un: jaycetalis | video

[hexcope]

[If anyone hasn’t seen Jayce within the past few months, he looks quite a bit different. His hair is longer, he has a beard, and doesn’t seem quite as full of energy as he might have in the past. He’s also not dressing as uptight as he used to— a lack of vest and tie, exchanged for just a simple button up shirt. The background is once again S.T.A.R. labs, although he’s not trying to hide it this time.]

Hey, Etrayans. For those new to this whole thing, welcome. I’m Jayce Talis. For those who came from Pollux, also welcome. I can say with full confidence Aurora’s better at this than Castor is.

[Aurora probably won’t appreciate that comment, but whatever. He stands by it. But that aside…]

I’m putting out a call for fellow scientists to come together and work collaboratively on research involving what we know about Etraya, and more importantly, what we don’t know. This could also include strategizing developments to improve our lives here, and solving problems with our understanding in our respective fields. 


Something that we have here that we lack in our own worlds is the variety of perspectives. In my world, some of our greatest achievements are beyond what’s possible in other worlds, but we don’t have plastics or microwaves. Think of this as an opportunity for all of us to better ourselves, in this… transient existence we’re all stuck in.

Meetings would be here, in S.T.A.R. labs, every Thursday morning. No requirements if you want to participate other than an open mind, and a good attitude. No shooting down suggestions without hearing things out, and if you happen to have some sort of grudge against any of the participants here, you leave it at the door when you come in, or you’re not coming in.

[OOC: Feel free to threadjack around if you'd like!]

Comments

[neonrain]

Pretty much. It's only a bachelor's.

I'm a poor fit for parties. Handling trouble is my career back home.

[hexcope]

Like a superhero? We have a handful of those here too.

[neonrain]

Yes. Exactly that.

[hexcope]

What's your abilities? Is it based around tech too?

[neonrain]

My soul generates electricity. Which means that I can control and channel it, and by extension, electromagnetism. I also move at the speed of lightning.

[hexcope]

Your soul generates it? Not like... your biology?

[neonrain]

Yes. It's the effect of Trust. [He pauses.] Because it's believed, it's true.

[hexcope]

... You have superpowers that exist because you believe you have superpowers. Am I getting that right? That's- well, magic, but closer to reality-bending abilities.

[neonrain]

Close.

Trust is quantifiable. Back home we all have a Trust Value. A point of Trust empowers us, but it requires our belief and the belief of another. The more people who believe in us, the higher our Trust Value is, and the stronger its effect.

[hexcope]

Excuse me for saying this, but that sounds insane. That's- faith-based magic? ... Religion?

[neonrain]

Religion?

[He echoes, briefly taken aback.]

Well. Go viral enough, and maybe you'll become a god.

[hexcope]

I've never met a god in person, so I guess is there really a difference, in your case? Even if popularity fuels the power rather than the reverse, that's still religion, loosely-defined.

[Baffling!]

So how does that work for you here? Do you need us to believe in your powers? Is your own belief enough to substantiate you here?

[neonrain]

Echo didn't sever my Trust by bringing me here. It's just... unchanging.

Luckily. I don't even know if you can impact my Trust Value when you're not subject to Trust yourself.

[hexcope]

That's a pretty useful means of stasis. You can't get stronger, but you can't get weaker either, I guess. Although I'll warn you- sometimes we're brought on a mission where people's powers don't work. This'll effect you too.

[neonrain]

[There's a distinctly uncomfortable edge to his voice now.]

I appreciate the warning.

I'm the power source for all of my gear, including my prosthetic arm. So... I have a few questions about the labs.

[hexcope]

Prosthetic arm, huh? I've worked on those before. What's it made out of? Could it potentially house an alternative power source in an emergency?

[neonrain]

You have? That's lucky.

My arm is finely tuned for peak performance with my powers, so I'm reluctant to alter it. It attaches magnetically anyway. A smoother solution might be a spare arm for depowered missions.

[hexcope]

Attaching magnetically- I hadn't thought of that. But since you manipulate it via your powers, you don't need to worry about the brain-connection that someone else would.

I wonder, since it would be your backup, if we'd need to go through all those hoops I did last time, or if something that just operates mechanically would be suitable...

[Aka, WITHOUT the brain-chip he had to install in Robert.]

[neonrain]

Mechanical is fine. I'm happy with basic function since it's short-term use.

My amputation is above the elbow on my right arm. I'm right-handed, but it's been five years, so I'm capable with my left when I need to be.

[hexcope]

Learned necessity on using both hands- you're a real self-starter, aren't you? I appreciate that.

I'll make up a blueprint for you when I have some downtime.

[neonrain]

Thanks. I owe you.