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benthic_universityAs the students filed in, The Academic arrived, wheeling a book cart. On one side, stacked high, were a number of small boxes. The purveyor’s whole name wasn’t legible, but from the classroom seats, the words “-Educational Picture Postcards and Assorted Souvenir Stationery” were boldly visible.” The other side of the cart had still more boxes, and something bottled and unforgettable gleamed inside. The Academic quickly folded those boxes closed, walked to a far side of the room, and closed them into a filing cabinet, before securing it with a rather nasty-looking correspondence lock.
“You’ll get that when you’re good and ready,” The Academic drawled, returning to the cart and lifting another box, “but the world’s finest pigments mean nothing at all without the proper…” and here they dropped the box thudding on the nearest bench: “paper!”
From the trim, tidy packaging, they produced a series of twee, doily-covered notebooks. Their pupil contracted at the garish sight, lips drawing back into a hiss. Suspiciously, they thumbed through the contents, relief diluting their disgust.
“Wretched and garish as they are, each of these are filled with fifty sheets of F.F. Gebrant’s Flame-Resilient Paper. These are professional-quality materials, and can safely accommodate three correspondence symbols at a time, as well as any English notes you might take alongside the symbols. The covers may be too precious by half, but you oughtn’t be. I can avail myself of a practically bottomless source, so use them up and ask for more as you require.”
“Let’s break them in with some fairly standard notes in English, shall we?” Chalk hit board, and the lecture began. "I want you to start thinking about what The Correspondence can do for you. Let us start with the two major skill sets: Crimson Engineer, and the Epistolant."
"The Crimson Engineer invents and develops technology. There are numerous subfields, any of which is well worth your consideration.”
“Aerosenautics is the application of Crimson Engineering to sustained flight. This is a very lucrative and currently developing field, due to increased interest in airships after the recent failed invasion by some misguided sects of Starved Men. The Khanate and the Iron Republic have made impressive strides and impressive craft, but I have personally overseen the work of genius minds here in London. You will not go hungry; and the miracle of flight is a rare privilege attainable by these slim few.”
“Locksmith. A simple name for the single most in-demand trade we’ll discuss today. Why do so many people want locks crafted in correspondence? It's such a specific usage! Well, the public has it in mind, and anyone with anything important to store- especially things that are hard, cold, and inflammable- love to have new safes. This occupation will net you plenty of jobs, both in the locking and unlocking of carefully-tuned safety mechanisms.”
“Our subject can also be applied to living organisms, through a surgical field known as Batbiorangilogical Studies. It is a more precise surgical field than Shapeling Arts, but it is also significantly more lethal when mishandled. Shapeling Arts involve the transmission and absorption of vital essences. Batbiorangilogical studies involve meticulous surgical comprehension.”
“Of course, there is room for generalists. But studying with colleagues is the best way to improve your skills, so it’s fine to pick a focus and change later.”
"On the other side, there are those who study The Correspondence with a strict linguistic focus.” Was that a wry smile? Could there be a hint of bias in this next bit? These are Epistolants. Rather than breaking the laws of physics directly, Epistolants avail themselves of the power of the written word as an art form. This makes use of the natural suggestive charms of both Correspondence and other tongues, meaning that there are no limits. All forms of communication can be utilized: written, spoken, sculpted, painted, auditory, textile, really, anything at all!”
“The dangers of this focus are more commonly mental and spiritual. Philosophical truths will reveal themselves to you. But more frequently, mistakes will cause useless information to burn itself into your mind, masquerading as items of vital importance. And a careless or wicked writer may do this, purposefully, to others.”
“Pure Epistolography is in letter-writing. Those who cannot read nor write will hire scribes to write for them. You'll frequently pick up work in simple english. But there will be nothing simple about your english. It will not be your duty to take simple, word-for-word dictation, but to communicate the feelings of the sender to the recipient.”
"Transchromators convey meaning from Correspondence to another language. In your cases, most likely English. You'll need to do a little of that, no matter which discipline you choose. However, as the name suggests, transchromators also must be capable of handling correspondence in its purest form: light and heat itself. Yes, this does require obtaining a license to handle otherwise illegal contraband, such as mirrorcatch boxes of sunlight."
“Poets/Composers. Based on the themes which have been popular in the past decade, I can confidently state that there is still a rich and thriving future in celestial and uplifting correspondence poetry. Something to bring light to weary and tired souls. Especially if you're musically inclined.”
“Legal work. You are not to break the laws, but to weave them. This will bring you into frequent contract- er, contact, with our infernal neighbors. If you like the challenge of technicality, there are no more suitable frontiers.”
