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

[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.

[gadaboutdetective]

[Llewellyn couldn’t help the grin at that, delighted both by Remy’s opinion on sharing and the fact that he definitely liked the idea of being able to bring something home to share that he’d cooked himself... Rather than picked up from the market.

Not that the market wasn’t full of good things to eat, but it would be new and rather exciting.]

Ah, we share a similar philosophy on food then! There’s nothing quite like being able to share a good meal with others, and I admit... I’d uh— rather like the chance to share something I helped cook with Rhy.

[Might make a nice surprise, and he’s quite sure Rhy hadn’t ever had the chance to enjoy that kind of cuisine yet.]

So... I’ll make sure I get a good container to bring how whatever you show me how to make. [He paused, remembering his manners rather late.] Merci beaucoup, Remy. It’s kind of you to offer, considering you only just arrived.

[athiefalways]

[By the end of Watts' convincing himself it was a wonderful idea, Remy was already smiling, because he always appreciates another's excitement, and because it's just darned cute to be honest.

At length, he laughs, nodding.]

Call it gettin' to know the neighbors, eh? I ain't one to stumble around in the dark.

[gadaboutdetective]

[He’d be a bit confused by the notion of him being ‘cute’ honestly, but Remy’s words get a small grin.]

Mm... We’ll call it that, but I still appreciate the offer. [And Llewellyn shook his head a little then,] I doubt you’d be in the dark for long given your approach to all of this? As it is, people tend to be quite quick to offer help and explanations.

[athiefalways]

That's the idea, Llew. If you stay in the dark, you leave yourself open to fallin' to simple things, non? I'll get by, and this ain't my first rodeo, neither.

[gadaboutdetective]

Very, true in my experience... Prior experience should definitely help? I know I would have probably found it a little easier to navigate if I had some idea of how this all might have worked beforehand.

[Rubbing the back of his neck lightly, a furrow of his brow as he looked back on his past stumbling around.]

If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know. I uh— might not always have an answer, but I can probably point you towards someone who would.

[athiefalways]

Your world's pretty normal, non? Least that's the impression I'm gettin'. No mutants, aliens...just life?

[gadaboutdetective]

[His brow furrowed again, shaking his head a little.]

Mutants...? Mm... Not sure what you mean by that, but probably not. As for aliens... A colleague is quite sure they do, but there’s no proof to say for sure either way. So, yes, pretty normal by comparison to most worlds? If only because uh— we’ve never really had anything of that nature happen.

[He offered a little awkward shrug,]

I suppose I’m more of a fish out of water among many of the other arrivals, [Was that a joke about fish while they were at the bottom of the ocean? Who knows, it’s hard to tell with him.] I’ve been trying to learn more though... To catch up? Reading and talking to those who know more than I do.

[Trying to absorb information like a sponge, just... a sponge that didn’t retain everything he wanted it to sometimes. Hence his many notes.]