video | un: big ben

[slightlytaller]

[Hi, Trench. It's been a while since this display name surfaced on the network. This time, there was accompanying video instead of just text-- And the dour man frowning into the screen, with dark bags under his stormy ocean green eyes and his cheekbones prominent in a manner that suggested recent illness, exuded nothing short of the stony sense of a man that was done with watching the madness of recent weeks.

--Or, perhaps, someone that had actually worried himself sick over the last month. Literally.]

... Not that anyone cares, but watching all these pompous assholes call themselves 'teacher' is making me want to pull my hair out.

[And, look. He had a lot of it. Heaving a sigh, Waver Velvet plucked the wire glasses he had been wearing off and set them aside. Pinching the bridge of his nose as if to ward off a headache-- or collect himself-- he continued.]

Some of you know me. Most of you don't.

That's fine, I'm only here to offer a different option for anyone feeling a tad... unanchored here.

I am Waver Velvet, sometimes called Lord El Melloi II-- but most of the people here just know me as Mackenzie. I'm not a combat instructor, like that trio that really wanted to play out a real-life Tournament Arc a few months ago-- like we were in one of my kids' anime shows. I'm also hardly worth even calling a mage. What I am, however, is someone that is willing to offer tutoring to anyone that feels they need it... In basically any subject matter.

[A shrug. He waved a hand.]

Don't worry about whether or not I'm an expert. One thing I've learned after teaching for the last decade is that no one is. If you need help with something that I don't already know, I'll learn it well enough to help.

--Also, if you need someone to just listen and help you resolve a problem... I can do that, too.

No, I won't ask you to call me Professor, Teacher, or even have you use my title. Just keep calling me Mackenzie, if you wish. I won't ask for payment, either. But, well... if you insist, bring along something to eat. Anything. I don't really care what.

Alternately, feel free to talk about whatever's currently interesting to you.

...I won't arrange 'classes' either. I know that you lot of teenagers are basically free-range, and that's fine. There's probably good reason for you to not trust adults. I know I didn't while I was in school.

[He sighed, satisfied that at least he was able to remove this much of his concerns from his shoulders, and seemed to be signing off before adding:]

Oh. One more thing. Does anyone have an open venue? I have a stack of rhythm and fighting games that I'm willling to share with people needing a distraction-- in a public forum, of course. If enough people are interested, we could work on making something official.

That's all.

Private--- to Palamedes Sextus

Palamedes... When you have a moment and are up to it, I'd like to talk.

Comments

[slightlytaller]

Yes, likely the results of earlier this month.

And the Pthumerians, of course.

... Just as well. I need to get my strength back. The good news is that I'm no longer a centaur, but I've been sick to my stomach with worry.

[megatheorem]

No, I've removed myself from all of that. These are personal matters, unrelated.

Congratulations on your correct number of legs.

[slightlytaller]

... Very well.

I'm available if you need an assist there as well.

And thanks. For what it's worth, being back to the correct number is weird.

[megatheorem]

I don't, but thanks.

Practice running around, I suppose.

[slightlytaller]

[Pal, he's as skinny as you are.]

... I'll try those rhythm games with the stomp pad. Thanks.

[megatheorem]

That sounds miserable.

[slightlytaller]

it's supposed to be Dance Dance Revolution, but I don't see how stomping in a square to techno beats is dancing.

[megatheorem]

I don't know what any of that is. I only learned to waltz for appearances.

[slightlytaller]

That's fine. I usually dance for the same reason.

If there's an arcade in town, a field trip might be in order once your schedule clears up. I didn't frequent them regularly until my twenties, but the anonymity in the crowd has a certain appeal.

[megatheorem]

Well, I'm not particularly good at dancing.

[what is inside an arcade]

[slightlytaller]

I'm not either.

These games are mostly about coordination and spatial awareness. They look simple, but can be a challenge in their own right.

[megatheorem]

And this is supposed to be fun. I'd pass out.

[slightlytaller]

Kids find them fun.

I've no idea why they washed up with my belongings. They're not something I'd find fun.

[megatheorem]

Maybe the city wants you to be more open-minded about exercise.

[slightlytaller]

Real funny, coming from a man that just said he would pass out.

Maybe it's here for everyone to try.

You want to give it a go? A little interdisciplinary research never hurt anyone.

[megatheorem]

I'm not the one being pursued by dancing games.

And I absolutely do not want to 'give it a go'. I'm completely serious about passing out.

[slightlytaller]

...You do realize we've got similar builds and the both of us can probably be knocked over by a stiff wind, right?

What makes you think I wouldn't pass out?

[megatheorem]

Nothing. But you want very badly to play this game for reasons unknown to me, and I don't.

[slightlytaller]

I never said I wanted to play.

I was offering their use for the kids, if anyone was interested. There's a number of teenagers from Earths and Timelines close to mine.

[megatheorem]

You asked me if I wanted to go to the arcade...?

[slightlytaller]

To introduce you to something new, if you were interested.

[megatheorem]

That you don't even want to play? What were you going to do, stand in the back and watch?

[slightlytaller]

I was going to do it with you.

Why make the offer if I'm not willing to get dirty myself?

[megatheorem]

Any number of reasons.

Leave it for the kids.

[slightlytaller]

Very well.

We can leave it for the kids.