Enoch was put on edge. Not like he was in danger or anything, but more akin to when one walked into a car dealership and a salesman of dubious intentions approached, all amiability and smiles.

  That was the kind of vibe he was getting from the man sitting on one side of the table he was walking towards. That stood out even more than the fact his skin had what looked like sapphires studded all about it, a larger one on his forehead.

  As Enoch got close to the table, the man stood and reached a hand out in a hand shake, his smile vibrant. It put Enoch off even more, though logic and morals told him to greet the man with respect for multiple reasons. He reached out and took the man’s hand, noting the powerful grip. “Greetings, I am Ripley House. What’s your name, if I may?”

  Enoch nodded, “I’m Enoch Aadland, and I wish I could say it's nice to meet you, though that would be a bold-faced lie. Coulter said we could talk about what’s going on?” He looked at the table, where a far-too-great amount of food sat. Well, for two people it was too much, but it seemed inappropriate for this Ripley guy to invite others.

  Ripley gestured at the previously unoccupied seat while taking his own, “Take a seat, Mr Aadland. I want to start with a string of questions of my own, since I still don’t know if you’re an intruder or a victim of some odd displacement incident.”

  Ruefully, Enoch nodded, “Of course. I don’t know how much I can answer though. I don’t know too much.”

  “That’s fine. To start, why are you here? Coulter found you naked in the courtyard, so I’m at a loss as to your intentions.”

  Enoch chuckled, “Intentions? I was–am, trying to figure out what’s going on. Last I remember, I was in my bed playing games and getting ready for bed. I fell asleep, then woke up in that courtyard, naked, bald, and surrounded by strange teal grass.”

  Ripley furrowed a brow, “What’s strange about teal grass?”

  Enoch looked incredulous, “What isn’t weird about teal grass? Where I come from, the standard color for plants is green. Something to do with absorbing a specific wavelength of light or something.”

  “Well, you must be from far away then. Off-continent?”

  Enoch snorted, “No, definitely not. I’m no master at naming countries, but I know the shape of the world like the back of my hand. I also know physics and anatomy, and all of them are telling me I’ve either gone loopy or I’m on a different world. Speaking of that, what are you? Are you human?” Enoch figured it was rude to ask, but excused himself on account of circumstance.

  Ripley raised an eyebrow. “I’m no human, but a studkin. That’s common knowledge.”

  Enoch chuckled mirthlessly, “Not so common where I’m from. Only humans are there.”

  Ripley nodded, “I suppose you don’t know what’s going on then. You wouldn’t happen to know a man named Ralkar Sharingway, would you? He was in the courtyard just before you were found, and now he is missing. I don’t know if he ran away, summoned you, or was some alternate personality of yours that transformed untimely.”

  Enoch’s eyes widened, “Is that a thing that happens? I mean, it definitely isn’t happening to me, because I’ve lived on Earth my entire life. But that would be pretty crazy.”

  Ripley sighed, “Not common, no. But it is a thing. Certain powers have effects like that, coming with equally powerful boons. But you don’t seem to be in possession of any facets, let alone powers.”

  Enoch raised a hand, “Sorry, did you say powers? Like, take off in flight, or gain super speed?”

  Ripley chuckled, “You must truly be ignorant to ask a question like that. And to not lie either… Well, powers are something most people have. Some folks who are very poor might not have any, and even then it is either a product of stubbornness or logic. Common facets can be found if one explores their local area enough. Might take a year or two, but they’ll get one.”

  “Right, what’s a facet? And you didn’t explain what powers are.”

  “Ah, facets are the medium through which we sapient races gain brilliance and magic, progressing ourselves to the best we can be. Well, that’s what I’d like to believe. Most people simply use them like tools for power. And powers are the most common form of, well, power. I, for example, have a power that lets me conjure a sword.” He held out his hand, palm upward. Cloth ribbons came from his skin, all sorts of different colors, and bound themselves in the shape of a sword, knots every few inches or so along where a blade would be. Crystals developed around the knots, turning the weapon from a cloth mimic to an innovative design on a sword. Enoch stared in awe as the sword sat in Ripley’s hand, unable to think about anything except how it might have been possible.

