002; action

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

[Saleh stands at the top of the large hill not too far from the lab. It's a fine spot to be watching the city from, but the view isn't what he's interested in today. This is just a place he's taken a liking to.

Both hands raised to chest level, at first glance, his posture may seem odd when a small cube appears out of thin air. It rotates slowly before vanishing as Saleh drops his hands back to his sides. He lets out a mirthful breath.]

There are exceptions, after all.

[He brushes his fringe aside, only for the breeze to blow it right back in place. He smirks.]

The wind is especially good today.

Comments

[allonisaretrue.livejournal.com]

Exceptions to what?

*Hiroshi had seen the hill from when he'd exited earlier and thought it might make a good reading place. He stands a little ways away, a few books under his arm; it seems he's found the library after all. He swears he saw the guy with some sort of... cube, but it vanished. It must have been his imagination.*

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

*Saleh turns, and, taking a look at the boy, responds nonchalantly.*

Just a little something that should belong to only one race.

[allonisaretrue.livejournal.com]

Technically, race is a construction, you know. Genetically, all humans are the same.

*He seems to have misunderstood.*

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

An interesting idea, but then let me ask you, what's a human?

[allonisaretrue.livejournal.com]

? I could go into detail, but it'd be complicated... Humans are mammals, at least, and are presumed to have evolved from the same genetic ancestry as apes, though precisely where the family branched off has yet to be properly uncovered. If that's what you mean.

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

You're a technical one, aren't you.

Well, I suppose some would beg that Huma are an evolved species of Gajuma from that standpoint. Though that'd be an insult to themselves.

*He pauses, ceasing his rambling to direct another question at the boy.*

Now, is a human like you the same as another animal capable of speech?

[allonisaretrue.livejournal.com]

Those terms don't really mean anything to me. Maybe it has something to do with these alternate worlds I've heard of?

Eh? There aren't really that many animals that --

*He catches himself, thinking of that strange creature he met. Something about the man's question bothers him a bit, though.*

I... suppose that depends on what you mean by "the same." Certainly we would not be the same species.

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

In my eyes, you just contradicted yourself. And to think I'd given you some context clues, too.

*But just to humor him, Saleh continues.*

We'll have it your way. Then, what I meant by "exceptions" would apply to something typically exclusive to one species.

[allonisaretrue.livejournal.com]

*He frowns, and replies slowly.*

Well... entertaining the notion that there are more intelligent creatures capable of speech in the universe -- which I suppose I must do, considering my experiences already -- then no, there would almost certainly be exceptions. Biological differences, diet, and so on.

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

*Saleh nods along, then stops.*

Heh, when you put it that way it makes the anomalies sound overly boring.

[allonisaretrue.livejournal.com]

On the contrary. From a scientific standpoint analyzing these differences would be quite fascinating. It would provide us better insight into our own evolution.

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

Would it?

*Despite the question, he's more than a little skeptical.*

There are some things that simply don't transfer over to others, no matter how much research is done.

[allonisaretrue.livejournal.com]

Certainly. Why did these other species develop these exceptional traits? What was it about their environment, their world? Science really does provide a new outlook on the way of the world.

*He seems actually enthusiastic as he talks.*

[a-civil-service.livejournal.com]

Good afternoon, Saleh. Enjoying the weather, I see? [He walks toward his acquaintance with a perfectly polite nod.

It's not as if Yuri has decided to keep an eye on him or anything.]

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

[Saleh turns his head to see the newcomer.]

Ah, good afternoon, Yuri. Back to your original state, I see.

[a-civil-service.livejournal.com]

Yes, fortunately, the effect was temporary. [He's not going to go into how he was "cured", however.]

What did you mean by "exceptions"? I couldn't help but overhear, I'm afraid. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. [Of course.] The wind carries sound so far on a day like today.

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

Of course you didn't.

By "exceptions," I meant exactly that. It's the charm of this place, is it? That you learn something old about yourself at any second. You remember what makes you different.

[a-civil-service.livejournal.com]

Ah, I believe I understand. You refer to exceptional traits or abilities that set one apart? I've met a few people here who've realized they are "different", as you say. [Not that he's one of those people.]

And have you remembered something of the kind?

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

I haven't remembered anything of the sort.

[But he knows he will, eventually. It comes with piecing two and two together.]

But it'd be interesting to, don't you agree?

[a-civil-service.livejournal.com]

It's too soon for many of us to say.

[For Yuri, it wasn't a matter of memory so much as emotion, but now his memories of how to control the fire have begun to return.]

It could be anything. Where I'm from, my role as a judge sets me apart, as it's a position held by few people. That makes me different. But then, we are all different in our own ways. Perhaps you refer to something that would be considered truly exceptional.

I'd say most people dream of being exceptional, at one time or another.

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

Most people dream of it, though that very act is what makes them alike. It's incredibly ironic.

[But Yuri always provides such sensible examples. Saleh throws out his own in response to what he considers "truly exceptional." Somewhat.]

Tell me, Yuri, have you ever heard of the King's Shield? Rather, does where you even come from have such a thing? If you remember, that is.

[a-civil-service.livejournal.com]

What I want is to do my job to the best of my ability.

[He doesn't feel that he necessarily wants to be exceptional in that way. There is something in him that is wary of the fire.]

I haven't heard of the King's Shield, no. What might that be? I know we have no king, but perhaps it doesn't involve a literal sovereign?

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

That's quite right. The King's Shield, as the name implies, shields the king and his relatives. It goes beyond a mere bodyguard job.

What do you think? Could these shields be considered exceptional, when all they're doing is serving one person -- or family -- at a time? It must certainly set them apart from the military, at the least.

[a-civil-service.livejournal.com]

I don't see why not. It does sound like an important position, based on your description of it.

I imagine it depends on the way society views the occupation. What amount of respect a role is accorded may vary from culture to culture. Was that the role you held?

[hystaria.livejournal.com]

I only mention it and you wonder if that was my job. How quick you are to assume, Yuri . . . Not that you'd be incorrect with your assumption.