nona

[nos_servabit]

[Being here in Vatheon is a whole lot different than being at home, for Jacob.]

[Not because of the change of scene or anything, or the various sorts of people here who he would have never known if he had never been taken here from the island. It's because, back home, he knew what sort of things were going to happen. The future was already laid out for him like a giant loom, and all he had to do was tie threads together and pull them around to ensure that it would never be unchanged.]

[But here, the future is dark and murky, and even though most of his powers have not gone away, he can't help but feel a little bit of concern that something will happen that he won't be able to predict. Even recently, there had been a bad feeling in his gut that he can't quite get rid of, an itch on the back of his mind. Something bad will occur.]

[When he finally turns the camera on, he doesn't quite meet the camera with his eyes, choosing to say something softly under his breath:]

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes...

[And then he shakes his head and smiles as he looks up, looking completely calm as he always is.]

You know, I've always wondered about the origins of superstitions. How, exactly, did people believe that salt could get rid of evil spirits, or how did black cats become symbols of bad luck? Somebody somewhere must have connected some dots, and said "Oh, opening that umbrella inside a building made me have a horrible day" or something similar, and then proceeded not to do it again for the rest of their lives.

But, of course, the most important question here is- are they really true? Can breaking a mirror give you seven years of bad luck? It depends on the person, really...believing in superstitions is kind of like religion, oddly. Some don't believe in it at all, and some believe in some, but not others. For example, in China, hospitals don't have a 4th floor, as the word for 4 rhymes with "death" in Chinese. Every culture has their list of superstitions and omens,and they can really reveal much about a group of people.

[And a pause as he tilts his head.] So...I know that everyone comes from their own individual worlds here, so here is a question for you: what are some common superstitions or omens that you know of from where you come from? Even if you come from Earth, like me, it'll still be interesting to hear what you have to say.

[Jacob smiles, though his overall expression is still a bit troubled, and turns off the camera. He'd have to wait and see whether his bad feeling would pan out at all. He sincerely hoped it wouldn't.]

[ooc: Once again, if you haven't done so yet, please fill out Jacob's permission post if you can about what he can know about your character thanks to his omniscience powers and what not. Thank you!]

Comments

voice;

[aim_exorable]

Alternia has a variety of superstitions and myths. It is a very old planet even by my time, and has only gotten older by the time of the children.

However, one of the most noticeable is the connection said to exist between a troll and their descendent.

video

[nos_servabit]

Old planets tend to have old traditions and stories and myths passed down from age to age...and it looks like yours is no different.

Oh? And what is that connection, if you don't mind me asking?

video

[aim_exorable]

Well, the ancestor of a troll is said to be the only other troll with a genetic match closest to them. Ancestor and descendent are said to have their fates tied closely together. The descendent is to look for clues to learn the identity of their ancestor, and in turn, the ancestor is to influence their life somehow even when deceased.

For example, they may guide them in ways, or the descendent will finish the business of the ancestor such as in cases of revenge. For others, it is righting the wrongs the ancestor did. Sometimes, it may not always be obvious, but the descendent may still find themselves going down the path of the ancestor even before they learn of them.

Highbloods tend to put more stock in it then lowbloods.

Video

[not_heavens_adam]

I never put much stock in the black cat one, myself. And I've never, really, understood the salt one, either. It doesn't work.

Are you superstitious, Jacob?

Video

[nos_servabit]

True, but you have to wonder why people felt that way about those things and believed that such a humble mineral as salt could ward evil.

[A mysterious sort of smile.] I don't need to be.

video;

[keepsthefire]

That number one... four? It's the same in Japan, 'cause the word is the same as "death". Nine, too, but I can't remember why.

video

[nos_servabit]

Nine is pronounced "ku" which could also mean "suffering" if misinterpreted.

It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Why numbers are so important to human life and why they take precaution to never use the wrong ones.

video;

[soulsearcher]

It's the same in the Japan I come from. None of the hospitals have a fourth floor, for fear that those put their might die even before their time, because the two words rhyme with one another.

video;

[nos_servabit]

Exactly.

But why make the two words so similar to another in the first place? The original users of the language must have had some reason for doing it- I don't think it's just coincidence.

[evilisfabulous]

Only one story really comes to mind. It's rather unique to my kind. It is said that if one can gather the essence of the gratitude that humans feel when they are helped by another, a demon can become human.

*Ghirahim just chuckles at this* It's a ridiculous fairy tale, nothing more.

[nos_servabit]

Fairy tales have their own basis in fact, you know, even if the elements might seem a bit too unbelievable to be true.

I suppose you have never encountered this in real life, then?

[crackpotcrocker]

^{Black cats, spilling salt, stepping on cracks,} WALKING UNDER LADDERS! And all of that is true I say! TRUE!

... Or at least it is where I come from.

Can't say I've heard of the number 'four' but I have heard of the number thirteen.

[nos_servabit]

True? Ah, so you are a superstitious man. And why do you think it's true where you come from? What's your proof?

Yes, thirteen is another very unlucky number. Probably because even in math, it's a bit strange...

Video

[negativecapability]

I think there are simple rules of thumb that are far more important than superstitions that should be considered for any given situation before needing to bring the supernatural into it.

[Like don't piss off crime bosses, but that had been something Raf had finally finished serving the consequences of ignoring.]

Video

[nos_servabit]

But why have the supernatural in the first place? If society has moved past that, then why do people still believe in things like angels and evil spirits and ghosts?

It seems strange, that we would hold onto such old beliefs when the world has moved so far past that...

video;

[fulmination]

When I was a child one of my tutors would scare away the birds that would land on the windowsill. She told me that if they tapped or flew into the window, it was an omen of death. Another one was that if you tripped on your left foot it was considered good luck.

Unfortunately I can't remember all of them.

video;

[nos_servabit]

Those are interesting superstitions, though birds seem to run into window every day, and nothing bad ever occurs because of it. Or does it?

Nobody is expected to remember all of them. The one who does puts more focus on them than anyone will ever do.

voice;

[xthecorvus]

[ And here, have a perfectly innocently inquisitive voice. ]
I do wonder... have you heard of the true meanings of superstitions being lost in the passage of time?

video;

[nos_servabit]

I have.

Sometimes, the real stories behind some superstitions get lost due to it not being passed down properly or them being changed to fit the general appeal of the society at the time.

Video

[flyingdreams]

I'll believe that cats are bad luck, but do humans really believe in all that fuddle?

Video

[nos_servabit]

Oh, some are very superstitious to the point where they most things as denoting a bad omen. Some only follow a few, and some, none at all.

It really depends on the person, I believe.

[sorcery_fledgling]

I've heard of a couple of those. The mirrors and the umbrella ones, anyway.

There's a place called Winhill that doesn't trust outsiders, although I don't know if it's a superstition or just general distrust.

[nos_servabit]

They seem to be very popular, even between worlds.

Hmmm. Could be one or the other- perhaps there are explanations about why that place is so?

Video; Hope you don't mind a very late tag, whoops.

[bhag]

Superstitions? The place I come from believes in the regular stuff, I guess. You know, black cats being bad luck, Friday the thirteenth being bad, step on a crack break your mother's back. If only... That sorta stuff.

It's all complete fake though. You gotta be crazy to believe in it.

Video; You are never late! :3

[nos_servabit]

Oh, those are the regular ones told to children where I come from too, yes.

Do you really think so? Why do you think it's "crazy", then. Because there is no proof?