3rd Recipe [Cherrygrove City, Video]

[cyan_maid]

[Today's video from Jane starts with a shot of the water and a faint, violin-like accompaniment to the background music. It's clear it's at the small, beach-y area of Cherrygrove, judging by the surroundings, but that's only noticeable for a moment before a Goldeen floats into the shot, happily swimming as an Audino tries to follow alongside in the shallows, a bit wobbly in the water. The shot retracts, showing a Kricketune using its arm-blades to make the delicate violin sounds, stopping with a flourish for his audience - a small, sparkling Fennekin with soot-grey fur. It gives a Fen! of approval before it turns, noticing Jane's filming and hurrying over (in its haste, it kicks up sand in the Kricketune's face, and the poor bug proceeds to fret and fuss over his mustache).]

Hoo hoo! Hello, August! [The feed shifts, focusing on Jane where she sits, a boater perched expertly on her head. The top of the Fennekin's head can be seen as it curls up in her lap.] And hello everyone! I thought a little bit of a scene-setter would be nice to start with today, considering I have a question for you all.

[She clears her throat expertly.] I've been wondering about what sort of places all the people here come from. What are they like? For humans, do you come from Earth? What is your Earth like? If not, what is your home planet like? How similar or different was it to this place? For folks who weren't human before coming here - and I am aware that is a thing that happens - what were your homes like? If they don't translate well to human conventions, you can talk about it broadly or go into detail, whichever you prefer. I've been a staunch skeptic for most of my life, but I do earnestly want to learn, and in return, I'd be glad to field some questions about my home! I can't say it's particularly interesting, but it's only fair to share, right?

Comments

[cyan_maid]

Souls...

[That's more of a religious leaning, isn't it? But, hey, she literally knows nothing about these monsters, she's willing to try and understand.]

But, that's strange. Why in the world would they be weaker?

[journalname]

We simply do not have enough physical matter to hold us together, in the absence of our magic. When we die, our bodies turn to dust, and our souls vanish. Humans are more...ah, durable.

[Oddly, talking about dying humans seems to discomfit him a little more than the reverse.]

But humans cannot use magic at all, except in very rare instances. And those were long ago - it seems that they have lost the art entirely now.

[cyan_maid]

That's...very odd. I mean, if you don't mind me saying so, even as someone for whom magic isn't a usual thing, I'd assume it was...well...no, maybe it is more transient and fleeting. That might be why...

[It's more of a ramble to herself, really, until she snaps out of it to realize, yes, she's having a conversation with someone.]

Oh, sorry! I was just trying to work it out in my head. But, ah, I suppose that makes death a little strange for you, if you're used to everyone just turning to dust.

[journalname]

[He just watches her ramble, looking a bit bemused. When she snaps back to him, he smiles warmly.]

Not at all! Human scientists at home find it just as interesting. But human death...

...it is...

[He looks away.]

I have seen humans die before. It is disturbing.

[cyan_maid]

[Ah. She won't ask when, or how, or why - seeing death in any form is not really enjoyable. As Maid of Life, she knows this well.]

Gosh...it must be. Especially when you're not used to it. I'm sorry.

[journalname]

Do not be.

[......uh. Apparently that's all he has to say about it.]

[cyan_maid]

...

[Sir she'll be as goshdarned sorry as she pleases okay no let's not get into an argument with strangers. Instead - ]

Ah, let's just...change the subject, then, if you insist. What did you look like as a monster?

[journalname]

[DOES HE HAVE TO SMASH YOUR MERCY BUTTON YOUNG LADY]

Ah - I suppose I am lucky, in that way. I was already bipedal, and not skeletal or ghostly. There is a bit less to get used to.

But I had white fur, and my ears were long enough to rest on my shoulders. This is very near my usual height, but my horns perhaps another foot - they curve, like this. [He gestures above his head. Big ol' goat horns.] Humans often say boss monsters look similar to goats, in our world? Although we have clawed paws rather than hooves.

[cyan_maid]

[LET'S GO TRIDENT TO TRIDENT no kidding let's not go let's bake cookies and have tea instead]

Huh...so, bipedal pawed goats, then. I...think I can imagine it.

[She can't, but she is making an attempt.]

So what you looked like isn't typical to all monsters?

[journalname]

No appearance is typical to all monsters. We can look like nearly anything. But boss monsters are a specific type, and there are very few of us.

[Now.]

[cyan_maid]

I see...so then, the reason you're all considered monsters is...because of your magic, I suppose? And not necessarily because of how you look.

[journalname]

Exactly! Human magic, when it existed, operated much differently. They seem to have lost the art these days...

[cyan_maid]

Hm...if they have, then, what do you think of that? Is it better that they don't have magic, or is it worse?

[journalname]

[it's better oh god it's so much better]

It is...different. Human mages were so rare even before. I suppose we could try to teach some magic if they wished, but I cannot say if that would even work.

[cyan_maid]

[It's a good stance to have, in her opinion.]

Hmm. Well...overall, that is definitely very interesting. Almost like something out of a story book, really! I'd never have imagined such a place ever existed.

[journalname]

How funny. Our humans have said much the same about our shared history.

[cyan_maid]

Really? How so?

[journalname]

Well, we have been separated for many generations. I daresay many of them thought monsters were only fairytales before we returned.

[cyan_maid]

Separated? But why?

[journalname]

Very long ago, there was a war between humans and monsters. When we lost, the humans banished us underground, and sealed the entrance with a powerful spell. We were trapped there for many centuries.

[cyan_maid]

[Banishment? War? Jane raises an eyebrow. Sure, the man she's talking to is intimidating in stature, but even with his descriptions of monsters, she's having a hard time imagining being so afraid of him that she'd want him locked up underground.

Part of that is probably to do with how nicely he's answered her questions.]

That doesn't sound right at all! I mean, I can't say humanity isn't anything less than cruel when it comes to winners and losers in war, but - really, underground? That's a bit much!!

[journalname]

They were...frightened. Perhaps that is natural, when others have powers you do not understand.

[cyan_maid]

...

[Jane heaves a sigh through her nose, shaking her head.]

Then let me say that you definitely do not come across as frightening, sir. Even if you were all furry and could do magic, you seem far too kind.

[The fact that Asgore is Not Human would probably sink in more if she saw him in his true form, but scary? Naaah.]

[journalname]

...that is very kind of you.

[he is doing a pretty good job of keeping a straight face, all things considered]

[cyan_maid]

[Then for his sake it's a good thing Jane feels like they should move away from this topic for now.]

Mm...so, ah...you know, you're welcome to ask me about where I'm from, since I asked you about so much.