  Ripley waved his sword around, the whole thing acting like something between a ribbon and a whip, the crystal bits not behaving quite like they should have. “It's one of my better known powers. I like to keep most of them a secret, but this one isn’t really feasible to hide. To answer your question, this is a power. There are more, like spells, passives, presence powers, flight, and all sorts of wacky things.”

  Pulled from his reverie, Enoch looked at Ripley with distracted eyes, “Do I have powers too?”

  Ripley held up a hand, “Easy there. I’ll explain all you want later. Answer some of my questions first. What is earth, why are you here, and do you know who I am, by reputation?”

  “Well, earth is the planet I’m from, I have no clue why I’m here, and all I know about you is that you’re Ripley House, you own a big house, and you employ an odd butler. Oh! You’re also a studkin.”

  Ripley looked relieved. “Well, I don’t really have too many questions if you really don’t know why you’re here. Well, I have one. What’s your plan? As in, what is your goal now? Find a way home, maybe?”

  Enoch paused at that. Thoughtfully, he turned his eyes up and considered it. Did he want to go home? Well, yeah, obviously. “Yeah, I want to go home. I’ve not really got anything crazy going on there, but I have family and friends that I care about. Now that I think about it, my family is probably going to get scared when they find me missing. I don’t like the thought of that.”

  Ripley nodded, “Aye, that isn’t something I would wish on any parent. But crossing worlds, if that really is what you’ve done, isn’t something I’m familiar with at all, and, not to be a braggart, I’ve spoken with Diamonds. In my many conversations with high-grades, nothing about different worlds has ever come up. Finding a way back to your world might be difficult.”

  Enoch sighed. “Well, that’s just how it is, then…” Enoch had his mouth half-opened to ask for advice when the door opened, an entourage of serving staff entering the room, holding plates, bowls, and platters. Enoch stiffly waited as they all deposited the dishes with what could only be called a dancer’s grace, Coulter seeming to direct them from his position at the door. The servers all left in a line, Coulter bowing and stepping out behind them and closing the door.

  “Well,” Enoch said. “That was something. You have servants?”

  Ripley nodded, “Yes, that’s normal. I pay them well, if that is what you are concerned with.”

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  Enoch shook his head, “No, it just confuses me is all. The idea of serving someone else is pretty outdated where I’m from. The idea is just uncomfortable to me.”

  Ripley nodded, “Interesting. Well, I employ them at a fair wage, and they gain more than just money by serving me. While employees are the norm here, servants have their place. For example, most of my servants are fully faceted, but have reached their limit in terms of growth. I… well, suffice it to say they gain more benefits with the position of a servant rather than employee. Coulter, for example, is something between a servant and employee. I would never treat him like a servant, but he treats me as his master. It's a staple of the Pringleworth lineage, and it has served them all well.”

  “Eh, I guess that’s what happens when you visit a crazy new world. Anyways, I was about to ask, but where do I even start? I mean, I want to go home, and if what you said is true, then it might take a while to find my way back. Do I get a job? Am I even able to get magic powers? If I am, how will I be treated once I return to earth?”

  Ripley chuckled, “You’re thinking too far ahead.” He took a small bite of some egg-looking dish. Enoch tried the same thing, wary at first but quickly picking up the pace once he tasted the dish. It was like quail eggs with a deep, rich blend of spices. “You need to find a way home, so you need to find a thread related to world travel. How do you think you should approach that problem?”

  Enoch finished his first plate, considering. He didn’t know anything about the economy of this world, and money or goods was something all societies had in common, so a job of some sort was on the table in some fashion. He needed to get in touch with a wide variety of people, so maybe a contractor of sorts? “I think I should take a job as some form of contractor, probably for something that caters more toward influential people. Easier said than done, though. That’s got to be a small market.”

  Ripley grinned, the shiftiness on full display. “Good reasoning, but you got one thing wrong.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It isn’t a small market. In fact, it is one of the biggest markets in the entire world.” Ripley said, looking like he was enjoying himself.

  Enoch furrowed his brow, “It can’t be that easy. What are you talking about?”

