synopsychic | (no subject)

It has, yes. I believe when people Infiltrate, they can take on any number of different qualities, species among them.

The Jaunt before the last, everyone, even Investigators became computer programs.

Hmmm... I was not informed of this before my first Infiltrating experience. I'm afraid it took me rather by surprise when I came back to myself and realized what had happened.

I see. I'm not familiar with what a computer program is. Is it very different from a human?

Apologies. We probably need to create some sort of informational materials to give to new Travelers. I am no writer, however perhaps if we ever end up in a Liminal Space that is an office of some sort, things might be able to be created.

A computer program is... well. [Naoto pauses for a moment, thinking.] It is usually a series of words and characters that makes a large machine do various things. For example, one type of program can allow a user to write large texts, another can do mathematical computations, another play various sorts of visual games. On the Jaunt, however, we were all Programs, everyone had a specific Function that they did. Practically, we were just people doing jobs, but we weren't necessarily human.

That is quite alright. With as transient as our present reality tends to be, it must be incredibly difficulty to guaranty all newcomers know every piece of information they need to. It is an important and noble effort that must be made but I will not hold it against anyone that I had to correct my gap in knowledge on certain matters the more difficult way.

That sounds incredibly complicated, but perhaps I will have a better understanding of it once I am able to interact with one of these so-called "computers." Still, the point this current topic remains. Everyone became something they are not, although perhaps less dramatically than my own experience.

Still, it is something that possibly needs to be addressed. Information is important, and as we rarely know what we are getting into when we are sent into a Jaunt, we should be at least aware of the basics.

Yes. Computers are much easier to show than explain. They are advanced technology that is extremely common in my world.

Becoming something that we are not is unfortunately common. It is uncomfortable at best, and painful at worst. Some people have done things while Infiltrating that they are horrified by later. Some just end up uncomfortable.

We've had people turn into mermaids before, so yeah, this shit happens.

Mermaids...? Ah yes, aquatic humanoids, correct? The human sailors would tell stories of them, but we were never able to determine whether there was ever any truth to their legends.

That world was crawling with them. We become what's common, for better or for worse.

[He's having a moment of hesitation, though, from how the other tangents of this conversation are going - it may not be the terminology for what he is, but he's heard the word "vampire" enough in kicking around between worlds to note the similarities...the similarities in the shit he's heard, anyway - but with as many alternate universes as are out there, who can even tell.

...he's not sure he really wants to open that can of worms right now, though.]

Fascinating... Then have their been humans in all the worlds yet visited?

[It is a conversation Janos wouldn't mind having so long as it was broached politely, Hijikata was certain to have at least some of his questions answered as other conversations continued.]

...you know, it depends how you look at it.

Most worlds, definitely yes. The Grid...we were supposedly all "Programs," but there wasn't much of a cosmetic difference aside from dressing funny.

Makes me wonder if humans are really that predominant or if they're just picking scenarios to dump us in that require less bullshit to make the maximum number of people blend in.

How interesting. But if that is the case, why would they limit themselves to a group of mostly humans to do their work? ...And why summon someone such as myself, who must be changed so drastically in order to fit in with humans?

Maybe they're only marginally lazy and not completely worthless jackasses, I don't know.

[Deadpan.]

But the number of humans they grab does seem weird, with the lack of limitations we've seen about what can happen here.

Perhaps it has something to do with the circumstances around my summoning. I was being cast into a gate bridging two different realms. There is a chance that made me far easier to bring here than usual. Or it may be they are misunderstood and not so horrible after all, and wished to save me from my fate by gaining my service despite the extra work it means for them.

[Or perhaps they had something such as the Device that specifically required one such as him to make it properly function. There were simply too many variables. Still, he wasn't going to rush to judging them. He simply didn't know enough about the Trumps and rumor and stories were why he himself was hunted by the humans.]

They definitely aren't showing that level of altruism across the board.

[Hijikata's willing to entertain a lot of possibilities, but any that involves the Trumps not being dicks is one he's going to put under a lot of scrutiny before he even approaches accepting it. He's...not a fan.]

Doubtless they have their own agendas. However, the fact their actions are not entirely magnanimous does not mean they are completely uncharitable to those they bring here. Sometimes to accomplish what must be done some evils become necessary.

I'll buy it when they prove it to me. The world's full of assholes.

[...not that he can't relate to that, on some level. He's been the pragmatic asshole for the greater good himself, but -

- ugh, that just makes the idea of it even worse.]

I... am unsure what you mean by that. But if you imply that the world is full of selfish ignorance, we are in agreement. But that is precisely we cannot afford to disregard any possibility carelessly.

[Seriously though, what was that expression even supposed to be? Something about a mutilated donkey? Nosgoth lacked that particular colorful slang.]

