imperfectscientist. Experiment 1 [video]

[The man that appears on the screen is dark-skinned with thick hair, touched by gray at the temples. He’s currently looking at the screen with a quizzical brow.]

Hello? I’ve not seen a device quite like this one before, but I think this is some sort of communication system. If I’ve managed to reach anyone, um, hello! My name is Carlos, Carlos the scientist! [He smiles wide, revealing straight rows of white teeth.] Last I checked I had just become trapped in another world….but this is decidedly not the world I was trapped in, so I’m not quite certain what happened. There’s any number of things that could have happened, of course, scientifically speaking, but unfortunately, I’m rather limited in my means of collecting data, since I don’t seem to have any of my instruments with me. [He turns out the pockets of the labcoat he’s wearing, revealing only some lavender-flavored gum and a pocket notebook.] So, I’ll continue to investigate as much as I can, but if anyone has any scientific instruments I can make use of or some information for me, that would be really helpful!

In any case, I do know that I’m not alone in this world, since I encountered a woman who was very confused and thought I was her son. I can’t seem to get back into the house to ask her any questions though, which is a shame. Maybe that house is this world’s version of the House that Does Not Exist?

I’ve also discovered this very interesting fauna which seems to have taken a liking to me! [He pans the camera over to show an image of a Mareep who has lain down quite contentedly next to Carlos’ feet.] Oh, if only I had my instruments, but it seems he’s some sort of natural conductor of electricity! It’s extremely scientifically fascinating! I’m calling him Tesla. [Tesla bleats happily from Carlos' feet.] He is so cool!

[Carlos moves the screen to face him again.] Oh geez, I was rambling again, wasn't it? There’s just so much to see and I’d really like to explore! But there’s something important I have to say first.

I’m trying to get back to a place called Night Vale. There’s someone really important there and I promised I’d get back to him. …And now I seem to have lost my only means of contacting him, that is, my cell phone. [At least, he hadn’t found his cell phone when he turned out his lab coat.] On the off chance that anyone knows how to get back to Night Vale or has even heard of it, please, let me know. In the meantime, if anyone has need of a scientist, or has some interesting scientific phenomena to report, I’m your scientist!

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Posted by

capitald

[Another who seems to have encountered this delusional mother figure. While on one hand, Ringabel feels terrible knowing that there is a lady so lonely as to mistake complete strangers for her children, the fact that this is a recurring trend is... troubling, to say the least. Especially when he seems to have wound up somewhere entirely different.

For the first few moments the camera records, Ringabel is silent, save for a soft "hmm" as he rubs his chin. While not a child by any means, he's still a young man, somewhere in his twenties with a rather ridiculous pompadour.

Well, there's a lot to comment on here, so let's see...]

Rather strange devices, aren't they? They're far more advanced than anything I'd seen on Luxendarc, at any rate.

At any rate, have you really encountered other worlds? If I hadn't awoken here, I'd find the idea preposterous, yet, here we are, in a land filled with endless music and peculiar creatures.

[He turns the camera to reveal a Vulpix presently grooming itself and giving a small little yawn.]

But a magic sheep... I daresay that Tiz would get a shock out of that.

[Yes, that was a cheesy pun, but he really couldn't resist.]

Posted by

imperfectscientist

They're fascinating! I haven't seen technology quite like it myself? I've never heard of Luxendarc, either. Would you mind telling me a little about it?

I have! At least the one. Or two, now, I guess. Or three, if you count Night Vale as another world, which I mean, it could be? Depends on who you ask, I guess. [He shrugs.] I don't even remember how I got to Night Vale myself, so maybe it is?

Oh! Wow, he's really cute! [Lucky for Ringabel, Carlos likes puns, and that play on words just earned him a grin.] Tesla's pretty electrifying, isn't he?

Posted by

capitald

With pleasure! As a matter of fact, I've a record of my travels right here.

[He holds up a black, leather-bound journal, marked with a silver letter D. And, while he flips through the pages for the appropriate passages...]

I can't say I've heard of this Night Vale, either. But then, there's much I've yet to experience. Memory loss is a tricky thing.

[He shakes his head.]

But your little friend certainly sparked my curiosity.

[There, another pun, annnd... here we are!]

Now, what would you like to know about Luxendarc specifically? The landscape, politics... popular date spots?

[The last one's more of a joke, but it's worth mentioning.]

Edited 9/3/15 23:10 (UTC)

Posted by

imperfectscientist

That's alright! Night Vale is kind of...peculiar. It's very difficult to get to, so I'm not surprised you haven't heard of it. ...Wait, you said memory loss? [He's shocked enough by that little piece of information he doesn't even have a pun to respond with.]

[You have no idea how excited he is. So much information. Where does he even begin?] Well, my interest is primarily scientific, but I mean, science is kind of interrelated to just about everything in a universe. So, as much as you can tell me? About any of it? Is there anything you're particularly qualified to tell me about?

Posted by

capitald

Indeed. My entire history is but a blur, with the only clues tucked away inside my journal.

[And lately, the journal hasn't been the most reliable source. Troubling, but he'll puzzle over that some more another time.]

In any case, Luxendarc is a fascinating world in more ways than one. Four great crystals govern the elements, from the winds to the sea to the mighty mountains surrounding Eternia. Up until recently, these crystals had been shrouded by darkness, tainting the ocean, halting the winds, and causing volcanoes to erupt violently and scar the landscape with lava...

[He'll let that all sink in before covering the specifics. After all, there's so much do explain, and he'd rather not talk the man's ear off.]

