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

[ktizo]

"I see..." He moves to settle himself on the bed beside Nostradamus and flicks through the notebook.

"'Tis quite the marvel for myself, as well. I have never been on a ship before." He hands the notebook back, eyes lighting up as he gets an idea.

"Ah, but if you are taking notes, mayhap it would be prudent for us to explore a little. There is much I have yet to see, and I'm sure it is the same for you."

[nostradamnit]

"Allow me to put my boots on, and I will gladly go with you to explore. Have you eaten, yet? If not, that may be the first site to see, Sir Hythlodaeus."

He's not sure how formal and polite he needs to be with his new roommate. This seems like a fair medium, like he won't be absolutely shitting on him if he's nobility, or mocking him if he's a peasant.

[ktizo]

"Hm, I don't believe I've eaten today." He shrugs as if that's perfectly fine- and perhaps to him, it is. His people simply didn't need to eat as often. "But we can seek out dinner, I found the last meal here to be quite enjoyable."

He does giggle a little at the 'sir.' "Please, 'tis simply Hythlodaeus. And I don't believe I've had the pleasure of your name yet."

[nostradamnit]

"Michel de Nostredame--or Nostradamus, if you prefer." Once his boots are on, he stands and offers a polite bow. "Would you favor the formal dining room, or the 'buffet'? The latter has more variety, but can be...overwhelming."

[ktizo]

"That is quite the name! I like it. Nostradamus it is." Standing as well, Hythlodaeus thinks on the question.

"The buffet sounds intriguing, now that you've put it that way. And I do enjoy variety! But of course, if you would prefer the formal dining room, I am not picky."

[nostradamnit]

"I'm still establishing my preferences in this confusing place. Thusfar, I know I wish to avoid the gambling room and the late night club. But beyond that, there is still much to explore."

He holds the door for Hythlodaeus on the way out of the room, in a proper gentlemanly manner.

[ktizo]

"Then let us explore, my new friend!" He claps Nostradamus on the back cheerfully as he passes to exit, though he does wait for him outside the room.

"Now then... which way is the dining room, again?" To the left, perhaps? He's sure the ship will become easier to navigate soon enough, but right now he's terribly lost. He's rather hoping Nostradamus knows the way... well, if not, they're at least lost in good company.

[nostradamnit]

Nostradamus leads the way toward the proper deck; he has at least mastered the use of the elevator, it seems.

"Friends already? You seem a very familiar sort. I would guess people like you wherever you go. Yes?"

[ktizo]

"It is kind of you to say as much- but, well, I don't think many dislike me. So perhaps you are correct! In any case, I do not see why we can't be friends so soon. If we are to share a room we should be on good terms."

He seems cheerful as he walks, apparently pleased to have a new friend already.

"Would it put your mind at ease if perhaps we knew more about one another? I can start! Let's see... ah, yes. My strongest gift is my ability to see aether! In other words, I can see your soul. Would you like to know what colour it is?" He offers up a cheeky smile- may as well start with his best foot forward, so to speak. And none can see souls as well as he can.

[nostradamnit]

"My...soul? Truly, you can see such things?" He seems a little taken aback by the idea, but intrigued at the same time. Magic isn't real in his world (nevermind the visions he's been known to have), so he can't help but balk a little at the thought.

"What does it look like?"

[ktizo]

"Let's see..."

He shifts his sight to look, and tilts his head a little. "It's... weathered, for lack of a better word. I feel that it was perhaps different once- more of a brilliant hue- but now it is a blue as steely as the ocean. Aye, I feel you've perhaps been through some hardships in your time."

Nostradamus seems so young too, and his soul betrays as much- so he wonders what could have befallen him in such a short time. Hythlodaeus went many thousands of years without enduring much of anything in the way of hardships, but then again... he really had lived in a paradise free of suffering up until the Final Days.

[nostradamnit]

"Rare is the man who does not endure trials."

