Harry Dresden (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
awizardidit) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
mythmaking2014-01-11 04:32 pm
awizardidit) wrote in mythmaking2014-01-11 04:32 pm
001 [Text /Open To Action]
[It took a long while for Harry to take up the book. Before that, he had kept his hand raised toward an empty space, his eyes closed while nothing happened. He remained in that position until sweat started showing up on his brow. Frustrated, he let out a sigh and strode to pick up the volume.
The big, gray dog next to him, big enough his back reaches the waist of the 6'9" man, follows his master with his eyes, panting and wagging his tail as encouragement. Harry appreciates that and acknowledges it with a brief mile and a nod.
Then, he opens the book and uses the quill with the expertise of someone who uses it often. He's no master calligrapher, but his handwriting is legible.]
I have no idea what is going on, but there's no way this is not the Nevernever. However, the gate to the mortal world I'm trying to create doesn't open. I've tried several times. I'm not messing up the spell, Bob, in case you read this.
On the other hand, maybe it's for the best. For all I know, I could end up on the Himalayas or the bottom of the ocean. Or worse, in Morgan's bedroom. Yuck. Yes, I had to put that on writing. To show it to my therapist if I ever find one.
I've also tried to summon fairies, and even those who would do anything to find me haven't showed up. Honestly? That's scary.
In any case, that's why I came back to the book. What I write here can be read by others, right? Like one of those chat-thingies today's cool kids have. Yay! I'm a cool kid!
So, is there anyone out there who can tell me what is going on?
Thank you.
Harry Dresden.
[He closes the book, picks up a bag with his belongings, and begins walking in seemingly a random direction. It's not that he doubts the book works. Quite the contrary. But he isn't one to sit and wait for things to happen when he can make that things happening.
The dog follows him.]
The big, gray dog next to him, big enough his back reaches the waist of the 6'9" man, follows his master with his eyes, panting and wagging his tail as encouragement. Harry appreciates that and acknowledges it with a brief mile and a nod.
Then, he opens the book and uses the quill with the expertise of someone who uses it often. He's no master calligrapher, but his handwriting is legible.]
I have no idea what is going on, but there's no way this is not the Nevernever. However, the gate to the mortal world I'm trying to create doesn't open. I've tried several times. I'm not messing up the spell, Bob, in case you read this.
On the other hand, maybe it's for the best. For all I know, I could end up on the Himalayas or the bottom of the ocean. Or worse, in Morgan's bedroom. Yuck. Yes, I had to put that on writing. To show it to my therapist if I ever find one.
I've also tried to summon fairies, and even those who would do anything to find me haven't showed up. Honestly? That's scary.
In any case, that's why I came back to the book. What I write here can be read by others, right? Like one of those chat-thingies today's cool kids have. Yay! I'm a cool kid!
So, is there anyone out there who can tell me what is going on?
Thank you.
Harry Dresden.
[He closes the book, picks up a bag with his belongings, and begins walking in seemingly a random direction. It's not that he doubts the book works. Quite the contrary. But he isn't one to sit and wait for things to happen when he can make that things happening.
The dog follows him.]
Action is go!
[Harry will find Starscream towards the back of the library, leaning over a table piled with books. A rather ragged turnip lantern rests by his elbow, glowing cheerily away. Starscream himself is flipping carefully through one of the books, although he looks up when Harry arrives.]
Harry Dresden?
Action
He allows himself a whistle when he arrives, though. A short one. This is a library after all.]
In the flesh. The same as you are in the metal, I guess.
[He can't help himself with those jokes, bad as they might be, excuse him.]
So, before we proceed, are you feeling any discomfort?
[Usually, Harry's magic doesn't sit well with technology. In this world, all of that has been stripped away to be replaced with something else. He suspects as much, but asking won't hurt anyone.
Besides, even if the Starscream he was familiar with was one of the bad guys, the one in front of him started being helpful.]
Re: Action
[Harry doesn't seem particularly unusual to Starscream, as far as humans go, although he is noticeably taller than others- not that Starscream would have noticed, back when he was over seven meters tall. But as it is, Harry's nearly as tall as Starscream.]
[At the question, Starscream raises an eyebrow, and resists the urge to take a step back. Harry's question seems clinical sounding, and reminds him of his brief, misbegotten MECH alliance, but Starscream suppresses his tension in order to answer.]
No. Why?
Action
Just wondering.
[He manages to keep a neutral face.]
Have you been here long? To have gather that information you gave me.
