Video ♦ 008

[septim]

[ Here's Martin, looking prim and proper with a new set of robes, sitting at a desk stacked with books. His tone is no non-sense, lacking its usual congeniality, utterly sanitized. ] Forgive me for not personally welcoming you, new arrivals. My name is Martin Septim and I, together with John Watson, run the transport clinic in this Hold.

If you're a healer, either through magical or mundane means, we're always in need of help. Speak with John or I to set up an interview.

And for those of who you were unsettled [ An understatement, but Martin keeps his composure, although there's a tinge of regret in his words. ] by my actions and words last time I spoke through this network, please don't worry about me. It is under control.

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[whatsupcroc]

[ Now that's just... way totally out there. Was this all Exorcist up around here? Not that she'd sat through that film, personally, but... an actual, bona fide demon? ]

What it do after you summoned it?

[septim]

He gave me the answers I needed, and left.

[whatsupcroc]

So why're you apologizing? What did summoning him involve? Did he, uh, threaten people while he was here? Or you?

... And what kind of demon are you talking about?

[septim]

I am apologizing because I frightened and disgusted people. [ A pause. ] He is bound to me, so I simply called him.

No, he didn't threaten anyone. Merely confirmed what I already knew about my issue as a dragonborn.

I am speaking of a Dremora, an immortal being from the planes of Oblivion back in Mundus, my home realm.

[whatsupcroc]

You know, the more you explain, the more I end up wanting to ask about. What's your issue as a dragonborn? Is that a literal statement? You're not born from a dragon, are you?

[septim]

[ A polite laugh. ] That's alright, I expected as much.

No, I'm not literally born from a dragon. Being dragonborn means I have the soul and blood of a dragon. I am...blessed by Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time. It's a great honor, but also a great responsibility—most ruling emperors in Tamriel, my home, have been dragonborn.

[whatsupcroc]

[ Okay, she's got this. He's.................. this is like one of those Eastern Empire things isn't it? Collette whistles, not entirely realizing. She laughs when it does come to her attention. ]

Then is that part of the issue? The responsibility thing?

[septim]

No, part of the issue is that I summoned a demon and most mages here didn't appreciate it. Being dragonborn has nothing to do with this. I hope it stays that way. [ Because I can turn into a dragon now. And I hope I never find humans appetizing. ]

[whatsupcroc]

I'm not sure I've ever really heard of a case in fiction where demon summoning is a good thing... except maybe in Fantastic Fantasy MX. I can get that people wouldn't like it. Demons are supposed to be pretty much big, fat, evil jerks, aren't they?

[septim]

This Dremora was certainly evil, but he wasn't a jerk. He answered my questions, then left.

In my world, summoning creatures from the planes of Oblivion is a studied school of magic, Conjuration. There are some types of conjuration that are looked down upon, such as necromancy, but people are not so prejudiced about its usage as some of the mages here.

Not that it excuses what I did. I...swore off that kind of magic years ago.

[whatsupcroc]

Must have been some pretty important questions if you went back on your own swearing off. Are you content with the answers Dremora gave you?

[septim]

Yes, they were. I...didn't have another choice. [ A nod. ] The problem has been handled.

[whatsupcroc]

There's usually a choice! Maybe not great ones, but there's almost always a choice. It's good your problem's been handled. Think how awkward it'd be if it wasn't!

[ Sometimes acceptance -- acceptance alone can be the decision. She smiles, letting any sort of perceived gravity in what he's talking about slide right off her back for now. ]

So you can actually summon across a whole bunch of different planes and dimensions?

[septim]

Yes, there is a choice. And often, it's not one we like. [ It's nice, speaking with someone who won't judge him for his stunt and, in Martin's mind, his past too. ]

[ A nod. ] But I can only summon creatures from Oblivion.

[whatsupcroc]

[ Her lips quirk up, if she agrees. Choices aren't necessarily nice. They're still there to be made.

None of this other stuff makes too much sense, as Oblivion sounds like either a video game or a dramatic way of ending a space opera. ]

Oblivion?