nysalogs | Sample collection [open]

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Sample collection [open]

Who: Yaha-kui zaShunina (

fractaljesus) & You!
What: Event log and catchall
When: Varies by prompt
Where: The Market and residential district
Warning(s): None

Holed up in the sea of books that made up zaShunina's house, the anisotropic being was nowhere near the market during the attack. He could, however, hear it from the there, and so had come to investigate only to find the place in a state of absolute chaos. But even as people rushed past him in their escape, the man in white stood perfectly still, watching the scene unfold with impassivity unbefitting the situation. At the time, the Royal Guard had compelled him to leave, but that didn't stop him from returning once the cleanup effort was underway to begin an investigation of his own.

The Marketplace

A. Even now, a few days after the attack, there are wisps of gas still lingering in corners and containers where the wind couldn't carry it away. Wisps that the Institute is keen to collect and study. Yaha-kui zaShunina is also curious to know more about it, and cooperating with them to gain access to the site is the obvious solution.

If anyone happens to be there (whether helping with the cleanup effort or also collecting the residual mist), they might find the man in white standing near a collapsed stall, disembodied arms floating on either side of him. A barrel is the target of his attention--still sealed, but not for long. In the blink of an eye, the top is sliced clean off without any apparent action from zaShunina, spilling water out onto the street. It's not the water he's after, but the small wisp of purple mist that escapes. One of the floating hands "taps" the air, enveloping the gas in a floating, iridescent bubble before it can dissipate. More gas is collected in the same way, and while most of it is given to the workers from the Institute, he keeps some for himself.

B. Without a better means to analyze the gas, zaShunina is limited to the classic method of experimentation. In a corner of the market left untouched by the attack, zaShunina carries with him his bubble of purple gas floating harmlessly above the palm of a disembodied arm. For the most part, he doesn't do much apart from stare intently at the bubble without blinking, so still he could be mistaken for a statue if not for the way his hair and cloak billow softly in the breeze. When someone draws close, however, he'll turn to look at them with what he hopes looks like a reassuring smile painted on his lips--but it's the smile of a mannequin who feels nothing behind it.

"Do you know what this is?" He'll ask, holding the bubbled gas out to them, but continues before they can respond. "It is the material responsible for the outbreak of the disease designated VIOLET2710."

Residential District

C. Apart from collecting and studying samples of the gas, Yaha-kui zaShunina can later be found on the streets of the residential district, talking to a small group of natives who appear fascinated by his floating arms.

"It is not magic," He assures them, smiling. "Your perception of the world is incomplete. Where you perceive the world around you in three dimensions, there are, in truth, many more. I am merely reaching through these additional dimensions." Some respond with 'oohs' and 'ahhs,' while others just seem confused by the explanation, dismissing it as magic and wandering off.

When he sees someone who looks like a refugee, however, he dismisses the small crowd with a wave of his disembodied hand and approaches them.

"Magic is much a much easier answer for the peoples of this city to accept." He muses, the smile on his face never faltering.

Wildcard: Other places zaShunina could potentially be found include Thesa station, where he spends a good portion of his time reading books in the Stasis Unit beside a specific pod. He can also be found in Simwe Institute's library, perusing the books available there.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mocking? No, never, for zaShunina is incapable of malicious intent. He does, however, move intently, mechanically, like a mannequin controlled by an unseen puppeteer.

"There is a saying, that 'any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'" He nods, speaking just loudly enough for Yusei to hear, but quiet enough for the noise of the crowd to drown it out that they wouldn't be overheard.

"This device from your own world is not magic, however. It may be that the 'magic' known to this world is of a technology yet beyond our understanding."

There's something uncanny about the way this man walks that keeps Yusei on edge, the tones of his voice, the clinical preciseness of his movements. It's like staring at something that's just a degree or so "off," and for a brief moment he's hit with the very idle, very stupid thought that this man could very well be the embodiment of this "magic" they've been discussing, something that can't be explained.

But that can't be right, can it?

"It's an odd direction they've taken their technology-or magic-in then, don't you think? Some things, so advanced, while others so primitive-what could account for that, do you think?"

Could zaShunina hear Yusei's thoughts, he would happily explain his own circumstances, but as mind reading is beyond his capabilities, he does not. He would also argue that "magic" isn't inherently unknowable, they just don't understand it yet.

zaShunina stops a moment, Yusei's words drawing his attention to a steam-powered car puttering down the road.

