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mandrakeroot

Mandrake here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

goingtobeunwell

[There's no need to get personable yet, so he nods.]

I am. I was just in need of some new books. [He looks through the stacks, finger on the spines as he casually goes from book-to-book.] I've yet to hear back from the Admiral, but I did put in your request.

From:

mandrakeroot

[Nathaniel's aware that there's occasionally a need to be personable, but it's not something he particularly enjoys. Bland politeness mixed with professionalism is more his preferred method of interaction.]

I know he works at varying times, and that's before taking into account recent events. At least the request is in.

[Time for other business.] I was told you used to be an inmate.

From:

goingtobeunwell

Indeed. [He eyes a book by Joseph Dalton Hooker and smiles to himself. Ah, he'd hoped he would have done well for himself. The Kew Gardens, mn?]

Never had a permanent warden myself; I was lucky to have muddled through, so-to-speak.

From:

mandrakeroot

I see. [A positive sign.]

How do you think it works?

From:

goingtobeunwell

If you're looking for a rubric I honestly doubt there is one. What was needed from me doesn't apply to you.

[He stops looking through the stacks and turns to face him.]

Personal growth is something that differs from person-to-person. I suspect there are things the Admiral is looking for, but there's a highly likelihood that the bar is 'functioning human being who doesn't purposely hurt themselves or someone else'.

From:

mandrakeroot

Not a rubric, but any information is better than none. [With various caveats, but right now he's simply an earnest student.]

So, you think the Admiral is looking for personal growth?

From:

goingtobeunwell

I do. Some lesson learned, some betterment of self. Perhaps a different perspective on the past, perhaps some...healing. I've seen many graduations trigged by some grand realization.

From:

mandrakeroot

[He does raise his eyebrows at that, though he keeps his tone polite.] It's always important to do your best to improve.

From:

goingtobeunwell

Not all see it that way. [He certainly didn't.] Half the issue is you yourself figuring out why you're an inmate.

From:

mandrakeroot

Yes, I've noticed that. Which seems pointless, to me. [He shrugs.] I might not know why I'm here, but I am, and I'd rather work on leaving than sit around complaining.

From:

goingtobeunwell

Well, the best way to figure out why you're here is telling someone about your life. Your experiences. All else is speculation.

From:

mandrakeroot

My life? [He considers that. Well, it's not like he's ashamed of it. Or, at least, he doesn't have to tell any of those parts.] Most of it has been standard, I suppose. With a few more unusual achievements.

From:

goingtobeunwell

There's hardly such a thing as standard on this ship.

From:

mandrakeroot

Standard for what I know. I can't speak about other worlds.

From:

goingtobeunwell

You may need to start expanding your horizons, in that case.

From:

mandrakeroot

There are some areas where that's easier than others. I can read about various customs, but that's just as meaningless in terms of use as relying on my own experiences of normality.

From:

goingtobeunwell

[There’s a pause before Crozier laughs very softly.]

You’ve given it too much thought. I don’t know a damn thing about where you’re from, nor you about me. Let’s start there.

From:

mandrakeroot

I'm from London. [The center of the world, full of the wealth of empire.] I'm a magician. Before my death, I worked as the assistant to the Head of Internal Affairs. And you?

From:

goingtobeunwell

Head of Internal Affairs -- implying a system in place, mn? Interesting. [Between him and Jonathan Strange, it seems magicians are unavoidable at this point.]

I'm an Ulsterman from Banbridge. Captain in the Discovery Service, specializing in polar voyages.

From:

mandrakeroot

It's the government. [Accompanied by a certain amount of A Look. He would call that having a system in place, yes.]

That's - a sailor?

From:

goingtobeunwell

[He can give him a Look all he wants; Crozier doesn't know a damn thing about having a magical world.]

Aye, a sailor. So -- a whole damned government, mn? Is magic that widespread in your world?

From:

mandrakeroot

[Nathaniel can't imagine what other than a government would have a department of International Affairs, but then, he also can't imagine what it is that sailors do, so he supposes it might be a lack of interaction with things like government.

He's been on the Barge long enough to have a bit more framework for the other question.]

Yes, magicians are widespread and always have been. Magic isn't a secret, or some separate world. Magicians make up most of the government, as they have in many countries, throughout history.