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From: Xuanwu
Date: Feb. 17

First, I must apologize if I make any mistakes in answering or using this system. I am not very good with a lot of technology and this is actually my first time to use something like this. Personally I find it perplexing to use which is amusing to some.

Second, I am Shen Wei, formerly the professor of Bio-engineering at Dragon City University. I am filling in for the god Xuanwu, who is also called 玄武 or 玄帝 or 黑帝. Don't worry if you don't know Chinese, it is nearly the same name in different regional dialects that means Dark Warrior or Dark Deity. I've been informed by the soulless under my care that as the weather warms, the population of turtles in my temple's garden may be prone to wander to nearby areas. Some of them are rather large -- I've been told that a small adult can ride them -- but not aggressive unless attacked first. If you need any of them removed from your location, please contact me. Oh, and also I've been told that the turtles also may have some snakes riding them that might be poisonous. Again, don't try attacking them, just inform me and I will retrieve them ASAP.

Third, I need to speak to Mars, or rather, Bakugou. Privately, if possible.

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Are they a specific breed of turtle? Different kinds? I have a lot of water, salt and fresh, at my temple, so just want to make sure. Don't want your precious buddies going into shock falling into something they shouldn't.

I wouldn't say they are precious; I never knew that I had anything like them until now. From what I've been learning they are a part of the myth of this place? I believe mostly freshwater. I have no idea about the snakes. They just like riding the turtles.

Oh. I think I can take a picture with this?

[ And here is one turtle chilling in some water like a boss. ]

Yeah, the animals can come with the place when you get a temple. I got a lot of fish, though all the other animals I've adopted since then.

[Hmmm...]

That is def a biter. Gotta teach my cats not to play with them. You might want to consider handfeeding them so they don't go after small pets or anything.

I really had no expectations of what any of this will include. Animals was not something I figured would happen.

It does chew easily through the melons my soulless was giving it. I will keep that in mind, though I think I may need to get some more help once I finish exploring this place.

There's not really a set list of what to expect when you become a god except that people will worship you. Not all gods have sacred animals, but hey, you are, so animals just happen to be a part of your deal.

From the picture it's a type of snapping turtle. Finding diets for those should be simple on the internet sine zoos and some collectors keep them around.

I thought the tales surrounding this Xuanwu were more of a metaphor than actual fact. I do hope that they don't expect me to sit on my throne while I rest my feet on their backs.

Yes. The internet. I suppose I will have some luck that way. I hope.

Ah, where is your temple, exactly? I don't believe you'd found it yet when we first spoke.

I doubt my temple is close enough that my backyard ducks would be at risk, but there are some kappa in the pond at the school who may not appreciate turtle intruders.

Somewhere in the West near a large Rome building.

I'm going to attempt at finding ways to keep them from wandering since I don't wish harm on any of the creatures here.

Roman, hmm? I don't think it's too near the school in that case.

Have you considered installing a fence? They look like they would not be skilled climbers. I'd be more worried about my kappa eating them than vice versa, though, I'm afraid.

No, it's not that close to the school.

They aren't but they are rather large and I've seen one bite through a sizable tree trunk. I will have to build something that is not mere wires against them I think.

So long as they can't climb it and they can't get their mouth fully around any individual wire, it could be effective. A fine mesh of heavier wire, perhaps?

Tilted inwards at the upper edge.

We will see what I can come up with. I have a feeling that the soulless is rather taken with the idea of traditional lines and looks. He had been muttering over some of the decor being far too modern the other night.

If he's like mine, he should follow orders, regardless of his personal preferences.

[Hakkai's, for example, prefers to stand in the corner of the room and watch his god sleep, but he's been willing to take orders from more than one god to stop it.]

He follows the orders I give him. I see nothing wrong in using a more traditional approach to walls. It might even keep him busy if he has to repair stone walls every few days. Heavens know he isn't busy enough if he can spend five hours fussing over the fall of my sleeves whenever I end up in my official avatar clothing.

Ah, well, if you're really looking for something to keep him busy, I withdraw my objections.

Do you have official clothing? Perhaps I'm lucky that my role isn't that of a very formal deity.

I'm unsure of how else to handle him right now, though I suppose once I get a better idea of what he can do I won't be trying to keep him from hovering around me so much.

Yes. A full set of Imperial Robes, complete with headdress and other accompaniments.

I've given mine a list of chores to do. He seems pleased to have orders, and it keeps him busy.

My condolences on the imperial robes. You may find it a relief to know that since our followers can very rarely see us without special effort, you can save those for formal Heavenly occasions.

[Yes, he's definitely lucky to be a beggar god; if Li Tieguai has any sort of raiment he's expected to show up to formal functions in, it's probably a ragged old robe and a crutch. No one's objected to Hakkai's formal fashion choice of thrift store tweed suits.]

That is something I may need to do once I've finished cataloguing everything. There are some things I don't think that can be taken care of by normal means.

I would rather that I am allowed to wear the warrior set instead. At least I can move in it.

[ Yes, he is kind of pouting at the phone at this. After all, the Xuanwu is a warrior as well as an emperor. He should be able to get away with some battle armor, right? ]

As a new incarnation, I'm sure you can take the opportunity to build new habits if you so choose.

I certainly have.

Apparently having a throne room of a strange glowing white stone and the furniture appearing as needed is not 'proper' according to the soulless. But considering the whole 'dark magic', I think it works rather well.

I shall keep that in mind.

Do you have any particular skill with dark magic? -- Ah, perhaps I shouldn't ask in such a public venue, ha ha.

Dark magic? No, I have nothing to do with magic, though it does seem to be one of the many things that Xuanwu is suppose to excel at.

Arguably, of course, being gods, we have rather a lot to do with magic.

I was just wondering about the appearing furniture.

As a man of science, I find that thinking in the terms of 'magic' does not work easily as it does for others.

It's something from a tale my parents once told me.

As a man of science, surely the objective evidence around us should overcome any prejudice you might have had about the existence of the supernatural?

I have none. The only problem I have with labeling everything under one title doesn't allow for looking any deeper. It's 'magic', therefor you cannot explain it or find a source, therefor you cannot find a way to stop or work out a cure for the problems that exist.

It limits the possibilities in the minds of a lot of people, or it feels like to me. I can be wrong, of course, but it feels limiting to me.

While you may be right that some people think of magic as shorthand for "the inexplicable," shouldn't the solution to that be to educate those people?

Magic may work in ways that are hard to explain scientifically, but the effects are predictable and replicable. Therefore, it's quite possible to find the cause of a problem and work out a cure, but it's also important to look for causes and cures in the right place, which is to say, the realm of the supernatural.

To try to explain the supernatural using natural laws simply because you understand natural law is like looking for your keys under the street light when you've dropped them in the ditch. You may be able to see better there, but you won't find what you're looking for, because it is somewhere else.

We are agreeing there. I only am saying that the term magic makes people less likely to work out the system.

Well, they'll learn better!

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