{Entry One}

[meteorman]

[This is not the first time Ford has found himself a universe away from where he was just a day or so ago, and so all things considered he's taking it in stride. He was certainly smart enough to turn down any sort of employment from a woman calling herself 'Mistress' (I mean, really) and he's not too fazed by the little shack that's afforded him instead of nicer lodgings in the castle. A roof over his head is still a vast step up from most of the universes he's had to crash in. He's even been provided with a handy dandy new journal in which to compile notes on his new locale, and that's exactly what he's decided to do. It's one of his go-to solutions.

Up at the top of the page there is a date, which is crossed out after a few moments of consideration and replaced with words written in neat cursive script:]

Can't start using dates until I have some idea of the local calendar.

I have once again found myself in a world that is very markedly not my own. I wasn't intending to travel any further than the bounds of my own planet ever again but intent means very little in the long run. This would explain quite a lot about the Bermuda Triangle, in retrospect. I wonder why Stanley didn't come through with me?

In terms of similarity to Earth I would rate this new world fairly high. Its technology is clearly more primitive but this can perhaps be explained by the presence of magic, which often renders most 'modern' Earth technology (or equivalent alien technology) pointless.

[There is a very well-rendered sketch of the Mistress off to the left, looking unimpressed as usual.]

THE MISTRESS

The local ruler. She offered me employment and naturally I turned it down in favor of remaining a free agent for the duration of my time here. I would like to think at this point I can spot a raw deal with some degree of accuracy.

[He... he has no idea other people can see this. Either that note wasn't at the start of this book because he arrived long after their dispersal, or he just flat out didn't read it in his haste to start nerding out all over the place. Take your pick.]

Comments

[meteorman]

Oh, yes! I study the anomalous and the paranormal, which has expanded to exploring and studying the many different universes I have found myself in over the years. You can see why my first instinct was to begin to take notes.

[Using a book like a book, what an idiot, right?]

[moonshined]

Well, I'm certain you'll have plenty to study here,
what with the rather fascinating mix of raw human sexuality and weird magical pratfalls.

And that's saying a lot, coming from someone who graduated from a school for witches and wizards.

[meteorman]

A school for witches and wizards? What a fantastic concept! What do you learn there? How is the curriculum structured? Are there disciplines? Are you expected to choose a major?

[Raw human sexuality is far less important than the idea of a wizard school system. Holy shit. What?]

[moonshined]

Ah

It's all a bit much to explain via writing, but we were taught how to defend ourselves,
a wide variety of charms, spells, hexes, curses, and potions, as well as how to take care of magical plants and animals. There's no major, really, not like a Muggle school, but you do have to make certain marks at the end of seven years if you want to go into your chosen field.

[meteorman]

Seven! Of course it would be seven.

What was your chosen field, if you don't mind my asking?

[That seems like a reasonable question. He can grill this 'Remus Lupin' on the rest of it in person later, maybe. Hunt him down and corner him for an interview. That's what research is all about.]

[moonshined]

Well, ah

Undetermined, at the moment. Sort of figuring things out, and then this whole thing happened so I'm not exactly career-driven just at the moment

But I've always thought I might like to be a teacher.

[meteorman]

[HE LOVES YOU, STRANGE NEW WIZARD FRIEND]

As someone who became a professor in an alternate timeline I can with some degree of certainty say it is a rewarding career path.

[He is pretty sure if being a Professor sucked he wouldn't have been doing it thirty years later. It involves standing in front of a bunch of people talking about a thing you like while they are obligated to sit there quietly and listen, what's not to love?]

[moonshined]

[Okay this sounds very interesting and suddenly Remus is glad he doesn't have any more chores to do today because he'd most definitely be tempted to skive them off.]

Really? An alternate timeline? How did you discover that—with a Time-Turner?

[meteorman]

Oh no. At least not that I'm aware of, unless that is an unfamiliar name for a familiar device.

I have spent quite some time traveling to new and different universes. In many of them I already exist. I have never interacted with myself directly but I have often had opportunity to learn about him through indirect means. Did you know there is a world where everyone is a baby, permanently? Highly aggravating. Would not recommend as a vacation spot.

[moonshined]

I suppose that would be a rather complicated job for a Time-Turner
It's basically an enchanted hourglass that allows one to travel short distances in time.

Everyone being a baby sounds highly inconvenient. Who changes all those diapers?Where do the babies even come from?

[meteorman]

I refused to stay long enough to find out. There are some universes worth studying and some I prefer to leave to other researchers.

[Who would possibly research the baby dimension? Nobody. Nobody, that's who.]

Yours sounds fascinating, however. At some point I would be very interested in meeting in person to discuss it in more depth.

[moonshined]

That sounds like a wise course of action to me.

[Someone??? Thinks he's fascinating? Him? Remus Lupin? And he hasn't even mentioned the whole werewolf thing.]

I'd like that. I don't have much else going on besides chores for the Mistress.

[meteorman]

Neither do I, having just arrived. I suppose I should see about some form of employment.

[Ughhhhh. Having a job. He's pretty much never had a standard job and he isn't looking forward to starting now.]

[moonshined]

No worries, I'm sure your skillset as a researcher will make for a decent resumé.

Maybe you could publish a leaflet? Something that uses your findings and also gets you paid.

[meteorman]

That isn't a bad idea. There must be need for classification of native flora and fauna, particularly in a form accessible to the common man.

[This is like... what... fantasy middle ages? People are ripe for educating.]

[moonshined]

I'm certain all of us newcomers would be glad to learn something around about our surroundings!

[At least all the nerds would. It's fine.]

[meteorman]

Do you think it might be prudent to organize something of a primer for new arrivals? Particularly since it seems they appear regularly? I imagine it would cut down quite a lot on having to answer the same set of questions ad nauseam.

[moonshined]

I think that would be very helpful. Goodness knows I wish I'd had a beginner's guide when I first came here. If you'd like, I could contribute some of the knowledge I've come by, too.

[meteorman]

Please. It's always better to have multiple verifiable sources where this sort of information is concerned.

[Which doesn't mean he won't heavily prioritize his own opinions and observations, but, y'know. He's trying. After Dipper schooled his ass and wrote about it in permanent ink in his journal he's a little more willing to give other people's opinions some weight.]

[moonshined]

Well, I assure you, I'm very trustworthy. And I've had to write my share of essays, so I'm quite good at it. Just tell me what you'd like me to contribute and I'll get right at it.