revenance_comms | 001 [video]

Entry tags:

001 [video]

Hello~ooo… [in extreme magnification, a pair of eyes blink at the communicator for a few seconds before the face retreats into focus.] Ah! It's working, isn't it? That little light… what a funny dream.

[He chuckles, and holds the communicator a little further away, turning it from side to side.] Very funny. I've tried pinching myself ten thousand times, and I can't seem to wake up! Has anybody found out a better way? If I sleep in all morning I'll ruin my reputation, you see. Everyone will tease me!

[The temporary pout dissolves into a smile as he looks around beyond the communicator.] But maybe I can look around for just a few hours first. That wouldn't be so bad, would it? Ah, look! I think that's a candy store--!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh.

I... Amaterasu? Are you very sure? She's a wolf?

[He'll get back to the rest of what you said in a moment, Jeeves, really he will; it's just that you've name-checked the supreme sun goddess and it may take him a few moments to recover.]

[Jeeves cocks his head.] There are several sapient animals here, sir. You have seen Ms. Pie. We made some great effort to ascertain Ms. Amaterasu's true name. [Great effort that involved spontaneous music and prancing that Jeeves still shudders to think about.] Are you familiar with her?

Well, yes, but -- [Flustered, he waves a hand.] I don't know her, but "Amaterasu," that is a goddess's name, and I wasn't expecting --

Of course it wouldn't be the goddess! But it's still a very strange choice of name.

You said that Edo had become the eastern capital ... sixty years ago, was it? Oh, and Jeeves-san, if you'll let me indulge myself in a little fortune-telling, how does Japan fare in your day?

She may be a goddess. We appear to have several present here, or those who might be named as such on their own worlds. Her Royal Highness Princess Luna rules the night, walks in dreams, and raises the moon in her homeland of Equestria. Her sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia, rules the day, and raises the sun. Several mythologies with which I am familiar would cast such roles as those of the gods.

Ms. Amaterasu does appear to have some extraordinary abilities beyond simple sapience. She can perform magic and has a most striking and fantastic appearance.

As for Japan... It fares as well as any country might be expected less than a decade on from the Great War. I do not wish to trouble you for a future that may not come to pass- [nor one that Soujirou might not live to see given his apparent age at the present] -but in my reality, in time, the world will become embroiled in a terrible and vast conflict touching many nations. Japan was an invaluable ally in the fight against the men who sought to bring Europe to heel. I'm given to understand Japan itself is flourishing and moving toward some form of democratic society given His Imperial Majesty Emperor Taisho's relative frailty.

Then we've remained open to the world after all... but of course, with war, isolation is not always a winning strategy!

And your country? It sounds as though you were victors in that war.

[He shakes his head.] -- I'm only a swordsman, not a priest. I can't say much about gods, but I do think I will have to meet both of them!

If nothing else, perhaps I could read her writing for you?

Indeed, sir. [Jeeves nods briefly.] England and the Allies 'sent the Huns packing' is, I believe, the preferred description of the final outcome.

You are a swordsman, though? I saw you mentioned to Mr. Aeleus 'napping on duty.' Are you a soldier or a member of the local police force in Edo, then?

I can highly recommend both the princesses and Ms. Amaterasu's company. They are all most charming ladies. [Which is about all he's going to say about them on an open communication.] If you can read Ms. Amaterasu's writing, that would, no doubt, be a boon to all who wish to communicate with her, though she does have a singular talent for art and expression that conveys her thoughts with surprising clarity.

Edited 2014-03-10 02:26 (UTC)

Oh, yes, I've been studying the sword since I was very small. There's always employment somewhere for a warrior these days... those days, for you, isn't it, Jeeves-san?

My compliments on your country's victory!

[Against 'the Huns'? He blinks, uncertain -- but then, he really doesn't know much of foreign geography. He hadn't expected it would ever be very important, and it's not easy information to find -- or always safe...]

