hadriel | ✘ Round 2

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✘ Round 2 | Audio

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?

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[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.

Edited 2016-07-15 18:53 (UTC)

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

[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.

[ 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. ]

[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?

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.

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?

[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??

[ 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. ]

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. ]

[That is a... surprisingly personal sentiment for what he was assuming was just going to be a quick courtesy visit for his insects. Glacius blinks, then lowers his eyes slightly and gives a small nod. He understands that more than she might know, given how long-lived his species is compared to others, but he's not sure how he feels about discussing such a thing with someone he's just met.]

I... do appreciate this, though I am not sure how I feel about openly broadcasting the location of my living space. Is there a more secure channel where I can contact you--or perhaps we can meet somewhere else, and then I can bring you back?

Edited 2016-07-15 20:53 (UTC)

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?]

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.

Something is "messing" with the network? [...Now that explains a lot about his earlier conversation with Emily. Glacius groans, rubbing at his face in exasperation. Then he looks back to the feed and stares.] This is... bizarre and very unnerving. [Says the ice alien who boldly faces down monsters on a daily basis. He can't... look... away...]

[You know, Glacius would think that he would be able to adjust to most things after being stuck in Hadriel for a handful of months... and yet every time a human offers to do something nice for him out of the blue, without asking for anything in return, it really throws him for a loop. He blinks down at his phone, sounding slightly surprised when he responds.] That is very kind of you to offer. I must admit that I disagree with your sentiment, however... I do not trust them, and therefore I will not force you to communicate with them on my behalf. It is up to your discretion--but if you do, let me know. I would like to repay you for your kindness, somehow.

Edited 2016-07-15 20:01 (UTC)

I see. Your assessment seems accurate--I only saw them in the caves for a short time, and never since. It... is a shame that the gods would bring them here, then, to a place where they cannot thrive or belong... [That thought hits a little bit too close to home, and Glacius falls silent quickly--until something is asked of him, at least.]

Yes, you may. It only seems right to honor their passing somehow. Where would you like to meet?

[ alkfdjgehol; there is so much scowling going on. Not so much directed at Glacius for staring, but her phone for doing this in the first damn place. Couldn't it at least have been something remotely cool? ]

Aye. My guess is one of the gods. [ She doesn't know which for sure, but Rage must certainly be getting a lot of power from it. ]

What?? Why would the gods do this? Last I checked, "confusion" wasn't among their ranks.

[A beat, then as he remembers their overseers' penchant for troublemaking:] --Oh Makers, they didn't put anything in my device did they? Kate! What's on my face?!! [The alien brings his hands up to his face suddenly, giving himself a series of small and quick pats in various places. He's mortified at the thought that he broadcasted an open message over the network during one of the gods' games. What sort of indignities is he suffering without even knowing it?!]

To piss us-- [ Oh, wait, no. Never mind. ]

You're fine. [ There is nothing on your face and nothing weird about any of that broadcast. ] Nothing weird for you.

...that sounds a bit like them bringing us here, doesn't it?

[ He sighs, then his voice lightens. ] I can come to you. Where are you staying?

[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.

Edited 2016-07-15 20:31 (UTC)

[Glacius blinks at her reassurance, then huffs out a sigh of relief.] Oh thank the Makers. I was afraid... well, never mind. No need to give them ideas.

That you'd be a cat, too? [ Wry af. No, this is all to do with dumb old nicknames.

That said, it would make her feel better if someone else was stuck with this. She had an image to maintain, goddammit. One that did not involve cat filters. ]

[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.

[It's a good thing they are sticking to audio, because Glacius flinches and doesn't respond. When he responds his voice is a little tighter, sort of like a human's might be if they were gritting their teeth.]

I do not wish to broadcast the location of my living space so openly. [It's not you, Pell; it's just that he's a naturally reclusive being, and secrecy has been a part of his upbringing and training.] I still have them in their jar... I can bring them to wherever else you may like to meet. Perhaps if it is somewhere outdoors, we can release them together.

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✘ Round 2 | Audio

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