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Will Laurence (withallmyheart) wrote in valloic,
@ 2022-02-22 20:53:00

Entry tags:

!: journal post, ~plot: sphere, ₴ inactive: temeraire, ₴ inactive: william laurence 2

JOURNAL ➣ VALLO DAY TWO | SPHERE DAY FOUR

[Filtered to Temeraire]
My Dear,

I hope Mr. Scientia was able to find a journal for you. I asked him to let you know that I was well, and I'm happy to report that I remain so. This place is like nothing I've ever seen before; it's very clearly magical. I'm happy to report that so far it's not been terribly dangerous, or, at least, it hasn't been for us. I've been paired with two Fae, and the day before last, under their instruction we were able to construct a golem who I trust will be able to protect us should we run into anything particularly dangerous.

Yesterday we found the most magnificent library I've seen, filled from floor to ceiling with books. Appearances were unfortunately deceiving: some of them screamed when opened, or snapped at you, ~~and I was attacked very viciously by~~ and I regret to say that I was unable to find any that would interest you.

I hope you've been well and that you haven't worried too dearly. I can assure you that I've been very safe, and I trust to remain so with the help of my companions and our stone protector. Mr. Scientia offered to bring you something nice to eat, and I hope that you have. I hope that you've still been eating regularly.

I miss you terribly, and I hope we'll find a way home soon.

Yours,
Laurence

[Filtered to Lan Xichen]
My Love,

I'll not say I'll wish you were here, but rather that I was there, though I'll admit that things are not so bad as they might have been. I understand that I've been fortunate thus far, and the only real danger I've encountered has come in the form of a book which exploded in my hands yesterday, though we were fortunate enough to encounter some medical kits and healing potions on our first day here, and so I'm not too poorly. My companions and I, a pair of Fae who are native to this world, constructed a stone golem yesterday, and I believe it will protect us should we encounter any threats, and we've had some luck in finding good food.

Mr. Scientia tells me that Temeraire hasn't caused much of a stir searching for me these last few days. Do I have you to thank for that? I hope you've been keeping one another company. I've not seen any of your family in these journals yet, but if you suspect any of them have been transported here as well, do let me know and I'll be sure to keep an eye out for them. I hope you've otherwise been well. How have things been back home.

I'll count the days until I can see you again,
Yours,
Will

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Laurence | Temeraire

withallmyheart
2022-02-24 12:51 am UTC (link)

Lan Huan had the right of it, I'm afraid. I'm glad you listened to him. I suppose there must be some connection home if we've been able to establish communication, but I do not think it will be discoverable by the likes of you or I. But I do highly recommend learning a little of magic. Huan, and my friends Dorian, Eliot, and Quentin have been good enough to spend a little time explaining a little, though I'm far from saying I have any true understanding, and I still get badly surprised by magic often enough despite their efforts.

I've never been in the habit of setting fires. You have my promise to be careful, though, especially of anything I do not recognize as you're most likely right about the possibility of magical weaponry.

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Laurence | Temeraire

lungtienxiang
2022-02-24 01:22 am UTC (link)

I will have to ask around to see if anyone has recommended reading on the subject. Everyone is very busy trying to find out where you all are and how to get you back. I wish there was something I could do to help.

Yes, well. I suppose you do not remember Lord Bayan's estate, when you and Mian-ning decided to burn the place up in order to get out rather than simply wait for me, and your lovely robes were lost as well. At least you do not have especially nice clothes at the moment which might be ruined if you take such a notion into your head a second time.

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Laurence | Temeraire

withallmyheart
2022-02-24 01:31 am UTC (link)

I wish you could as well. Perhaps you might see if Lan Huan needs assistance with anything? I know he's been very busy, and I'm sure he would appreciate any kindness you might be able to offer him.

~~Oh thank goodness~~ I'm sorry to hear it; I'm sure we must have thought it necessary. Prince Mianning had never struck me as particularly reckless, and if he were Emperor at the time I'm sure he was even more cautious. You are right on the matter of clothing, though. I was brought here in my bedclothes, and while there were clothes here, I've been provide with neither a jacket nor a neckcloth. I'll endeavour to not set anything on fire here though, whether my clothing is at risk or not.

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Re: Laurence | Temeraire

lungtienxiang
2022-02-24 01:48 am UTC (link)

Oh I did ask, but perhaps I will ask again. I can at least do some research now that I have my tablet. I have been on the internet a lot. It is all very interesting, but sometimes it can be too much of a distraction, and I find more time has passed than I had anticipated while I was scrolling.

Mianning is not reckless at all and would not even let me kill Lord Bayan, even though he was a traitor and a murderer and tried to have you both assassinated. But Mei says we are both an encouraging influence - meaning you and I. I think some people could use a little encouraging, personally, and anyway it did lead to us getting the Chinese legions, so I suppose it was all right in the end even if you did lose the robes.

