[ Ever the jellyfish to fully respect someone’s privacy, Mizuki doesn’t so much as knock when he goes to seek Add out with his new information. At the very least, it isn’t exactly a quiet process, so it may not be all that surprising to see a very squished Mizuki pushing himself through the crack at the bottom of the door.
Yes, hi, hello, he is actually super excited to be here this time and not nervous wreck. ]
[... he is staring the entire time, hand frozen over the letter he'd been trying to pen. Sure, he did a cursory analysis of Mizuki's physiology back when he brought him the venom sample for an antidote, but seeing something like this in action...
It's kind of disturbing to watch, but to someone like Add, that only makes it more fascinating.
Anyway.
He clears his throat, quickly covering up whatever he'd been working on... okay, business face on. Friendly smiles! Keep that mood positive! Don't think about how awkward it was when he left the other day.]
If it isn't my favourite Aegir assistant. What can I do for you, Mizuki?
[ It's honestly kind of unsettling. One would expect bones cracking into place or something, but there's just the noise akin to shoving your hand into some foamy slime as he just becomes a cat crawling under the door, but somehow even more squished. It's fine, he's normal. He's happily trotting over to Add, though, shoeless since they couldn't fit under the door. ]
Less what you can do for me, more what I have for you!! I talked with Miss Trader about some of the stuff we talked about at the meeting. She told me a lot of important stuff, too, I think you'll be really happy to know.
Uh, I'm not really sure where to start… maybe… Oh! Mister Zahliya goes by a lot of titles. It's why "Purifier" and "First guardian" are in there. They're all him, just different names. "The Purifier, He Who is the First Sentinel, the Grove's Guardian".
Apparently, he used to be a gargoyle that stayed on the temple. He's immune to the Forest's corruption, and can also purify it, though Trader said she's not exactly sure how.
Purifier... so that's what it's referring to? [it's not a hard thing to guess, and he'd figured it might be something like that, but it's still a good thing to confirm. a "guardian" that purifies the forest's corruption...] If these claims are true, then that would make them a useful ally... still, we shouldn't be careless. There's no guarantee the Trader is on our side, either.
[add you are the ONLY ONE who thinks the trader is sus, please,]
Did she share anything about the ritual? Or the new moon? I'd say those are the most pressing topics at the moment, so we'll start there.
Do you think so? She hasn't given me any reason to not trust her. She seemed real genuine, actually! And even when the… um, when the flowers had all caught fire, she was there to comfort me. I'm real appreciative of her.
I even gave her a new name!! Do you think you could call her "Ydalir" now?
[ A request, more than a correction. At the end of the day, the Trader doesn't seem the type to mind one way or the other. ]
She said a ritual would be fairly easy. The fog is weakest on the new moon, and Zahliya is just waiting for a "thread" to be pulled from the forest. She said we, essentially, just have to "wish" for him to come and put power behind those words. She mentioned that names have a lot of power, which… falls in line with what Caoimhe said at the meeting, about being careful about telling the Forest our names…
I also asked about Moder. She had mentioned before that there's a lot of evil in the forest, but that Moder herself isn't "evil". She didn't seem to have… a positive recollection of her, either? It's hard for me to tell for sure what she was thinking, though…
Hm... I'll make note of it. [he will Not call her by name sorry (but i guess he can add that to her file somewhere, in a bunch of quotation marks...)]
This is why I dislike working with magic. Wishing, words with power, vague metaphorical threads, this name nonsense... hmph. Well, it hardly matters to me, but I suppose it doesn't hurt for the rest of you to be careful. [Add aint his real name] Moder, whatever it is, if it's from the forest then I'm not about to give it the benefit of the doubt. "Good" and "evil" are relative terms. I doubt whatever this creature wants aligns with our needs, if it's an enemy of something that acts as a purifier.
But this information is very helpful. Thank you for sharing your report, Mizuki. [and he instantly goes from a sour magic-hating scowl to :) smiles! :) just like that. really, he is appreciative of Mizuki's investigation, it's not like it's his fault this stupid place defies simple logic.] Was there anything else of note that came up?
