⁰⁴ video (𝗎𝗇: 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽)

[alkahestic]

[ al's currently on floor 6, like... literally the floor, which has books and papers shoved aside so that there's a clear space. at first, the feed is a little shaky as he adjusts it, and then it's visible that he's got a rather large pile of dirt sitting in front of him. giving the feed a shy grin, he claps his gloved hands together and transmutes the material. there's a blinding flash of blue and yellow lightning and a whirl of dust. when it all fades, there's a pot with flowers sitting in the spot where the pile of dirt had been.

pleased with himself, al grins at the camera. ]

What with all the snow and everything, I thought people might be getting a little tired of the cold weather, so if people want some fresh plants to liven up their homes or rooms, I'd like to help.

[ he lifts up the pot and brings the flowers into focus. ]

I can make all types of things, if people want. My brother and I are still running a repair business for just about anything you can imagine, so please let me know!

[ setting the pot down again, he settles cross legged on the floor. ]

I was also thinking of all the different abilities people have here. For example, I'm an alchemist and you all just saw what I can do. But what can other people do? I mean, if it's not too much to ask, I'd like to ask a few questions.

Comments

video; un: d.pavus

[tevinteraltus]

"Alchemy". [To Dorian's knowledge, that was nothing but an herbal thing, used by medics to ease the pain of wounds and stave off infection. Something about internal chemistry and the balancing of humors. He'd never known a healer to make a plant out of a pile of sand, or a folded crane from a sheet of parchment. This is all rather fascinating.]

It's a pleasure, though Dorian will suffice. There no call for formality. [And he waves a hand because really, there is something way more important than names going on here.]

Now this Alchemy, you say these are simple. What, then, would constitute a "moderate" or "difficult" transmutation?

[alkahestic]

Okay, Dorian.

[ a bright smile. alphonse tends towards being polite, unlike his brother, so he might slip up and say "Mr. Pavus" again, but he'll try to remember. ]

It's a pretty simple one. Basic, I guess. It's definitely not a difficult transmutation, though I've been able to do difficult ones. Like transmuting larger objects or even complex materials. My brother is the true genius at alchemy, though. He's done some amazing things with it. He once rebuilt an entire inn with all its furniture and stuff by transmuting the material from the torn down inn. That would be a difficult transmutation.

[ like binding al's soul to a suit of armor when he lost his body and almost died. but al isn't going to get into that. ]

[tevinteraltus]

Much better.

[He smiles and nods, before moving on. He listens to Alphonse's explanation, elementary as it is, but following it well enough.]

And so, your alchemy works with the fundamentals of the physical, breaking them down into their basic elements in order to reassemble them into something else? Is that basically the gist?

[alkahestic]

That's basically it! [ someone's looking pleased that his explanation worked. ]

[tevinteraltus]

I see! Truly remarkable! (He looks thoughtful for a moment before asking.) And you can do this to all forms of matter?

[alkahestic]

Nearly! I can't do it on humans, though. That's forbidden.

[ except he's totally done it before to bring ed back to life and would do it again if he had to. ]

[tevinteraltus]

"Forbidden" but not "impossible.

(Stroking his chin, Dorian nods. "Forbidden" magic is just as familiar in Dorian's homeland of Tevinter, only there, while it was "forbidden" in the light of day, such things were still practiced behind closed doors. He found himself wondering if Alphonse here had ever partaken, "forbidden" or no.)

Would you indulge me in a bit of hypothetical discussion?

[alkahestic]

[ alphonse can't help but narrow his eyes a little. so dorian is someone who likes to test the limits of what is acceptable. he's not about to tell dorian that human transmutation is possible ( under the right circumstances ), but a hypothetical discussion... ]

I suppose...

[tevinteraltus]

Don't look so worried!

(He chuckles, shaking his head.)

I would never ask you to do anything to which your scruples rebelled. Also, I personally am against magic, or alchemy, or any other such thing being used to manipulate the minds or bodies of others.

(And he holds up a hand to indicate he still has more to say.)

That being said, is it possible to use this alchemy of yours to change one's mind, so to speak?

[alkahestic]

[ al is still a bit unsure, but he nods in acknowledgement. ]

To physically alter the mind, or the way they think? No, alchemy cannot do that.

[tevinteraltus]

Ah, that's good to hear!

(He smiles, though there's something of a frown in his eyes.)

In my world, there is a form of forbidden magic which can alter the minds of others. Yours doesn't seem as dangerous.

[alkahestic]

Well, it does follow the laws of science. And science that hurts people is not science at all.

[tevinteraltus]

(His response is carefully neutral. He didn't feel this way, but such objectivity was necessary for a good debate, and exploration of knowledge.)

There are some who wouldn't agree, who would argue that the ends justified the means. Are there no Alchemists who feel this way?