Scene #1522:

Owner	Pose
Dastan	Stepping out of the lift found within the roots, Dastan takes the lead in moving out as he stops short, suddenly seeing what exactly is in front of him. "...I've heard stories of ascents to heaven but this..." he notes, a genuinely surprised expression on his face. Farah nods and slowly follows as she says, "I... Don't quite know if this is anywhere divine, certainly we've not seen gods walking among men now have we? And a god you would know just by seeing them, I imagine."
Gakupo Kamui	At one of the merchant's carts, there is a tall, slender fellow with long purple hair done up in a topknot, electric blue eyes, and an outfit that looks partially from feudal Japan but partially technological. There's more than a few things odd about that outfit-- and the person in general! But he's not the only one that seems odd. There are a great mny people here, but Dastan and Farah's obvious surprise mark them apart from the crowd. A newcomer to the Multiverse? That's very possible. Gakupo happens to see their surprise, and concludes his business with the merchant. And then he heads over to Dastan and Farah. "Hello!" he offers. "I couldn't help but notice you seem surprised. Has your world recently unified?" his voice might sound strange-- it's a synthesized voice, with an electric sound behind it. It's not at all enough to make it unpleasant to listen to, nor should it annoy the human ear to hear him speak. It's just enough to be heard.
Dastan	"I-I see." Dastan says, then nods, seeming to regain his confidence a bit as he defaults to the same attempt at a certain degree of swagger and charm that leaves Farah rolling her eyes behind his back. "So this is Njorun then?" he asks. "It's a sight to see, certainly. And here I thought I had seen what wonders the world would hold for me... But time and time again I'm proven wrong."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo smiles as Dastan seems to compose himself, and regain his confidence. He also chuckles softly at the rolling of Farah's eyes. Though he doesn't comment on it. He does nod to Dastan's words though. "It is quite a sight to see, isn't it? I had a similar response when I saw it-- this place is HUGE!" He puts his arms out straight, to either side of him, making sure not to hit anyone. "Oh! I'm sorry, I'm being rude, aren't I?" He lets his hands go down to his sides again, and bows politely to both Dastan and Farah. "My name is Gakupo Kamui. I'm pleased to meet you!"
Dastan	"Thank you." Dastan says, taking the bow as recognizing his royalty. Farah does however, bow back in the (Correct) assumption that it is a cultural greeting. "It's good to meet you too, Mr. Kamui." she notes. Dastan however, raises an eyebrow at Farah's bowing as he says. "It makes you think of some of the greatest cities in the world, but... Alien in its own way, like seeing a people who were to make cities out of ice and still have it work somehow. Almost out of a daydream in its fantasy."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo nods to the comment. "Oh, I agree. It's like fantasies come to life! The sheer amount of things that I thought were impossible, that I later find out aren't... quite frankly gives my processor fits." He chuckles. "Cities of ice, cities in space, other planets-- places that are so hostile to beings that it's hard to exist there without protective gear... Somehow, more likely that not, someone's made it work somewhere."
Dastan	"Entire worlds..." Dastan muses. "And here I am caught in the middle of it." Farah then sighs. "We have a responsibility to our own world, we can't just go cavorting off because you feel like adventuring!" she says, Dastan then looks back and says, "But what if it can't be fixed? What if it can't be rewound... What if I threw it into chaos irreperably?.."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo tilts his head as Dastan and Farah begin to speak. He keeps quiet for a few moments, but then he speaks up, quietly, "Er... if you're in he Union you can always ask for help with the problems your world faces. Though some of us may seem... odd." He motions to the lights on the much more technological-looking torso of his outfit. "Might I ask what happened? I Don't know if I can help, but I'd like to offer assistance if I can."
Dastan	"No, you may n-" Dastan says, a bit annoyed before Farah cuts him off. "...He inadvertantly let loose a plague of some sort. Mystic in nature, it... Kills and reanimates extremely quickly. Why we were spared, we know not." Dastan then just gives this grumpy look as he looks to the side. "...And there you go, having to spoil it like that." he says.
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo actually draws back a little at Dastan's annoyed words. Though looking to Farah, he blinks a little, confused. He listens as she explains it, though he looks a bit ashamed of himself for asking. Dastan's latter comment brings a sheepish look, and he notes, "Um... well, there are magically-aligned people in the Union. I'm not one of them, though... I'm an android, and technology and magic tend to not get along very well, I'm afraid."
Dastan	"...And an android is..." Dastan says, "I'm not quite sure I've heard that term before. Is it some kind of... Machine? Sounds ridiculous if you ask me."
Gakupo Kamui	At this Gakupo nods. "An android is a robot that has a human appearance," he confirms. "An 'automaton' is another word for it. I'm not made of flesh and bone like you are. It's not so strange in the Multiverse. I know of a few besides myself, not just in my world."
