Cubefall

[works_in_space]

Longtime denizens of the Bar might remember a creature named Nahrat.  A member of a remarkable silicon-based lifeform known as the Horta.  So perhaps those old time patrons will think Nahrat is back.

But it's actually someone else who remembers Nahrat.  His former commanding officer, Jim Kirk.  And given the chance to be horta for three days, Jim feels like he ought to see what it's like.  To trade carbon for silicon, and a human larynx for a voder.  It's definitely strange.  But sometimes, it's not enough to seek out strange new life.  Sometimes, you should BE strange new life.

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[tu_vas_triompher]

Feuilly has absolutely no idea about Nahrat. Or Horta in general. He's just, you know, doing his Feuilly thing, translating Pasteur, being a nerd, when a large rock grinds along past his table.

"H--. He--. Hm. He--hello?"

[works_in_space]

"Oh, hello," says the voder in a voice that is a very good but still artificial simulation of Kirk's voice. "Sorry to startle you."

[tu_vas_triompher]

"Hhhh," he manages again.

....don't be rude, Feuilly. Come on.

"N-no, no. I'm sorry, I didn't--you didn't startle me. Is it--are you new here--?"

[works_in_space]

"Me? No. Though this form is new. For Cubefall?" Jim's never availed himself of Cubefall before. But he's been aware of it for some time. And thought everyone else would be as well.

[tu_vas_triompher]

"Oh. --Oh. Is that--there was a thing, a computer message? About trying different--is that what you mean?"

He's kicking himself for asking if the rock creature is new; every time he asks something like that it turns out that he's the new one.

[works_in_space]

"Yes. I guess the idea or the options didn't appeal to you. That's fair." If there hadn't been a horta, Jim would have passed, too. "My name's Jim Kirk. And this is a horta. A silicon based creature from Janus VI."

[tu_vas_triompher]

"I wasn't sure I should believe it was really temporary," he says quietly. "I suppose I'm still thinking about it. --Um. My name's Feuilly, from Paris, 1832. Um. Earth."

[works_in_space]

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...or was that earlier?" Jim knows his Dickens and his history but not the two in concert. "It's temporary unless you don't want it to be. I've seen that over the years."

[tu_vas_triompher]

"'The best of times, the worst of times...?'" He can tell the rock-person is quoting something--it's astonishing how you can always tell, even through a little machine-voice--but it doesn't ring any bells for Feuilly.

[works_in_space]

"From a book about Paris. But earlier than your time. During the Revolution. It's not that important." Human or horta, Jim is still Jim.

[tu_vas_triompher]

"Ah. No, sorry, I--haven't read it. If it's the 1789 revolution, though, yes, that was mostly before I was born. --You're from a world with that history?"

[works_in_space]

"Yes, though that book hasn't been written yet in your day. And it's in English." And Jim figures that when the time is right, Feuilly will learn more.