prismatica | video; un: kishibe

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video; un: kishibe

[ The video comes on and it appears to be neatly propped up on a desk. He's spinning a pen between his fingers. It's clear he's sitting at a desk, given by how much you can see of him. He's never posted to the network before. ]

A couple of you may know this, but I am a manga-ka at home, and obtained a physical copy my series about a month ago. Not long ago, I did get a publisher and I'm able to get additional prints of it so that I do not have to lend out my only copy.

[ But that is only partially the point of this post. ]

I'm in the process of developing a new series. There's only so much to work with within my own experiences. I've drawn many pieces of scenery here, filled up sketchbooks with pictures of Prismals and Moonblessed alike.

[ He sets his pen down on his desk, and stops playing with it. ]

So that's where I come to you. I'd like to hear stories about your life prior to here. Whether that is an interesting story or fact about you or the world you come from.

[ Oh, yeah. ]

And, one more thing. I guess, since I'm feeling generous. If anyone would like to see if I drew them - just let me know. I'd recommend posting a video. I draw what I like so there's no guarantees, but it's possible.

[ ooc; i'm happy to have had him draw p. much anyone who would be spending regular time at the park, especially if they sit still for a few minutes when there since that's where he draws most his inspiration from! ;) ]

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[...Sanguis has been Hard, Okay, because the horns and vertical pupils are kind of weird to have when he's mostly human and he feels very Short, but this definitely perks Seteth up a bit. Like... of course he can't just press-gang everyone into being an illustrator but maybe he can just get leads?]

Ah, so you are an illustrator of sorts? I will admit, I have not encountered the term "manga-ka" before, though perhaps it is simply something more prevalent outside Fodlan. Regardless, I do write as a hobby, though it's mostly aimed at children, so I'm uncertain if fables are the sorts of things you're looking for.

Manga-ka is someone who draws -- [ Wait, maybe he doesn't know what manga is, and that's the problem here. ] Manga. It's an illustrated story told through both images and writing.

[ Why hes, he is turning in his chair and disappearing off camera. He returns with a copy of Volume 1, Pink Dark Boy, and flips to a random page. ]

Like this. Fables can be interesting, especially if they are from your world, since they wouldn't likely be the same where I'm from. [ Since he's never heard of Fodlan. ]

[...huh, wow, he’s pretty obviously impressed by the concept!]

Ah, that is fascinating! So, you’re responsible for both the story and the art? I must admit to being somewhat envious that you have both talents, as I am utterly lacking in artistic talent. I originally only wrote for my younger sister, and when I tried to include illustrations she would frequently make fun of them...

[...well, it was more his wife who would make fun of them, since Flayn couldn’t actually judge quality outside of asking him why the birds he tried to draw looked like fish........]

Back home, I am lucky to have several friends who have served as illustrators on my projects, since the visual component is important when imparting lessons to young children, particularly with animal fables. But, in any case... well, I write original ones rather than adapting existing ones, though I do write saints’ lives on occasion as well. I assume you have foxes and squirrels where you’re from? That wound up being one of my successful stories.

I do both parts, the story and the art. I'm [ touchy? particular? bad with people? all of the above. ] fond of stories going how I want them to go, and by doing both parts, it lets them progress exactly how I want. Then there's no time wasted on confusion and differing ideas for how the story should go.

[ Manga is. Particular. ]

A good story is a good story, and as long as there's interesting characters they can be enjoyable.

[ Wait, people don't... ]

We do have foxes and squirrels. I'm more surprised there's places without them.

Ah, I can definitely understand that approach, but I personally enjoy collaborating with others. It would certainly be much more convenient if I had the talent to do my own illustrations, but whenever I work with someone else I generally find myself getting a different perspective on the work than I would otherwise.

And, well, you would be surprised. One of the first people I met here is from a world where mammals don’t exist at all, apparently. You seem like you’d be familiar, but it never really does hurt to ask.

[ Now that's a world to be curious of. Hm, he'll have to learn more. That sounds cool. ]

I am. My Earth isn't too surprising. It's okay to assume I know most things, at least basically, as to what you'd talk about.

I probably should assume as such unless I have reason to believe otherwise. It is fairly fascinating to see the range of experiences across all the different worlds...

...but ah, right. I do not have the final story in front of me, so let’s see if I can remember it well enough...

[it’s simple enough, but you know.]

Once upon a time, deep in the cold mountains, there lived a lazy fox and an industrious squirrel. The squirrel worked tirelessly, all day long, while the fox did nothing but lounge around and play. When autumn came, the squirrel hurriedly gathered up acorns for the winter. But the fox continued to play without a care.

A biting winter fell upon the land. The mountains, caked in snow, concealed all nourishment from sight. The hungry fox went to the squirrel's dwelling, and out of the kindness of his heart, the squirrel spared a bit of food for the fox. Still, life was much easier for the squirrel than the fox. Every so often, the squirrel would wake, enjoy a nibble of an acorn, and then return to an easy slumber. The fox, on the other hand, was forced to scrounge for food in the bitter cold of the forest when he was not able to wake the squirrel, and likely would not have survived without the squirrel’s assistance. Forlorn and hungry, he wandered in solitude all through the winter, until spring came once more. And so it is, to this very day, that foxes are denied the comforts of hibernation.

