revenance_comms | Technology is Fun

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Technology is Fun - 001 [Audio]

Good day, my name is Jeeves. I am given to understand this device has some extraordinary broadcasting ability akin to a radio or television, but with multi-way communicative properties. I have been here only a short time and require some assistance, for which I will gladly work in trade.

I have created one of the creatures known as a spirit. I have been led to believe that the animal serves some useful function as protection in this realm against nightmares of a similar build, but alternate coloration. The Komory Bat now in my possession defies all training and disciplinary methods with which I am familiar for service animals. I would deeply appreciate some instruction on their care and control. It has taken to fluttering around me in a highly distracting way. Thank you.

I have also been informed this device has some archival function. If it may be accessed readily, I should like to know how.

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[A ship? Jeeves hasn't gotten any sort of nautical impression from Agent North, yet, but perhaps he is what would be counted more as an officer than a common seaman.]

I see. Agent North made mention of it. The 'Mother of Invention'? [If it's a ship, that makes far more sense now, than if it were a town.] I shall endeavor to explore the additional worlds more fully in due course. Would you recommend any, in particular, for their educational value pertaining to this realm, madam?

I personally find the stars outside the Mother of Invention interesting. There is only one copy of my charts at present, but I am willing to lend them out.

And you will likely wish to accustom yourself to Ponyville as soon as possible, should you ever plan to go there. I predict a great battle will soon take place, and anyone unable to manage their hooves should not risk being swept up in it.

A battle, madam? Are the nightmares particularly restless in your native realm?

Neigh, but every new world has played host to a great Nightmare after its discovery, unique ones more powerful than the common kinds. Ponyville is simply overdue.

The recurring dreams herald them.

[Jeeves would very much like to point out that given the laws of statistical probability, being 'overdue' for a random occurrence is impossible, but he holds his tongue. This woman - mare? - is a member of royalty and has been most gracious in her time and explanations. He also has another question now, talking of those.]

I see. We are to sleep in the realm of dreams, then, madam? Or is 'dream' another term for a creature or setting endemic to this reality?

[They have 'nightmares' meaning more than just bad dreams, after all.]

[She would have pointed out that these hardly seem random. They've all pretty much caught onto the pattern by now.]

Indeed, you will have to sleep much as you would otherwise. The dreams had here do not seem different from dreams experienced in the waking world, save for the recurring ones. Those I believe to be manufactured by an unknown force.

[Pretty much the people Chell was talking about. But let us speak no more of that here.]

[It's a good thing he held his tongue then, as he does not like being wrong about these things.]

Is there any particular theme to these recurring dreams that hints at their origin or purpose beyond heralding the coming of a new enemy, madam?

[Jeeves glosses over the 'unknown force' comment. Given what Ms. Chell has said, there isn't anything to be gained by openly discussing them on the network if they exist.]

Light and darkness, conflict. Always the keyholes, of course. Keyholes lead to the unlocking of a new world.

[But the former two bother her more. She strongly suspects Xehanort's involvement, in all honesty...but again, that is not a matter for public discussion.]

Dreams to unsettle sleep, then.

[His countenance grows marginally more grave. That is, his lips turn down slightly for a moment.]

Thank you for the warning, madam, and for your assistance. I shall endeavor to 'find my hooves' in Ponyville soon, as you say. I have a great interest in leaving this realm. I doubt my employer will look kindly upon my absence merely for the sake of dreaming fantastic dreams. [He also suspects Mr. Wooster's life may come to calamity if he isn't there to stop it.] I will aid in what ways I can.

Edited 2014-01-14 15:28 (UTC)

I do not believe they will miss you. Time appears to function differently between this realm and others, and those who report returning home say that 'twas as if no time at all had passed.

But of course, we all wish to return as soon as possible regardless.

That is something of a relief to hear, madam. I would fear for the state of Mr. Wooster's wardrobe were he left for any significant time to his own devices. [Humor. Of a sort. Half-humor, anyway. Jeeves still remembers the horror of the fur coat and cowboy hat. He shudders to think what else Mr. Wooster might acquire in his absence.]

He is a gentleman of... eccentric tastes on occasion.

[Oh. A fashion consultant. Luna has had poor experiences with her own in the past.]

You are his...retainer?

I am Mr. Wooster's valet, madam. A gentleman's personal gentleman. I attend to Mr. Wooster's household and assist him in any matters that may arise to disrupt his favored lifestyle.

[And Jeeves' own favored lifestyle. Ostensibly it's Mr. Wooster's needs he's meant to be attending to, though.]