"I have a theory," He begins, turning back to the human after watching the car for a few seconds. "When a species relies too heavily upon one resource to solve all of their problems, other resources are neglected. I theorize that heavy reliance upon magic has stunted technological growth in other areas."

Putt-putt-putt goes the car, a sound that Yusei still isn't completely used to. The comforting keening whirrrrrrrrr of a Momentum-based engine is something that's practically engraved in Yusei's being by dint of working with them so long, and the stuttering inconstancy of a steam engine's puffs feel jerky and off. He doesn't quite give it the same attention, but the fading sound as it drives away temporarily steals his focus until the word theory hits his ears.

"That...could be the case. If the benefits this 'magic' gives end up being a bigger priority than expanding other modes of energy..."

Like the neglect of transportation, for whatever reason.

zaShunina nods in affirmation.

"It is only a theory, of course. There are many other possibilities--that refugees like ourselves have introduced individual technologies, leading to anachronism, for example." Among others. Almost anything is possible when many worlds are factored in.

"What do you think?"

"This whole planet consists of "refugees" and their descendants, does it not?" Yusei asks, thinking back to a conversation he'd had with Aoi way back when they were doing jobs for Olympia. It was only little more than a month ago, and yet faced with the ordeals they're facing now he can't help but feel overwhelmed by how much has happened in such little time.

An anachronism stew, of creatures gathered without rhyme or reason and dropped on this planet by curious gods, almost like a child gathering various species of bugs to put in the same dirt-filled bucket. Good natured and curious gods, he admits, but a little...careless, maybe?

"Due to the nature of this place, you'd think there's at least some kind of conflict between species...I mean, some of the things we've discovered over the past month, they don't seem evolutionary fit at all to survive, yet they're here."

Is it really safe for all these different beings to be together...?

zaShunina nods, turning his gaze to a small group nearby consisting of multiple races, some of which look aren't even vaguely humanoid, yet they intermingle without even a hint of hostility.

"Life has the remarkable ability to sustain itself, even if it seems it shouldn't." In his own world, life itself was a fluke--a one in a quadrillion chance that nonetheless came to pass. "Conflict is a natural response to differences. I concur that its absence is peculiar."

There is the conflict with Wyver, and the recent attack in the market, but none of these appear to be motivated by speciesism.

"Mmn. You could say that conflict is part of life itself." Yusei shrugs. "Even when the differences are self-made, it doesn't stop them from happening."

After all, speciesism is such a broad definition, when among humans alone disputes happen over societal standings, race, gender, differences in viewpoints...the conflict in Wyver could be any of those things.

"You say conflict is absent, but this recent attack...there must be some faction at work we don't know about yet."

"I apologize, I meant only the conflict between species, not the absence of conflict altogether." Misunderstanding is an unfortunate consequence of verbal communication, but they are restricted to the limitations of this method of discourse.

zaShunina is no expert when it comes to politics, and is in fact quite naiive to matters of human nature.

"You do not think it is Wyver?" Most of what he's heard from people on the streets are happy to sling the blame at Wyver. zaShunina feels no loyalty to Olympia, and so remains neutral to the conflict and the parties at play.

Ah...I see...

[Unfortunately so. This man(?) is just a little too off, a little too eerily doll-like for Yusei to gauge his thoughts. Otherwise, maybe he'd understand him a little more.

All he can really garner is that there's some sense of curiosity about him, which...Yusei can sympathize with, but the subject matter is...unnerving.]

...I'm not sure. It's easy to assume that, but...

[Yusei frowns, thinking back to his own experiences.]

With every conflict, there's all sorts of problems...different people invested in it... [He looks wistful, looking out into the distance.]

People we might not even know or think about having a stake in things...they could be involved, too.

[That's a question he'll never be able to answer now, he thinks. What did Iliaster have in mind, when the Signer War was happening...? What did they gain from instigating it...?

Maybe he can't find that out now, but if there's a third party taking advantage of tensions between Olympia and Wyver here, he'll do what it takes to stop them. Maybe then, he could at least imagine that he'll pay for some of his sins...]

zaShunina listens quietly as Yusei elaborates, remaining impassive as he continues as if an information sponge--absorbing his words as they come but never forming an opinion on them.

