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 Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2016 8:38 pm
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Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2016 9:10 pm
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Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 8:05 am
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She remembered him.
The thought rolled around and around in his little thinkpan as he set up his nest of french fries, gently placing them in a careful order. Every once in a while he'd sneak a construction piece to nibble on. Sure enough though, as soon as Polair was finished talking he was done, picking up the little burger inside the 'nest' to eat. This time Harpommy could sense the importance of not disturbing her child, and Mahmud sure was thankful. If she tried to feed him in front of Polair he would like, literally die. Right there on the spot.
"O-Oh! Um..." He swallowed his bitefull of food and thought for a moment. "To be honest... it was really hard for me this time around." Mahmud's cheeks went dark, and he looked back down at the table to his mini burger home. "I... this... is the first sweep I really have friends." Painful as it was to admit, it was true. Quickly taking a bite of his sandwich, he continued to talk while staring at the table.
"I think I got everyone something... even my boss. Kinda. The last thing I need to do... ugh..." Wrinkling his nose, Mahmud finally looked back up at his friend. "Buy an outfit for his party. He owns a fancy nightclub. Underworld." Gog, that event was going to be a cluster-frick. Not because Cerpin couldn't run a party; on the contrary, he was rather good at it. It was because he'd have to try and be social with people he didn't know well.
"What about you? You said you were just shopping for your friend from before, right? W-what else is there to do?"
imaginationsparadise the fries are a home away from home |
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Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 7:24 pm
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Polair chuckled slightly as she dipped her fry in some ketchup. "Seems like we were both in a similar situation... Never really opted to have friends, as a matter of fact, I found it almost a nuisance as a child..." But then she met so many great trolls, it was hard to keep them away or lose touch with them.
"I guess that's all in the past now." She shrugged. The seadweller tensed a bit when he mentioned Underworld. Wasn't that Cerpin's hooligan get-together establishment? If she could, she would've stared at Mahmud and looked at him closely. He didn't seem the type to enjoy such environment, heck he was just a kid! A very sweet one. Maybe she should talk to the purpleblood about admitting minors or at least making sure things didn't get out of hand when children were involved.
"Ah... I-I..." Right she needed to focus. "I just need to buy a few things for myself-- books more specifically. If you want, though, I could help you? Picking out appropriate clothing for your event I mean." Hell as if she'd let a child attend to a party indecently, even if she was the most unfashionable troll in Alternia, Polair would actually pay big to prevent such infamy.
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Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 9:06 pm
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"Books? Excitement overtook Mahmud at the mere mention of books, and he leaned forward to his friend to inquire more. "What kind of books! I love books! Have you ever been to the library, Polair, I bet you'd love it!" Polair was right about one thing: Mahmud certainly was a sweet child, albeit a bit antisocial. "Can we do that first? I'd like, totally rather pick out books than... clothes." Ick. Clothes shopping. Besides, there was another matter that needed attending to...
Mahmud was broke as all out.
Earlier the day before, he had been lauded as the biggest spender in all the megacomplex! Which was really, really awesome! Until he understood what that meant: he was all out of beetles. WAY out of beetles. Like he and Harpommy were going to be eating lean for months kind of out of beetles. Exploring a bookstore sounded like fun, and Polair would get to shop! Meanwhile, they would get to avoid clothes shopping and maybe get stuck in the bookstore forever.
If all else failed, he could just take a sharpie marker to his symbol before hitting the club... right?
"O-oh~ Um... if you want to help me shop, by the way, that'd be cool... just... lets look for books first. That's cooler!"
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Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 6:55 pm
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"Oh... I was going to buy some science and philosophy books! There have been a few new releases... I just have to check them out!" She chuckled. To the library? Did he meant Chittentown's? "N-no! I haven't! I've been too busy, but I'll certainly visit it when I have time. I've heard it's great, many scientific books inside... Though others say it doesn't compare with Civisect's..." She'd really like to compare both. Maybe another day...
