reminded | No. 001 - Simple Addition [Written]

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No. 001 - Simple Addition [Written]

[It's about time to give this device a go. In neat, legible writing is simply the following:]

5 + 5 + 5 = 550

It appears I have my arithmetic out of sorts. However, it would be a shame to scrap the equation entirely. Can you help me correct it by adding a single straight line?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The kingdom emerged when three songs were united and performed: A Song of the Sea, Stars, and Sun, whose melodies were hidden in plain sight in the Ambrosian seal. They must have believed that these songs would herald the return of their queen.

But the kingdom emerged devoid of people. I do not know if they chose to follow their queen into the afterlife when their elixir did not truly work, or if they merely migrated and live to this day. Perhaps submerging the kingdom was their way preserving it for her return.

Interesting. This seems like something I've heard of before, a combination of stories, really. It's quite intriguing.

I take it you've mapped out the kingdom personally?

Is that so? You must share those stories with me. [It's always fun to compare traits across cultures both modern and ancient.]

I did take part in the initial survey, which was quite the opportunity. I wish I could have stayed and been more involved with the dig, but my responsibilities called for me elsewhere.

Absolutely. I would recommend visiting the library sometime soon. Perhaps we could discuss it over tea.

Oh really? May I ask what your duties are, Professor? If it tore you away from such an opportunity, they must be important indeed.

That sounds like a splendid idea. I couldn't ask for a better setting.

Oh, just my obligations to my students and colleagues. Not very glamorous, I suppose, but no less important. As much as I enjoy being on the scene, such things require a dedication of time I couldn't then afford.

[In fact, he probably already cancels lectures in pursuit of his own interests a little too often...]

Excellent, we can do that in a few days when you've had time to settle.

So you teach archaeology at a university?

Agreed. I look forward to it.

That I do. I believe it's been ten years now since I first received the post, which I must say is a bit startling for me to dwell on. But please, I'm not accustomed to going on about myself for so long. What of yourself? What did you do before being brought here?

Myself? Well, what I do is quite a bit different, and perhaps might sound unbelievable to a man such as yourself. But, I am not a human being, or even a mortal. In my native tongue, I am a Myojin, though that would translate in English to a god.

Before I was brought here, my responsibility was to ensure that rain, wind, and storms occurred in my homeland of Kyushu. Though, there have been points in my life where I have acted as a priest, long long ago.

[Layton's reply comes a bit slowly as he processes this information. She certainly seems sure of herself, and stranger things have already happened today... but his instinct is to stay reserved.]

I suppose that would explain your interest in human dealings with divinity. I expect this means you held a certain sway over the weather in your homeland? Does that still hold true here?

I do, and yes it does. Though, like everyone here my powers are weakened by the Malnosso's interference.

Most interesting. I'll have to hope that I can see you in action someday.

[He wants to ask for an outright demonstration, but that would border rudeness a bit too closely for his tastes.]

I could show you today, if you like. I'd just need you to set this to a video, instead. With Luceti being what it is, I must be able to see where I am working my magic.

[Not rude at all]

Oh, of course. The thought never even occurred to me.

[He finds the camera button and presses it, revealing himself to be sitting in a house. He props his journal up for a better view before touching the brim of his hat in greeting.]

I hope that will suffice?

[She smiles happily, waving at the camera. As she does so, thunder rumbles outside the house, and a tiny cloud appears right in front of the professor, just floating there]

It does indeed!

[The rolling thunder makes him pause and look in the direction of the noise. When he turns back to his journal only to come face-to-face with an indoor cloud, he jerks back, startled. Once a beat has passed, he adjusts his hat and leans forward, peering at the meteorological anomaly.]

My word... This is most unusual. Yes, indeed.

[Saori just smiles, letting the cloud dance in front of him in time to an invisible beat.]

[He looks at the cloud from a different angle, cautiously lifting a hand to touch it.]

You certainly make a compelling case. Would you describe this as magic? Or something else entirely?

[It's a cloud alright! It's a bit chilly to the touch]

To you, it might be magic. To me? I see it as a exercising my right. Bringing rain is as natural to me as breathing is to you.

[He passes a hand between his journal and the cloud, which does absolutely nothing. It isn't a projection, then. If this really is some kind of trick, then he's stumped by its execution. Could it really be true?]

Fascinating. Would it follow that there are... Myojin in all parts of the world? If so, I'm afraid I've paid London's presiding Myojin little respect.

No, England would have it's own god or gods. My kind are native to Japan, and Japan alone.

[She smiles warmly, watching him play with the cloud, which danced a bit more]

But there are other kinds of gods.

[It's becoming obvious that he won't find anything funny about this cloud other than its pure existence, so he stops bothering it for now.]

You certainly know how to intrigue me. I'll bite. What other sorts of gods are there?

Many sorts. Folklore is based on fact.

On fact? Are you suggesting that I should take the old tales as biographical accounts?

They're a guideline, not an encyclopedia, since they were written by humans.

[How does one even begin to separate fact from fiction in tales involving such fantastic figures?]

Hmm. This is all quite a bit to think about. I'll confess I'm still having a difficult time believing it.

No. 001 - Simple Addition [Written]

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[written] Hopefully it doesn't freak him out!

[written] he would need to believe it first...!

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