voice, un: howe

[manifestering]

Good day, fellow Chosen. If we have yet to meet, my name is Octavian, and I have come to you a humble supplicant with a handful of very important questions.

[So, hi, here he is. Those who have spoken to Octavian in person before may note the change from his usual manner of speech (like the complex sentences, he's unlocked commas)—while the sound of his voice is still fairly quiet and even, he doesn't sound like a dusty old record player today. And he can even inflect now, see: the questions,]

First, what is your favorite non-sexual activity to do with your body? Asterisk.

[He does in fact say asterisk out loud, don't worry, he's going to come back to it.]

Second, what is your favorite readily available food here in town? Complexity is irrelevant; I do know how to cook, although it has been some time.

Third, [and here he pauses with the sound of a leather chair creaking gently as he shifts, and then the pause lingers for longer than it should, like he's briefly lost himself in the euphoria of Relaxing in Chairs, ahem,] tell me something strange? The strangest you can muster. I would like to be shocked.

Hmm. Or perhaps something funny. [And now looping back,] Applicable footnote: suggestions of a sexual nature made prior to this inquiry have already been noted.

Thank you for your participation and your time.

Comments

[manifestering]

Would you even be surprised to learn that multiple people, when confronted with my status as a spectre, immediately wonder about my ability to be intimate?

[Are these the real fuckboys, Root. He gets it now.]

Regardless, it feels... different. I had forgotten it for the most part.

[computation]

[ Root sounds highly amused as she responds. Yes. Yes, those are the fuckboys. ]

I guess I shouldn't be. Could be a fun time if there's anyone you want to take up on it!

Can you go back and forth? Or are you permanently in a physical body now?

[manifestering]

Doubtful, but who can say.

[He's not planning on it, even for science.]

It is my own ritual, from before arriving here, so the vessel is in its temporary state. But now I've the opportunity to refine it without- [whiny living people having sensitive baby issues--] -supply chain complications.

[computation]

Just remember to stay safe!

[ It's been a while since he was corporeal, he might need the reminder, okay? ]

Got it. In that case, I've been dying to show my ghost friends boba. My treat.

[manifestering]

[He hums, amused; it's fine, no one is matching his freak anyway.]

What is a boba? A favorite food?

[And ah yes, his other favorite-] You know, I'm finding it rather heartbreaking suddenly that my ritual likely would not work on young Charles.

[computation]

[ Never say never... Root sure is shopping for a traditional cupping set right about now to surprise Sameen with. ]

It's a dessert drink from Asia. Pretty recent invention, all the rage with college kids.

Because then he could actually taste something? [ Root considers that. ] I'm not sure he cares about being fully physical, but could we do a more limited version that lets him experience food?

[manifestering]

Oh, Earth. I have never been. I will try it for experience's sake, then.

[Will he have an aversion to the texture, maybe, he'll find out.]

For Charles... The bulk of the formulas would need to change. He and I are not... How should I say, built the same? I will inquire and see if he would like to try, regardless.

[computation]

Wait, wait. We've talked all this time, and you never told me you're not from Earth? Where are you from?

[ She'd just assumed, silly her! Now she feels like she should be interrogating everyone she knows about where they're from. ]

If he does, sign me up as blood donor again. I could probably get Shaw to contribute, too.

[manifestering]

It did not come up, so it did not occur to me. I am from Mars.

[Anyway,] I am sure he will appreciate the thought if nothing else. Does he know about boba?

[computation]

Mars, really? What's it like there?

[ Well now she has to ask. ]

He saw me drinking some, if that's what you mean. It's a pretty recent development even where I'm from.

[manifestering]

Red. Dusty. Our city grew from its local mining operation, before I was born.

[But without any boba, so you learn something new every day.]

Perhaps one of these days we three will have a drink together.

[computation]

Do you live in a bubble? What's life on Mars look like?

[ He's going to get a ton of questions now that she knows. It's fascinating! ]

Is that a promise? [ Root sounds light, teasing, but the idea hits her harder than it should. ] I'd like that.

[manifestering]

No. It has been terraformed. I know you have seen old films.

["Old films," anyway, all science fiction is real now, actually.]

Life is as dusty and red as the planet for many people. I have experienced less dust, personally.

[Aw, Root,] It is a promise, yes.

[computation]

Old films, as in, you could be requesting future Martian films for us to watch? Don't hold out on me, Octavian. I just asked for a whole stack of ugly Christmas sweaters for our office party.

[ Just don't call her out on her sentimentality, now. ]

Sounds like we need to get to work on getting Charles some taste buds, then.

[manifestering]

I have no idea what you mean, genuinely. I am supposed to be making requests?

[They can do that?? Things just keep happening to him and he's rolled with them, there's a request line? Girl help.]

[computation]

Oh, honey. You've been here a while, you can ask for things.

[manifestering]

There is a residency requirement...?

[computation]

Not that they explain how it works, but seems like the longer you're here the more you get stuff. Didn't you see Scotty posting about getting a motorcycle?

[manifestering]

One moment.

[Let him, live, go look for this, so enjoy a moment of him taptaptapping the screen, audible because he's still doing it harder than necessary, the way he has to spectrally.

And then,] I see. I was unaware we were rewarded for, what? Tenacity? Or have I simply complained long enough about my death to be given this boon?

I could complain about films.

[computation]

[ Root probably answers about five other texts in the time it takes Octavian to look it up, but she pulls her attention back when he speaks again. ]

I thought it was the product of your hard work and my generous sacrifice of physiological resources.

What if you just asked for films instead of complaining?

[manifestering]

Is it?

[Or is it pity, he just doesn't know. It would be nice to think it's what Root says, but he simply can't trust anything this place does to have ultimately good intentions. That and they could have just revived him entirely...

Whatever, the real problem is this, offered after a pause of some length:] I do not watch films.

[computation]

Does it really matter either way?

[ Root's dealt with a lot of ho-hum glum about the inherent uncertainty in their reality from Shaw lately. She's as patient as she can be, but she does eventually roll her eyes. ]

You're the one who was asking for activity suggestions, and I guessed you aren't the dancing type.

[manifestering]

Eventually, it will. I will not refuse the help. I have plenty of work to do now.

[So, like, it's got pros and cons. He'll take the handout, buuuut... Well, as long as he can get through his only two goals in a reasonable amount of time, he'll deal with it. It's fine.]

You could suggest a film. [a beat,] And I am not wildly opposed to dancing.