002. Video/Action for outside of Azalea Town

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Darkness has fallen over Johto when Zulf's feed flickers on; it isn't too late, but the sun has more than set. The location itself seems to be a secluded one, surrounded by trees shielding it from any signs of civilization, if there are even any cities around to begin with.

However, the camera is focused on a light source - a vast array of twinkling lights, more than can be counted, that seem to be coming from a great distance away. Those that are a bit more astronomically-inclined may recognize several of the major constellations; wherever he is, the view of the sky is beautiful, untainted by artificial light or other pollution.

He films it for a little while before the night sky vanishes, all those little pinpricks of light melding together in a blur as he turns the camera back toward himself. Despite all the darkness, he's actually visible on the feed; Squirt seems to have contented herself sitting in his lap, the soft glow from her antennae flickering up and illuminating his features.

He's smiling a little, though the expression isn't exactly joyful; like last time, the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes, though it's in a way that's more melancholy rather than untrustworthy.]

I've heard that the night sky makes some feel insignificant - something to do with how vast it is, and how completely untouchable it seems. But I've always found that comforting - that no matter what we do or how many mistakes we make, the stars will always be a constant.

[That smile shifts into something warmer, decidedly more genuine. It's...odd, given the subject he's talking about; whatever he's thinking of, it probably isn't supposed to be something that one reflects on fondly, but it seems to please him in some way.]

In some ways, a little insignificance is a good thing, I think - it breeds humility, rather than arrogance; it allows for stability, rather than the uncertainty of complete responsibility. The knowledge that there's always something that you can never touch, that can never be harmed or destroyed or affected by anything you do...it's good knowledge to have.

Enough of that, though...it's a beautiful night. I'm outside of Azalea Town - there's a well surrounded by a stand of trees. Should you want someone to talk to, I'll be here for a while.

[...his social skills are flawless, I am telling you...]

Comments

[video]

[wormed]

[[Did someone say awesome social skills? Kariya is having a restless night, struggling to sleep; even in his soft bed at the Azalea Inn. His injuries from his escapade with the Scolipede herd are bothering him, even though they're no more serious than bruises and scrapes.

When he hears Zulf's voice on the feed, he too looks out at the sky. It really is quite the beautiful night.]]

....you certainly have a way with words.

[[.....no really, the most awesome]]

It's beautiful.

[video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Oh - he remembers you quite well, really, though it's fairly clear that he still doesn't know how to take a compliment.]

...thank you, Kariya.

[Despite the mild hesitation, it's plain from his tone that he's pleased with it, regardless; the gratitude is genuine, as is his next question.]

Have you been keeping well?

[video]

[wormed]

I've been well.

[[No need to bring up that mess with the Scolipedes.]]

You're near Azalea Town, then?

[video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...oh, Kariya...

Zulf tips his head a bit at the question, however, petting Squirt's head as he does so; the light from those antennae bounces a bit, doing odd things to the shadows.]

I am, yes - just to the east. Are you nearby?

[video]

[wormed]

...I'm currently in town.

[[Kariya is already dressed; he'd gone to bed in his regular clothes, more out of exhaustion than anything else. Sleep was being so difficult, lately, and the nightmares weren't helping.

Nothing could drive him to do such things to Aoi, so why were the dreams constantly haunting him? He shuddered.]]

I don't suppose you'd mind company?

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

You actually believe that garbage?

[He’s chuckling. It’s amusing that people actually buy into beliefs like that. Idiotic, but amusing nonetheless.]

Nothing is out of reach, and you can affect anything you want, sssso long as you don’t buy into nonsense like that!

[Video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He isn't too fazed by that, though he is looking at the 'Gear rather curiously now; that was...bizarrely positive, but he's had enough run-ins with hubris to know better than to just let it go.]

Most accept that there are limits to what they can do; usually they strive to aim higher than they believe they can reach, but it's not common to find those who truly believe they can do anything.

Pure optimism like that is rare. You must be striving toward great things.

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Well, most people are idiots! Especially the people here!

[He can’t be too positive. It’d probably rip open a hole in the space time continuum or something.]

And yesss, I am striving towards great things! The greatest thing! I’m going to rule the world!

[Video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[That shouldn't have surprised him. It really shouldn't have. However, Zulf is beginning to suspect that his body may not, in fact, be ready.]

And might I ask what's driven you to follow this goal of yours - what do you plan on doing with the world once you have it?

[...don't let him say "rule it." Please don't let him say "rule it."]

[video]

[majorleague]

[Scout actually bothers to listen to all Zulf has to say, but he doesn't really understand a good portion of it.

Once Zulf finishes talking, Scout waits a few seconds, then speaks:]

You sound like ya need a chick in yer life or somethin'. I mean, ya sound lonely.

[video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...oh orz]

Do you think so?

[The question is out of his mouth before he can really stop it; what in the world does he even do with this...]

