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

[levelshift]

At least you're honest.

That isn't to say I wouldn't help out with any stuff for Viktor. I would, as long as it doesn't interfere with my own priorities.

[hexcope]

Which are?

[Obviously the farm house, and obviously Harold and Aurora, but he's not sure actually if there's any priorities Accelerator has aside from those three things.]

[levelshift]

[Jayce has him figured out.]

Not in any particular order:

• Saving my universe (assuming that is true) and going home.
• The kids stuck here.
• Reese, Finch, Aurora.
• That bastard that's named after a horse.

[hexcope]

I can say with certainty my priorities don't run contrary to yours, then.

...Wait, do you mean Sleipnir?

[levelshift]

That's good.

Yeah, him. He killed me, so unfortunately he made the list.

[hexcope]

[For fuck's sake...]

This is getting out of control.

[levelshift]

The hell are you talking about? Have you spoken with him?

[hexcope]

Not recently, but you can't tell me that this cycle of death sort of thing you both have going on is totally normal and fine.

[levelshift]

I'm aware it isn't for regular people. I can't speak for that prick and I know it isn't right, but violence has been a constant for most of my life. It's an inevitability for me.

[hexcope]

An inevitability? Are you serious?

[levelshift]

Yeah. I know it sounds like an exaggeration, but it's not like I've told you much about my life. Trust me, it isn't.

[hexcope]

I think that you're diminishing everything you've worked toward here by saying you have to follow the same path you had been on before getting here.

[levelshift]

And I think you're being overly optimistic.

I know I can be better than I was at my worst, but there's a ceiling. I can't become a good person, and I'm always going to be violent. Those are facts.

[hexcope]

Didn't take you for a fatalist.

[levelshift]

I prefer 'realist,' thanks.

[hexcope]

If you prefer being a realist, then act like one. You're acting like free will doesn't exist.

[levelshift]

Well, I can't pretend to be something I'm not. That would just be stupid.

[hexcope]

You don't need to "become a good person." You just need to not be a bad one. That takes intention. Choice.

[levelshift]

I know.

I'm fucking terrible at making that choice.

[hexcope]

So you'd rather say you don't believe in choice than admit you're just bad at it?

[levelshift]

I'd rather acknowledge my limits than disappoint people when I try and fail.

text > audio

[hexcope]

[He switches from text. This is something that needs his voice and tone.]

You think I don't get that? My whole life's been a series of failures. I know it's hard to get, but... you're going to disappoint people, no matter what you do.

You're denying yourself the chance to ever succeed if you give up before you even start.

[levelshift]

[Ugh, Accelerator prefers text. It's less personal than audio, which is probably why Jayce switched over.

Reluctantly, he goes along with it. He likes to think he's done alright so far, but the fact that Jayce is calling him out in a similar way Yomikawa did back home causes a sliver of doubt to enter his mind.]

Then what happens when you fail? You just get up and try again?

[hexcope]

You have to. As many times as it takes.

[His tone wavers on the second half.]

[levelshift]

[Accelerator notes that wavering, and frowns a little.]

Wasn't there ever a time when you didn't? Or at least didn't want to?