Dorm roof, Tuesday afternoon

[intotheout]

It was a particularly gorgeous day out, and Tip didn't have any classes or work or anything she needed to get done. She did have a care package from home, full of snacks from Mom's current grocery store (which included basically anything that would stand up to being dipped or coated in dark chocolate), a case of birch beer, and the world's ugliest belt, courtesy of J.Lo.

She was absolutely rocking that ugly ass belt, thank you. She was also munching on chocolate covered edamame and flipping through the paperback her mom had sent her (a cheesy looking YA romance about gay dragons, excellent) and kicking her feet out into the open air in a manner that would probably make anyone afraid of heights moan and cringe. Rihanna was playing on her phone, the sun was shining on her face, and all was right and pleasant in the world.

[open!]

Comments

[kenselvren]

Jalian frowned quizzically. "It's the best way to learn reflexes. Why else do you need to know them, if not for fighting?"

[era_two_triangle]

"Knowledge," Peridot replied, "is a strength in its own right. I still have a lot to learn about the organic beings of Earth." A LOT to learn. "Why not learn about the upper limits of human reflexes if I'm capable of doing so?"

[kenselvren]

Jalian thought about that for a moment, and nodded. "I will allow you to poke me, if you like," she offered gravely. "I will try not to damage you in reaction."

[era_two_triangle]

And Peridot wouldn't even shove you off the roof, Jalian!

"I... appreciate that," she replied, looking a little surprised at the offer. "I really would prefer to avoid being damaged if I can at all help it."

She held up one arm, a finger floating free from the rest of them en route to give Jalian's shoulder an experimental prod.

[kenselvren]

Jalian appreciated not being shoved off the roof!

She eyed the finger curiously. "Is your body partly segmented and invisible, or is that a technological device?"

[era_two_triangle]

Hm?

Peridot looked at her finger as it floated back to re-join her arm, and then back at Jalian thoughtfully.

"It's part of my limb enhancer," she explained, letting four of her fingers float free to form her... still somewhat malfunctioning screen. She made a face at it before re-forming her hand. "They serve multiple functions. Poking is a fairly minor one."

[kenselvren]

"That seems useful," Jalian said.

[era_two_triangle]

"I find them to be, yes," Peridot agreed, waving that free-floating hand around a little. "When everything is properly functional, they make my research exceptionally easier."

[kenselvren]

"What do you research?" Jalian asked.

[era_two_triangle]

"Geological phenomena and how it applies to Gems, mostly," Peridot replied with a shrug of her shoulders, even if there was a half a ton of false modesty heaped in for good measure. "Gem incubation in particular."

She was a certified Kindergartener, after all.

[kenselvren]

"Gems incubate?" Jalian frowned, confused. "You mean the pressure and heat needed to form them?" That was about the extent of her knowledge of gems. Was that even true for all of them?

[era_two_triangle]

"The geothermal energy is only one factor in the creation of new gems," Peridot replied, "but it's an important one. If I were to explain all of the little technicalities of it, we could be here for months."

In no small part because Peridot didn't know how to shut up when she was enthusiastic about something.

[kenselvren]

Jalian shrugged apologetically. "I don't know much geology. I studied temporal physics, mostly. And other sorts."

[era_two_triangle]

Well, that got Peridot's attention, right there.

"A temporal physicist? So you're a scientist, too?"

[kenselvren]

"Sort of? Gratuity says I'm an engineer, because I use science and math to make things." Jalian shrugged. "But I can compute the physical properties of timelines and the entry vectors needed for them, and that isn't building. And I am still a Huntress. I do what I need to do."

[era_two_triangle]

"I'm a technician," Peridot replied, pleased that she found somebody else with an appreciation for using science to make things. "But I use my skills for the creation of new Gems and the technology needed to build them. You can cross from timeline to timeline?"

Like future vision, but sideways? Or backwards?

[kenselvren]

"Yes," Jalian answered, equally excited to have someone understand what she meant. "For trade or variety, although I think sometimes the Corvichi travel only from curiosity. Or cowardice." She wasn't forgetting that any time soon.

"Also, you can use it to gather resources - they may be present but scarce in one timeline, and you can find a nearby line where there are more. Or perhaps they have slightly different properties that will work better for your needs."

[era_two_triangle]

"Oh my stars, the possibilities," Peridot gasped, wide-eyed. "Entire timelines to draw resources from where they might be scarce? All without having to resort to intergalactic travel? And-" she gasped, "what kind of technology could you find in a different timeline? Strides in efficiency, or reliability..."

[kenselvren]

Jalian nodded. "Space travel helps, too; the more dimensions to travel the better. And there are dangers, of course. That's what the probes and the math are for. And technology is difficult, because physics vary across timelines."

[era_two_triangle]

"My body automatically accounts for most changes in the physical conditions around me," Peridot replied, looking thoughtful. "I wonder if it would be able to account for changes in the laws of physics themselves. Or if I would be able to apply those principles to any alternate-dimension technology to make it continue to be relevant even upon coming back here..."

[kenselvren]

"You would need to test it first." Jalian said. "But I don't know any way other than going through. Probes warn for catastrophic differences, though. For the technology, it might be safer to recreate allowing for your own timeline's physics, rather than bringing things over with you."

[era_two_triangle]

"So... study the different materials and technologies while in the other timeline, and then adjust for the changes and build from scratch, reverse engineering with proper adjustments made to account for the different properties of the timeline I need that technology to work in."

Made sense to Peridot!

[kenselvren]

"Exactly!" Jalian said. "The more delicate something is, the more it may be affected by the differences in physics. Safer not to blow it up in your face."

She gave Peridot a relieved look. "It's good to have someone who understands things."

[era_two_triangle]

"You're telling me," Peridot replied, looking just as relieved. "And it's good to have somebody that I can understand."

Even if they were organic. Ew.

"Most people around here don't make any sense. With a few exceptions."

This girl was okay. And Gratuity. The jury was still out on Rufus, though Peridot suspected she'd be able to make more sense of him if it wasn't for that creature he kept company with.

[kenselvren]

"The timeline here is strange," Jalian agreed. "They put males in charge, and most of them can't even defend themselves. And they get very weird about seeing bodies."