ataraxion | oo1 β { video }

[When the video turns on, it can be seen situated on a table in a corner, various tools and different parts spread out on every inch of the table. Balthier is tossing a screw driver up and down, catching it by the handle each time.]

I suppose it's time for me to make one of these things on the network, seeing as I've been here for some time already, and not many of you know my name. [He smirks.] And you should know my name, seeing as one of these days you'll be calling me "captain".

[He stops tossing the screwdriver and he puts an elbow on the table, leaning to the side.]

As you can see, I've managed to scrounge up a rather lovely array of items from this ship that it doesn't need anymore. Or, something that I know for a fact it doesn't need anymore. But I'm rather lacking in inspiration for something fun right now to make out of them. So, those of you out there, if you find yourself lacking entertainment right now, let's come up with an idea for something. Of course, I would be grateful to anyone who would bring me more parts. We can make a game out of this, or perhaps I could become a balloon animal maker with metal.

In any case, I'm rather bored. And I know for a fact that you're all rather bored, too. There's only so many disappearing doors and corridors that we can deal with before someone starts exhibiting signs of some sort of space dementia.

[He pauses.] Or maybe you're already experiencing it, and hiding it from the rest of us. We all do like our secrets on this ship, don't we?

[He reaches out to turn off the feed, and right before he does so...] The name is Balthier, by the by. For those of you unlucky enough not to know it till now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

All I am hearing is 'blah blah blah, I am a scavenger with delusions of grandeur.'

Also, I will flay you if you attempt to touch any of the musical gear. Flay you. It will be very messy! You have been warned.

Edited 2012-03-01 00:27 (UTC)

That's exactly what I said, if you decide to paraphrase. But then you lose all the little nuances and beauty of the language, and that's just downright boring.

Musical gear. [Says thoughtfully, holding up a metal cord.] You wouldn't happen to mean something like this, right? Belongs in a piano?

That better be out of the supplies and not actually out of the piano, you insufferable, arrogant --[Yeah, you've gotten him hopping mad and you took all of two minutes to do it! It's like a new record.]

[Ah. Music to his ears. He is reminded of a certain guard.] And here I thought no one would be using that. Who honestly has musical talent on this ship, that they would need a piano?

[It's from the supplies, but it's fun to tease.]

[if he knew he was reminding anyone of a lawman, he'd shoot himself in the foot]

Plenty of people! I play, Wily plays-- there are others!

[Not a lawman, no... some puffed up security guard for an equally puffed up princess. Now wouldn't be a good time to bring up the fact that he plays the piano too, would it?]

And in all this time I've never heard a single note. Pity. I suppose I could put this back in, if you really wanted me to...

Then you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. We've totally jammed.

And you better put it back.

I could put it back. But then... you may start jamming, and I'm not sure if the ship can handle that.

I could come take it back.

Really? I was worried you wouldn't be able to move for a second there, you do have a rather... bulbous head.

Man, do you humans ever manage anything original? Seriously. Listen. I've heard every stupid big head joke and blue skin joke that can be made and they were never really that funny to begin with and got even less funny and original over time.

Care to try again, or are you at your wit's end?

...You do remind me of a man I know. Covered in blue, I swear, he claims it's not his favorite color, but we all know the truth.

[Okay, now that's out of his system...] Where did you learn how to play?

Why are you asking? [Instant suspicion]

Because I'm getting to know others who are on this ship. And if you tell me, I'll know how long you've been playing, and so I might find it worth my time to fix the piano.

I'm the guy you don't want to mess with unless you want to spend the rest of the trip in your grav couch for health reasons.

Also, I am a self-taught genius who plays by ear! So there!

Do I get a cookie and milk before beddy-bye?

Ah. So you don't know how to play.

[molar grinding rage, that's what he has now]

I am going to go check all of those instruments now and if one is even vaguely out of shape it's on you, you arrogant dunce!

And I totally know how to play!

[Feed cut in incoherent rage.]