[ Mizuki would not at all be mad about it because he thinks Add could Do No Wrong at this point, so I have to be mad on his behalf. Fuck you, Add— ]
I can't say I'm all that familiar with it, either. Sounds a little bit like something out of a fantasy novel rather than something based in reality, but… I can't even use the thing that comes close to "magic" in my world, either. Not like Miss Irene or Mister Gnosis. I'm sort of… physically barred from that kind of stuff, ehe… [ He's a little sad about this, really, but not being able to use Arts also comes with it's advantages. ] As for Moder, I… I don't know if I can understand something that can sit in between "good" and "evil". That stuff never really made any sense to me, so I've always just listened to other people about it…
If it comes to it, though, just tell me what to do, okay? I'll listen.
I did ask a few other questions, but they weren't really anything you told me to ask, so I'm sure they weren't that important.
[There is a tiny flicker of surprise at that "magic" comment, quickly absorbed back into his usual neutral smile... but he's still thinking about it even as Mizuki continues with his report. He nods along anyway, brushing off the moral concerns.]
Of course. I'll analyze the situation in detail, so if you're unsure, just follow my lead.
... about what you said, being "physically barred" from certain things... [whatever that other stuff was, maybe it's really not important like he said. anyway,] If you don't mind me prying... "physically barred" in what way, exactly? Is it something only certain individuals or species are capable of? Is it something that requires an external force, or is it decided at birth?
[ … uh oh. He had simply mentioned that in passing. He hadn’t realized it was something Add would ask him to elaborate on and now he’s found the wind had gotten a little knocked out of him at the question. Where there not other people from home here, he wouldn’t be so suddenly anxious, but…
Saying he doesn’t want to talk about it is also suspicious, right? He doesn’t want to lie, either, though?! Hhhh. ]
It’s… a species thing. The element that creates the “magic” is called Originium. It’s a mineral that usually comes as a byproduct of horrible natural disasters — “Catastrophes”. But they’re all on land, so we Aegir evolved around being sea-faring and with our own technology and stuff. We weren’t really exposed to Originium in the waters, so it doesn’t assimilate with us.
[ Well… it’s mostly true! Except about the part where “it won’t assimilate with Aegir”. So long as he doesn’t go asking the other Terrans about it, this answer will suffice, surely. ]
Ah... sorry. I didn't mean to put you on the spot.
[He kind of did, but he's still quick to raise his hands in apology... yknow, after Mizuki is done with the whole explanation. Of course.
But it's understandable that he might hesitate. An ore-byproduct of natural disasters... hah, it could very well be compared to the El. And they have their own technology, developed without reliance on "magic", or perhaps manipulating the same forces like Nasod works with El? Sea-faring makes him think of the Nous... it's interesting, there are a variety of different parallels. He wants to know more about it.
Add drums his fingers on the desk. Alleviating some of Mizuki's anxieties might help... he has little to do with Elrios, so it wouldn't hurt anyone...]
... Where I'm from, the origin of "magic" is a stone called El. It's not the exact same situation, but a certain subset of humans called Debrians are born incapable of resonating with the El's power. Mana is still naturally produced, but manipulation of mana to perform magic is physically impossible. To make up for this deficiency, the ancient Debrians created a branch of technology that utilized mana and the El in other ways.
Dynamo is a prime example of this technology. [giving one of them a little midair twirl, hello!!!] I guess it might not mean much to you, but Debrians are exceedingly rare in the modern era... magic is near-ubiquitous within Elrios, so it's nice to meet someone with a similar experience for a change.
[ Mizuki simply shakes his head at the apology. Nervous or not, Mizuki is still overly excited to please. ]
Oh… [ So that's what Chung was talking about? This makes more sense. He feels like he should ask if there's a difference between what Chung had said was a "Water El" and just the "El", but… he's more focused on other things right now. Namely the whole "similar" thing. It takes Mizuki a moment to react more, just because he's trying to organize his thoughts. Wasn't he supposed to just be here to deliver the information? Maybe get a "good job" and the approval of Doctor Add?