"You think it is not so simple as one country against another, but that a third party might be manipulating events." He observes, but does not judge.

"If this supposition proves to be correct, what will you do?" Again, as before, his tone is only curious, not challenging. A man who simply wants to know, but would not make a judgment upon his answer regardless--like a scientist who watches a mouse in a maze and wonders what direction it will take at the next fork.

"Maybe not just a third. A fourth, or perhaps factions within factions betraying each other...when you think about it like that, there are all sorts of possibilities."

And right now, the way he is...the way things are, he can't prove any of it. Still, if it really was the case, then...

"...I...want to find the reason behind it all. Why they felt it was necessary to instigate something like this..."

There could be a myriad of motivations, Yusei thinks. Especially in this world which he only has barely come to understand, there could be a story here he doesn't know-no, there's definitely a story here he doesn't know.

"I want to understand...if I can, then maybe..."

Then maybe, he could find a way to prevent such a thing from happening again. Foolishly optimistic, but...that's how he's learned to duel. It's not a habit that'll go away now.

Many possibilities, but even though zaShunina can acknowledge this, he can't quite wrap his head around it. Anisotropic beings aren't capable of malicious intent, and zaShunina has only recently become capable of being even slightly conniving.

"There will always be conflict," he reiterates. "and it is in overcoming these conflicts that a species evolves. If you understand the motivations of the ones who instigated the attack, you may be able to prevent something similar from recurring." He pauses, turning to look directly at Yusei with a completely blank expression.

"But there is another possibility, as well. If you find their motivations to align with your own--if their reason proves to be agreeable. That is what concerns you, is it not?"

"That's the idea."

Yusei glances out of the corner of his eye to listen to this strange man's words, his brow crinkling at the implication.

"It takes more than having the same motivation, I'd think. Even if we had the same views...I couldn't condone methods that would hurt innocents."

When he had his own rebellions, his own fights, he kept the risk narrowed to himself and whomever he was going against at the time. Targeting multiple people for his purposes...it makes his stomach turn, remembering the antics of Godwin, of the Dark Signers. They hadn't cared who was in their way, or who they needed to use...

He'd never be like that. He couldn't. He wouldn't.

"Even if I agreed with them...I still can't let them bring others into this. That would cause more needless conflict, wouldn't it?"

Kirei had mentioned that innocence increases the inherent value of a person, and that to knowingly hurt innocents was considered 'evil.' zaShunina had disagreed with him at the time, lacking a concept of 'evil.' Still he has difficulty understanding the notion of 'innocent,' but he's come to accept that it is a concept that humans revere.

The white-haired man glances away, lost in thought but only for a moment.

"You are idealistic." He observes, returning his red-eyed gaze to the young man. "You do not believe that the ends justify the means if those you designate as 'innocent' are harmed. That appears to be a common ideology among humans."

"...I've been called naive, sometimes."

For someone who looks as serious as he does, it's kind of hard to imagine such a guy being called innocent. And yet in some ways, he kind of is. After all, what kind of person would think that martyrdom could save anyone?

"It's something I like to think is a natural facet of humanity. People...we can't exist without bonds. Betraying such a thing, breaking them up...it goes against ourselves, I think."

Edited 2017-10-21 02:51 (UTC)

"You are a social species--relying on the bonds you form with others is a survival mechanism." But it is not with disparagement does he make this comment, rather his tone reflects some amount of admiration despite his relative monotone.

"Adaptive and creative," zaShunina smiles, taking a few steps closer to Yusei without crossing the border of his personal space. "Relying on the strengths of others to make up for the shortcomings of the individual." But then he pauses, tilting his head slightly. "But bonds are based in familiarity, yet you feel anger for those harmed in the attack even if you don't know them."
The unspoken 'why?' is writ in the way his eyebrows furrow and his tone edges slightly upward at the end.

"A survival mechanism...yes, but it's more than that." Yusei tilts his head slightly to adjust for zaShunina coming closer, frowning. So he really isn't human? The detatched arms are an obvious hint at that, but the way he talks about people, like a separate species to be observed with curiosity...

It's unnerving. Even if zaShunina doesn't intrude on his personal space, he still can't help but feel a little prickly.