With the caveat that my experience is limited, I'd imagine it might be expected to happen any time your true species might give you away as an outsider.

Ah, so I see. I suppose if my true species does not exist in another world and I am to be enchanted to believe I'm a part of it, that must change as well. That is... disheartening, to think how rare my people might be.

What of those who remember their true nature, but are off a race not present in the current world?

The same, I'd expect, at least outwardly. An angry mob chasing down the strange new demon would probably run counter to plan in most places.

What is your species, if you don't mind my asking?

It could not be the same, for I know when I was transformed I no longer had my wings. I was able to move in ways I had seen humans move but cannot normally myself. My wings are far too large for that. Yet you are correct that we cannot afford to simply go about frightening the new world's inhabitants. A powerful Mind illusion then, rather than a change of States?

I am a Vampire. One of the Ancients, born before the name of our race became synonymous with the Blood Curse.

Blood Curse? Are you a race with a reputation for blood magic, or did you fall subject to an extensive working of it?

[There's a hint of wariness there, but not as much as there might be if, say, vampire lore were something familiar.]

I am unsure, for I have not heard of this "blood magic" before. There are magics that can utilize blood of course, especially in the domains of Nature and Death, but in my world power cannot be drawn directly from blood.

The Blood Curse is a name that refers to our symptoms. It turned us into predators that must feed on blood to sustain ourselves.

...Ah. Not unlike the Peregrines of Melasurei, then. My condolences.

Not unlike them at all, no. Thankfully we are far more substantial than that. We weaken but do not fade, and when we feed properly we steadily grow stronger. Far beyond what most humans are ever capable of.

[Blood magic indeed, then.]

And who do you intend to feed on here?

Edited 2015-08-05 21:39 (UTC)

[Not as Janos would consider it. Won't a human with a healthy diet get stronger too?]

Thus far a human sorcerer by the name of Leonardo has kept me sustained with his marvelous ability to create sustenance from seemingly nothing. Should he not be himself or that ability not be available at the time, then I will sip the blood of a handful of willing persons so that I do not have to take so much from a single individual as to cause them harm. I hope to learn the secret to creating blood out of the either in the future so that it shall no longer be a concern for any involved.

It varies.

Would you be willing to give me more information on how it has been known to vary?

Of course- but it's a little complex, depending on how much information you're seeking.

In short, we change whenever it's necessary to fit in. Armin can explain it better than me.

I am seeking as much information as I possibly can. I've found knowledge to be one of the best tools one can hope for. It can be a weapon or a shield, but most often knowledge is the thing that breeds understanding and prevents needless and foolish conflicts.

I've spoken to Armin several times now. He seems quite wise for his years. If you do not wish to speak more on this subject I'd have no issue with seeking him out instead.

Yes.

[Daneel's mental 'voice' is straightforward and direct.]

I am a robot. In that sense, I have changed species on every jaunt I have infiltrated on. At the very least, I am subject to a convincing illusion.

[Janos appreciates this one already. Straightforward and direct is a breath of fresh air for one used to the subtle machinations of fate.]

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I am not familiar with that species. I can, however, attest to the fact it is very unlikely to be an illusion. I remember my Infiltrator self moving and being in places that would be impossible with the wings I should have had. The entirety of the situation is vague in my memory, but those instances are crystal clear. It was, shall we say, extremely uncomfortable to realize I had lost my wings so those are the memories that stood out in my mind.

A robot is a mechanical entity, created by humans usually for labour. Most are noticeably made of metal or plastic. I am designed rather differently, but that is still what I am.

And I do agree, the wings were... an unusual aspect. I seem to have kept mine. I don't believe they are aerodynamically correct, but I still seem able to fly.

I am unfamiliar with this 'plastic' substance but I am familiar enough with constructs of metal or stone to understand, I believe. A non-organic body shaped and built by craftsmen and magically given life by Necromancers and Enchanters. In my experience such golems are given a specific set of instructions, usually to act as guards, and do not have their own mind or soul. We did not dare tamper with the Wheel to attempt such a thing. That this is a possible thing for your world is fascinating.

Ah, forgive me, I wasn't suitably clear. I am an Ancient Vampire, and like all of my people I have had wings since I was born. When I was Infiltrating I was turned into one of the once-human Peregrines.

Oh, I see. I misunderstood. So you lost something in infiltrating. My experience is rather more that I gain something.

And I do wish to be clear. Robots are not created through magic. Certainly we have our own minds, though "soul" is harder to define. I cannot say.

What, precisely, is a vampire, may I ask?

An easy mistake to make. It is fascinating, the differences and similarities between everyone's experiences.

[Wait, not created through magic? Even the Hylden's machinery needed magical Glyph Energy to power it.] How fascinating. Then may I ask how it is you are created? I've never heard of a race that was neither born nor formed by magical means.

