For what effect? If you require notes I encourage you to take them yourself. I am willing to relay the information to you at a later time but we will be more effective if we work in concert.
[THIS CONVERSATION HAS NOT EVEN LASTED 15 MINUTES AND HE IS SO TIRED]
Jesus. [Travis rubs his temples, squeezing his eyes shut and stupidly flapping his hand, as if to brush the previous line of conversation away.] Okay, I'm gonna just take two steps back. Let me start over.
Yes, someone out there definitely knows too much about me. Maybe it's the same entity who knew too much about you-- and the Enterprise-- and put your life on my world's airwaves all those years ago. I couldn't say, but it's definitely weird, and even weirder that we both showed up on this planet.
However, it would be more expeditious if you would simply confirm my assessment rather than reiterate it. [ I just said all of this, okay, in much more confusing and unhelpful and patronizing language, how was I not clear. ]
I agree with your conclusion that this world may have some level of involvement in our respective situations. It appears to be a nexus of some kind, and any entity with access to such a point of connection would logically then be able to travel through its connected branches to your universe or to mine.
[He's not gonna risk having to bust out the thesaurus for an argument. NOT WORTH IT.]
Didn't they mention when we arrived that this has happened before? Like, before our cohort of new folks? Not sure where these come in [here, he flashes the coin-sized red gem on the back of his hand] but maybe they've been jumping world to world for a while?
The most likely options are that they are necessitated by this form of reality itself and thus our introduction into the universe was mitigated by their addition, or indeed that they were purposefully placed by the same entity which we have discussed. If the latter, we may assume the creature originates from this place.
Why else would it seek to benefit it by outfitting us with the means to stabilize this world?
[ He turns his own hand, a perfect emerald gem located in nearly the exact same place as Travis's. Besties for life. ]
[All this cosmic shit is far, FAR beyond him, but Spock's theories-- once the Vulcan-to-idiot translator kicks in, at least-- do make a degree of sense. Or enough that Travis won't argue about it. He nods in knowing agreement.]
That makes sense to me. My money's on some god we haven't seen directly yet, I doubt Malachite has it in 'em when they're so new...
[hey, they're twinsies!!!]
Uh. I could eat. [Why the fuck not. This might as well happen.] You got anywhere in mind?
Though I do not take umbrage at the usage of the word "god", I believe it to be inaccurate in this case. Nevertheless, I see your logic in utilizing the local nomenclature and do, in fact, agree with you.
[ The longest and most painful agreement ever but we are progressing leaps and bounds past where we started, which can only be great. ]
As for food, I do not. I have eaten only once since our arrival here and the distance of that restaurant from our present location makes it an unattractive option. I merely presumed you would benefit from continuing our conversation in a more natural setting. [ You look like you get enthusiastic about food in a way I do not understand. ]
Guess we'll have to just learn more once we meet more of whatever these 'gods' are.
[He's even starting to get the hang of parsing Spock-speak! BESTIES FOR LIFE.]
Just once? Damn, you're missing out. [He is, of course, dead on. Not even Spock could stop him from getting excited about food.] There's some good places we could walk to from here-- I'll lead the way.
[ An eyebrow quirks, though this time not with an impenetrable air of judgement. ]
Indeed. [ RANK UP
But now this newfound respect is in potential jeopardy as Travis is choosing where they will be lunching. All that remains is for Spock to trust him to choose something healthy, ethically and recently sourced, and vegan. ]
There are neon lights shaped into chickens in the windows. A chicken decal on the door. They are selling chicken-themed merchandise behind the counter. It smells... of chicken.
They enter as he stares at the side of Travis's head, not looking away even as they're shown to a table with a chicken-themed light fixture. What a novelty. It is fascinating that the chicken has retained its title and place of importance even in this society, Spock thinks, adjusting the egg-shaped salt and pepper shakers. ]
Twice. [pause.] Actually, wait. That was another place, it's once. Whoops.
