text | un: mazd

[mazd]

Something that's on my mind right now is how one goes about choosing a username. Of course I've chosen one and so has everyone else, but simple observation can't always tell you why someone chose something or what it means. A significant chunk of the population appears to be using their own names and that at least is self-evident - it's their name so of course they'd want to use it! This doesn't account for people who may be using aliases in order to mislead others, which is always a possibility. But the ones that are of more interest and that take more thought are the names that aren't just names. Little phrases or words mashed together...why were those things significant to that person? I can't help but wonder about it.

While observation can absolutely give you a window into someone else's point of view it can never be as good a view as the one you can get simply by knocking on the front door and asking. So I really do want to ask. But is that sort of knowledge something to be given freely? Maybe some of it is private, but also there could be a more fun way to learn than just asking, right?

If you'd like to volunteer the information, please do so. Otherwise...would anyone like to play a game with me? I know there's several going on right now from looking but I don't mind if it's just a few people. I'm just in the mood for something a little more involved than telling a lie and hiding it in the underbrush of truth.

Recently some students were passing by playing a game they called 20 questions. The concept is fascinatingly simple but can get complex depending on how devious your opponent is. You have to think of an object and your partner can only ask yes or no questions to discover what it is. Given our different points of origin, however, we should refine what could count as an object, no?

So, for the purposes of this game please consider the "object" to be "the reason you chose your username and the true meaning of it" or "an animal found in this world". If you're unsure if an animal exists here, there seem to be lists of them at the Guilds alongside our potential powers as creatures we may eventually be able to transform into, as well as an available bestiary. Just specify if you're thinking of your username or an animal. Then players (possibly just me) will ask you questions that can only be answered with "yes" or "no"...if they go over 20, they lose. Apparently the consequences for losing can be quite dramatic among the student body but that seems a bit much to me. Instead I'll tell you something interesting if you win or I lose, okay?

And of course you're free to guess the meaning of my own username using the question framework. That said, those of you who know the true meaning behind it already are obligated to assume I'm thinking of an animal instead. In those circumstances I'm going to include animals from back home, too.

As I said you're free to play with one another, too, but I mostly just wanted to try it out myself. For some reason the students were too nervous to play with me...but you wouldn't mind doing just one round, right? Even just one person would be okay.

Comments

[abnormalizes]

It's nice, yeah. And here none of us can die permanently, so I don't have to worry about it much?

[mazd]

Even if it isn't permanent, I think it's best if none of us die at all.

[abnormalizes]

That's the ideal, but I'm not that kind of optimist.

[mazd]

In the event it gets dangerous, rely on allies more suited to the task?

[abnormalizes]

Even people suited to the task get unlucky sometimes.

[mazd]

That's very true. I think it's best to work in teams whenever possible even so! One person can't do as much as many pooled together.

[abnormalizes]

Oh, for sure. That's good advice no matter what world you're in.

[mazd]

Have you been to many worlds?

[abnormalizes]

Just the two! But they're pretty wildly different.

[mazd]

This world is also fairly different from my own! There are, however, similarities.

[abnormalizes]

Do you mind if I ask about your home?

[mazd]

Not at all. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!

[abnormalizes]

Thank you. What would you say the biggest difference is between there and here?

[mazd]

The lack of visions.

Visions back home are occasionally obtained by citizens of Teyvat, our world. Each vision confers on its holder the power of the element to which it is aligned: Dendro, Geo, Anemo, Cryo, Hydro, Pyro, or Electro.

[abnormalizes]

Are they like the seasonal powers here?

[mazd]

That isn't a bad way to look at it, but the seasonal powers here seem to be somewhat larger in scope...while also being a bit narrower, from a certain point of view.

[abnormalizes]

That doesn't really explain a lot.

[mazd]

Well, it varies from case to case...but shapeshifting entirely into an animal, for example, isn't something anyone with a vision can learn.

[abnormalizes]

That part of the powers here's really cool! I haven't managed it myself yet, but I'm working on it.

[mazd]

Which seasonal power were you granted?

[abnormalizes]

Summer! So fire magic, mostly.

[mazd]

I see. I have been gifted "Spring", myself.

[abnormalizes]

That's a fun one! Are you going to learn to fly?

[mazd]

Perhaps. I would like to become like a little bird, I think...

[abnormalizes]

Do you like birds?

[...normal non-murder birds.]