  Ripley pulled something from inside his coat pocket. A badge was there, gold with a yellowish-orange gem studding the center of it. “I’m talking about state mercenary work, Mr. Aadland.”

  Enoch frowned, “I don’t mean to cast judgment too early here, but where I’m from, mercenaries have always been real pieces of work, generically. They do the dirty work that governments can’t do openly.”

  Ripley nodded, “Yeah, that sounds like a private mercenary. There’s a big difference between state and private mercenaries. PM’s, as we call them, work for individuals, and there isn’t much regulation on them. They have badges, like us state mercs, but there isn’t a screening process, a ranking system, or even a regulatory law regarding levels of work assignment.”

  “Why would anyone be a private mercenary then? It sounds like something only shady people with something to hide would do, if there isn’t any screening going on.” Enoch asked, curious.

  “Mm, well, the reason, Mr. Aadland–”

  “Just call me Enoch.”

  “Well, the reason, Enoch, is that PM’s make a substantially larger amount of money than state mercs, on average. Good state mercs will still out-earn a middle-of-the-pack private mercenary, though.”

  Enoch tilted his head to the side, “What do state mercenaries even do, though? Private wars? Bounty collection?”

  Ripley shook his head, sliding a platter of light pastries in front of him. He offered one to Enoch, “Bounties isn’t inaccurate. The state mercenary office has scouts who’s whole job is to find monsters and criminals. The office posts these, as well as some other matters in their office, and state mercs go in and pick some jobs. In return for completion, you get money and sometimes more exotic or esoteric rewards.”

  “Wait, monsters? Is Coulter a monster? That doesn’t seem right. Strange as he looks, he seems like a good fella.”

  Ripley frowned, “Coulter is a Pringleworth, one of the last remaining pure Animus Houses. They are famed and respected world-wide, so be careful how you talk about them in public. There is no shortage of fools who think that beating up someone who disrespects the Pringleworths will gain them favor. I know that you ask in ignorance, so this is just a friendly warning.”

  Enoch nodded, “Sorry. But I’m right, though?”

  “Yes. The Animus Houses are a highly guessed-about part of history. They aren’t monsters, I can assure you of that. Monsters are beings formed of pure brilliance and magic. They have false souls, which gives them form. It's complicated, but suffice it to say that they are a problem. Mercs like me take care of them. If you excel, it's a great way to meet many powerful and interesting people. That could help you out.”

  Enoch shook his head, “It sounds interesting, but I’m not really a fighter at heart. Any other suggestions?”

  Ripley nodded, “A few come to mind, but none are quite as good. You could become a scout, though that would take a fair bit of money to get facets and aspects suited to the work. The danger element wouldn’t be gone entirely, but it would be greatly diminished. You could also try and become a local bigshot’s assistant or something, though that avenue is almost more difficult than reaching diamond.”

  Enoch shook his head at the unfamiliar lingo, “Scout work… I don’t know. Still sketched out by it. This all leads me to a very important question: how long until I have to leave? I would like to be polite and leave as soon as possible, but I have no clue where I am, what I’m doing, and have not one cent to my name. I hope you understand why I want to stay here, around you, for as long as you’ll let me. I need to learn some things.”

  Ripley chuckled, finishing his pastry. “It depends. I’ll let you stay for a few more days, and I’ll teach you the basics when I have the time. After that, I’ll need something in return.”

  Enoch smiled, “Great, thanks. I don’t really know what I can do for you, but I’ll definitely be earnest. Thanks for breakfast, by the way.”

  “Certainly. Now, Coulter will take you back to the guest room. I’ll have some clothes sent for you, and you can chat with Coulter while I prepare some materials to help you out.” Ripley stood up and gestured for Enoch to do the same. “Coulter isn’t quite as adept a teacher as myself, but he certainly is knowledgeable. See what you can learn from him.” Ripley nodded and left through the door Enoch had come through. Coulter was silently standing there, looking at Enoch.

  “Please follow me, Mr. Aadland. I will take you to your temporary lodgings and fetch your clothes.” The otter bowed slightly, and Enoch did the same, feeling awkward being bowed at. Coulter ignored the awkward atmosphere and turned on his little otter paw, walking back towards the room Enoch had woken up in.

