001 - Hello, World - Week Two | CW: insects

[snaggletooth]

[ A buzzing besets the wearers of masks, building and building. Then, the moment it seems impossible for it to become any louder, it stops. Like an approaching swarm that's ceased all aggression in an instant. There's still something sitting there behind this sudden cessation, however, hidden in the shifting blackness of the mind. A presence, just arrived, awaiting a turn to speak. ]

Hello, please pardon my intrusion. My name is Ivan. I'm standing at the entrance to Grand Central Station.

Before I head below, there's something I believe I should do for my own safety. With an appearance like mine, it would be easy for those of you I've yet to meet to mistake me for one of those other mindless things that live down there, in the dark. That's why I'm going to show myself to all of you now. It may be startling, so I apologize.

Please, brace yourself.

[ There is movement in the mind's eye. There is a light that switches on, illuminating an oily mass that goes on and on, disappearing off in the depths of the dark plane. Nothing gives it scale except for the distinct sense that it is looming, this terrible silhouette that terminates in the pale, placid face of a young man. It looks like a porcelain doll's head has been torn off and placed atop a nightmarish effigy.

He sways softly before allowing himself to fade away once again. ]

There, ahaha... if you're still hearing this, then I have to thank you for at least humoring me.

I realize that my gesture doesn't give anyone a reason to trust I'm not as bad as the next abomination you run into. I won't begrudge you, whatever your decision. There is one piece of guidance I can offer though. It doesn't even require dealing with me in person, fortunately for all.

Just concentrate with me — for one more moment.

[ He's not usually the one to do this. That person has concerningly not been present. At the end of the moment he requested, your thoughts are pulled along, beyond anywhere you thought to direct them. You can resist and the sensation will simply dissipate, but allow yourself to be lead and all will also be well. At the end of the line is a susurrating knot of voices speaking over one another. Echoes that, with just a bit of focus, become clearer. Individual. ]

If this information proves useful, send your regards to the young man named Megumi.

( NOTE: This message will be sent out once the Veteran's nightmares begin leading them to the tunnels. Ivan will be actively searching while communicating and can be intercepted by other characters in the area. His close companion Till may also respond and/or can optionally appear if a conversation thread is converted to action. )

Comments

[untilldeath]

[Foolhardy. That’s definitely how Till would describe him. Once upon a time, in his own naive way, Till had nursed the same kind of grandiose conviction.

'I'm a genius! So I'll figure something out!'

He’d never truly believed he could save the entire universe from the plague that is the Segyein. All he’d ever really hoped was that he’d somehow find a way to save his friends.

Instead, he’d had to watch as, one by one, they were all killed, and he hadn’t been able to do a single damn thing about it. Sua, Acorn, Marty, Ivan… and others, too. Acorn because it had been him or Till, and Till decided on himself. And Ivan...

He rolls his eyes again. Whether he's faced anything crazy before, it's absolutely insane to think anyone could prance in and defeat the Segyein, as much as he wishes that were possible.

. . . But he can't even feel annoyed anymore. Whether misguided or not, this guy-- a kid? Or maybe someone his own age, seems well-intentioned enough.]

So how do you go about saving the universe anyway?

[trashblaze]

[ Well, look what Caelus notices because a certain someone entered the Murmur space. ]

I see that you know Aventurine. He's from my universe and is one of my trusted allies. You could ask him for some interesting stories.

[ Aventurine can serve a solid testimony that proves Caelus isn't insane! Yay! AHEM. Anyway, as for the question… ]

We have protocols for it. Explore, understand, establish, and connect. These are our objectives whenever we land on a new planet. We get to know the planet and its people first, then join them in handling their issues.

It sounds complicated when I say it like that, but all I want to do is befriend people and help them any way I can.

[untilldeath]

[Aven is at least someone he trusts and likes. Aven's the only reason he's even alive right now in this place.]

I'm not trying to insult you, but I really don't think it would be so simple at home.

[It's an entire universe. Not just the planet Ankat Garden resides on.]

If you just showed up somewhere, I'm pretty sure the Segyein would be happy to just toss a collar around your throat, too. They wouldn't just greet you kindly or allow you to befriend their pets.

[The sick bastards.]

