shakespearealien | XI. [Video + Action for Goldenrod City.]

XI. [Video + Action for Goldenrod City.]

[All that Gorthan's feed shows today is this.

Fizzling blue noise and the Rotom that was formerly GLaDOS'. The voice coming from the Gear, however, is unmistakably Gorthan's. Dark, deep, pensive... and with the slightest hint of irritation.]

The songbird has flown back into her cage. A completely foreseeable outcome.

I understand that you miss her, and trust me, I feel the same way. I also understand that getting you to like me as much as you liked her will be no easy feat. But how are we supposed to get to know each other if you won't get out of there?

[The Rotom doesn't seem to be paying any attention whatsoever. It's just floating around the screen, smiling mischievously and making the blue noise fizzle some more.]

... You are broadcasting this, aren't you.

[Rotom's mischievous grin remains unchanged as it nods.

Guess whose PokéGear just got possessed by an electric ghost.

As for Gorthan himself, he's in his room at the Rocket HQ in Goldenrod, staring at the Pokémon currently in his device and wondering if the best way to successfully get it to come out is to just ignore it for a while.]

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[And it does, actually. This tone is certainly better than sounding judgmental like Dist assumed it would. So he nods.]

If you're that interested about my world, I don't see why not.

[Wow...it's like he's found someone here who truly speaks his language. It brings a smile to his face.]

Certainly. But first, tell me, is there anything specific in the field you've been looking at as of late? [It might help Dist transition into discussing his pet project because, well, he's still not sure if he wants to talk about it juuust yet.]

I have been working together with another recent addition to our division - Agnus is his name. I trust you have already met him...? We are presently still figuring out how to best combine our talents for the benefit of the Team. Something else I do is manage our Pokémon and human DNA data bank. Of course, if you would like to contribute with a sample of your own DNA, all you have to do is say so.

Yes, I have. His particular project is quite interesting. I have volunteered to assist in creating the machines needed for it.

[His expression is somewhat skeptical at the offer to contribute DNA. However, the existence of a DNA bank is something he can get behind. Perhaps he'll have to go along with it anyway.]

Have you made any use of the data bank?

Machines? I believe we will have to discuss this face-to-face, eventually. My individual pursuits have kept me so occupied lately, I may have fallen behind schedule on several other things. My apologies for that.

I have used it to isolate quite a few uniquely human mutations, and I am about to present a line of Pokémon on whose genomes they have been implemented.

[A pensive pause.]

Hm. A lamb and a rose...

Very well. I apologize if I got a little ahead of myself with that. I'm sure Agnus will fill you in on the rest.

[Oh. Oh. He likes where this is going.] I was wondering if anyone here might be trying to take advantage of the possibilities with Pokemon DNA. They are quite interesting creatures.

[And that last bit...] Ah, pardon?

Indeed. And I would love to hear what your experience with Pokémon has consisted of so far.

... Does literature interest you as well, Rose?

Perhaps a face-to-face meeting is in order, then. I have only been here for a short amount of time thus far, but I have much to comment on the subject already.

["Rose"...yes, he likes that. He nods.] Why, as a matter of fact it does.

It most definitely is. Any preference as to location?

[There is a pause then, filled with a brief rustling of paper.]

One of my favorite books mentions a war between sheep and flowers. A beautiful and prideful rose may have thorns, but that will not stop a sheep from eating it...

One of the lounge rooms should be sufficient, wouldn't you agree? Unless you would prefer more privacy.

[Dist isn't quite sure what to make of that book description at first, but he figures Gorthan is making some sort of reference to his own title.]

Are you perhaps saying that there are some hardships in store for me?

Very well, Rose. I am ready when you are.

I am merely wondering how thorny a rose you are, and how much your thorns really help.

I will be there shortly, then.

[And to that last bit, he'll frown. It's not necessarily a really negative frown, but it's still a frown. His tone becomes eerily neutral as well.] We will have to wait and see.

[Gorthan will be found at the designated place and time, standing with his back to the door and his hands joined behind his back. You will find that he adopts this meditative stance quite often, especially near windows. The truth is that, even like this, he is still being very attentive to his surroundings.]

I apologize if I ask too many questions, and often too prying. I was born to research and test - I suppose I simply cannot help myself sometimes. To the detriment of my kind interlocutor's level of comfortableness.

