two - on books and the nature of creation

[kingsroads]

I realize that some might have questions about the nature of England I inadvertently sent us to. I shall happily answer any questions one might have about my world, it's magic, my magic or anything of the sort.

But before that, I have much more interesting news. I was going to the Captain's library to try and find a book on the mechanics of ships (Capt. Crozier and Messers. Jopson and Goodsir, please give me recommendations if you have them) when I found new books in the library! Most of them seem to be after my time and a few seem quite salacious but two of them are quite familiar to me. One is a children's book from my England and the other is a book on magic I wrote myself!

The appearance of my book is notable as all copies aside from one were destroyed in my world (and I doubt this is that one copy). If we all agree with Ms. Persson's theory that this is a dream, then perhaps our unconscious mind created the books, rooms, fruit, et cetera. Which leads me to wonder: what marvels could be made if we turned our conscious minds to creation?

J.S.

Comments

[goingtobeunwell]

I've thumbed through a book called The History and Practice of English Magic. Prose was a bit flowery for my taste, and the writer seemed slightly arrogant, but as a whole the subject was illuminating.

[kingsroads]

Arrogant?!

[ though it's scratched out, it's totally readable ]

Of course the prose was flowery. I can hardly call myself a poet, but I wanted the book to be a thing of beauty—a celebration of English magic.

[goingtobeunwell]

I'll admit to you that what I did read was thorough, and even enjoyable.

[kingsroads]

Did you see the illustrations? Those were done by Arabella—my wife. She's much more talented at that sort of thing than I would ever be. She managed to capture the king's roads so well just from a simple description!

[goingtobeunwell]

I did. She seems an exceptional woman, Strange.

[kingsroads]

She's the most wonderful person I know. Even if circumstances were odd, I'm glad I got to see her again.

[ it is entirely possible that Strange hasn't fully connected the dots that they were in his dream = Arabella was also in his dream = dream-Arabella wasn't exactly his wife. ]

private to Strange

[goingtobeunwell]

It seems to have brought you some peace.

private

[kingsroads]

It has. She always has.

I suppose it is obvious looking back on it, but when I arrived on the ship, I was unwell. My sickness started when I thought my wife had died. In truth, Arabella was kidnapped, spirited away to Faerie by the same fiend that cursed me, but that does not change the fact that I mourned for and buried something that I thought was my wife. I only started to recover when I learned that she was alive—and even then, I doubt I shall reach the heights of stability or sanity that I once had.

She has always been my rock, the one person to bring me back to my senses and chase me down from my flights of fancy. I know that I will have to rely on myself and temper my own desires now that she is not here but as many people have told me, I have never been good at things like exercising restraint.

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

Your history does explain your state, Strange. My sympathies for the tragedies you suffered. It is clear to me that your wife's influence on you surpasses even a dream. In a way it was this influence that brought you back, or in the very least your own memories of her nature and guidance.

When I spoke to her she tasked me with keeping you in line.

Re: private

[kingsroads]

That does sound like her.

But you have a ship to run, Captain. Do not focus too much on me if it is to the detriment of the rest of the ship.

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

Don't give me a reason to focus on you, sir, and we'll have no quarrel.

Re: private

[kingsroads]

I shall try not to. And I'm sorry I gave you a reason to focus on me in the first place.

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

An apology! Not to worry, all is forgiven - has been forgiven.

It was pleasant enough to be back in London again.

Re: private

[kingsroads]

It was.

I know you are from my future. Out of curiosity, how old would you have been around the time of my London?

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

Good God, man, don't make me write it.

One and twenty.

Re: private

[kingsroads]

Good God that has made me feel older than I've felt in a while.

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

I'm still the one who looks like (and is) an old man in comparison, Strange!

Re: private

[kingsroads]

If we're counting by birthdays, I'm at least ten years older than you!

[ that's not how this works. ]

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

That doesn't give you seniority over me, Old Man Strange.

Re: private

[kingsroads]

Of course not. This is your ship and you are the captain.

I shall just claim seniority in other matters.

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

Seniority from all the experience gained in your long-lived life? Ah, yes.

Re: private

[kingsroads]

I can think of a few experiences that you haven't accomplished, Captain.

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

As can I.

[Like marriage.]

Strange, I have a question, that I hope will remain just between the two of us.

Re: private

[kingsroads]

You can rely on my discretion, Captain. What is it?

Re: private

[goingtobeunwell]

Has any magic lingered since the ship has been restored?