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

[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?

[Voice.]

[shakespearealien]

"The Little Prince", by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I recommend you read it, if you are unfamiliar with it.

[His tone here is halfway between kindly serviceable and "how come you didn't already know this?". After all, there's always the possibility that this person may not be an earthling, either.]

I believe I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Gorthan, and I am a scientist. As you may have guessed, the stars are my original home.

[While he does not usually tell strangers about his original self, this is vague enough to be acceptable.]

[Video]

[leaveyourstarburning]

There are many reasons you may have said what you did - so that wasn't my first guess, no, but thank you for clarifying.

[Again, his tone is actually completely sincere despite the blunt wording everywhere.]

My name is Zulf; it's a pleasure to meet you, Gorthan.

[Video.]

[shakespearealien]

[His emotional moment from earlier gone, Gorthan switches to Video. He's sitting at his desk, with Beheeyem standing next to his chair and peering into the Video feed with curious glowing green eyes.]

Likewise. Ah... that is a very healthy specimen of Chinchou you seem to have there. How were you able to obtain it?

[He seems very intrigued by it, as he normally is by water fauna.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf is just going to be mirroring Beheeyem's curiosity, if you don't mind; that really is fascinating -

The lights from that Chinchou bounce a little when she's mentioned, however, and she can be seen leaning up as though to get a look at the feed; someone's talking about her, she wants to see.]

It's the Pokémon I was given when I arrived; she's been very good so far.

[There's genuine fondness in his voice as he speaks, a soft smile crossing his features.]

[shakespearealien]

How wonderful. Do you think she, too, can see the stars?

[While the question is asked in a rather casual tone, Gorthan seems suddenly troubled by his own words as soon as he says them.]

For the sight of the night sky to be denied to certain creatures... Even I cannot imagine what it must be like to be deprived of something so inspiring.

Ah, even right now, I am envious that you can freely look at the stars and bathe in their primal light, while I cannot, in the center of Goldenrod City.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf glances down at Squirt there for a moment; you realize that as soon as this conversation is over, he's going to be trying to figure out if she can see the stars or not, right...

However, for now he just kind of tips his head a bit at that.]

Goldenrod City - I've heard much about that place; how do you like it, personally?

[shakespearealien]

It's where I work, and one can see the sea from here. This city has given me a taste for pausing to simply watch the world go by. Moreover, not having to travel for specific purchasing needs is rather convenient.

I simply wish I had the time to see more of this strange world. How much have you seen of it so far?

[His question is laden with curiosity; he feels he's gone too long without a good story.]

[leaveyourstarburning]

I haven't seen much of it myself; I just arrived a couple of weeks ago.

[Zulf, unfortunately, has never been much of a storyteller.]

Those I've met so far have been kind; travelling large distances is something I've done before, so I'm not worried. It's been nice.

[shakespearealien]

[Then Gorthan will just have to make Zulf into one. He slowly nods at Zulf's few words, though he knows there is so much more he could potentially share.]

What are the towns you've seen so far? What sight has impressed you the most? Have you found something that reminds you of your world of origin?

[leaveyourstarburning]

...ah.

[...just...have some staring into the camera, you, that was a lot of questions.]

Which would you want me to answer first?

[shakespearealien]

Whichever you like best. I am in no particular hurry. Are you?

[leaveyourstarburning]

Not really.

However, I would prefer that we not discuss my home world any more than is completely necessary. That's a personal choice that I don't owe you an explanation for; I ask that you respect it. Is that acceptable?

[shakespearealien]

Ah, but surely you can discuss this one? That was the main focus of my questions.

I understand why you would make such a request, and I am more than willing to comply. In fact, I wonder if I should make a similar request of you, concerning my own home world... It would make us even, at the very least.

That said, allow me to say that I find the straightforwardness of your manners to be something fresh, rare and beautiful.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[...o-oh. Well, then.

Zulf has never really known what to do with compliments; it isn't as though he's never received them, but he's always been a bit awkward in terms of knowing what to say to them.]

...thank you. I just find that communication is easiest when both parties say exactly what they mean. If you would like to make that request, then I don't see why you shouldn't; there are many reasons why that request might be made, and I'll respect your decision either way.

That said, though - this world is very similar to my own in some ways, completely different in others. Travelling large distances across wild territory is something that these places have in common, as are the creatures attacking if you wander into the tall grass.

[shakespearealien]

Of course it is easiest in that scenario. What you should ask yourself, however, is whether communication is meant to be easy.

[For a moment, his tone is mildly teasing.]

Why, I believe you just shared something about your world of origin regardless.

And have you witnessed anything so far that you found particularly memorable?

[leaveyourstarburning]

It was only right to answer, as that much isn't anything overly personal, and you asked that before I requested that you not ask anything else. I haven't really seen much else that's particularly memorable, though.

And as for whether communication is meant to be easy, I don't see why it shouldn't be. If it isn't, it defeats the purpose of communication in the first place.

[shakespearealien]

[An amused smile.]

Why, are you truly that fair? That is another rare quality.

And, exactly. It is meant to be easy. Which is why finding ways to hamper and complicate it is such an important part of each of our lives. There is no conflict, drama or even fun in simplicity... No stories begin until the natural and spontaneous order of things is upset.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Zulf is quiet for a moment; that explains a lot, actually.]

An interesting way of putting it, though I'm not here to be your personal entertainment. My experiences aren't confined only to stories and fiction, and I'll thank you to not treat them as such.

[shakespearealien]

[At that, Gorthan blinks at the feed for a moment, as if snapping out of... something.]

... Of course. I was implying no such thing. And if that is what my words led you to understand, you have my sincere apologies.

... Ah, and I do believe this was another example of your direct words making things easier. Truly admirable.

[leaveyourstarburning]

[He nods a bit at the apology; he doesn't seem truly bothered by the implication in the first place - it's simply a point to be made.

The second part of that, however...]

Oh? Might I ask how?

[shakespearealien]

Well, I certainly would not have had a chance to offer an apology, had you not immediately specified what you did not like about what I had said. Wouldn't you agree?

[leaveyourstarburning]

Yes, but I would consider that more common decency than something that could be considered admirable.

[WHAT...ARE THE PEOPLE HERE...

no seriously all of you act as though you've never experienced basic decency in your lives

i am an ura and what is this]

[shakespearealien]

Even something as simple as that is not to be taken for granted, Zulf. There are countless stories about unspoken words breeding nothing less than tragedy...