"Hmm. There is a lot of science machines here," Nitocris said.

"...and very advanced ones," said Hermione, browsing the displays.  "There's SO MUCH I can do here!"

Nitocris tried to figure out what any of it was.

Int, Investigation or Technology, plz

(OOC: Investigation roll - Nitocris rolled 23 using 1d20+8)

All right, some of this made sense.  There were people mixing and boiling and extracting various fluids and solids, clearly some variety of alchemical practice.  She'd seen people doing things with computers before, more of that was happening, although she couldn't quite tell what it was.  And some of it was obviously just building things, fastening bits of things to other things, attaching wires here and there.  So while the details were mysterious, none of it was completely outside her understanding.

"Ah! I know what some of these things are! These vials and liquids are for that modern alchemy!" Nitocris said.

"That's right," said Hermione, pleased.  "We've learned a lot since your time about it, but some of the same processes are still in use to this day."

"I can only imagine, but it seems no one's found immortality or turn base metals to gold." Nitocris said.

"Actually, they have done the second one," said Hermione.  "The problem is that the process costs more than the value of the gold that you get."

Nitocris chuckled.

"Of course it turned out like that," she said, shaking her head.

"It was always going to," said Hermione.  "If gold is too easy to make, it stops being precious, and then it will always wind up to not be worth the cost, beyond what uses we have for gold in electronics-- and we have plenty of gold for that...

"Immortality is still a dream, though.  And maybe it's just as well.  I'm not sure we could handle it."

"I'm sure some of us could," Nitocris said.

"Well, possibly," Hermione conceded.  "But if it was widespread, it would certainly cause problems."

"I suppose. Given how all monarchies are gone, there is no real way to ensure it's used wisely," Nitocris said.

"I don't know that I would have trusted all monarchs with it, either," Hermione said.  "Regardless of your reign, surely you can name others who would have been unfortunate choices..."

"Hmm. You are right there," Nitocris said.

"People being jerks basically ruins everything, yeah," said Toxie.  "Never thought about making gold that way, before... I guess it makes sense."

"What good is alchemy without the end goal?" Nitocris asked.

"The same good it's always been," said Hermione.  "Making medicines, new processes for making metals, new way to make other new things.  It's very versatile."

"Ah, I see. This class will be very difficult, I imagine," Nitocris said.

"Well, if you have any science classes, I'd be willing to help you study," said Hermione.  "I mean, it's only fair."

"It was easier when all I had to study was some politics, history and magic," Nitocris said.

"I don't think you're going to be asked to study more than very basic introductory science," said Hermione.  "You do get a couple of choices for classes."

"I will have to consider this," Nitocris said.