tushanshu | (video) one.

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(video) one.

[ it's a residence-- and one belonging to either a botanist or someone who's just really terrible at taking care of their plants. visible in the background, off to the side, is a series of clay pots all in a row, each filled with exactly one sad plant. there's a wide variety of species in the collection, yet one thing between them remains constant: the black rot that's been consuming flora everywhere on the turtle. apparently someone's been doing his homework.

the speaker shifts in his seat just a tad, just enough to block out the sight behind him with the huge thing (hat??) on his head. he's an unfamiliar face on the network (who could forget an appearance like that?) but judging from the set-up he's got, he's been here quite some time. his is a pleasant, if sharp-featured face-- one made for smiles like the one plastered on right now. ]

All this work and nothing to show for it but a few sorry-looking shoots more withered than I am. [ a little sigh. ] Well! I suppose that's what I get for attempting to cure a symptom rather than its cause.

[ he leans back so he can gesture vaguely behind him, at the experiments set up. ]

I can claim a great deal of experience with plants, doctoring, and the doctoring of plants-- but I'm afraid that this illness eludes me. Surely there're a few more green-thumbed or scientifically-minded individuals among us: perhaps if we combine our efforts, we can get to the... [ and there really is no preventing the self-indulgent little smile here-- ] ...Root of the problem.

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[ well at least his name isn't wiggins. your move ~~natsu.~~ ]

I'd... Considered the possibility. [ a frown. ] It's not the first theory I wanted to field, considering the difficulty in actually testing it. Or its implications.

[ if a hundred foreigners "mysteriously" disappeared, people would probably take notice. alas. ]

No. And it isn't as though we can just remove ourselves from Tu Vishan. Even if we could, it might not matter since he might be supplying us with life here.

[ Ender furrows his brows. He's heard so many different theories, and considering this guy seems to be doing his research...maybe he would have some answers. ]

Have you heard the clone theory?

[ perhaps the turtle was their lifeline to this world, or perhaps it wasn't. of course qilby had done what prying into the subject he could do, but what little information he found (and what he could actually read of it) left him with more questions than answers.

but now he leans in, all ears and intent gaze. he's forgotten for just a moment that the object of his interest is someone whose age is an infinitesimal fraction of his own. ]

No... No I haven't. Like I said, I've only been here a short while myself. Clones?

[ Oh. Damn...I took up all that comment subject space I can't put in my encryption. BUT needless to say, Ender slaps an encryption on this -- not necessarily because he's trying to hide but because he's trying to protect the ones who gave him this information. One thing he's sure of: Qilby wasn't the one to discover this clone theory, but perhaps he could offer his own take on the subject. ]

According to a trusted source of mine, it's been discovered that we're all clones of our original selves. Apparently someone discovered the clones, but I haven't received the details as to who it was or what it was they actually saw. I'm not sure what it means for our real bodies or even what it means for these ones we've been given. I mean, I feel like myself -- but I suppose if the clone was built well enough, of course I'd feel like myself.

[ he follows suit without question; after all, keeping secrets is second nature to him.

the furrowed crease in his brow deepens as ender goes on, and he takes a moment to process what he's just heard before he replies. ]

I'm sure you understand that this is thirdhand information-- more than that, at this point. Until I see with my own eyes evidence to support the idea, I'm afraid I can't place any stock in it. No one should settle for anything less.

That being said, one has to wonder why they would go through the trouble of making clones. One could say they don't possess the ability to actually bring people across dimensions to this place, but then how could they create a clone of somebody who does?

[ of course -- says a nagging voice in one corner of his mind -- you can't actually do that right now, can you? create a portal right back out of this place? it could just be a question of not having enough energy to pull that off, but... ]

Edited 2013-04-24 04:25 (UTC)

[ Ender appears unconcerned by Qilby's dismissal. He doesn't bother to argue his point because there would be no logical argument beyond the fact that Bean is the most trustworthy kid he knows and any information he gives him would definitely be 95% accurate. None of that matters, though, if Qilby doesn't know Bean. So instead, he laughs. ]

No, I understand. And you're wise to take that perspective. Consider it a theory, though -- one I posed to you to see what you make of it. And you do raise a good question. Do you know of someone with the ability to do interdimensional travel?

