video; un: saxitup | two truths, one lie

[saxsongs]

Hello! Some of you might remember me, but in case you don't - my name is Ren Jinguji. I returned during New Years and I'm resuming my work as an idol!

[With rewnewed energy, as one might notice from his annoyingly sparkling smile.]

But that's not why I'm making this post, really. I want to propose a game! Something so we can get to know each other better.

This is, two truths, one lie. Write three things about yourself, one of which is a lie. Others will have to guess which one it is. Of course, you can also reply as a video or a voice message, if that's easier.

Simple, right? Let's have fun.

Comments

[throneaway]

It's true, 3 is the lie, sadly. But it's unbecoming to lose one's nerve, so it's still a worthy goal.

Shadow magic, primarily. I dabble in others, with less success. Why, would you like to compare notes, Thor?

[malleiform]

It's unrealistic to expect someone to always be cool and collected.

Thor? My name is Jayce. I study, to put it simply, the science of magic. The practical integration of it in science and technology for the improvement of life. But I am always glad to share information with someone curious.

[throneaway]

Absolutely. But I'm a cut above the rest.

Hm, I didn't nail that one then. Jayce, call me Maxwell.

'The science of magic'. Oh, I know someone back home would absolutely love your approach. Me, I'm more of a the-magic-of-science guy, but I'd be happy to trade with you, and strengthen us both.

Are you affiliated with the local Research Center, or are you more of a rogue agent?

[malleiform]

That one was much better, by the way, Maxwell.

For now, I'm at the Research Center. They have great facilities and resources. The people there are knowledgeable and excited to share discoveries.

It's a good way to get information quickly. I'd be glad to share what I can. I hope to eventually get a lab here so my partner and I can do our own work.

[throneaway]

A poor wordsmith blames their tools, so I'll take responsibility. But I'm curious about where your username came from.

Hm. Then I'll stop by and see what all the fuss is about. I don't exactly love combat, myself, though at a push I can just about defend myself.

Oh, someone else from your world is with you?

[malleiform]

It came to me set up like this. Though I do know where it came from. My family famously runs a forge at home. And I have a hammer that I personally designed and built with my partner.

I don't think you will need to engage in combat at the research center. I haven't had to yet. Not that I've been here that long.

And yes. My partner and I arrived here at about the same time. I got really lucky, I think. I'm finding that it doesn't always happen like that...where you arrive with someone you know.

[throneaway]

Maybe I should have called you Hephaestus, pal. Still crickets, or do you like that one?

How long's 'not that long'? You seem pretty well-informed. But I guess you would, if information's at a premium for you.

...Yeah. I was just getting used to not being alone, myself, and then this happens. But with other displaced weirdos, I shouldn't complain. I'll figure something out.

It sounds like you and your partner make quite the team, anyway.

[malleiform]

Wish I could say I did. Still crickets, though.

I've been here just over a month. One of the first things I did was go to the research center. People are kind enough to share what is needed here when prompted, as well. Plus, a lot of what I've learned isn't things I had to figure out and discover and research. It was information that was readily available when knowing what to ask.

We do. He's the smartest person I know.

[throneaway]

A multiversal conduit and I expect all my mythological references to land. I really am spoilt. Tell me you had the theatre where you come from? Shakespeare? I'll be lost without that. All you'll get is grotesque puns otherwise.

A month... Mm. Yes, I've noticed the kindness. [ Alien, foreign. Suspicious. But welcome. And he'd be lost without it, honestly. Receptiveness and vulnerability are still not second nature, but he adds: ] I'm grateful to you.

I have to be my own partner, at present, so go ahead and appreciate yours a little more on my behalf. I hope it's a magic/science split.

[malleiform]

We have theater. From plays, to operas, to orchestral performances. And many other things. But we do not have Shakespeare. It sounds like my world is really different from yours. That's actually really interesting.

Of course. There's no problem, either. I like helping if I can. People are worth helping.

It's not. Science and magic are inextricably linked in our work. We couldn't simply do one without the other. We need to have a full understanding of each part of it. Plus, it ensures our work doesn't get stalled for any reason. We just bring different and new ideas to each other. Having Viktor wasn't about filling in the parts that I'm missing. It's about meshing our processes together to be better. It was about having a second mind that understood how the first worked.

[ jayce will NOT shut up about viktor ]

I do hope you find it. It's so valuable.

[throneaway]

You're missing out as far as I'm concerned, but maybe someone else took the Bard's place where you're from, and they were just as good, or better. I should keep an open mind about interdimensional literature. I'll try to go easy on the references. Are there any gods at all where you come from, historical or current? Living or mythological?

You do sound like him. [ And that next thing, about science and magic. It's not wholly what Maxwell wants to believe but it rings so profoundly with truth that it draws him to it, inexorably. ] ...I'll take that under advisement, my friend. I promise.

How did you meet?

[malleiform]

There are gods - at least in mythology, but it sounds as though our mythology and worship is pretty different.

You should. And should you come to the research center, you can find me there.

[ He doesn't even hesitate to talk about their meeting. ]

I got in trouble for studying magic, as it was banned from the academy. They only knew I had it because a giant hole got blown in my apartment when it was robbed. He was the one who had come to bring me in. But after my trial with our country's Councillors I returned there and he met me.

He believed in me when no one else did. He's the reason I was able to chase my dream at all.

[throneaway]

I've got two worlds to draw on. Earth's where all the literary gags come from. The Constant had real, present deities, or beings enough like them to count.

I'll ask for you, Jayce. What kind of hours do you keep there?

[ All the best friendships, romances, and partnerships are predicated, apparently, on uncontrolled explosions of illegal materials, becoming a felon, violating known laws of physics in order to expand them... ]

Good for you, and I do mean that. Sometimes all it takes is one.

I won't ask you to go too in-depth on what kind of magic you study, or how, we can trade all that later in person.

[malleiform]

I'm here earlier in the day, before lunch time. Or I try to be. I often stay much later than I intend to, though. Just the way that it goes.

[ Until he gets a house with a lab to work in. ]

You're right. It only does take one.

[ Because those words, for some reason, strike so true to him. But maybe if he hadn't been so ready to just walk off a ledge that day... ]

It will make more sense with some of my notes, too. Which will be far easier to understand in person.