soul_campaign | 003 (mar. 7) / video.

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003 (mar. 7) / video.

[it's been over a month since qilby last showed his face in a personal post on the network, and since then the pile of books on his workspace have grown to obscene levels. either he's been spending all his food money on these things -- he certainly isn't looking any less gaunt than usual -- or someone's been seriously ignoring their due dates at the library…

due dates don't apply to kings, anyway. and that's the truth!

he smiles a tired smile.] Believe it or not, I think I'm beginning to exhaust Shibusen's library of its resources. A word to the wise -- the selection is smaller than it first appears, when the majority of books are restricted to the public.

[is that a subtle jab at the way things are run? probably not. he's still generally-cheery looking, after all.] I wonder what the policy on traveling outside the city is, when one's not accompanying their partner on a mission. It's dangerous out there, of course, but I'm curious about the rest of this world outside the city's walls. It's not every day that I-- [well, that'd be a lie] ... That most people get to see a new planet, and I'm sure I'm not the only un-partnered individual who's got an itch to explore. The libraries of the world await...

... Perhaps, when things calm down a bit. [you know, when you mighty warriors can afford to sit around and lounge by the pool all day.] In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions as to other ways of acquiring study material? A man needs to keep himself occupied.

[you have no idea.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Only a bit more than a month -- not very much longer. It's only that, in my case, there's little else to do in lieu of any particular combat aptitude of mine. Many days, training is just a hollow effort for this old body.

[and ever since the swordsman, itou, was returned home, he's had little reason to show up to those things. better to train his mind, to devise an easier way to power...] So, taking that into consideration, I've had quite a bit of time to spend researching.

[He's already burned through whatever Shibusen had to offer in a month? Either he was exaggerating, for whatever reason, or there really wasn't as much information available as he'd thought.]

It is not always just the body that requires training. My understanding is that humans do not always age particularly well, however.

[it just depends on what kind of information one's looking for, my fine, scaly friend.]

They don't. And while I'm one of the few among my race who get to enjoy the blessings of immortality, the fact that it's through reincarnation means I also know what it's like to age like a human. [a laugh.] But I like to think I'm well enough used to it by now that I have the knack of aging gracefully, which is more than can be said for many people.

[a pause.] I take it you're not human yourself, then?

[The good stuff is never easy to find, unfortunately.]

Forgive my error - I assumed you yourself were human. [Immortality through reincarnation was certainly interesting. He sounds amused when he speaks next.] If there is a secret to aging gracefully, I am certain we would all like to hear it.

I am familiar with the species, but I am not human. My people are known as the Protoss.

Protoss, you say? [with some surprise.] I don't often get to say I'm familiar with a name, here.

No, now there've there've been several of your kind in the city -- in fact, I spoke with one at some length when I arrived. Her name was... Selendis, I believe.

[a memory as crystal clear as ever. well, that's one thing that wasn't taken from him.]

Indeed? I know I am not the first of my kind to come through this place, but there are few people I have met that can name them. It is my understanding that the Executor - Selendis - has left, while Tassadar remains. [He wasn't really surprised about how antisocial Tassadar had been - Khalai much preferred the presence of other Protoss above all else. Still, it was good to know they'd made some friends, or at least acquaintances.]

[he never did acquaint himself with the other one, so he merely makes a sound in recognition.]

I had the pleasure of trading stories with her in a time when I was quite eager to learn about other peoples' worlds. It was... Some comfort, to meet another person from a space-faring race with comparable technology.

It's too easy to become isolated, here. [a somewhat-incongruous laugh.] But I suppose that's easy for me to say, cooping myself up with books all day.

Then I am glad to hear one of my own was able to help you. I consider myself quite fortunate to have a friend in this place, even if we would both rather be home.

I should very well think so! Perhaps you could be tempted away from your books for time. If the Executor's tales were of comfort to you, I might ask you to return the favor and tell me of your own people.

Away from my books, eh? I suppose that's not beyond the realms of possibility... [with utter solemnity.] And, if this is a cultural exchange you'd prefer to have in person sometime, I think I might even manage to tear myself away that far.

[Zeratul laughed lightly.] If it would ease the pain of being separated from your horde, I would suggest meeting in the library. You could be so kind as to show me which books I shouldn't bother searching for, because you have them under your protection.

That can be managed.

((do you just want to switch to action or do a log? :D))

Then if you are not currently indisposed, I will see you there shortly.

((i'm lazy so let's switch to action! also please imagine i used the correct spelling of hoard in that last tag.))

((what typo? i don't see a typo!))