But isn't there also something nice about this, too? Sharing experiences and… he even seems to be a little more… relaxed, maybe? Is that the word? It's something comforting, anyway, which is a huge relief considering he thought he'd made Add upset with him, with regards to the whole Elsword relationship thing—
He takes a few quick steps forward, suddenly urged by his overwhelming excitement to not stay quiet anymore. Shadows of his stingers twisting outside of his shadow surround Mizuki. ] It's always nice to feel understood. I get that — more than anything.
[It is nice. "Understood" might be too strong of a word, but... it's the differences that interest him the most. A want to understand, to see how similar societies developed under their own conditions. What can he learn, what can he use for himself, mistakes to be avoided and successes to replicate...
... if they had any similar experiences is yet to be seen. Well, it would be better for Mizuki if they weren't similar at all.
Still, the smile that he shows is authentic.]
I'd be interested to hear more about your world's technology... if that would be alright? I wouldn't mind sharing some of my own data, so you could think of it as a cultural exchange of sorts. What do you say?
I would be happy to!! I'm not too well versed in anything outside of those used for entertainment, however, so I'm not sure how useful it would be to you.
[ He's already fishing out his Nintendo Switch, though. Autistic mood: wanting to constantly share your interests with others. ]
This is my Switch. It's a video game console. They're like… playable puzzle… stories. Depending on the game, anyway. I also have Pac-Man! It's my favorite game. I have an arcade selector here so you can play a lot of the classics!!!
[Here he was, expecting to hear about vehicles or weapons or networks or AI or medical technology or any number of highly useful topics, but instead the topic of choice is... entertainment?
He's still holding the smile, though his expression falters just a little. He's... not really sure what to make of this yet. Confused? Disappointed? Some other weird third thing? Hm.]
... Video game console? [repeating the phrase to try and make sense of it... no, it still sounds weird. Dynamo draws in around them (the needles are retracted, it's fine), clustering to get a better angle of the alien device.] Stories... like a book? A recording of a book? I'm not sure I understand how that's a game...
[...
movies also don't exist in elrios... truly a cultural wasteland.]
Let me see. Is the image projected from this tablet?
[ Mizuki reaches up to gently boop one of the Little Guys(tm) before his attention is turned back to Add. It's easy enough to maneuver the joycons even if he's looking at it upside down. ]
So you gotta press the power button first [ Which he does for him, ] then you gotta select the game you want on the screen. This console is touch screen, so you can just use your finger. [ He selects the "Retro Arcade" and then "Pac-Man". It pulls up the very, very iconic screen of Pac-Man… ] So, when you're ready, hit "Start" with the "A" button — it's like your select — and then you can just use those little circles that are pointing out — they're called joysticks — to move your character around. In this game, you play as a little yellow mouth and you have to eat all the white pellets on the screen. However, you have to avoid the colorful ghosts because until you eat enough nutrients, you'll simply fall prey to them for not being strong enough.
If you lose, though, that's fine, you can just start over!
[Dynamo will beep! at the boop, an amicable exchange. Add, however, is quickly finding himself lost in this explanation.]
Select with start? Touch screen? W-wait, back up, I thought this was about stories... is it just these moving blocks?
[BOY are those blocks moving tho, he is too flustered to figure out these controls right now. like, clearly 2 seconds ago there was a menu with so much more detail and better UI but now the "game" is this weird blocky picture? is this supposed to be a story? maybe it's puzzles and stories so this one is just a puzzle?? but why such a convoluted explanation...]
... riddles that use a framing device such as doors and keys to explain the setup? But this seems a bit...
[pac-man dying sfx he might look a tad alarmed at his poor avatar dying so quickly, help
video games are complicated]
... what's the point of this? Is it like a... a test of sorts? A challenge? This is "entertainment"?
