❄ transmission 001; video (possible action)

[pinnaculum]

[The video feed opens on a young boy with green eyes that glow faintly.]

Hello. My name is Sephiroth.

I am interested in learning more about other planets, for research purposes. The planet I am from is named Gaia. I have met people from Earth and Alternia. If you are from a different planet, or if you could tell me more about these planets, please contact me. I do not know very much about Earth or Alternia. We may speak on the network or in person in the library.

I heard that someone has made a list of all the floors, but I do not know what their name is. [Shinji had described them as a "blowhard", but Sephiroth does not think it would be a good idea to use that description.] Could you contact me also? It would be a good idea to make copies of the list or put it on the network for everyone to access.

Another good idea would be a manual for operating the network, if there is not one already.

Thank you.

[Sephiroth believes the network should be useful!

For anyone interested in action, Sephiroth is in the library at one of the terminals, not very difficult to find.]

Comments

[looselips]

Look, when someone tells you something about someone else behind their back, you're not supposed to go around repeating it to people who might be them, got it? Even if you don't have anything else to identify them by. It's not like a blowhard realizes they're a blowhard, you know?

[His tone is fairly condescending as he explains, but it's also a relatively patient explanation for Shinji.]

That's his name, though? Diarmuid?

[pinnaculum]

I see. I won't repeat what you've said behind people's backs. [Maybe he sees, and maybe he doesn't.] What is a blowhard? [Other children and their slang... He has the sense that it's something negative. Maybe like a headcase, another word he'd learned from Shinji.]

Diarmuid is a great warrior. We are going to spar together. And make swords.

[looselips]

You know, a self-important windbag who thinks he knows so much more than everyone else. [He rolls his eyes, more annoyed with his remembered conversation with Diarmuid than Sephiroth's question.]

Oh, that guy. Yeah, that's great. Have fun with that, champ.

[Huff.]

[pinnaculum]

I did not think Diarmuid was like that.

You think you know more than everyone else. [Just pointing out a fine detail here.]

It will be enjoyable. I like to spar. Maybe I could teach you.

[looselips]

Well, maybe you had better luck with him. I don't appreciate being talked down to like a child, though.

[At Sephiroth's next remark, though, he all but chokes, his face immediately coloring as he snaps up from his slightly slouched posture.]

Wh— Shut up! It's different when you actually are smarter than other people. Like I said, he's just— He just thinks he's so much better than me, and he isn't!

[And then he seethes and stares down at the reading table in front of him, not even responding to Sephiroth's offer to teach him some self-defense.]

[pinnaculum]

He did not talk down to me. He treated me as a fellow warrior. Maybe he wanted to help you. Why would he think he is better than you?

[Maybe you were just acting like a child, Shinji.]

You are not smarter than everyone.

[looselips]

Because he's older than I am. [He seethes.] It's a thing "adults" [—he doesn't see the distinction between ages as meaningful, so the word is delivered somewhat sarcastically—] like to do.

[Nonsense. He was probably just projecting his issues.]

Yeah, okay, maybe not everyone. Just most of them.

[pinnaculum]

Diarmuid did not treat me any differently, and I am approximately seven. But the professor was like that. He spoke to me like I was less intelligent. I understand what you mean.

So you are not a blowhard?

[looselips]

It sucks, right? I hate people who do that.

[Which is why he'll show them just how wrong they are.]

[huff!!] No, I'm not.

[pinnaculum]

I do too.

[Look, he is communicating with and commiserating with a peer. This is going so well.]

That's good. You would not want to be one. It would be impolite. Often I know more than other people, but I remain mannerly when dealing with them, even if they are ignorant.

[looselips]

[Shinji waves a hand dismissively at the mention of remaining "mannerly."]

It doesn't matter if you're rude to someone who is actually an idiot. Hell, they probably deserve it for running their mouth about something they know nothing about.

[Life lessons with Shinji Matou.]