Video, UN: Puppetking

[throneaway]

[ The video cuts in to a very plain assigned apartment room, and a tall, reedy-looking individual who smiles to see something light up or turn on on the device. Success!

Maxwell doesn't look too worried about all this 'saving the world' jazz.

Neither does the little floating eyeball that nuzzles up to his shoulder. He pets it absently. ]

Say, pal. How many of you 'randomly chosen' otherworldly visitors were already heroes in your own worlds? How many of you were ... Less heroic?

I don't mean to be suspicious, you understand: I'm sure they actually do need help here.

But I have some prior experience with kidna--err--this kind of selection process.

Comments

un: gleaner - video

[gleaner]

[Have a man with charcoal colored skin and bunny ears. But don't call him a bunny. Please.]

Not everyone here is a hero. The "selection process" truly does appear to be random. I am no hero, just a retired gleaner who happens to know a hero or three.

[throneaway]

[ Unofficial poll numbers so far are at 66% furry. But Maxwell offers a polite smile and no snide commentary about how much he resembles a beardling. ]

Do you mind if I ask what a gleaner is?

[gleaner]

A gleaner is a kind of scholar. My area of expertise were the various fauna of the Star. I traveled to various locations to either study or collect specimen to study for my employers.

[throneaway]

Ahh. Forgive my impertinence, but I think your type might be even more important than heroes.

[ Maxwell only thinks this because he was defeated by a nerd with similar interests of studying biology and so on. ]

So you continue that skillset here, or does retired mean permanently?

[gleaner]

I very much lack the skill set required by heroes and would only be seen as a liability. This is simple fact, but thank you, nonetheless.

[Knowledge is power and all that. But it doesn't exactly help him fight against otherworldly beings, as he was so aptly reminded of not too long ago in his world's time.]

I continue it here for now. The Research Center and Adventurer's Guild are always looking for those to gather and study. I changed career paths to become an explorer back home.

[throneaway]

Suit yourself, I wouldn't ever want to put you in a position you'd rather not be in, buddy.

[ He's increasingly curious about Erenville's whole deal, surprisingly not as much his lupine appearance as his studies. ]

Sounds like you're making the best of an awkward hand. When I have something to show for it, maybe we can swap notes.

I'm Maxwell. [ No 'The Amazing' or 'The Great' today, maybe tomorrow. ]

[gleaner]

You won't.

[He knows exactly when to step aside if need be. Still, that didn't mean he wasn't practicing his seasonal powers, so he wasn't entirely useless anymore in a fight. But, he simply preferred to leave it to those who knew combat far more readily.]

What is it that you do, Maxwell? I am Erenville.

[throneaway]

Refreshing to meet someone who knows their own mind as well as you seem to. [ Refreshing, and a bit disconcerting, but he'll get over it. ]

At this moment, I suppose, I do what I'm told, Erenville. These new games are courteous enough. But when I'm at liberty I consider myself an arcane researcher. I enjoy the process of discovery, and deciphering the supernatural.

Do you mind if I ask what species you are? I hate to be boorish...

[gleaner]

Then, I would suggest you go to the Research Center. They are always looking for more.

[He wasn't surprised by the question and merely shook his head.]

My race is Shetona. Although, you may hear others call me Viera, as well. They are the same for what I am, although regional and cultural differences will naturally be present.

[throneaway]

I may just do that... I appreciate the steer.

[ At least he doesn't seem offended by the question, and Maxwell takes the race correction silently without further inquiry. ]

It looks like this place is nothing if not egalitarian, at least. It wasn't just curiosity, I like to be able to accurately refer to others.

So there are many from your world here?

[gleaner]

A fair few, yes.

[Erenville wasn't easy to offend, at least.]

Mostly Warriors of Light from alternate versions of our Star, oddly enough. But some who are not, such as myself. An acquaintance of mine from my homeland just arrived not too long ago and there is another from a land called Ishgard. Both dignitaries in their own rights.

[throneaway]

On a symbolic level it makes perfect sense to recruit something called a Warrior of Light to fight the corruption of darkness. It doesn't make as much sense to recruit someone who specializes in darkness already, especially if you find their allegiance suspect.

You've been forthcoming, however! [ Just, a few questions he's not sure he wants to ask Erenville yet, or maybe at all. ] I owe you one.

[gleaner]

And is that what you do, Maxwell? Specialize in darkness?

[It wasn't questioning with any particular tone, a simple question based on what he was just told. His face did not give much away to what he thought, either.]

No need. Knowledge is meant to be shared, especially in a situation like this.

[throneaway]

Precisely that. [ And there's a certain refuge in audacity, too? But he's not getting any terrible vibes. If anything, that last comment makes him feel more warmly disposed; it feels like something Wilson might say. May as well be honest. ] Darkness also specializes in me.

I had hoped to more subtly unearth if there were instances of our kind being called upon to assist and ending up a liability. I don't think it's inevitable, but if the darkness here corrupts, and spreads... [ Well. ]