Oh dear. You are at least warm enough? I do not mind if you are scruffy Laurence, only look after yourself ~~for once~~.

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Laurence | Temeraire

withallmyheart
2022-02-24 02:19 am UTC (link)

The internet is particularly bad for that. I've often found myself searching for a certain bit of information and not realizing the hour until it's too late. Be wary not to open any strange e-mails though, my dear, especially not if they come with attachments.

China sent their army to help us against Napoleon? That's very encouraging to hear. The loss of the robes cannot be weighed against such a monumental help, and if its loss helped secure them against Bonaparte, then we can only be grateful, though I know how much you liked them. ~~They are here though, if it would~~

It's not at all cold here, my dear, I only feel their lack in terms of propriety.

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Laurence | Temeraire

lungtienxiang
2022-02-25 02:14 am UTC (link)

Laurence did you know that anyone can study here, at University, without even having to go into a building? Lan Xichen has been telling me. I have always wanted to study properly like they do in China, but there has never been enough time. Do you think I might, here?

Lan Xichen has also been telling me about what magic is like where he comes from, but it seems to involve a lot of sitting still and thinking very hard while also not thinking of anything at all, which is very difficult and not as interesting as I thought it would be.

Well, you have been dressing a bit differently than you do at home, perhaps it is not really that improper? I know you think it necessary, but even Granby did not always wear one at home.

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Laurence | Temeraire

withallmyheart
2022-02-25 02:28 am UTC (link)

Of course you may, my dear. You may study anything that you like. I'm afraid I won't be very much help myself, never having gone to university myself, but I'm sure I can make some inquiries to see what is required, and get you registered for classes, if Huan hasn't already done so. Do you have any notion of what subjects you'd like to study?

I'm very fond of Huan's understated sort of magic, but if it is not to your taste, there are other, flashier kinds here as well. I do not know if you'd be capable of learning any of them, but I believe that Mr. George Weasley did the fireworks at Wei Wuxain and Hanguang Jun's wedding magically. It was quite lovely.

It's the principle of the matter, my dear. John can, of course, dress however he finds most comfortable, and I'm sure he'd be very uncomfortable indeed, not having been brought up with the necessity, but what works for some men doesn't necessarily work for all. And besides, both my companions here are Fae, and if there are tensions among Outlanders and the Fae at home, then I do rather wish I could make a better impression with my dress. But I'll make due with what I've been provided with.

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Laurence | Temeraire

lungtienxiang
2022-02-25 02:45 am UTC (link)

Well it is very hard to choose, since there are only so many hours in the day, and everything is so interesting, and Lan Xichen says there will likely be a lot of reading, which of course is very good, but one can only read so many books at once. I would like to know a lot more about all the different kinds of magic, but also politics, which is very useful, and history, and literature of course, and mathematics, but also science and engineering so I can learn about how phones work, and there are lots of other subjects which I'm not even sure what they are about but it would be good to know. But I will not decide anything right away.

You should do whatever makes you comfortable of course, though I haven't noticed anyone else wearing them here, so perhaps no one will notice in any case.

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Laurence | Temeraire

withallmyheart
2022-02-25 02:55 am UTC (link)

I dare say that you'll have plenty of time to study all the subjects that you wish, eventually, so even if you don't choose to study something now doesn't mean that you won't have the opportunity to study it sometime in the future. When I come home, we might read through all the course descriptions and you might choose two or three subjects that seem especially interesting to you now, and I dare say if you've managed to get elected to Parliament, you and Perscitia and the other dragons Ministers will make it possible for dragons in Britain to study as well.

I'm sure you're right, dear heart, ~~only I nevertheless wish that I~~ so I'll try not to worry too much about it.

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Laurence | Temeraire

lungtienxiang
2022-02-25 03:07 am UTC (link)

Oh yes, that is very much one of Perscitia's goals, only I thought it would take a long time, after we had ensured fair wages and military rank and everything else, so I had never really considered it for myself, outside of China. But it is very exciting to have the opportunity now. I will have to think about it some more, and I do hope you are back soon so we might properly talk about it. I do miss you. I have worked out how to make my tablet read to me, if I would like to close my eyes and listen, but it is not as nice as hearing you do it.

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Laurence | Temeraire

withallmyheart
2022-02-25 03:19 am UTC (link)

You will live a very long time, Temeraire, and at the speed that you're turning all of Britain on her head, I'm very sure that you'll have the opportunity to attend a British university sooner than you might think. But I'm very glad for you to have the opportunity now, and I'll do everything in my power to make the path as easy as possible for you. I miss you very much too, my dear, and I promise to read extra long to you once I'm with you again.

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