The YCM Research Center

[Flavius]

 

Oh, hello there. I almost did not register you being here.

 

Before you ask, yes, this is a hologram, one capable of allowing the person it creates a replica of to experience all of the normal senses through without endangering the original...or requiring them to be personally present while working on other important projects, like I always am. In other words, I am perfectly capable of seeing and hearing you...oh, gods, and smell you in a few cases, too.

 

But yes, here in the Research Center, I may answer what questions you have of me. However, do not be surprised if I ask you a question of you as well.

[👀 REP 👀]

what's with that thing around your head, and how is it floating?

[Flavius]

Do you refer to my Nimbus?

 

Believe it or not, it is a symbol. I'm not the one who created the ones used, so I could not truly tell you how they levitate around an Immortal's head, but I suspect that Metarchus enchants them to levitate over the heads of specific Immortals, namely the ones that have been declared at least a Junior God.

 

There are far more Immortals who lack being granted one, due to the fact that they have not awakened their Divine Form.

 

Also, I have just recently made some additions to the shielding in and outside of the Research Center. Now, to wait for that madman to try and test them.

[~~~~]

Why do you look like Benedict Cumberbatch?

[Flavius]

Like who? I'm afraid I do not know what you are talking about.

 

After looking up that name, I do not see the resemblance between myself and this person. What is about me that causes such a comparison, I wonder?

[Yui]

It looks like some of our monsters haven't arrived yet. Any clue what they're up to?

[Flavius]

I suspect that the remaining monsters are currently located in an area of this planet that have not woken up yet.

 

I would suggest waiting the remaining hours in the day before beginning to worry.

[Rick Sanchez]

How long until you 'discover' that you're an overdone, poorly-played trope?

[Flavius]

Oh, you.

 

I have been warned about you and I would ask that you leave the premises before any of your inane, self-absorbed antics do serious harm to anyone.

[Flavius]

I am fortunate that this particular area seems to have nothing against 'double-posting'. I am taking advantage of this to make sure that the Titans and Pegasi are activated and fully-operational after seeing the monstrosity that is Godzilla. I am praying that it has no form of immortality as its name would suggest.

 

 

[King K. Azo]

"Hello, good sir! Do you enjoy Pepsi?"

[Flavius]

Such a beverage does not exist where I am from, nor do I have any specific need to eat or drink.

[Shu Shirakawa]

What experience do you have with implementing black hole manipulation technology into your inventions?

[Flavius]

As much as I would like to experiment with such technology, my Research Center is located in the middle of Aelinar, the capital city of the entire planet. Ianna would kill me multiple times in a row if I was to screw up with such technology and cause a black hole to manifest in the middle of it.

 

Mortals are lucky to only be killed once by her, if they earn her wrath. She gets rather-cruel when angered.

 

Also, I did invite you into this location. Give me a few moments and I'll send one of the less-busy adepts to meet you.

[Dad]

Do you have any connection to the omnipotent being who heralds himself as Dr. Manhattan?

[Flavius]

We are not from the same reality, so I do not believe so.

 

Since you mentioned omnipotence, since that is something we Aelion Gods and Immortals sadly lack due to still being only able to be in one location at any one point of time, whom is this Mr. Manhattan?

 

Also, Mr. Shirakawa, one of my adepts, Tiberius, should be approachin---

 

I'm just glad to take a break from your crazy experiments!

 

Oh, dear, not this again.

 

 

 

I'm sorry, being Immortal has made him forget the importance of safety way too many times when mortals are part of any experiments. I can show you back, however.

[Shu Shirakawa]

 

We are not from the same reality, so I do not believe so.

 

Since you mentioned omnipotence, since that is something we Aelion Gods and Immortals sadly lack due to still being only able to be in one location at any one point of time, whom is this Mr. Manhattan?

 

Also, Mr. Shirakawa, one of my adepts, Tiberius, should be approachin---

 

I'm just glad to take a break from your crazy experiments!

 

Oh, dear, not this again.

 

 

 

I'm sorry, being Immortal has made him forget the importance of safety way too many times when mortals are part of any experiments. I can show you back, however.

 

Who is this strapping young lad, Flavius?

[Heavy Weapons Guy]

Perhaps me and you got off on wrong foot. Would you like to try again, Doctor man?

[Flavius]

For your sake, I would highly advise staying in the visitor areas, Heavy.

 

With your luck, you may just find something that can, as you say, "outsmart a bullet" if you try to proceed beyond that. And maybe we can start again. Depends on what happens. I have found uses for those who specialize more in brawn before.

 

Also, Mr. Shirakawa, as I have said, this is Tiberius, one of my more-promising adep---

 

Also the same one you tend to send out into dangerous areas for your research of the moment!

 

...

 

Tiberius, please, I make sure you are safe when you do such things.

 

I don't know, sometimes I think you're a cra---

 

Choose your next words wisely. While heresy, especially to an Elder God's face, is not apparently forbidden in this world, it is so in ours.

 

...if you would follow me please, Mr. Shirakawa...

