Your Time is Sand, Your Ways are Leaves upon the Sea

[nostradamnit]

Who: Nostradamus and Company
Where: Cabin 139, the buffet, noisy places
What: Quick pre-event thingum
When: June, before the camping excursion.
Warnings: None yet


1. And the hand just re-arranges the players in the game [Closed to Hythlodaeus]
Down at the very end of the hall (or beginning, if one is wise enough to take the nearer elevator bank) is Room 139, where one can find Michel de Nostradame sitting on the bed, this fine afternoon. A tall man, he occupies the bed rather fully, his leather boots sitting on the floor beside it. He's holding a Serena Eterna notebook and one of these fascinating 'pens' from the souvenir shop, organizing some of his thoughts on paper.

This is the state of things, when Hythlodaeus arrives. The room itself is tidy, no extra 'stuff' in it yet. It seems Nostradamus has yet to really figure out how he wishes to occupy it.


2. Oh, I had a dream, it seemed I stood alone [Open, Windjammer Buffet]
Nostradamus isn't the first person to whom the buffet has seemed a little foreign, but he's clearly taking a methodical approach to figuring out what he likes and what he doesn't, five or six plates on the table in front of him, a little sample of several dishes on each. He's actually arranged the plates so that they're roughly mapping out the buffet itself, to make it easier to find what he enjoys again.

"It would be nice if I knew what any of these delicacies were called." He has an egg roll in hand as he says that, half-eaten.


3. And the veil of all the years [Open, Casino or Rischie]
Perhaps you're passing through the casino or lingering in Rischie for a late night drink. Either way, it's clear that the man in the leather jerkin is not having a good time. The lights and sounds, the smoke in the casino or the bass in the club--it's overwhelming for a man who comes from the days when a hearty joust or a feast was the greatest festivity in the castle. Disoriented and suffering from sensory overload, Nostradamus is in a corner with his hands over his ears.

He may need a little assistance.


4. Goes sinking from my eyes like a stone [Wildcard]
darkersolstice or darkersolstice#9463, as always

Comments

[nostradamnit]

"My cabin? 139. There or the library, whichever is closer. I haven't fully understood the layout of this floating palace yet." Look, ships are things made of wood with sails. This? This is a whole new experience altogether for him.

[gapmoe]

He hums at that, needing to go over a mental map of the ship. Perhaps, once in a better location, Ingo can explain what a cruise liner is.

"I believe the library is closest, sir. We need only go down to the deck directly below."

[nostradamnit]

"That sounds good. Could you lead the way?"

He uncurls a little, giving Ingo a thoughtful look. His outfit is strange as anyone's here, but the coat gives him an air of authority. "Are you employed on this ship?"

[gapmoe]

"Of course! Right this way, sir."

There's a decisive nod on his end, as well as a little gesture to follow his lead in the direction of the elevators. It seems a little risky to lead someone disoriented down the stairs; too much potential for falling.

"I am not employed on this ship, however, my own line of work concerns transport." As he speaks, Ingo briefly turns his head to look back at his current company with the best and most approachable look he can muster. Which... isn't great, but it's something. "My name is Ingo. Though the circumstances could stand to be less taxing, I am glad to make your acquaintance nonetheless."

[nostradamnit]

Honestly, Nostradamus doesn't need reassuring facial expressions. He's coming from the French Court where smiles hide knives and a man can stab you or poison you politely after having shared a dance with your sister. He himself has a somewhat muted affect much of the time, managing at most 'politely curious' when he's not babbling about his studies. Right now, he's just dazed.

"Ingo. I am Michel de Nostredame. It is good to meet you."

And it genuinely is. This is clearly a thoughtful and caring individual.

[gapmoe]

With the elevators now in sight, it dawns upon Ingo that it may be wise to ascertain if his latest acquaintance has any elevator experience. They might be frightening to enter unprepared for someone not accustomed to them, especially since these are see-through.

"Forgive me if this question is redundant, but have you entered an elevator before, by any chance? I would not wish to overwhelm you with something unfamiliar coming without due warning or explanation, Michel."

As he says this, he pushes the call button, which lights up obediently. Now all that's left is to wait for the ding announcing its arrival.

[nostradamnit]

"I have been in one before. The day I arrived. It was explained to me that it works with pulleys, like the bucket that draws water from a well."

It was a very helpful explanation, even if greatly simplified.

[gapmoe]

"That is quite an accurate overview!"

As he says this, Ingo ushers Michel into the elevator, then pushes the button for deck number four. The library really is close by.

"Elevators operate with a counterweight, which typically weighs about as much as a half-filled car, and this actually allows the pulley system to expend less energy in raising it. Thus, the components of the pulley shoulder less strain in turn."

[nostradamnit]

"How is the system powered? Some sort of...water wheel outside the ship, perhaps?" If the ship is moving at a consistent speed, it's the best answer he has for how it might work. He hasn't quite understood electricity yet.

(Of course, giving him even part of that explanation is likely to yield more questions...)

[gapmoe]

Ingo gives a approving nod as the elevator comes to a gentle halt and the doors slide open. That is a very good guess, considering it appears as if Michel is unaccustomed to a world perpetually illuminated by electricity.

"Bravo! That is a clever idea, indeed. While the answer in this case is electricity, it in turn is a form of energy which may, at times, be generated through the movement of water. Thus, it employs basic principles not dissimilar to those of a water wheel for the generation of energy."

[nostradamnit]

"Electricity?" He pauses, turning that word over in his head from a moment. "Is that from the Latin electrum? What does amber have to do with the production of energy?"

He is, unfortunately, from about a century before Sir Thomas Browne brought the word into the English vernacular. But he's immediately trying to figure what property of the material is being discussed here.