Friday
April 17, 2020
An American boy just mysteriously arrived in the village this morning. How and why? I have no idea.
All he's shown to be is someone who doesn't seem to be afraid of much. I talked to him this morning and his "magician" and "tricks" talk didn't seem like just bluffs. Well, at least I wouldn't say things like that if I wanted to make a good first impression.
And what the fuck is that watch? Could it be that I've been in this shithole so long that the technology out there has advanced decades ahead? I've never seen one with that design before. Nothing like the watches that appear in the shopping sections of newspapers.
I wanted so much not to be trapped in this hell... to know that the world out there is moving towards the future and you're falling behind, and the worst part, it's not your fault. That boy could be my one-way ticket out of this cursed place, or just another one who will be unlucky enough to become a guinea pig in an unsuccessful experiment by that winged bitch. She has summoned me and the others to a meeting, where we will discuss what will happen to the outside brat.
I don't want to have to look that Lady Super Size Bitch in the face again, but if I can convince Miranda that I'm better suited to bring the boy instead of my "sister"...
Heisenberg was in his quarters inside his factory, writing in his diary about the events of that Friday morning.
He knew that Ben hadn't stopped at this place out of the blue, whatever the reason.
If he managed to disappear the same way Ben mysteriously appeared, that would be the fulfillment of one of his greatest wishes, even if it means... withdrawing from the battlefield without having fought.
"Even if I can't destroy my false siblings,and take back what that bastard took from me, getting out of this place is my main goal." Heisenberg thought as he placed his pen between the pages of his open diary before closing it.
….
Meanwhile, near the altar, Ben and the others were sitting on rocks. They were enjoying their drinks while listening to Ben talk more about himself, his family, his watch etc…
-So, you've had this watch since you were ten, and it was a gift given to you by your grandfather? Edward asked as he filled his glass with a few more milliliters of bourbon.
- Yes. It's a very expensive model made by Rolex, one of the biggest watchmakers in the world, and where my grandfather works. Ben replied, telling a false story about himself and the clock once more.
- So, you come from a rich family? Marcos asked, before taking a sip of bourbon, wanting to know more about Ben's family.
- Yeah, basically. Before my grandfather became one of the bigwigs at Rolex, he helped my great-grandfather with plumbing service at his own shop: Max's Plumbing. My grandfather inherited his father's name, calling himself Maxwell Tennyson Junior. Ben said, smiling slightly as he concocted a whole false but convincing story around himself and the watch.
-And he developed this watch? Or did he have help? Gabriella, as the daughter of a watchmaker, was also very interested in everything Ben was saying.
- He didn't do anything alone. The man behind the construction of this model is one of the brilliant minds in the watch business: Azmuth de la Galvan from Spain. He proposed an idea that innovated the industry focused on the branch, developing a technology that revolutionized the entire concept of wristwatches that we know today, which he decided to name it Galvan Tech. Ben said, explaining gently, before drinking the last of his grape liqueur.
"Azmuth de la Galvan. It's one of the weirdest names I've ever heard. That guy must have suffered a lot in his childhood." Edward thought, imagining the situation where Azmuth was teased and bullied because of the weird name he supposedly had.
-And the model that this guy invented, does it have a name by any chance? Marcos asked something that made Ben wonder if it would be convenient to say the name of the watch or not, as if "Azmuth de la Galvan" wasn't weird enough. But at this point, Ben had already said a lot and one more weird name would not be something that the young people present would make a point of memorizing.
-Yes. It's called the Omnitrix. Ben answered Marcos' question, that as he expected, just gave them more fuel to keep their brain engines running generating horsepower, under the hoods of trucks their minds, loaded with questions.
-Yeah, it's a pretty creative name, but what does it mean? Bianca asked, as she filled her glass with grape liqueur, before looking at Ben again.
- Omnitrix is a junction of two words, "omni" and "trix", which mean "all or everyone" and "modern or creative", respectively. Put the two together, and you have "all possibilities in one". Ben explained, while gesturing quotation marks with his fingers as he said the meanings of those words.
-It's a very interesting idea, but… all of this to be summed up in a thing that only serves to show the time? Gretta asked something that Ben was already waiting to hear, because he wanted to show something that, at least those who follow the technological advances in portable devices, would think cool.
- That's where you're wrong. Ben said, with a smug look on his face, before looking at his watch and tapping his index finger on the right side of the black panel.
- Omnitrix, what time is it? Ben asked the clock, to the surprise of the other young people who were there, who would be quite surprised by what they were about to hear.
