Arrival in Gigas

[bravenewmods]

The City of Gigas is unlike anything the people of Union have ever seen before. The city is immense, a sprawling metropolis that covers the land as far as the eye can see. Built up primarily around enormous centralized towers, unlike Union these towers are dark concrete buildings, covered in glass windows. The buildings seem to serve any number of functions, and have a startling variety in construction, style, and even size, creating a unique skyline that is breathtaking to behold. The city is connected with roads of asphalt, upon which whiz smoke-belching steel carriages at frightful speeds, the engines (and piercing, constant horns) creating an ever-present din that engulfs the city in loud, chaotic sound.

“Downtown,” as the Gigans know it, is a huge collection of stores, apartments, and businesses. Apparently, the larger homes are built in Calderan-style but tend to be further from the main commotion of the downtown areas, of which Gigas citizens assure Union citizens that there are several, each with their own district name and culture. The technology is quite advanced as well, full color televisions are standard in every home and built in devices so slim and with such sharp images that they seem decades ahead of Union’s own technology. Pokemon are still quite present in Gigas, many people riding flying types and the buildings having huge perches to accommodate them. As with the vehicles below, however, Gigas seems to regulate air traffic to individual lanes and the birds seem well-trained as they convey their trainers to and fro.

Humans are just that, here, Human. No unusual shapes and sizes like the Enlightened and Earthkin of the Union Alliance, and those displaying unusual traits receive odd looks. Like many civilizations to the east, Battling is a common sport though in this place it’s more like the combat arenas of old. Several stadiums dot the cityscape, the sounds of Pokemon Battles and cheering crowds echoing for blocks all around, and it’s a stadium where humans are not welcome. Unless, of course, they want to make a show and spar against a Pokemon, of course.

This is Gigas, the City of Reclamation. Union civilians have free rein to explore this grand city as councillors are invited into the massive capitol building to negotiate with the Gigan leaders. Gigas civilians, for their part, are polite, friendly even. While many of them are caught in the bustle of their daily lives they regard Union citizens with interest and curiosity, willing to talk about their city, extolling its virtues while complaining about the noise, the crowds, the lines, and the expense all the while. One thing is clear though, the people of Gigas are proud of their city and their accomplishments. This is their home, and they are eager to show it off to the world.

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

Find anything interesting? [ Yes, she's aware this is a dangerous question. She wants to watch.

It's funny. ]

[allergictoloveletters]

[Ami turns to Socrates and hands him the books before opening up her bag and handing Haruka three notebooks, each one labeled with multiple book marks sticking out.]

Admittedly, they are not that detailed, but what did you wish to know?

[actsmagnificent]

....Surprise me. [ Haruka flips through a notebook at random, scanning the contents. You're kind of incredible, you know that? It's funny. ]

[allergictoloveletters]

Very well, Haruka-san, this will pertain to your interest. They, much like Union, have races, however, their vehicle races are without any pokemon involvement. The speeds they achieve are incredible, though the fastest pokemon can beat them.

[She tilted her head.]

Furthermore, Michiru-san, their music is quite unique as well, I would almost say it's an embargo of sorts, as many of their famous musicians and ours are completely unheard of to one another, but they've even began adding technology and electronics to their instruments. I'm looking into something called "audio-tune."

[incousinswithyou]

[how considerate. Michiru smiles and gestures at an empty seat at the table.]

Have you gotten to hear any of it yet? [does Gigas have radio? Or maybe concerts.]

[actsmagnificent]

It sounds...unique. [ Haruka seems much more comfortable now that she's heard these vehicles aren't necessarily faster than Pokémon. ]

[allergictoloveletters]

I can't say that I have, though they favor instruments that are almost exclusively electric. Even the pianos and violins have electric options by hooking up various cables. I do not know how it affects the sound.

[She tilted her head.] I suppose the purchase of some of their music is well within my budget. You are both welcome to borrow it, of course, if it interests you.

[incousinswithyou]

An...electric violin?

[okay, this is probably the most surprised she has been in public for a while.]

We'll have to find a music store. [she's not giving into the knee jerk reactions of the classical musician in her just yet]

[actsmagnificent]

Do they really do everything with technology?