I've heard stories like these. I enjoy fables. They tell a lot about the cultures they come from. Thank you for sharing this one with me.

You’re quite welcome. I’ll admit, I only really know the traditions of the fables of Fódlan, so I could stand to broaden my horizons a bit. An old friend of mine traveled abroad, but I have not seen him in some time, and I am not entirely sure if he would be interested enough to learn them.

I'm from Japan and we have a lot of interesting myths and stories. And I've heard some from outside of Japan as well, where I'm from.

But never from Fódlan before today.

Well, I am glad I got to share something new with you. Would you like to share one of your favorites sometime? Perhaps not today if you do not feel like it, but some other time.

I'd be glad to share stories of ours.

Whether or not they're my favorite? Hard to say, we have a lot of interesting mythology and stories. Simple stories that teach to appreciate where you come from like The Two Frogs. Though that is the purpose of fables.

Oh, that’s understandable. I believe it would be difficult for me to pick a favorite as well, though I sometimes tend to lean a bit more towards saints’ lives when it comes to favorites.

[...it’s nice to be reminded of better times when someone you were once close to didn’t live at the bottom of a lake.]

Ah, and what would that one be about?

I just know I remember it well, because I heard it many times.

[ He pauses for a moment. ]

There were two frogs, one made his home near Osaka, by the sea. The other lived near a river in Kyoto. Though they'd never met, and lived at such a great distance apart, they both got the idea that they wanted to see more of the world. The frog from Kyoto wanted to go to Osaka, and the frog from Osaka wanted to go to Kyoto.

One spring morning, they both started along the same road. It was a long, tiring journey. Halfway between the two towns, there was a large mountain that they had to climb. When they both reached the top, they were surprised to find one another.

They talked, learning that they had a similar goal to see more of the world, especially their home country. They relaxed, and one said to the other. "It's a shame we're not bigger, we could see what's going on in the other city and decide if it's worth to continue our journey." The other suggested they stand on their hind legs, holding onto each other, and look towards their destinations.

So they stood on each other's shoulders, looking towards their destinations. They realized, in that moment, their destinations were no different from their homes. After which, they parted ways, returning home.

[ He has an easy time sharing it. ]

I travel a lot, so sometimes an editor will jokingly share this story with me. Or some version of the same thing.

[Seteth listens intently, smiling a bit as he does. Even if the names are unfamiliar to him, it’s easy to understand... which is the point of fables, isn’t it? Though, as Rohan finishes, an observation strikes him...]

It’s definitely charming and has a good message, though I do wonder how well it’d pass muster with some of my critics back home. Granted, I think one would wonder why frogs made the effort to go on a journey in the first place, while the other would probably be concerned with the fact that fish from a river are different from fish from the ocean, so they should travel together to each other’s homes and show each other the local specialties.

I wouldn't blame them, really. A lot of Japanese stories and figures are a little weird, but many have lessons. This is kind of a play on the idea of 'the grass is always greener on the other side' idea. Except it tells you right there that the grass is the same on both sides.

When I was moving back to my hometown, people joked about it.

I doesn't translate well I think, outside of Japan.

Oh, I certainly understand. I traveled often myself when I was younger, so I see the merit in the moral. Though, I will admit, rather than giving me the desire to return home, that made me more fond of traveling, in a way. It’s nice to be able to count on being able to find something familiar in an unfamiliar place, isn’t it? We’re far away from our homes right now and we’re from very different lands, and yet here we are trading stories where we can both understand the underlying point.

...

I suppose that makes us the frogs and these devices the mountain, doesn’t it?

I enjoy traveling, as well. And yes, I guess it does, doesn't it? Different cultures have different stories when I travel, but the morals of them are often similar to ones I've heard before. Or even if not, they're easy to get.

I just like them because it an tell a lot about the people who wrote them.

It's true, really. No matter where you are, people are still people, even if they have somewhat different approaches to life.

That is very true, as well, whether on a personal level or a cultural level.

How very thoughtful of you to say that, though I can't debate it.

Well, I do think it’s worth keeping in mind. I think if you try to focus too much on others’ differences instead of seeking commonalities, you risk isolating yourself.

Hm. I guess that's true. [ He is pretty isolated anyway. ] Though I have to say, the differences here are helping my work.

Ah, yes. I would imagine getting to experience an entirely different world firsthand would be a wealth of inspiration for someone writing fiction, wouldn’t it?

It's why I'm here asking questions.

This network is very convenient, is it not? It’s incredibly easy to get many different perspectives on any questions you may have.

video; un: kishibe

video, un: stcethleannfan

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ty dreamwidth sorry about that alarming notif lol

Haha np, it happens!

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