15th Short - [Action/Video] (Forward-dated to Friday the 16th)

[kingofwaste]

[The day started off like any other day for Oswald. He rolled himself out of bed, spent half an hour trying to wake his lazy mechanical cow, checked the journals and got to work on his model of Wasteland. He was just making some real headway on Bog Easy when he realized he'd run out of suitable parts.

Early in the afternoon, he decided to scavenge the stores for useable supplies. Match sticks, glitter, screws and nails... Anything he could get his hands on. He'd learned a long time ago that even the most worn junk could still be recycled- Wasteland prided itself on that art. He was just going through a box of small gadgets when his eyes fell on a familiar device. A remote. His remote. It'd been created to control Beetleworx, but it could essentially hack into most machines in Wasteland. One quick press of a button told him enough. The remote's broken.

From that point on, people can find Oswald sitting by the base of the fountain, screwdriver in one hand and the remote in the other. It's been a long time since he last held the device in his hand, but he still remembers what makes it tick. Fixing it should be done in a jiffy. ... Is he humming It's A Small World while he works? He sure is!]


[Video]

[It's been almost two years since Oswald first arrived in Luceti and he's been plagued with doubts lately. Doubts about what it means to have left Wasteland. To have made so many friends since he first arrived here. Not just fans- actual friends. Mostly, he's wondering if perhaps he's already regained what he lost so long ago without realizing it. How would he check? He may be a toon, but he can't reach inside himself to feel around for it.

So he decides to turn to the journal system when he returns to his apartment later in the day.]

Hey folks, I got a question for y'all. I'm not really lookin' for one answer in particular, so be as elaborate as you like. That is... What do you think it means to have a heart?

Comments

:3

[spohkh]

I see. [No you don't Spock....]

Though, perhaps I am not the wisest one to give advice on this particular matter...

[kingofwaste]

So... If I ask you if you've got a heart, you'll say yes 'cause you're a living organism made up of compost material?

[Composite, Oswald, not compost.]

[spohkh]

Indeed. Am I safe to assume that it is rather different for you? You are asking for an emotional response correct? [Matters of the heart... does not compute...]

[kingofwaste]

Somethin' like that. Having a heart means something different to everybody, so that's why I'm askin'.

[spohkh]

I see. I hope the answers you receive are beneficial to you. I myself have difficulty understanding the 'heart' as you question it.

[kingofwaste]

But you have a heart, right? Err, I mean, the emotional kind.

[spohkh]

Vulcan's are beings of logic... we aim to rule our emotions, even going so far as to purge them.

[kingofwaste]

Whuh- ...Why would you wanna do something like that?!

[spohkh]

Emotions stand in the way of mental clarity. Allowing emotions to rule proves to be rather illogical.

Though I realize that this is not the way for other cultures.

[kingofwaste]

No kiddin'... I'd take illogical over emotionless any day.

[spohkh]

I see. Then perhaps we can reverse the question. What is it that you believe the 'heart' represents? I am trying to understand these concepts.

[kingofwaste]

Me? Well... [He's quiet for a moment, trying to find a good way to word his thoughts.]

For me, it's a warm feeling in your chest. It's the happiness you feel when you're with your friends and your loved ones. Like a... a little beacon that tells you that you're not alone.

[spohkh]

That is a most interesting answer....

It is a rather metaphorical description of the heart. Fascinating. We have a concept on Vulcan that is similar to this, and it exists in bonds...

[kingofwaste]

Bonds? Like bonds with other people?

[spohkh]

Vulcan's are touch telepaths, and they have the ability to establish mental bonds with ...family members and their mates. [Spock's voice wavers a bit... but he quickly recovers.]
This connection allows for intimate knowledge of the other... Though there can be cases of unwanted bonds, those that are wanted do give a sense of security and trust. Perhaps this is similar to what you are referring as the 'heart'?

[kingofwaste]

Hm... I dunno... That kinda sounds like mindreadin' to me. Finding out about a person's past and feelings through telepathy, I mean. That's like... bein' able to sympathize with 'm better because you'd understand their point of view.

[spohkh]

In a sense, yes, that is the general idea.

However, I would argue that it is also more than that. To know how one is feeling and experience it causes a closeness that is...[Spock's voice fades out, and he seems to be stuck thinking about something...]

[kingofwaste]

Huh... But to have that be like a heart means you'd have to bond like that with every friend you make. And then maybe you'd know a little bit too much about 'm.

[spohkh]

There are different levels of bonds, as there are different levels of relationships you share with others.

However, with Vulcan's... they share a bond with planet and their entire species...

But it is weak, and a mere presence in the psyche. The one you share with your parents is very strong, and incredibly present in one's mind...

However, the strongest one of all is the one that you share with your mate.

[Spock pauses for a moment, and considers what he will say...] Vulcan's are not known for their casual acquaintances or relationships. 'Friendships' are perceived differently...

[kingofwaste]

Man, that all sounds really complicated. So did you uh... do any of that 'bonding' with people in Luceti yet?

Bawhahahahaha! That made me laugh so much! XD

[spohkh]

[Spock is silent for a long moment...]

Incidentally yes... though it was entirely by accident.

=)

[kingofwaste]

By accident? How'd you bond by accident?

*snerk*

[spohkh]

[Spock is silent again for a moment....]

As I mentioned before.... Vulcan's are touch telepaths. During the shift where many individuals lost their memories, I was without knowledge that physical contact could result in a mental connection......
...

[kingofwaste]

Oh... Huh...

That musta been awkward.

rofl

[spohkh]

[Spock raises an eyebrow...]

Indeed... However, the situation has come to a rather fortunate resolution... and I am most gratified to have the connection.