Polair couldn't help but smile. He was so eager to go book shopping with her, rather than buy himself a new outfit. She couldn't blame him, she couldn't understand the "excitement" of clothes shopping. "Alright, it's settled then. We'll go to the book stores together. That makes you my escort for the night, Mahmud, since you're more familiar with the mall's layout." Polair finished up her fries and drink and threw away her trash. She waited for Mahmud, extending her hand for him to hold and allowed him to guid her to the nearest bookstore.
"Just a warning... I may take a while in the bookstore... Perhaps too long. You wouldn't mind right?" Claud usually did mind, she just had to make sure. "If you want, you can also pick out a few books with me! My treat." He had helped her so much and withstand her nearly nervous and blind breakdown while she searched for a special gift.
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Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 7:34 pm
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Being an escort is serious business.
Despite the situation being more than a little mundane, basically "want to go to the book store with me", the way Polair worded her request enchanted him. It would be his job to lead the love-- COOL. Yes, cool Polair to her many shopping locations for the evening. Even better, she would be paying him for his efforts in the form of fat paper stacks of knowledge. Just the very thought made Mahmud shiver in excitement. "Thank you! Oh my gosh, oh man..." Relax, Mahmud. Relax! Polair was so amazing and awesome, he couldn't be a lame escort in comparison.
After all, being an escort is serious business.
They trekked through the dangerous, crowded mall. Squeezing her hand tightly, he managed to help his friend bob and weave through the crowds with relative ease. The importance of their mission surely helped. And okay, maybe a large bird-troll mother helped as well. All the time they traveled, Mahmud was chattering on and on to Polair. "So whats Philosophy? I think I've heard of it... but what is it? Why do you need books on it?" It sure sounded complicated! Not to mention, pretty grown up. But if Mahmud was going to be her escort for the day, he would need to know like, EVERYTHING she was talking about like a grown troll would.
Because his job today, in case it was not stated before, was serious business.
Even if it involved swinging their hands while they held them and a little bit of skipping.
Finally they reached the bookstore, disappointingly unbusy despite the holiday shopping season. What with all the fancy electronic gadgets coming out (like combination television microwaves), more trolls seemed focused on those as gifts. What a shame! Mahmud was practically vibrating in excitement to go inside, even with his mother gently fixing his hair with her beak. It probably made him look uncool (especially to the super cool, super nice, super pret-- AWESOME. Yeah. Awesome Polair). However, he was frankly too excited to care.
"T-this is it! Bookstore! There's a place to drink beanjuice or whatever thats called inside, too! Lets go! Lets goooo!" Gently tugging on her arm, Mahmud lead Polair into the large store and began to shop around with her. Surprisinly for a child, he was patient with all the sections she would like to go to, and asked many questions about her books and hobbies. Innocent questions, like "Whats your favorite star?" and "Why did that guy say Gog is Dead?".
After all, he had to know everything Polair knew! Because being an... oh, you get it already!
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Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 7:20 pm
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Polair didn't mind any of his questions, after all, curiosity had to be encouraged in young minds such as his. So while the walked their way there and swing their hands while at it, Polair went over his questions and came up with suitable answers for his age range. "Well, the answer is already contained in the word philosophy itself Mahmud. Philo- means love or devotion, and -sophia means wisdom. Philosophy is the systematic and critical study of fundamental questions that arise both in everyday life and through the practice of other disciplines-- math, politics, and science. Some of these questions concern the nature of reality: Is there another existential plane? What is the relationship between the physical and the mental plane? Others concern our nature as rational, purposive, and social beings: Do we act freely? Where do our moral obligations come from? Trolls like Plato, Kent, Nietzsche, Rousseau, Descartes were philosophers-- trolls devoted to wisdom. I like calling myself a philosopher, however... those trolls I mentioned were far more wiser that I could ever aspire."
She chuckled. "I need books on it to widen my horizons, see things in a different perspective and strengthen my values, discover them and perhaps make others see the way they see-- unbiased and beyond the dominant culture reproduced in our society nowadays." That was simple and childish enough right? He could most definitely understand her answers, as she would've chosen the same exact words as a child.