Re: Action
[Starscream gives Harry a look of blatant distrust, then glances back at the book he'd been reading and shuts it. Written on the cover are the words "AN ILLUSTRATED TREASURY OF FAIRY AND FOLK TALES."]
Only a few days. Much of what I've learned comes from the other players that were hijacked into this farce.
Action
[He takes the book and passes the pages. It doesn't seem different from other fairy tale books he's read, but the illustrations are cute.]
I see. Well, I vote we begin our research in the field. But before that, may I ask where are you from? Since you're not human and obviously not from here.
[He gathers he has to ask that anyway at some point.]
Re: Action
[Starscream's not sure if he'd consider all the illustrations cute- particularly the one of a lone man wandering down a dark road, a lantern carried over his shoulder.]
Cybertron. A mechanical planet entirely different from Earth and this world.
[He gestures at the books.]
For whatever reason, this world seems designed to mimic that of the ones in these tales. Which is why I've been studying them, in spite of the primitive form of information storage.
no subject
I see. It really sounds like something special. I hope it wasn't that complicated for you to adapt to a place so different from home.
Well, those stories are true. Most of those creatures exist, although a little different than, in the Nevernever I mentioned in my first entry on the book
[Harry's voice takes the tone of a lecturer. A teacher who enjoys explaining, too.]
The Nevernever can also be called "Spirit World". The creatures those fairy tales talk about, and those that had been constructed as mythological creatures by humans over the millenia live there. It resides right next to the mortal world, where we humans usually live, as another plane of existance, and it can be reached through portals that only those in the know can open. Such as yours truly.
And here's where I start to flail with Cybertronian science.
[Starscream turns away from Harry and begins to spread out the books, his motions more hurried then necessary.]
[Recognizing the beginning of a lecture- for a moment it's as if he's back in Shockwave's secret laboratory- Starscream rolls his eyes like a recalcitrant twelve year old.]
[He actually does listen though, enough for him to actually something of what Harry says.]
I lived on your planet for years and I never heard of this Nevernever, nor of any humans that could access alternate planes. ...Of course, I suppose it could work within the bounds of Subspace Theory, but human technology wasn't anywhere near that level. Unless there were some Bridging experiments left on Earth that I was unaware of.
[He's more or less thinking out loud.]
Sounds good to me!
Priorities, even he has them straight sometimes.
Therefore, he focuses on the rest of Starscream's speech. The part he understands, anyway. The finer parts of that which you call modern science eludes him.]
I did say "those in the know", didn't I? Most mortals live their whole lives ignoring its existence. Not everyone is allowed to know.
Which leads me to say that I don't doubt you had a way to hide yourself so you wouldn't show up in the news. You look sort of—[Harry tilts his head while looking at Starscream]—pointy.
no subject
Yes, well... as it happens, my species is capable of transforming into alternate mechanical forms. We decided that it wouldn't be worth the processor ache of making contact with humans, so most of us disguised ourselves as ordinary Earth vehicles. I'm sure you can appreciate the need to keep our existence on a "need to know" basis.
[Starscream folds his arms and stares hard at Harry, in case he suddenly starts bringing out giant drills and saws and cackling about opening Starscream up.]
Now, how did you gain access to the knowledge of this "Nevernever?"
no subject
Whoa! The ultimate camouflage in modern society! Sounds like you and your kind lucked out. But say, if you'd come to Earth before we reached that level of technology, would you've hidden yourselves as horse-drawn wagons? I'm not mocking you, it's an honest question.
As for your question, I was born with the ability to influence at wll the energies that surrounds. I other words, I had magic in me and therefore the potential of becoming a Wizard. I was trained and became one. Part of that training included the knowledge of what the Nevernever is and the kind of creatures than inhabit it.
[He pauses.]
I even have a fairy godmother, I kid you not.
[He had to say that last part, even if Starscream lacked the culture references to understand the nuances.]
Anyway, as I confirmed on my way to the library, something—or someone—in this place took away my magic. That's the only reason I have to doubt it may be the Nevernever.
no subject
I don't... We rarely made contact with other planets, especially ones that were technologically backward.
[At Harry's explanation, Starscream perches his chin in one hand. He's still not sure exactly what being a wizard entails, but the last few days have been helping to stretch his suspension of disbelief.]
[However, one thing does cause him to hold up a claw in a "wait a moment" gesture.]
I was under the impression that only Princesses had fairy godmothers.
[Not that he's secretly watched Disney movies or anything.]
Yes, that would presumably be part of the modifications I mentioned. For instance, I used to be much larger than this. A titan compared to you humans.
[There's a smug smile on his face as he recalls being large enough to step on people.]
