video • un: rutherford

[stubble]

[ Cullen isn't one for small talk and he doesn't take pleasure in hearing himself speak for the fun of it. His written missives are usually short and to the point; though this format is vastly different from what's available in Thedas, he allows habit to guide him.

There's the faintest of frowns on his face when he begins. This is his first time attempting to use the bizarre device and though he's been instructed on its use, he's not entirely convinced. ]

Are there any here who might be willing to check in on my hound for a short time?

[ It's so awkward talking to no one and having no idea who might hear him. ]

I've volunteered to serve on one of the teams being sent to the world below us and it would set my mind at ease to know he is not alone while I'm gone.

[ He's not 100% sure the terminology is correct—how this ship is sailing above a world is baffling—but he's trying. ]

Comments

text, un: jjones

[slackbeard]

Where did you get a dog in space???

[stubble]

[ At least this missive is more readable than the last, though because he hasn't mastered the art of writing on nothing, Cullen continues to use the video. ]

I did not acquire him on this ship. I found him in my world. He was with me when I was brought here.

[slackbeard]

You got to keep your dog?

That's cool. [also: unfair?? he's jealous as heck.]

Is he clingy? Is this a lapdog/purse dog kind of situation.

[stubble]

Is it not customary for individuals to arrive with their animal companions?

[ As he asks, he spins the device around to show Pup sitting there watching him. ]

He's a friend. A partner. I would not consider him clingy, no.

[slackbeard]

[dOG!! dog!!!]

Dunno if it's customary because I sure didn't get to show up with Hot Dog.

You worried about what kind of trouble he might get into on a new planet?

[stubble]

[ Hot Dog seems like a strange name for a dog. Perhaps it has a great deal of hair? ]

Unfortunately, he is not able to accompany me. Our world is not like this one. Leaving him alone in such strange surroundings may cause him unease and I should not like him to suffer so.

[slackbeard]

You're a good pet owner. If you still need volunteers I'll take him for a walk or two!

Otherwise I'm just gonna ask what your world is like.

[stubble]

I thank you for that. I intend to give him free rein in my absence, given he understands how to get in and out of our quarters. Simply meet him in the atrium when you're of mind.

As for my world, it's an actual world. Not a ship in the sky. We communicate over distances via letter and occasionally magical crystal, not devices like these. And when we wish to light our dwellings in the night, we use candle flames or enchanted objects. What of your world?

[slackbeard]

Any tricks he needs to learn while you're gone? I taught Hot Dog to drool on command after a day.

Basically like yours, except our magic crystals are called cell phones and the enchanted objects run on the magic of electricity. Not a ton of space travel on our end either.

[stubble]

Perhaps how to operate the technology on this vessel? I'm afraid I'm not the best teacher in that regard.

[ He isn't joking. ]

I've not heard of any of those things. Though we've plenty of magic in ours as well. What all might be done with this electricity?

[slackbeard]

Think he might have some trouble with the buttons and his lack of thumbs, but I'll see what we can do.

Anything and everything! Powers everything from video game systems to microwaves to popcorn makers. And lightbulbs, I guess.

[stubble]

[ Ah, damn. Cullen thinks that over for a few seconds, then has to sigh and admit; ]

I confess I don't know what any of that is.

[slackbeard]

None of it? Dude.

Okay lightbulbs make light happen, popcorn makers make popcorn happen, and video games make dreams happen. Do you guys use torches or what?

[stubble]

Torches, candles, fires burning in hearths. There are mages who construct magelights, but they are not used by the majority of the population.

There is corn is Thedas, but this popcorn is new to me. And dreams are typically tied in one way or another to the Fade. Not these video games.

[ Which doesn't really make any sense to Cullen. How are games involved in dreams? ]

[slackbeard]

There are so many cool things here I don't know where to start. Mages? Fade?

Ha no jk it's the Fade. What's that? Sounds important, like there's a capital letter there.

[stubble]

It's a realm that exists alongside ours. Spirits and demons call it home. Magic thrives there and many a dreamer has been transported there in dreams.

[slackbeard]

[Man, that sounds like it would make a sweet plot for a video game.]

And on a scale of 1 - 10 how terrifying is it?

[stubble]

I've never been there.

[ Thank the Maker. ]

I've spoken to those who have and some were quite unsettled. Others less so.