[network] @magenta2; voice - morning 286 [open]

[himalayanyeti]

Mm, so, is anyone else here from a very long time ago?

[Magenta apparently decides to leave it at that for a couple minutes, before returning to elaborate on the question with a carefully maintained tone of carelessness to his voice. It's a far cry from what he actually sounds like when he's excited or happy, but to the casual listener, it's probably close enough.]

I mean--you know. I think we're s'posed to be in...twenty-one-and-something, I can't remember the exacts, but is anyone here from long before now? A few folks I've talked to have mentioned they're from twenty-something, early twenty-something, but I don't know about all of y'all.

[A pause.]

I'm from 1891, and I reckon it's all a little new to everyone, but it sure seems like y'all have an easier time of gettin' used to things! Computers, and the nan...nan--nanomachines, and whatever else. I don't really know much about any of it, and I'm not that smart to begin with! It's all past me, and I'm sorry for not bein' much help. I guess what I'm meanin' to ask is how everyone deals with figurin' stuff out from the future.

He~ey, though, while we're on it: tell me about the future! I've heard the airplanes are marvelous. I'm very interested in all of it, even if I can't quite get it.

Comments

[himalayanyeti]

Right, thanks! You're awful nice about all of this. Most people give up talkin' to me by now.

[warriorscribe]

Think nothing of it. As I said, people who look down on those who don't know what they think they should forget they had to learn these things for themselves once.

...Though it sounds as if you keep particularly cruel company. Not of your own choosing, I assume.

[himalayanyeti]

It's...mm, it's not really that, I think. Most people are pretty nice! I just don't think I have whatever it is that makes people like me, not really--or I do, but I'm too awful that it balances out. I haven't figured it out, really. But the people I'm with are nice!

[warriorscribe]

Hmm...actually, awful people don't tend to think of themselves as awful. Those that do aren't nearly as bad as they claim, or the ones that don't.

[It can't be all bad! Enoch's outlook has taken a beating, but his faith in humanity is off-limits, even to his own depression.]

[himalayanyeti]

I guess you're right! It sure seems like a lot of awful people never own up to their shit, anyways. I just...mm, I don't think I'm awful, really, but I'm just not the kind of person people like! And that's fine. Maybe someone does, and that's fine by me, even if it's just the one person.

[warriorscribe]

That's an excellent view to have of it- one person can make all the difference in the world. I'd rather have one friend I can trust with everything than numerous friends I can't confide in at all.

[himalayanyeti]

Oh, that's awful smart! I think I'd feel the same way--but you put it a lot better than I could, y'know. You're very smart about all of this! I ought to talk with you more, I guess.

[A pause.]

I mean, I know why...we don't talk more, but we still should. I think you're good.

[warriorscribe]

[He grins. They're in the nightmare high school and he's had actual smiles and laughter in this conversation. There's no way Magenta could be as awful as he thinks he is. If talking to him can make him feel any better about himself, he's definitely up for it.]

I'm flattered you think so, and I'd be glad to speak more. I've already said I won't be unkind if you have a question to ask of me. But even if you don't have one, you can send a message to my tablet any time you'd like.

[himalayanyeti]

Aye-aye, Captain! I'll let you know the next time I have some issue, okay? I hope you're okay with me havin' quite a few issues, though. Everything's a little bit new to me. Or a lot bit new! Like nanites.

[warriorscribe]

There's much about this place that's new to me, too. If I don't have the answer to a question, I'll ask someone else for you. Then we'll have the benefit of both of us learning whatever it is, for anyone like you or me who comes from a place it didn't apply.

[himalayanyeti]

Oh, smart! Sounds like a plan.

...Thanks, Enoch. You're not half bad.