Sorry, I- I just got a little excited. I get carried away… [ You know, when you want your friend to like this thing you like, but you're really bad at explaining it, and it all just kind of goes too fast? That's Mizuki, but like, all the time. ] It's a puzzle! Sort of. I mean, that's the best comparison I can think to draw, anyway. You have a set goal — to eat all the dots — and you have something impeding that goal — the ghosts. Finding out the best path to take to not corner yourself between two ghosts, figuring out when the best time to eat the Big Dots to be able to eat the ghosts for a couple of seconds, tricking the ghosts into thinking you're going one way and turning around to go the other… It's a strategy game.
[ "What's the point of this?" he asks, and it makes Mizuki fidget in place. He twists the umbrella around in his hand anxiously, but holds his easy smile. ]
It's not supposed to have a point beyond just… being fun. Try to get a high score. Beating your old high scores, watching yourself improve.
[He's staring at Mizuki now, his expression no less baffled the more he tries to explain. A puzzle, a game of strategy... he could imagine a setup like this being used for combat simulations, but it lacks practical applications in its current state. The situation presented is too specific, too outlandish, what would be the point of improving your skills if they have no external use? Maybe if it's a simple exercise in reaction time and basic problem solving, simplified to be used as an entry point—
... but he's looking at it the wrong way. Like Mizuki keeps saying, it is just a game. Nothing more. If he should be comparing it to anything, it would probably be more appropriate to think of the board games the El Search Party would occasionally pull out. Games for little kids that don't provide any meaningful skills or experience... something purely for "fun".
He's quiet, turning his gaze slowly back to the blinking screen. Is this what Nasod technology could have produced, if it had been allowed to flourish? Something so frivolous, so childish...
It's... a weird, complicated third thing. He's not sure yet how it makes him feel.]
[ …Mizuki's embarrassed. "It doesn't do anything else?" Add asks, and this this weird static in Mizuki's mind. He doesn't even know what to say. Like he's supposed to laugh it off and say "yeah it's dumb". But it's not dumb. He likes it. It's one of his favorite things. He knows it's not useful, but…
Hhhh.
Mizuki bites his lip, flustered, his bioluminescence making a smattering of blue freckles across his cheeks that expertly trick the viewer of his blush into thinking it's a blue blush because of the lighting. (Or maybe it's just a blue blush. Who knows! Mizuki won't tell.) Instead, he spins around to dig in his bag again, pulling out a few more of his handhelds. DS, Gameboy, PSP, Vita— does he really not have any interesting technology in here? Anxiety,, ]
I-I have my phone, too… It's sort of not useful here, either, but it can still… take pictures and stuff? And… uh, record things, but… obviously Dynamo can already do that… I'm sorry.
[ Beat. ] O-oh, there's my Infection Monitor??? [ He points to his collar. ] I don't know how it works, though.
[Add isn't really listening when he starts pointing to the collar—he's already picking up one of the other devices Mizuki pulled out, turning it around in his hands. Different shapes, different designs, similar functionality... he can tell that some are less advanced, but is it possible it's because of their age? He can spot some of the gradual improvements, like evolution producing newer and more efficient lifeforms. Like the 3rd Generation Nasods improving upon the original design...]
How many of these do you have? So many different variations—are they all developed by the same creator? Are video consoles popular, do a lot of people use them? Ah, why does this one only have one screen when the other has two? Nintendo... so, this is the natural course of Nintendo evolution... [he's holding the DS open like a book in one hand and an SP in the other... this is definitely how it works.]
What other games are there? How many? [if the consoles are any indicator there's gotta be at least, like... fifty? fifty video games? yeah.]
Edited (idk maybe he doesnt have a ds and a 3ds maybe we'll get him one for christmas) 2023-09-17 01:18 (UTC)
[ Oh… How funny. Just like that, all his anxiety washed away. How silly of him to have been so worried. ]
I don't have too many with me here. I mostly play the first one we were playing. They're not by the same developer, no. You can see their brands on them, though.
[ Mizuki pulls out some of the game cases he has, lovingly sorted. Most of it is just memory cards with the games themselves on them, but… ]
How many games… in general, or that I have? In general, there's more than I could count, but I'd say I'd have at least around 30 for each console? And they cover all sorts of genres. Action roleplaying games, puzzles, strategy, horror, sandbox creative games, first person shooters, racing games, party games, survival… and so, so many more, the list goes on for a real long time~.
