat bobs his head in an enthusiastic nod, reaching out to give matt a pat on the shoulder.
and whether or not he's aware of matt's own plight seems to go unsaid until just a moment later he adds: ]
It's not your fault, okay? You made an attempt, it's just that you're totally off— and that's okay. There's really nothing wrong with that. I'm sure humanity will get there someday. You should feel proud for having made an attempt!
[ his tone is... one of reassurance, but also of genuine pride and love. not for matt, exactly, but for something else entirely— ]
Well, see ya soon! Hope your meditation works!
[ and with a bright smile and a final wave, he leaves matt to his own devices, humming a cheerful tune as he walks away from him. ]