[He swears that there were slightly fewer chickens the last time he was here? Like, at least not the light fixtures? It's kitschy, to be sure, but just like Travis, you can't judge a book by its cover... or a chicken by its egg, or something. The man himself seems hardly fazed by their surroundings.]
Just trust me. It looks sorta stupid in here, but the food's not half bad.
[And by the grace of whatever-deity (maybe Malachite) there is actually a lonely "chik'n" option on the menu that isn't too bad. Though, of course, Travis hadn't considered that much directly.]
Now what were we talking about again?
what are you talking about this place sounds amazing
He's confused about how often he's been here? Here. How. ]
It appears to be an establishment which would cater well to your tastes. [ With all the myriad ways to take this, please choose the most flattering and kind of them. ]
We were discussing the gems and this world's motivation for not only outfitting us with them, but allowing us to use their power. That is, assuming that it is possible for us to receive them without becoming conduits. If there are– [ He leans back, cutting himself off when a kind waitress stops by to give them waters and ask if they'd like to start off with anything else. He can only shake his head. ]
Right? [Travis definitely takes the nicest interpretation, because he's too distracted by the waitress to take it poorly. The unfortunate gem woman, by the way, is in a chicken hat. Oh my god, Travis, what did you see in this place.
She leaves and he continues where Spock cut off.]
If there are, then why would they give us that kind of power at all? We could be, like, supercriminals or something, there's all sorts among us Gembonded.
We must prepare ourselves to accept that the morality of an advanced being does not necessarily align with our own. In fact, it may not exist. Is there any reason to be concerned with the personal compunctions of a collection of individuals when they are aiding in the achievement of your goals? Even among humans the answer is sometimes "no". Of course it could also differ when it comes to non-humanoids.
We return then to motivations. How would our using these powers benefit another being?
[HE'S GETTING BETTER!! He parsed like 70% of that!!! He hums in tacit agreement, nodding; he doesn't say it aloud, but he himself is one of the less-than-perfect candidates that the powers that be have chosen. He continues.]
Well, the story they gave us is that only we Gembonded can power their planet, or somethin' like that, by doing exactly what they want us to do: playing nice and getting all touchy-feely with each other and using those abilities. It makes Manna, and the planet needs that Manna, and we get to sow our wild oats. Sounds like a good deal... until you think about how much energy it must take to drag a few hundred people to this planet from across time and space.
The nice version's that it's a give and take. Personally, I'm kinda thinking it's more of a take on their part.
We are in agreement on that matter. Their motivations appear wholly self-serving and to ask for volunteers would be preferable to forcing our hands in such a way. However, you make an interesting point.
If they must await or create an interphase allowing us to be transported from one dimension to another, then doing the same just to send a message – and with no assurance that we might be able to answer – is equally burdensome. It is therefore in their best interest to bring us here by force, and in doing so to bring as many individuals from one place and at one time as possible.
It would explain why so many here hail from Earth. It would be less costly in terms of computation and sheer energy to take in large groups. [ Hm... enough so to make up for what they lose in the process? If they are here indefinitely... then yes, by necessity.
Interesting.
He leans back back in his seat, arms folding contemplatively. ]
And, if you go even deeper than that, why so many of those people come from either North America or Japan? Just reaching out and catching a bunch of hapless soon-to-be space adventure protagonists in one big ol' net.
Somewhat. [ But, because he believes in "most improved" awards: ] A keen observation, Mr. Touchdown.
I believe there is a point to be made about the commonality of geographic locations. How that relates to space adventure protagonists, I am less aware. [ Unless this is another Star Trek reference. Is it? How meta can we go. ]
And while I would encourage you to partake while we are here, I am unable to eat the flesh or products of animals.
Oh, I mean. You don't just get dropped into a place this unusual and have nothing happen to you, y'know? Weird stuff is definitely gonna start happening. Like some kind of adventure story. [Said Travis, 1 month before he fought undead lake monsters and got possessed by a plant parasite.]