[Shu Shirakawa]

 

For your sake, I would highly advise staying in the visitor areas, Heavy.

 

With your luck, you may just find something that can, as you say, "outsmart a bullet" if you try to proceed beyond that. And maybe we can start again. Depends on what happens. I have found uses for those who specialize more in brawn before.

 

Also, Mr. Shirakawa, as I have said, this is Tiberius, one of my more-promising adep---

 

Also the same one you tend to send out into dangerous areas for your research of the moment!

 

...

 

Tiberius, please, I make sure you are safe when you do such things.

 

I don't know, sometimes I think you're a cra---

 

Choose your next words wisely. While heresy, especially to an Elder God's face, is not apparently forbidden in this world, it is so in ours.

 

...if you would follow me please, Mr. Shirakawa...

 

Is that so?

 

Very well, then. Please, lead the way, Tiberius.

[Flavius]

 

Forgive Flavius, that's the first time he's ever reminded me of that particular thing before. He must be at his wit's end about something if he's not willing to handle my usual complaints. I'm also one of the only mortals he's actually bothered to remember the name of, so despite the situations I end up in because of his curiosity, one could say I'm one of his favored adepts.

 

Also, don't mind the Scissor Menders you may see flying around, they've been completely reprogrammed by Flavius to be non-hostile to us.

 

...between you and me, I think the random pass-out spells he's been dealing with have been since coming here have been grating his patience. Immortals on Aelion have no need to sleep, drink and eat, and during these pass-out spells, it's almost as if he's in deep enough sleep to mirror that of years worth of sleeping at a time. I think being here is actually affecting him, as if he's slowly returning to being mortal again.

[Shu Shirakawa]

 

 

Forgive Flavius, that's the first time he's ever reminded me of that particular thing before. He must be at his wit's end about something if he's not willing to handle my usual complaints. I'm also one of the only mortals he's actually bothered to remember the name of, so despite the situations I end up in because of his curiosity, one could say I'm one of his favored adepts.

 

Also, don't mind the Scissor Menders you may see flying around, they've been completely reprogrammed by Flavius to be non-hostile to us.

 

...between you and me, I think the random pass-out spells he's been dealing with have been since coming here have been grating his patience. Immortals on Aelion have no need to sleep, drink and eat, and during these pass-out spells, it's almost as if he's in deep enough sleep to mirror that of years worth of sleeping at a time. I think being here is actually affecting him, as if he's slowly returning to being mortal again.

 

I see.

 

Please, continue, Tiberius.

[Flavius]

Okay, then---Flavius?

 

Hello, Tiberius.

 

Are you okay? You're usually working on something right now.

 

After dealing with a pseudo-Herida, I am taking what many would call a sanity break, though I have no idea what to do for any form of enjoyment after all this time.

 

I am sorry, Shu, but outside of the experiments that cannot be halted safely, I am putting the Research Center under stasis and am giving my adepts a chance to take a break from working for once. This means that you will also have to leave for the time being. For once, I will probably gain some color to my skin for once. Hm, can an Immortal's skin darken without that Stylist's aid?

 

I...thought you were taking a break from that kind of thing.

 

Old habits die hard, I suppose. And that is an extremely-old habit.

[Shu Shirakawa]

Okay, then---Flavius?

 

Hello, Tiberius.

 

Are you okay? You're usually working on something right now.

 

After dealing with a pseudo-Herida, I am taking what many would call a sanity break, though I have no idea what to do for any form of enjoyment after all this time.

 

I am sorry, Shu, but outside of the experiments that cannot be halted safely, I am putting the Research Center under stasis and am giving my adepts a chance to take a break from working for once. This means that you will also have to leave for the time being. For once, I will probably gain some color to my skin for once. Hm, can an Immortal's skin darken without that Stylist's aid?

 

I...thought you were taking a break from that kind of thing.

 

Old habits die hard, I suppose. And that is an extremely-old habit.

Very well. Farewell for now, Flavius.

[Flavius]

BGM: Mercedes Lackey - The Cost of the Crown

 

Soon after the battle with Murtaugh, Flavius stumbled forward before finally falling onto his hands and knees, parched, starving, and breathing with heavy breath. As soon as he fell, the askew Nimbus that once flew above his head found itself falling and rolling forward a decent distance, finally stopping upon hitting one of the bluish-white walls within the visiting area. His natural teal glow had almost completely-faded from view, making him look more like a mortal on his last legs. A violent shake takes over his body and he found himself coughing up blackened blood, blood literally centuries old. It is the sight of this that causes his eyes to shrink in fear.

 

I used up... too much Faith...

 

He looks up with darkening teal eyes towards the inside of the Research Center, within the duplicate of the very tower that almost all of his home's technological advances were sourced from. Tears tinted with the color of the blackened blood started forming in the corners of his eyes as he lowered his head. as he realized how much time he had spent within it, how many chances to experience new moments wasted because of his perceived duty to Aelion.

 

I may... die here... I'm sorry... I never listened... everyone...

 

The Elder God collapsed onto the floor, faintly breathing yet unconscious.