"Beanjuice? Sounds delicious. We'll have to try some out later!" This child was simply a delight! Polair wondered how in the world he found it hard to make friends. Polair send a small echo using her bracelet to scan the area. So... many... books.... There were just some many books to be read. books to be devoured! The seadweller couldn't help but smile at the scene before them. Upon arriving the bookstore, he had even more questions! How great!
"My favorite star? Woah... I guess I'm in love with Orion constellation. Did you know, Orion is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout Alternia. It is one of the most conspicuous and recognizable constellations in the night sky! It's notable for it's "belt." Three of it's stars appear to be perfectly aligned!" She gave the little boy's hand a squeezed and took him deep into the shop. "As for your other question..." Polair began to search through the philosophical section of the store, just find a book that might just answer his question.
Of course, Troll Friedrich Nietzsche's famous declaration came to mind. So she asked an employee for the book and they quickly handed it to her. Perks of being a seadweller- no item could be denied to one (unless of course they wanted to get culled, not that she would resort to such thing.) She sat down in one of the benches and motioned him to sit next to her. "As for your second question Mahmud," She whispered. "Remember those philosophers I mentioned? Troll Friedrich Nietzsche was the one who said Gog was Dead. Many have interpreted that Nietzsche believed in a literal death or end of Gog. Instead, it points to the reliance on religion, the clowns believe on as a moral compass and source of meaning. First of all, it’s not to be taken literally, of course. If a thing called Gog would exist, they would be immortal. As a result, if they were dead, then they wouldn’t have existed in the first place. The warning that Nietzsche describes is that of the loss of objective morals and the impact it would have on the coherence of society – it is basically a matter of time before everything falls apart." She felt the book's cover, wondering how this edition looked like.
With a small sigh, Polair handed it to the other with a small smile. "Here, you should read it. It's very intriguing." She assured him. "It may answer most of your questions while providing some more!"
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:47 pm
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A devotion to wisdom...
Admittedly, most of these words were still beyond poor Mahmud. Polair must have been a very bright child if she was able to comprehend such large, abstract ideas. Or was this normal for trolls, and he was just... lacking? If he dwelled on the possibility, it became too depressing to bear. Even if he was less than intelligent though, he held Polair's hand... and that meant something, right? Maybe... maybe she could be smart enough for the both of them. Didn't mean he shouldn't try, but if Polair still wanted to be his friend, and be by his side, then he could learn more from her.
Mahmud smiled a little more as Polair went on and on about Orion, and the alignment of the stars. A devotion to wisdom... thats truly what Polair was, wasn't she? Someone devoted to the idea of wisdom itself. She sure was something. He couldn't help but feel, deep in his heart, that he was standing next to someone truly great. Perhaps she could become one of the philosophers she loved so much! Even if said philosophers had some... interesting beliefs.
Troll Friedrich Nietzche's words echoed in his mind as she pressed the book into his hands, and Mahmud's first reaction was to take the book and hug it to his chest. Each thing that was handed to him, after all, was a precious gift. That went doubly so for something Polair gave to him. "Thank you..." Mahmud couldn't think of what else to say, pulling the book away from his chest for a few moments to look at it, reading over the title. This book..."
Mahmud didn't say anything else until they had reached a different section of the store. "This book is dangerous." All of Polair's words had been processing in his mind this whole time. His feelings about such a book should have been different from what he should have felt. Clearing his throat, he nudged closer to his friend and whispered to her "I like it." A smile creeped onto his face, and he quickly looked to shelves of books with stars on them, thumbing against one.
"It means trolls have to think for themselves. I think they should do that more often." The words rolled off his tongue, still in hushed tones, and he pulled a book on Astronomy out of the shelf. "If... if there is a Gog... okay." He turned back to Polair and waved his hands a bit as he talked, voice steadily becoming a normal tone again. "If there is a Gog, they made us! They made us, and if they made us they gave us brains, and feelings... if that higher power made us feelings, and a brain... they must want us to use them, right? If they had something in mind for us to do... we must know what that is deep down inside. So..." That only brought up another question, and he furrowed his brows as he tried to pick it apart. "So if we KNOW whats right deep down... why do so many of the rules... never mind."
