video; un: Gambit

[athiefalways]

[He's done enough looking around before actually making himself known on the network. It had occurred to him originally to hide his identity but given other people in residence, he's pretty sure it wouldn't last regardless.

When the video initializes, he's sitting at the dining table in the pod he's been given, or the one he woke up in anyway. All the prints matched, so it was his for now at least.]

Bonjour, neighbors. [And yes, he is eating a sandwich while he's talking.] The name's Remy, and I guess we'll be sharin' space for a while. Got some questions, though.

[His voice is deep, smooth, and heavily Acadian accented. He sets down his triangle-cut sandwich slice on the plate next to him.]

What sorta stuff can a homme expect 'round here, eh? I don't reckon our host took all the time out of its day just to give us luxury accommodations in this here premiere under-the-sea home away from home, non? Also, while we're talkin', my name ring any bells with anybody? Just curious. Bon chance, mes amies, hope to hear from y'all soon.

Comments

[athiefalways]

It might help to know what those requirements happen to be, non?

[He smiles at that, though, nodding.]

Sometimes you gotta celebrate what you got wherever it's at. Life's short and can be damned terrible.

[gadaboutdetective]

That I can’t answer? Well, at least not without any confidence... It’s said that all it needs from us is our presence and for us to live our lives while it tries to answer ‘The Question.’ It gave me a sizeable headache when I asked what that was, so I don’t recommend asking it that... But! It seems to have something to do with what happened here before us, when it’s kind all mysteriously died.

[He paused, then waved his hand a bit vaguely as though to get his thoughts back on track.]

But one could at least consider the possibility that those who don’t uh... adapt as well into living here like others do might be sent home sooner? If that is indeed of utmost importance for the experiment. Of course, it might be a combination of any number of other factors as well. Like I said, I can’t answer with confidence.

[He lowered his hands finally, expression a little more subdued for a moment at the statement. It’s gone a moment later though, offering a small smile instead.]

Life certainly can be... But yes, that’s why I’ve been trying to learn to accept the good things when I find them or they find me.

[athiefalways]

The Question? The Ultimate Question? Of Life, The Universe, and Everything? [It had actually started out as a joke, but ask he was speaking he had the dawning realization that might actually be exactly what Watts was talking about. He's not actually sure what to do with that information.]

Un moment. This Sphere's tryin' to work out just what happened to its own people by watchin' us, but it don't expect anything special from us, and it subjects us all to difference crisis situations? ...Llew, what if, and bear with me on this one, homme, its tryin' to work out how they died to try to, I don't know, undo it?

[gadaboutdetective]

[It’s so very sad that the joke would have gone over Llewellyn’s head.

He listened though, brow furrowing more deeply as the man came to an end of his hypothesis.]

Based on the conversation I had with the Sphere earlier this month... I would say that’s a very good possibility? It said it didn’t know why they all died, and it’s all alone now. It could be lying, or it might not be the full story given it doesn’t seem to know how to communicate with us... But that’s possibly not far off... Although it already has the ability to bring us back from the dead should something happen, but maybe there’s something about its species that prevents that.

[athiefalways]

Mon dieu...

[He shook his head.]

Well, this is gonna take some watchin', non? This the first time the Sphere opened up like that?

[gadaboutdetective]

No, it has spoken to people... twice before? Once when something happened with some kind of infectious moss, which was before my time... Then a second time a few months ago when uh— things started disappearing and shutting down.

[He sighed a little, that was a very long story.]

This was the first time I was able to have a proper conversation with it. I asked if it would consider speaking to us again in the future, but... I’m afraid it only said it would consider it.

[athiefalways]

You didn't happen to ask why it chose to this time, did ya?

[gadaboutdetective]

Yes, I did. [Not in the most professional manner but...] It indicated that it wanted to see what we’d do... The same as most of what happens here.

[athiefalways]

Personality tests. [Remy himself is not a scientist, but he's known several throughout his life.]

...and it's tryin' to replace it's own people, which are very different from us.

...wonder if it's tryin' to work out a better simulation, but it's got to know what makes us tick first...

[gadaboutdetective]

That... could be part of it. Given it can already bring us back from the dead, one does wonder what about us specifically it’s trying to figure out.

[It was all very complicated, especially since he also wasn’t a scientist.]

Maybe it’s more about the soul and mind than body? [He... sounds more like he’s talking to himself now. Musing out loud, given he hadn’t really had a chance to discuss this with anyone as of yet.] If it’s tried to revive one of its kind and found that was the problem...? Perhaps that was the thing that kept it from being successful before... A thing that even humans couldn’t comprehend, thus making it unable to explain its ‘question’ fully.