- 6 hours, 21 minutes and 39 seconds p.m. A synthesized female voice that came from the watch said, as the glowing green light from the hourglass outline flashed as the voice spoke. That was the Clock Function, which unlike other versions of the Omnitrix, the final version of the latter had, in addition to several other functions. The other young people were startled when they saw and heard it: a "talking watch".
-Am I the one who's already drunk… or this thing… just talked ?! Edward asked, his eyes wide in surprise and astonishment.
- You heard perfectly. The Omnitrix doesn't show it, it literally tells you what time it is. Ben replied, smiling and finding the reaction of the other young people who were there a little funny.
- How the hell did "Azmuth de la whatever" put a woman's voice inside that thing?! Marcos asked, still impressed by what he just heard.
- Is he some kind of magician or what?! Gabriella asked, as amazed and awed as the others.
- Well, let's go. There's no magic here, it's just technology, pure and simple. What you just heard was a synthesized voice coming from an AI: Artificial Intelligence. Ben started to explain, feeling like a teacher in front of a classroom, making him smile in satisfaction. The pronunciation of that term only served to provoke the curiosity of the "students" present there.
-In our language, please? Bianca asked sarcastically, wanting to learn about whatever the "magic" behind that clock was.
- Yeah, but first, Gretta? Ben wanted to try the strawberry liqueur, as he had promised he would before, holding out the hand that was holding his glass.
- Oh yeah. Gretta got the message, and served Ben by filling his glass with the reddish drink gently.
- Thanks. Ben thanked him heartily, receiving a kind smile from Gretta in return.
- As I was saying, Artificial Intelligence, in the case of this watch, it's as if it had a small "brain" inside it, which, like ours, is capable of receiving, processing, understanding and storing information, as well as providing it , which is the case of telling the time… and other things. Ben said, showing his watch as he explained the basic concept of an A.I. to the youngsters, further piquing their curiosity.
-Other things? Which? Edward asked, remembering the supposed meaning of the term Omnitrix: all possibilities in one.
- It can also make calls like a phone, as long as the other person has a smartphone with an updated Android or IOS system, or another watch like that, which is not the case for most of them. It can also record, send and receive messages like a voicemail. Ben explained, saying things that were really true and others that weren't so, like the case of smartphones. Plumbers had badges that served as communicators, locators and GPS, but for obvious reasons, it wasn't feasible for Ben to mention things like that. The "students", however, still had more questions to be answered by the "teacher".
-How does it work? Marcos asked, who, like the others, was curious not only about the Omnitrix's various functions, but also about the technologies that existed in the outside world.
- This watch, like smartphones, are connected to objects that are outside the planet, but that revolve around it thanks to the action of gravity. These objects are called satellites, whose function is to establish a bridge between all means of communications, such as cell phones, radios, televisions and devices with integrated operating systems, such as smartphones, computers, Internet browsers, etc. A person who uses a smartphone, for example, can talk to others who are on the other side of the world, because the connection of devices with the satellite makes it possible. If on the one hand, Ben was explaining everything about advanced means of communication in the most didactic way possible, on the other hand, words like "satellites", "smartphones", "computers", "Internet" were the reason young people became even more curious and fascinated by how interesting the outside world must be. Obviously, their brains needed time to process that information.
"Fuck, how technologically backward is this place? If it weren't for the Duke's newspapers, any outsider who came here would think he had gone back in time and ended up in the Middle Ages." Ben wondered if there really was a reason why everyone there was so disconnected from the outside world that their eyes widened when they heard about such commonplace tech things. On the other hand, young people just listened carefully to every word. They would nod their heads, indicating that they were understanding some things.
-If this watch works as a phone, why don't you try calling your friends, or even your parents? Don't you think they're worried about you at this point? Gabriella asked a good question, and Ben expected it too and knew how to answer it.
- Usually yes. But I proved to them that I'm grown up and I know my way around pretty well. They already consider me an adult… except when I screw up. Ben said, giving a confident smile to those who listened to him, while having memories of when he and his parents fought Highbreed Reinrassig III, who later became Ben's friend.
- How lucky for you. My old man still pesters me for stupid reasons. Marcos said, before taking a sip of bourbon, feeling sorry for having someone pick on him sometimes.
- And you know very well why, don't you? Edward asked in a teasing tone, while grinning in amusement.
- He wants me to date and marry someone quickly, just so I can get off his back. Everything he suffered when he was married, he wants me to suffer too. What kind of father would want such a thing for their own son?! Marcos asked in exasperation. Something said that the 40% alcohol content of the bourbon was already taking effect in his system.