"...That's...another thing about people. If someone else is hurt, we feel it like if it was our own selves that got attacked...we empathize with others' pain. It doesn't matter whether we know them or not."

"Empathy." He repeats, testing the word on his lips. "I understand." Except he doesn't, not really. He understands the idea of empathy as a theoretical, but but cannot truly comprehend what it means to feel sorrow when someone else is sad, or happiness when someone else laughs. He barely understands his own emotions, let alone how others feel.

"The ones who instigated the attack knew those who were affected no less than you did, yet they proceeded regardless. Under the supposition that they were fully aware of the potential effects of their actions, would you say the factor of 'empathy' was absent?"

"...Do you, really?" Yusei can't help but wonder. If you had to wait for his own explanation before coming to that conclusion, then...never mind. He shakes his head.

"Something like that. That, or they choose to ignore it for their own reasons...or perhaps, they feel it, but that doesn't outweigh what they feel is the benefit. Or, perhaps, they actually enjoy such a thing...there are multiple possibilities, as many as there are people."

The white-haired man quirks his head at the accusation, not fully grasping what Yusei is asking, because not a second later he answers earnestly; "Empathy is to experience emotions equivalent to those of another." He understands the definition, but little else.

His head quirks to an even greater angle when Yusei explains. For zaShunina, who views humanity as a whole and has difficulty seeing them as individuals, the idea that each is different and unique is something of a novel concept. He's aware of the individuality of people, but apart from those few who catch his interest, the rest tend to blur together. He only corrects the cant of his head and straightens up when the human finishes speaking.

"I see." He gives a single nod, as if confirming something to himself. "Empathy is a factor that can be disregarded if it would interfere with an objective." He 'hmm's softly--a tic he's picked up in his prolonged exposure to humans, and takes a step back, granting Yusei more space. "That objective is what you wish to know--the reason they would act against empathy to harm innocents.

I do hope you discover the answer you desire."

Yusei's eyes soften somewhat. "Well, yes, but..."

He seems to stop himself from answering, then shakes his head. Some things can't really be understood with just definitions, they have to be experienced for themselves. This man(?) is at least making an effort, but that can only go so far...and somehow, Yusei doesn't think he'll really get what he's trying to say. Something like empathy...trying to make someone feel it, or be aware of it...that wouldn't really work.

"It's like that. Some people do it on purpose, to make their jobs easier. Others, they lose it through trauma...and there are some who were just never able to understand it."

He smiles wanly. "It's somewhat funny. Empathy's not something we need to live, per se, but to live as a person...? It's essential. It all comes down to how you want to live, I think...but thank you. Knowing the answer...it might not immediately lead to a solution, and it might create more doubts, but it'll clear my mind of at least a few questions."

There is an irreconcilable difference between them, an impassable chasm in their understanding of one another. Though Yusei tries to bridge that chasm as best he can, there will always be a gap that neither of them can cross. zaShunina cannot comprehend the concept of 'personhood' any more than Yusei can understand the concept of eternity. One can know the definition but never fully grasp the meaning. zaShunina can't even classify himself as a person, as that word is inadequate. Even 'entity' and 'being' aren't accurate. He can classify Yusei as a 'person,' but the definition in his head is synonymous with 'human,' and thus the separation Yusei uses confuses him.

"To lack empathy is to lack that which makes a person? I do not understand."

Why do you ask such difficult questions? As someone who thrives on making bonds, Yusei will do what he can to make zaShunia understand, even if it is impossible.

"Humanity is a strange concept in and of itself. It's difficult for us to define, too, but that's probably why we all have our own way of living." He shrugs helplessly.

"The closest thing I can say is...there's a difference from what we call 'surviving,' and what we call 'living.' It's the difference that makes us 'people.'"

He asks the difficult questions exactly because they are difficult. If they were easy, he would have figured them out for himself.

"I see." Again, as a theoretical only. "Humans are incomprehensible yet fascinating entities." His arms, once hidden beneath his cloak, again appear from thin air, spread slightly on either side of his body. "You have given me much to think about." Information to process, concepts to analyze and unravel. Perhaps unfortunately, however, the inherent differences between their perspectives will result in this information being put through a filter of anisotropy and emerge distorted.

"I wish to express gratitude for this experience. Thank you."

Sample collection [open]

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Sorry for the delay, there was a convention yesterday.

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End thread?

sounds good to me!