shellphones | This is awkward

I'd love to. What about the ocean do you want to talk about?

The tides and how beautiful it can be.

And when you swim in the ocean, it feels like it's a whole other world.

Sounds like you really like the ocean! I've been trying to learn to swim better. I didn't get much of a chance to until this place

Oh.

...Has anyone taught you how?

Not directly! I've mostly been trying on my own

...Do you want me to help you out?

I wouldn't turn help down if you want to! But only if you have the time

I don't see why I can't.

It's only fair to help people out.

Okay, then! I'd really enjoy that. I promise to be a good student that listens.

Uh...then when do you want us to meet up?

Would tomorrow after noon work?

Yes, that's fine. Um...I'll see you then?

[ooc: do you want to log it out or...?]

See you then! I'll bring snacks for after!

[ ooc: we can if you'd like or if it's easier to handwave that's good too]

the ocean! yeah! i love the ocean! let me talk about the ocean!!everything about the ocean is the best! The fish, the seashells, the seasalt breeze, riding the waves!! i could talk about the ocean every day!

[...]

What else do you know about it?

[Too much energy for him!!!]

[Freminet just had to post something that's incredibly targeted at the ocean islander boy. Take him or leave him!]

about the ocean? i guess a lot! i was born on an island so i was in the ocean all the time as a kid. i learned how to swim in the ocean before a pool, even.

[alhgpahgpag]

How was it? To swim in the ocean in your world?

really nice! it was always warm weather so the water was always refreshing to swim in, you know? i could catch fish with my bare hands and we'd spend all day at the beach. so swimming in the water felt like a second home.

...How can you catch fish with your bare hands?

[Nico reads this the best he can. Makes a mental note to distract Sora from the ocean.]

[NICO NO]

[ This ocean man... will not take you by the hand, both because this is online and he is socially awkward, but he can talk about the land he understands. ]

Ask your questions.

[... this is what "talking about the ocean" means, right. ]

What do you know about the ocean?

[Because he really has no idea how to start this conversation.]

[Too broad. Rephrase your question.

... is what Ulpianus types out at first. But he has to account for the fact that he is unfamiliar with this person, and written correspondence like this does not allow for transfer of non-verbal information. It may be worth to expound a little. ]

Broadly formed questions are ineffective for exchanging knowledge. Specify an area that interests you.

[.....................Does he really want him to talk about his hyper fixation??]

...I like to talk about marine life. The animals and the creatures that live in the ocean are rather fascinating as they can survive up in extreme environments. I know back home is a little different compared to here but it's interesting that sea creatures can live under the intense ocean pressure.

[ He actually does. Meet a fellow sea nerd, Freminet! ]

Elaborate on the differences between this ocean and your homeland.

[ His fingers hover over the shellphone for a moment. It's highly unlikely, but... ]

Are you familiar with Aegir?

The oceans in this world are more chaotic. It's not as peaceful as it is back home and I'm not sure what to expect when there is a change in something.

It makes me a little anxious sometimes.

...But no, I am not.

[ Well, it was a long shot, and in truth it's better if there aren't other Aegir here. For their own good. (This is not a threat it's how he expresses worrying about people.)

But the words about chaos and changes set off warning bells in Ulpianus's head. ]

What changes have you experienced?

[ Oh, right, he was told about the local etiquette before asking questions proactively. Hopefully only once will suffice and not before every question. ]

Please and thank you.

Fontaine’s waters are more peaceful. They’re always calmer as I always know what to expect. The sea creatures are also the same but the scenery always changes. That’s what makes it feel like I’m in another world.

…And here, it’s always changing with the various sea creatures. It’s much more chaotic here and while it can be peaceful at times, it’s a bit of a challenge to calm myself in the ocean.

[ Calming down in the ocean, he can talk about calming down in the ocean... In the context of being a soldier. ]

Then train. A well-founded belief in your weapons and abilities will help you stay calm in the face of danger. Speed of movement and a sense of direction are most important beneath the waves, whether to make your escape or to lure the enemy onto a battlefield of your choosing.

Now, I have an important question.

Describe the creatures you've seen and how quickly they change.

...

I understand. I know I have to train well and calm myself in the face of battle. That's what I've always been told and to never get my feelings get in the way.

As for the creatures, have you seen a zombie mermaid here before?

[ The what. ]

No. I am unfamiliar with either of those concepts.

[ After a moment, Ulpianus sends a reply to the first part as well. It's not much to go on, but he already gets the impression that the person he's talking to is not keen on combat... perhaps not suited for it mentally at all. He's had to reject applicants like that; good, kind people who would be unable to devote themselves to violence. ]

A fighter should not let their feelings needlessly sway their judgement, but nor should they let go of them completely. Emotions are a basis of our humanity.

It's a zombie mermaid and will bite you if you get too close. If it bites you, you'll get really sick.

[Not that he should know or anything. Not at all!!]

But it's been a balance. I've been trying to not let my feeling get in a way but it can be a challenge.

Define "sick".

[ This is starting to sound worse and worse to him, so he'll focus on his own hyperfixation for now. Still, deep down he can't help but note that this person may need assistance or training... and Ulpianus plans to spend as much time underwater as possible anyway, so maybe they could come to an arrangement. ]

Throwing up a lot? Not wanting to get out of bed? And feeling dizzy all the time?

Sure. I haven't been near an ocean in a while, but I love swimming in the water. There's something really freeing about it. Maybe because the edges are so spread out, you know?

What did you have in mind to talk about? Or are we just spouting out things we like?

I guess things that we like?

I don't know, I asked because someone told me to go talk to other people about what I like.

Oh, okay! I like swimming in the ocean. My magic's all nature-based, so anything naturey is good to me. But I also like to wildshape into a whale or a dolphin or something and swim that way. The ocean is really cool.

Do you swim?

Wait, you can shapeshift into anything you want? Because I am swim.

[ And to think that the guy who Sherlock was thinking of hasn't even shown yet, but look at these responses.

See? Make some ocean friends, Freminet. ]

What is it about the ocean that you like?

...How calm it is and that it's so different from the world above. It feels like it's a whole other world where I don't have to worry about anything.

Is that what got you interested in the ocean in the first place?

Yes, that's why. It provides me a place where I am free to be myself.

[ Well, Faulkner has... some kind of relationship with the whole concept of water. Sure. He'll bite. ]

How come you're looking to talk about the ocean?

....Because I wanted to see who would listen to me.

[That and Sherlock told him to do that.]

This is awkward

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text; un: encoreinthedeep

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un: sunbursted

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text | un: BlossomingTide

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