01. Video.

[painful_finish]

[The video flickers on and it's being held awkwardly close to the user. Viewers will see a very close up view of his eyes, and a bit of his nose, but nothing else.]

I'm not sure what fresh Hell I've landed in, but I was instructed to use this to communicate. To compound matters, I'm not sure with whom I'm supposed to be communicating with, but if anyone is receiving this, a reply would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

[painful_finish]

That would be appreciated.

[And while Hubert is skeptical of everyone, he's going to give her just a bit of his trust. For now, at least]

Action;

[gammavirginis]

[ Porrim meets Hubert at Fayren's archway to the Bay. It takes her a little bit longer to get there than he did. ]

Hello+ there. :)

Re: Action;

[painful_finish]

[And here's Hubert. Standing at 5'6", he's a short guy, and he's dressed in a uniform that could be mistaken for a high school drum major. Yeah. Those tails on the back flutter when he walks, too It's hideous. And he's probably compensating for something with the height of those heels]

Hello. I appreciate your willingness to assist me.

whoops lost track of this tag somehow

[gammavirginis]

Think no++thing o++f it. The Dancing Do+nner is this way. It's a pub, with so+me ro+o+ms abo+ve. I called ahead and reserved o+ne fo+r yo+u.

No worries!

[painful_finish]

[A nod]

I appreciate the hospitality. Are you in charge of greeting newcomers or some such?

[gammavirginis]

Not in any official capacity, I just want to make sure no one gets left hanging out in the bay with just a hologram for company.

[painful_finish]

Then it is even more admirable.

[gammavirginis]

[ ::Blush:: ]

Well, I just do what I can.

[painful_finish]

[He nods as they approach the inn]

What was your world like? Did it resemble this?

[gammavirginis]

Not even remotely.

Well that's a bit of an exaggeration. We lived in "houses" in "suburbs", and we had jobs, even if they were assigned to us based on the hemospectrum. Blood color.

But the colors, the materials, the sky...? It was all different.

[painful_finish]

Blood color?

[Well that's fascinating to him, but strange things fascinate him]

How was the sky different?

[gammavirginis]

Yes. Mine is jade, for instance. A rather rare color, but considered a 'mid' blood. We were tasked with caring for the mother grubs which are the progenitors of our species.

Fuschia bloods are even more rare, and rule our civilization. The 'higher' the blood, the more long lived the troll, and Fuschia bloods may very well be immortal until usurped by another.

The sky is mostly different in that it is bright. Most of Beforus is heavily obscured by heavy clouds, which is fortunate since most of my kind are too sensitive to the light to stand in sunlight. I'm an exception in that regard.

[painful_finish]

[Hubert absorbs all of this knowledge and nods as he digests it]

I see. That is quite fascinating. I suppose I should get used to hearing about worlds and people far different than mine in this place.

[A pause]

So you are a troll?

[Because she doesn't look like any troll he's ever met. She's far too attractive compared to the trolls in his world]

[gammavirginis]

Yes, although you could call me a Beforan instead. I'm closer to what you'd consider an 'alien' then whatever fantastic barbarous creature you are probably more familiar with.

[painful_finish]

Hmm. I see. Which term do you prefer?

[gammavirginis]

Troll comes more naturally, and it's actually more accurate since there are quite a lot of different things that live on Beforus. Or did, anyway.

[painful_finish]

[He gives a nod, and the inn is finally in sight]

Did? Was the world destroyed?

[gammavirginis]

Yes. Long story. I might be convinced to tell it over drinks some time?

[painful_finish]

[Hubert adjusts his glasses as they arrive at the inn]

I am too young to drink.
But perhaps tea or coffee sometime.

[gammavirginis]

Oh, how old are you?

[ It was hard to tell ages for humans. Whoops. ]

[painful_finish]

Eighteen.

[And the way he says it, he's proud of that]

[gammavirginis]

[ Porrim did some quick mental calculations to convert years to sweeps, which wasn't really all that helpful since arbitrary rules regarding drinking and procreation weren't really a thing in troll society, so... ]

So at what age can you start processing liquids? Do you rely entirely on solid foods until then?

[painful_finish]

[It takes Hubert a moment to realize that she interpreted 'too young to drink' literally and sighs]

I meant I'm too young to consume alcohol. Other beverages are fine.

[gammavirginis]

[ OH he did mention coffee or tea, didn't he? WHOOPS EMBARRASSING ]

Ah- er, right.

Human soporifics aren't really my thing anyway, so tea sounds lovely.

[painful_finish]

[He gives a nod]

Tea, then. Will I be able to use this to contact you?

[He holds up the communicator]