tushanshu | I. ♔ Video

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I. ♔ Video

[He selects the video function, at ease with the technology. Regally dressed and with a genial smile, Richard addresses the network.] Greetings, guests of Keeliai. I'm Richard. I look forward to meeting you all.

[There is no insincerity to him. He speaks with a genuine, if measured warmth. He likes people, generally. But Richard has thought through what he wished to say, and he has more important matters than social ones.]

Salutations aside, I have a few points of inquiry that I hoped someone could be of help with. First, a question of home. Though I was comforted to hear the reassurances of our hosts, I must ask if we foreigners have any confirmation of our own that our worlds do not suffer our absence while we are here. It is of some concern. [He doesn't take the Emperor's word for it. Sorry, Eshai!]

The second matter is one of occupation. It is my understanding that we are asked to contribute through some form of work. While I am happy to do so, I'm afraid I . . . don't know how one would attain employment. [Royalty lessons don't include lessons on resumes, whoops. He pushes aside the awkwardness with that same geniality as before.] I'd be grateful for any advice or suggestions.

[His expression becomes more grave now. This last is the most worrying to him.] Finally, and most importantly, I wish to know about the eleth here. I posed my questions to the kedan, but they did not seem to understand. Is it known what means this planet uses to channel eleth? I have heard no mention of cryas or valkines, and Tu Vishan's current state begins to bear a disturbing resemblance to that of a planet I visited where the eleth had gone almost dry.

[Richard pauses a moment, and then smiles again, but that smile is somewhat more grave now, weighted by his last query.] Thank you for listening. I warmly anticipate your responses.

[And with that, he shuts off the feed. Somehow, that was even more difficult than making public speeches.]

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[ they could call it rules of employment...

--but a governor, then. looks like he'd hit the nail on the head with that one. ]

A diplomat? Well, as hospitable as you claim the people are, I'm sure you've noticed that not everything is well in the city. [ a frown. ] There was some talk of a Foreigner-run council but it looks like there were some... Complications with the people originally involved.

[ though calling that three-part drama over the network a "complication" might be understating the fact. even if he doesn't involve himself, he does take care to observe the goings-on -- far less messy that way. ]

No complications too dire, I hope.

[His instinct goes to coups and assassinations; they really love that in Ephinea. He can hope whoever was involved is all right.]

[ a little laugh. ]

It's not as grim as all that -- there were just a few among us who evidently had something about themselves to hide. Evidently not a quality people look for in their leaders.

[ he keeps his tone impartial; if he feels strongly one way or another about the matter, it's not obvious at all. ] So, hopefully nothing any of us will have to worry about.

Confidence in leadership is invaluable, particularly for those chosen by their public. It is no surprise that secrets can bring a government down. [Richard can't help but think of a few of his fellow world leaders and their increasingly tenuous positions.

Something more important, though.] Should I take it that you yourself are on that council? [Lots of 'us'es!]

Oh, no, no. I believe it has yet to be formed at all.

[ he shakes his head. ] To be honest, my time here is a rather welcome break from a council seat and a king's throne and all the myriad responsibilities that accompany those positions. I'm free to help in other ways, though if the need arises, I'll certainly do what needs to be done-- even if that means taking a dreaded council position.

[ he smiles kindly. ] You may find yourself similarly liberated here, if you choose.

[Richard has to hide a slight smile. He shouldn't be surprised that one who has also possessed a throne would say something like that.]

A change of occupations here has its appeals. [He makes himself mask his enthusiasm behind mildness. But he's a twenty year old kid who really just wants to hang out with his best friends; that kind of happiness can't be completely hidden away.]

How have you spent your time, if it isn't too forward to ask?

[ what a skillfully measured response! well now there's no doubt the kid spent some time in politics. ]

It's nothing of the sort. [ a vague gesture. ] I always was a scientist as much as I was a king, and I'd hoped my experience would lend itself to finding a cure to the plague what ails Tu Vishan.

[ damned turtle's a tricky knot to unravel, though. he snorts. ] Unfortunately, it's not as simple a solution as I'd hoped it'd be. But I've dealt with worse before, and I'm certainly not alone in my efforts.

A scientist as well as a king? [The surprise doesn't express the full measure of how impressive this is to Richard. That Qilby managed to become proficient in the demanding discipline of science as well as rule his country strikes Richard as admirable and inspiring.] That sounds a fair accomplishment.

[But setting aside Richard's newfound admiration for Qilby's ability to multitask.] What others have said seems to indicate that the kind of illness itself is unknown. Is that correct?

Not so much. It's only because I've lived long enough to accomplish these things. Given time, you'd be able to do the same. [ his words are humble enough, but it's clear from his tone that he's not immune to flattery. keep it comin'!

still smiling, he continues animatedly. ] But yes, that's correct. Not that I've had a lot of experience treating island-sized turtles, but it's... Rare for me to deal with such an unfamiliar illness. I suspect it runs deeper than any physical malady-- perhaps something to do with your eleth or something like it.

