[Console | Video]

[spoilsfun]

This is ridiculous!

[There is a small boy scowling up into the console's video feed with a highly offended expression on his face. Not that it was easy to see that much. Even standing on a stool he is barely tall enough to reach the console.]

There can't be a turtle that big. If it was real it would be completely violating the square-cube law. Even presuming that it was possible for a turtle to grow this big, a biological creature cannot scale up like this. The larger an animal grows, the less its proportional muscle strength. According to that law, this turtle shouldn't even be able to move and there should be severe problems with its cardiovascular and respiratory functions. Even if we factor in the exception for buoyancy in sea creatures, this is still far too big. How is it possible for this to exist?

[Belatedly, he realizes that had been just a tiny bit advanced for an ordinary seven-year-old. He hastily pastes on a bright childish smile.]

I saw a program about it on television once! It was really interesting.

Comments

[pompous_today]

You're a very logic-minded person, aren't you?

[spoilsfun]

Mmm, it's because I'm going to be a detective. Just like Uncle and Sherlock Holmes.

[pompous_today]

Well, it's a very nice thing to aspire to be. Discovering the truth is important.

[spoilsfun]

I think so too! I think its important to have someone in the world that seeks the truth.

[pompous_today]

I look forward to hearing the results of your investigations, then. And maybe afterward, you can tackle the mysteries of the soul gems. [He tapped the purple gem hanging around his neck.]

[spoilsfun]

Someone told me that it was dangerous to remove them, but he didn't know of anyone who had tried it. Do you know what happens?

[pompous_today]

Supposedly you begin to feel sick- weak and dizzy- and the symptoms only get worse the longer you are apart from it, and prolonged separation can be fatal. Needless to say, I have not been too eager to test it.

[spoilsfun]

Do you know of anyone who has tested it?

[pompous_today]

I haven't, but I am sure some of the longer-term residents may be able to tell you more. I've only been here a few months myself, so I've tried to stay out of trouble.

[spoilsfun]

What kinds of things have you seen here?

[pompous_today]

Not everyone here is human, for starters.

[spoilsfun]

How do you know?

[pompous_today]

I worked on a few of them after an earthquake- there was some definitely nonhuman anatomy. And, well, you will likely see some of the other species native to this city in due time.

[spoilsfun]

When was there an earthquake? Were many people hurt?

[pompous_today]

A few months ago- and yes, many were. There was some heavy structural damage, as well.