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Yes, hi, hello, he is actually super excited to be here this time and not nervous wreck. ]
Doctor Add!
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It's kind of disturbing to watch, but to someone like Add, that only makes it more fascinating.
Anyway.
He clears his throat, quickly covering up whatever he'd been working on... okay, business face on. Friendly smiles! Keep that mood positive! Don't think about how awkward it was when he left the other day.]
If it isn't my favourite Aegir assistant. What can I do for you, Mizuki?
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Less what you can do for me, more what I have for you!! I talked with Miss Trader about some of the stuff we talked about at the meeting. She told me a lot of important stuff, too, I think you'll be really happy to know.
Uh, I'm not really sure where to start… maybe… Oh! Mister Zahliya goes by a lot of titles. It's why "Purifier" and "First guardian" are in there. They're all him, just different names. "The Purifier, He Who is the First Sentinel, the Grove's Guardian".
Apparently, he used to be a gargoyle that stayed on the temple. He's immune to the Forest's corruption, and can also purify it, though Trader said she's not exactly sure how.
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[add you are the ONLY ONE who thinks the trader is sus, please,]
Did she share anything about the ritual? Or the new moon? I'd say those are the most pressing topics at the moment, so we'll start there.
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I even gave her a new name!! Do you think you could call her "Ydalir" now?
[ A request, more than a correction. At the end of the day, the Trader doesn't seem the type to mind one way or the other. ]
She said a ritual would be fairly easy. The fog is weakest on the new moon, and Zahliya is just waiting for a "thread" to be pulled from the forest. She said we, essentially, just have to "wish" for him to come and put power behind those words. She mentioned that names have a lot of power, which… falls in line with what Caoimhe said at the meeting, about being careful about telling the Forest our names…
I also asked about Moder. She had mentioned before that there's a lot of evil in the forest, but that Moder herself isn't "evil". She didn't seem to have… a positive recollection of her, either? It's hard for me to tell for sure what she was thinking, though…
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This is why I dislike working with magic. Wishing, words with power, vague metaphorical threads, this name nonsense... hmph. Well, it hardly matters to me, but I suppose it doesn't hurt for the rest of you to be careful. [Add aint his real name] Moder, whatever it is, if it's from the forest then I'm not about to give it the benefit of the doubt. "Good" and "evil" are relative terms. I doubt whatever this creature wants aligns with our needs, if it's an enemy of something that acts as a purifier.
But this information is very helpful. Thank you for sharing your report, Mizuki. [and he instantly goes from a sour magic-hating scowl to :) smiles! :) just like that. really, he is appreciative of Mizuki's investigation, it's not like it's his fault this stupid place defies simple logic.] Was there anything else of note that came up?
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I can't say I'm all that familiar with it, either. Sounds a little bit like something out of a fantasy novel rather than something based in reality, but… I can't even use the thing that comes close to "magic" in my world, either. Not like Miss Irene or Mister Gnosis. I'm sort of… physically barred from that kind of stuff, ehe… [ He's a little sad about this, really, but not being able to use Arts also comes with it's advantages. ] As for Moder, I… I don't know if I can understand something that can sit in between "good" and "evil". That stuff never really made any sense to me, so I've always just listened to other people about it…
If it comes to it, though, just tell me what to do, okay? I'll listen.
I did ask a few other questions, but they weren't really anything you told me to ask, so I'm sure they weren't that important.
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Of course. I'll analyze the situation in detail, so if you're unsure, just follow my lead.
... about what you said, being "physically barred" from certain things... [whatever that other stuff was, maybe it's really not important like he said. anyway,] If you don't mind me prying... "physically barred" in what way, exactly? Is it something only certain individuals or species are capable of? Is it something that requires an external force, or is it decided at birth?
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Saying he doesn’t want to talk about it is also suspicious, right? He doesn’t want to lie, either, though?! Hhhh. ]
It’s… a species thing. The element that creates the “magic” is called Originium. It’s a mineral that usually comes as a byproduct of horrible natural disasters — “Catastrophes”. But they’re all on land, so we Aegir evolved around being sea-faring and with our own technology and stuff. We weren’t really exposed to Originium in the waters, so it doesn’t assimilate with us.