Posted by

imperfectscientist

[Hmm. He may not be a doctor, but Carlos really wants to help.] You seem to have no difficulty with things in the short term, though, right?

Wow. That sounds. ...Catastrophic? Fascinating, but definitely catastrophic! Is there anyone working on dispelling the darkness?

Posted by

capitald

[He waves his hand and shakes his head.]

Oh, short-term memory's no trouble at all. More or less, I lost everything prior to my arrival in Caldisla, but language and motor skills remain firmly intact.

[Which is convenient, really, otherwise he and his friends would've likely died as the Eschalot spiraled out of control.]

But, as a matter of fact, my friends and I have awakened all four of the crystals, despite a few bumps in the road.

Posted by

imperfectscientist

And how long ago was that?

That's excellent! How did you do it? It certainly sounds like a puzzling phenomenon and not an issue easily solved.

Posted by

capitald

Roughly eight months ago, shortly before the crisis began.

[To think that within such a short period of time, the world would take a turn for the worst. He still remembers thinking his journal's premonition was a hoax, yet at least then, its passages rang true.]

But it wasn't a simple task by any means. As vestal of wind, my friend Agnès possessed the power to purge the crystals through prayer, but in order to reach the crystals, we had to travel through dungeons teeming with monsters and do battle with the Eternian Forces, who'd sought to spread Anticrystalism through generally oppressive means.

[Conquest, civil war, manipulation and murder... They're far from pleasant subjects and, as such, Ringabel's words carry a bit of an edge.]

Posted by

imperfectscientist

Eight months, huh. And you haven't had any problems since then?

Geez. That sounds intense. I'm glad you made it through alright.

Posted by

capitald

Not one! Though, regrettably, my journal's writings have... fallen short of the mark, as of late. At one point, I'd thought they were prophetic, and yet...

[He pauses, then waves his hand. No need to trouble him, after all.]

At any rate, what of your experiences? You said that you're a scientist, but what's your area of expertise?

Posted by

imperfectscientist

And yet they haven't been? [Far from being troubled, he's fasinated. It's a puzzling mystery.]

Yes, I am a scientist. I've been studying and living in Night Vale for quite some time now! As far as my area of expertise, I guess you could say it's science in general. There's not a lot I don't do!

Posted by

capitald

Not entirely. But then again, perhaps this goes to show that the future isn't etched in ink. By simply knowing of the journal's contents, we could have unintentionally altered our own fates...

[Though it's a bit abstract, and he's not sure if such conjecture is even productive in the long run.]

So, do you dabble with technology? Genetics, perhaps?

[Likely not white magic, though he's certain there are still other applicable ways to use science for health purposes.]

Posted by

imperfectscientist

That's certainly an interesting theory. It must have been a little frustrating to have to rely on a journal you don't remember writing.

[He smiles.] I dabble in those things, yes, as well as just about anything related to science it's possible to dabble in. That's what being a scientist means to me.

Posted by

capitald

Actually, it was incredibly useful at first. There were times where my friends and I were at a loss for what to do, and the journal provided some much-needed direction.

[And then they hit Eternia, and it ceased being of particular use and raised more questions than answers. Ah well. The journal certainly won't hold any answers regarding this world, either, so it's not as though the situation's changed.]

It must be challenging to work in so many fields. Then again, I've dabbled in a number of fighting styles via the asterisks. Perhaps the same principle applies, with practice being paramount to one's success.

[Not to mention hands on experience.]

So, do you intend to continue your studies here?

[No doubt this world's unusual phenomena open many doors to potential studies.]

Edited 12/3/15 20:14 (UTC)

Posted by

imperfectscientist

Well, that's useful at the very least. I suppose I'd trust myself if I wrote instructions for me that I didn't remember writing.

[Carlos shrugs. He'd never really given much thought to the fact that he does so much.] I think it would be hard to limit myself to just one specific discipline! I'm much too curious about everything for that. I don't think I'd be able to stay so focused.

Yes, absolutely! What kind of scientist would I be if I didn't learn about this place? It's extremely scientifically fascinating!

Posted by

capitald

I imagine focusing on one subject would get dull after a while. It's as the old cliché goes: variety is the spice of life. The more flexible you are, the easier it is to adapt, which is especially handy when dating multiple women.

[That last bit's said with a laugh. Is he serious? Just joking around? The world may never know...]

So, any theories on the endless music?

[As far as oddities are concerned, that one seems the most abstract.]

Posted by

imperfectscientist

Yes, exactly! It's very handy when you're switching worlds all the time. ...I wouldn't know how would apply to women.[Women aren't his thing.]

Hmm. I have a lot of theories! Not anything conclusive yet though! How long has it been observed? I mean, there's no way to really prove it's endless, just that it plays for as long as anyone's been aware.

Posted by

capitald

[Hmm, not the romantic type, perhaps? Well, he'll not press the issue. Random speculation is a fun topic in its own right, especially in such a peculiar world.]

I spoke to a man earlier who'd been here for two years, and it's possible that there are some who have been here even longer. He didn't comment on the music, but I've found nothing to suggest that it's a new development.

Posted by

imperfectscientist

Fascinating. Two years, huh? That's a long while. Does the amount of time people stay for vary a lot?

Posted by

capitald

I'm still trying to figure that out. Thus far, most of the people I've spoken to are like us-- newly arrived and still trying to adjust to their new surroundings.

But it seems these arrivals are at least frequent, and our stays may last quite a while.