Sample collection [open]

[fractaljesus]

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.

Comments

[fractaljesus]

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."

[planetary_bonds]

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.'"

[fractaljesus]

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."

[planetary_bonds]

Ah. There they are, those arms. He calls humans the fascinating ones, when he's like this? Surreal, something out of an off-color fantasy, with motions that don't quite match up with that of people, more doll-like than human? Just what are you, to ask questions like this, to look at people like they're something to dissect and be defined? What a strange being.

"..."

He doesn't exactly welcome the thanks, because he's not sure if he's actually given anything. He'd just talked, you know. If anything, Yusei's got a new puzzling encounter to think over himself. Still, he inclines his head in an approximation of an acknowledgement.

"...I hope we can talk again, some time."

[fractaljesus]

Who is he, indeed. He would be happy to answer that question--to a degree--if Yusei were only to ask, but as he does not, zaShunina does not explain.

"I, too, harbor this desire." He nods, placing one of those disembodied hands over his chest. They will talk again, but for now, he wants to think about the information Yusei has given him so that he might have a more enlightened perspective when next they speak.

"I am Yaha-kui zaShunina." He finally introduces himself, and extends the other floating hand toward Yusei. "What is your name?"

[planetary_bonds]

"...Yusei."

The answer is short and abrupt, much like some of his earlier answers. Still, it doesn't seem to be done out of rudeness, as he extends his own hand to take the offered handshake a few moments later. His grip is steady and firm.

"...zaShunina, is it?" An odd name, even by the standards he's loosened by coming to a new place like this. Huh. "I'm sure we'll meet again."

End thread?

[fractaljesus]

In truth, he hadn't intended for Yusei to shake his hand, so when the boy takes it, zaShunina hesitates, briefly taken off-guard until he eventually returns the handshake after a few seconds.

"It is inevitable." Even in a big city like this, zaShunina is certain this won't be their last meeting.

sounds good to me!

[planetary_bonds]

[Yusei nods, turning away once the handshake is done. What an odd encounter. He'll have much to think about today, if only because of the strange nature of who he talked to. It feels ominous, but...interesting.]