[video]

[majorleague]

I mean I ain't a shrink or anythin' but the way you talk, y'sound a little sad.

Maybe you need t'just get a boobie mag or somethin'. I used'ta have some but I lost 'em all when I showed up here, 'else I'd give ya one.

[video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Oh. Oh goodness.]

I...a what?

[Voice.]

[shakespearealien]

[If Gorthan had gone for Video, it would be plain to see that those words about the starts have affected him in some way. But he's fully aware of the wet gleam in his eyes right now, and it is not something he feels inclined to share at this moment.]

I wish I could agree with you. Especially about seeing stars and space as something that my actions cannot alter or destroy.

[As much as he tries to mask it behind a gruff tone, his voice is laden with sorrow and regret.]

[Video.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf doesn't quite understand; things dealing with the stars and the universe, their creation and destruction, are primarily considered the realm of the gods - the idea that one would assume his reach extends so far is bizarre to him, unheard of.

He isn't judging at this point; the look on his face is a purely curious one.]

Might I ask what you mean by that?

[Voice.]

[shakespearealien]

[A small, frustrated sigh.]

Never mind. I do not believe you would understand.

[... At the same time, he feels he would be too rude if he left it at that.]

The fascination with the night sky that you speak of... I understand its poetry, and the philosophical implications embedded within it. I, too, am often an easy prey to it... but I simply cannot look at the stars with the same innocence as you. And yet, far be it from me to ruin your enjoyment of them with my stories.

[There's a pause, after which his tone changes into something strange. Slow and poignant, and generally very sad. At times, there are attempts to insert a light playfulness to the quote, which would perhaps be fitting - but none of them go very well.]

"When you look up at the sky at night, since I'll be living on one of them, since I'll be laughing on one of them, for you it'll be as if all the stars are laughing. You'll have stars that can laugh! ... And when you're consoled, you'll be glad you've known me."

[Video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf is quiet for a moment, though the intensity of his expression is more than enough to imply that he's listening; he pets his Chinchou's head for a moment in quiet thought, the lights from those antennae bouncing gently in the darkness as he does so.]

I'm not as innocent as you think.

[The statement is soft, but untempered by tact; starkly blunt, but there's no cruelty behind it.]

That is a lovely quote, however. Might I ask where it comes from?

[VIDEO]

[determinator]

[Oh Zulf...]

That's an interesting thought.

[He's really not sure what else to say on the subject; he doesn't like feeling insignificant, obviously.]

How are you tonight? Have you been training? It's good to see you've reached Azalea Town.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Ah, hello again; Zulf can't say that he's displeased to see you on the 'Gear, there. He responds easily; he's been curious as to how you fared after those missing three days, after all.]

I find myself doing well, although I wouldn't say I reached it as much as I just woke up here.

...thank you for asking, though. Frank, wasn't it?

[determinator]

...Ah, yes. That seems to have happened to quite a few of us.

[He doesn't elaborate any more on that, though - instead he has something else to deal with.]

[...Who the hell calls him "Frank" anyway?]

Archer. If you please.

[orz tho]

[leaveyourstarburning]

...Archer, then. My apologies.

[... orz]

Have you been well?

voice

[licentious]

Well, I suppose it puts those in their place that deserve it. But, I wonder why you think the stars can't be harmed. What good are stars that dot the sky if no one would be able to enjoy them? If they have no true impact on our lives, what makes them so significant anyways? Many things are constant, even in our world, but that doesn't mean they're significant or interfere with us totally.

[ Lust refuses to be called insignificant. She's killed way too many people to be on the insignificant side. She's single-handedly razed towns!!! This type of villainy isn't shoplifting! ]

[video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...those were a lot of thoughts, madam.

Zulf takes a moment to process them all, though he doesn't seem displeased or bothered by anything she's saying; just contemplative.]

While I see your point, I never said that they were necessarily significant, either; that's a matter of personal choice. That's how it is with all things - for example, where some see deities, other see a chance to profit and gain benefit for themselves.

[...he has no idea. orz]

Of course, you don't need to be able to harm things to enjoy them, but I'm pretty sure that goes without saying...?

[video]

[licentious]

[ Lust just keeps one hell of a poker face as Zulf processes his thoughts to her. ]

Implying that they were something that you were glad for and a constant seemed to make the stars to be significant. Insignificant is a comparison word. There's something that has to be significant to make something else meaningless.

[ Lust sees that you take great enjoyment of the stars. AND SHE JUST CAN'T HAVE THAT!! No enjoying stuff here!!! ]

Did I imply that? [ She sounds serious there. She didn't mean to imply that she only gets enjoyment from shanking things.

However true that may be. ]

[video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He shakes his head a bit.]

As true as that may be, again, it's a personal choice. What's significant to be might not be such to you.

And you may have - it's possible that I misunderstood. But you mentioned wondering why I think they can't be harmed, immediately followed by questioning what good they are if they can't be enjoyed.