[ Well… it’s mostly true! Except about the part where “it won’t assimilate with Aegir”. So long as he doesn’t go asking the other Terrans about it, this answer will suffice, surely. ]
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[He kind of did, but he's still quick to raise his hands in apology... yknow, after Mizuki is done with the whole explanation. Of course.
But it's understandable that he might hesitate. An ore-byproduct of natural disasters... hah, it could very well be compared to the El. And they have their own technology, developed without reliance on "magic", or perhaps manipulating the same forces like Nasod works with El? Sea-faring makes him think of the Nous... it's interesting, there are a variety of different parallels. He wants to know more about it.
Add drums his fingers on the desk. Alleviating some of Mizuki's anxieties might help... he has little to do with Elrios, so it wouldn't hurt anyone...]
... Where I'm from, the origin of "magic" is a stone called El. It's not the exact same situation, but a certain subset of humans called Debrians are born incapable of resonating with the El's power. Mana is still naturally produced, but manipulation of mana to perform magic is physically impossible. To make up for this deficiency, the ancient Debrians created a branch of technology that utilized mana and the El in other ways.
Dynamo is a prime example of this technology. [giving one of them a little midair twirl, hello!!!] I guess it might not mean much to you, but Debrians are exceedingly rare in the modern era... magic is near-ubiquitous within Elrios, so it's nice to meet someone with a similar experience for a change.
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Oh… [ So that's what Chung was talking about? This makes more sense. He feels like he should ask if there's a difference between what Chung had said was a "Water El" and just the "El", but… he's more focused on other things right now. Namely the whole "similar" thing. It takes Mizuki a moment to react more, just because he's trying to organize his thoughts. Wasn't he supposed to just be here to deliver the information? Maybe get a "good job" and the approval of Doctor Add?
But isn't there also something nice about this, too? Sharing experiences and… he even seems to be a little more… relaxed, maybe? Is that the word? It's something comforting, anyway, which is a huge relief considering he thought he'd made Add upset with him, with regards to the whole Elsword relationship thing—
He takes a few quick steps forward, suddenly urged by his overwhelming excitement to not stay quiet anymore. Shadows of his stingers twisting outside of his shadow surround Mizuki. ] It's always nice to feel understood. I get that — more than anything.
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... if they had any similar experiences is yet to be seen. Well, it would be better for Mizuki if they weren't similar at all.
Still, the smile that he shows is authentic.]
I'd be interested to hear more about your world's technology... if that would be alright? I wouldn't mind sharing some of my own data, so you could think of it as a cultural exchange of sorts. What do you say?
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[ He's already fishing out his Nintendo Switch, though. Autistic mood: wanting to constantly share your interests with others. ]
This is my Switch. It's a video game console. They're like… playable puzzle… stories. Depending on the game, anyway. I also have Pac-Man! It's my favorite game. I have an arcade selector here so you can play a lot of the classics!!!
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He's still holding the smile, though his expression falters just a little. He's... not really sure what to make of this yet. Confused? Disappointed? Some other weird third thing? Hm.]
... Video game console? [repeating the phrase to try and make sense of it... no, it still sounds weird. Dynamo draws in around them (the needles are retracted, it's fine), clustering to get a better angle of the alien device.] Stories... like a book? A recording of a book? I'm not sure I understand how that's a game...
[...
movies also don't exist in elrios... truly a cultural wasteland.]
Let me see. Is the image projected from this tablet?
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So you gotta press the power button first [ Which he does for him, ] then you gotta select the game you want on the screen. This console is touch screen, so you can just use your finger. [ He selects the "Retro Arcade" and then "Pac-Man". It pulls up the very, very iconic screen of Pac-Man… ] So, when you're ready, hit "Start" with the "A" button — it's like your select — and then you can just use those little circles that are pointing out — they're called joysticks — to move your character around. In this game, you play as a little yellow mouth and you have to eat all the white pellets on the screen. However, you have to avoid the colorful ghosts because until you eat enough nutrients, you'll simply fall prey to them for not being strong enough.
