( video | un: revanche )

[nilhilistic]

Greetings, people of Aldrip.

I am a new arrival to this place. My name is Rafal. I am a dragon from another world. As familiar as I am with the mechanics of multiple worlds and travel between then, I am afraid the technology gap here is rather large. I would like to request the aid of a master, someone who is proficient in it and is willing to teach me.

Of course, this does not need to be for free. You are welcome to request a boon or a favor. I lack money at this juncture but I will see to it soon enough. I am no longer in the business of resurrecting the dead and I do not kill for others . . . but I am open-minded in other requests.

Thank you.

— Ah, yes, a picture of my true form since that seems to be a sticking point among skeptics.

Comments

[starguy]

Apps, you know! Like appetizers. They're like bite-sized programs that run on your phone. There's one that pulls up the maps, and one that lets you draw... stuff like that.

[ I am sorry for this misinformation, he's decided to be a bit of a stinker but like... harmlessly? Well, he thinks it's harmless. ]

Gaming is just playing games. [ He shrugs. He is from the 80s so he doesn't get it... although he thinks Snake and Tetris are VERY cool. ] The games on here are pretty sweet! You could probably play against your friends, get a whole thing going.

[nilhilistic]

So I keep hearing, but I don't see the value of games that do not test your physical prowess. What is the point of it?

[ how can winning a game virtually have any value? ]

[starguy]

Eh, it's not always about physical strength, man. It's about having fun!

[ Sometimes it's the friends you make along the way. ]

[nilhilistic]

I have never done anything for the purpose of fun before.

[starguy]

[ Peter's jaw drops, his brow furrowing in confusion for a few seconds before breaking out into a smile.

This guy is just like Drax. ]

Oh my god, I have got to show you how to have fun!

[nilhilistic]

[ rafal looks deeply skeptical. ]

Must you?

[starguy]

[ Peter nods very fast. ]

I must.

[ You're making his day here, Rafal. ]

We'll start with games, alright? I bet you'd love Tetris.

[nilhilistic]

[ he sighs. ]

Fine. Show me the Tetanus.

[starguy]

Tetris.

[ Peter smiles, pulling the game up on Rafal's phone. ]

You start by putting down these shapes, see? And you can turn 'em before they hit the bottom. Then when you make a line.... [ He demonstrates. ] Ta-da! The line disappears and you get points.

[nilhilistic]

Riveting.

And how do you win?

[starguy]

You don't! You play until you lose, then you try to beat your friends' high score.

[ Factually incorrect but he does not know or expect Rafal to reach level 29+ and he's definitely never made it there himself... ]

[nilhilistic]

[ rafal doesn't grasp this. ]

That seems like an exercise in masochism. Who plays if not to win?

[starguy]

It's about the journey, man, not the destination! And once you get into it, it's totally zen.

[ He holds out the phone for Rafal to take. ]

Just try it! Ooh, and you can tap up to make the bricks fall instantly, so you don't have to wait for 'em to fall at first, when it's still going super slow.

[nilhilistic]

[ hrff. ]

Fine, I will try this. But I fail to see the point of a journey if you do not have a destination!

[starguy]

Yes!!

[ Peter pumps his fist in victory. There may not be a win scenario for Tetris, but Peter is defs winning at this "teach Rafal how to have fun" quest. Probably. ]

Haven't you ever heard the phrase "maybe the real reward was the friends you made along the way?"

[nilhilistic]

[ bluntly: ]

No. Because I have no friends.

[starguy]

[ Peter laughs. Not like, at what Rafal said, but because that response was so Drax, he legitimately smiles super wide. ]

Well, that's where your wrong, bud. [ He holds out his arms. ] Because guess what? We're friends now!

[ He didn't even ask. He's just going for it. ]

[nilhilistic]

[ that is enough to startle him somewhat. ]

We are? Just like that?

[starguy]

Totally, man! Every friendship's gotta start somewhere, right?

[ He grins. ]

Besides, you seem really cool. Why wouldn't I wanna be friends with you?

[nilhilistic]

[ rafal purses his lips, unsure of how to answer that. he could think of plenty of damning reasons. but he's never had someone simply . . . say that to him. it's . . . pleasant. uncomfortable still, but kind all the same. ]

And that is enough?

[starguy]

Yup.

[ Peter just grins wider. He could give him a whole spiel about how he reminds him of his friend, Drax, for his awkward and literal demeanor that hides a proud warrior and a kind heart.

But the fact is, since this guy doesn't have any friends at all, Peter would offer his friendship even if he seemed like a jerk. That's just the kind of person he is. ]

I know I probably sound like I don't know what I'm talking about, but everything's easier when you've got friends, trust me.

[nilhilistic]

. . . Perhaps there is some truth to that.

[ he is not in a place to turn away compassion or to scoff at it. he's learned its inherent value, even if rafal struggles with it.

he extends his own hand. ]

I shall try.

[starguy]

That's the spirit, dude!

[ Peter pats his shoulder, fully rooting for Rafal in his journey of figuring out friendship. ]

Now c'mon, see if you like Tetris! And hey, it's cool if you don't. There's lots of games out there. I'll bet we can find something competitive for you if that's more your speed.

[nilhilistic]

I am more competitive by nature.

[ a pause. ]

Though perhaps that's not the best thing to encourage.

[starguy]

Hey, if that's you, then that's you, man. As long as you're not hurting anybody, you can do whatever you want.

[ Truly the Guardians of the Galaxy way. ]