dizzy_land | Wanted!

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Wanted!

Frontierland hadn't quite turned out to be what Ponder expected, it seemed much more dusty and gun-orientated than he had imagined, but it was where he had been put, and it wasn't like somewhere to stay was a huge priority for him anyway. Noting that the river was cleaner and remarkably less smelly than the Ankh, he decided that he wouldn't mind living on what looked like a ship more at home on the sea*.

After much deliberation, he found himself a table, more paper and...a strange sort of pen that didn't require ink, which Ponder thought was a marvellous idea. Then he set about furiously making notes and attempting spells which he thought might provide clues into the park, which was going reasonably well until he hit his elbow into a wooden post, and started a small fire on his clipboard, which spread to his hat, and anyone wandering past would have seen him running frantically to land, jumping up and down on his hat, then attempting to rescue his clipboard through the same method. He sighed, as he should have known better than attempting magic in a confined space, and decided to make use of the bulletin board.

WANTED!

An avaliable large, preferably indoor, place for magical experimentation, specifically based around attempting to find a way out of the park (thus, it is in everyone's interest to assist me). Must be free from most major obstacles, or easily cleared of them.

Also wanted: Anyone with a magical education, or a good understanding of universes, interdimensional and temporal physics who feels able, or would like to assist me in discovering a route out. Also, if you have already attempted to leave, please contact me about the methods used or if you have any information that might be of assistance to me.

Contact Ponder Stibbons, currently on a ship in Frontierland, asap.

P.s. Where can I get a new clipboard? Mine has been involved in a slight incident.

((*if that's possible? Poke me if not.))

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Stibbons,

What school did you go to? Hogwarts? I haven't heard the name, but we could be from different times. If you have heard of me at all, then it's not true if it's bad and definitely right if it's good.

I've been living in a large, empty indoor space above the Matterhorn. It's almost entirely closed off (and what isn't can be easily fixed), so it sounds like it might be useful.

My mate James and I have tried a few spells, but nothing's been too successful. We have a pretty thorough magical education, but universes weren't covered and I thought physics was a muggle thing? One thing that might be useful-- when the mouse kicks people, he uses the monorail. A few of us a while back took a ride on it to see where it goes. We didn't manage to get out, but it does travel through the haze for a bit, and there's a moment where it sort of jumps. Hard to explain, but it's not dangerous so I'd suggest you try it yourself. If there's any place where magic is most likely to work, I'd guess it's about there.

Anyway, let me know if there's anything I could do to help. There are plenty of notebooks and things around, but most of them have Cinderella and things on them. Can't you just conjure one?

-- Sirius Black

Mr Black,

Please forgive me for not mentioning it, as I had met your friend, James, already, but I am not from the Roundworld, I'm from the Disc, and thus haven't heard of you or Hogwarts. I have, however, studied at the Unseen University.

As for physics, another thing I should explain is that on the Disc, everything is based in magic, so it cannot really be considered non-magical, or 'muggle' (we call it quantum, by the by).

However, the Matterhorn sounds like just the thing I am looking for, and I will also give the monorail a try, as it sounds rather like a point of tension between universes.

As an aside, conjuring a notebook would be a gross and irresponsible misuse of magic, so I would rather find one, thank you.

Thank you very much,
Ponder Stibbons.

Stibbons,

Oh, I see. Well, sort of. I don't know anything about quantum things, but your world sounds interesting enough.

You're welcome to use the Matterhorn any time, just come up on the train and I'll clear things up for you.

Cinderella it is, then. Wouldn't want to be irresponsible, would we?

Sirius Black

Mr Black,

Yours sounds interesting too, I must admit, as I wasn't aware that magic even existed on the Roundworld.

There's a train? But I'll definately come and explore.

Well, no, not really. With magic comes great responsibility.

Ponder Stibbons.