- And he'll piss you off even more when you get there drunk. I suggest you moderate your doses... daddy's boy. Edward said, in a mocking tone, enjoying as he chuckled at the situation between Marcos and his father. Marcos didn't like that joke very much, but that didn't stop Edward and the three girls from finding his irritated face funny and starting to laugh.
-And speaking of relationships… Ben, are you dating? Bianca asked a very direct question, before taking a sip of her grape schnapps while keeping her smug gaze on Ben. This was also something Gretta and Gabriella wanted to know, but they wanted to ask it discreetly, or in a way that wasn't as direct as Bianca had asked. Ben was taken aback by that question, but it was something he should have expected, and he just had to be honest.
-At the time no. Ben replied matter-of-factly, before taking a sip of his strawberry liqueur.
- That "at the moment, no", means that you already… Bianca intentionally did not finish her question, suggesting that Ben answer it coherently.
- Yes. Until a while ago I was in a "relationship". Ben replied, gesturing quotation marks with his fingers, referring to what he didn't know if what he had with the Kraaho/human hybrid Esther could be considered a courtship.
The two had good dates, except for the case where princesses Looma and Attea, and villain Nyancy Chan were kind of... fighting for him.
The Tetramand and Incursean were more interested in Ben transformed into Four-Arms and Bullfrag, respectively, than him in his human form. Nyancy wanted Ben as Rath. His Appoplexian form was over which the villain could control by hypnosis and make him her bodyguard and a strong ally in spreading chaos and executing robberies and, both in Bellwood and Undertown.
-And you two broke up? Why? Gabriella asked, before taking a sip of her vodka, while still looking at Ben waiting for an answer.
- It is complicated. It wasn't even a real relationship, she and I were just meeting as friends. Before that, my ex-girlfriend and I had broken up because she thought I was yelling at her over the phone. In the end, she found someone who would "put her first" and they are both happy. Since then, I have remained single. Ben replied, gesturing quotation marks with his fingers, as he remembered when he found Julie dating her personal French photographer, when he tried to apologize and justify himself but failed, and when he realized that she was happy with her new partner, and that it should move forward from there.
-Poor her. Gretta said wryly, shaking her head as she gave Ben a disgruntled look, disapproving of the rude attitude he had with Julie.
- Hey, it wasn't my fault. I was playing video games when… Ben didn't finish justifying himself, but was interrupted by Bianca. He wasn't even feeling bad about telling that story.
- Tut-tut-tut, it was your fault, definitely. Bianca said, also appearing to be disappointed with Ben's attitude, while wiggling her index finger from side to side repeatedly.
- Stop torturing him. He must have been pretty busy when the said person called him. Edward said, defending Ben, claiming his innocence.
- Yeah, playing "video whatever" must be way more important than paying attention to your girlfriend, isn't it, Mr. Tennyson? Gabriella asked, with the same wry tone of disapproval as Gretta and Bianca, making Ben's cheeks flush as he scratched the back of his neck and grinned in embarrassment.
- Don't be so dramatic, the story had a happy ending for both. She has a new boyfriend, and he can have fun playing video games or anyone else to bother him, which, by the way, must be a lot of fun. Marcos said something that Ben kind of agreed with. Playing Sumo Slammers in my spare time was fun, but it could be quite stressful when the game's levels were difficult.
- So… is there anything else this "magic watch" does? Edward asked in a teasing tone, piquing the others' curiosity. Azmuth's legacy had already earned a nickname that really did justice to him and the situation. Any inhabitant of a village "isolated" from the outside world who didn't know anything about AI saw a watch speak, would say that it was magic or witchcraft.
-Yes. It also has something called the Translator Function. This function allows the watch to capture the voice of someone speaking in a different language, convert the words and repeat them, but in other languages. For example… Ben paused for it to touch the Omnitrix panel, making three clicks with his index finger on top, activating the Translator Function.
- Say something in Romanian. Ben said, holding out his left wrist so the Omnitrix would "hear" Marcos' voice, who would be the first to test the efficiency of the watch's AI ability to translate languages. He cleared his throat before he said the first sentence that came to mind.
- Edward este un clovn. Marcos said, drawing a few giggles from the three girls there.
- Edward is a clown. The synthesized female voice said, translating what Marcos had said exactly, which drew laughter from him and the others. Edward, who was also a prankster, wouldn't let that go unnoticed.
- Și Marcos va fi bătut de tati dacă se întoarce beat acasă. Edward said, smiling as he waited for the voice coming from the "magic clock."