"Now, I have neglected to mention it, but there is another option: You could, also, teach." Suddenly animated with false joy, they gestured, making no attempt at all to hide the bitterness chrining just below the surface. "If you've nothing at all better to do, why not waste your precious years of good health decomposing into a husk well before you'd ever considered shopping for your first set of tomb-bandages? What a lark! What joy!" The Academic seemed to come to their senses, remembering that they did in fact have a colleague here in class, who sometimes saw fit to wear bandages. They coughed awkwardly. “Well. I suppose there isn’t anything of itself wrong with teaching. If you’ve the choice to do it, that is.”
The thought lead into something much more soothing, and a new, satisfied expression taking its turn in the Academic’s eyes. “However, when I am at my regular occupation, then I am what is referred to as an "Emmistolant." In all avenues of life, it is not what you know, but who you know. And facilitating that communication is my trade. I need not hide myself behind my letters, nor remain cooped up in dry study. My travels take me to all corners of The Neath, discussing any number of strange matters with any type of person.”
“Every being is useful. They need only be introduced to the people who can make use of them, or to help their skills flourish. Misused as I am in this class, this administration has got one thing correct: For each of the professions I've described, I could see fit to write your chipper young careers a letter of introduction or referral.” The Academic paced the room. “But my recommendations hold more weight than the tonnage of a Standing-Stone at The Hurlers. I do not lift my pen without very good reason, and only the students whom I trust not to embarrass me on a grotesque and personal level will be ferried along to my lofty contacts. However, if you can manage some measure of esteem in this class, the one bright spot in this whole laughable summer would be in connecting those worthy with future careers as Correpondents."
A hint of pride. The Academic spoke honestly, genuinely hoping to write several letters by the end of the course.
“Now, if you’ve done your homework, you should be fresh and ready for this week’s tasks. If not, then you are going to have a very taxing morning, indeed. For the rest of today, you’ll be communicating with each other, using nothing but your current understanding of the correspondence, and the syllabary from the board.”
The Academic walked from one side of the boards to the other, pushing each up, revealing a large set of simple correspondence symbols. Unlike last week’s grid, this array did not trigger any immediate effects. The danger would likely come- as they’d been warned week one- in the night. As the Academic pushed the final board, they turned their heel in a very funny way, and gestured with their off hand. Their sleeve flowed behind the arm in a rather peculiar way. Almost like an additional limb.
“Proper Correspondence Symbols layer these in a way you aren’t quite ready for yet. So instead, you’re going to practice with a different format: Subject, verb, object. Using this simple “SVO” structure, find a partner and communicate in short sentences, no longer than three words long. You should be able to safely inscribe any number of these symbols on a single sheet without turning your notebooks to tinder, so have at it. See what you can learn with such a limited vocabulary. And only communicate this way. I don’t want to hear a single word of The Empress' English until the end of practice time.”
The Academic pointed over to a sitting-area they’d prepared. “That verbal luxury is reserved for each of you, one at a time. Come over when you’re ready, and discuss your classroom goals, and which focus might’ve caught your ear.”
“The rest of you, get to it!”
“You’ll get that when you’re good and ready,” The Academic drawled, returning to the cart and lifting another box, “but the world’s finest pigments mean nothing at all without the proper…” and here they dropped the box thudding on the nearest bench: “paper!”
From the trim, tidy packaging, they produced a series of twee, doily-covered notebooks. Their pupil contracted at the garish sight, lips drawing back into a hiss. Suspiciously, they thumbed through the contents, relief diluting their disgust.
“Hm. Well. The paper is of the requested quality. That’s enough, I suppose.” The Academic passed a notebook to the nearest student, and gestured for that student to pass it down, in turn. Soon enough, each student was in possession of a notebook.
“Wretched and garish as they are, each of these are filled with fifty sheets of F.F. Gebrant’s Flame-Resilient Paper. These are professional-quality materials, and can safely accommodate three correspondence symbols at a time, as well as any English notes you might take alongside the symbols. The covers may be too precious by half, but you oughtn’t be. I can avail myself of a practically bottomless source, so use them up and ask for more as you require.”
“Let’s break them in with some fairly standard notes in English, shall we?” Chalk hit board, and the lecture began. "I want you to start thinking about what The Correspondence can do for you. Let us start with the two major skill sets: Crimson Engineer, and the Epistolant."
"The Crimson Engineer invents and develops technology. There are numerous subfields, any of which is well worth your consideration.”
“Aerosenautics is the application of Crimson Engineering to sustained flight. This is a very lucrative and currently developing field, due to increased interest in airships after the recent failed invasion by some misguided sects of Starved Men. The Khanate and the Iron Republic have made impressive strides and impressive craft, but I have personally overseen the work of genius minds here in London. You will not go hungry; and the miracle of flight is a rare privilege attainable by these slim few.”