The Doctor debated a while whether he wanted to reply to Ponder’s message. He didn’t like the man very much –had he been a bit more self aware and a bit less childish, he might have realized that had more to do with his own prejudice against ‘magic’, and his own Time Lord pride, which had been especially by the ‘You could do with a wizard around here’ comment, (which really, was just too close to the sort of thing he himself was used to saying) than anything personal about him–

But pride and his usual possibly unhealthy amount of curiosity got in the way of prejudice, and the thing Aziraphale had said about no one trying to work together in a large group to get out was still sitting in the back of his mind. So he ended up writing the man a letter.

I’m no wizard, but I’ve a fair understanding of Universes and inter-universal relation, and you probably won’t find anyone with a better understanding of temporal anything. I’ve also some sensitivities that might be of use to you, given that measuring anything around here by traditional methods can be something of an impossibility.

Let me know,
The Doctor

Ponder had been hoping to hear from the Doctor. He seemed to know a lot about universes and what he termed 'science', and that would be very, very useful. He didn't think himself at all rude for pointing out the need for a wizard; as far as he could see, this was a magical universe, like his own, and it needed a magical approach. However, he also knew relatively little about this world, and appreciated what this Doctor had to offer.

Thank you very much for this offer, and I would like to hear what you know, as I'm sure it's rather different from a scientific angle than a magical one, and discovering what other people, from other universes know about the multiverse itself, and the way it works, is frankly one of the things that most excites me about being here.

Oh, and I'm sure it'll be easier to find a way out with your help too.

Ponder Stibbons.

((Late to the party, hope you don't mind.))

Mr Stibbons,

I've a fair amount of experience in temporal and interdimensional travel in my own native multiverse, and would be glad to help in any way that I could.

-Una Persson

Miss Persson,

Thank you very much, I'm sure that'll be of great help. It's surprising how many people here have such experience, I must say.

Ponder Stibbons.

Mr Stibbons,

I expect you've corresponded with the Doctor, then?

-Una

Miss Persson,

Yes, I met him when I got here. He's interesting, and certainly seems to know a lot about what he calls 'science'. Doesn't seem to like me much, though, but I could be easily mistaken.

Ponder

Mr Stibbons,

He has his ~~prejudices~~ ways, let's just say. But he is extremely knowledgeable, as are his ~~friends~~ ~~sometime enemies~~ ~~acquaintances~~ associates the Master and the Rani. (At least I understand that the Rani is; I've only met her the once.) Try not to take his attitudes too personally; he is a good man at heart, and a good friend.

-Una

Edited 2008-07-09 14:25 (UTC)

Miss Persson,

I know a grand collection of wizards far more stubborn than he has been to me, not to mention people who hold no value in magic, even if it is all around them. I will be tolerant, after all, he does come from a universe without even a Narrativum. It must be terribly difficult to accept magic like I know it, as I do not find it easy to accept his version of science. I do, however, wonder if it would be easier to make magic work effectively in this universe, which does seem to be based entirely around magic and little else.

Ponder Stibbons.

Mr Stibbons,

I like your attitude. As for myself, I've experienced a number of phenomena that might be described as "magic", and there are those who would use that term for the way in which I travel, and there is indeed a certain mystical/metaphysical aspect of it. There may indeed be something to be said for the effectiveness of magic here; as you point out, phenomena such as instantly-replaced foodstuffs and so on is more like magic than anything else.

What's a Narrativum, then?

-Una

Miss Persson,

I would quite like to hear how you travel, if it is, as I think you said, between universes and timelines. It can only plainly be magic, to be honest, as you can sense it everywhere here. Although I do wonder where all the apple shaped holes in the universe are.

It's where a universe has a running force behind it that likes stories, basically. For example, it makes sure that history will repeat itself every so often, that the brave, but humble hero gets the girl, that witches meet around cauldrons and speak in rhyme (although that could be because they're a little strange), that kind of thing. It's the force which quietly links events in lives together so they come out in a coherent fashion.

Ponder Stibbons.

Mr Stibbons,

In my native multiverse, the talent for travel through Time and dimension (or the chronoflow and megaflow, as we call them) seems to be inborn, in some moreso than others. Certain families appear to have an especial talent for it. The unlucky ones discover they have it when they get displaced into another timestream, and the lucky ones get taught, or figure it out on their own. Travel is accomplished through this native intuition combined with certain "shifter" technologies, which essentially enhance the traveller's native abilities and allow them to set their co-ordinates with greater precision.

