video;

[keep_smiling]

[Exsilium might not be expecting to see a smiling face on their network so soon after the battle, but that's what you get with this guy being among your ranks. He gives the camera a little wave.]

Hello! Is everyone recovering from the battle? It's good that the Initiative can resurrect people, don't you think? Otherwise that would have turned out rather badly.

Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to the people who tried to come to the rescue of my world. If we've not met, I'm Elmer C. Albatross, the person who was sent back. After what happened, it might be hard to think about this positively. But there's a few things we can take to heart! Like the fact that people can be ressurrected, or that while one world may have been taken over, it probably wasn't your world, and you might still be able to return to your own someday!

As for mine, well... Not much can be done about that, now. I suppose Exsilium is my home, now. The friends I was travelling with are like me, so they'll survive no matter what. I just hope someday things will return to normal there, so the survivors can find reasons to smile again! You're all still here, fellow transports, so I hope you continue to smile on as well!

Comments

[keep_smiling]

You got it! [He trots along at a good pace.]

Hmm, no, I don't think so. Perhaps. A lot of people seem to think I am, because of what I said earlier. But it's how I truly feel.

[whatsupcroc]

That's messed up.

( Blunt. Her eyes aren't smiling, not like her lips. )

I get focusing on the bright side, but you either gotta let out the sad parts, or you're crazier than some of the people out here. Which isn't all bad!

( But she wonders, hesitating before mentioning what she really wanted to in the first place. Was talking about stuff with him really going to go over well? )

It's probably shock.

[keep_smiling]

[It helps being crazy to start with. He shrugs lightly, his expression unchanging.] Maybe! Ask me how I am in a few days, then. Maybe the answer will be different. [Spoiler alert: it won't be]

[whatsupcroc]

Okay. I will!

( and so she shall! )

Now, first off... what kinds of tea do you like?

[keep_smiling]

All kinds. Blame my English blood. I think I like green the best, though.

[whatsupcroc]

They've got good green tea. You're originally from England?

( She's curious to hear this! )

Does the way this England is bother you a little?

[keep_smiling]

I was born there, and lived there as a kid, but it's almost so different that I don't even know if I can compare it. I was born in 1690, after all. After that I lived in Italy for a few years, and then I just kept travelling.

[whatsupcroc]

Elmer... how old are you?

[keep_smiling]

Three hundred and twelve years young, if you must know!

[whatsupcroc]

Woah! That's a lot of years young! You're not quite human in the way I know it, huh? What are you?

( So intensely curious! )

[keep_smiling]

That's correct. I'm an immortal! Drank an elixir that gave me eternal life.

[whatsupcroc]

Like the Fountain of Youth! Man... that's so weird!

[keep_smiling]

I know! But, it's something I'm glad I did. I've got to meet a lot of people, see a lot of great places, have lots of interesting adventures. And spread as many smiles as I can, of course.

[whatsupcroc]

Yeah, but I bet you weren't too big on follow up, if you know what I mean.

( She snorts. )

I don't see why being immortal would be that great. I mean... not worrying about dying, that's nice in a way, but living forever?

[keep_smiling]

Well, there's a way to destroy even us, but that is a trade secret. [Also he totally forgot about it for three hundred years. Wtg Elmer.] I don't plan to let that happen anytime soon anyway. I want to live as long as I can!

[whatsupcroc]

Why?

( She does want to know. What makes him want to live for as long as he can? Not just in the 80 years old sense. More like the 800, or 8,000? )

[keep_smiling]

[He grins broadly.] For smiles, of course! Also, it's just fun. It's fun to see all the changes that happen. The difference in three hundred years of history is astounding.

[whatsupcroc]

Is it fun to be alone all that time, too? Knowing the friends you've made aren't going to be around? Heck, not even knowing where your immortal buddies are!

[keep_smiling]

I'm not lonely. I meet all sorts of people along the way. And after three hundred years, you sort of get used to how life goes on. There's nothing you can do to change that. [He smiles down at her sernely, but when he looks up again, he points at a nearby building.] Ah! Is that the place?

[whatsupcroc]

Yeah, this is the place!

( She's just confused at how he talks about this. )

Do you really get used to it, though? Really used to not having anyone around? No longtime friends or family you can call up and hang out with, just 'cause?

[keep_smiling]

I stopped seeing my family long before I ever became immortal. [Collette, this is a can of worms you don't want to open. He also doesn't want to talk about it. His Tragic Backstory is certainly not conducive to smiles.] But honestly, think about it. If you didn't become used to it, you'd go mad! So of my friends do get a bit melancholy about it, but I just keep them smiling and remind them of all the fun things we can do.

[He'll lead them both inside and find an empty table.]

[whatsupcroc]

( Collette moves one of the chairs out of the way as a matter of making room for herself. She's gone quiet, considering what Elmer's said. )

But you didn't even see them for so long. Who were you reminding all that time? Yourself?

[keep_smiling]

[He laughs at that.] I guess so! And anyone else I met. Smiles aren't reserved for immortals. Everyone should do it.

[whatsupcroc]

( She's pretty sure a screw's loose up there, but smiling is something she does, too, to cope, to help others cope, to do whatever needed doing that she could do. Like ignore reality.

Yeah, if that's what Elmer's up to, he's certainly not the first. )

Then you're used to losing people, huh.

[keep_smiling]

[Elmer is a walking pile of loose screws. He shrugs at Collette, smile never fading.] It comes with the territory. Now, that's enough about me! I believe we had some business to discuss during this meeting.