{01 Video}

[freshtilapia]

[ After playing around with the device for a bit, now that they finally have time to settle in after the vine madness, Fish has the thing mounted nicely at an angle high enough to give the network a nice view of their head to the top of their shoulders—much like a beauty blogger really. They’ve got an eye for beauty and they put it to use here. They have a bare face at the moment, but it’s still a pretty face with smooth purple skin that fades to lilac on their face, their throat, and the front of their chest. ]

I suppose if everyone is using this thing to ask questions, I might as well ask one of my own.

[ They take a small brush loaded with sea green pigment and draw it over each of their eyelids as a thick eyeliner with practiced, precise movements. ]

Cosmetics and clothing. Has anyone gone shopping recently? I’ve noticed this place is just far too different from the one I know. So I think I could use some guidance. Or some company. Company preferable.

[ They chuckle to the camera and shimmy their shoulders, like a practiced coquettish performer. They pop open a small glass jar of deep purple pigment and another brush. And they quickly fill in their lips with the same neatness as their eyes. ]

There is a lot I want to acquire if I’ll be staying here for a while. So, let me know if you’d like to go shopping.

Oh, by the way. In case we haven’t met... you can call me “Fish”.

[ They wink. ]

Comments

[kayssistant]

Really? Thanks! [She chuckles, then straightens up - well, as much as she can while seated and being about five foot four in height.] I've helped solve cases back home and I still wanna be a hero of justice!

[freshtilapia]

[A full foot smaller than Fish! But Fish doesn't notice it while on video.]

Impressive! To be honest, I'm not that much into being for justice and the like so someone like you really does impress me.

[kayssistant]

But you're impressive, yourself! I've never seen anyone like you before!

[And she says that with childlike awe.

Then again, she IS a child. From a very ordinary world compared to most others.]

[freshtilapia]

Oh darling, I'm very sure I'm one of a kind.

[Fish says with a flourish of their fingers up towards the air, as if accentuating their own beauty and fabulousness.]

But anyway! What's your name?

[kayssistant]

I'm Kay Faraday! [She waves cheerfully.] What about you? ["Sir"? "Ma'am"? Kay is not quite sure.]

[freshtilapia]

You can call me "Fish," as I said earlier.

[Fish laughs, amused. They'd be even more amused if they knew Kay wasn't sure how to place them gender-wise.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Kay.

[kayssistant]

[Kay was probably so caught up in trying to figure out Fish's gender that she forgot their name for a spell.]

You too! Your name is just "Fish", though? No last names or anything?

[freshtilapia]

It's actually a nickname!

[They laugh once again. This is an amusing meeting.]

I have a real name... a first name and a last name, but it's much simpler to call me just "Fish".

[kayssistant]

Fish is it, then! [She laughs as well.] What's your world like? You said this was very different from it.

[freshtilapia]

Well... where I'm from, things aren't as colorful. And not so... well... amazing! There's just so much light here. And... it's just hard to describe everything, really. But this place makes where I'm from feel so... dull and ordinary.

Are you from a place like this?

[kayssistant]

[Kay taps her cheek.] We have supermarkets and hospitals and some of the same things, but everything here is a lot more advanced. Plus, we don't have aliens or...or people like you, Fish.

[freshtilapia]

Interesting... I can't imagine a world without different distinct races like mine. I've always grown up with a wide assortment of different people. But mostly elves, the quiet mountain people of Kor, vampires, humans, tieflings, and other merfolk.

[kayssistant]

Wow! [Kay claps her hands to her face, her jaw dropping.] In our world, elves, vampires and merfolk only existed in stories!

...A-At least, as far as I know. [What if they really did exist but were simply good at staying out of sight?]

[freshtilapia]

I wonder how people thought of the people of my world if they only existed in stories...

[Fish is genuinely pretty awestruck.]

But there still are legendary creatures in my world, like fey beings who only exist on an alternative plane and the celestials and the demonic... there are just so many.

[kayssistant]

Fey? [She repeats that word.] You mean like...fairies? But even if they only exist on an alternate plane...they still exist, right?

[freshtilapia]

Yes... like fairies. But yes, you are right. Though they do exist on an alternate plane, they do exist. Perhaps it's the same in your world? Perhaps in your world, people like me are hidden in a different plane of existence.

[kayssistant]

...

[A snap of her fingers.]

You might be on to something, Fish! That's really possible! Some people say they see someone or something different but it's always a mystery...

[freshtilapia]

[Fish winks.]

It certainly could be so. I mean, in my world, not everyone can channel the power of the fey. Only some blessed few could do so. And I'm proud of the fact that I'm one myself.

[kayssistant]

So even though the fey are all hidden, you could still use their power?

[Fascinating!]

[freshtilapia]

Exactly! I can demonstrate that for you one day. It's my specialty as a bard of Glamour.

[kayssistant]

Please, I look forward to it!