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[pabugotmoves]

Huh? Oh-- You've reached Bolin!
Yeah, I'm a pretty busy guy but leave me a message and I'll beep you back

Comments

[pabugotmoves]

That sounds intense.

What element do you work with? I'm an Earth guy, myself. Mako is fire if he never told you.

[retsuden]

... All of them. Though my specialties are fire, lightning, and yin based techniques.

Is it common to limit yourself to only one where you're from?

[pabugotmoves]

[He just kinda.. stares.. for a moment.. before nodding.]

Uh, yeah. It's hereditary, so.. there's only one person in the whole world who can use all four. She's a big deal.

[retsuden]

Hn. Interesting.

[ He means that whole heartedly too, this is probably one of the more fascinating differences in worlds he's heard in a while. ]

We have seven elemental affinities. Most can only master one or two, but with extensive training, theoretically anyone could learn to use all of them. Inherited techniques are usually more focused, though.

1/?

[pabugotmoves]

[mental math lady meme]

2/

[pabugotmoves]

3/

[pabugotmoves]

[Bolin opens his mouth and counts on his fingers.

He was so close to an idea there for a second.]

4/

[pabugotmoves]

[Nope still processing]

5/done

[pabugotmoves]

Sasuke. How can there be seven elements?

[retsuden]

[ He's quiet for a while because while he definitely doesn't judge anyone for not knowing, he is the absolute worst to be teaching anyone anything. He rubs his forehead, trying to figure out how to put it into words. ]

It... depends on how you define an element. The basic four most think of are air, fire, earth, and water because they're the most visibly different, and I imagine are the ones you use at home.

In my world, we classify lightning as a separate element, as electricity contains multiple unique properties from the other four elements, and lightning jutsus are executed with different sign combinations. Then there are the spiritual elements, yin and yang, which create balance in the universe, and are usually the elements that compromise the soul.

With science, they define elements based on the unique make up of different atoms. If you go off that definition, there are 118 discovered elements.

[pabugotmoves]

[You know, the thing is, That first part? Okay. fine. Makes sense to him. He's say lightening was a sub class of fire, but sure. That tracks.

It's the second part that ruins any credibility Sasuke might have gotten with Bolin. 118? Sounds fake.

He just. Nah, nah fam, no way.]

Okay. I get it, you're messing with me. Well har har, joke over. You got your money's worth. Good day, sir!

[retsuden]

[ Sasuke has never told a joke in his life, thank you very much!!!



Okay that's not true this is probably exactly how he'd mess with someone, but he isn't, he swears, so he definitely looks surprised by the reaction because of that. ]

That would be a really boring joke. There are books on it, I'm pretty sure. I can try and find them if you don't believe me.

[pabugotmoves]

I SAID GOOD DAY!

[And he really goes to hang up. He does. He fully intends to. It's his omen Pabu who gets in the way and bats at his hand, using his whole little body to stop it from happening.

Bolin is ruffled and tetchy about education, seeing as he never had one. This sounds like the exact kind of long game someone would use to make him look stupid and he doesn't like it. But if Pabu is interjecting (which is weird for Pabs, he almost never does) then.. maybe.. maybe he should listen. Or just be butthurt. Jury's out.

He crosses his arms suspiciously before gesturing to himself.]

I don't believe you. But I can read! [Bolin, no one accused you of being illiterate-]

So prove it, ninja man!

[retsuden]

[ ... He's plagued by Naruto-types. That's what this has gotta be. He already feels like he has a perpetual headache and this is just meant to remind him how often his best friend gives him one. Why was he missing him again???

Anyway, he's of the belief that everyone deserves to learn, and he's guessing from the defensive noting of his literacy that he probably hasn't done a lot of it, so he nods. ]

They'll have books in the Archives, I imagine, that should be able to explain it better than I can. Did you want to meet there sometime or should I just bring you the book?

[pabugotmoves]

[Well. At least Sasuke has the grace not to point out his suspicions which would be totally correct and very embarrassing.

Bolin is still bristled but. Well. Fine then. Good. GOOD.]

...

I've never been to the Archives. Would you really show me?

[retsuden]

I never offer to do something that I have no intention of following up on. It's a waste of time.

[pabugotmoves]

[That's a valid point. If Sasuke can be trusted. IF THAT IS YOUR REAL NAME!

Naaah- you're a good dude, aren't you. Just a big ol' softie. Can't stay mad.]

Well, I.

Yeah.. I would appreciate that. No one has ever offered me the opportunity before.

[And he has just genuinely never thought about it. That stuff is for other people. Scholars. Why would he embarrass himself by going over there and looking stupid. They'd probably just turn him away, anyway. He's a warmblood, It's happened before. But maybe if this guy is with him.. he seems pretty tough. Like Mako. He doesn't think he'd be the type to get turned away, plus he's got a good bloodtype. So. Maybe? Cautiously hopeful??]

[retsuden]

[ Bolin's figured him out, oh no. A very, very sharp-edged exterior protecting an inner marshmallow. It might be a mini-marshmallow, but it's there.

He can say a lot of negative things about Konoha, but he supposes that at least they always offered an education to anyone who decided to take it. It didn't go very far, Sasuke had had to explore most of his studies on his own time, but it was still there. He frowns a little in thought, but decides speculating on his lack of offers is probably going to just end up in his getting hung up on. Again. If the record of his ability to approach sensitive subjects holds strong. ]

I can show you whatever you're interested in learning. Though I should warn you that I'm told I'm an awful teacher.

[pabugotmoves]

I've had lots of terrible teachers, you wouldn't be the first.

Are there really 118 elements? That sounds so fake.

[retsuden]

There are. They're different than the elements that we use for techniques or that you would use for bending. Where as you can look at water and see it just as water, with scientific elements, you'd break it down even farther. Every bit of pure water is made up of two chemical elements; hydrogen and oxygen. You just can't see them with the naked eye.

... The books will probably help this make more sense.

[pabugotmoves]

... huh.

[Sasuke used simpleton-logic. It was super effective!]

I didn't know that was a thing. That's incredible. Ooh! I bet that's how metalbenders do it, they can feel out the different elements in the earth and call just those specific ones! Oo- Sasuke, you're good at this.

[retsuden]

[ Oh wait what, he did it right??? Maybe teaching science is easier than teaching fighting. Less instinct, more based in facts.

Except being complimented for it surprises him enough that he doesn't automatically respond, and it could almost be argued that there was a hint of pink around the bridge of his nose. It's fine. ]

Mm. You're good at making connections.

[pabugotmoves]

[Oh ho ho ho. What is this? A compliment-off? What a treat! Your marshmallow core is exposed, Sasuke. At long last!

How long, they've been on the phone like, what, half an hour?

Is that a blush? Oh man, that is cute. Sasuke is cute.

(Sasuke is cute?)

Whooooooo boy gonna blow on past that.]

Well, you know, I mean. I try. Not just a pretty face~

[retsuden]

[ It's okay, Bolin, the whole village of Konoha thinks Sasuke's a cutie. Not that he'll ever get it.

He gives a snort, even allows himself a small smile at that response. It's familiar in a way that fills him with warmth, something he absolutely was not expecting. How to recover!!! ]

Uh-huh.

Did you want to meet at the archives later this week? Or will you be busy helping your brother prepare for his wedding?

[pabugotmoves]

Ah.. yeah I am super busy doing that right now. I have like four hundred lanterns to hang.

After? Is that okay? ..if the offer still stands?

[He doesn't want to miss out!]