Dastan	"...Interesting." Dastan says, reaching out to grasp Gakupo's arm in an examining manner. "I'm not sure what a robot is, but it's clear you don't have the same material for skin. A created man..." he says, "I think I'm starting to understand, but it's fascinating. Creating life is often thought to be the territory of the gods. But to finally unravel that mystery..."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo's arm is mostly covered by his bodysuit, but his hand is uncovered. And sure enough, it's different enough from human skin to be noticeable. It seems like skin, but is devoid of the tiny hairs that would be on a human, and there are no pores. He makes a questioning sound as Dastan picks up his arm and examines it. As for creating life? "Well... if it makes you feel better, I wasn't created to be self-aware. I was just made as a machine to sing for others. The self awareness... that, um, came later."
Dastan	"...Of its own accord." Dastan says, "Were I a scholar, I would have endless questions for this marvel alone." he notes, before Farah clears her throat. "Please, be polite. He's still clearly... A person, even if not human. How would you like it if you were examined like that?"
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo chuckles. "It's alright. I understand could be considered rather strange by the standards of some worlds," he replies. "It's natural to be interested and confused by something that's unfamiliar. And it works both ways, too. There's no magic in my world-- at least, not that I know of-- so that's something I'd consider strange and fantastical." He smiles.
Dastan	"Oh, it was mostly myth and legend until recently." Dastan says, "Our... Vizier, Nizam was a sorceror but I never put much stock into his magics until now."
Gakupo Kamui	"Oh, I see," Gakupo replies. "I've been trying to learn more about it, so I can understand it should I need to face it, but the theory escapes me. Part of me thinks that's purposeful somehow." He chuckles. "Though there is a library at Njorun, if you're looking for information about magic in general."
Dastan	"That might be good." Dastan says, "...Or I could just read to get my mind off what I'm going to have to do eventually." he notes. "So many fights to come..." he sighs. Farah then places a hand on his shoulder as she nods. "Well... I'll be there, and I think a lot of others could be too."
Gakupo Kamui	"We can be," Gakupo agrees, wih a nod. "I can't do magic, no, but I can help you fight. Er, if you'll have my assistance. And I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one to offer, either, if others knew about it."
Dastan	"That's good." Dastan says, "...Of course, not actually being a flesh-and-blood man would be helpful, I think. I don't know why we're spared, but I imagine that magic doesn't get along with technology... It might not affect you as much?" he considers.
Gakupo Kamui	"That's also true," Gakupo agrees. "I don't die like a living creature, so there's no once-living body to reanimate. If I'm taken offline, magic can't usually heal me, but I can be repaired, like any other machine. But I don't know if that part of me that's 'a person' is susceptible to it. If it's mystical, it might afffect the soul. And I have one of those, even if it's not in a living body."
Dastan	"Problems every way..." Dastan says, "So why build a headquarters up here, though?" he asks, "It seems... Strange. Or did you not have a choice?"
Gakupo Kamui	And here Gakupo blinks. "...Actually, I don't know," he replies, playing a finger to his lips in thought. "There was a project that rebuilt it when the first base of operations was destroyed, and that's about all I know. I'm relatively new to the Multiverse myself, so most of what I know about Njorun is second-hand knowledge."
Dastan	"Alright." Dastan says, "Building it well beyond the surface of Earth simply seems strange, personally. What magics would have to be woven to support such a building? Get too high and eventually, it can and will crumble, or so I've heard."
Gakupo Kamui	"That's true," Gakupo replies. "But when it leaves the surface and goes high enough, you sort of go... beyond the sky. That far up, the forces that pull things down can't touch it, so there's nothing to pull it down. It's sort of like in water-- things kind of float. But there's no air to breathe and people can't go up there without specially made suits."
Dastan	Blink. Blinkblink. "You have entirely lost me." Dastan says, before Farah shrugs. "For all we know, these worlds have had far more time than we to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Wonders never cease, I suppose."
Gakupo Kamui	Chuckling nervously, Gakupo offers, "I'm sorry." With a nod to Farah, he confirms, "That's the problem, I think. It's hard to explain." He taps a few times on his chin. "Have you ever held your breath underwater? Something like that. Except... in reverse." Pause. "Er... something like that."
Dastan	"...Like something trying to steal your breath?" Dastan says, "There's always the story of an evil sorcerer doing that, or perhaps a ghost of some kind. Not surprising, considering how many more things there likely are in this world." Farah then nods. "It sounds reasonable enough. The void from which many say worlds are made... Nothingness." then shudders.
Gakupo Kamui	"That, yes," Gakupo agrees, with a smile. "Except it's a natural force-- nature wants to equalize itself, so air naturally goes from a place where there's air to a place where there isn't." Farah's comment gets a nod, and he adds, "In my world, 'planets' that have like on them float in that void, with natural forces keeping them from flying off into the nothingness. It's scary, but it's natural. Though maybe that's the scariest thing of all."
Dastan	"I suppose I never really thought of that." Dastan says, "I took it for granted that I fell when I jumped, that anything else would be madness. Floating like in water? It was not water, so it could not be so... And yet I hear you saying all this."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo nods. "Zero gravity does that but with breathable air," he says. "I'm sure the Ring of Philosophy can emulate a zero-gravity environment if you'd like to try it sometime. It's like floating in water, but not quite. It's also hard to move around, because there's nothing to propel you forward, or stop you when you're already moving forward."
