video; un: youradhere

[buildingcastles]

[Well, this is certainly bringing things full circle. The irony doesn't escape him, but this time Christian is actually making an effort to do his job. As much as can be expected from him, of course.

Which means the network gets a nice view of a man at a small desk, looking more like an assistant than a professional in his oversized sweater and jeans completing the look with tousled hair. He's organizing books on the surface as he addresses the network, with titles including How to Find Yourself, Practical Counseling, and The Pocket Manual for Technical Magic stacked on top of each other. He has the phone sitting on one such stack, propped up behind the others.]

So. [Wait, false start.] You ever feel like this place is just a little bit weird?

I mean, how many cities have portals that lead to other worlds and collect people? And hire Magic Counselors? Hi, I'm Christian, Magic Counselor if you ever need one. I'm not sure how many people here do the magic thing. Do you?

Comments

[buildingcastles]

[That description is surprisingly straightforward. Christian would laugh, except the reality is too serious for that. He gives the other man a concerned smile instead.]

That's... normal for you? Items with that much power? Where I'm from, people would never see something that could do that. Well, pretty much never.

[And if they did, it would be a serious problem.]

And now you're fishing. What have you caught? Tell me a good fish story.

[He also thinks that maybe Noctis will provide some signs of other local magic out on the river.]

[brotrips]

Normal? It's part of what happens, but there's not a lot of people who know or can use magic without our help. We can lend it out, but the royal family and the Oracle are the only humans who can really use it themselves.

Outside of wall that protects Insomnia, most of the citizens live without needing to think about magic. The kingdom we're at war with doesn't have it so they use technology instead.

(It's a reality Noctis has been raised to know and accept. Of course, he wishes he could find a way to break the rules, but without their protection, the city falls.)

A good fish story? You like fishing? There's a really big one I'm trying to catch. There's a small stream that offshoots from the lake. I didn't think the fish would be too big there because it's a little more shallow so I didn't have the right line, but I'll be going back soon with something more durable.

[buildingcastles]

Well, that's probably more normal that my world has ever seen. Most people would say you were making up stories if you told them you could do magic of any sort. Then again, I get the feeling politics work a bit differently in our world.

[ It's fascinating to hear Noctis talk about kingdoms, like a great fantasy adventure he'd like to go on. That is, of course, until he had to live it, but the idea is exciting. It appeals to his eight-year-old self that always dreamed of being a knight. ]

Have you seen it? The fish you're chasing? It's not some water spirit or weird creature in the water snapping your line, is it?

[brotrips]

There's a big wall that protects our city, and it's created through the power of a ring. The people inside have to know about magic, but if it was used on a larger scale, things would be different.

(Noctis isn't telling him everything, but he's offering a cliff notes version.)

I didn't see it, the line broke before it got close enough. (The prince grins at the idea of it being a special kind of fish.) Even if it is, I'll catch it.

[buildingcastles]

[It's definitely a summary of the situation, but Christian doesn't expect anyone to be able to explain how their entire world works with one story. It's the journey he likes, hearing about their experiences and learning, piece by piece, what things are in another place and time. Maybe, eventually, he'll even find a way there himself.

And chasing after mysterious fish is also an adventure. Little victories are rewards as well.]

If you catch it, will you show it to me?

[brotrips]

(It's a little strange to find someone interested in his fishing stories. His friends from home enjoy the hobby too, but they usually want to participate or get bored if he spent too long with the rod.)

Yeah, I can try to find you once I catch it. Do you like to fish, too?

[buildingcastles]

I like happy endings.

[Whether or not it's really a fish, Christian is actually interested in finding out what lives in the waters around the Quarantine. A magic-attuned person is more likely to be drawn to magical creatures so Noctis might accidentally encounter something that he could use for his research.

And he does like a good story either way.]

Do let me know how it goes. And if you run into anything weird while you're out. I hear there are monsters.

[brotrips]

It's going to be a happy ending. Don't doubt it.

(Noctis smirks, his confidence showing through.)

Christian, right?

[buildingcastles]

Right. And you're the magic fish hunter?

[He's giving Noctis a new name, yes.]

[brotrips]

If we're going by nicknames, I want to be the Magic Fish Catcher.

[buildingcastles]

Magic Fish Catcher it is. But you have to catch a magic fish. That's the rule.