[ so everything they're doing-- they're merely treating symptoms and not the cause. for the moment, however, it seems as though that's all anyone's capable of. ]

[Richard does notice, but he doesn't mind. He really is impressed, so he only expresses himself sincerely.] If I can achieve any similar feat during my time as king, I will feel I have spent my time well. [The other sign this boy has spent time in politics: he is careful not to accidentally call Qilby old in his reply.

He taps a finger to his lip thoughtfully. That information suggests what he already suspects.] What was the similar energy you said you had experience with?

Wakfu, a Krosmic energy that fuels all life, all creation in my universe. [ and to demonstrate, he traces lines of blue light in the air as he speaks -- concentric circles, a solar system. ] Long ago, my people discovered the trick of manipulating this energy, and it's fueled all our abilities and all our creations ever since. With it, you can do anything as simple as powering a light-- or as complex as powering a spacecraft.

[ he waves his hand, dispelling the lights which drift away like curls of smoke. ] And as you can see, this world has an analogue to wakfu I'm able to use. Very similar and yet... Foreign, at the same time.

[Richard listens and observes closely. Both the similarities with eleth and some distinctions in use and application are immediately apparent.] Yes, I get a similar impression comparing this world's energy to eleth.

Have you known any cases where the wakfu in an area weakens or runs dry?

Only as a direct result of people's actions. Wakfu is not typically a river that can naturally run dry-- but more often, it can be stilled. When energy isn't allowed to flow, it stagnates, and the buildup can be quite volatile... Dangerously so.

But I have come across a few planets whose wakfu had been drained by artificial means. [ he grimaces. ] They're barren. Incapable of supporting life. Things aren't quite as bad as all that here, but... [ but they're rapidly approaching that point, is what he's saying. ]

[Qilby already strikes Richard as a good source, and what he says confirms Richard's own intuitions. So he goes with the follow-up question.] Then am I correct in assuming that a depletion would be more likely cause of these symptoms than stagnation, if the energy here does work similarly to wakfu?

Correct. That the life-force present in and around Tu Vishan works so similarly to mine is a rather large assumption to make, on the other hand...

[ it feels a bit like sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, to be honest. not uncomfortable, not completely foreign-- but strange all the same. ]

As I understand it, our abilities are vastly weakened once we step off the turtle's shell, which suggests that we largely draw our own power from it rather than ourselves or anything in the outside world.

[Richard nods. The assumption is sensible without any contracting evidence.] Has any effort to speak with Tu Vishan himself been made?

[ his face falls ever so slightly. ]

Aah. Not as far as I know.

[ but that's not the entire truth, is it? he clears his throat. ] That being said, there... May have been some efforts made on Tu Vishan's part. It depends on how much stock you put in dreams and what they say.

[Odd. And interesting. Richard leans forwards, a movement not suited to the technology—but he is from more primitive days.] Consider me most interested. Tu Vishan attempted to make contact with the people here through dreams?

[ that's almost what he implied. he can't help a bit of stiffness in his reply... ]

Several people believe that Tu Vishan was trying to communicate with them, yes. But reports of shared dreams among people living in close proximity with each other are not an entirely uncommon occurrence, especially when the true details of one's dream are so soon forgotten upon awakening.

[ his brother claimed to hear the words of their goddess in his dreams, claimed that she whispered secrets about the future to him in his sleep-- and qilby would have to be willfully obtuse to call all those fulfilled prophecies a mere coincidence.

but dreams of young boys and turtles? it's just ridiculous. he'll have none of it. ]

[It doesn't require reading between the lines. In an odd way, he is reminded of that polite stiffness of tone that Dalen uses whenever he disagrees strongly but is unwilling to outright call something idiotic.] I take your point. Even so, for lack of other means of communication, it is at least worth looking into to disprove or verify, however that might be possible based on the content of the dreams. If there is any truth in it, it could be useful in finding and administering a cure for Tu Vishan's sickness.

Edited 2013-05-24 07:39 (UTC)

Perhaps Tu Vishan would be wise to leave a note instead, next time. [ his tone's drier than any desert but, somewhat-begrudgingly-- ] He... May have something important to tell us.

[ which is probably about as much as he's willing to admit about the whole matter. qilby quickly switches gears. ] And in my haste to show off what I know, oh, I've completely forgotten-- my name is Qilby. It's a pleasure, Richard.

[Richard is quick to take back the blame, at once feeling rude for not asking Qilby's name from the start.] I must be the one to apologize; I shouldn't have let my interest distract me from my manners.

[ no, let him apologize! sheesh. royal types, what are you gonna do?

he laughs; it's a pleasant sound. ] Then we may agree that both of us have been terribly rude.

Well-- I do hope I've managed to help in some fashion. Much of this world is still a mystery even to me.

[He smiles in response.] You were a great help. Should you solve more of the mystery of this world, I would be most interested in hearing of your discoveries. [Qilby y u so smart and impressive.]

[ some people are just born with it!

a polite, but appropriately regal dip of his head. ] In that case, you shall be the first to hear.

Take care, Richard-- and should you require any assistance while you're here, I'll be glad to offer mine.

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oathwalk - 2013-05-25 22:27 (UTC) - Expand

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