Where, may I ask, do the apples enter into it?

Una sat and thought for a very long time before answering the latter half of Ponder's letter.

I'm intrigued by your Narrativum concept. I wonder, you know, if such a phenomenon isn't more common than you think, and that in other universes, it may be present with the residents being unaware of it. Or perhaps it's thought of in terms of Destiny or Fate, rather than as stories. It would certainly explain various echoes and resonances I've seen across the multiverse. It's a fascinating idea.

-Una

Miss Persson,

Now, that is a fascinating thing. Simply fascinating. Although magic is hardly ever hereditary, as I know it. Wizard's magic, at least. So where, if you know, do we fit into the chronoflow?

The apples. Well, nothing can be destroyed or created through magic. Everything has to come from somewhere else. So if, for example, apples keep appearing here, there must be an apple shaped hole somewhere else in the universe.

I do believe it is common in many worlds, which is why we found it so odd that is simply non-existant on the Roundworld. Or so we have seen, anyway.

Ponder Stibbons

Mr Stibbons,

Are there other kinds of magic in your world that are hereditary? How does one learn one's got it?

I'm not sure where this place fits in the chronoflow, and that's caused me no small amount of trouble. I'm used to having something to fix on, a period in history or an Age, as it were, and there's no such thing here. I'm not the only one experiencing such disorientation; I recommend that you ask the Doctor about his own experiences.

So the equal-and-opposite reaction law applies to your magic as well? That makes sense, really. It occurs to me that it's entirely possible that the park could be drawing its power and matter from another parallel or dimension, and there is a precedent for this in my experience. A friend of mine constructed a time-loop: a seven-day period in which Time was "recycled". ~~The Doctor and I got into a rather towering row over this when I~~ The inhabitants don't repeat their actions and live more or less normally, but the Time in which they exist repeats itself forever. To power the loop, he leached small amounts of energy off multiple parallels; infinitesimal amounts, but from so many places that it was more than enough to sustain the loop. Perhaps the power behind the park is doing something similar?

By Roundworld, do you mean the Earth, or some other planet? And by that, may I infer that your own world is not round?

-Una

Miss Persson,

Not that I'm aware of, but the universe still has plenty of surprises left in it for me to find. One doesn't really have magic, one learns it and needs a penchant for dribbly candles; or at least you did until recently. Of course, some people are much more naturally talented at it than others. The only sure fire way of finding out you're a wizard is if you're the eighth son of an eighth son, but that's another strange old tradition of ours.

As for the lack of a period or time, that is most worrying. I do think it can be overcome somehow, but how is a different matter.

Of course it does, it would be very difficult for worlds to work, if that didn't apply. So you think there are apple shaped holes in someone else's universe? I could see how that could work, even if it is unusual. However, the idea about the time loop could be equally applicable here, yes. In fact, that's quite a brilliant idea, now I think about it. Also, if someone actively constructed it (I personally believe that this could be the work of an extraordinarily powerful, and stupid - as they usually are - wizard), it explains a lot more of the unusual activities of this universe. We once did a very similar thing at the university, actually, we created a pocket universe out of leftover magic and Earth. Oh.

I do believe it's inhabitants call it Earth, yes. No, our world is a Disc.

Ponder Stibbons.

Mr Stibbons,

"Until recently"? Interesting about the eighth-son thing; there is a similar tradition on Earth—or Roundworld, as you know it—of seventh sons of seventh sons. Or seventh children of seventh children.

How do you think the time problem could be "overcome"? Or is it still too early for theorising?

Well, perhaps not literally apple-shaped, but the molecules and atoms that make up an apple are somehow missing, on account of being shunted here. I've half-suspected the time loop for a while now, actually, but I haven't really discussed it with anyone ~~because I'm not picking another flaming row with Time Lords for at least a little while longer~~; and indeed I've throught of this place primarily as a pocket dimension or universe. And there are definitely signs pointing to an extremely whimsical intelligence at work.