Ah! Is he nobility? I was not aware any humans kept such.

[Frankly, she's always considered the Canterlot nobles to be a bit more trouble than they're worth.]

In a manner of speaking, madam. Mr. Wooster does not presently hold a title, but he will likely inherit the Yaxley estate upon his uncle's passing. And the majority of the free world, as I am aware, is ruled by monarchs in my world. England, my natively land, is presently under the reign of His Majesty, King George V.

I am surprised you have not encountered more humans living under this form of governance, but perhaps they are from times or places more distant than my own world. Might I inquire as to the political systems they have professed to living under? I am aware of the fully democratic notion that has gripped America for well over a century now.

Democracies seem most common. Some I spoke with knew of monarchies in other countries, but they were not themselves so ruled. Of course, I have not discussed the matter with everyone.

Speaking from personal experience, there are currently some democratic nations on my own planet, but monarchies still outnumber them greatly. Equestria is the only diarchy, though the dragons do keep a sort of ruling council.

You use the term "free world". Is there a portion of your world that is not free?

I use the phrase it in a metaphorical sense, madam. There are countries in my world where they have yet to achieve industrialization or an education system of sufficient quality to raise them to this level. Knowledge breeds freedom from poverty, disease, and ignorance, would you not say?

Industrialization?

[It's not a word she's unfamiliar with, but to have it so tied to quality of life is quite odd to her. Maybe he's using it in a different way.]

Education is quite important, certainly, but what precisely do you mean by industrializing?

Are you familiar with an agrarian-style of living, madam? The main driver of the economy, and indeed people's lives, in such a setting is farming. Industrialization is a shift away from this to a manufacturing-based economy and a reliance on advanced technology. Where a blacksmith on his own might be able to produce only 10 horseshoes in a day, an industrial operation would create hundreds or thousands depending on the size of the operation. This would allow a blacksmith to expand his practice, increase his capital and workforce, and generally find himself in a better living situation than previously. He might find time, as well, to pursue other interests and activities beyond his primary occupation - education, for instance.

The same might be said to happen with a farmer. Where it would take a single farmer an entire day to plow and sow a large field, industrial machinery made affordable by rapid and cheap material and construction costs would allow him to perform the same operation in half or even a quarter of the time.

In short, industrialization allows persons who might otherwise find themselves tasked with significant toil for a particular activity to increase their efficiency while decreasing their costs and time-requirements. This allows them greater freedom for other pursuits, a reduction in injury risk associated with certain activities, and generally a greater overall net income.

[You asked, Luna. Since he's trying to make a point about its benefits, he'll leave out the detriments of an industrialized society for now.]

Hm, of course. Yours is one of the human worlds which lacks magic.

[Because while she does see his point, Equestria has no need for a number of great dirty factories. It isn't just unicorn magic either - she can't imagine a family of Earth pony farmers taking an entire day for just one field. Imagine what the Apples would do then!]

They do tend to rely heavily on advanced technology. [Much more advanced that what he seems aware of.] How old is your nation?

[As that seems to be a statement rather than a question about magic, Jeeves simply nods.]

That is a somewhat complicated question to answer, madam. My native land of England has existed as a political state for some 1,000 years. Its precise geographical boundaries and the interplay of political governance and rule has shifted in that time, however. Great Britain, the broader term for my nation as it encompasses all lands ruled by His Majesty, has existed for a little over 200 years.

May I inquire as to how long you have guided your nation?

[Visible hesitation, because THAT is a complicated question and really why does she allow herself to enter these conversations?]

Slightly less than 2000 years. [Well, Celestia has anyway. It's easier to say that.] Previously it was under the rule of the usurper Discord.

[Jeeves blinks slowly, gaze sizing up the mare again.]

You have aged far more gracefully than the human royalty I know, madam.

[Indeed, she's aged more gracefully than any human he knows period.]

Is such an extended lifespan common in your native realm?

[He'll come back around to the 'usurper' in a moment, but this seems important to establish.]

Not at all. It is characteristic of alicorns - those both winged and horned - and we are but few.

I see, madam. [He at least has a name for what she is now.] I am honored to be speaking with a mare who has lived more life times than I can possibly imagine, then. [Jeeves inclines his head in deference. Whether her wisdom equals her age has yet to be determined.]

Why do you call the previous ruler a usurper, though? Did he wrest control of your home from you and your family?

Technology is Fun - 001 [Audio]

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[visual] And then I had to make something up because that's a term about 20 years too early... /)_(\

[visual] oh nooooooo

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