[it's the very definition of an impromptu meeting but, as much as he loved planning things and carefully setting them into motion, there was something attractive about spontaneity. and what could be more spontaneous than meeting a ten foot tall alien in a school library to talk about the universe and those beyond?

he arrives with a bag near-bursting with books slung over his good shoulder, trying to avoid the ever-watchful gaze of the librarian who, by now, has probably plastered the faculty offices with wanted posters with his face on them. qilby's slipperier than she gives him credit for, however, and he manages to find an alcove out of her line of sight.

he trusts that the protoss will pick him out with minimal effort and so he waits.]

[Qilby wasn't kept waiting for very long, especially since Zeratul was already attracted to dark places and hidden alcoves. He was rather pleased to see him there, actually, since it kept him from getting in the way of the other patrons.

He didn't bring any books with him, as he was more interested in conversation, but there were plenty of options around them. When he approached Qilby, he gave him a respectful bow before kneeling across from him.]

Adun toridas, Qilby.

[qilby remembered a phrase like it -- similar, but not the same -- from when he spoke with selendis all those weeks ago. but he neither knew nor cared what the proper response to the greeting was, and so simply dipped his head courteously. it was a polite step up from the mere acknowledging nods kings saved for people below their station... but it was probably rather clear that qilby wasn't accustomed to doing anything more than that -- much less bowing -- for anyone.]

A pleasure to meet you in person, Zeratul. Pay these no mind-- [he unslung the bag from his shoulder before dropping into a leather comfy chair] --they're merely a peace offering, should I be discovered here by... Certain parties.

I imagine one day I'll pay for my purported crimes, but today is not that day. [no wonder he's been speaking so quietly, even for someone in a library. still, he's amicable enough!] Coming here's a reasonable risk to take, for the sake of speaking about myself even more than I already seem to do.

A paltry sum, considering what you have amassed at your living space. Knowledge ought to be free, after all. [He was mostly teasing, considering how strange humans had to be about their possessions. At least with his people you didn't have to worry about anything going missing.]

I believe we will be safe. The locals have grown used to my appearance in the library, but that does not mean they approach me. Now - [He folded his arms across his chest, leaning back on his heels slightly.] - since you have taken such risk to speak about yourself, please do.

[he lowered his gaze in spite of himself; he had the good grace to look a little ashamed of himself. just, not much.]

I always believed in the open sharing of knowledge and power. It was philosophy I tried to uphold, both as a scholar and a ruler.

[he cleared his throat. story mode was a go!] I know you're already familiar with space -- the vast, infinite starscape that we called the Krosmoz. Eliatropes were born of the same union between our Goddess and the Great Dragon, the cosmic union which created the Krosmoz and all the stars and planets that filled it like so many grains of sand in the desert.

Thus, from the very beginning, our people were united with dragonkind. The first six of us to be born, myself included, formed a Council of Six-- or Twelve to be more precise. Because each of us possessed a dragon sibling that we were bonded to with ties that went beyond those of mere blood. More than that, we were all born -- this Council -- with one purpose in mind: to govern our people through the ages. The Council did not live and die like the rest of our kind, but we would reincarnate, as I believe I mentioned earlier. In this way, we've managed to guide Eliatropes for... Thousands upon thousands of years now, I believe. More than that.

[the words sounded almost rehearsed. either he's had to tell this story many times before, or he's spent a great deal of time figuring out exactly how his speech was going to go. probably both. even the pause in his story was well-placed, and he glanced at zeratul for any sort of response. not that he'd notice much of any, what with the mask and... lack of facial features, and all.]

[It might have sounded rehearsed, but Zeratul listened intently just the same. If Qilby didn't enjoy telling the story, he didn't think he would have obliged him at all. Still, other topics might liven him up a bit. Zeratul's reactions were fairly minimal, simply nodding at certain places, but Qilby would know he had the old protoss' attention completely. He didn't interrupt until he was certain the other man was done. Mostly done, at least.]

United with dragons? We have no such thing where I am from, though we do have access to the knowledge of those that have passed before us, if they preserved it. Not quite so efficient as reincarnation, I would imagine.

[He didn't want to ask how Qilby could possibly be, then. Far beyond his years, without a doubt.]

[qilby always enjoyed the attention, and it made him speak ever more confidently. not in the somewhat-reedy voice he usually possessed, but something firmer, deeper, more oratory.

he smiled at the response.] Perhaps not, but we relied on both our effective immortality and our records in equal part. Death wiped the memory clean, for an infinite number of lifetimes stuck on one world would have been enough to drive any immortal leader mad.

Our spirits remained ever the same, however, and so there was little difference between iterations of ourself from life to life. I was always a scholar and a king. My brother was always an inventive genius. My sister was always a wise judge and peacemaker-- and so on.

We interacted in very much the same way for each generation, which ensured peace. None of the turmoil that seems to plague so many civilizations, where power is constantly being passed from hand to hand.

