driftfleet | text; get this child out of his comfort zone

Entry tags:

text; get this child out of his comfort zone

Who: Kazuto Kirigaya and [insert your name here]
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Marsiva
When: Today / Sept 4

[Waking up in unfamiliar surroundings is not new for Kazuto, but in the past it's been quite a different experience. It's not an MMO this time, which is what catches him off guard the most. He can tell immediately, even with a simple glance around- the world is too real, too detailed. (Just in case, he tests a few menu-summoning gestures, but no dice.)

Waking up in a hospital-eque area makes him think that something went wrong with his last MMO dive, but that isn't right. He clearly remembers being safe and healthy the night before- they'd checked him out at the hospital before he'd gone to Sinon's. So... what? A kidnapping? Some kind of experiment? Something about this place doesn't feel right, and there's information slowly filtering into his head that doesn't make much sense.

And then he goes and looks out a window. Yikes.

He spends some time wandering, quietly observing, though there isn't really anyone to observe- computers, broadcasts, machines, yes, but people? The place is pretty deserted. It's eerie and uncomfortable, and he gets totally lost before long. Finally, though, he puts to use the knowledge of the broadcast system that is inexplicably in his head now, typing out a message.]

Is anyone out there available to answer some questions? I don't understand what's happened to me.

[Yep, that sure is a message. Which... is probably gibberish to anyone who doesn't read Japanese. Someone should probably let him know about the auto-translate not working on text.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Haaaah... anime. The thing people always ask about.]

Not... really. I mostly play video games. I like it there, though. It's a big city, so it's pretty convenient.

Awww, well video games are a lot of fun too! I got the secret ending of Golf Quest Mini once.

It sounds like Japan's really nice! I bet it's a lot bigger than Beach City... What are some of your favorite hobbies?

[Video games, video games, video games, more video games...]

Ah... well, gaming aside, I build computers, and I've been delving into program code a lot lately. Actually, just recently I created an app that channels the AI from a game I used to play so I can communicate her IRL.

[Aren't you glad you asked, kiddo?]

[That sounds exciting.]

Wow, really?! Does that mean... like making a robot friend? That's so awesome!

I guess it's kind of like that. A robot with a mind of her own.

[It would be cool if they could give Yui a synthetic body someday...]

Sweet! It's like bringing more life into this world. That's really nice of you, Kirito!

I made some life once, but it sure didn't turn out perfectly.

[To be fair, he didn't create her, but that story's complicated so there's no point in explaining.

Also, SAY AGAIN.]

You... did? What?

Well, I mean, it wasn't like making babies or anything!

[He sits himself down nearby as he explains, as if anything of this is normal.]

But, see, my mom had the ability to bring plants to life. I didn't know I had it until I had a watermelon seed-spitting contest with my dad! All the seeds I spat out became watermelon people. It was really neat! At least at first. But then they started fighting whenever they thought I was in danger...

[then he looks down sadly.]

...and then the nicest one of them all, Melon Baby, gave his life to teach them a lesson. [He sniffles a little, but then he looks chipper again.]

So they all left after that, and I know they're going to learn how to become better melon people from now on.

[....

Is he sorry he asked? A little, yes. This is one strange child- or one with a really active imagination. Or maybe both at once.]

What, uh. What exactly do melon people fight about?

[Oh, you have no idea yet.]

The thing is, they saw me as their dad! So if they thought that anyone was hurting me at all... even if they were't... then the melons would attack the poor person with their melony fists!

It was a sad time for us all...

[He's certainly getting a few ideas the further this goes.]

That... sounds unfortunate for the melons.

[Wouldn't their melony fists very quickly become melony pulp? They're not the sturdiest of fruits.

Wait, why is he thinking about that.]

It was really unfortunate! If I didn't stop the fighting, I think the Crystal Gems would have ended up destroying them all to stop them from hurting people.

[He shakes his head sadly.]

We can only hope now that they learn how to live better, and become better - but more watermelon-y - members of society.

[It's lucky Kazuto has a good poker face, or he'd be smiling at the silliness of the tragedy. Seriously, talking watermelon. What an imagination.]

Does that mean you have to be more careful when you eat fruit?

Yeah... But only if there's seeds in it! [He gives a simple shrug.]

If there's nothing in them that'll grow, then things'll be just peachy!

[Was that a pun, you punk]

I guess that's... something. You said your mom could bring plants to life?

Yep, that was one of her powers! Her tears could heal people and bring plants to life. But for me, it's my spit!

Pretty neat, isn't it?

That's one word for it.

[Probably not the exact word he would choose.]

I assume stuff like that happening around you isn't unusual? You seem pretty calm about it. Most people would freak out.

[He nods and gives a light shrug.]

Yep! Lots of weird things happen all the time. [He rubs at his nose a little.] But it's just life! It's a lot easier to just go with it.

So that's why you seem more at home here than I do. It's just normal for you.

[He's kind of jealous, now. But not entirely.]

[He nods.]

Yep! Except I've only been in space twice before. And never for long! Both of those times were scary, but this seems a lot less scary so far!

[Wat.]

You mentioned that before... so you've been in space already? Seriously?

[IS THERE ANYTHING THIS CHILD HASN'T DONE]

[Well at least he hasn't been trapped in a video game or built a robot wife yet!]

Yep! And like I said, it was just for a little bit. The first time, we worked with Pearl to build a spaceship and tried to take off! But we had to bail, because it was starting to fall apart just as we were reaching space. That's okay, though, I don't think I was ready to spend 50 years exploring space.

The other time, we were kidnapped by some Gems who didn't like us! They were taking us back to the Gem Homeworld. But we all broke out and turned the ship around and crashed it back home! So... Things mostly ended alright?

[F...fifty years... surely he's exaggerating...

With this kid, it's really hard to tell.]

Gem homeworld? Are Gems sentient where you're from too, like the watermelon people?

[...JUST SAYING THAT OUT LOUD MAKES IT EVEN WEIRDER.]

You could say that! The Gems are like gems but also like people who come from outer space and they all have gemstones that're like their hearts and really cool powers.

The ones I know the best are the Crystal Gems! They helped to raise me and train me and they always save the day! ...Oh right!

[He lightly smacks a hand against his forehead.]

Did I forget to mention that I'm half-Gem? Check it out!

[Steven then starts to pull up his shirt, revealing the gem on his stomach.

DID YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW ANY OF THIS]

[......HE

HAS SOME CONCERNS

And he's also leaning in, eyes wide. It takes all his self-restraint to keep from poking it.]

Did you glue that to your stomach? Isn't that unhealthy?