He's wary, but at the same time, he knows how true those words are. Weathered, that's a word for how he feels. Only 35 years old, but utterly exhausted with life in some ways. He's sent his mistress to the New World for her own safety, he was preparing to battle his old nemesis, the plague, again when he was brought to this ship.

He lets out a heavy sigh. "I have, perhaps, had more than my share."

[ktizo]

"Suffering was not something that often happened where I come from... up until it did." He smiles, but it perhaps doesn't reach his eyes this time.

"I am sorry that such a young soul has weathered so much already. Truly, your star must be far less forgiving than mine was." Ah, but they didn't come out here to discuss such unpleasantries... so he perks up again.

"Come then, a fact about yourself."

[nostradamnit]

"I am a doctor--the court physician, in fact, to the French court. I tend to all matters from dueling wounds to poisonings to illnesses about the court." He does take pride in his work, and that's clear in the tone of his voice.

[ktizo]

"Ah, a healer! I have been known to tend to wounds myself, though I can't claim to be nearly as impressive as one who specialises in it."

He does seem a little confused about what a court is, though. "Pray forgive me, what exactly do you mean by court?"

[nostradamnit]

"The court is where the government of France is seated, the nobility surrounding the King and Queen. It is the heart of the country in many ways, where laws and learning and culture are centered."

He uses his hands to try to describe the idea of the big country and the court at its core.

[ktizo]

"Ah- much like the Convocation of Fourteen, then! I see... you must be very good at your profession if you are their chosen healer."

He beams, happy to know more about the strange world Nostradamus comes from.

"Have you any hobbies outside of healing? I personally enjoy archery, playing the lyre, spending time reading... but most of all, I cherish my time with my friends."

[nostradamnit]

"I study the effects of poisons on the body, as a particular personal interest. And I am a deeply religious man--I go to church every week, of course. And I study the movement of the stars and planets. Oh, and I have a collection of jam recipes that I'm very proud of."

But no mention of any close friends there, notably.

[ktizo]

Ah, religion. Hythlodaeus knows next to nothing about it but he'd offered himself up to Zodiark with prayers like everyone else. Zodiark is the only god he can say he believes in, but that's only because he is the will of Etheirys' people. He commands a certain respect- even if Hythlodaeus doesn't fervently worship him.

"Collection of jam recipes, you say? I should like to try some of your jam some time. Ah, but what about friends..? Do you not spend time with them?"

[nostradamnit]

"I haven't an abundance of personal friends. My work consumes me. Mary, Queen of Scots is kind to me, in her way, but she doesn't understand me, I think. And the king's bastard consults me for my knowledge, but rarely cares about my experiments."

It's a lonely existence, being Nostradamus.

[ktizo]

"I see. Perhaps you can find some friends here? With no work to take up your time, I am sure you will be wanting for a distraction."

Hythlodaeus, for his part, is happy to be a friend to him. If they're having to share a room they should be on good terms.

[nostradamnit]

"Despite not having work, my intention is to keep my mind occupied. This place holds many mysteries." That's why he'd been writing in that notebook--he's working on everything. "But...maybe there will be people I can become friends with."

[ktizo]

"We can surely hope! No man should be friendless. 'Tis a terrible fate, to be lonely." Hythlodaeus would know... 12000 years of it might have sent him mad if he were a weaker man.

"My soul sight seemed to perplex you. Am I correct in assuming your world does not rely upon magic the way mine did?"

[nostradamnit]

"There is no magic at all in my world, only lies and illusions. But I am coming to realize that that's not true everywhere. I don't understand anything about it."

But he's willing--eager--to listen and learn.

[ktizo]

"Ah... magic is truly a marvellous thing. We used it to create everything- from creatures to plants to buildings. We could also use it to destroy and heal as we saw fit."

There's a wistfulness to his voice as he speaks, as he reminisces on days gone by. "Our purpose was to see the star flourish and thrive under our care."