text; un: beatrix [1]

[fiendennor]

Do you believe in magic?
If so, what do you know about it?

Comments

[fiendennor]

You mean here? Or back in the place you came from?

[ettersberg]

Both.

[fiendennor]

I suppose that's fair.

The second question, a natural followup to your statement: Do you put much faith in it?

[ettersberg]

That depends on what you mean by putting faith in it.

[fiendennor]

I was wondering what you meant by that, actually. You insinuated that there was a different meaning to "believe in it," beyond knowing of its existence. Indicating that you might not feel the same. I was curious what you meant by that.

[ettersberg]

I don't think magic is something to believe in. Either it exists, or it doesn't. What you believe about it doesn't matter in that regard. What you know about it is another question.

[fiendennor]

I was using the other understood definition of "believe in," actually. That is, to trust it. To have faith in it. Not just acknowledge its existence. What do you know about it, if I may ask?

[ettersberg]

I practice.

[ at one point in time, nightingale was known as the strongest wizard in europe. back when there were still others, and many of them. ]

[fiendennor]

As do I. What kind of magic did you study?

[ettersberg]

I don't suppose you've heard of Newtonian magic?

[fiendennor]

Physics, yes. Magic, no. Any connection to Isaac Newton, or just a similar name?

[ettersberg]

The very same.

[fiendennor]

So, you're telling me that in your world, Isaac Newton was not only an esteemed scientist, but also a warlock? That's fascinating.

[ettersberg]

I would call him a wizard, but yes.

[fiendennor]

The term is rather interchangeable where I'm from. Was this openly known, or concealed? How does Newtonian magic resemble (or not) Newtonian physics?

[ettersberg]

Concealed from the general public. The government knows, at least in higher echelons.

It doesn't. But there's a structure to it, now.

[fiendennor]

I'd be interested in having you teach me more about it, if you're able or inclined. Is it teachable? If it was invented by a man, surely it can't be inherent.

[ettersberg]

It can be taught.

[ but thomas won't teach it to someone he doesn't know. won't teach it even to most people he knows. learning it properly takes years, and teaching it means handing someone a weapon. (not only a weapon, but also.) ]

[fiendennor]

To anyone? Or only to people who have a certain gift? The magic I study could be learned by commoners, if they were interested. Most weren't. Witches from established families seemed to have an easier time of it, but I suspect that's merely due to being surrounded by it from a young age.

[ettersberg]

To anyone, though it has mostly been taught to members of upperclass families.
For no particular reason but prejudice, I suppose.

[fiendennor]

I see. It's not dissimilar where I come from. There's no physical barrier to a commoner learning magic, but most have no interest in it. Thus the community keeps its lines largely to itself.

[ettersberg]

Do they not have an interest, or are they actively excluded?

[fiendennor]

Some combination thereof.
For centuries, it was fear on their part, I believe-- they were content to let us witches perform magic to help them but scared of learning how to wield it themselves-- but in the modern era, it's disinterest or apathy. With the advent of technology, many non-magical communities see us as antiquated or behind the times.

That said, there was absolutely a current of elitism on our part. Luna Nova only began accepting students from non-magical families recently, and it would have been difficult for a commoner to learn magic without sustained formal study.

[ettersberg]

I see. In my world, most 'commoners' are not even aware of the existence of magic anymore.

[fiendennor]

That would seem to be a key difference, yes.
People are aware magic exists, whether they practice it or not. Most simply aren't interested.

There was one witch, some ten years or so ago, who tried to reignite the love of magic in the masses with wondrous shows. She found some modest success, for a time.