The answer to that question depends on what exactly you mean by Vampire. Now it simply means one who has been given the Dark Gifts. Once, it referred to my people, of which I am the last. We were a proud race, wings giving us mastery over the skies just as our ease in tapping into the natural energies of the world made us masters of magic. Our foolish ambition to win the war with the Hylden at any cost became our downfall, for as we raised the Pillars to banish them from the world so they in turn struck us with the Curse that would destroy us.

[He's slightly puzzled, not entirely sure how to answer that.]

Robotics is a science that has many centuries of development behind it. Robots are made in artificial mimicry of humanity. We are powered by electrical batteries -- a nuclear fusion generator, in my own case -- and our brains are based upon the movement of positronic paths. These are natural forces that drive the universe, not magic.

[Never mind that in another galaxy, 'magic' might be a natural force. He knows that. It's still weird for him.]

Are you afflicted by this Curse, sir? Am I able to help?

[Science again. In his universe, in his experience of it, it was a thing almost synonymous with evil. For what it was synonymous with was the Hylden, the other Ancient race of Nosgoth that had Cursed his own race and had recently attempted to wipe out all other life there. Yet after his talk with Annabel he was beginning to think there was more to it in other worlds than malice. This individual certainly seemed too much a gentlemen to be associated with such horrors.]

[The feeling of a good-natured chuckle comes across the psychic connection. There was a lot in that explanation he didn't understand, but he was pretty sure he understood the underlying idea.]You say that as if magic is not a natural force. Electricity is a form of Energy, is it not? Energy is one of the magical forces that binds my world. That you have found a non-magical means of tapping into it and call it by a different name does not change its nature.

I'm afraid that I am, and that there is nothing anyone can do to help. I have long come to terms with my fate and accepted it as a necessary evil.

Magic is not a natural force in my world, that is all. I have seen magic since coming here. It is not something that exists where I am from. Energy may be collected or generated for use, of course, but the way I have seen magic employed is in stark contradiction to anything that is possible on any world I knew previously.

[He absolutely is not going to accept anything from his own world as magic. Never.]

Then perhaps your people simply never learned a way to tap into those forces in such a way that you would identify as magic. Or perhaps the laws of your world simply work differently, such that you've been forced to tap into them in different ways. Regardless, I'm positive those forces exist no matter what you call them.

It's happened, though it's uncommon, for those of us who are human. I believe people have already mentioned the mermaids and the computer programs.

But for those who are already not human, I think it's another story. Many of the worlds we go to don't have other species in them, so if you infiltrate... it will be as a human. That will probably be the case for you, most if not all the time.

Umm, if you don't mind me asking... what species are you?

I see. I suppose that means humans are one of the most common life forms between all words. Surprising, although there is a certain kind of logic to that fact. I hope the humans in other worlds are more prudent than those in my own.

So I must become accustomed to the loss of my wings. I had done so before, but had hoped to never need to do so again. At least, it is my understanding that none of the changes will be permanent?

I am a Vampire. One of the Ancients, and likely quite different for that than what you might think if you are familiar with the word.

Or perhaps it simply means that humans have some special significance to the Trumps, or are somehow easier to bring here, or to influence. It's hard to say.

[There are many reasons they could encounter humans more than other species. Armin agrees that Janos' suggestion seems the most likely reason, but he doesn't want to jump to conclusions without any real evidence.]

Right - so far, there have been no permanent physical changes. Or... I suppose there are some changes that have persisted, but I wouldn't say they're permanent, exactly. I think that every time they've appeared, it's been as more of a special ability of sorts. For example, I said one jaunt many of us were turned into mermaids. Nobody's consistently stayed a mermaid since then - but I think a couple people got the ability to change into mermaids when they want to.

...'Vampire' is a word I first heard after leaving my world and becoming a Traveler. I don't think I've ever entirely learned what it means.

That could be true as well. Two others from my world were here for a short time, but although they are strong in the Vampiric blood they were both once human. As for myself, I was already being hurled through a breach in the fabric of Dimension, cast into the Demon Realm against my will but arriving here instead. Perhaps that allowed them to bring me here more easily.

So I see. How fascinating. Whatever the case, it seems as if I will not lose my wings permanently. A temporary change, while unsettling, can be tolerated.

In the context you heard it, it most likely referred to a vampire that was once a human. One that took on the Dark Gifts and was transformed into something other than what they were before. I also carry this Curse, but I am the last of the race from who that title originates.

We're made to fit the places we're brought to. How, I'm not entirely sure. While I haven't had an experience like yours, I've... lost access to abilities I normally have. Whether it's because I was actually changed, or simply made to forget about them, I'm not sure.

Yes, I experienced that as well. For that time I was entirely without both my magic and my Curse. That was tolerable. It was finding myself as a completely different type of being entirely that I found disturbing.