~Magus' Laboratory, Hierlan, Planet Carass, Sigma Universe~
Magus stared at the unexpected guest for a moment. The individual stood awkwardly looking at him and around the room. His dwarven eyes seem to light up when noticing the books and scrolls on the shelves around the room. This uninvited guest must not have been in his office for very long.
"Who are you? Do you need something? And HOW did you get into my office?"
Question after question flooded Magus's mind. Who was this random dwarf most importantly and what was he doing here?
The Librarian looked around once more, fiddling with his hands, "Um, you submitted a request to have yer research looked at?"
"Yes. Yes, I did, to the Central Imperial Mages Academy. I believe I have created a portal to a new part of the world. Or another world. I can't be sure. Which is why I sent the inquiry."
"Ah, yes, well. We have received yer inquiry, and I was dispatched on yer behalf. A representative from the King of Hierlan brought me here when we arrived. Where is this portal? Have ye made contact yet?"
So many questions awaited from both with neither wanting to wait for the answers. Magus took a deep breath. He watched the dwarf continue to fiddle with his fingers. His red hair was exceptionally untidy even by comparison to the humans he had met so far here in Hierlan. The robes he wore were of superb quality though.
"The portal will open for me in the laboratory downstairs. I still have not deduced where the portal opens to. It is very much similar to my homeland, but the creatures and technology are vastly different. I have not ventured into their city yet either. I don't know what language the creatures there speak. Hence why I asked for the Academy to send someone who could identify the destination and verify the stability of my portal."
"Yes yes yes. I am aware of the details. I would very much like to see this portal. Did you need anything in particular to visit? Any amulets, enchantments, the like," the Librarian asked quickly. He could barely contain his excitement.
Magus pinched the bridge of his nose, "no, there are no special gear required beyond that to keep you warm once through."
"Yes yes, that sounds great. Er, what gear is it to which yer referrin to?"
"Regular cold weather clothing basically"
"Ok... uh... ah! Ok, one moment one moment. I got it! Calidum vestimenta mea!"
As the finished the incantation, a flame appeared on the shoulder of his robes, attempting to grab his beard hungrily. The Librarian gasped and quickly patted it out. He gave a sheepish grin and mumbled more words nervously. His clothes shimmered momentarily and shifted into a fur lined coat and pants. His boots changed from dark brown to light, gaining their own fur collars. Magus shook his head at the bumbling and waste of energy. It would have been simpler to just go and change outfits. Had the dwarf not brought his own wardrobe?
Magus waited for the dwarf to finish fidgeting with his new clothes before speaking once more, "if you are quite finished with this little swap, we can move to my laboratory so that I might show you the portal."
"That'd be magnificent. I'm very much lookin forward to seein it. You, uh, may, lead the way."
Magus opened the door back up and gestured for the Librarian to exit first. Shutting the door, he didn't bother locking it. What was the point if the locals would just unlock it for anyone that waved a scroll in their face? He overtook his guest and upon reaching the end of the hall, descended the staircase. Down in the laboratory, Magus began explaining the steps he had followed. Had he realized how quickly time had progressed and that he would have an observer here this quickly, he would have copied his notes for the Librarian to go over before getting to this point. Now, he had to spend more time explaining the intricacies more thoroughly before moving to the actual demonstration.
He finally finished the basics and, hoping that this would suffice for now, asked the Librarian if there was anything else he needed at the moment, "do you understand what I was explaining? I can go into further details if you need. If not, I can demonstrate the steps to summon this particular portal."
"Erm, no. I mean yes, I understood. Please do, I would very much like to see yer portal now."
Magus nodded and began his incantation. As his arms moved in circular patterns. His wording and movements more refined with each performance. Slowly an opening spun into view and gradually grew to a size big enough for them to see the terrain beyond clearly. Flakes of snow drifted through the opening and fluttered around the room before melting.
"I was able to cool the portal itself down by adding a small line regarding frost, so that the snow could come through. But as you can see, there is the other land. Not much to see beyond snow and mountains at this spot though."
The Librarian moved closer to the portal. He raised his hand as if to touch the swirling clouds framing the image. He could feel cool air emanating from it with a small wind blowing from the image in the middle. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His nose nearly touching the image.
"And ye said this allows ye to travel to this land," he asked.
"Yes," Magus smiled, "if I enlarge it thusly, we may travel there."
With that, he spoke again and resumed moving his arms. The portal jumped in size so much that it nearly touched the stones that made up the laboratory before returning to one just large enough for the pair to pass through.
"After you mister observer."
He could see the Librarian physically shaking with excitement. The tall dwarf nearly jumped through the portal. Magus closed his eyes and passed through himself.
~Unknown Frozen Planet, Beta Universe~
Landing on one knee, he opened his eyes. The dwarf lay face down struggling to stand. Magus was unsure if the Librarian had landed that way or dove into the snow upon arrival. He pulled the Librarian out of the snow. The Librarian spit and sputtered, his facial hair resembling a pure white hornets nest.
"And this, my good dwarf, is the location I mentioned. I have travelled quite extensively across the lands of my birth and those nearby. Never before have I seen the things I have seen here."
As the dwarf looked towards him with a scowl across his red face, Magus had to take a step back. The very grumpy observer looked... different. The eyes. That is what was different. The left now reflected the landscape in green while the right burned in anger. The colors had switched. Or had the whole eyes swapped locations?
"Where in the bloody 'ell are we ya pointy eared freak?! And why is it so bloomin cold!"
Even the dwarf's stance had change. The way he carried himself was less refined and more uncultured. His anxious fidgeting had also stopped, his fists balled up on his hips.
"Has the cold struck you so harshly? I did explain that it was cold here did I not," he asked in a state of confusion.
"Ye didn't tell me a damned bloody thing! Why the five 'ells are we here eh?"
"My good dwarf, have you struck your head against a stone amongst the flakes? You are here to observe my portal and help me determine the-"
"Bah! I don't feel like wanderin around the bloody snow. 's obvious we're in the ball shrinkin north. The wet white not give ye a clue on that?"
Magus rested his right hand on his cheek, touching the elbow with his left. This was most curious. His eyes had changed, he stood straighter with almost a sailor's swagger, and his speech had become crude. Perhaps he had truthfully struck his thick skull on a particularly effective hidden rock.
"Mister Observer... do you recall arriving in my office," he inquired.
"In what bloody office? If'n ye don't start makin sense elfboy, I'm gonna find this imaginary rock a yers and crack it on yer head! And I ain't observin squat but a confounded bloody elf."
"You... are an observer from the Academy correct?"
"If I hafta tell ye again that I ain't observer boy..." he shuddered angrily, "I ain't gonna be needin a rock to crack yer bloody skull!"
"Ah, well then. With what name shall I refer to you with?"
"Now that's a sensible damned question if'n I e'er heard one," he stuck his hand out for Magus to shake, "name's Feindal my boy. Pleasure to be meetin yer odd self."