maskormenace | 2 ☄ Video

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2 ☄ Video

[The video opens on a guy with a mass of long hair that's being tied behind with both hands. The feed captures his medical coat, and the dim blue hue of monitors to his back. Their light reflects off the metal shelf by his right, whilst his desk sits in darkness, save for a lamp pointed down at the papers on its surface.

Machines hum in the background; together with the ticking of a clock and nearby footfall. He takes a hasty glance and, unsure of how to begin things, shuts his eyes. Does he introduce himself? Does he jump straight to his question? His fingers pull the tie taut then tap his sides. Last month's events were a strange twist of fate - a collapse of logic - that did not allow them peace. Alas! They had raised a question he could not solve alone.

It takes a moment of thought before he talks. His voice is calm but his speech? Noticably slow.]

On examining the situation with the rise of native superheroes, as you call them, I find myself puzzled. We beheld those who were ordinary become capable of the extraordinary. I request you answer one question that's on my mind:

What is the place of imPorts in this world now?

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[Isolation. When night comes on and he's surrounded by it, he turns his eyes to other people. Does this individual do the same?

A murmur of consideration passes his lips.]

It gives me the greatest unhappiness to hear that. It is no life to be weighed down by despair. I would be gratified to hear anything you wish to say, should you wish to say it.

[other people? hardly. Lapis has learned very long ago that extending a hand to most people would only cause more pain. problems couldn't be solved by anyone but yourself.]

Why should it upset anybody? It's been obvious from the start - this was never our world. Whatever anyone wants to believe, we don't belong here.

We do not, I suppose. I feel we are possessed of remarkable differences in physiology and culture; and, indeed, I believe we might never be esteemed in our host world's goodness. To not be admired but admonished and mistrusted. And what happens to those who are unjustly ostracized?

Mistreatment, unfortunately. I argue, however, that the greatest reason we don't belong here is simply the reason that we did not consent.

[she makes some kind of noise in the back of her throat, vaguely negative but impossible to nail down any specifics.]

That's obvious.

[it's amazing, in its own way. such a dismissive comment completely and utterly devoid of malice - just the statement of the facts.]

They're only afraid of us because they can't be sure if we'll do what they want. There's nothing new about that.

I can offer you no disagreement; it is a saying that people never change, I believe. Will they arm themselves for our destruction? Or will they seek to make us the foundations of their knowledge?

[His opinion at the time is split between the two.]

I could pass life better here were they to leave me alone. Alas! That, sadly, is no option. I can only hope my days pass as peacefully as before.

It won't happen. So long as you have something that people can use, they'll never leave you alone.

[and doesn't Lapis know that better than anyone else?]

[The voices of experience, it seems.

He shakes his head.]

I do not fear their eyes on me, even if they are so far insightful that they can see what must be my failings.

[His wretchedness.]

They would only see what I know already. But you and I, whoever we are, deserve to choose who we have around us. I do not know why they are so unhappy that they won't abandon me to my fate. Or you, it seems.

Because we can be weapons. You don't let go of something like that just because it doesn't want to cooperate.

[Weapons. Of course.]

Well, if they forget weapons can backfire, then they are more foolish than I credit. I am not so enamored at the thought of causing harm, and I would hardly be capable of inflicting it; a trouble for them, it seems.

Not really. Not wanting to fight is one of the best ways to get people to do just that.

It gives them the greatest urge to protect their own lives, yes. I will not ask you about your experience in such things; it isn't my business nor my intent. Nor is it my place, I believe.

It's not some kind of secret. It's all part of my past, whether people ask me about it or not; pretending it doesn't exist won't make it go away.

I suppose not; but I shall avail myself of your privacy all the same. But if I might seek your knowledge at a later date that would not be a bother?

It's not any more annoying in the future than it would be right now. [Lapis.....] I don't really do much here.

Well, I am sure others can confirm or deny that. But the effort is theirs to tell me. I can set my sight on other matters.

[Don't go around stealing the ocean, Lapis. People might tell.]

[oh my god she was going to put it back would everyone get off her case about that!!! it was one time!!!!!]

If you really want to. [she shrugs gently] Most conversations are pretty much the same to me.

[go...for it...Victor....that's as close to encouragement to chat as you'll get from Lapis.]

If that's the case, I'll draft a letter and ensure it reaches you by the end of the day. Then you can answer at your leisure.

[And it reaches her before the day's out; a letter of five questions relevant to their conversation. How she has been forced to fight. Why she did so. How imPorts have been used as weapons in the past. Whether she considers this a kidnapping or accident of fate. And how she feels about it all happening without giving her consent.]

Meanwhile, I am a doctor. If there are special requirements you require for treatment, I would welcome being informed in advance.

[that letter will likely never see its return to Victor unless he asks after it at a later date - not from malice, but the simple fact that Lapis has absolutely no understanding of how the postal system works. Homeworld had left such primitive means of communication behind long before she'd even been trapped in the mirror, after all.

that isn't to say that Lapis doesn't answer the missive; she does, with careful and precise handwriting underneath each question on the original letter. in some places there isn't enough room to fit her response, and so the words curl and shrink awkwardly to try and pack themselves in. once finished she places it, neatly folded up once more, back into the mailbox...without an address or postage. it seems destined to sit there for some time.]

Treatment? [and here's some actual emoting from her, clear confusion cutting across her face.] There's nothing wrong with me.

I meant to suggest future treatment. I am a healer, and it is in my hands to offer assistance to those who might require it. I held no intent to give you the opposite impression. Forgive me.

I don't think you'd ever be working on me. Gems don't really need that kind of thing.

[and, to be honest, Lapis isn't entirely sure that she'd trust a human med tech to repair her gem should it become cracked a second time.]

[He should tell her about the massive crystals of his homeworld sometime.]

When I reflect on your physiology, then no, I wouldn't be. What loss would it be anyway? But I am not without means, depending on whether you are classed as an organic lifeform...

[SHE KNOWS ALL ABOUT USING CRYSTALS FOR POWER tHANKS]

I already told you, I'm a gem.

[you'd think that people would listen to her when she gave them information, but alas this isn't a new problem...]

[Well, she's a gem that moves and talks, and he is known for his obsession with those crystals back home, so...]

I am aware of that. I was voicing my wonder aloud; but now that I have done it I think I should be at peace.

[she is also a gem that still hasn't quite grasped how human death is different from a gem regenerating. walk carefully, friend.]

I hope so. It's kind of a silly thing to be wondering about in the first place.

I have been told so. Thank you for your co-operation.

[Silly is the nicest thing he's heard regarding his work, honestly.]

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oceanthief - 2016-10-03 07:53 (UTC) - Expand

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