tushanshu | (video) three.

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(video) three.

Apart from the occasional-- [ ahem ] --magical hiccup or two, I realize that things have been rather quiet around here. [ and, believe it or not, he doesn't look the littlest bit upset about it. sometimes quiet is good! quiet means that he's spent of a lot of time cooped up in his lab, but it also means that a malicious entity of literally unspeakable evil isn't going around and slashing up people in their nightmares. or doing whatever it does. ]

--but, that being said, I don't think anyone would disagree with me when I say that now's not the time to get complacent. And for those of us looking to really try and make a difference here, this is our best opportunity to do so.

I have a few acquaintances in the kedan community who're willing to take on Foreigner help for a number of tasks our talents may be… More suited to completing. [ us foreigners and our crazy powers, am i right? ] They offer compensation, of course, and the promise of more to come should everything go smoothly.

[ the important part is left unspoken. while great headway's been made into establishing good relations with the kedan, there's still work left to be done. money's great and all, but surely this is the greater of the two rewards. ]

I should have more solid details in a few weeks -- for now, this is just something for the more enterprising among you to keep in mind. [ a brief pause, and he smiles. ] My name is Qilby. I hope I'll be seeing more of you about this in the days to come.

((ooc details on this little venture will be in a post later this month!))

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[Harde har har.

But, ahah, here comes the question of the ages, one he can't exactly answer in a straightforward manner without getting judged for the rest of his (probably short) life. And really, he's had enough of that already.]

I work with electronics. [Truth.] Mostly in fixing things up and maybe inventing small things here or there. [He shrugs.] I made some air conditioned cages for the tribbles back when there were more of them in people's houses than there are shoes in a woman's closet.

[The following is said a little self-consciously.] I'm also good at getting into small spaces.

[ huh. the electronics are one thing, but the other... well, it's technically a talent. and that's what counts, right?

okay, so maybe qilby's judging just a little. but at least he's way too nice to say anything about it! ]

How many other people can say that? You'll be my go-to when small spaces need invading. [ he shakes his finger. ] The tribbles, though-- that's the sort of thing I'm talking about. Good to know you already have experience with public service.

Depends. If you're talking subatomic, not a lot.

[His tone is oddly professional here. He may not like to talk about her superhero career a whole lot, but when he does he's going to be damn proud of the legacy Hank Pym left him.

In response to the tribbles, Scott just shrugs.]

I like helping people. It's kind of what I do.

[ qilby's been around other foreigners long enough to have familiarized himself with the sciences of other worlds. but when he hears "subatomic," he's still confused, because he thought that referred to-- and surely no one could be talking about spaces that small-- ]

I... Didn't know we were talking subatomic. [ and where he sounded merely polite about it before, now he sounds... actually kind of genuinely impressed! ] Is this something you can do naturally or, or an invention of yours?

An invention of a friend's, actually.

[Except is he still allowed to count Hank as a friend when they don't even talk? Ehhh, he'll count him as a friend for now.]

They're particles suspended in gas that allow the user - or anything affected by the gas - to shrink down to small sizes. The final size depends on the amount of gas used but with enough you could go subatomic. I've done it once or twice.

[And here he winces at the memory.] I wouldn't really recommend it though. Going subatomic, that is. Things get kind of...wonky when you're that small.

[ fictional science is great, isn't it? wacky shrinking particles sound totally legit!

qilby smiles wryly. ] I think I'll take that advice. The universe is quite big enough for me without expanding my perspective by several trillion times. [ a thoughtful pause. ] It's interesting, though-- I'd always turned my studies outward, to the stars and planets and beyond. I'd never thought of there being any other way to feel so utterly small.

[Dryly:] I can use some on you if you'd like to experience a whole new world.

[But nah, he's kidding. Fictional science is pretty damn gr8 though and Scott loves his science and his tinkering and his inventions that wouldn't make any sense in real world America. But! Stars and planets and other things.]