- And Marcos will be beaten by dad if he comes home drunk again.The synthesized voice said, translating exactly what Edward said in Romanian into English. That joke was starting to get fun.
- My turn. Bianca said excitedly, while thinking of a good phrase. Gretta and Gabriella knew their friend well enough to guess what the blonde girl was about to say.
- Ben crede că Bianca este foarte frumoasă. Bianca said with a smug face, attracting the surprised looks of Gretta and Gabriella.
- Ben thinks Bianca is very beautiful. The voice said in English, the same thing Bianca said in Romanian.
- Oh really? Thank you Ben. Bianca made a very clever joke for someone who had her first contact with an AI, before laughing, inducing the others to do the same.
-Bianca this îngâmfată atât încât this aproape păcat. Gretta didn't miss the chance to make a funny joke before muffling her giggles with her hand. This made Bianca glare at her with an annoyed look.
- Bianca is so conceited as to be pitiful. The Omnitrix's voice translated Gretta's sentence, making her laugh a lot.
- Cei doi nebuni sunt atât de îngâmfați încât e păcat. Și Gabriella are dreptate în privința asta. It was Gabriella's turn to get into that game of translating sentences, just to annoy her friends.
- The two brats are so conceited that it's a pity.And Gabriella is right about that. The Omnitrix's voice said, making the birthday girl laugh at her own joke, before the others did too.
However, the laughter ceased when they heard cawing coming from one of the gates around the altar. It was a crow that was perched on it. The bird continued to croak as it seemed to be watching the young. The sounds emitted by the black feathered bird started to become constant and loud, making the atmosphere of the place a little sinister.
-Sorry, buddy. The clock still does not translate "crowish "! Maybe in the next update! Ben made a funny joke about that situation, drawing some giggles from the other young people. The black bird cawed loudly before taking off, flying away.
- Looks like he got upset. Ben said in a teasing tone, while smiling in amusement.
- Upset about not having fresh meat available, maybe. Marcos made a sarcastic comment before taking his last drink of bourbon.
- By the way, do you like horror stories, Ben? Edward asked, reminding Ben of the conversation he had with Heisenberg on the same subject, and why it was supposed to have something to do with his mission there. - Heisenberg asked me the same thing this afternoon, and the ones I heard are pretty interesting. Ben said something that surprised them both, not even bothering to refer to the man he'd met a few hours ago as Lord.
- Have you spoken with Lord Heisenberg? Marcos asked something that was on his mind and the other young people, as surprised as he was.
- Yes. He welcomed me and we chatted for a while, and we hit it off right away. Ben said, smiling before taking the last drink of his strawberry liqueur.
- Do you get along with everyone you meet for the first time, Ben? Gabriella noticed that Ben's glass was empty, which meant it was time for him to try the same drink she was enjoying. She smiled friendly she waited for Ben to hold out his glass so she could pour it.
- Most of the time, yes. In fact, I think it's about time I tried some of that. Ben said, holding out his hand that held his glass. Gabriella took the hint and filled her glass to the brim with vodka, before looking at Ben while still smiling, winking her right eye at him.
- Thanks. Ben thanked her heartily before taking his first shot of vodka. Ben raised the glass to his lips, already feeling that typical smell of alcohol attacking his nostrils.
The creamy flavor of the drink distilled from fermented potatoes, as well as the 35% alcohol content present there, flooded your mouth. Unlike the grape and strawberry liqueurs, that drink was stronger, which didn't stop Ben from enjoying the taste, before he finally swallowed it.
-What is this thing made of? Ben asked, looking at the bottle of vodka in Gabriella's hands, still impressed by the taste.
- Incredibly, it is made with potatoes and… other things. It's tasty, isn't it? Gabriella asked, smiling slightly as she expected a funny comment from Ben about the drink.
- Potatoes, huh? I think I still prefer them fried over something distilled from them, but still, it's pretty good. Ben said, approving the taste of his first shot of vodka, in a joking tone. His comment drew a few giggles from the youngsters.
-So, what is the story you want to tell me about? Ben asked, his eyes and ears straining for more relevant information.
- This story is about beasts that roam the village limits after unsuspecting prey. These beasts are known as… Lycans. Marcos said, making Ben memorize the last word Marcos said.
Ben was about to hear one more of the village's famous bedtime stories, and this one kind of matched the description that Paradox had made, catching Ben's attention.
Now that he was consuming a stronger alcoholic beverage, he had to taste them with wisdom and self-control, however delicious his taste buds made him think they were. Ready to hear the story, Ben told himself in his mind:
"Lycans, eh? Okay, let's go."
