nexus_crossings | The Lure of Learning

The Lure of Learning

Hermione is wandering the Plaza area of the Nexus, with no particular goal in mind. She is closely followed by a large orange cat, who seems to twirl around her ankles just at the right time to avoid being stepped on, but still be close to the young woman in question.

Suddenly, Hermione stops, just outside the grand library and looks up to the immense building with a little bit of awe, a lot of interest, and a glee that is very close to 'kid-in-a-candystore'. But even though every bone in her body wants to go into that library and explore (and get lost in the books), Hermione has paused. A slight confused look on her face.

She finds a place to sit, nearby the library, looking up at the building. The orange cat claims a seat in her lap.

"Would you rather take time to improve your own skills, or teach others to be better people?"

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The talk of professors being among her wars' casualties causes Micolash to frown sadly and put a hand over his heart in sympathy. Such a profound loss of knowledge. Tragic.

"Your fields are...interesting." Careful of his balance, Micolash lowers himself to a crouch, sets his books next to him and plants both hands on his knees. Settling down closer to speaking level with this nice young lady now that they're getting to the proper discussion of education. "Tell me more about these runes and these dark arts. How is one to determine what is dark and what is not?"

"In runes class, we studied Runology. And translated the runes, by identifying their symbols representing various sound values, until we could translate them into English words or ideology."

"I was able to use my knowledge to translate The Tales of Beedle the Bard from the original runic alphabet into modern English." Hermione smiles for a moment.

"As for Defense Against the Dark Arts, we were taught to magically defend themselves against Dark Creatures, the Dark Arts, and other dark charms. We also learned how to duel against another wizard."

"We classify magic as Dark, if it is mainly used to cause harm, control, or even death to the victim." Hermione answers the second question.

"Oh my. And who transcribed the runes? More importantly, who spoke them. Are these runes of man, or runes of other beings?" Micolash pauses to reach past the bars of his cage and rub gingerly at his forehead with two fingertips, as if rubbing away a brief pain or uncomfortable sensation. Then he plants that hand back onto one knee.

Hermione's description of these dark arts has him nodding along, though he looks...maybe unimpressed? Skeptical? "Seeking to harm is, I suppose, one way to approach classification. But any tool can be used to wound or bludgeon, if used improperly. If used without proper Insight. Are you expected to always remain on the defensive? Are you not armed in turn?" Micolash tilts his chin down, hairless brows raised expectantly. "And control? Is this only applicable to living man, or...?"

"I would have to research intensively to find out a definite answer. But it is safe to say that since there are magical people and magical creatures in my world, it could be either." Hermione replies softly.

"One of the purposes of taking classes at our school is so that we can learn to use magic properly. So we understand what charms and what spells are considered 'dark arts', and the consequences of using them."

"And after just living through a war... I believe that being alert and ready to respond to a crisis is a good thing."

"Not just living man. As I mentioned, we have magical creatures who are part of our community. Control over them would be classified as dark magic."

Edited 2017-07-20 14:16 (UTC)

"And what is, to you, magic? What would define its unique properties and energies? Is it innate or must one train to perceive and harness it?" As this is still a concept relegated to faerie tales back in fine Yahar'gul, Micolash is curious all the same what magic could be according to another scholar from another land.

"It is important to train to use the magic. In my world, those born with magical abilities can struggle with control. And each person has their own unique strengths and weaknesses." Hermione answers.

"I have non-magical parents. So it was good that I had a school to go, where I could learn about my abilities."

"How remarkable, how fantastically astute! When one knows they have the drive for Insight regardless of their surroundings and seek those who'll cultivate them best. From those humble roots are the greatest of visionaries, says I.

"And what of these non-magical men. Are they left to their squalid ignorance of higher understanding? Or can they be delivered from their limitations?"

"Non-magical people have their own schools and universities that they can choose to attend. My parents earned their dentistry degrees."

"A non-magical person would be refused education or knowledge of a magical school. And very few magical students would attend a non-magical school."

"Ohhh, but that is to say that they cannot be elevated to your status. To your level of understanding. How miserable. That they cannot even be drug kicking and screaming into higher knowledge of these energies you perceive as 'magic'.

"But perhaps it is for the best. Let the most capable of driven of your caste lead the way if nothing else. Those with limits would only be a hindrance, wouldn't they? I would not allow just anyone into Mensis, let alone the village of Yahar'gul, without proper screening. At least, a failure and a distraction. At worst, a spy. Were there those intent on stealing your secrets of this magic? "

Micolash drums his spidery fingers a few times on his knees, tapping out a aimless rhythm. He's enjoying this conversation! How wonderful to speak to other academics after so long. He'd not realized now much he's missed this until it's presently happening.

"I don't believe in a status difference between those with magic, or those who do not have those abilities." Her voice is strong. Determined.

"My parents had no magical abilities. They did not have the magic within them to be able to do anything with a wand. Or understand how to mix a potion. Or how to cast a charm."

"But the knowledge they had as dentists were brilliant. They had their paths... and I had mine."

"I would not claim that the fact I attended a magical school gave me better education than someone who can not perceive magic. Hogwarts is one path, taken by those who are born with magic in their blood, to learn control."

"In fact, I myself was looked at as a 'hindrance', someone who was perceived as limited, because my parents were not magical gifted. But during my classes I proved those people wrong. I achieved, when they thought me to fail."

Hermione steadies her breath. "There is a veil, separating the magical world from those who do not are not magical. That separation and secrecy is there because of a troubling past. Most non-magical humans are not even aware of the magical world at all..."

Edited 2017-07-25 19:07 (UTC)

Micolash listens patiently, sometimes nodding along with a point, sometimes motionless except for an occasional spasm of some fingers. He looks so dreadfully tired...

"You remind me of someone I used to know, really. She is known now as Vacuous Rom and is one of the most remarkable beings I've ever met.

"And this veil sounds a great deal like how we kept the Unseen Village properly unseen. I am no stranger from having to hide one's studies from prying, seeking eyes. And what was the troubling event that required this schism?" He has his guesses, but might as well hear the actual explanation first.

"There was a time when non-magical people desired the power of our abilities so much, that when we refused them... they started to cast us as 'evil'. Burned many of us at the stake. Or tortured us. Or simply hung us."

Hermione frowns. "And while that was centuries ago, some wizards can't let the past go. I just finished fighting a war against a Dark Wizard, who wanted to hurt as many non-magically people as he could."

The mention of burning people at stakes gets a particular huff of tired recognition from Micolash. "Such is the minds of the unenlightened, the ungifted, the fatally incurious. Frightened by the unknown, frightened by inquiry. Cannot appreciate a mystery for the wonder and discovery it is."

He leans a little closer to Hermione now, eyes brightening despite his pervasive weariness. Just be careful of his cage. "Now that you've found this Dream, what shall you do? What studies are next?"

"The first thing on my mind is to look through that library." Hermione smiles, glancing at the Grand Library behind her. "And see what sort of studies could be a potential for me."

Micolash looks over his shoulder at the library behind him, then back to his conversation partner. "I spend a great deal of time myself in there." Which is to say he's homeless and uses the library as shelter. It feels about as homey as things can be for him anyway. Can someone really be homesick for a Nightmare?

"I'm sure we'll be seeing more of one another within its halls." He smiles and taps one crooked finger on the stack of books next to him.

"I am glad to hear that. I enjoyed our conversation." It is wonderful to have someone to debate topics with again.

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The Lure of Learning

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