aefenglom | Text | un: PrincessAllura | time for more silly network shenanigans

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Text | un: PrincessAllura | time for more silly network shenanigans

Name: Princess Allura (un: PrincessAllura)
Date: 9/10
Format: Text

I have a question directed to the Earthlings who were brought here.

Before I came to this planet, my experience with humans was brief. As such, my knowledge of their culture is largely limited and something I have been working at understanding for some time now.

To get to the point: I am curious about human friendship rituals. Is handholding a common practice among friends?

…

And what about kissing?

[AHEM. Not lingering on that one for too long. Definitely asking for a friend and not because she’s been casually smooching her bond for awhile now and still they are acting like it means nothing. As you do.]

I only ask this because I have seen a lot of different behavior since I arrived here that is different from the culture I was raised in and do not wish to misinterpret the meanings. Thank you.

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[Emet-Selch is neither from Earth nor human, but will that stop him from answering when the whim strikes him? No.]

While I would agree that, by and large, humans are a monolithic entity, given over to every vice and cruelty that one might imagine... details like this, I suspect, would vary greatly from person to person.

A useless group to address, overall. Well, not that most non-humans are any better... but is there some reason you've latched onto this one faction over the others?

[OH NO called out immediately. It is a very good question that all of the answers involve wanting to kiss a human. ]

Oh. Well, they seem like the most populous demographic among the mirrorbound. While there are others, it seems like it is mere spatterings. There is only one Altean, for example, so it would be silly for anyone to ask any Altean traditions on a public forum such as this don’t you think?

[Nailed it.]

[That sure is an answer that gets a raised eyebrow; fortunately this is over text so his sigh is similarly hidden.]

They are quite plentiful, as vermin tend to be... but that hardly explains why their customs matter more simply because they happen to be numerous. Particularly as the answers you receive are bound to be as varied as if you had asked the Mirrorbound population at large, human and otherwise. 'Tis a strange exclusion.

Now... if you were curious as to the custom of any specific type of human, wouldn't it be easier to just ask them directly?

Yes, I think I have learned the error of my methods. This post has been illuminating in that way, in the very least.

[But luckily he has given her an out to talking too much about that.]

All of that aside, it is not very kind, to be comparing them to vermin.

[As he glances over the other replies to her post... yes, he can see that she has, at least, gotten her information.]

Well! Then I shall refrain from belaboring the point, and wasting both of our times....

[He's also distracted because that sure is a topic he's willing to Espouse Opinions on, unfortunately.]

And no, I suppose it isn't terribly kind. An unfair comparison to its core... vermin, after all, have no understanding of what they do. Their acts are driven not by morality but instinct. They are blameless. Humanity, or so I've been led to believe, knows what it's doing when it turns on itself... but perhaps I'm wrong after all, and they have no more comprehension than that of an ant?

[What a neat guy with neat opinions!]

Humans have a greater capacity for good than you give them credit for.

And so do mice, for that matter.

[She's friends with both!]

[They are very neat and also very objective.]

Capacity, perhaps. But how often do they use it? With such infrequence I 'oft forget it exists.

Mice... I can't say I've ever been personally acquainted with any on any kind of close basis. Perhaps they're quite excellent after all. Are they particularly clever on your star, or are you the type to ascribe intelligence to every wayward beast or man?

[Clearly.]

They are intelligent, I formed a psychic bond with four of them over a few millennia. They've even helped drive out the Galra when they invaded my ship.

[If she was talking, there would be a hint of pride in her voice.]

Congratulations, then, on your willing bond with more literal vermin.

...A few millennia, though. Those are some very long lived mice.

[Which is honestly a point in her and their favor, and a point of more curiosity than scorn.]

They’re mice not vermin.

[Potato, Potahto.]

I would venture to guess they are more pleasant than some people here. And make for better conversationalists.

I suppose you're right, that I should reserve the term for humanity alone.

[That's what she meant, right.]

