hugtopia | [Video]

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[To anyone watching the network there were about five abruptly started then ended videos from a confused looking eighteen year old this morning. Finally, though Tyler thinks he's gotten it, even if at the start of the video he holds his hands apprehensively by the tablet and those with keen hearing might hear the mantra of "don't fall, don't fall" as he takes a few steps back. There's a relieved sort of breath before he addresses the camera, taking off his baseball cap and bending the brim into a 'u' shape as he talks.

Oh. And he's managed to somehow have the video upside down. How'd he manage that? He's not good at technology despite being from the mid-2000s.]

Hi? Hi! Hi, uh, I'm Tyler Warrens, or Tai to friends. I just got here a little bit ago, I think I've got at least the basics of what's going on. Even got myself all settled in... But I do have a couple of questions if that's okay!

Like does anyone here play baseball? Oooor know magic? Dog person, cat person? [There's a sheepish sort of laugh.] I donno, I figured if I'm stuck here, might as well get to know people.

[So he's just throwing out a wide net.

Then there's a flash of uncertainty, as one more question pops up. There's a hesitance though, he bends the brim of his hat a bit more before forcing himself to straighten it out. Then he all but blurts out.]

Does the name Markel mean anything to anyone here?

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I have no idea what baseball is, but I can at least check the "know magic" box. I know quite a bit of magic an I'm always looking to learn more.

Can't say I'm necessarily a dog or cat person either. If I had to pick I'd say wolf and dragon?

[Here is a tiny looking child for you, Tyler. She is staring intently at her screen, blank faced despite his antics.]

... You are upside down?

I am?

[He blinks at this tiny child, surprised both by the fact there's a tiny child staring at him and the fact he's apparently upside down.]

How'd I manage that...

[There's a distinct pause, before Tyler speaks, incredulity loud and clear in his voice.]

You don't know baseball? You can't be serious.

[He stutters a little, then gives an awkward cough. Right. Maybe not the most important thing this guy has said.]

Uh, nevermind, not really important. So you're a dragon kind of guy?

I could say it a little more seriously if you'd like?

[He shifts his voice just a bit so it's more the "I'm the chosen one and need to sound older than I am" style.]

I'm relatively confident it involves a ball.

[Yeah, that's about all he's got. Things like baseball don't exist where he's from, and even if they did he certainly never would have had the privilege to engage in them as a kid.]

Sure. I'm met a decent number of dragons. Most of them I like. One I can call a true friend. I also have 4 very close friends that take the form of dragons even if they aren't by definition dragons.

Edited 2022-07-25 00:20 (UTC)

[Okay, the more serious tone makes him snort.]

You're correct. It does, in fact, involve a ball.

[Tyler could go into more depth and actually explain the game, but maybe another time. Right now he's far more interested in the fact this guy has met more than two dragons. His eyes are wide.]

For real? I mean, I know two dragons back home, but from the way, Kaida explained things they aren't a lot of them left. And your friends can turn into dragons? Not like, just dragons looking like humans?

[Ooh, are we doing upside-down videos today? Prompto dangles backward off his couch and holds his phone out and away from his now inverted face. There. Now they match.]

Hi, Tai. [He gives a little wave.

Of all those questions, he focuses on the most important.]

Dogs and cats are both awesome. How can you choose?

There are number of people here who know at least some measure of magic. Myself among them.

There are quite a few of them where I'm from. Both groups that live exclusively in dragon clans and those that live mixed among other races. I've heard rumors that there's a dragon magician clan, but I haven't manage to find them yet. I would absolutely love to though.

[Devon's forehead visibly crinkles in a clear, "What on earth are you talking about, dude?" expression.]

Dragons that look like humans? I don't know of any dragons that can do that. Or even change into any other shape. Are you sure it's not illusion? My four just take the physical shape of dragons because it's a form they like.

[That sounded like... So many dragons. Tai can't help but stare with the widest of eyes. It felt like he was back to square one of finding out magic was real.]

I donno, man, I mean I've never seen them in dragon form but I think I'd be able to tell if it's an illusion, wouldn't I? [He's sincerely asking. He has no idea.] Kaida said it's easier to hide among humans that way. I mean we don't have a lot of, uh, dragon clans where I come from.