[Before responding, Dist actually spends a good few moments examining Gorthan now that he can actually see him, and well...wow. One tends paints a picture in their mind of what a person may look like just by the sound of their voice, but in this case Dist's picture of Gorthan was pretty far off.

The science division definitely has some colorful characters.

To what Gorthan says, Dist dismissively waves one of his hands. His response is quick and almost a little stiff, like he just wants to get on with this.]

No need to apologize. I am a scientist as well; I understand.

So, Rose. Have a seat.

[He turns towards Dist and gestures to the most comfortable empty chair in the room. Gorthan himself, however, remains standing.

He moves closer to Dist, actively seeking the eye contact he was avoiding just a moment ago.]

Tell me your story. I will listen.

[And so he takes that seat, neatly crossing his legs to get comfortable. He holds eye contact with Gorthan, but it's just a little weird how long it's holding.]

Well. Where would you like me to start? There is much to myself to talk about.

I'd like you to start from where you would like to start.

[He fetches a simple stool for himself, moving it and placing it opposite to Dist, but still at a respectful distance. He sits and looks at Dist, curious, waiting. This is a man who is willing to give several things just to hear a good story.]

[Dist gives the man a long stare for that answer. Thank you for being so specific, Gorthan. But eventually he gets on with it.]

Very well. Allow me to begin by telling you a little about my history.

[Since there's little harm in doing so. Besides, if he's being given a chance to be self-indulgent, like hell he's not going to take it.]

In my world, there is neutral army known as the Oracle Knights, run by the world's most powerful cities. I am one of the esteemed high-ranking generals in that army. I control one of its divisions, as well as head its research department.

[He drums his fingers against his knee as he continues.] I am responsible for the creation of weapons for the army. I am also well-known for my research and innovation in a process called Fomicry. With Fomicry, objects, organisms included, can be replicated exactly.

[Bam, hints of his pet project. He doesn't see much reason to hide the existence of Fomicry. No fear of being confronted for performing it since it's not available here, nor is it outlawed here. Really, he's actually curious to see what Gorthan will think of it.]

That is fascinating. As is the fact that your standing and role in your home world appears to share interesting similarities with mine.

[The description of Fomicry makes him pause in reflection for a moment.]

My first reaction would be to ask what purposes Fomicry serves, but, on second thought, the answer to that question is quite self-evident. ... It is meant to resurrect people, isn't it?

[The shock from Gorthan's conclusion is very evident on Dist's face. To come to that conclusion so quickly...this man is much more intelligent than Dist originally gave him credit for.

He takes a good few seconds before responding to that, because wow he got caught off guard. Gorthan saw right through him. He swallows hard.]

While it was not the original intention...attempts at resurrection have been made, yes.

[He notes Dist's overly dramatic reaction, but chooses not to comment on it. Of course if one had that sort of technology, their first concern would be to end transiency.]

Just... attempts? Meaning it did not work...?

[Oddly enough it wasn't...but that was because he was only a kid when his best friend (or so he wished anyway) invented it.]

No, it did not. My life's goal was to make it work. I was so close...

[Ah, so that is why Dist's reaction was so peculiar just now...

... Dist, you are an odd little cupcake, you. But an odd little cupcake that Gorthan can relate to.]

I am truly sorry, Rose.

[He can tell that the scientist had some kind of personal stake in the application working, but there is no delicate way to ask about that, is there?

So what Gorthan does - even if admittedly it's something he doesn't think he's ever done before - is walk closer to Dist and attempt to gently lay a hand on his shoulder]

[What is this? Condolences? And a sympathetic hand on shoulder gesture?

Dist legit doesn't know how to deal with any of that. No one ever feels sorry for him. He's so used to having to defend his actions and be the only one to believe in himself.

His only reaction is to jerk himself away. Astonished, he stares at Gorthan.]

I do not need your pity.

[Gorthan what is the proper reaction here??]

[When Dist backs off from Gorthan's touch, the alien seems accepting - he knows he would have reacted in much the same way.]

Fair enough, Rose.

Regardless... I am sure you did everything you could. You should carry on living with that certainty as well. And one day, perhaps, you may have another chance.

[Give him a moment; the recoil from this whole situation is long. Eventually he responds, though he refuses to make eye contact with Gorthan for some reason.]

Yes... Yes, you are right. Though I have no way of completing that project here, I refuse to give it up when I return home.

[Especially since he recently found out he actually does have another chance waiting for him back in Auldrant.]

XI. [Video + Action for Goldenrod City.]

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