Dastan	"...Could be interesting." Dastan says. "That IS quite the concept, simply floating." Farah then chuckles. "We probably have at least a small amount of time for that. Want to head over now?" she asks.
Gakupo Kamui	"I can show you where the Ring is if you like," Gakupo offers. He turns, and then looks in the direction of a lift. "This way. We'll have to go up a pretty long way." Pause. "Oh. You're members of the Union, right? I assume so, but I'm covering all the bases."
Dastan	"...Yes, actually." Dastan says, "When you unleash a plague of death and sand upon your own kingdom, you tend to be in over your head no matter how proud you may be... Respect for magic is one thing I've learned, the most inobvious enchantment can lay waste to a world."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo nods. "That's why magic scares me," he offers quietly. Though it's probably because he doesn't understand it, too. Very like a human in that respect, even if he isn't. But since everything seems to be in order, he heads to the lift! Though he waits for Dastan and Farah, so he doesn't leave them behind.
Dastan	Walking into the ring, Dastan looks this way and that as he says. "...Well." he says, "Why the ring of philosophy?" he asks, "Is it like that... Ideal father always talks about, about a well-educated general or something?" he asks.
Gakupo Kamui	"That's a good question," Gakupo says thoughtfully. "Maybe when people start arguing they can come here and fight it out without hurting themselves or each other and settle things that way?" he suggests. Though he chuckles. "Maybe not." He heads over to where the console is and starts to fiddle with it. "Moon surface, but with air?" he confirms.
Dastan	"Sure." Dastan says, then braces himself. "...This won't necessarily involve a fight, yes? I'd just rather not be caughtunawa-" then takes a step forward and finds himself propelled off the ground slightly, tumbling forward as he gives a cry of surprise.
Gakupo Kamui	"Oops!" Gakupo turns and heads over in Dastan's direction. He does stumble, yes, but as he was expecting the change, the effect is not so severe. He's just being careful how he moves. Also he's very likely quite a bit heavier than a normal human of his height and build, so that changes things. He moves to assist the prince. "Careful. You'll might find yourself able to move about with a lot more freedom than normal. You'll be able to jump much higher and one step will probably take you farther than normal. This isn't full zero-G, but it's close. This is what moving around on the moon is like. Minus the bulky spacesuits."
Dastan	"Bulky..." Dastan says, then looks around and slowly gets up. "Right. This should be interesting." then takes a few experimental hops as stumbles a bit more, bouncing. Farah likewise, takes to attempting as she seems to float around this way and that, then trips similarly and falls to the ground. "...This is harder than it loos..." she notes.
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo can't help but chuckle a little at the difficulty. He's not exactly zipping around himself-- he doesn't have boot jets or anything like that, so he has to stay on the ground. "It takes some getting used to," he agrees. When Farah falls, he goes over to her and attempts to help her up as well. "Are you alright?" Notably, his movements had looked very close to human. But here he seems to lose that grace. Now his movements are noticeably mechanical, with the bobble of movement overcorrection that is particular to animatronics now clearly seen.
Dastan	"Y-Yes, quite." Farah says, slowly standing up as she corrects her hair slightly. Dastan then hops over and says. "I'm glad I don't have to walk like this all the time. It'd be harder than..." then pauses. "Although acrobatics would be easier, I have to admit." he says.
Gakupo Kamui	"That's true," Gakupo agrees. "I've also heard of using the opposite kind of environment for strength training, too-- I think the reasoning is that if you can move about normally with an atmosphere that has double the gravity. It makes sense, but I'm not sure what the benefits are as opposed to training with weights."
Dastan	"Perhaps it weighs on you in every part of the body, evenly." Dastan notes. "No matter what you do, you will become stronger for it." he notes, then looks to Farah. "I'd almost ask if you could train with a bow like that, but it seems to me that the arrows wouldn't fly very far... Maybe lower gravity would be better for the disorientation?" he asks, Farah then nods. "Well, alright... Though I think we may want to plan our next move soon." as Dastan sighs. "Really? Back to that again? We don't have to spend every waking moment on it you know."
Gakupo Kamui	Gakupo nods. "That does make sense." This of Dastan's words of the training. Though when Farah speaks, he gives a thoughtful 'hmm'. "You can always ask the Union at large for help too," he suggests. "There are people in the Union who are very powerful magically. They may be able to help find a way to cure the disease. And there's no shortage of people who can help you fight."
Dastan	"True." Dastan says, "My main... Thought is to reverse time for the area. It's nowhere near what needs to have happened. If I have enough sand... Maybe I can rewind it back to before they were released?.." he considers.
Gakupo Kamui	"Reverse time?" Gakupo blinks. And then the musing mention of sand. "Sand?" Pause, chintap. "I've heard 'sands of time'... do you mean that literally? Your world contains the ability to reverse time?" This seems to surprise him.
Dastan	"Strictly, yes." Dastan says, "But the agent of reversion seems to be the plague's... Source as well." he notes, "It's strange, I think."
Gakupo Kamui	Here again Gakupo blinks. "Wait, so... the thing you want to use to reverse time is what started the plague anyway? That seems a little weird, yes." Pause. "Though admittedly there's probably a lot about it I don't get, so there's that..."