[The memory loss was certainly a unique spin on immortality and reincarnation. It was a concept that was of course known to his people, but not something he really thought existed within their own species. They could definitely benefit from some of the wiser leaders from their past, though.]

Our civilization is not immune to strife, but we have achieved more than most. It sounds as though with your method, however, you have achieved far greater. What is your world like?

Was. [came the grim correction. it was followed shortly by a nod -- he got a rather good idea of what those achievements were earlier, from Selendis, and was rather impressed -- and he continued on.]

It was... Beautiful. Wild, and largely untamed-- merely cultivated, some. Eliatropes sought to live in harmony with nature rather than control it. We understood our place in the Krosmoz, though we were admittedly in the greatest position to venture outside the confines of our world. [he spoke with small, smooth gestures, as if he could coax the image forth. if it wasn't obvious before, it was probably clear now: he only had the one right arm.] But at first there was little reason for us to-- little reason to leave our verdant fields, perfumed oceans, and misted mountains.

[the slightest emphasis on 'at first.']

[Zeratul bowed his head in sympathy, brow knitting together. He was all to familiar with the loss of a beautiful homeworld. At least Qilby had been able to enjoy his for many years. Zeratul had stepped foot on Aiur just in time to watch it burn.]

I grieve for your loss, for it is one that I share. It is my hope that you found the stars to be just as welcome a home as your original?

[Just the same as Qilby's supposed age, he made no question towards the missing arm. If the homeworld was lost, and he was a king, the injury was likely a result of war. Nothing beautiful ever lasted, but at the very least there were always new beauties to be discovered.]

[he closed his eyes; the sentiment was appreciated, evidently, and he was even glad it went beyond that. sympathy for his ordeals was hard enough to come by. empathy, however, was practically a myth.]

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't, but I only wish our travels could have been made under different circumstances. [qilby shook his head, shifting the mane of long hair what was visible from beneath his hat.] My people were not ready to leave their home, when we were forced to flee, and our chambers of metal and stone were no replacement for the grass beneath their feet, the feeling of sun on their skin...

Our travels lasted many years. We'd take what little energy we could leech from empty planets in order to power our ship-- occasionally we'd happen upon an inhabited world, and learn a little bit about the universe that was suddenly opened to us. But we'd never stay long. It was only when we happened across one particular planet, very far away from our original world, that we decided it was time to stop running.

[he smiled.] It was remarkably like our old home, an untouched world still in its infancy. It took some time, but we eventually rebuilt some semblance of our civilization -- and a new age of prosperity began.

[that'd be a good place to end... if the story had a happy ending. there was a twinge of sadness in his smile that said that wasn't the case.]

[Despite his love for Aiur, he was more inclined to miss its actual existence rather than what it had to offer. He'd been on so many planets, and with his wanderers' spirit, there were few places he truly called home. Out among the stars was where he belonged, but he still understood the pain. He saw it on the faces of all the Khalai protoss that had to evacuate their native planet.]

A suitable replacement will always just be a replacement, but if you were able to prosper once again, then that is good. My own people traded a world of jungles for a world of deserts, and the transition has not been entirely kind. At the very least we could follow the path of out gods, and find worlds they had touched as well.

[He had a feeling Qilby's story continued from there, and wasn't as cheery an ending, but he left it alone. If he wanted to talk about it, he would.]

I am curious, however, about the method you use to power your ships. Energy from empty planets?

We were lucky enough to have a smooth transition... You have my sympathies. Selendis mentioned your home world in passing, but-- [a little awkwardly] --I wasn't sure that it had suffered a fate similar to mine.

[but he clearly remembered the small, ominous "was" she'd used when referring to her world, the same "was" he'd used just a moment ago. his memory had always been exceptional-- something that might become more evident as he continues explaining.]

It was an extension of our natural ability to manipulate the life force that permeated our universe, the ability from which all our other powers spring. Almost all of our technology paralleled what we could normally do without assistance... It just did it better. While on our own we were capable of breathing in the life of, say, a field of grass-- there was no way we could harness the energy of an entire planet without the help of our inventions, many of which I designed.

The greatest among these devices was an artefact we called the Eliacube. It acted both as a battery and a conduit for our energies, making us capable of channeling great amounts of life force at once. For example, we possessed the ability to create portals under our own power-- somewhat like your warp gates I've been told about. While normally we'd only have the ability to travel maybe a hundred meters with each portal, with the Eliacube we could open gateways to anywhere on the planet. Even to other planes of existence.

We left behind many gateways on our worlds, that performed the same function. As I understand, the natives made much use of them even after we'd long passed. [le smile.] Selendis compared us to the, aah-- Xel'Naga, I believe.

[not strictly true. but she did say they were their gods. maybe he can earn himself some points here.]

003 (mar. 7) / video.

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