[ Someone Ender had spoken to hinted that it was possible -- though extremely difficult. Maybe Qilby can point him in the right direction! ]

[ his mouth turns up at one corner, and he replies blithely: ]

Well, yes. That'd be me.

I'd believed that was how I came here in the first place, in fact, but now that evidence is beginning to point to the contrary... [ a little laugh. ] I'm just glad I might not have accidentally got myself stuck here by some fault of my own.

[ Oh. It's Ender's turn to lean forward with interest. ]

So you're still trapped like the rest of us although you have an ability that would allow you to leave under normal circumstances. I'm sure you've made an attempt to leave by now, so what happened when you did?

[ well that's a rather on-the-nose way of putting it. he resists the urge to scoff. ]

"Trapped" is, perhaps, too negative a word. I've little inclination to leave right now.

In any case... No, I have not, not really. I can't simply create portals to other dimensions under my power alone. It requires energy, lots of energy-- energy I don't quite have at the moment.

With work, however, it's something I can acquire.

[ What sort of world does this guy come from if he has little inclination to leave this one? ]

I see. What sort of energy does it require? Is it something that's being hindered by the current state of Tu Vishan?

Wakfu. [ some vague hand motions, like maybe he can just pull the explanation out of thin air. ] A sort of universal energy, a life force that suffuses everything in my world. My kind were the first to learn how to harness it eons ago, and it's always powered all our abilities and devices.

[ goddess, it's like trying to explain what air or food is to someone, and it's clear by the sound of his explanation he hasn't touched upon the finer points. but it's a start! ]

Evidently, it's not a feature unique to my universe. There is a sort of analogue to this energy on this world, from what I can see... [ a helpless little shrug. ] But it's as you say: given the current state of affairs, I find it hard to justify much fiddling with the great balance of vital energies.

I'm definitely surprised to hear that, but then again I realize I probably shouldn't be. If this is the world between life, dreaming and death and you exist within this world, it's possible for your consciousness to bring the energy -- this Wakfu -- with you. And even beyond that -- anything is possible in dreams.

[ He shrugs idly. ]

I hope that we as a whole can come up with the solution to whatever is causing the turtle's illness. Especially since you may just hold the key to all of us returning home.

[ a key, to be sure -- or perhaps, more accurately, a worm on the end of a fisher's hook. all that awaits to be seen is how many gaping-mouthed fish end up taking the bait.

his smile's wry, almost teasing. ] That's quite some responsibility you'd place on these old shoulders.

--especially those of someone who evidently can't remember his own manners. [ about time for introductions. ] My name is Qilby.

[ Ender shrugs with a smile. ]

I've seen many elders do remarkable things. I'm sure you'd be able to handle it.

[ But yes. Introductions! Because Ender will actually be able to remember his name! ]

I'm Ender. It's nice to officially meet you, Qilby.

Have you? Well, that's relieving.

[ what a serious response out of a child! he's poking fun, but it's (probably) all in good humor. ] But me, I'm less familiar with children quite as... Astute as you are. You've undoubtedly natural brilliance -- lots of it -- but surely you've also had some sort of formal training?

[ The smile fades at the question. ]

I've had teachers, if you could call them that. Most of what I know, I learned through other students, observations, and trial and error. My official training is in how to kill another alien race -- needless to say, I'd like to veer away from that course.

[ He eyes Qilby's plants again. ]

Who knows. Maybe I could be a natural gardener.

[ wow, just using that "kill another alien race" line right out the gate, huh? qilby can dig it.

he arches a brow because he has to make some sort of effort at looking perturbed by the thought of genocide. a hasty, assenting nod. ] "Needless to say," indeed.

