ataraxion | 002; rude questions [video/action]

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002; rude questions [video/action]

Ladies and gentlemen of the Tranquility, good evening.

[From the video, you can see Albert is seated somewhere in the oxygen gardens, on a wide-open patch of grass. He looks somewhat contemplative.]

I have a-- a somewhat personal question to ask of you all, so don't feel compelled to answer if you don't wish to. [He seems to hesitate, and then he plunges ahead quickly, as if he must ask it before he loses courage.]

How many of you here believed yourselves to have passed away before you woke up in this place?

And-- for those of you who don't want to talk about something quite so morbid, maybe you could tell me what year, or what country, or planet you come from. I'd... really like to hear about other people's homes. As for me-- I'm from Paris, France, the year 5053.

I've also got some tea and plenty of cups to go around here in the garden, if you'd prefer to speak in person. I'd welcome the company, and the chance to meet all of you.

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Any other ghosts yet?

Isn't that what this is? Or is it like-- like a movie projector?

[When Albert's head touched his shoulder, Jehan gingerly put his arm around the boy's and then held it like that, keeping him near. Proximity had helped him when he'd first arrived, and if Albert trusted him enough for it to be a help here too, then this was fine. It put him the faintest bit at ease to think that at least he had someone he could talk to and could lean on a little bit now-- even if only literally.]

Yet you find a way of smiling and being welcoming despite it. That is bravery. These... troubles. They would be too much for anyone to keep in, or have in their head and heart.

[He knew that personally.]

If you ever feel comfortable with it, or when you are ready... then tell me about Franz. Your home, your family. Anything on your mind. I will perhaps sound very dull to you, being from so very long ago; but I doubt the state of the human soul has changed much in so many years.

[All of this he said very, very softly. The trouble was that he did not want to overstep, nor to under-step. He also did not want to speak in such a way that reminded him of what his own friends were suffering, or what had been on his own mind, least he have a moment of weakness where one couldn't be afforded.

Albert's reactions had more or less secured the idea for him that he had to be stronger than he'd like to be, on this ship. He was usually the one to easily cry, to become too moved, to shy away. But as he couldn't bring himself to do any of these things when he could be useful instead; even if just by not doing them; he wouldn't. If everyone was going to break down, then he could not, not right now.

That was that.]

You can rest assured that there is at least one person who will care, whenever you wish to speak.

Many-- many occasions?! How?!

I... just have regular black tea, if that's okay...

[With the angle they were sitting at, Jehan wouldn't be able to see, but Albert was smiling again despite his mood. He thought first to address the most obvious problem with that reply:]

... You're not dull at all, Jehan. You're-- intelligent, and brave, and kind ... much more so than I am.

[He pauses and shifts a bit then, taking a bit more time to think over the rest of what Jehan said.]

... I don't ... really want to talk about my family. There's a lot more there that I haven't told you, and none of it is really any good.

But ... I think I'd like talking about Franz, perhaps. If you don't mind terribly hearing about someone you'll probably never meet. Maybe ... in return, you could tell me about someone that's special to you? If you wanted to.

No ghosts yet. But plenty of people who are certain they were dead before they woke.

I've already volunteered to help out the engineering department, since that's what I'm good at...

But if you ever need help putting up fliers or anything, feel free to ask!

[he shakes his head]

No, I don't think so.

Perhaps.

But I guess with all I've went through before showing up here, not much really phases me anymore.

As far as I know, it's just a story. But there's still messed up people like that out there; who's to say they're not the ones runnin' the show here?

[Somebody's bitter.]

[Predictably, Jehan coloured at Albert's kind words. He didn't think himself especially any of those things, and thought Albert showed great promise for being any of the three. But, as that was not the important topic at hand, he let it be aside from the blushing.

Then gave a soft nod and settled in a bit better.]

I don't mind at all. Tell me about this special person at will, then.

[He was happy to listen, though perhaps less so to return the favour. They'd see, about that part.]

Oh, various ways: a cut throat, a gunshot, fire, falling into an interdimensional black hole. Mine has been an eventful existence.

[ Hmph. The Master is a tea snob and was hoping for Ceylon or Oolong of some kind. Still: ] I suppose one cannot be too particular in this environment. Do you still wish company?

[The thought that Jehan might not be so keen to talk about somebody else in return never even entered Albert's head for a second. He enjoys gushing about the good qualities of the people he loves-- even if it might bring back painful memories. It's the best way he can think of to honour them.]

... We were best friends since childhood. It's funny when I think about it now-- we actually met at his father's funeral. I was so young, I didn't really understand the concept of death back then and why he was so upset. But Franz was always ... more intelligent and mature than me for his age. He was crying ... so I thought I'd try to cheer him up by asking him to play with me. Haha, pretty insensitive, right?

Naturally he yelled at me, so I started crying too. I don't really remember well what happened after that, except that he started cheering me up instead. Even though he was the one who should've been sad ...

That should tell you really what kind of person he was. He's-- the sort of guy who was always thinking about other people, you know? Almost too much. Sometimes I used to get mad at him and say he was clucking like my mother or a girlfriend. Sometimes... sometimes I wish he could've been just a little more selfish.

What-- [his expression grows slowly more horrified as the list goes on] --no! I meant... how can it be possible for a person to die more than once, let alone several times?

[In truth, despite his young age, Albert was more of a food and wine snob than he was about tea. He wasn't much of a tea drinker, it was just something that he associated with being polite to your guests.]

If-- if it's not too much trouble...

... Mm. No, I don't think so either.

But I was open to being proven wrong.

It is a peculiar gift of my people, that we may suffer mortal wounds but regenerate and form a new body. Beyond that, well. [ charming smile ] I have always felt I have too much I wish to accomplish to allow myself to die permanently.

I will join you, then, if I may. [ bows slightly, then switches off to head to the Gardens. ]

[It was difficult to speak of his friends at the moment, knowing that all had died. The ones that weren't here, moreso. He'd have no problem expounding upon the goodness of their characters... but it would be difficult to hold his peace in doing so. So, he much preferred listening to Albert's account, cracking a smile at the picture he painted of his friend.]

He sounds like an amazing sort of person. Selflessness is a rare and precious quality. Also... that is very like you. [The smile grew a little.] To mean well... [And mess up, just a bit!]

He sounds like he was very honourable; very good.

Whyever would you ask such a morbid question?

Oh are you so sure? What if I hate my brother?

[He's teasing, and it's obvious.]

I do not, no. Are they something like carriages?

My friend and I were having a philosophical disagreement as to whether this is the afterlife or not.

[perhaps courtesy would have left a message, a notice that one would be showing up. but not for this elf. an invitation was given, for those who would take, and so he will, since he rarely ever leaves the gardens anyway.

he will, however, at least stop nearby and make his presence known. almost like a curious (or cautious) creature creeping by, though less timid and more hesitant.]

..Are you expecting company? [not that he'll mention why he's even here. yet.]

[ Mason's going to regret actually letting this guy see his face during this conversation, he can feel it, but oh well. ]

Why are you asking?

The most help you can give is to keep your eyes and ears open, and if you learn of anything suspicious, report it to us immediately.

What do we get if we answer your question?

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002; rude questions [video/action]

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