( video )

[heelies]

[The video feed begins on a close view of a face, revealing a stern set of eyes and a curve of nose but little more. Then the picture shakes as a new perspective is gained. The man who comes into view posesses a princely bearing and wears well the mantle of importance. His voice belongs to one who is accustomed to being listened to.]

I am told that this is the way that men call others to counsel in this land, and so as strange as it seems to me to address those whom I see not, I shall follow the local custom. I am Achilles, son of Peleus — Peleus who rules the fertile plains of Phthia, and who claims for his own worthy father Aeacus, judge of the House of Hades. New as I am to this land, which is farther from my dear native land than even the windy plains of Ilios, I bear many questions, but the first in my heart is this.

What deathless gods watch over the city of Lunatia? I have seen no temples built to honor Zeus who bears the aegis, nor bright-eyed Athena, nor Phoebus Apollo. Where are the priests who aid in the rituals of sacrifice, the seers who interpret the will of the gods in bird-signs? Surely, a city so rich as this, with precious silver trimming its houses, and all manner of riches I have never before seen — surely its people have the benison of the gods. Yet I see no practices that would suggest such reverence. Tell me, therefore, the ways to honor these gods who to me are so mysterious.

Comments

[bigredcheese]

Oh sure! Mine're nothing too exciting, but I'd like to hear about your adventures!

[But as for his city-]

Fawcett's... well, it's west of where you're from, definitely. But it's also- well, I don't know how to say this, but I'm from the future. That's how I know about you, like I said you're a legend. And we might be from different Earths too, but that's where things get even more confusing.

[heelies]

Be not so modest! You must have some tale or another with which to impress me, you who live in a time and land I can scarce imagine. How hard it is to believe that I could meet one who hails from a time not yet lived, yet if this is so then I am all the gladder that my tale is told still all those generations hence.

What's more, you say your fatherland lies to the west — then could it be that more countries inhabited by men can be found across the great ocean that seems bound only by the sky?

[bigredcheese]

Yep, you got it in one! The world's a lot bigger than people realize during your time. But I'm sure there's a lot we still don't know in my time too.

What's a good story, though... Oh, how about one of the big ones? There was Mr. Mind, this alien worm who could control minds! He and the rest of his species came from outer space and tried to take over the Earth. One of them even got into my brain for a little bit, but I was able to beat him eventually. Thing is, the worms don't do too great in cold temperatures. Once you freeze them, they're pretty much harmless. Not that they haven't gotten out before, but I've still managed to handle it.

[heelies]

Many men boast with words too great for their paltry deeds, yet it seems to me that you boast not enough! What an ungodly monster you have fought and destroyed, just as Zeus' famed son Perseus slew the wicked Medusa through the strength of his arm and the sharpness of his wit!

What is this outer space of which you speak? Are they lands yet unknown to men even in your distant time?