1st Bite [Video]

[dirge]

[The screen flicks on, but there seems to be something wrong with a it. A long crack runs down the right side, fragmenting the image. The color also seems off, though its hard to tell if you haven't seen the speaker's paintjob before.]

Oh, you do still work. Hm.

[A big seeker of a less boxy variety than most leans in and raps on the screen with a knuckle, sending the drone drifting backwards with a distressed beep.]


I'll have to go find a bigger rock.

Comments

[dirge]

I assume you mean human made machines. Earth metals seem flimsy. They taste nice though.

[Dirge has that effect on everyone, not just organics.]

Fourteen? That seems excessive! Then why are humans not rarer? [They seem to be everywhere, from what he's seen.]

[10_20_15_5_50]

I---yeah, I do, and I don't mean to be rude but... you can taste? You eat?

[That could be comforting. Kind of.]

I don't doubt it---it does take human beings a long time to mature. But...

[Sam considers, then snorts and shrugs.]

We don't know when to quit? Humans are pretty good at figuring out how to make a go of most environments, and it's a rough 'fourteen' only for independent action.

[dirge]

[Dirge looks horrified by the implication that he might not be able to taste or eat.]

Not being able to consume? No pleasure involved in said consumption? No, I could not function if either of these were denied me!

[His wings rattle with a shudder that runs down his entire backstrut.] I can eat and taste and I very much enjoy doing so. In fact, it is my preferred method of ownership, for once something is consumed and broken down for fuel it can no longer be reacquired by someone else. It is part of me forever.

[He considers her words.] I see. You're adaptable. Able to make more humans anywhere.

[10_20_15_5_50]

[That this guy could eat---let alone taste---was surprising, but the vehemence in his reaction to the idea it might be otherwise was every bit as unexpected.]

Oh. Duly noted. Shows I shouldn't assume anything.

[Sam pauses, weighing the words, but then shrugs and nods an acknowledgement.]

That makes pretty solid sense, actually. 'To eat is to appropriate by destruction,' and what's consequently destroyed can't be appropriated by anybody else, not in any worthwhile way. Normally.

[She nods.]

If the basic necessities are available, yeah.

[dirge]

Are there those that are incapable of eating or tasting on your planet?

Not destroyed, no. Changed into another state. One that is inseparable from me. [Still, he's surprised she understands at all. Most beings he encounters are either repulsed or confused by it.]

So one could farm humans?

[10_20_15_5_50]

Yeah. There are a couple conditions which'll leave a person unable to taste much, or at all.

[She'll hold up one intricately-inked hand, shrugging that shoulder.]

'To eat is to appropriate...' was translated; I may be misinterpreting. Still makes sense.

[Given the context some experience with sympathetic magic provides, it---whichever interpretation 'it' is, 'inseparable' or that scrap of Sartre---makes very solid sense. Consumption's a loaded act; there are libraries on its implications alone.]

[AND ABOUT IMPLICATIONS]




[that]
[that is one screaming sharp left turn this conversation's taken]
[and when it was going so well]
[The look on her face says as much, in the (long) moment before she manages to regain composure]

I don't think that would work well.

[dirge]

[His lip wrinkles up, imagining that happening to himself is a frightening prospect. He quickly decides to focus on something else instead.]

Your skin- its different. I've never seen a human with those markings.

[He peers into the screen at them, trying to make sense of the tattoos.]

Oh? Why not? Sounds like it would be very easy!

[10_20_15_5_50]

Even on Earth, you probably wouldn't see a second one.

[It would be a weird digression, but Sam's long considered the topic of her skin adjacent to any other, and there are other issues to address.]

Seems like it, maybe, but lots of things seem like they should be easy and aren't. Humans are contrary creatures, with this... tendency to prioritize revenge, even over sustenance. That's not really a trait to facilitate farming.

[Sure, the last study she'd seen on the subject used that pop-bubble board game to arrange slight-and-revenge scenarios, but the principle held to high stakes.]

[dirge]

Really? [Uh oh, you've got his attention now. You've been marked as 'extremely rare', or at least your skin has. His optics gleam as he studies the organic closer.]

Revenge over sustenance...how peculiar. [He's sort of lost interest in the farming thing, at least for now.]

How much of your body is covered in those markings?

[10_20_15_5_50]

Probably.

[Strike one, strike two, sweet mother Mary, maudit, and marde.]

Coming up on two thirds. It's a work in progress.

[It seems she should have that established, before this exchange takes another left turn.]

Why d'you ask?

[dirge]

You're going to develop even more eventually? [Even more interesting!]

I like rare things, they are valuable because they are unique.

[10_20_15_5_50]

['Develop' isn't quite the right word, but Sam nods. It's near enough.]

What I've already got is from a few years.

[One eyebrow goes up at that, and the adept crosses her arms. She's elaborately etched, but you're some kind of sketch.]

Given the context of this conversation, and what you've been asking after, I'm kind of concerned.

[dirge]

There's no need for concern. I certainly wouldn't put you in a farm. [In a gilded cage maybe, but not on a farm.]

[10_20_15_5_50]

That's... a good start, [if it's true] but I'm still not sure there's no need for concern.

[She's all ink, but you are some kind of sketch.]

[dirge]

Don't be silly! I take very good care of my possessions!

1/2

[10_20_15_5_50]

[so what even]

2/2

[10_20_15_5_50]

[Nevermind. This is just bizarre enough 'incredulity' has become base camp; other emotions are on the back burner.]

Y--

...how is it you're thinking we are on to 'your possessions,' here?

[dirge]

Oh, not yet. In the future. I was just reassuring you.

[10_20_15_5_50]

[You know who's not really reassured? This chick.]

What, exactly, are you expecting the future will involve?

[dirge]

Hm, just that we'll be seeing more of each other.

[He stands up and picks up the drone, shaking it experimentally.]

Perhaps this was a bad idea. Oh well. [It seems the shaking has knocked something loose though and the feed cuts out.]