✘ Round 2 | Audio

[glacius]

I... I require assistance. [The feed comes on and the normally calm ice alien's voice is tinted with sadness. He takes a small breath, then continues:]

I have been keeping a small number of lightbugs that appeared in the caves about three... [there's a brief pause as he struggles to remember the proper terminology used by humans for this span of time--] ... months ago. But now it appears they are dying. I don't know what I did wrong. I made sure their enclosure had plenty of space, insulated it from the cold, and even provided them with things to eat. And yet still...

[Glacius trails off. Given that his homeworld is frozen over, there aren't any insects on it, so he has no idea how their general life cycle works--or in this case, how short it can be. He doesn't even realize that he was lucky to get three months with these heartwarming little critters! His voice is therefore regretful when he speaks again, but it sounds like he's trying to scrounge for some determination because he hasn't yet realized their time is simply coming to a close.] ... I don't want to lose them. Is there anyone who knows enough about these life forms to help them?

Comments

[video]

[wormintheglass]

[Bianca doesn't know Glacius to speak to, but one can't share a fairly small city with someone that distinctive and not know who he is.]

I can try, dearheart. I'm usually good with insects. But it's likely they're simply reaching the end of their natural lifespan. Most insects have a short one, relative to other genera.

[video]

[glacius]

[Oh, this person is attempting to initiate visual communications with him as well. Glacius pauses; even though he's become a little bit less reclusive since coming here, the idea of broadcasting himself on the network still seems like a rather large step! Still, he's operating under the assumption that this is now a one-on-one conversation, not knowing that people in the city like to read up on other's exchanges.

He lets the switch happen. Bianca is faced with the shining visage of a massive ice alien peering down into his phone's screen. Video communications are nothing new to him, but he's never done it with such a tiny gadget before!] Oh..? I did not know that. I have never encountered life like this before. So fragile... a pity.

[Glacius sighs, casting a glance back to look at the poor wilting bugs, then back to the feed.] Perhaps... you could try anyways? They remind me of... something important.

[video]

[wormintheglass]

Glacius, isn't it? Kate's friend?

[She asks in the way people who already know the answer ask questions, without waiting for a reply.]

Outliving those we love is an anguish that never leaves us, isn't it? I'll come right away. Where are you?

audio;

[pellameno]

You didn't do anything wrong. I'm surprised they're still alive... insects don't usually live very long.

audio;

[glacius]

[Oh, this voice! He remembers this person, they were very helpful and kind to him. Though this time he comes bearing bad news...] ... Ah. I see... that is a shame. How does such a species survive, if it is so short-lived?

Re: audio;

[pellameno]

They reproduce just as quickly. But it has to be the right environment for them, and I don't think those bugs were native to these caves.

Would you mind if I saw them again? I don't know anyone else who saved any.

video;

[dedikated]

[ Because it's you, Glayglay, Kate will actually deal with this damnable filter. Better than risking things coming out in Danish or worse. ]

That's longer than most of them. [ Her voice is... softer than one might expect there. Kate doesn't know much about fireflies, but hers died reasonably quickly. ]

video;

[glacius]

[Well, at least that damnable filter completely distracts Glacius from his sorrows for a moment or two. He blinks, staring at his screen, then--assuming that his first attempts to use the video function of the network have gone horribly awry somehow-- tries a few button presses that do nothing.] --Wait, I think I did this wrong--there are... some bizarre images over your face. How do I remove them??

video;

[dedikated]

[ Judging by her facial expression, she knows quite well that they're there. ] You can't. Tried to already. [ s i g h ] Part of whatever's messing with the network. [ At the very least, they're better than trying to talk in Danish. At the very least. ]

audio

[cowardley]

Maybe you could ask Delight, or Hope to extend their lifespan? [ she released hers long before they could die under her watch. that would have hurt. ]

audio

[glacius]

Now that is... something I had not thought of. Though I do not enjoy the idea of having to ask anything of our captors... [Now he's facing a dilemna; if it's possible to keep the insects alive, would it be worth it to risk communicating with the beings that can subvert his will, or manipulate his mind and emotions? They might be small, but they are still lives... shouldn't he prioritize that over his own comfort?]

