Our avatars are in a room together

It is folly, I think - to claim to know that a man is reasonable when you have only just met him.

Was I talking about you, specifically?

I don't think I was.

I was speaking in general terms.

Do I expect you to be rational or reasonable? No.

Because we have just met.

Oh? Then there is no anticipation that rationality would temper me.

I've met many that are like you.

They peer through the keyholes of locked doors.

They invade the business of others, to satisfy their own curiosities.

They don't let anything rest.

And it is they, that I detest more than anything else.

Men like me prefer to be alone.

Curiosity and superstition are the common lot of humanity, of course...

I'll have nothing to do with the common rabble.

That is how I live.

They are all foolish, ignorant, sons of the cattle that they tend to on the fields.

Country bumpkins, or blind city-folk with nothing better to do than to sit on their arses all day and worry until they eventually die.

That is what they are, and that is their nature. I have not been convinced otherwise.

(Clarice is in the kitchen, sleepily supervising a pot of tea)

Right, almond milk, Stevia... where's the protein bars?

You are quite correct! And those of higher birth - you would assert, then, that they are not so foolish, if perhaps in a different way?

I tend to think- that all are foolish until proven otherwise.

In their own ways.

The men in power- the politicians, the kings- the bureaucrats... they are also fools.

Not in the same way as the common rabble, no...

But fools nonetheless.

Those that pursue science, such as myself- they are a much higher standard. But even then, I see fools among the ranks.

There, you see? Already we have found common ground in our beliefs.

... Are you familiar with Plato?

The man had one idea right.

The rest are garbage.

You are speaking of his republic?

-nods-

Philosopher Kings, to be precise.

If there is one principle I can agree on with that tradition- it is that.

(WHOA FUCK, CLARICE, sudden very loud blender noises right behind yo ass)

Nnh...? I hear ya, Doc, I hear ya...

(blearily taps the space behind her as if shutting off an alarm clock)

OOOOH~

(...that's... that's not an alarm clock, honey, that's the back of some fat chick...)

(SHE TURTS AROUND.......)

Why hello to you too, my frisky, friendly little dear! Did you wish for some of my late brunch milkshake-smoothie?

(Giggles girlishly, cupping a hand over her mouth.)

...Eh?

(blinks in surprise - that woke her up - and turns around as well)

Oh - sorry about that! Just really sleepy, 's all...

(sighs, glancing over at the blender)

Certainly, it would be the most enlightened way to govern a nation...

Ah! Why, that is quite alright, darling, for there are many wonders in this world that hinder one from sleeping. Fret not, though, my little red hen, for this beverage nears its completion!

(It's... it's definitely got chocolate in it... Now she's stopping the blender and putting in strawberries... and lemon juice... and kombucha...)

I'm never sure whether to believe The Enlightenment happened.

If you ask me, the only good thing it gave us was in 1793.

Otherwise it's only scientific advancements that are just merely the foundations of what we know today.

...Eheh - no thanks. I've already got some black tea brewin' over here...

(scratches the back of her head)

("Don't wanna have to work for my abs all over again...")

...Oh what an excellent choice!~ Too few of my peers today recall what miraculous, healthful beverages herbal teas are, therefore it is safe to say that it gladdens my heart to an immense degree to know that you do, dearest!

(Beams, antennae bobbing about, and pours herself a big ol' cup of that thick, sludgey black stuff from the blender. appetizing...)

I will, of course, have to take your word for it, seeing as... hmhm.

(catgirls, kitsune, dragonboys... been there, seen that)

...What's your name? I'm Clarice.

Let me guess. You come from a time before that.

I know how this place works.

I'm familiar with differences in time and place...