okay we're getting official here. we're being fancy.
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You walk into your quiet attic room, only to find that someone else has decided to bring themself inside - Chiral Ocean, the Dream-Burnt Scholar, lies sprawled over your sofa. It would appear they are attempting to lie languidly and gracefully, like a large cat, but the effect is somewhat ruined by the three large knitted jumpers they are wearing - not to mention the multitude of colourful wool scarves wrapped around their head, making them look more akin to a particularly festive tomb-colonist.
They turn to you."Ah, James! You're back! Wonderful, wonderful. Just in time for the lesson!"
They get up from the sofa, pulling an unpleasant looking meat-hook out of their pocket as they do so. They swing the hook between their fingers a few times, and then begin their lecture."To get anywhere in this city, you need to take risks. It's the only way to learn! I spent the last week poisoning myself (surprisingly pleasant! The poison was painful, of course, but a lovely distraction from this truly *ghastly* weather. I don't understand how people can bear it), and now look at me!"
They pull a blood-bright Venom-Ruby out of their pocket, and toss it into their mouth, chewing thoughtfully for a minute swallowing. When they speak again, their voice is notably hoarser."I'm fine! Positively brimming with health. I haven't visited the Boatman for months! Now, I hear you say 'I don't want to poison myself repeatedly'. I understand the taste of aconite isn't for everyone, and that attar can disagree with people. But that's not the point! You need to push yourself, try new things, you need to risk it all! The only way to learn something new is by doing something new. When I studied the Correspondence, do you think I learned it by studying what people had already theorised, in old, dusty books? No! I learned it by shutting myself in my lab for 14 days, and reading sigils inscribed in lead till my eyes bled! It almost sent me to the slow boat several times, and I was comatose for the next week, but that's the price one pays for PROGRESS! And now? Now, I flatter myself to be the very foremost expert of the Correspondence in the Neath! I speak the language of the stars, my dear fellow, and the world trembles before me! Where was I? Oh yes, risks - I got where I am today by taking so many risks. Most of them even paid off! I am a respected academic now, and I would never got here if I had listened to my colleagues when they said things like 'just do things by the book for once, please' and 'be sensible, for God's sake' and 'don't accuse the Provost of murder' and 'put that hillmover down, for the love of God' and 'don't eat those Venom-Rubies, why would you do that'! Just goes to show what they know, I suppose. And that is? Nothing!! Nothing at all. I think I've forgotten my original point, hang on-"
They suddenly start choking, all the skin you see under their scarves beginning to turn grey, as the Venom-Ruby begins to take affect."And, ah, I think that's all we have time for today! I'll be back again next week, but until then, take lots of risks and record the consequences! Remember, even if it kills you, you can still gather valuable data. Now, you must excuse me, I have. Important business to attend to! Right now."
They turn around and briskly walk towards the window, boldly stepping out before dropping from sight. You rush over to the window and peer out, only to see them lying unmoving on a pile of what could be charitably called snow. They're probably fine. Probably.Expand
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris convallis, est et facilisis lobortis, arcu ligula fringilla nisi, eget sodales purus erat in nunc. Quisque a consequat orci. Quisque eu nulla laoreet, ultrices ante at, efficitur ex. Suspendisse egestas turpis ut dolor pretium, nec luctus sem sodales. Nunc viverra consequat felis quis euismod. Donec lectus nisi, vulputate et dolor eu, accumsan ornare massa. Suspendisse porta ut nisl vitae interdum. Integer ac odio vitae lectus sodales vestibulum non in purus. Maecenas ac rutrum nibh, ut molestie nunc. Cras venenatis interdum mauris, sit amet semper eros eleifend vel. Phasellus cursus neque ut ex fermentum, dignissim pretium quam scelerisque. Phasellus interdum enim non nibh lobortis sodales. In diam eros, rhoncus ac lacinia sed, tempus in mi. Nullam rutrum enim vel mi pellentesque rhoncus.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris convallis, est et facilisis lobortis, arcu ligula fringilla nisi, eget sodales purus erat in nunc. Quisque a consequat orci. Quisque eu nulla laoreet, ultrices ante at, efficitur ex. Suspendisse egestas turpis ut dolor pretium, nec luctus sem sodales. Nunc viverra consequat felis quis euismod. Donec lectus nisi, vulputate et dolor eu, accumsan ornare massa. Suspendisse porta ut nisl vitae interdum. Integer ac odio vitae lectus sodales vestibulum non in purus. Maecenas ac rutrum nibh, ut molestie nunc. Cras venenatis interdum mauris, sit amet semper eros eleifend vel. Phasellus cursus neque ut ex fermentum, dignissim pretium quam scelerisque. Phasellus interdum enim non nibh lobortis sodales. In diam eros, rhoncus ac lacinia sed, tempus in mi. Nullam rutrum enim vel mi pellentesque rhoncus.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris convallis, est et facilisis lobortis, arcu ligula fringilla nisi, eget sodales purus erat in nunc. Quisque a consequat orci. Quisque eu nulla laoreet, ultrices ante at, efficitur ex. Suspendisse egestas turpis ut dolor pretium, nec luctus sem sodales. Nunc viverra consequat felis quis euismod. Donec lectus nisi, vulputate et dolor eu, accumsan ornare massa. Suspendisse porta ut nisl vitae interdum. Integer ac odio vitae lectus sodales vestibulum non in purus. Maecenas ac rutrum nibh, ut molestie nunc. Cras venenatis interdum mauris, sit amet semper eros eleifend vel. Phasellus cursus neque ut ex fermentum, dignissim pretium quam scelerisque. Phasellus interdum enim non nibh lobortis sodales. In diam eros, rhoncus ac lacinia sed, tempus in mi. Nullam rutrum enim vel mi pellentesque rhoncus.