scientificflair | 008. [Video/possible action for Goldenrod City, also one other thing]

[PRIVATE TEXT TO EMMY ALTAVA]

I have something I would like to ask you, and some further things to discuss. Some more pleasant than others. Do you have time?

[VIDEO]

[Well, if you're familiar with the stores around Goldenrod (or even if you're not, and just happened to wander in there one day by chance) then the chances are good that you're aware of a music shop nestled amongst the larger stores and malls. More specifically and to the point, you may be aware of the piano set up within the shop itself - both for the sake of lessons to those willing to pay, and to advertise others like it for purchase. Descole is in here for neither, though had he the space he wouldn't be terribly opposed to the latter; for the last couple of days, he's come in when business is slow and settled himself behind the keys, sometimes playing, sometimes just running his hands over them lightly. Today, however, he is clearly settling for none of that. The camera clicks on after seeming to have been set up directly alongside the keys, showing nothing but his hands and a bit of the long ruffled sleeves covering the backs of them; he begins playing after a bit, and...uh. It's a bit difficult to say what in the world set him off but he's having at fairly hard and holding absolutely nothing back, his hands fast and firm on the keys. It's not anything classical, or even anything terribly classy; it's somewhat more akin to...well. While it isn't anywhere near exact, it's closer to this than anything.

Yeah. Um. There's probably something to be said for the fact that Descole is baring his soul to the world and it sounds sorta like Skrillex, but we won't go there.

His hands linger on the keys for a moment after the sound dies; the camera angle doesn't adjust any, leaving his face well out of the shot, but after a moment Descole speaks, his tone clipped and more abrupt than usual.

He's clearly a bit stressed; he's doing a terrible job of concealing it.]

I'm looking for ways to further improve myself. Anything at all. Physically, intellectually, I don't particularly care. Tell me what you excel at; I want to hear what your talents are.

I don't care that time doesn't pass back home, not while we're here; there is still such a thing as having been here too long. If I can't return to my life's work...

[He pauses for a moment; without warning, he slams his hands down heavily on the keys, the sudden clash ringing out sharply. One can...pretty much hear the rather alarmed sound of the shopkeeper in the background, telling him to watch it.]

I've had enough. Give me something to pursue.

[And with that, end feed.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, as long as you aren't beating up my completely ineffective squadron of henchmen, I can't say that I mind.

[how dare you make her laugh at that-]

Don't worry; I'm having a bit of trouble defeating their boss, but I think I'll be able to manage it fairly soon.

After that, no promises.

I'm a scientist; I specialize in robotics. But when work wasn't going anywhere or I was between projects, there were always other ways to improve myself. Music, archaeology, reading, fencing, hand-to-hand combat; things along those lines. Hence my interest in what people do here.

[His hands still against the piano then.]

And I would appreciate that. Whenever you're ready.

We'll see about that soon enough, won't we?

[He's amused by it, however.]

I'll let you know when these lessons of ours can start, then.

[That did seem like a fine point to end things on, really; standing up, Emmy couldn't resist winking.]

I'll be watching my mailbox.

Hm. [ Tucking this information away later; can't be bothered to decide whether this information is useful right now, but, eh. ]

Been here long?

It's called a Cutie Mark. I'd show you, but whenever I do that, people get very strange about it.

[The performance will get Descole a round of applause from Crow, who, despite knowing shit about music, can appreciate how nice it sounded.]

Wow, that was pretty neat.

[He kind of hopes they can avoid bringing up the whole thing about being here too long; now, as for the "talents" stuff...]

... I'm a duelist.

[That works, right?]

[Hipster camera angles again, huh? Gee, Dimitri wonders who this could be.]

I'm surprised you lasted this long.

[... At least he sympathizes? Sort of? His expression seems to show a sign of it, at least. Especially since Descole brought up that he also has a life's work waiting for him back home.]

Since you are aware of my talents... I've considered pursuing those badges, myself.

Could you do that here as well? The technology seems like it'd be advanced enough. [ he's talking as he tries to set up the gear. on the ground, kind of tilted. it's definitely a little bit awkward but it's the best he can manage.

and then of course the bgm is back. that is definitely not music made for dancing so it takes Joonhee a second to find a beat. he focuses more on footwork, since he figures that'd be more visible with the compromised camera angle. he keeps it short, partly because he can only imagine how weird it looks. ] Ah...it probably looks strange without music.

"Strange"...? Might I ask how so?

[...honestly, he is perfectly content to ignore most of that screaming fit in favor of answers and compliments.]

Consider it appreciated. As for the dueling...it's not exactly a common pastime, but it's an interesting one - swords or pistols?

[descole honey you have no idea.]

[Being Laytonverse scientists is suffering - always being dragged away from our life's work at the worst possible moment and all.]

Have you? I have some of them myself; four of them, from the Kanto region. Perhaps I'll finish the circuit once I've returned.

For the time being, however, I suppose it's good to see you're still in one piece; been doing well?

A bit over a year, actually, about thirteen months. So not as long as some here, as I've heard of others having been here far longer than I have; just the same, it's more than long enough to be inconvenient.

Yourself...?

They yell and blush and tell me to cover it up.

It makes sense. There really aren't any easy solutions to a problem like that.

...I'd wager it's a stage that a lot of people reach here sooner or later, even if they're not entirely aware of it.

Wha-- No! Not that kinda dueling!

[Seriously, who do you take him for? Some blood-thirsty barbarian?!]

I duel with cards.

[Said as if it's the most natural thing in the world.]

[It really is.]

I figure they will at least provide a good enough reason to do some traveling. I'd like to see what else I can find outside of Goldenrod.

[Yep, leaving work for weeks to get some shiny badges is apparently acceptable in this world. He really can't even with this place sometimes.

To Descole's question about his well-being, he gives a short laugh.]

As well as I can be under these circumstances. I've been trying to keep myself busy, but I am growing tired of this city.

I wouldn't be surprised, no. Most people tend to show up on the network around important anniversaries - the one-year mark, for example. They often sound some degree of either agitated or subdued, displeased either way; admittedly, you occasionally get the extremely energetic ones that are pleased to be here, but those are usually from...somewhat unusual life circumstances to begin with.

[...ah...]

I...see. Incidentally, where would this "cutie mark" of yours happen to be located?

[Hey, hey. Descole's not too unfamiliar with sword dueling himself, but -

...um.]

...well, either you're the world's most lethal poker player or you're going to have to elaborate a bit for me.

Aren't we all.

[With that out of the way, however, he begins playing that piano in front of him again; his hands are actually gentle on the keys this time around, however, and the melody has calmed down a good amount - more a simplified version of this than anything.]

Unfortunately there's not much to be done right now, outside of play this place's games; about the only comfort in doing that is the knowledge that time back home won't continue to progress without us.

On my flank.

[She points to her butt.]

Some personalities are just better suited. It takes a certain kind of tenacity to not be tired by constant new experiences, even if they're interesting and exciting ones.

[BUT ANYWAYS]

"Something to pursue" is a little vague. What motivates you?

[... Ha ha ha. Well, poker isn't bad, but nowhere near as cool as dueling -- though admittedly, the latter can be pretty lethal.

Crow snorts a bit in amusement. A few years ago, he'd cringe when hearing such reaction, but he's gotten fairly used to it over the course of time.]

Gonna make a wild guess and assume you've never heard of Duel Monsters, huh?

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008. [Video/possible action for Goldenrod City, also one other thing]

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