I guess strays exist on the streets, but I wouldn't know anything about that. You'd have to ask Ivan. What I'm saying, though, is that it's an entire universe of creeps. Unless someone can wipe out their kind on a galactic level, nothing would change. They're the dominant species.

[trashblaze]

[ Well… Caelus does have a means to cause catastrophic damage on a universal level, but he's not going to talk about that. Especially not on a public feed.

For now, it's enough to listen to this young man and get to know his circumstances. ]

I'm really sorry to hear about your universe. May I know more about this Segyein species? When I get the chance, I would like to report them to my faction and all my allies back home if they're this much of a threat.

[untilldeath]

[The shrug can be felt through the murmur. Not dismissive, so much as an uncertainty as to where he would even begin. Whether he thinks him and his colleagues could actually do anything or not, it doesn’t hurt to explain.]

I guess? Though I don’t know where to begin. For humans in particular, they attacked Earth, took its resources, and blew it up. But they come in all shapes and sizes… mostly massive. I guess I wouldn’t consider them one species… they’re just a collective of ugly, giant assholes. Some are probably considered lesser, though. I don’t think Freddie was anything special.

[Which is probably why he wasn’t punished with death upon killing him.]

Guess I could show you an example or two of what some of them look like? If you wanted to see. Segyein means ‘The World’s People’, though. Like I said- they’re the dominant beings out there, and they think of humans as nothing more than dumb animals.

[Considering the bitter hatred and feelings attached to his explanation, it's clear how Till feels about that.]

When they took humans from earth, it was to keep them as pets. They use them for experiments, entertainment, or whatever sick uses they can find for us. My owner was the CEO of a human editing company, so you can imagine how little they actually give a fuck about us even when they claim to.

[And Uruk certainly never claimed to. He made it crystal clear that the only reason he lived as long as he had, was because of his talent in composition and singing abilities.]

Nowadays, they sell humans at pet shops. If you’re rich, you can create them genetically and grow them from tubes. Most are born on mills though, or they just snatch strays off the street. Usually just kids, because those sell better.

[And are considered ‘easier to train’.]

Segyein who are wealthy will have their pets attend school. That’s how Ivan and I know one another. They really like people who can sing because they like the “cries” we make, so it was a music school. They did teach other things, like religion. It’s how they try and brain wash all the stupid morons who end up believing in the Great Anakt. [He scoffs] As though there’s some deity out there who gives a single fuck about any of us.

It’s just another way to control everyone. And honestly desensitize the kids from death, so they aren’t as scared about performing on the Alien Stage.

[trashblaze]

Yes, I want to see.

[ This is part of Caelus's mission, always witnessing what he can, no matter how unpleasant it might be. It's all part of the trailblaze, so he can learn and grow from it, as well as to be able to understand others more. ]

"Segyein" is in what language? I'm guessing their own? Does it have a formal name?

[ Back in Caelus's universe, they have Synesthesia Beacons to be able to automatically translate the languages of other planets. That's how the Nameless can trailblaze so smoothly across the universe. But in the case it's unable to work on the Segyein, then they have to learn all they can to update its systems.

The more this young man shares, the more Caelus feels an intense sympathy and a desire to do something. This feeling is strongly felt from where he is. But he's saddened that he can't act on it yet, at least not while he's still stuck here in Manhattan. ]

What's… Alien Stage?

[untilldeath]

[Images of different segyein pass through his mind. Just fleeting images and scenes as he speaks.]

Uh... they speak numerous languages I think, but there's probably a common tongue? Not all can communicate the same, though- some don't even have mouth parts that would be able to vocalize like us at all?

[He shrugs.]

I dunno. It's not like I know how to speak their languages well. I know some things. But I can't even produce half the noises and sounds they make?

[He lived around them enough to pick up a little, but the way they speak is too different in some aspects.]

I don't think most Segyein know how to speak in any of the human languages. My guardian can because he deals in human editing... and the teachers at the kindergarten all do, since that's how we're taught. Any interviews or things we give are likely translated into their own language.

[Not that they ever interview Till. The one time they tried, his collar was immediately fastened back over his mouth. He releases a sigh.]

Anyway, the Segyein like our "cries". When they say that, I think what they really mean is our voices, though. Alien Stage is a sick and twisted music competition. Whoever wins gains fame and fortune for their guardian. The losing performers, though, pay with their lives for entertainment.