If you lose, though, that's fine, you can just start over!
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Select with start? Touch screen? W-wait, back up, I thought this was about stories... is it just these moving blocks?
[BOY are those blocks moving tho, he is too flustered to figure out these controls right now. like, clearly 2 seconds ago there was a menu with so much more detail and better UI but now the "game" is this weird blocky picture? is this supposed to be a story? maybe it's puzzles and stories so this one is just a puzzle?? but why such a convoluted explanation...]
... riddles that use a framing device such as doors and keys to explain the setup? But this seems a bit...
[pac-man dying sfx he might look a tad alarmed at his poor avatar dying so quickly, help
video games are complicated]
... what's the point of this? Is it like a... a test of sorts? A challenge? This is "entertainment"?
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Sorry, I- I just got a little excited. I get carried away… [ You know, when you want your friend to like this thing you like, but you're really bad at explaining it, and it all just kind of goes too fast? That's Mizuki, but like, all the time. ] It's a puzzle! Sort of. I mean, that's the best comparison I can think to draw, anyway. You have a set goal — to eat all the dots — and you have something impeding that goal — the ghosts. Finding out the best path to take to not corner yourself between two ghosts, figuring out when the best time to eat the Big Dots to be able to eat the ghosts for a couple of seconds, tricking the ghosts into thinking you're going one way and turning around to go the other… It's a strategy game.
[ "What's the point of this?" he asks, and it makes Mizuki fidget in place. He twists the umbrella around in his hand anxiously, but holds his easy smile. ]
It's not supposed to have a point beyond just… being fun. Try to get a high score. Beating your old high scores, watching yourself improve.
…
It makes me happy.
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... but he's looking at it the wrong way. Like Mizuki keeps saying, it is just a game. Nothing more. If he should be comparing it to anything, it would probably be more appropriate to think of the board games the El Search Party would occasionally pull out. Games for little kids that don't provide any meaningful skills or experience... something purely for "fun".
He's quiet, turning his gaze slowly back to the blinking screen. Is this what Nasod technology could have produced, if it had been allowed to flourish? Something so frivolous, so childish...
It's... a weird, complicated third thing. He's not sure yet how it makes him feel.]
It doesn't do anything else? Just these... games?
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Hhhh.
Mizuki bites his lip, flustered, his bioluminescence making a smattering of blue freckles across his cheeks that expertly trick the viewer of his blush into thinking it's a blue blush because of the lighting. (Or maybe it's just a blue blush. Who knows! Mizuki won't tell.) Instead, he spins around to dig in his bag again, pulling out a few more of his handhelds. DS, Gameboy, PSP, Vita— does he really not have any interesting technology in here? Anxiety,, ]
I-I have my phone, too… It's sort of not useful here, either, but it can still… take pictures and stuff? And… uh, record things, but… obviously Dynamo can already do that… I'm sorry.
[ Beat. ] O-oh, there's my Infection Monitor??? [ He points to his collar. ] I don't know how it works, though.
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How many of these do you have? So many different variations—are they all developed by the same creator? Are video consoles popular, do a lot of people use them? Ah, why does this one only have one screen when the other has two? Nintendo... so, this is the natural course of Nintendo evolution... [he's holding the DS open like a book in one hand and an SP in the other... this is definitely how it works.]
What other games are there? How many? [if the consoles are any indicator there's gotta be at least, like... fifty? fifty video games? yeah.]
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I don't have too many with me here. I mostly play the first one we were playing. They're not by the same developer, no. You can see their brands on them, though.
[ Mizuki pulls out some of the game cases he has, lovingly sorted. Most of it is just memory cards with the games themselves on them, but… ]
How many games… in general, or that I have? In general, there's more than I could count, but I'd say I'd have at least around 30 for each console? And they cover all sorts of genres. Action roleplaying games, puzzles, strategy, horror, sandbox creative games, first person shooters, racing games, party games, survival… and so, so many more, the list goes on for a real long time~.