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[slavecrowned]

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[markofthesea]

[She doesn't mean to bring up painful memories, and perhaps she should just lay these aside. If she can continue to frame it as simply a discussion of differing magicks...]

We endeavor not to have this happen to anyone, of course. The various magical disciplines studied in Eorzea place great emphasis upon drawing in and using the ambient aether of the world, rather than risk the drain upon your own.

[One ear turns aside a bit, and her hands still around her teacup.]

The Empire we face eschews reliance upon manipulation of aether, chiefly because they are themselves incapable of utilizing it. Instead they progress in the use of nonmagical technology.

[slavecrowned]

[There's a certain degree of apathy when Terra discusses these things; they sadden her, surely, but these experiences are so much a part of who she is and so vital to her learning to embrace her other self that she can't simply pretend they never happened. Rather, it's better to let those memories strengthen her resolve— as Y'shtola said, her past will define her always, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

She nods slowly, considering.]

And that's what your world calls 'magitek,' right?

[Another parallel.]

I wonder if the Empire is jealous of those who can use that aether...

[markofthesea]

Quite possibly, though they do not present themselves to the rest of the world as such. Rather they comport themselves as superior, in that they have surpassed the necessary dependence upon aether they claim to believe hobbles our progress. Their advances in technology independent of aether use are unmatched in that regard, as I mentioned, and I take no pleasure in the compliment, nor do I make it lightly.

[Though she buries it deep and it has no place in this world, the Garlean Empire and her emissaries and machinations have taken much from Y'shtola, and she senses they shall continue their assault upon that which she holds most dear. It would not be too much hyperbole to suggest she hates them.]

[slavecrowned]

[So many similarities, and yet the differences between Eorzea's Empire and her own are so critical that it's hard to believe two such powers could cause such destruction in so similar a way, motivated by differing beliefs.]

Yours is a world that thrives on magic, practically breathes aether itself, while magic is thought to be dead by most in my own.

[Her brow furrows slightly.]

There are so many parallels between the two, and yet in other ways, our worlds are complete opposites— people in your world fear primals, while the Espers in my own fear humans.