001 | Video

[applewatcher]

[He's not looming over the communicator. Not intentionally, at any rate, his bemused expression should make that clear. After a moment, he adjusts it to a more respectable angle. The thing looks like a mirror again, he can see a miniature picture of himself. And those little symbols signify he's...?]

Aha. Finally. I hope the other three attempts didn't work. If they did, my apologies. I'm not familiar with the workings of this... [He settles on a word] device. It's been quite the menace all morning.

To introduce myself: I am Lucien Lachance, [he smiles, slowly easing into a more relaxed baritone,] and as you can no doubt guess, I am very new here. I would like to learn more about my new neighbors, this fascinating new world... everything, really.

[His smile falters, though his voice remains smooth. Why hide that some of the cheerfulness is forced?] Especially regarding how long we might expect to stay here. I'm sure it's a wonderful adventure for a little while, but... Well, I am a family man. I must confess, I miss them already. I'm sure many of you here know that feeling. Any advice on how to make the most of all of this in spite of it would be most appreciated.

I look forward to getting to know you all.

Comments

[applewatcher]

I've two grown children and siblings of all shapes and sizes. [He smiles, eyes turning from the communicator for a moment.] And our parents, of course. Leaving them all is difficult, but I travel often enough for work to know the feeling. I'm telling myself this is little different.

[A chuckle.] Although today is the first time I've ever chanced being run over by one of those--oh, what where they called--cars. Finding out about those was one of the rudest surprises so far.

[devoutish]

[Something about this guy's demeanor reminds Alfie of Anatoly, a friend who'd come and gone. It makes him like him more; there's a hint of a smile in his voice.]<./small>

Wait until you see how fast they can go.

[applewatcher]

Good gods, I thought they were speedy enough already. [It's insane enough to warrant a real chuckle from him.]

As long as they can still stop in good time, they can go as fast as they like. I just don't think I can see myself in one of those things. The only advantage they have over a good horse is how clean the streets are. [Remarkable lack of animal dung anywhere, even the Imperial City had more of it lying about.]

[devoutish]

What about a bus, then? A train? A spaceship?

[applewatcher]

Once I have a firmer grasp on what they are, I might be open to it. All these machines running about make this place feel like I've wandered into a dwemer fortress.

Ah, rather, something I'm utterly unfamiliar with, and explanations aren't in ready supply.

[devoutish]

Well, a spaceship's what it sounds like. It's a ship that takes you up into space.

[applewatcher]

You've still lost me, unfortunately. Up in the air, you mean? [The Sload had some of those, he'd read about them.]

[devoutish]

Have you ever gone outside and looked up at the stars, and wondered how far away they were?

[applewatcher]

Well yes, but... you can't be saying these 'spaceships' go there, are you?

[devoutish]

I was on the moon last month.

[So.]

[applewatcher]

The moon.

[Either this is a joke being played on him, or this world is even stranger than he thought.]

On the--wait, the moon? What happened to the other one?

[devoutish]

There never was another one. Not here. How many have you got?

[applewatcher]

Two. So, you've walked on the body of a dead god? [Fascinating.]

[devoutish]

I've never heard a moon described as such. My own God doesn't have a dead body to walk on.

[applewatcher]

The moons are the two halves of a god's corpse. The details have always been beyond me, but the priests and mages say that's why they aren't as bright and shining as the other planets.

I hadn't thought that the gods might be different here. Which do you worship?

[devoutish]

Your god's corpse bits haven't followed you here, I'm afraid. This is Earth; there's only one moon. I think you'll find that a great many things are different here from what you might expect.

My religion's Jewish; yeah, the Jewish religion. And lucky for me, there's others here who've got the same one, but I think you might have more trouble with that, mate.

[applewatcher]

Oh, Lorkhan isn't my god. I count myself among those who respect him for what he did for mortalkind, but few devote their worship to him.

My own religion commands a certain privacy in our worship, so that at least will not be a problem. I'm afraid it means I can't say much else on the subject, unless someone demonstrates sufficient interest in conversion.

But learning about the local gods and how to show them respect is always important. Is there anywhere that those unpledged to your faith can pay homage?

[devoutish]

Sure, yeah, you can show up at a temple and the rabbis will talk to you. Celebrate a holiday with them or something; that's how it's done.

You won't be lonely without others of your own religion, then?

[applewatcher]

Excellent. I'll find the nearest temple, then, and pay my respects. Are any gifts or sacrifices expected from visitors?

Admittedly, yes, I will be. But my work often keeps me traveling and isolated, so it's not an unfamiliar feeling.

[devoutish]

Anything that's expected will be done by other people. Coming at all isn't isn't required or expected, you understand. They'll be interested in you showing an interest.

[applewatcher]

Very well, I'll bring only my intent to learn, then. It sounds like a pleasant sort of faith.

[devoutish]

Why are you interested in the other religions here?

[applewatcher]

[Of course, these things can't be left unspoken here. He'll have to be more mindful of that.]

There are many faiths across my homeland, and while most follow one, few deny the existence of others, or the divinity of their gods. Doing so is rude at best, deadly at worst. Understanding the gods of this land only makes sense.

[devoutish]

Mmmm. Follow one, respect the others. All right. Will that extend to religions of the imPorts that aren't native here?

[applewatcher]

Yes, but the local gods come first. This is their domain, and this is where their people reside. It would be a poor idea to disrespect them in their own home.