[ She for one was afraid of Pokémon slave labor. But do they really value human brainpower enough to try to do everything on their own here?

Also yes. Music store. She wants to watch Michiru listen to an electric violin. ]

[allergictoloveletters]

[Ami pulled out a business card from her pocket and handed it to Michiru. It was, perhaps not surprisingly, the address to a music store.]

Not everything, but there is an incredible dependence on it... a crippling dependency, in fact. [She gazed at both women evenly at that.]

[incousinswithyou]

[and here's a tiny smile as she reaches out to take the card]

I'll have to keep that in mind.

[actsmagnificent]

Right. [ Both as cautionary tale and something to exploit. If things come to that.

She watches the card trade hands with interest. ]

[allergictoloveletters]

[As she handed Michiru the card, she turned to Haruka.]

I have the address for their race track as well, if you would like, Haruka-san? [Researching things pertaining to her friends interests? Whatever do you mean?]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru just smiles to herself as she takes a tiny sip of her fancy drink. She'll have to make sure to repay the favor.]

[actsmagnificent]

You've got a few bad habits.

[ But here's her hand, she's ready to take it. ]

[allergictoloveletters]

I am still human, so yes. [She smiled, blushing a little as she gave Haruka the address.] You're welcome to keep those notebooks, those are mostly copies.

["Human" indeed.]

[incousinswithyou]

[a quiet chuckle]

Careful. You're making the rest of us look bad.

[says the woman who is almost-but-not-quite sparkling as the sun peeks out from behind the clouds for a moment. Even amongst all the smoke and machines.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ You're in good company, Michiru. Nothing to worry about. Haruka pockets the address. Racing...might as well see. ] Any humans of the city worth seeing?

[ Particularly any that might not be on the official tour.....for better or for worse. Haruka won't look away. ]

[allergictoloveletters]

It is not physically, socially, or even emotionally possible to make you or Haruka-san look bad, Michiru-san. [She says it so matter-of-factly.]

Humans to see? [She pressed a knuckle to her chin in thought.] There is a concert in a day or so, a famous Gigas musician. I found their music enjoyable, but this is a very... nonspiritual city, so leaders in such matters are not easily found.

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru just smiles. Oh Ami. Just take the compliment.

Looks like they've got a few things to check out. On top of this list is Gigas' reliance on technology - even if dates the different in music piques her interest.]

[actsmagnificent]

And they wouldn't offer themselves up for us, either.

[ Haruka thinks. She'll have to do this her way, then: skulking in shadows and probing in places better left unprobed.

Such is her fate. ] I'll see if we're free.

[ She'll go to the concert if Michiru wants to. But they might be busy.

....and not even their usual sort of busy. ]

[allergictoloveletters]

I have asked, as a medic and scientist, if I could be permitted to meet and speak with any of their own physicians or scientists, purely as an exchange of minds and was more or less given the run-around on the matter by the ones in charge.

They're open but wary, rightfully so. Still, to concert should be interesting, I will probably be taking Rei for our one year anniversary.

[incousinswithyou]

[well, they're not exactly allies. Not when they've still got that whole "using Pokeballs" thing to fight over.

Too bad, though. Assessing their tech and science would've been a plus.]

Has it been that long already? Time certainly flies.

[hint hint]

[actsmagnificent]

[ There's that prickling on the back of her spine again. Are they being watched? Gigas spies? ] It's sure to be an experience.

[ What is this sense of expectation? ]

[allergictoloveletters]

It has! She'll be turning 19 right after that as well. I hadn't intended on our anniversary and her birthday to be so close together, I wish to treat them with the individual importance they deserve.

[She's riddled with abandonment issues, so when she meets someone who mutually adores and loves her deeply, she has absolutely no intention of ever letting them go.]

Actually, I don't know if Rei's spoken to you about it, Michiru-san, but I was wondering when I might be able to borrow you to go try on wedding dresses after our visit here. I know Rei wishes to ask the same of you since we both value your opinion on the matter and would like someone who was there to observe both fittings so we aren't a mismatched couple.