Opening & mingling!

[guiltapalooza]

GAME START. Make your initial mingling comment, either in person or online.

Comments

[storesbooks]

[Aziraphale definitely notices and looks briefly startled.] Yes, that's the one, with the atoms, [he acknowledges, before finding it irresistible to comment on that Biblical reference.] You said Malkuth? You're not, er, below Yesod, are you?

[His tone as he says it makes it clear that it's part snide joke, part dubiously serious question. He takes a sip of his tea, thinking.]

[clinical]

[Jade pauses. Just the slightest tilt to his head in curiosity.] I'm not familiar with Yesod. Does that term have a particular significance where you're from?

[Gonna take a while guess here and assume a 'yes.']

[storesbooks]

It's part of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, [he answers promptly.] It's a sort of map of Creation, a representation of God's glory, if you will. Malkuth is the last of ten Sephirots and speaks to the physical world, the realm of matter.

I was surprised to hear you mention it, as it's a somewhat esoteric branch of theology.

[clinical]

[It's Jade's turn to be surprised—Sephirots? Now that's a very familiar term.] It seems it isn't the only term in common. It's possible that the terms were borrowed from an earlier, now-extinct religion in the Dawn Age. [Theorizing out loud, don't mind him.] If you have the time or a text on the matter, I'd be interested in learning more about the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.

[storesbooks]

That would be lovely! [He beams, holding his tea close and thrilled at the suggestion.] I'm a rare book collector, actually, specifically first editions of some religious value, and I brought my collection with me. I'd be happy to share.

[Since he's not buying them, Aziraphale would enjoy the company.]

[clinical]

[Jade trusts in the benign behaviour and also his own ability to stab people if they're dangerous. Aziraphale seems sociable enough. Then again, so was Guy, and he spent years planning a vengeful slaughter. People do surprise you.]

[Morbid considerations on potential violence aside, Jade still maintains a pleasant, polite expression.]

I would appreciate that, thank you. Religion isn't my specialty, so I'll appreciate any help you'll be able to offer on more obscure theological concepts.

[storesbooks]

[The worst Aziraphale is planning is performing some secret minor miracles to make peoples' lives better. He's devious that way.

Whether the politeness is faked or not doesn't matter much to Aziraphale, even if he could tell the difference. He happily goes along with the conversation.] Religion is my specialty, and I do like helping. Though I'm not strictly... er, religious myself. Trying to convert someone is rather rude, isn't it? [He looks mildly disapproving. As an angel, it's not exactly a belief for him, it's a fact, so he's always considered himself apart from organized religion.]

[clinical]

[Jade starts to gather up his papers neatly into a folder. (There is no horrible best friend to generate chaos in Jade's ordered system. How will he cope?)]

I suppose it must be. [There is very little conversion on Auldrant. A single, scientifically verifiable belief system does not allow a lot of room for it. Jade is curious, however. He tends to get curious about a lot of things. And because Jade is being academic, he is also being direct instead of obnoxious.] May I ask the name of the religion you specialize in?

[storesbooks]

[You're going to give Aziraphale a positive impression of you at this rate, Jade. Then what will you do?]

Christianity, though that's a large umbrella and a number of denominations can't agree on, well, much of anything. By default I'm also versed in Judaism and Islam.

And you specialize in... what was it, replication and energy sources? [It's more than a polite question, it's genuine interest.]

[clinical]

[Dissect someone? That usually works.]

[He hasn't heard of those religions, of course, but will be happy to learn about them.]

I'm a fonist, actually, though I know a certain amount about fomicry. [By which he means he invented the field.] Are all three religions theistic?

[storesbooks]

[He'll just be disappointed. So disappointed. But still think well of him, because let's face it, it's Aziraphale.

Who is right now delighted to have someone that's legitimately interested in an academic discussion of religion. He always felt somewhat awkward talking to the devout about it; rather like a teacher that had the cheat sheet to a test and refused to reveal the answers.]

Oh yes, certainly. They're all quite related to one another, in fact; you might think of them as sisters. They all have the same Father, but they tend to compete for His attention, as it were. [The caps are somewhat audible.]

And I feel I should ask... what precisely is a fonist?

[clinical]

[Jade can tell that Aziraphale is referring to some particular points of theology. He just has no reference for what they might be.] I look forward to hearing you elaborate on that point.

To put it simply, a fonist is a sorcerer of sorts.

[a fonist takes fonons in through his or her fon slots then uses a fon verse to perform a fonic arte. FON FON FON FON FON]

[storesbooks]

Of course. [He makes a mental note to draw out a sort of family tree of all the different Judeo-Christian religions.]

[FON FON FON is right, which is what makes Aziraphale ask, somewhat dubiously,] A sorcerer? What sort of magic do you do, then?

I'm sure we don't have that at home.

[clinical]

[Jade looks at Aziraphale, measuring how to say it.]

By taking in particles around me and using certain words, I can cast spells that use the six elements.

[That's a good layman's explanation, right?]

[storesbooks]

[He still looks marginally surprised, but at least not dubious.]

Six... elements? [Since when were there six?] Are these, erm, battle spells?

[clinical]

They can be employed in battle. [Jade sighs and adjusts his glasses. He really, REALLY hates explaining.] The particles, fonons, exist at certain frequencies, and each frequency corresponds to an element: light, fire, earth, water, air, and darkness. As well as a mutated seventh fonon associated with healing and memory.

[storesbooks]

[Aziraphale appreciates the explanation, at least, and doesn't seem interested in pressing for technical details.]

How strange. I've always found fighting rather frightful, and with sorcery... Goodness. You certainly must live in exciting times.

[clinical]

We're at peace, in fact. [After dramatic social and religious upheaval with which he was directly involved. But why share that?] Most people can, to some degree, use fonons for artes, and they have a number of peacetime applications.

[storesbooks]

Oh, that's much nicer. [A pleased smile.] I try to help where I can, myself. Although sometimes I'm criticized of being overeager to help.

[He turns faintly disapproving by the end, as if he imagines the other half of this argument is actually listening in and he can't let him off the hook.]