I have seen many curious worlds in my travels across the multiverse, but I don't believe I've seen a Disc-world before. Worlds where people thought it was due to lack of getting out and about, yes. But the actual article is entirely new in my experience.

-Una

Miss Persson,

There are the strangest parallels between our world and the Roundworld. And yes, until recently, as I don't hold any stock by all this dribbly candles, Post-Mortem Communications, octogram nonsense. It's all for show and no substance.

Well, I'm not sure at the minute, but there is very little that is worth writing off as simply impassable. Boundaries need pushing, somehow.

It's a brilliant idea, though, that this is a work of some mad old wizard, or...scientist, I suppose. Why else would it take the form of an amusement park? Why else would there be so little rules, but so much order? How else do you create the dual sense of vague time, but without accurate time? I do not think a world like this could occur entirely naturally. You should have mentioned it before. It needs some real theorising and calculations, but I do think you're on to something.

Really? Well, I'd never seen a Roundworld before, either ~~and found the concept rather preposterous~~. It is definately flat, though, as you can see over it out at Krull, apparently, or if you get stuck on the Circumfence. One of our 'wizards' once did that, I believe.

Ponder Stibbons

Mr Stibbons,

There does seem to be a certain amount of what might be called "bleed-through", across planets and across dimensions. Which is part of why your Narrativium concept is so interesting to me.

May I ask, then, what your approach to wizardry consists of? I can see how dribbly candles might get a bit wearisome. Hell to clean up, for one thing.

There's no door that's without some kind of key. But whatever intelligence is at work here, I can tell you that it does exhibit a disconcerting ability to know things about us, and also to change people's behaviour and make them act in ways contrary to their ordinary nature ~~(or perhaps just repressed)~~. Has no one told you about the Events?

The universe is full of surprises. What do you see when you look over the edge of your flat world, then? And do the oceans simply cascade over, or is there some kind of retaining wall? (I apologise if these are silly questions to you; as I said, I've never seen such a thing before.)

-Una

Miss Persson,

Bleed-through. Now that's a decent name for it. I was just going to call it 'strange things coinciding between universes', but that sounds much better.

My approach to wizardry? Well, it's more hands on, for a start, and less centred around something to do inbetween meals. But I prefer a much more logical and, for want of a better word, scientific approach. Most wizards at the university are very stuck in their ways and reluctant to move forward, get out of the century of the fruitbat. They like their dribbly candles and huge meals. I'd much rather use magic to discover how our universe, our multiverse, the whole of creation works. Of course, it's not 'creation', but that's a different matter. I want to use magic to unlock the secrets of the universe, they seem to believe it was better back in their day when the only secrets that needed unlocking were what the pudding would be at dinner.

I don't think anyone mentioned Events. Well, it's not on my clipboard.

The oceans do simply cascade over the edge, and I have never looked over the edge myself, but the world rests on four giant elephants on the back of Great A'Tuin. A space turtle. Makes perfect sense, but you'd really need to talk to one of Krull's Astrozoologists for much more detailed information on Great A'Tuin or the elephants.

Ponder.

There was a somewhat longer pause than usual before Una's next reply arrived, which may have had something to do with her spending a while staring at Ponder's letter, trying not to laugh, and then giving up.

Mr Stibbons,

Credit goes to the Doctor for the term "bleed-through". He is indeed clever, and will cheerfully admit it himself—although he does have justification.

Your approach seems, dare I say, scientific. Or at least logic-driven, if that phrasing seems less incompatible with the concept of Magic. That's good; we could use a few more logical types around here.

Events. Oh dear. Well, I may as well warn you now, then: one day, you could wake up and find yourself speaking in some sort of absurd pirate lingo—"good morning" becomes "ahoy mateys" and other such nonsense as you'll find at the Pirates of the Caribbean entertainment. Or you might find yourself conceiving a passion for someone you've never met before and would never have been attracted to. Or perhaps you'll only be able to express yourself in song. These Events are unpredictable and appear to occur at entirely random times, and sometimes not everyone is affected. They're essentially harmless—unless you count the apparent calculation of maximum humiliation on someone's part.