It did tell me it doesn’t wish to permanently harm us though, which apparently is a risk from communicating with us too often. Then there’s the fact that after being brought back too many times, it is unable to do so properly. We lose parts of ourselves, from what I understand. Memories.

[Finally he paused, brows furrowing a bit.]

Uh— probably more speculation than you wanted to hear on your first day, though.

[athiefalways]

To be honest, homme, this whole thing ain't the weirdest I ever heard, and it does make sense. We ain't gonna be answer to answer its question 'bout its peoples' souls, though. I hope it understands that.

[gadaboutdetective]

[That gets a curious tilt of his head,]

It’s not the weirdest thing? Well... That might not be that surprising compared to other arrivals. I’m starting to think my world is a rarity.

[athiefalways]

Naw, just lucky, I'd say. Why don't you tell me a little about it?

[gadaboutdetective]

Mm... Well, similar to many people who arrive here... my world does seem to follow the standard of being ‘earth?’ But unlike other worlds, there doesn’t appear to be anything like magic that’s been proven yet. I’ve had a few people suggest reasons for that. It’s also rather... outdated to places like this by comparison? Some have said my world is likely the past of their own.

[He absentmindedly rubbed the back of his neck, a little uncertain if he was explaining anything well.]

I’m from Toronto, Ontario, in Canada. The uh— year when I arrived here was 1905. I’m... not sure if that means anything to you though, depending on what kind of world you’re from.

[athiefalways]

Know a few Canadians, but not from 1905. It's 2012 where I'm from, but Ontario's still around. I know somethin' 'bout the time, but not so much in Canada, sorry to say.

[gadaboutdetective]

So another similar world, but from a later point in history... Strange to think about, but it has been fascinating to learn about what changes in that time. I’m actually not the only Canadian here either, interestingly enough. She’s from... I believe about five or so years beyond the point in that you’re from.

[He smiled a little,]

I can’t say I’m surprised you haven’t met any from my era, they would be rather old after all. [Not that he’d rule that out, at this point it seemed like a lot of things were possible in other worlds.] Would I be correct in guessing you’re from further south of the border? You’re uh— accent. It reminds me of some time I spent in New Orleans during my personal travels.

[athiefalways]

You spent time in 'Nawlins at the turn of the century? My papa was a boy then. A lot's changed, but a lot's stayed the same, too. We still like our bourbon, it still floods, and the gator's ain't gone nowhere.

[He grins.]

And we ain't forgotten how to cook, neither. You get a taste for gumbo while you were down, Llew?

[gadaboutdetective]

Yes, I’ve noticed that there are some things that don’t really change over time.

[His brows perk up at the mention of cooking and gumbo, now you’re really speaking his language, Remy. Food will always be his favourite part of travelling, after all.]

Oh, yes I certainly did. I’m rather fond of it, and most of the food I had while I was there was delicious.

[athiefalways]

Well, we are known for our cuisine. [He grins.] Tell you what, homme. You come over sometime and I'll cook you up somethin'.

[gadaboutdetective]

Really—? that’s a kind offer, and I’ve never been known to turn down a good meal with a friend. New or old, of course.

[What? People who offered to share food were friends in his book.]

I can’t cook myself... but! I can certainly offer to help you figure your way around this place and show you the better food stands to eat at for when you don’t feel like cooking.

[athiefalways]

Can't cook? [He scoffs at that.] Anybody can cook, mon ami. You just ain't had a good teacher. We'll do somethin' about that.

[gadaboutdetective]

I’m... reasonably sure if you seen the state of the pans in Dorm Dome 2 before I moved that you would agree that I really can’t.

[He’s pretty sure that’s one thing his old dorm-mates wouldn’t be missing since his departure.

He had to grin a little, Remy did make a good point.]

Considering that I would be my own teacher, I suppose that does make sense.

[Hang on a second, it only struck him a moment later what Remy was offering. Llewellyn is still getting used to the idea of people offering him help with things sometimes.]

Wait— we will? Are you offering to give me some pointers?

[Oh, now that was interesting for a few reasons. He’s also pretty sure it could be a waste of Remy’s time...]

[athiefalways]

That's just 'cause nobody's taught you, homme.

[He laughs at Watt's astonishment, nodding.] Sho' nuff, Llew. And maybe we start with how to boil water, eh?

[gadaboutdetective]

Ah— yes, I guess that might have something to do with it. I have mastered toast and using the small cooking box, though. The microwave?

[Perhaps Remy is kidding about boiling water, but...]

That... probably would be a good place to start, yes.

[athiefalways]

[He was not joking and has every intention of starting at that very point.]

Tres bien! You're gonna need somethin' to take it home in, too. Ain't no reason to cook if you're not sharin'. That's what food's all about, non? Bringin' people together.