Without knowing your mice companions, I would be inclined to agree. Alas, we're both left with entertaining ourselves as best we can with the dregs we're provided...

You're not human, clearly. If it's not too forward, might I inquire as to what, exactly you are?

That is not what I meant you should do.

[Hff!]

I am an Altean. It is my understanding that it is similar to something known as an Elf from other worlds, but I am the only one of my kind here.

[He just kind of smirks at the first of her reply, but fortunately this is over text and Emet-Selch otherwise chooses to refrain from re-emphasizing humanity's most verminous traits.

An elf... that's what they called the elezen of the First shard. Strange, how some terms existed across worlds, while others were more unique. Someone long of ear, anyway, is all he's gathered.]

I see. As expected, I'm unfamiliar with Alteans specifically. Does it bother you at all to be so underrepresented, alone from your star...? Regardless of one's feelings towards humanity, they are strikingly numerous in comparison to all others.

[Honestly, long ears is the most she’s been able to gather as far as the similarities between herself and the elves from other worlds. As far as she can tell that is where the similarities end. It just made it easier, given she’s never received anything but blank stares to the term Altean since she came here.

And boy that’s a sensitive topic.]

I have adjusted. I miss my people, but I have dear friends here. Human friends.

[Ahem.]

It’s rude of me to dominate the conversation so – I have not even asked your name yet. And I assume from our correspondence that you are not human as well.

I suppose with mice unavailable, one must make do. [It's almost teasing; a somewhat more serious answer follows.] Even adjusted. The diversions here, no matter how dear to us... do little to erase the memory of all that has been lost.

[...]

Anyway, I was the one who inquired, so there's little rude in your answering. If anything, 'tis rude to for me ask over personal details of a stranger. [That is the rude part, apparently, and not literally anything else.] But I'm called Emet-Selch. And yes- I'm something of an immortal spirit, you might say. Though trapped in this host as I am now, in all practical sense I'm little different from those I despise.

[At least he's... aware of it?]

[We all have our standards, Emet. And the answer is not one she’s expecting, and it makes her eyebrows go up clear to the crown on the brow of her head,]

An immortal spirit? Are you implying that you are some kind of god?

[Though Alteans aren’t religious, they’ve visited enough mysterious corners of the universe to know that there are some truly inexplicable beings out there. Ones that defy time and space often can be confused as deities by species who can’t comprehend such a life.]

Did you lose your powers when you arrived here?

[This isn't the first time he's been asked that; was immortality so uncommon? Considering the disturbing distribution of mortals, there was little other conclusion....]

Ah. I see where you might get that impression, but no, not even remotely. Finer details aside, my people all shared this gift of longevity and strength. I was hardly unique.

[Though he did help create a god....]

Besides, I wouldn't be much of a god to be captured and, indeed, stripped of all power.

In my experience, most beings known as gods are merely just those that have lived lives far outside the understanding of those that call them such.

I was once confused for a goddess myself. though it's very much not the case.

'Tis a primitive assumption, to elevate the unknown to godhood, but perhaps an understandable one.

Oh...? Though I imagine you're not the sort to take advantage of being accidentally deified.

People like to have answers to their questions. Even if the answers are misguided.

Certainly not! Well, other than when they tried to make a sacrifice in my honor...

[Good times with the Arusians.]

Taking comfort in a fathomable lie, rather than spend their short life seeking answers they'll never obtain, nor comprehend- how tragically dull they're rendered.

It's always good to be appreciated. Was their misguided offering to your taste, then...? Something appropriately bloody?

[He just completely assumes it was human sacrifice.]

Oh, no you misunderstand.

I specifically requested that they not make any sacrifices. They tried to throw a poor creature on a pyre in my honor and I had to put a stop to that.

[He wouldn't be totally wrong! Except they weren't humans.]

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Text | un: PrincessAllura | time for more silly network shenanigans

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I'm behind, sorry for the delay!

s'all good, there's no rush

<3

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