Ah. Crap. They've got a... [the waitress is mercifully returning to check on them!] H-hey, you have something vegetarian here, right?
[She gives him a weary smile back-- why come to the chicken place when you can't even eat chicken, she's thinking, but the customer's always right-- and points out that single vegan "chicken" item on the menu. She doesn't look too excited about it, though.]
I see. So it is in reference to our own current situation here, a most colorful description.
[ But then Travis Touchdown is a colorful man. It adds up.
He looks up when his companion questions the waitress so thoughtfully on his behalf, almost finding himself wishing for a moment that he might be able to entertain said kindness. However, he is all too aware of the possible danger of processed sugar being involved in such faux items, a risk upon which he cannot yet elaborate because that reveal is in a future thread. ]
It seems also that they have salad ingredients, so perhaps I can order such items as singles. Miss– [ he intones politely enough, head lifting to make eye contact with her. ]
I wish to order a tomato and a collection of vegetable leaves. [ "... a whole tomato?" ] Indeed, and an apple in addition.
[ A pregnant pause follows before she offers to speak with her manager, quietly excusing herself with a less than impressed air. ]
... it would have been preferable if she had first also taken your order. Unfortunate.
[Travis stares blankly at Spock like he's an alien.
Well. He is an alien. But: he's staring nonetheless.]
A whole... [He shakes his head, as if literally shaking the questions he's about to ask off. Weirder things have probably happened here: he's done his share of food service work, after all. At least nobody's throwing sharp objects or the like.]
Hey, maybe it's for the better. We can always go somewhere else if you have, uh, dietary restrictions?
[Is he space-allergic to things? Is that how that works?]
There is no logical need to do so. We are here primarily to engage in discussion, not to eat. As I have potentially found a solution to a secondary problem, we should remain to see if it is valid. If it is not, we may still achieve our chief goal and I may satisfy my nutritional needs at a later time.
[ Perfect. He stares him down beneath the warm light of a beak-shaped bulb, head tilting ever-so-slightly to the side. ]
It would be helpful if you were to describe your world, and in particular your exact point of extraction, in greater detail.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
CRIES. IM SORRY SPOCK, SUDA DID THIS TO ME!!!
[He stammers. Just a bit.]
I guess, uh-- hey, is there like, a Cliff's Notes version of you? Like a button that I can press or something?
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
A button.
For what effect? If you require notes I encourage you to take them yourself. I am willing to relay the information to you at a later time but we will be more effective if we work in concert.
no subject
Jesus. [Travis rubs his temples, squeezing his eyes shut and stupidly flapping his hand, as if to brush the previous line of conversation away.] Okay, I'm gonna just take two steps back. Let me start over.
Yes, someone out there definitely knows too much about me. Maybe it's the same entity who knew too much about you-- and the Enterprise-- and put your life on my world's airwaves all those years ago. I couldn't say, but it's definitely weird, and even weirder that we both showed up on this planet.
How's that?
1/2
2/2
However, it would be more expeditious if you would simply confirm my assessment rather than reiterate it. [ I just said all of this, okay, in much more confusing and unhelpful and patronizing language, how was I not clear. ]
I agree with your conclusion that this world may have some level of involvement in our respective situations. It appears to be a nexus of some kind, and any entity with access to such a point of connection would logically then be able to travel through its connected branches to your universe or to mine.
no subject
[He's not gonna risk having to bust out the thesaurus for an argument. NOT WORTH IT.]
Didn't they mention when we arrived that this has happened before? Like, before our cohort of new folks? Not sure where these come in [here, he flashes the coin-sized red gem on the back of his hand] but maybe they've been jumping world to world for a while?
no subject
The most likely options are that they are necessitated by this form of reality itself and thus our introduction into the universe was mitigated by their addition, or indeed that they were purposefully placed by the same entity which we have discussed. If the latter, we may assume the creature originates from this place.