That was dangerous territory.
His hair bobbed all around as he shook his head vigorously. "F-forget I said something! Sorry! I was just... thing to make sense of it."
imaginationsparadise thats dangerous territory mahmud |
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 5:59 pm
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"You will give it some meaning in time and if you need someone to talk to about it, don't hesitate on contacting me. You are such a sweet boy, you shouldn't stress about deep questions, not when you are with me. So don't worry about it now and enjoy our time together." She laughed. She, LAUGHED. Polair was having such a good time, that she couldn't hide her emotions! She had acquired so many books and audiobooks from this store... This was a dream. From astronomy to neuroscience, and a few children's book for Mahmud, every book she was about to buy was key to success. However....
"This book is dangerous...."
As she heard this, Polair stopped her tracks abruptly and looked down. He found the book she gave him dangerous yet Mahmud liked it. That's when she'd let go of his hand and crouched down to his size. She wasn't angry, no-- but pleased. He figured out something on his own.
"It is Mahmud. It's very dangerous..." The highblood whispered to him. All those philosophers weren't exactly greatly viewed by the society they lived in, she knew that, and she knew that if she kept on straying away from what their culture encouraged, sooner or later it would eliminate her and anyone else who'd try to go their way-- metaphorically and literally. She didn't want to get them in trouble, but somethings were... inevitable. "Every single book... can take you far in life... Either take you to glory or despair. You become what you read or write, and that's a fact. You wouldn't imagine how the lesser minded are always feared of the great minded. Knowledge is power. If you want to be more powerful in life, educate yourself. It's that simple." She fixed his hair some with a smile. "I believe the educated troll uses their knowledge and education as power. As a result, anyone can be powerful because I believe anyone can and should strive to. However they can use their power to do evil or to do good. Power itself is not evil, therefore knowledge itself is not evil. Don't fear it, okay?"
"Embrace it, use it wisely, and you might find yourself changing the world around you. And always, always know that the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." She chuckled. "Troll Socrates, another philosopher." Polair said as a matter of fact. "Mmm, I think I have all the books I need for my winter reading, what about you?" She asked.
"We should visit other shops- preferably those that are less crowded..." Or should they do something he'd like to do? Besides bookshopping? But what did kids do these days? After their big purchase, Polair wandered around, hand in hand with the child as they each carried their goods. She offered herself to carry his this as she was bigger and could handle the weight. It was up to him if he wanted to carry his things or let his mother do the work for him. Just as she was going to suggest another shop...
'Children of all ages, remember to remind your lusii to take you to visit our Winter themed designated area located on the third floor. Take pictures with your friends and loved ones, feast on some free hot chocolate and cookies and visit Troll Santa who's kindly visiting Chittentown Mall this fine night! Also there's a flat sale on our luxury brand Laser beam Toasters, available only on MegaComplex Stores.' Blurted the speakers.
Troll Santa Claus... Claud always urged her to visit him and write a letter as a child for some reason. Maybe she should take him? He's a kid, he most definitely like this things, right? "That sounds like fun." She said. "Want to go together?"
"We could go if you like. Won't be nauseating since we have each other's company." She smiled reassuringly.
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:06 am
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An escort must never burden their companion... he thought. Mahmud didn't really know, it just sounded right and cool in his mind. So despite the fact that these books were insanely heavy for him to carry, he trudged on holding them in one hand and Polair in the other. In the background Harpommy kept chirping at him, begging him to let her take the bags because oh gog he was dragging it on the floor but he wouldn't let go. Finally, as they took a small pause to talk, she struck a deal with her child. Ommy would carry the books, but Mahmud would get to carry one. That was a reasonable deal.
What stores did they visit next though? Because to be honest... none of the other places seemed appealing after going to the bookstore. Sure there were toys, and what child didn't want the latest "Subjugglator Joseph" doll? But compared to books... books given to him by POLAIR... what could really compare? Mahmud was already on cloud nine.
