A question

[connie_maheswaran]

[Yes, it is rather easy to send one of these out when you have the internet back home. Connie was a little vexed that there was no network quite like that here, but she'd make do].

Ok, I know that most of the people here have a lot of questions about how things work and how to fight and all, and so far there have been plenty of you who have graciously given us answers and time (I'm very grateful to specific people here like Mr. Crackshell and Webigail and Princess Deetz, but many of you really helped, thank you). I have a different type of question though.

For those of you who live here and work, how easy is it to do all of your magical studies and keep a stable job? Back home I have to be attending college, but I'll be living on campus. That's different from working here and living AND learning about magic.

Basically, how do you budget your time? Any tips?

Comments

[connie_maheswaran]

Oh. Well, all right. I guess it is kind of rude to ask.

[creepyoldguy]

I’ve never seen the point in not owning up to what I am, but, some guys are more secretive.

[connie_maheswaran]

I just figured they would be proud of it?

[creepyoldguy]

Well, I am. But, also, then there’s people who get weird and assume you’re Evil or who think you’re a thing to take orders—and hey, who am I to dump any of that on ‘em when the locals are already acting weird.

[He was 99% sure Crowley didn’t give a flying flip, but, he wasn’t as sure about Michael.]

[connie_maheswaran]

But we all start literally on the same platform when we arrive, What would be the point of making assumptions or holding it against someone in the first place?

[creepyoldguy]

Some people don’t catch on that this isn’t home.

[He thought of Mal with some bitterness at his wasted efforts of friendship.]

But, it sounds like you’re doing pretty good on that end.

[connie_maheswaran]

It sort of helps that where I call home is definitely not normal either.

[Then again, would she have been summoned here if it were].

The first two people to greet me was an anthropomorphic duck and a wizard. If that wasn't a sign this place was not where I'm used to being, I'd be pretty dense.

[creepyoldguy]

You’d be shocked, kid. Some people aren’t as flexible in their thinking.

[connie_maheswaran]

That probably wouldn't. I actually did offend someone by accident offering them food.

Meeting new people can be tricky.

[creepyoldguy]

Oh, no! Not sharesies, you fiend!

[Beetlejuice used every ounce of over the top drama he had, before laughing.]

[connie_maheswaran]

Well apparently, in some worlds no one offers you something for free without something in return for them. I imagine she thought I might have been trying to get her to be my indentured servant or something. In that case, I can't really blame her for being wary.

[creepyoldguy]

Annnd they should explain that instead of getting all huffy.

[As if he wasn’t the King of Miscommunications and Jumping to Conclusions himself.]

[connie_maheswaran]

That's just miscommunication, and when I talked more with her, I realized something. Her world, by our standards? Is basically medieval. Magic is something she's familiar with, which is fine, but how on earth is she going to deal with all of this OTHER stuff she's never heard of before, like technology? Or heck, when she meets one of the duck people? Or Rice?

What if she meets that creature that totally licked me and told me I "tasted good?" You see what I mean? Based on that, I can understand and sympathize. She's basically going to be thrown off into the deep end of the pool and told to sink or swim.

[creepyoldguy]

Oh! You meet Keeps! He’s my pal. Almost drowned me once, but, that was an accident.

[Keeper was cool.]

Yeah, he tastes everyone. Pretty nice of him to ask permission before eating, though.

I might have to meet this person! She sounds jumpy.

[connie_maheswaran]

Your pal should probably not greet people by licking them. Remember that we just got here through a magic mirror. It's usually best not to freak people out on the first day when you're already cursing your rotten luck.

Actually, I had to remind him to not go licking people right off the bat.

Please don't freak her out. I have a feeling she's going to have a rough few days.

[creepyoldguy]

Everyone has to eat. Keeps eats living creatures, and says that already offed stuff tastes bad and ‘dead’.

[He shrugged.]

Can’t expect human behavior from people who aren’t human.

Oh, hey, I would never freak out someone already having issues...

[Pause. He could feel two separate Lydias giving him looks if they heard him say that.]

Fine, okay, I totes would. But! I shall refrain because you asked nicely.

[connie_maheswaran]

Then maybe someone can make him food that won't mind being eaten?

Can that be done?

Thanks, I appreciate that. I don't think I got your name? Mine's Connie.

[creepyoldguy]

He hunts for things that can’t complain.

I’m—

[He froze on the first phoneme. Stupid, stupid, curse.]


Oh, hold on.

[Beetlejuice took the mirror with him to outside his and MT’s apartment. He turned the device and pointed at his name plate. Lawrence Betelgeuse Shoggoth]

Don’t call me Lawrence. Go for the middle name, or, any variation of it.

[connie_maheswaran]

So no one told him about not doing that during the Meet and greets?

Ah.

[Connie was a bit of a nerd, thank you, so she was guessing he might not be able to SAY his name. He did say he was a demon, after all].

Hmm. So I guess you won't let me call you Shoggoth, huh? Or Shog? Gothy?

[creepyoldguy]

To be fair, did anyone tell you not to taste the other Apprentices?

And I don’t think it would do any good. You gotta look at it from a very not-human point of view. He’s being nice and polite and not just eating people who taste good.

People get a little freaked? Not a big deal. They’re still alive, right?

[He made a face.]

Shoggoth is fine. Not “Gothy” , that’s how I describe Lydia, and “Shog” sounds like a failed muppet.

[connie_maheswaran]

They wouldn't have had to.

He's still tasting people though, and it would be different if he just got here. But he's been here sometime. He ought to know NOT to taste.

From their point of view, you are making the situation of being pulled into a world without your consent much, much worse. So a bad day becomes compounded. It's just consideration for us newbies.

Heh ok. Shoggoth it is!

[creepyoldguy]

He tasted me on our first day here. Asked if he could eat me. It’s not that big of a deal. He listens when people say “No”, after all.

[He tilted his head.]

Can’t pronounce the B-name, huh?

[connie_maheswaran]

I have a feeling its different for people who aren't demons. Most aren't well adjusted to the idea of someone tasting you.

[Connie had actually been pretty calm about it].

Oh I can, but the last name is way more fun, don't you think?

[creepyoldguy]

Just have to be willing to step outside the old comfort zone.

[Said the entity who welcomed two recently deceased to being ghosts by hugging and trying to make out with them. He had empathy for the weird boundaries thing.]

More fun? Maybe? Easier to spell, that’s for damn sure.

[connie_maheswaran]

You explain that to the newcomers then.

Well yeah, it sounds kind of Dungeons and Dragons, you know?