Actually, until a couple months ago I didn't even know they existed.

Seriously?

[Why is he still surprised by this stuff? He really shouldn't be.]

I just, uh, kinda learned magic was real recently. And that I could do it. Is it, uh, common where you're from?

[Oh god what has he done? Don't let all the blood rush to your head, Prompto, please.]

I donno man, people can get real opinionated about it! I know I'm more of a dog person, but I have a dog. I have friends that hate cats.

More people are capable of it than not. But capability does not mean that one might choose to do so. Much less prove to be good at doing so.

[Oh, no, it's too late to think about our choices. His pale freckly face is already turning a remarkable shade of red.]

I temporarily had a dog once! [She was not his dog, but he sure did want to keep her forever.] I love anything with fur. Or feathers. Sometimes scales, even, as long as it's not a snake.

You'll have to explain to me what baseball is, perhaps I'll join you. Though I can't promise any level of skill.

[She's set up her tablet as best she can figure, propping it up against a small stack of books, but it's still just uncannily close to her and uncomfortably angled upward. She's gotten her hands on a journal to keep notes in, and a felt-tip pen - a fascinating invention that she's been giddy about all day. She makes a quick note to herself to look for someone named Markel, and adds 'baseball' and 'Tyler's hat' to a growing list of things she doesn't understand.]

I would be careful with your hat - I don't know how expensive a simple thing like that is, but it would be a shame to break it.

Depends how good the illusion is. If someone is really talented with that art it would be incredibly hard to see through it.

They need to hide where you're from? [That's a new one for him.] I could see why you wouldn't know if they have to hide in your home world. Even in mine, where their existence is very open, you could go a long time without seeing one.

Even if you touch it? Like, I've never felt scales on Kaida before.

[But who knows, he sure as heck doesn't.]

But, yeah, where I'm from dragons and magic and stuff like that is just, y'know, fairy tales for little kids. I'm still super new to it all.

[Which felt weird to say. He was still trying to wrap his head around this whole situation.]

I've got no real idea why they've got to hide outside of that. They haven't really told me and I don't wanna pry.

[His eyes light up a little. Oh no, Letha, what have you done? Run now while you still have a chance.]

Yeah! I'd be happy to show you how to play anytime you want. It's not that hard. [Says someone athletic.] Anyone can play!

[Her observation has him looking down at the hat in hand and that stops his fidgeting. He tries straightening the brim out a bit before putting it back on.]

It's okay. I've bent my other hats way worse back home. Plus it wasn't that much though, huh, I guess it might be different here. I didn't think about that.

[WHAT HAS HE DONE!?]

I've got a golden retriever back home named Buttercup. She's a big old baby. [Who he missed a lot.] I can't say I have much experience with snakes... But my friend kind of has a bird that's pretty cool.

Were you dog-sitting?

That sounds like something Maria would say... Uh, my friend back home.

[He debates for a moment before:]

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of magic do you do?

[Her dresses might hide it, but Letha is a hundred pounds soaking wet and seems almost dangerously thin. Getting her into any sport is going to be a trial, but not for a lack of trying on her part.]

If you need something to hold while you're speaking, perhaps you should find a pillow. They're much harder to rip, and perfect to stab if your temper starts to run short.

[Which may or may not be from experience.]

My preference is to thaumaturgy, though I am capable of many of the other forms of magic common to my world besides. Plus some that are no longer commonly practiced.

[Surprises abound. There was a tilt of her head as if she were trying to look at him the other way around.]

Is your device upside down?

Noctis. I've got magic dogs.

[Is very magic himself, technically, but the dogs seem like a more important contribution, considering the rambling post of this poor guy. Dogs are relaxing.]

If it were good enough? I doubt you’d notice anything. Illusion with a bit if mind magic involved could probably do that.

[Without really thinking anything of it, Devon started to twirl water around his fingers. “Fairy tale” things were pretty bread and butter to him.]

Yeah, I wouldn’t really pry with dragons either. Way too much power there, and if you hit one with a temper that’ll be that.

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