And I've seen how other captives have been modified. There was a... cat, who could speak like a human.
no subject
[Harry raises an eyebrow when Starscream proves to be better informed than he thought.]
My mom was well connected with fairies. [Shrugs.] Stuff happens. I am no princess, though.
[And now he's secretly appreciating having been cast as Merlin a little more. What would he do as Cinderella?]
Well, you're still pretty tall, if makes you feel better. I mean, I am taller than basically every other human I know.
By the way... what role were you supposed to assume?
no subject
[You humans and your weird social arrangements.]
[At the mention of his height, Starscream stands a little straighter. Good thing the library ceiling's fairly high.]
Yes, it continually amazes me how puny you humans are. I'm amazed that you manage to get anything accomplished at this ridiculous scale. Everything looks so... bizarre.
[Like water. Water looks fucking weird at this scale- he can see the droplets and everything.]
Jack of the Lantern.
[He glances away from Harry for a moment.]
A character from an old human myth I'd never even heard of before now. Supposedly he tricked the Devil three times, until by the end of it the Devil had agreed not to take Jack's soul after he died.
And yourself?
no subject
[Don't get mad, Screamie. You can get your own adopted family too! Just like the Autobots.]
The things we can do amaze me too. We're so delicate and yet so resilient. We have to suffer natural disasters, supernatural predators... we have to suffer ourselves, too. And it seems we're opening our frontiers to possible menaces from outer space, if you're anything to go by. And yet, we still thrive and build and dream and create. I love us. If I could, I'd hug myself.
[He nods at Starscream's explanation.]
That's an interesting choice. I wonder who makes them...
I am Merlin, the wise adviser of Arthur, the Once and Future King. Whom I should start looking for. I don't even know if he's here already.
no subject
[At Harry's speech, Starscream's lips purse together and he actually leans away. Ew, you sound like Optimus Prime.]
[In his
sulkiestfrostiest tone, Starscream says:]You should be aware that I have absolutely no tolerance for sentimental pontificating.
[He drums his claws on the table.]
That is a good question, isn't it? If I understand correctly, this Merlin was also a wizard. Perhaps there is a connection between ourselves and the role they assign us.
As for your Arthur, I would suggest consulting your book. Or he could be one of the "originals" still remaining.
no subject
[Harry raises his index finger up.]
I was not pontificating. I was merely expressing my thoughts.
[Judging for what Harry knows about the Starscream's counterpart from the G1 cartoon, which is all he knows, actually, that makes a lot of sense.]
I appreciate the tip. I think I owe you one now.
no subject
At great length, I noticed.
[Not only that, but everything goes wrong for Jack in the end and it's basically his fault. Clearly somebody out there knew what they were about.]
[Starscream places one hand on his hip, and gives a smug little smile.]
See that you remember that.
Now. Where would you care to start our research?
no subject
I will.
[He looks around at the shelves. All those thick volumes... it's like home, only bigger.]
I believe starting with the history of the city would be a good place to start, and then place the big players. See what they were up to.
[In case there are records of that. Otherwise, legwork it is.]
no subject
[At the promise- well, it isn't quite a promise- Starscream blinks, then nods and turns his attention to the books.]
[He had collected a few on the table already, all of them fairy tale anthologies that the librarian had suggested. He isn't sure whether they should be regarded as history. Books definitely aren't his favorite method of information storage; the pages feel unnatural and delicate in his hands. But what other options are there?]
Very well. This library does not appear to be well-sorted, but I'll see what I can find in order to separate fact from fiction.
no subject
Do you have a list of the titles you've already checked?
no subject
Everything I've looked at should be on the table.
[Starscream starts to move through the library as well, occasionally picking up a book, then replacing it after determining that "A GUIDE TO FRESH AND SALTWATER FISHING" isn't worth investigating.]
[It doesn't take him long to determine that the books are grouped by subject, although none of the shelves are labeled.]
[After a bit of wandering, Starscream stumbles upon a book called "VASILISA THE WISE: PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN." Again, he calls out:]
Harry! Are you there? I believe I've found something that may be of interest.
[Somewhere in the background, the Librarian shushes him, which he ignores.]
no subject
When he hears Starscream calling him, he turns around and goes to meet him. He speaks in a lower tone of voice.
I'm always here. And we better obey the Librarian or we risk being banned from here. What did you find?
no subject
They're a human, what are they going to do about it?
[But Harry might notice his tone is a bit lower.]
[He shows Harry the book, then taps at the shelves.]
I believe I've found the history section. The non-fiction history.
(no subject)
Hopefully there's nothing gamebreaking here...