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expiationnet2024-10-07 06:40 pm
feintofhart) wrote in expiationnet2024-10-07 06:40 pm
VIDEO | UN: claude von riegan
Good evening, everyone! After the month we've all had, it feels a little bit foolish to get straight back to the dreary mundanity of businesses and job opportunities, doesn't it? But life goes on, and so do we.
[ Even on camera, his smile gleams. On camera is a handsome young man, curls tamed and gelled back with tan skin and startlingly green eyes -- and dripping with more easy confidence than anyone really ought to. Behind him is a familiar sight to anyone who's been here for some time: an apothecary, stuffed to the gills with hanging bundles of plants and herbs, jars and concoctions and tins lining the the walls. Claude himself is dressed casually, in a plain white linen shirt that he nonetheless seems to wear like it's the same as his fineries. ]
For those who haven't yet had the pleasure of making my acquaintance, the name's Claude von Riegan, and I am the humble proprietor of the local Apothecary. Some of you might be aware that we suffered something of a setback a couple months ago, but I've never been one to sneeze at that sort of thing. We've rebuilt things bigger and better than ever!
And to that end... I'm hiring! I'm in need of more hands to tend to my greenhouse, to embark out into the wilderness to continue investigating the local flora and, of course, an apprentice or two to learn the tricks of the trade to keep things going even if I'm not here to do it.
[ If he dies or disappears, he means, but he has no interest in addressing something so terribly dreary. ]
I have only one caveat: if you're working in the fields or the greenhouse, I don't much care what you think of the people here. But if you're to work at the Apothecary proper, I'm firm on one rule: no matter how much we may debate about the, uh... nature of those around us who aren't us Chosen, as far as I'm concerned, they're people. Regardless of their attitudes towards us, your job as Apothecarist is to help them, no ifs, ands, or buts. We help those in need. No exceptions, even if you regard them as nothing more than bits of code. [ A beat. ] Unless I personally dislike you.
Kidding, kidding! And for the rest of you who aren't interested in work, I hope to see you at my establishment soon. These expansions won't pay for themselves!
[ He gives a little wave to the camera before swiftly cutting the feed. Toodles! ]
[ Even on camera, his smile gleams. On camera is a handsome young man, curls tamed and gelled back with tan skin and startlingly green eyes -- and dripping with more easy confidence than anyone really ought to. Behind him is a familiar sight to anyone who's been here for some time: an apothecary, stuffed to the gills with hanging bundles of plants and herbs, jars and concoctions and tins lining the the walls. Claude himself is dressed casually, in a plain white linen shirt that he nonetheless seems to wear like it's the same as his fineries. ]
For those who haven't yet had the pleasure of making my acquaintance, the name's Claude von Riegan, and I am the humble proprietor of the local Apothecary. Some of you might be aware that we suffered something of a setback a couple months ago, but I've never been one to sneeze at that sort of thing. We've rebuilt things bigger and better than ever!
And to that end... I'm hiring! I'm in need of more hands to tend to my greenhouse, to embark out into the wilderness to continue investigating the local flora and, of course, an apprentice or two to learn the tricks of the trade to keep things going even if I'm not here to do it.
[ If he dies or disappears, he means, but he has no interest in addressing something so terribly dreary. ]
I have only one caveat: if you're working in the fields or the greenhouse, I don't much care what you think of the people here. But if you're to work at the Apothecary proper, I'm firm on one rule: no matter how much we may debate about the, uh... nature of those around us who aren't us Chosen, as far as I'm concerned, they're people. Regardless of their attitudes towards us, your job as Apothecarist is to help them, no ifs, ands, or buts. We help those in need. No exceptions, even if you regard them as nothing more than bits of code. [ A beat. ] Unless I personally dislike you.
Kidding, kidding! And for the rest of you who aren't interested in work, I hope to see you at my establishment soon. These expansions won't pay for themselves!
[ He gives a little wave to the camera before swiftly cutting the feed. Toodles! ]
no subject
[ He's let go of his cynicism around that sort of thing a long, long time ago. ]
So... you met a dragon in a past life. What was that like?
no subject
Vrtra was a mother figure to my past self. She was an ancient dragon and she would tell him stories about how the world in her youth used to be. That inspired him. He truly believed that if the world was the same as it had been in that ancient past, it would be a better place for everyone.
[A world where humans and gods lived together.]
But his wish never came true, despite all his efforts.
[There's much more to tell in this story, but Ruca thinks none of those information are of importance now.]
no subject
...it sounds as though you were lucky to have met her. Nothing beats a mother's stories. [ Curious, how he refers to his past self as he. Something to ask him about later. ]
And how was it that your past self tried to turn back time?
no subject
[They were reunited in his current life as well, though now she's more of a little sister to him than anything else. Having a past life can be strange like that.]
Ah, he didn't try to turn back time. Um... He became a general and then later a ruler to unite the world, because that's how it was in the ancient past. He had support of many who shared his ideals, but obviously there were also those who opposed him and you can't just force everyone to agree with you.
[Which is why he was ultimately betrayed and killed.]
no subject
[ All of you magicians and time travelers and people burdened with (or given the joy of) remembering eternal cycles of life...! ]
Judging by your standards, I'm likely one of those people from the 'ancient past', so to speak. Ethlyn as well. But I find it difficult to believe that time has changed things with such enormity that you won't find those who support you and those who oppose you, no matter how convincing your speeches.
You remember this time, but you don't feel that you are him, do you?
no subject
[It's true, there's so many different people out there, with all kinds of abilities and circumstances that's it's difficult to tell if someone means it literally or not.]
That ancient past was even before that, since Vrtra remembered how the world itself was born.
Ah, but... yes. I don't considering myself to be the same as him. Not anymore, at least. In the past I was... really looking up to him and I always regretted I'm nothing like that now.
[He lets an awkward laugh.]
It was silly... But now I know I need to focus on who I am in this life.
no subject
[ The way he says it is light, chipper -- but not without its own sympathy. ]
I'm glad you've grown out of that particular inclination. It's difficult enough for most to live underneath the shadow of their ancestors, let alone themselves. Did something happen to change your mind?
no subject
[Sometimes even more than that, but at the same time he's glad he remembers it.]
Ah, well... A lot happened, but it's really all thanks to my friends. I'm really thankful I met them all.