ataraxion | 001; the most optimistic newb you will ever meet. (video; open)

[ There's a boy on your video feed. Or more accurately: an intense close-up of his face, like he's inspecting it without realising it's turned on. But then before you know it, he leans back with an excited victory whoop. ]

Whoa! I got it working!

[ Now you can see more of him: he doesn't look to be any older than sixteen, but he's dressed in what are unmistakably fine clothes-- a collared shirt, a cravat, a jacket, etc. Even the patterned material is obviously opulent. ]

Man, these things are really ancient... --oh. Sorry. Talking to myself. Where are my manners? I'm Albert...

[ He trails off quite suddenly, as if he were about to say something else after his first name, but then thought the better of it. It's also noticeable that he pronounces it in the French way, "Al-bear", without the t. ]

Anyway! I'm making this video because I was hoping one of the kind citizens of this place could direct me in the way of food! French cuisine is preferred, but I'm not particularly picky. Hunger is the greatest sauce, or something like that.

Although-- now that I think about it, I don't... actually have any money? Oh, goodness. That was silly of me. I'm sorry, maybe just forget the whole thing.

[ He has the decency to look slightly sheepish. ]

In any case, since I'm under the impression that we're all sort of in this place together until we can manufacture an escape plan, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to meet everyone soon. I hope we'll be good friends!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah...

Has it really gotten that bad?

That's what I hear, anyway. It's nothin' I wanna waste my time goin' to see.

... Oh. That's kind of ... sad.

Isn't anything being done to help the population of Earth to move off-world?

[He can't help but laugh a little at that question.]

We've colonized planets in six different galaxies. If they don't wanna move by now, it's their own damn fault.

... Oh ...

I see.

Dunno how recent a thing it is, that overpopulation. I woulda thought a couple hundred years ago woulda been about the same. You don't have a problem with it?

Not really... we have colonies everywhere.

Well, we definitely do too, but that doesn't do much to help the poor people who can't afford to leave, or the people who'd rather stay on Earth for other reasons. It's not the worst place to live, if livin's all you wanna do - that'd prob'ly be Promethea. Earth's just not my kinda place, that's all.

What's your kind of place, then?

The border planets, like I was sayin'. Better job opportunities out there. Lot less people an' a lot more fun, heh.

Ah, of course. How silly of me not to realise.

[ It's said rather good-naturedly. ]

You ever gotten a chance to travel past Earth?

[ Suddenly Albert's smile becomes softer, as if tempered by some fond memory. ]

... I have. Some months ago, I went on a journey around Earth's solar system with my best friend.

Least you've done that. Lotta people here don't know what they're missin', seein' nothing past Earth.

Ah-- yes! I agree! The outer planets are especially magnificent!

You have colonies outside that solar system yet?

... We do, but they aren't always safe for travel, right now. There's ... a lot of fighting going on.

[ He looks kind of awkward about that, all of a sudden. ]

Mm, got it. Yeah, that always seems to happen no matter when or where you go. Wish I could say things get better, but they don't, the fighting just moves to other places.

That's... a little depressing to hear.

Nah, it's just people. I figure if it hasn't changed in thousands of years, it prob'ly never will.

Don't you think that-- that we can be better than that?

I don't think fighting or not fighting makes anyone better or worse. It's just part of who we are.

... I don't agree.

An' that's fine. Pacifism's a noble thing to aspire to. But it's not somethin' everyone can do all the time. Some people can't settle disputes with words, chico.

"Chico"...

Isn't that why we have diplomats and diplomacy in the first place?

(no subject)

idkmybffbloodwing - 2013-03-11 03:58 (UTC) - Expand

assumedposition - 2013-03-11 07:52 (UTC) - Expand