❄ 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

[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.]