  Enoch was silent the way back. What did he need to know that would help him gain his bearings? What was used as money here, and what was its value? Enoch was making a list of important questions, and its first victim would be Coulter.

  “Here we are. The master has asked me to stay and answer your questions until the garments arrive. I await your queries.” Coulter said as he opened the door and stepped to the side of the doorframe, right outside the room.

  “Thanks.” Enoch said while going inside. “You can come in here and take a seat. I have a lot of questions, and it’ll probably take a while for the clothes to get here.”

  Coulter nodded, coming inside and taking a seat at one of the chairs. Enoch sat across from him. “Well, Coulter, I have a pretty lengthy list of questions. Let’s get started, huh? First up, what are facets and aspects? Ripley mentioned them a few times, and I know powers come from facets, but that still doesn’t answer what they are. Also, what are diamonds? He spoke of them like they were people.”

  “The master will show them to you when you meet him again. Preliminarily, though, facets are what determine the scope of one’s abilities. For example, a common combination is fire, water, earth, and cycle. The people in possession of these facets possess those respective powers, and if done right, they all have excellent synergy. And diamonds are gem-users who have reached diamond rank, the highest rank.”

  “What criteria are there for this ranking system? And what are the benefits?”

  Coulter chuckled, “The criteria are quite simple: reach diamond rank. There are six ranks, 4 tones in each rank. People who first gain their facets are Jet rank, 1st tone. After progressing in power, they would become a Jet rank, 2nd tone. After the 4th tone, they would jump to Garnet rank, 1st tone. This repeats up to Diamond rank, 4th tone.”

  “Wait, so it's more just a name for the different ranks of strength? How does that work? Strength isn’t exactly set and specifically rankable where I’m from.”

  “It's a matter of quality of brilliance. As your rank increases, so too does the quality of your gem. This comes with a slew of benefits: greater capacity, more strength, significant negation of lower-ranked damage, and increased lifespan. Some people–”

  “Did you say increased lifespan?” Enoch interrupted.

  Coulter nodded, “Yes. Jet humans live to about 100, if they don’t die to a monster or something. The increments by which lifespan increases are really only big after Topaz rank. Those people live upwards of a thousand years old. Then the Diamonds, they live forever. No lifespan.”

  Enoch leaned back in his chair, considering how that would work. “Wow… I know I’ve seen flying islands and honest-to-goodness magic today, but that has got to be the biggest doozy of a discovery yet. I mean, power isn’t a foreign concept to me, just fantastical. But immortality? I mean, that’s the kind of thing that drove men to madness, some even starting wars over rumors of it.”

  “Don’t feel so ignorant then, because it is much the same here, only it is not fantasy, but fact they fight for. So much blood has been spilled in the name of immortality… Well, that was long ago, and there are laws in place now that have properly powerful individuals to back them up. Small stuff still pops up, but that is simply the nature of man and life.”

  “You know, that brings up another question. How powerful is a Diamond rank person?”

  Coulter shrugged, “I have no clue. The most significant feat of power I’ve ever seen was performed by a Ruby ranker. He was in the midst of a fight with a Kraken, when a stray meteorite was about to crash nearby. What was about to be a significant test to the Orbital Defense Array turned into the Ruby’s fortune. He caught the meteor, swung it in a circle, then threw it at the Kraken. And since he had infused brilliance into the meteor, all the destructive power of the meteor was focused on the Kraken, rather than harming the planet. I’d imagine Diamonds can stomp hard enough to shake the world. Some fools say that is the cause of earthquakes, but that is pure fiction.”

  Enoch turned an incredulous look on Coulter, “A meteor? He caught a whole meteor? And used it?”

  “Yes. It was quite something.”

  Enoch scoffed, “Quite something? Man, that defies both common sense and what should be allowed by physics. I have so many questions.”

  Coulter sighed, Enoch sensing the personability of the otter coming through as they began to know each other more. “Yes, well, I’ve been tasked with answering them all. Ask away.”