“Locksmith. A simple name for the single most in-demand trade we’ll discuss today. Why do so many people want locks crafted in correspondence? It's such a specific usage! Well, the public has it in mind, and anyone with anything important to store- especially things that are hard, cold, and inflammable- love to have new safes. This occupation will net you plenty of jobs, both in the locking and unlocking of carefully-tuned safety mechanisms.”
“Our subject can also be applied to living organisms, through a surgical field known as Batbiorangilogical Studies. It is a more precise surgical field than Shapeling Arts, but it is also significantly more lethal when mishandled. Shapeling Arts involve the transmission and absorption of vital essences. Batbiorangilogical studies involve meticulous surgical comprehension.”
“Of course, there is room for generalists. But studying with colleagues is the best way to improve your skills, so it’s fine to pick a focus and change later.”
"On the other side, there are those who study The Correspondence with a strict linguistic focus.” Was that a wry smile? Could there be a hint of bias in this next bit? These are Epistolants. Rather than breaking the laws of physics directly, Epistolants avail themselves of the power of the written word as an art form. This makes use of the natural suggestive charms of both Correspondence and other tongues, meaning that there are no limits. All forms of communication can be utilized: written, spoken, sculpted, painted, auditory, textile, really, anything at all!”
“The dangers of this focus are more commonly mental and spiritual. Philosophical truths will reveal themselves to you. But more frequently, mistakes will cause useless information to burn itself into your mind, masquerading as items of vital importance. And a careless or wicked writer may do this, purposefully, to others.”
“Pure Epistolography is in letter-writing. Those who cannot read nor write will hire scribes to write for them. You'll frequently pick up work in simple english. But there will be nothing simple about your english. It will not be your duty to take simple, word-for-word dictation, but to communicate the feelings of the sender to the recipient.”
"Transchromators convey meaning from Correspondence to another language. In your cases, most likely English. You'll need to do a little of that, no matter which discipline you choose. However, as the name suggests, transchromators also must be capable of handling correspondence in its purest form: light and heat itself. Yes, this does require obtaining a license to handle otherwise illegal contraband, such as mirrorcatch boxes of sunlight."
“Poets/Composers. Based on the themes which have been popular in the past decade, I can confidently state that there is still a rich and thriving future in celestial and uplifting correspondence poetry. Something to bring light to weary and tired souls. Especially if you're musically inclined.”
“Legal work. You are not to break the laws, but to weave them. This will bring you into frequent contract- er, contact, with our infernal neighbors. If you like the challenge of technicality, there are no more suitable frontiers.”
"Now, I have neglected to mention it, but there is another option: You could, also, teach." Suddenly animated with false joy, they gestured, making no attempt at all to hide the bitterness chrining just below the surface. "If you've nothing at all better to do, why not waste your precious years of good health decomposing into a husk well before you'd ever considered shopping for your first set of tomb-bandages? What a lark! What joy!" The Academic seemed to come to their senses, remembering that they did in fact have a colleague here in class, who sometimes saw fit to wear bandages. They coughed awkwardly. “Well. I suppose there isn’t anything of itself wrong with teaching. If you’ve the choice to do it, that is.”
The thought lead into something much more soothing, and a new, satisfied expression taking its turn in the Academic’s eyes. “However, when I am at my regular occupation, then I am what is referred to as an "Emmistolant." In all avenues of life, it is not what you know, but who you know. And facilitating that communication is my trade. I need not hide myself behind my letters, nor remain cooped up in dry study. My travels take me to all corners of The Neath, discussing any number of strange matters with any type of person.”
“Every being is useful. They need only be introduced to the people who can make use of them, or to help their skills flourish. Misused as I am in this class, this administration has got one thing correct: For each of the professions I've described, I could see fit to write your chipper young careers a letter of introduction or referral.” The Academic paced the room. “But my recommendations hold more weight than the tonnage of a Standing-Stone at The Hurlers. I do not lift my pen without very good reason, and only the students whom I trust not to embarrass me on a grotesque and personal level will be ferried along to my lofty contacts. However, if you can manage some measure of esteem in this class, the one bright spot in this whole laughable summer would be in connecting those worthy with future careers as Correpondents."
A hint of pride. The Academic spoke honestly, genuinely hoping to write several letters by the end of the course.
“Now, if you’ve done your homework, you should be fresh and ready for this week’s tasks. If not, then you are going to have a very taxing morning, indeed. For the rest of today, you’ll be communicating with each other, using nothing but your current understanding of the correspondence, and the syllabary from the board.”