Why else would it seek to benefit it by outfitting us with the means to stabilize this world?
[ He turns his own hand, a perfect emerald gem located in nearly the exact same place as Travis's. Besties for life. ]
... are you hungry, Mr. Touchdown?
no subject
[All this cosmic shit is far, FAR beyond him, but Spock's theories-- once the Vulcan-to-idiot translator kicks in, at least-- do make a degree of sense. Or enough that Travis won't argue about it. He nods in knowing agreement.]
That makes sense to me. My money's on some god we haven't seen directly yet, I doubt Malachite has it in 'em when they're so new...
[hey, they're twinsies!!!]
Uh. I could eat. [Why the fuck not. This might as well happen.] You got anywhere in mind?
no subject
[ The longest and most painful agreement ever but we are progressing leaps and bounds past where we started, which can only be great. ]
As for food, I do not. I have eaten only once since our arrival here and the distance of that restaurant from our present location makes it an unattractive option. I merely presumed you would benefit from continuing our conversation in a more natural setting. [ You look like you get enthusiastic about food in a way I do not understand. ]
feel free to godmod them wherever LOL
[He's even starting to get the hang of parsing Spock-speak! BESTIES FOR LIFE.]
Just once? Damn, you're missing out. [He is, of course, dead on. Not even Spock could stop him from getting excited about food.] There's some good places we could walk to from here-- I'll lead the way.
1/3
Indeed. [ RANK UP
But now this newfound respect is in potential jeopardy as Travis is choosing where they will be lunching. All that remains is for Spock to trust him to choose something healthy, ethically and recently sourced, and vegan. ]
2/3
3/3 you said wherever
There are neon lights shaped into chickens in the windows. A chicken decal on the door. They are selling chicken-themed merchandise behind the counter. It smells... of chicken.
They enter as he stares at the side of Travis's head, not looking away even as they're shown to a table with a chicken-themed light fixture. What a novelty. It is fascinating that the chicken has retained its title and place of importance even in this society, Spock thinks, adjusting the egg-shaped salt and pepper shakers. ]
You've been here more than once?
you did him so dirty im dying
[He swears that there were slightly fewer chickens the last time he was here? Like, at least not the light fixtures? It's kitschy, to be sure, but just like Travis, you can't judge a book by its cover... or a chicken by its egg, or something. The man himself seems hardly fazed by their surroundings.]
Just trust me. It looks sorta stupid in here, but the food's not half bad.
[And by the grace of whatever-deity (maybe Malachite) there is actually a lonely "chik'n" option on the menu that isn't too bad. Though, of course, Travis hadn't considered that much directly.]
Now what were we talking about again?
what are you talking about this place sounds amazing
He's confused about how often he's been here? Here. How. ]
It appears to be an establishment which would cater well to your tastes. [ With all the myriad ways to take this, please choose the most flattering and kind of them. ]
We were discussing the gems and this world's motivation for not only outfitting us with them, but allowing us to use their power. That is, assuming that it is possible for us to receive them without becoming conduits. If there are– [ He leans back, cutting himself off when a kind waitress stops by to give them waters and ask if they'd like to start off with anything else. He can only shake his head. ]
no subject
She leaves and he continues where Spock cut off.]
If there are, then why would they give us that kind of power at all? We could be, like, supercriminals or something, there's all sorts among us Gembonded.
no subject
What makes a criminal?
We must prepare ourselves to accept that the morality of an advanced being does not necessarily align with our own. In fact, it may not exist. Is there any reason to be concerned with the personal compunctions of a collection of individuals when they are aiding in the achievement of your goals? Even among humans the answer is sometimes "no". Of course it could also differ when it comes to non-humanoids.
We return then to motivations. How would our using these powers benefit another being?