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[cowardley]

Would you like me to ask? [ the offer is immediate. the gods intimidate her, but both Hope, and Delight have been ultimately kind to them—as kind as beings who feed on their emotions can be, that is. ] They're not... They're not so terrible, and I don't think they mind when we ask for things occasionally.

[voice]

[synthedick]

[Nick normally wouldn't mind using video when talking to Glacius, but he'd rather not broadcast his obviously damaged state all over the network. It looks like the real problem has been covered already, but he still wants to note:]

The fact you got them to live that long in a place like this is a sign you took good care of them.

[voice]

[glacius]

[It's something that he would understand and even empathize with if he knew why Nick was avoiding video. As it is, Glacius does not note the preference for audio as an odd one, given that he is still more comfortable using only the voice functions of these devices too.]

Are... are you sure? I was worried that... perhaps my containment of them had something to do with the way they're wasting away. I'm no insect, but if I was stuck in a place that I did not want to be for a very long time, I am sure that even my spirit would waver... [Which is actually rather telling about how hard being separated from his people and being stuck on earth or in Hadriel has been... it's been so long. He needs to redouble his efforts to find a way out of this place.

[voice]

[synthedick]

They might not be smart enough to even realize they've been trapped all this time.

[He says that lightly, hearing the concern in Glacius' voice. The big guy really does have a big heart to match.]

But what everyone else has already covered is true. Insects don't typically last very long, not even the irradiated ones where I come from.

audio

[unfollowing]

[Oh no oh no oh no he sounds so sad! Emily's voice is clear and soft as she replies.]

Hey, it's okay. You gave them a really good life. They lasted longer than normal fireflies. I bet they loved that you took such good care of them.

[Please don't be sad.]

audio

[glacius]

[Sorry, Emily, he isn't trying to cause you grief! It's just that the alien hates the thought that he might have somehow caused the insects harm, and moreover watching their lights shrink and go out is causing him a surprising amount of sorrow. At least her kind words help to smooth away that first batch of fears.] Do you really think so? I tried my best to take good care of them, but maybe keeping them in captivity was wrong of me. It's just that... their glow... it reminded me of my people, in a way. I wanted to keep that close...

video;

[strangelic]

[ He feels this immensely. And never mind the weird video distortion that gives him a halo and wings. He looks sad, but hopeful. ]

I asked Delight to extend the lifespans of mine. She was very helpful, and did so. If she wants more than you can offer, I'm certain that others will be willing to help pay her price, myself included. Let us help you.

video;

[glacius]

[The filter is curious, but Glacius has already been introduced to the distortions by now, so he doesn't say anything. There are more pressing issues at the forefront of his mind, anyways.] Yes, someone else recommended that I go to Delight for assistance... I do not enjoy the idea of having to go to the gods for anything. But if their life hinges upon such an action, it would be wrong of me not to try and save them, would it not..?

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[fleshing]

yOOU U MA KE em a n ICE NICE SPOT IN JARS!!!!!! FOODA ND GREEN THinGS!!!!!!!!!!

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[glacius]

[...Uh. Okay, this person is... very excited about the fireflies..?] I have done that. They seemed to be doing quite well for some time. But now, they suddenly seem to be dying off...

[casperdisaster]

Mine are dying too.

Fireflies naturally don't live that long on their own. Some only live days. Months is probably lucky for them - they aren't breeding, so...

omg i'm so sorry this got lost in my cluttered inbox!!

[glacius]

I... I see. That is tragic. Their lights are beautiful, and they bring happiness to so many... it seems a pity for them to be such short-lived creatures.

[voice]

[circumitus]

Why did you keep them in the first place?

[Rey had her emotions shut off when they showed up, but that doesn't mean she isn't aware of their effects. Still, why anyone would want to experience fake-happiness is beyond her.]

[voice]

[glacius]

[Glacius can't actually shut off his emotions, though he's usually so good at controlling them and keeping them concealed that it might seem that way to some! He had not been keeping the fireflies for their happiness-boosting capabilities, as Rey will soon find out; he doesn't like having outside forces influencing his mind even with positive effects. No, it's something else.] They... they remind me of my people. It's the way they light up. I--I mean, we don't have glowing abdomens or anything like that but we have the ability to conjure motes should we wish it...