I'll certainly stay alert for Amaterasu and for the princesses... Luna and...? Celestia, isn't that right?

I'm certain a skilled swordman might still find gainful employment in my time, as well. [In Japan, anyway.]

And thank you, sir. It was a victory well worth the cost, which cannot be said of every war and fewer battles.

You have their names correctly, as well. They are most thematic... as I have found all of the ponies to be. [His brow furrows the tiniest bit.] It would seem prescient of the ones naming their foals to have picked such appropriate appellations unless they are names ponies choose for themselves. I have not inquired on that matter.

But the names of gods are always very appropriate, aren't they? It only makes sense.

--although it's a little strange... Do they shift shape? I've been told that traveling to, ah, Pony-ville will change any of us into a horse as well.

They are appropriate because they are so often chosen by men, are they not, sir? I meant more than Their Royal Highnesses, though. Ms. Pie is a baker by trade. Ms. Rarity, another pony here, is a fashion designer. There are several instances of surprisingly appropriate appellations within their history books, as well. A clever secretary who helped bring about peace among the pony tribes was called- [He has to say it now. It's a ridiculous name, but he has to say it.] -Smart Cookie. One can only presume Ms. Cookie's parents had high hopes for their daughter's future.

The ponies here do not shape-shift from what I have seen. They remain ponies in both their native Ponyville and in worlds apart from that. It may simply be a magical artifact of their own native magics being at work. However, you will most likely experience a transformation yourself if you do go to Ponyville. You may take on an equine or possibly draconic form there.

Oh, yes, but when the gods walk among you, perhaps you might come to call their domain after their names. But it sounds as though it's a little different!

Do they choose their names with the help of a diviner, then?

And... how do you go to Ponyville?

[He's not too curious -- for one thing, the idea of not having any hands is a frightening one -- but it's always better to know.

Besides, he wouldn't like to stumble accidentally over the threshold without knowing how to make it back.]

A valid idea for those in such a situation. When I find my own god walking among men, perhaps I should inquire if his preferred form of address is 'Heaven.' [He says this in a tone of dry amusement.]

I'm uncertain how ponies choose their names. You might ask Ms. Pie. I have yet to do so.

And you may note in any extended tour of Traverse Town several large, glowing portals. These will transport you to different worlds: Twilight Town, the Mother of Invention, and Ponyville.

Is that his name? [Oh, he knew he should have paid more attention to the foreigners' district in Edo... but he hadn't expected he'd ever need to know any of that.]

-- Aaah, I never wanted to travel, but I should have learned more about foreign lands! It's embarrassing.

[He laughs again, lightly, and shrugs.] But I can learn now, can't I? Are those portals marked at all, or will I have to guess?

It's said to be the place in which he resides, and our skies are so often called the heavens. Please do not trouble yourself with not knowing such things, sir. I cannot claim to be any manner of expert on Japan. It is most admirable that you should desire to learn, if nothing else. [Jeeves quirks his lips to offer some reassurance.]

The portals appear to work by intent. You need only think of the place to which you should like to travel, and they will take you there.

Twilight Town, Traverse Town, the Mother of Invention, Ponyville... [He repeats the names mostly to himself before meeting Jeeves' eyes again with a brighter smile.] I'll have to try it out, won't I?

-- But first of all, I think I should make myself that Spirit!

Exploration and travel are highly educational, Mr. Soujirou. Creating a spirit to accompany you would be a most wise first course of action should you wish to undertake them, though. The Moogles can instruct you on it. I will wish you luck, and look forward to meeting you in-person at some point in the future. These worlds are surprisingly small for all the richness of them.

One would think a world would be large... But thank you, Jeeves-san! I'll be sure to look for you. With so much to see, I'll certainly be traveling around!

That would tend to be the standard logic. I have found many of these places to defy expectations, though. Good day, sir.

[He offers another polite nod before ending the communication.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only