02 || Video

[art_of_war]

[ This time when the video opens, it's on a slightly more annoyed Thrawn. You would probably not know that unless you knew the way he usually behaved, though. More of his surroundings are visible and it appears to be a nondescript room of some sort. A sitting room maybe. ]

Greetings.

Where I am from space travel is quite common. It is also quite common to see nonhumans. So I am still adjusting a bit to the culture shock here. I am aware that there are many non-native imPorts, and that they represent many differing worlds. Some of those are worlds I have never heard of. So surely I can not look so...well. 'Exotic'. Is this a simple matter of geography? Are there too many cities too widely spaced for us not to be remarked on? Or is this world simply more rude than what I am accustomed to?

Comments

( text )

[fettering]

i think maybe a lot of it depends on what city you're in
also it seems like a lot of non-humans kind of pass for human on first glance
so it's probably not as obvious to the average joe that they're not

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[art_of_war]

Then you are saying it is a matter of needing camouflage?

[fettering]

no way
they're just going to have to get over themselves and stop being jerks

[art_of_war]

I don't believe that suggestion will be received well.

[ text ]

[ghoulking]

While imPorts all came from different worlds and universes, you'll find most came from worlds where humans are the most common species, or their worlds have species that are similar to humans at least when it comes to looks.

Which is why most will tell you it's not very common to see someone different.

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[art_of_war]

Looks can be ignored. Being called out of name is tiresome. As I said, I am not accustomed to standing out quite this much, and would think the regularity of imPorts would dull such novelty.

[ghoulking]

No, they won't. And even imports themselves are often surprised to see different species from theirs.

[art_of_war]

I must say it is somewhat puzzling that there are not more nonhumans represented amongst the imPort population. If the idea of infinite variations on a theme holds true, surely 'my world' can not be the one outlier?

[ghoulking]

It seems the Porter has preference for versions of Earth and Humans. While there are some non-humans, they are not even half of the number of humans.

[art_of_war]

Fascinating. Perhaps 'my world' actually is the extreme, then. It would certainly explain the behavior of those around me and the same question being asked over and over.

[ghoulking]

I can imagine.

What's the question?

[art_of_war]

'What are you?' or some variation thereof.

[ghoulking]

In a way, it's good to know each other's species and not call everyone "human" as it usually happens.

this is due to major mun screwup but I'm trying to roll with it

[art_of_war]

I will admit that I have been more reactive lately. You are correct that it is important to acknowledge the differing species represented here.

The change in amalgamous culture between the galaxy I came from and here is dramatic. Though I had not realized it had affected me so strongly, if in the opposite way.

oops sorry! if you want i can delete my tags!

[ghoulking]

Is that so? Would you say your galaxy is more advanced?

Naw I will make it work

[art_of_war]

In some ways. In other ways I would say it is the same.

[ghoulking]

Such as...?

[art_of_war]

Emotions remain the same; a parent finding joy in their child. A soldier showing courage by running into what she knows is certain death . A healer showing compassion for those that reach out to him for aid.

[ghoulking]

It's almost poetic, the way you've described it.

But it's good to see that exists in your world too.

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[extremeteenbible]

[ The imPort who answers looks, for all intents and purposes, human, save for the fact that the chair he's sitting in seems to be way too big for him. Oh, and that wooden arm he has. ]

Yeah, you've gotta wonder what kinda world these people live in, where everybody's the same race. Well. For my world's definition of race, anyway. I mean, tell somebody here you're a dwarf and they think you've got some kinda medical condition!

[ It's ridiculous, obviously. But that didn't actually answer any of the blue guy's questions, so Merle continues. ]

They're rude, but they're also unexposed to anything different from themselves. So I dunno, you gotta cut 'em a little slack.

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[art_of_war]

[ Thrawn does not suffer fools in the first place, but the very slight twist at the corner of his mouth would probably say the same. ]

Do you suggest that I pity this ignorance?

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[extremeteenbible]

I'm suggesting that if you're gonna get anywhere on this world, you're gonna have to put up with a few stares here an' there. Once they get used to ya they'll ignore you.

Probably.

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[art_of_war]

[ Thrawn is trying to 'get somewhere' with real employment. Has been trying. The silliness of even saying 'I work at Feeling Blue Aromatherapy' has been too much and all he needed to not go. They've probably fired him by now.

He does look thoughtful for a moment. ]

Stares I am more accustomed to. Though going then to the extreme may be the one way left to me if what you say is true and most are ignorant of other sapient organisms beyond humans.

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[extremeteenbible]

[ Merle is one of the few imPorts who actually likes the job he's been assigned, so none of that is a problem for him. ]

Yeah, they don't know their sapiens from there spellbooks around here. They're real backwards. Just give 'em some time to get used to you, then you can live your life the way you wanna.

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[am_i_a_monster]

People are rude. They stare at me because I have a scar and I'm missing an ear, so I cover them up. I don't know how'd you cover up not being human. Sorry.

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[art_of_war]

[ Thrawn makes a small dismissive gesture with two fingers. ]

I have no desire to 'cover it up'. And you should not need to worry about such things.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Life is easier when you can blend in.

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[art_of_war]

Do you mean then, to have the tacit approval of others? For that is what it means to 'blend in'.

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[am_i_a_monster]

[She shakes her head. Her father and Hannibal's approval had come with too high a price.]

For me, it's about going unnoticed.

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[art_of_war]

That begs the question of what you hope to gain by being 'unnoticed'?

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[am_i_a_monster]

Survival, most of all. And I want to have a life.

[Video] Let's try this again. Third time is the charm!

[prophesiedone]

[Hey, say hello to a familiar face?] When did you get here? And I'd go with rude. Believe me, I get a lot of weird looks too.

[Mainly because he walks around in robes with a lightsaber.]

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[art_of_war]

[ Sup, Anakin. You just get a slight bow from a seated Thrawn. ]

General Skywalker. I have only been here a short while, but in that time I have already had to answer the same question several times.

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[prophesiedone]

[That's something! He inclines his head in return.]

From my experience that's completely normal. I don't know how many people I've had to explain the basics of space travel to already.

You look like you're in one piece.

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[art_of_war]

I am unharmed, if that is what you are referring to.

[ And since you've put most of your business on the Network already. ]

I have seen that you have been busy.