General Musing [Video]

[king_of_egypt]

[Atem hasn't been using his mirror lately, but it seemed like as good a time as any. There had been a lot of changes over the course of the previous twelve months, both positive and well-not-so-positive... but he's not here to fixate on the latter.]

With the New year swiftly approaching, it's a time for reflection and oftentimes redirection. I'm just curious, what would the rest of you like to accomplish in the upcoming year? Any goals, aspirations... dreams?

[Smiling softly. Technically New Year's for him would be a lot closer to summer, but when in Rome..]

Comments

[creepyoldguy]

Why mess with perfection?

[Really, no one would expect anything else from Beetlejuice....]

[king_of_egypt]

[That gets a hint of a snicker]

Of course, these questions couldn't have been directed towards you specifically.

[There was a teasing edge to his words, but he genuinely did find the BJ amusing.]

[creepyoldguy]

I know, right?

[Atem, because he put up with Beetlejuice at work, (and was friends with Lydia) was most definitely on the demon's list of people he didn't intentionally aggravate. Which was a short list indeed.]

Although, I gotta say, time has been weird here. Nothing like back home.

[king_of_egypt]

[Sorry for encouraging this Lydia, but... Atem totally is, It's hard enough to keep someone this energetic and mischievous in check without someone else feeding into his ego.]

Mm, perhaps some of the others will supply their answers later.

[It was an honor to be included on the exclusive little list (though Atem was sure it mostly had to do with Lydia). In a way that's how it had been with him and Yugi's friends. Any friend of Yugi's inevitably became a friend of Atem's too.]

It certainly has been, you'll find no argument here. Is there something specific that your referencing, or just in general?

[phoenixwiz]

I would probably say hoping to get better in mastering my Class spells; not that I’m taking advantage of them to the point of not foreseeing the consequences. Can’t say that I’m hoping for a promotion at work anytime soon, although that would be appreciative.

And there is a plan by both me and Lydia to make training less burdensome and more tolerable for everyone.

[king_of_egypt]

[Nodding along to the desired goals.]

Well, it sounds like you certainly have a direction you'd liked to proceed in.

[Smiling fondly at the ambitious youth on the screen.]

The spells should be of great aide, both to you and the other apprentices. As for work, one can't really say for sure but for what it's worth I'm sure you do an exemplary job. What's this plan to improve training? Or.. will I have to wait and see for myself?

[phoenixwiz]

Thought that I am able to find something to keep me busy while we are here, unless I want to be bored for a long time, and I don’t want to be a burden for the locals to look after. That is not within my nature.

(Not that Harry is not aware of his one-track mind, but hey, that’s the hidden Slytherin in him. He wants to help the Kingdoms out big and small deeds alike.)

Yeah, I definitely agree with you: magic and spells should be put into great use. Job wise, it has been really wonderful, even though it can be tiring at times and customers can be picky at times. My co-workers have been kind as well.

Well, the two of us have been talking and coming up with plans since October, although I and Lydia could use some help in bringing the idea to fruition. I could tell you more if you wish.

[king_of_egypt]

[Was Atem bored? The notion sticking out to him out of all the rest in that first line. Bored, wasn't really the right word... but this video wasn't meant to be about him or his concerns, it was meant to touch base with those that were still here]

Very upstanding, and commendable. I wouldn't wish to be a hindrance for the locals either, though I'm certain I sometimes fall short of my aims.

[Usually courtesy of magical happenings, but what have you]

Ha- it wouldn't be work if it wasn't tiring. [Chuckling at that] I- confess, in my old position I might not have handled the pickier customers as well. [Moving past the little anecdote swiftly] I'm glad you have dependable co-workers to support you.

Lydia does try to assist in so many various ways. [She's a real treasure] If it isn't too much trouble, I wouldn't mind more information on the subject.

[buff_dandelion]

Oh, New Years is coming up soon, isn't it.

[She lost track of time.]

I would really like to get stronger next year.

[king_of_egypt]

Mm, it is.

[In just a few days time]

So far you do not seem to be alone in that desire. [It was an admirable direction given their situation] How is your training coming along?

[buff_dandelion]

[She gives a bit of an eager nod.]

I've been practicing my healing magic on the wilting flowers on my flower cart, and it's been going quite well. I'm just really weak when it comes to a fight.

[king_of_egypt]

You're a princess, aren't you?

