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

[maellum]

You don't need to apologize. I could tell you don't normally try to smoosh teenage girls. No harm done, yeah?

[hexcope]

Sure. No harm done.

[Other than it'll haunt him for a while still.]

[maellum]

[Maelle's sense of self-preservation is somewhat questionable, but who can blame her when she has so many questions?]

So what came first, the ridiculously heavy hammer or you being ridiculously strong?

[hexcope]

I did a lot of forge work for most of my life. The hammer was a childish fantasy and a mistake to begin with, but now it's here and I can't bring myself to take it apart. Maybe I should have someone else do it.

[maellum]

Is this hammer special? Aside from being massive.

[hexcope]

Will you make fun of me if I tell you why I made it?

[maellum]

Please, I'm not that much of a bully.

[... yes you are, Maelle, especially with the soft-hearted engineers that let you get away with it.]

Why did you make it?

[hexcope]

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a wizard-superhero with a cape and a big hammer who saved the day with magic.

I held off for years on making it once I figured out runic magic. Figured it was too childish. But then I needed a weapon, and so I figured... what better time?

[maellum]

[... oh. That's so cheesy it's sweet. Maelle does laugh where he can't hear it, but it's nothing cruel. Everyone was a child, once, with hopes and dreams of some sort.

She's really really really glad she's fast. A shame if he had actually hurt her with that hammer.]

I mean, swords are undeniably better than hammers or any other weapon, but... your hammer is pretty cool. An exception to the rule.

[hexcope]

[He exhales a laugh on his end, relieved she didn't say anything about how lame he is.]

Okay, I hear you. But have you considered that it makes a loud bang noise when it hits things, and it's really fun to swing around?

[maellum]

... but you want to take it apart? I don't think I understand.

[She can't ask to try and swing it around if he does that 🤨]

[hexcope]

[Oh right, reality.]

As fun as it is, I shouldn't have it at all. It's still a weapon.

[maellum]

You really don't like weapons, do you?

[hexcope]

Every time I've been involved in having one or making one, it's ruined some aspect of my life. It doesn't matter if I like them or not.

[He likes his big stupid hammer so much.]

[maellum]

Is that what happened to you?

[A broad question, but not too much of a leap, she thinks.]

[hexcope]

Yeah. It is.

[He knew what she meant.]

[maellum]

I don't get it, but I won't pry. I'm sorry for whatever happened. Maybe you just have... very bad luck.

[hexcope]

Either very bad luck, or very good luck. Nowhere in between, it seems. Thanks, though. I owe you the full story, since you helped me through part of it.

[maellum]

I mean, I am terribly curious... I was jist trying to be considerate.

[hexcope]

You are, and I appreciate it. It's usually a lot for most people to handle, but you've been through your fair share of problems yourself, haven't you?

[maellum]

All my worst fears came true in my life, so... yeah. You could say that.

[hexcope]

Wow, uh. How are you... handling that?

[Feeling more and more like this probably shouldn't be a public text conversation, at the very least...]

[maellum]

Better than you're handling this conversation.

[hexcope]

Hey, I'm trying!

[maellum]

Maybe trying a little too hard.