44 - voice;

[stilldontgotit]

[So, in light of Robert's recent post and that last experiment, Riku's decided that now would be the best time to explain a thing or two.

So, yes, he's actually using the journals again. Gasp.]

So, I take it that most of you dealt with the star-shaped fruit from last month. Well, first of all, they're called paopu fruit. Second, the paopu at the beach were not normal by any means.

Paopu don't mess with your heads usually. They definitely don't give you the sudden urge to make friends at the drop of a hat. That's not to say they're just ordinary, but they're definitely not harmful. So, since somebody might be harvesting them, I wouldn't stress it.

[Hmm... He pauses for a moment, pondering something real quick, and then he continues.]

What I will say is that the paopu are a pretty big deal back home. There's this whole legend about them. Basically, if two people share them, their destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each others' lives no matter what. Some people see it as romantic, others just treat it like an unbreakable connection.

And whether it's true or not... well, I'll just put it this way; I've seen a lot stranger things in the worlds I've visited than a legendary fruit. Could all be superstition, but who knows? Maybe it's legit.

[And with that he will finish with one final thought.]

Still, I wonder why the Malnosso have a weird fixation with Valentine's anyway.

Comments

[seleniahymn]

I don't think you are the only one wondering the 'whys' of it. [Though the story beyond that fruit certainly has... romantic implications.]

[stilldontgotit]

I've been here for years, and I still don't see the point. You'd think it'd get old after the first year.

[seleniahymn]

Though if one were to think about it, they do repeat it every year. If it were simply a matter of toying with our lives, I would think that they wouldn't put in as much effort into recreating the circumstances every time. [Not that she's sticking up for them to continue the experiment, but sometimes she did wonder why this particular one was repeated.]

[mikangirl]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Sincerely. She feels a lot less twitchy about the idea of Robert messing with them, now.]

[stilldontgotit]

Hey, don't mention it. I figured it'd be good to explain so people don't freak out.

[Though, really, he's doubtful that the paopu can be harvested easily in a place like Luceti.]

Still weird that they picked something from my world, though.

[mikangirl]

Luck of the draw, maybe? It wouldn't surprise me if they had files on all the animals and plants of note from all our worlds.

[fierybluebird]

Never underestimate the power of fruit, matey.

[stilldontgotit]

After what happened this year? Yeah, I'm not.

[fierybluebird]

In my world they do some pretty crazy things.

Mushrooms too. Especially mushrooms. Those are not even worth finding safe ones of.

[ voice ]

[repudiate]

So you're saying they used something in the experiment that's a big deal for you back home? [ that's interesting, since.. ] .. I've never heard of paopu fruit in my world.

[ voice ]

[stilldontgotit]

For once, yeah. Pretty sure paopu are a Destiny Islands exclusive; none of the other worlds I've seen had them.

[ voice ]

[repudiate]

That's a little weird.. Usually they don't use that many stuff specific to one place, or at least, not enough that I've actually heard someone recognize the things they use before out loud.

[Voice]

[knightofratatosk]

I think they just like to make us do ridiculous things so they can laugh at us.

[Voice]

[stilldontgotit]

They're probably bored out of their minds. You'd think they'd get tired of love experiments, though.

[Voice]

[knightofratatosk]

I don't know... why would they get bored with something that's guaranteed to make everything awkward?

[voice]

[meteorical]

Ever think they're just lonely so they're living vicariously through us?

[voice]

[stilldontgotit]

Nah, I think they're just sadists.

[voice]

[meteorical]

There's that, too. [And just because she has to lighten the mood...] You didn't happen to save any of the fruit, did you?

[semper_cogitans]

[Have an also-genuinely-grateful scientist here, Riku. Seriously, this helps him a lot.]

... Th-thank you, sir... it is h-helpful to distribute this information, especially when... on my b-behalf...

[... At the least it'll stop everybody from getting angry at him if it does successfully lead to fruit in the future. It also confirms his thinking, which is a nice bonus.

... Though the superstition part is... interesting.]

... Do you th-think it... might have been initially ch-chosen because of this... a-association...?

[stilldontgotit]

Probably. It's just sappy enough for them to take advantage of.

[semper_cogitans]

Well, the Malnosso... s-seem to be fond of... such things, if my o-observation is truthful...

[voice]

[generalflirt]

And you're sure of that, are you?

[voice]

[stilldontgotit]

Of what, exactly? The legend, or that they'll be safe to eat?

[Or maybe something else. Hrm.]

[voice]

[floralogy]

They're bored out of their wits, that's why.

[She sounds irritated, really. And maybe a tad bit awkward since this is Riku she's talking to. She would have loved Valentine's Day if not for the fact it's currently messing with her feelings.]

[voice]

[stilldontgotit]

Probably.

[A pause. The sad part is that he... did enjoy it, while it lasted. He's just not sure what to think of that.]

They really need a new hobby.