text | calling across the cosmos

[genice]

There's quite a few of us who are new arrivals, yeah? I'm told we should make ourselves comfortable and get to know our neighbors. It's been eight months since I last really moved anywhere, so hello! My name is Victor Nikiforov. If any one of you feels like discussing our new location or occupations or anything else, please join me for a drink!

[ He even includes a ping for the bar he's at. Conversations up to this point have been anything but promising. So here he is. In space. Surrounded by space people. Talking to other "we did not want to end up in space, probably" people. ]

Also, three questions! Who is fond of dogs, is there anything like Instagram on these, and who knows anything about figure skating?

Comments

[genice]

( ... Wow! Nice! One more willing person to watch Makkachin is a blessing of its own kind. He's not sure when it will come up, but regardless: now he knows. )

A website, like places you visit on the internet?

Yes, exactly! I could break down how the scoring works, but it's probably not helpful. Figure skating requires precision, strength, and an ability to work with and display not only good rhythm, but good timing. Control is required in all of that. It's exciting to watch!

[tenkofan]

Internet?

Only watch? Other disciplines require similar proficiencies. They are easily adapted into more practical skill sets.

[With that said...]

I would like to see it.

[genice]

The internet is... I'm not sure how to explain it! It links information from many different places across the world together.

Hahaha, you're right, there are probably ways to adapt these things. t's exciting to do, as well. I've enjoyed the chance to really watch skilled skaters taking the sport to new places. It's new, for me.

Well, when we find decent ice and skates, I'll see what I can manage. There might be videos available here? I haven't tried looking at what media the ships offer between each other.

[tenkofan]

I see. It is hard to imagine.

I know of one. How so?

Videos? Forgive me. It appears that my knowledge is greatly lacking. I appreciate your assistance.

[genice]

( Victor pulls himself up short. Well goodness, he's not the guy people generally get good explanations out of, unless it's related to his profession. As Not That Tech Guy, but being decently tech literate, he sits back and taps a finger against his lips.

Then turns this on to video feed, smiling and figuring this is more like Face Time or Skype or any older webcam. Thus he waves his hand at the camera, his other hand wrapped around a quarter full glass of an amber coloured liquid. )

Videos! Like this, only not all of them are live feeds. What kind of time are you from?

( He pauses, letting his hand settle around his glass. Light glints dully off the gold ring there on his right hand. )

Or... what do you know as entertainment?

[tenkofan]

[The change surprises Hayatori, and for a second dove-grey hair and a brown eye can been seen before he shifts the position of his communicator. From the new angle the combination of his hood, visor and mask obscure his features without obstructing his own line of sight. It's not personal: he is merely wary of how much information he gives away through the device, unsure of its permanency.

His voice is quiet and even when he speaks. His delivery is almost completely stoic save for a momentary touch of awe.]

...Incredible.

[He is silent for a moment as he considers how to answer in a way that will hold some meaning. The closest equivalent to this technology that he knows is the best he can come up with.]

Eight years after the Awakening. I know what a printing press and a camera are.

[genice]

( Just two guys who are not ancient hanging out on video with their grey, silver, er... lightly pigmented hair. Victor watches and waits, saying nothing in the meantime. He can be a very patient person, even if that patience is currently bought on the back of alcohol and the dog laying across his feet under the table. He needs the focus, even this one: talking to someone about things that are advanced to them, when he has no real dialogue for situations like these.

He'll try anyway. Shoving it off to someone else when he's started is a poor way of handling things. (Victor, what if you confuse him even worse through a hamfisted explanation...) )

Okay, that's a starting point. Cameras take still pictures, and video cameras take moving ones. We're using a video camera in these wrist phone devices to talk like this.

( Actually this mostly points out that Victor's used to this technology to the level that he's actually got it propped up for ease of use on the table proper. )

Video cameras can remember the images they're told to record. Those recordings can then be shared between people. It's a too simple way to describe it, but I don't really know how to make it make sense.

[tenkofan]

[Hayatori nods thoughtfully. It makes enough sense to him.]

That is sufficient. I do not need to know the technical workings. Only its practical use.

[Life of the party, this one.]

[genice]

( It takes all kinds. If anything, he's been around more cool personalities too... but the fact he's reaching out to engage at all is worth meeting on an even playing field. )

Good! If it came to any of that, we'd have to find a better teacher.

( Ice skating? SNS as related to Instagram and phone use? He can manage those. Explain how video cameras work? ... Not so much. )

There might be recordings of ice skating or figure skating in the ship's library. It's worth investigating.

[tenkofan]

I will keep that in mind.

[Whether he means that in response to either of or both those statements he doesn't elaborate.

Nor does he offer any small talk. He just waits, letting silence reign. He means it politely -- he's giving Victor the space to speak if he wishes, rather than immediately hanging up.

It's still probably awkward.]

[genice]

( Victor feels like he's had this kind of silent conversation before.

... Mostly with teenagers. Still, it's a certain kind of amused nostalgic, and so he allows the silence to stretch just to before the awkward point, considering if he had anything more to contribute.

No, not right now. He smiles, knowing that modulates his tone of voice. )

Let me know if you ever want a professional's take on whatever you find there. I'm happy to chat! In the meantime, have a good day, right? We'll talk again later. Anytime.

( It's odd in one sense, knowing he actually can... live up to that. He'll probably forget the specifics of this offer, but he can and will be available to talk, if this man wants to.

So... novel. )