guestservices | AUDIENCE FOR: Emet-Selch

I have time.

We may go elsewhere, then, if you would like.

[hmm. after a moment of consideration:]

We spoke a bit of my people's work, before. I could always show you.

[the sim room is great, actually.]

[a light dip of their head]

That sounds good to me.

[off they go then as i skip this bc i am on break and can type rn. and once in the sim room, he calls up this. various creatures can be seen on the lush grounds, of all shapes and types: butterflies, what appear to be walking snakes, gryphons, plant creatures, and so on.]

Elpis, the testing ground at creation's edge. As this is where all manner of creatures are evaluated, it is somewhat far from civilization. I have been only once, myself.

[they look around, taking it in.]

... It's quite the place. Then, you don't deal with testing?

Not directly. The Bureau under my jurisdiction is charged with the approval of concepts; once given that initial approval, they are created and further evaluated for viability.

[they just rubber stamp the ones that are allowed to go to the testing phase at all.]

Then, you don't interact directly with the creations much, I take it.

It is not my duty. We all have some level of insight into the process, however.

[a large butterfly with colorful red wings flutters by; it's about cetus's size.]

Ah. I believe, for example, the petalouda were approved some time ago, and should nearly be ready to release.

[giant butterfly... they hold out a hand, even though they know that with the simulation, it's not real.]

Does it have any special properties?

These are primarily designated as pollinators, I believe, for some of the larger plantlife.

[it's not enough for them just to be pretty.]

So, pretty and practical, I see.

More pretty than I personally tend to prefer, but so long as they retain their practicality... I can see why they were approved.

You don't like butterflies?

[the veil makes cetus's expression unreadable, but they still have their hand out as if they could touch the creature.]

Well. I've as much of an eye for aesthetics as anyone, but I do prefer sturdier creatures, myself. These are terribly fragile.

[the butterflies continue to flutter about, as if the two of them aren't there at all-- red, purple, a vibrant teal shade.]

I suppose they do seem like the kind of creatures that would die easily...

They would not be placed in an environment where they will die out, however. I expect they shall be fine.

... Ah, right. Such is the benefit of a controlled environment. Do you not have any kind of wilderness, then?

We do, although we still oversee it to a certain extent. Ideally, an environment will sustain itself without the need for our interference, once properly established.

[a hum]

Seems like it must be tricky, trying to create an entire ecosystem yourself.

It is a delicate balance, yes. But where necessary, we may shape the environs as needed.

[magic terraforming...]

... The more you explain, the more it does feel as though you would be the gods, from your creations' perspective.

We do not often create sentient beings to begin with-- and of those I am aware of, they do not see us as such either.

How much sentience do they have, anyway?

As much as any animal, I expect. Some are made more intelligent, usually to fulfill a purpose.

[a hum]

Do you ever have animals created for non-practical purposes?

(no subject)

ktiseos - 2022-06-24 00:17 (UTC) - Expand