sixwordstories | (no subject)

Ah, you have?

It took a great deal of work, and a great deal of help from members of other races, but yes. It is time to bring my race and culture into the current century.

I am glad that you are doing this. It is illogical to not to attempt to move with the times.

[He pauses.]

But it is illogical to forsake the past completely.

True enough. I have a very long memory. But oftentimes I have found that the main function of remembering the past is keeping me from repeating the same mistakes.

Humanity is finally truly becoming interesting. Within a century or so they may have advanced enough for my people to introduce ourselves and enter into formal negotiations.

Humans have always been fascinating. Perhaps not long after, once the shock and novelty of your people wears off, mine can offer the olive branch.

I would greatly appreciate that.

The truth is that in rebuilding my people I have the opportunity to rebuild my culture. It is why I am so interested in seeing how different races and such handle their own.

If you approach cautiously and work with their customs, the fear that might develop should fade with time, but I do not think you should expect everyone to be welcoming.

That is very true. I am familiar with a world where vampires have introduced themselves to humanity, and the integration process is far from smooth. I feel almost as if both our cultures must reach a certain...level of maturity...before it will be safe to introduce ourselves in similar fashion.

This is the same for any two cultures, no matter who or what they are. Many have been destroyed because of a lack of understanding.

I do quite well with individuals of a variety of races. Especially when I am allowed to entertain. Provided that the entertainment is not too raucous for one's tastes?

[He has half a mind to show Spock Microcosmos because it is so amazing and interesting from a scientific standpoint.]

Typically that helps, but it does lead them to not take you seriously after a time.

[Oh? Do it do it. He loves scientific stuff, it should be obvious.]

True, but I have become very good at choosing the proper entertainment for my guests.

Actually there was a motion picture I was going to propose, if you have any interest.

A motion picture? What is the title?

Microcosmos. [He pulls out his iPad and--treating the instrument very gingerly--summons some stills from the motion picture.] It is a chronicle of all the unseen life forms inhabiting an English garden.

[Spock looks at the screen, nodding.]

Fascinating.

I believe the tradition is popcorn and sweet soda, but I actually prefer tea. Are you in?

Yes, I would like to join in. I prefer tea myself.

I shall put the tea on. I have Genmai-Cha. [He gets up and commences puttering, looking slightly odd being so domestic.]

Ah, I have heard of that tea before.

[Spock would look odd being all domestic too, so he takes no notice.]

[Putter putter. Once he's gotten everything set out and the kettle on he hooks up his computer to the big screen and starts the movie.]

[Spock, in the mean time, located the biscuits he had brought over the time before, surprised to see that there were just a few left. Couldn't have tea without biscuits.]

After watching this motion picture the first time, I felt vaguely guilty when I walked through my garden. In fact I started levitating over the ground as a habit.

Oh? That is an interesting habit.

[He sets the biscuits down on a plate.]

I would not concern yourself too much. Many insects are able to survive such impacts.

Some sort of offshoot from my general bloodguilt, I suppose. [The teakettle whistles and he goes to get the tea steeping.]

Yes, but that makes you better than most others.

With my power levels and responsibilities I have to be better than most. The emotional control your people have developed is most admirable, for example. I am most certainly...not there yet.

It is fine. It takes much dedication and discipline to follow our methods, as you have probably surmised.

[And have a biscuit for the tea you made.]

Indeed. Not for dabblers, such a path. Have you ever had a look at Earth's Tibetan Buddhists, by the way? There are some similarities.

[He nibbles on the biscuit and checks the tea.]

Yes, I have noticed this as well. If not for us not meeting humans until much later, I would surmise that one of us gave inspiration to the other.

[The tea is perfect.]

[He gets them set up and settles into his chair.] I may need to visit Tibet at some point. The journey would be hazardous even for me, but...it may well be worth it.

I do not see why it would be hazardous. There are many temples that are easily accessible. Some even have villages surrounding them.

The issue is largely finding the means to travel by night throughout the journey.

Ah yes, this is a difficult task. Is it an absence of light that you need?

That is about it. I can fast for extended periods, but the sunlight issue is always there.

[He thinks.]

Then it would be logical to dress in clothes that would prevent sunlight from directly hitting you. There are many cultures out there that fit this description.

Hmmmm. I suppose. I suppose if I dressed to keep light out while pretending I was dressing to keep body heat in....

Perhaps. This would be a reasonable solution.

Thank you. [He sips his tea.] Hm.

Going back a bit, I have to say that humans are much more interesting now than they were in the Victorian Era.

Yes, they are. I have to say they will continue to be more so.

[Time machines. At least he has found someone intelligent to spend time with until his world figures out how to bring him back.]