To be honest, Mahmud didn't pay much mind to the announcements over the radio. Usually they were just boring stuff that only grown trolls really cared about, like rocket propelled recouperacoons and other nonsense like that. "Mmm..." It wasn't until Polair spoke up (because of course, the person he was escorting should always get full attention) that he paid attention. Going somewhere? Somewhere that sounded like fun? Possibly Nauseating? What did nauseating even mean? "Yes! Lets go!" Anywhere with Polair was fun! And she always had the greatest suggestions...
... oh god.
Polair had the worst suggestion.
What was THAT?
Well okay, he knew very well what Saanta Clause was. For gog's sakes he was almost 6.5 sweeps.Never before though did he imagine he'd have a face-to-face with one of the mall variety. Multiple (notably, much younger) trolls and their lusii gathered in a long, ritualistic line snaking through the all-too-fake looking winter scene. Didn't they know? If they wanted to make it look like a true winter in Chittentown, they didn't have to put snow!
But oh gog... Saanta Clause.
Mahmud squeezed Polair's hand tightly while he stared at that... that thing that brought good highblood children weapons and little lowbloods tools. So large, so imposing... and what was with the white hair and beard, anyways? What troll lived long enough to achieve a white beard and hair? A powerful troll, that's what! And kids were sitting on his lap. Were they out of their minds? Wait... did Polair expect him to... oh GOG.
Slowly he turned his head to look at her. Was this another test? A way for him to push himself and challenge his beliefs: the very reasonable belief that any adult hemoanon troll who has survived the ages was a creature to be reckoned with? There was no way he could fail this test. He was Polair's ESCORT after all, and a proper escort must be prepared for any situation. Even if it involved five layers of his worst brightmares. "O-OKAY.. lets go..."
They wound through the line, as Harpommy sat back and watched their supplies. Truth be told, Mahmud thought his mom was just as freaked out by the imposing troll on the other side as he was. Clutching his book to his chest, Mahmud tried to make small talk with Polair. "S-so um... what do you even DO with this guy..."
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2017 5:05 pm
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Wait, what?! Was she really ditching him to do this alone? He stared dumbfounded at Polair as they slowly trudged through the line to see Saanta, squeezing her hand tighter the closer they got to the imposing older troll. "O... okay..." NOT okay. Seriously, not okay one little bit. Maybe Harpommy would at least go and stand with him?
Apparently not, because when Polair ducked out so did she, giving him an encouraging chirp and nuzzle before hopping off to the side to watch. Okay. Okay he had to face this creature alone. No problem! No... no problem. There was absolutely no problem with this scenario whatsoever.
The second Mahmud sat on Saanta Clause's lap though, a huge surge of regret started to wash over him. It was enough to make Mahmud start itching at his arms, as he stared awkwardly at the troll whose lap he currently perched on. "U-um... uh, I uh..."
"Alright kid, what do you want for Twelve Perigee's?" Clearly he was a busy, busy guy (or girl, or other, in reality Mahmud knew not what gender sheer terror took). Regardless of the identity possibilities, the point was that even in this mental monologue Mahmud was stalling. What does he ask this total stranger for? More books? He had enough books to last a while. Construction Supplies? Would that be greedy?
"Kid, come on here, we haven't got all night."
Stammering, Mahmud quickly blurted out to Saanta "I want this night to last forever!". GOG. OH MAN. Just as the words slipped out, he slapped his hand to his maw and covered it. Maybe the other troll didn't--
"... AHAHA, Thats the corniest answer I have heard all gogdamn night!"
Or not.
The other troll laughed and laughed, wiping at their eye before finally saying "S-sure kid. I can't make the night last forever but... I hope its a good one for ya." With that answer, a quick slap on the back, and a festive hat shoved into his hand, Mahmud was off and wobbling back to Polair. For sure, he looked slightly traumatized.
"Lets... lets go somewhere else..."
Ommy cooed, nudging her child, but he seemed haunted by the whole ordeal.
imaginationsparadise IF YOU NEED MORE LET ME KNOW <3 |
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