Elephants and a space turtle. Well, I daresay I've heard everything now. Not that I disbelieve you; after being here for what seems like a solid year, I find it hard to disbelieve anything. It sounds rather magnificent, actually, if a bit odd by Roundworld standards.

-Una

Miss Persson,

Ah, the Doctor. I am not surprised.

It can get very confusing, especially here, the magic/science distinction, as magic runs our universe in a similar way to science seems to run the majority of people's worlds here. Even the other wizards' world. Either way, logic is a constant force throughout, even if it is in short supply.

They sound like either malicious attempts at self amusement, or massive magical accidents. For example, being in the vacinity of the Pirate ride when whoever is in charge of this universe messed up a spell, could make you talk like a Pirate. Has anyone turned into an orang-u-tan yet? Sorry. In joke.

We found the Roundworld quite difficult to believe ourselves, and it's a bit odd by our standards, so I do suppose we're even.

Ponder.

Mr Stibbons,

A wise man from my world once said that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. While I believe that there is a distinction, and that the two are often incompatible, I do agree with you that logic applies to both.

It's worth noting that the pirate-talking affected those of us nowhere near the pirate ride, and also I am given to understand that that particular event has happened more than once. No great apes, lesser apes, or monkeys, however, to my knowledge.

-Una

Miss Persson,

Oh, well, that destroys my theory. Which makes me think it was less of an accident and more someone playing games with us, which is mildy disconcerting, but I think it also proves me right that someone is behind this. Shame about the lack of primates, though. No wonder the books are so disordered.

Ponder.

Ponder,

Hi there. Susan told me a bit about you; I guess you're from the same world as she is originally?

Anyway, I wanted to write regarding your question about attempts to leave. Here's what I've learned:

1. Walking or flying out results in unmanageable nausea before you get very far.

2. Teleportation, magical transportation, etc. simply don't work.

3. Digging hit a concrete barrier about six feet down. All attempts to penetrate the barrier failed -- spells bounced off, and tools and weapons also bounced. Literally bounced, like the stuff was made of rubber.

4. A group of people hopped on the monorail. Shortly after it departed the station, there was a sort of flash, and the group found themselves pulling right back into the station.

5. People do disappear from time to time. Leon Orcot (lives above the fire station) thinks they're turning into ducks. We've never been able to get a proper count of the ducks, so we can't tell if there are more or fewer than when we first arrived. Also, some people who disappeared have come back, but with no sense of time lapse, no memory of what happened during the period in which they were gone, and in at least once case, no memory of having been here at all.

I think that's everything. Make of it what you will, and feel free to give me a shout anytime.

-Cayce Pollard
Starcade, Tomorrowland

Miss Pollard,

Yes, I'm from the same world as Susan, although we've only met once previously, I believe.

The second, I realised for myself, and got a nasty headache from. But thank you for the other pieces of information. The last is of great interest, as if they're disappearing and turning into ducks, it means that they're not leaving, which means there could be greater difficulty in leaving than I originally thought. As for people coming back, the only solution I can think of is the wrong leg of the Trousers of Time. Oh, sorry, parallel universes. This is most fascinating.

Ponder Stibbons

Ponder,

Glad I could help. Oh, and there's one other thing I forgot -- there are people here from the same world, but from different spots in time. For example, Person A is from Date N, but Person B is from Date N+x, where x is some number of days, weeks, months, or even years. The whacked-out thing is that in the cases of this that I know of, Person B never noticed that Person A was gone at any point around Date N. Which may mean that people are getting back, but with no memory of having been gone (or they're not talking, for fear of being thought nuts), and they're returning to the exact spot where they left off.

Please keep me informed on any discoveries you make. I've been trying to collate all the information that we have as we discover it, so anything you have to add to that collection would be terrific.

Thanks,
Cayce

Miss Pollard,

That actually makes a lot of sense. Although I'm not sure if your original theory is correct (although it is entirely plausible), it is an interesting occurance. I shall have to look into this further.

I will do. As I am relying on others' help to keep me up to speed on how this universe functions, I shall be most happy to provide anything I find out.

Ponder Stibbons.

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