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[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione is back in the Nexus. She sits at a large table, with several computer parts scattered out in front of her. She is reading a large book in her lap, that she is writing in as she studies some of the technology in front of her.

Crookshanks is keeping her company today. He is laying on a keyboard, watching her lazily. Every now and then Hermione puts a piece of technology on a separate part of the table, and waves her wand over it. Whatever the spell is, it doesn't work at first. But Hermione just makes some notes over what happened.

She then smiles up at the Nexus. "What is something new you have learned recently? Did it change how you look at your life?"

Comments

[bornstrong]

Iphigenia is nearby, looking at the computer parts curiously. She's seen people with more modern technology than she's used to here in the Nexus, but she's still mystified by it, truthfully.

"I've learned about the history of the world," she says, answering the young woman's question. "I mean," she continues, sounding a bit sheepish, "not all of it. Just the parts after I existed."

Which, frankly, is still a lot, though perhaps the princess doesn't realize that.

"And," she goes on to say, "I don't know if it changed things at all for me. It seems like people are the same across time."

[mudblood_andproud]

"After you existed?" Hermione asks softly. There seems to be a story here.

Crookshanks opens one of his eyes to survey the new person. Then goes back to his cat nap. She has passed the Kneazle test for now.

[bornstrong]

"Well," she begins, smiling sadly, "Yes. Apparently, I'm from a long time ago. Compared to the other people here, I mean. And I obviously had no idea. So I took my time and tried to learn about what I would consider the future."

Iphigenia knows she's, well, old-fashioned, to put it lightly. She's trying to remedy that.

[mudblood_andproud]

"What era are you from, if you don't mind me asking." Hermione is very interested in the past. At Hogwarts, they embraced a lot of old-fashioned ideals.

[bornstrong]

"I am from a city called Mycenae, in the land of the Achaeans," she explains. "But other people know me as someone from a land now called Greece."

Basically, she's from way in the past, is what she's trying to say.

[mudblood_andproud]

"I am very familiar with the land of the Achaeans." Hermione grins. "Most of what I know is something that I learned from history books."

"In my world, the old ways are respected in the magical world. I am just learning about computer use." She nods to the many computer parts that are covering the table.

[bornstrong]

"Oh?" Iphigenia grins back, pleased that someone knows of her people. "I'm glad to have met you, then."

The princess eyes the computer parts again.

"I'll admit I'm not familiar with these modern things," she says. "They are daunting to me."

[mudblood_andproud]

"I am feeling a little daunted myself." Hermione explains honestly. "But this is the kind of technology that is very popular with non-magical humans in my world. And I want to learn about them. How they work."

[bornstrong]

"Do you know where to start?" the princess asks, her brow furrowed in concern. "Because I don't, honestly. And--what sort of magic exists in your world?"

She's intrigued by this.

[fiveofnone]

It appears that a certain Cylon has decided to brave the Nexus by himself again. He's dressed in a suit, as usual, a deep burgundy in a heavier fabric to compensate for the weather. He doesn't hesitate to approach the young witch and her feline companion. Hermione gets a polite nod. Crookshanks gets a quiet chuckle. Looks like even a magic cat enjoys laying on a keyboard.

"You know those things work better when they aren't in pieces, right?" He grins a little to show he's joking. "What are you trying to do with them?"

As for her question, he has to think about it. "I've been reading up on magic. Trying to understand better how it works around here. It's been a real eye-opener."

[mudblood_andproud]

Crookshanks opens his eyes at that familiar chuckle. He stretches out on his keyboard and chirps a greeting at Caspar.

"I thought I would understand a computer better if I understood a little better about each of the different pieces inside of it." Hermione explained.

"And I am trying to merge technology with magic. I think I could create just the right spell... so that we can introduce more technology into the magic world."

Hermione smiles at his answer. "That must be a lot to learn. I have found several different kind of magic users in the Nexus. Each are different from how I create and use magic."

[fiveofnone]

"Hey, buddy," he says in reply to the feline's chirp. He stands closer to the table and scratches Crookshanks behind the ears, careful not to distract him from his important keyboard-laying duties.

He looks over the scattered computer parts again and nods thoughtfully. She's got a point about taking tech apart to understand it. The idea of infusing it with magic, though. That gets an eyebrow raise. "I thought technology didn't work well in the magic world? How are you going to get around that?"

Her comment on having a lot to learn gets him to snort. "It is endless. Like you said, you all play by different rules when it comes to magic. I'm only trying to understand the basics." He pauses a moment before adding, "Yours makes the most sense from what I can tell. You say a word, you channel your magical energy -- boom, spell. It's straight forward. I like it."