[ HE'S ANSWERED NOTHING ]
no subject
Well, the story they gave us is that only we Gembonded can power their planet, or somethin' like that, by doing exactly what they want us to do: playing nice and getting all touchy-feely with each other and using those abilities. It makes Manna, and the planet needs that Manna, and we get to sow our wild oats. Sounds like a good deal... until you think about how much energy it must take to drag a few hundred people to this planet from across time and space.
The nice version's that it's a give and take. Personally, I'm kinda thinking it's more of a take on their part.
no subject
We are in agreement on that matter. Their motivations appear wholly self-serving and to ask for volunteers would be preferable to forcing our hands in such a way. However, you make an interesting point.
If they must await or create an interphase allowing us to be transported from one dimension to another, then doing the same just to send a message – and with no assurance that we might be able to answer – is equally burdensome. It is therefore in their best interest to bring us here by force, and in doing so to bring as many individuals from one place and at one time as possible.
It would explain why so many here hail from Earth. It would be less costly in terms of computation and sheer energy to take in large groups. [ Hm... enough so to make up for what they lose in the process? If they are here indefinitely... then yes, by necessity.
Interesting.
He leans back back in his seat, arms folding contemplatively. ]
... will you be eating?
no subject
[look spock! he's doing it!]
Oh yeah... food. Probably, I haven't had dinner yet. Why, are you not gonna eat?
[yeah, spock, doesn't the quirky poultry-themed decor make you hungry at all?]
no subject
I believe there is a point to be made about the commonality of geographic locations. How that relates to space adventure protagonists, I am less aware. [ Unless this is another Star Trek reference. Is it? How meta can we go. ]
And while I would encourage you to partake while we are here, I am unable to eat the flesh or products of animals.
no subject
Oh, I mean. You don't just get dropped into a place this unusual and have nothing happen to you, y'know? Weird stuff is definitely gonna start happening. Like some kind of adventure story. [Said Travis, 1 month before he fought undead lake monsters and got possessed by a plant parasite.]
Ah. Crap. They've got a... [the waitress is mercifully returning to check on them!] H-hey, you have something vegetarian here, right?
[She gives him a weary smile back-- why come to the chicken place when you can't even eat chicken, she's thinking, but the customer's always right-- and points out that single vegan "chicken" item on the menu. She doesn't look too excited about it, though.]
Well, there's that one thing...
no subject
[ But then Travis Touchdown is a colorful man. It adds up.
He looks up when his companion questions the waitress so thoughtfully on his behalf, almost finding himself wishing for a moment that he might be able to entertain said kindness. However, he is all too aware of the possible danger of processed sugar being involved in such faux items, a risk upon which he cannot yet elaborate because that reveal is in a future thread. ]
It seems also that they have salad ingredients, so perhaps I can order such items as singles. Miss– [ he intones politely enough, head lifting to make eye contact with her. ]
I wish to order a tomato and a collection of vegetable leaves. [ "... a whole tomato?" ] Indeed, and an apple in addition.
[ A pregnant pause follows before she offers to speak with her manager, quietly excusing herself with a less than impressed air. ]
... it would have been preferable if she had first also taken your order. Unfortunate.
no subject
Well. He is an alien. But: he's staring nonetheless.]
A whole... [He shakes his head, as if literally shaking the questions he's about to ask off. Weirder things have probably happened here: he's done his share of food service work, after all. At least nobody's throwing sharp objects or the like.]
Hey, maybe it's for the better. We can always go somewhere else if you have, uh, dietary restrictions?
[Is he space-allergic to things? Is that how that works?]
no subject
There is no logical need to do so. We are here primarily to engage in discussion, not to eat. As I have potentially found a solution to a secondary problem, we should remain to see if it is valid. If it is not, we may still achieve our chief goal and I may satisfy my nutritional needs at a later time.
[ Perfect. He stares him down beneath the warm light of a beak-shaped bulb, head tilting ever-so-slightly to the side. ]
It would be helpful if you were to describe your world, and in particular your exact point of extraction, in greater detail.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)