Does that make you some sort of astronomer then? I've never really paid much attention to space.

Among many things, yes. Biologist, engineer, physician... I'd spent many, many years studying my home world, so it was only natural that I eventually turn my attentions outside it.

[ why limit yourself to exploring every inch of one world when there are innumerable others out there? and while you're at it, why limit yourself to one universe when there are apparently so many more?

he laughs appreciatively. ] Maybe I will take you up on that. If you're offering tours, that is.

That's a lot of different things to be.

[He doesn't even look that old, what the heck. But Scott's definitely appreciative of people who can juggle a lot of varying (and difficult!) occupations and hobbies, and his admiration shows in his voice.]

And there's not a lot interesting to see here - unless you're a fan of turtle mites - but yeah, I could do that. Whenever you're free.

For someone with no shortage of time on his hands, it's not enough.

[ truth. can you imagine a cerebral sort like him living forever with nothing to occupy his mind? it'd be enough to drive anyone crazy, ha ha! ]

--But, it's certainly a start. And just being here's opened me up to so much more. [ shrinking. who knew? ] What's your name?

[Yeeah, Scott kinda died before he even reached over-the-hill status, the concept of having too much time and not enough to fill it with never really occurs to him. The unfortunate side of being only human.

But! Introductions.]

Scott Lang. It's nice to meet you, Mr. ...?

Qilby. Just Qilby. [ "mr. qilby" is just wrong. ]

And the pleasure's mine. I'm only sorry my studies kept me from reaching out to others on the network like you sooner. [ he waves his hand vaguely. ] But, presented with a whole new world like this to explore, it was bound to happen. Given past histories and all.

[Would "Dr. Qilby" be any better?]

It's a big turtle. Plus there's a lot going on. [AKA unnecessary apology accepted anyway.] But you'll have to tell me about your studies at some point. I'm sure there's a lot about this place that's different from where we both come from.

[ no complaint there, but there is the minor matter of the, uh, doctorate. although you'd think that after a couple thousand years of study, you'd just earn an honorary title...

he laughs a little. ] Careful what you wish for. You have no idea how long I can go on about my work.

But I'll gladly do so -- at least, if you'll do the same.

We've got plenty of time here.

[And it's not as though he's got any other pressing matters to attend to on the turtle. So story time with Doc Quilby sounds like a great idea.]

And sure thing, though my stuff's probably not nearly exciting as yours.

Plenty of time. [ he repeats, still smiling-- but there's a faint, almost undetectable hint of melancholy in his voice when he says it.

and then, eyeing the feed with mock suspicion, qilby arches a brow. ] You wouldn't be trying to sell yourself short on me, would you? [ he shakes his head. ] There's very little that doesn't interest me, Mister Lang. Frankly, I can't get enough of it all. Whatever you have to offer, I'm sure it's more exciting than you're making it out to be.

[He'll just. Hold out his hands in responding mock innocence.]

Not at all, Quilby. I'm just used to working with guys who believe in the whole "bigger is better" concept.

All that need be big are ideas. [in that sense, bigger is better. he's dealt with too many small-thinking people in his lifetimes.] But I can understand where you're coming from.

I'm not the only scientist working here -- have you spoken with any of the others on the turtle? You may find more like-minded people.

[Scott smiles a bit ruefully at that.]

I'm not really a scientist, more of an engineer. But no, I haven't. [He shrugs.] It's fine though. I've always been more of a behind-the-curtains kinda guy.

An engineer, then. I've found the two are greater together than apart; my most incredible collaborations have been with engineers.

[well, with one in particular-- but the chances of him arriving are laughable at best. and it's almost definitely better off that way.

earnestly:] You could benefit from reaching out.

[Aw Quilby you're cute and Scott likes you. His earnestness elicits a small laugh and an answering smile.]

I'll see what I can do. I'm afraid I don't know too many people here though. [Networking is so hard when you have to start all over.] You wouldn't happen to have any recommendations, would you?

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