But you could, perhaps. It's not so far removed from the life of a warrior, as funny as that sounds. [ he laughs. ] A person can be as vulnerable as any fragile bloom, and you fight an endless war against invaders that'd seek to take the life of both.

[ and one does develop a good eye for which branches need to be pruned. anything for the good of the whole, after all. ]

[ Open and honest is Ender's policy in this place! Maybe he can teach you all about it someday, Qilby. ]

[ But in the meantime, a tiny smile forms after Qilby's statement and he nods in agreement. ]

When you look at it that way, it doesn't sound as impossible as it once did. But it also sounds as though you speak from experience -- on both accounts. Were you involved in wars back home?

[ honesty's pretty freakin' overrated! give yourself a decade or so to grow up, ender-- you'll learn that particular lesson on your own.

the question elicits a brief, pained look, but the moment quickly passes -- that's a hell of a frank question. but evidently he doesn't begrudge an innocent question from a child, because his voice is calm and steady as he answers: ]

In my lifetimes, only two. Both resulted in the destruction of the worlds we currently occupied at the time.

My people had-- a terrible enemy. Perhaps if we'd taught our children to kill the way they're taught on your world, we might've... [ he shakes his head at the thought. ] I never could have done that to them.

[ Ender notes the use of 'lifetimes.' He wonders if Qilby literally means lifetimes or if that's just old person speak. ]

I'm sorry. I truly am. I may not know what it's like to lose my world, but I do know what it's like to be torn away from it. The important thing is that you survived.

Is this an ongoing war? Or has your enemy since been defeated?

[ the two need not be mutually exclusive! ]

As I discovered some several thousand years after the fact, they were defeated soon after my... [ what's the right word? ] ... Departure from the premises. And at no small price.

[ the lives of more than half his people, and the livelihood of the other half, to be exact. ] I appreciate the sympathy-- and yes, that certainly is the important thing. At the very least, with my life, there's hope for my people.

Several thousand years?

[ Wow. Maybe this is like what happens when one travels at light speed, where the travel for them is only a few years while the rest of the world goes on for several. But either way. ]

You look good for your age. Not a single gray hair. You must have good genes.

[ He has to make light in the heavy conversation, not wanting Qilby to be completely consumed by the emotions associated with such a heavy burden and loss. Though he does sober a bit. ]

Hope certainly is one of the most important things to keep alive. Without it, a world will destroy itself. I'll hold hope for you -- that you will safely return to your world having gained tools and knowledge to better assist them from this one here.

[ the joke does its job-- it appears to take him by surprise, gloom instantly disappearing and quickly replaced by an almost grateful smile. ]

"Well-preserved," you mean. Like a pickled fruit. [ maybe he'll explain the whole endless reincarnation thing later...

a moment's hesitation. ] --And I hope the same for you. Perhaps when all's said and done, I'll find myself in your neck of the multiverse one day.

I'm not sure I would wish that on you...

[ Pause. And then a smile. ]

But I, at least, would welcome you with open arms. I'm sure we'll talk again during our time here.

[ After all, Ender knows there's a lot Qilby can teach him. ]

[ and he laughs a little at that!

in spite of himself, qilby's enjoyed the talk. it's not something he often has the luxury of being able to say. ]

I'd be disappointed if we didn't. [ and then, more seriously-- ] Do let me know if you come up with any more theories, Ender.

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(video) one.

video; I SQUINTED SO HARD

video; Qilby's lucky Natsu gets motion sick, otherwise I'd app him for a beautiful reuinion! >:O

video; he doesn't know why, but the moment he sees natsu he just wants to die

video; are you okay, curry?? You're not looking so good, Kirby! Maybe you should rest, Quiggly!

video (encrypted however much); this kills the eliatrope

video (encrypted 90%); nothing can kill him. NOTHING

video (encrypted 90%); and back from hiatus, sorry for the delay!!

video (encrypted 90%); NOT FORGIVEN. Except you are because I'm on an unofficial slowatus myself.

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