[mudblood_andproud]

Crookshanks leans into the scratches behind his ears. He is glad he doesn't have to move for this attention. He is keeping the keyboard safe under his belly.

"It doesn't. But that is why I am researching why, to find a way to get around it."

Hermione laughs when he notes how her magic makes the most sense. "But I just don't cast spells. I also create potions, or charms, or Arthimancy. And it is always a balance between my magical energy and how much to put into what I want to achieve."

[fiveofnone]

"Do you know why magic doesn't work?" It'd be the first avenue of research he'd take if this were his problem. "How far back does this issue go, anyway? Is it just electronics, or are we talking complex mechanical devices, too?"

His hand leaves the tabby's fur, but only long enough so he can pull of a chair. If he's going to get more familiar with magic, he might as well learn from the source. "It still seems like a reasonable transference of energy to matter," he says, resuming his cat-petting. "What I get hung up on about magic is when there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. My universe doesn't work like that." A pause as he thinks over the other aspects of her magic. "Arthimancy? You got time to show me what that's like?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"Our magic interfers with magnatism and electro-magnetic waves so anything electronic either doesn't work or works poorly. However, there are wizards who have managed to create enchanted cars. And the Hogwarts Express is an enchanted train." Hermione explains.

"There is also a reason to the magic. You just need someone to explain it to you." And Hermione is a good candidate, since she has the right scientific mind.

"Of course. Arthimancy is my favorite subject. It is based on the magic of math." Hermione waves her wand over her beaded bag, and several Arthimancy runes float into the air. "By using extended calculations and equations... I can use these runes to predict the outcome of a certain situation."

[fiveofnone]

"See? Another rule that makes sense." He flashes a quick grin before pointing at the hardware. "So that's what you gotta work around. How'd the car get enchanted? Or the train? Did you talk to wizards who did those things? 'Course, a computer is a lot more complicated than a vehicle..."

He blinks at the floating runes, a little suspiciously at first. Then again, if it's based on math, it can't be that bad. "Playing the odds," he says. "What sorts of outcomes can you predict?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"The wizards who created the magic behind the enchanted vehicles are no longer alive." Hermione replies. But she does make a note to speak to Arthur about allowing her to look at his enchanted car, the next time he has it available.

"Anything." Hermione explains. "Arthimancy has been used since Ancient Greece. Scholars would use the numerology to predict the outcomes of a battle. You can break down any word to a one-digit number. And then by knowing that one digit number, you know about the strengths and the weaknesses of that word. Or person."

"I am a 7. The seeker, the thinker, the searcher of Truth."

[turningcolors]

"It may sound a bit trite, but I've been learning about the Nexus. It's certainly changed my life, considering I was able to meet someone else like me for the first time."

Hazel recognizes the feline from the Yule party and beams a smile toward him. Why hello there kitty friend! Though when she reaches out to pet Crookshanks her smile falters and she hesitates, drawing her fingers back. A briefly troubled look flickers across her face before she gives a much more calm smile and gestures to a seat across form Hermione.

"May I..?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"This is a good place to learn about." Hermione agrees with that.

Crookshanks looks up when Hazel reaches out to pet him. And purrs slightly even when she draws her fingers back. He is content where he is.

"Yes. Please. I'm Hermione."

[turningcolors]

Poor thing. He seems entirely content though, so that is something. Hazel's smile doesn't fade. She will pet him briefly once she's sat down. It's sad to think a friend she's made will be leaving so soon, but such is the nature of life.

One thing immortality teaches is how to let go. Especially considering other aspects about her.

"Hazel Tasker. It's a pleasure Miss Hermione." Finally, someone who gets her name right on the first try! Hazel's own accent is difficult to pin down, but it sounds like she's spent a lot of time in the witch's neck of the woods at some point in her life.

[mudblood_andproud]

Crookshanks leans into the pet. He blinks at Hazel with wise old eyes. Then nods off again. Sleeping is good.

Hermione smiles at how Hazel gets her name right. "Nice to meet you Hazel."

"How long have you been in the Nexus?"

[turningcolors]

It's best to let him rest and be comfortable. Hazel withdraws her hand and puts it back in her lap.

"Not terribly long at all. I arrived at the end of Autumn and have been wandering about ever since trying to understand this place."

[mudblood_andproud]

"I spent a lot of time around the Grand Library, once I found it. Have you visited it yet?"

[turningcolors]

"A grand library? What a title for a place. I've not been, no."

With a name like that Hazel half expects to see some towering building from here even looming ominous and ostentatiously over the plaza but of course such is not the case.

"What sort of library is it?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"It is a library that contains books from all sorts of universes and different dimensions. I love to get lost in the aisles, looking for new research material."