[They were the only ones capable of healing so the question was used more as a conversational device than actually requiring an answer]

You wouldn't be expected to excel in combat. [Trying to ease her mind on that subject though he could understand the desire to be self-sufficient] As we gather more sparks however I'm sure it will be possible to expand your range. The only limit is our imaginations, right?

[dr_riley]

You mean besides escaping this dystopian fantasy world? Having some questions answered, I s'pose. How do you know it's a new year? What's the calendar based on and how long is it? Why do holidays here seem to correspond with the ones I'm familiar with at home, one of infinite Earths on one of an infinite number of quantum branches in infinite-dimensional Hilbert space? Why are there holidays at all, there don't seem to be any religious beliefs to have inspired them.

And why are we all speaking English?

[king_of_egypt]

Ha- yes.. well, you're entitled to that goal as well if you so wish it. There have been several apprentices that have managed to return home, perhaps you will find the way.

[Trying to present that in a way that didn't sound like he was trying to shove the other out of Main Street. Far from it, but Atem didn't think anyone should remain stuck here if it was not their desire to volunteer]

I just assumed it's based on the Gregorian calendar for the reasons you already mentioned. The holidays seem to be in keeping with that. [They were not in keeping with his usual calendar, no] That is a good question about why so many locations also adhere to it. Not all holidays are based on religion? [It came out more as a question than an answer since that should have been common knowledge he thought] Most of the ones I'm more familiar with tend to have a connection to deities but I'm in the minority here.

That I believe is just how we interpret the language, and it's the magic here that acts as translator.. but that is just my opinion.

[connie_maheswaran]

I'd want to improve my magic with my natural abilities. I also hope I can make more time to have fun with people. Between training and my job at the library, I get pretty busy.

[king_of_egypt]

It's good to see that everyone is still so dedicated to their studies, and occupations.

[Also that she included recreation in there as well. It wouldn't do any of them good to burn the candle at both ends so to speak]

It can be difficult to work in freetime, but I think we could all stand a bit of that. [Still toying with the idea of a game night]

[connie_maheswaran]

The world doesn't stop turning, so we shouldn't either.

Did you have an idea in mind?

[king_of_egypt]

Mm. That is one way to look at it.

[To that question he tapped on finger aside his lips and then spoke up]

I haven't ironed out the details, but I always thought that occasionally a game night would be entertaining. Plus it might be a way to forge closer bonds with our teammates in a more casual atmosphere.

[trashylittlesecret]

Hey. dude. Uh ... I dunno, I want to get a new routine written so I can test it out before it's warm enough to go busking again. Maybe go on a couple more of those missions. Find a new place to move into with my friends.

[king_of_egypt]

It's natural to be unsure, but it's nice to get a general sense of direction.

[Resolutions tend to shoot for the moon anyway, and have to be dialed back to something more manageable]

All of those sound like good goals to shoot for. [Especially the one about moving in with his friends, lbr. Atem had a bias for strengthening ties of friendship.] I wonder what sort of missions the new year will bring.

[trashylittlesecret]

My sense of humor tends to be a little more developed than my sense of direction. "Hey, Richie, are we going north or east? ... Beats me, I can't even walk straight if you get my drift."

As for the missions, beats me. ... That reminds me, though, I should probably try and find some oil for my bat so it doesn't, I don't know, crack in the middle of beating down some shadowy dire squirrel motherfucker.

[king_of_egypt]

[Although Atem smiled, he didn't chuckle until another moment passed. He might have missed the joke entirely but he was trying to sound appreciative. Oh you modern day persons and your double meanings.]

Mm, I don't think anyone will know for sure until the mission board is updated. The Emporium might carry such an item, they seem to carry everything else.

[hardcoreparkour]

I wanna explore those mines out past the jungle. There were some sounds coming from there that I'm really curious about ... to put it lightly.

[king_of_egypt]

[This aim sounded more obtainable than most, but no less potentially hazardous. Nothing wrong with a little adventuring]

Mm. There's no telling what you might find down there, I can't blame you for being curious. When you initiate the expedition just make sure to let someone know, or get together a team to go with you.

You wouldn't want to get trapped down there.

[hardcoreparkour]

[adventuring was Nate's middle name and his family birthright... he'd only stop doing it when he was dead, and the prospect of danger didn't slow him in the least]

My wife, Elena, will probably come with me to see how much she can get on film. But we're not an exclusive team, if you ever wanna join us...