The Academic walked from one side of the boards to the other, pushing each up, revealing a large set of simple correspondence symbols. Unlike last week’s grid, this array did not trigger any immediate effects. The danger would likely come- as they’d been warned week one- in the night. As the Academic pushed the final board, they turned their heel in a very funny way, and gestured with their off hand. Their sleeve flowed behind the arm in a rather peculiar way. Almost like an additional limb.
“Proper Correspondence Symbols layer these in a way you aren’t quite ready for yet. So instead, you’re going to practice with a different format: Subject, verb, object. Using this simple “SVO” structure, find a partner and communicate in short sentences, no longer than three words long. You should be able to safely inscribe any number of these symbols on a single sheet without turning your notebooks to tinder, so have at it. See what you can learn with such a limited vocabulary. And only communicate this way. I don’t want to hear a single word of The Empress' English until the end of practice time.”
The Academic pointed over to a sitting-area they’d prepared. “That verbal luxury is reserved for each of you, one at a time. Come over when you’re ready, and discuss your classroom goals, and which focus might’ve caught your ear.”
“The rest of you, get to it!”
Re: Time With the Teacher
Date: 2025-07-01 04:25 pm (UTC)"I will admit, dear Emmisary," he began, "that I am caught between two paths. On the one hand, I am a poet and a linguist at heart. To communicate emotion and intention effectively through the use of the Correspondence would, in an ideal world, be my first choice, whether that be in epistolary practices, poetry, or, if I may be so bold, emmistolant. However, necessity requires me to pursue batbiorangilogical studies. The reason I joined this class in the first place, the reason I ever came to the Neath. I have... other paths I can walk to reach this goal, but I honestly believe the Correspondence may assist in propelling my work beyond what I've been able to do thus far. However, your method of teaching, the lessons we've learned as of this class period, has excited the linguist in the inner mind, urging me closer to a desire to communicate and help others communicate.
"And here do we reach the dilemma. To pursue the arts and epistolation, which I may not otherwise have a chance to pursue? Or to follow what I came here for, purely by necessity and not by passion?" It was a genuine question, one that the Socialite prayed the Academic could offer insight towards.
Re: Time With the Teacher
Date: 2025-07-01 06:23 pm (UTC)Hesitation. Annoyance? The Academic seemed somewhat embarrassed to even say this next bit aloud. Their cheeks crinkled, cringing, and though they prevented a claw from clothing the bridge of their nose, the gesture was attempted.
“…the two studies needn’t be as separate as you might worry. Batbiorangilogical studies include a…startlingly specific surgical field which focuses upon the retention and communication of information. If that would interest you.”
“Poetry, thankfully, is a popular field, and even if you choose not to focus on it for this course or your grander pursuits, it would be a matter of the smallest simplicity to recommend you to a number of flourishing Bohemian communities.” They inclined their head. “As a means of spending your hours not otherwise engaged with your Great Work.”
Re: Time With the Teacher
Date: 2025-07-01 07:12 pm (UTC)His palms were outstretched, pleading and imploring. "If you claim it is impossible, that there is no feasible way to push the laws of reality that far, not with the Correspondence, then I will shift course. I will employ my growing understanding of the language elsewhere and avoid beating my skull against the brick wall that is the limitations of science and our understanding of it. But if there is some sliver of hope, some small, almost invisible crack in our understanding that one may slip through, then I plead for the opportunity to pry it open, the resources with which to utilize it, and the like minds that may assist in progress.
"I trust, Emissary, that you will answer me honestly and directly, no softening of the truth."
Re: Time With the Teacher
Date: 2025-07-02 04:02 am (UTC)“There are many ways to pursue immortality down here, but all of them require the safety of The Neath’s sheltering roof. To argue against such a Law above the surface is currently beyond the ability of beings such as we.”
That was it. It couldn’t be done.
And then The Academic lifted a claw, and uttered one of science’s most singularly lovely words: “But. If there is such a method, I will warrant that the answer is to be found within The Red Science, and that it will be written down in Correspondence.” The Academic made a check mark next to The Socialite’s name, and added an illegible symbol. “If you are set upon this goal, then there is a posting which I may be able to recommend you for. However, you’ll need a very impressive project. Start researching which Red Science applications can produce an anatomical effect. Especially if it happens to be life-saving. That would be especially pertinent.”
Re: Time With the Teacher
Date: 2025-07-02 04:16 am (UTC)But, however, unless, all either the most crushing or the most uplifting words one could hear. It caused the Socialite's ears to ring, the only sound ringing clear being the Academic's voice. "Y-yes... Yes, of course. Thank you, with everything I have. You don't know how much this means to me."
The Socialite nodded, eyes set in a severe determination, a breath in, a rising to the challenge, a steeling of the nerves. "I guarantee you, Emissary, I will not let you down."