Reality Mod (reality_mod) wrote in realitycrash, @ 2011-10-26 19:37:00 |
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Entry tags: | !closed, fizban/paladine, nigel inyourface, wnn |
In Your Face, with Nigel Inyourface.
The Players : Nigel Inyourface and Paladine (AKA Fizban).
What: Nigel interviews Paladine on the World News Network.
Where : Back at the park where Paladine was first seen.
When : Wednesday, October 26th, 2011.
Rating : Go with PG/PG13.
Notes : I completely admit, this entire thing was inspired by Halloween cookies. The interview itself is Closed, but feel free to post anyone's reactions to this "broadcast" if the random desire pops up.
The scene was set. The mobile crew of In Your Face had already set up shop in the park. Areas were blocked off from the public, there were a few trailers in the parking lot, and there was of course backboards and lighting to help make the show all the more dramatic. The platinum dragon known as Paladine was laying in the park once again, though not from comfort this time. This time it was so they could keep both him and Nigel in the same frame. Nigel Infourface, the journalist undertaking this monumental event, was sitting in his chair across from Paladine's large head as his makeup woman added the finishing touches to his face. Once done, she quickly skittered away, the dragon fear getting to her easier than most. Nigel held no fear and simply adjusted his tie as he waited for their cue. There was no one on this planet who could do what he was about to. This would be historic. Monumental. This-
"Excuse me," the dragon interrupted Nigel's thoughts and nodded toward him. "Are you sure I don't need a little touch up?"
Nigel shook his head, "You're fine. Trust me."
Paladine did his variation of a shrug just as the countdown began. With one final adjustment to his tie and hair, Nigel spotted the gesture to start talking. "Hello. I'm Nigel Inyourface and welcome to In Your Face, where I travel the globe to get the real story from people like you. Today I have the honor and privilege to be here in Red Oak, Delaware, a small town community that has been making its fair share of headlines this past year. The town of Red Oak was once simply known in the area for its quiet sensibilities and its quirky personalty thanks in part to one of the founders, Abigail Winters. One might have called her eccentric but she was known here as one of the greatest philanthropists to grace this city in its history. These days, the town is becoming known as the zombie capital of the country as it was the first city to be struck with the unusual and still unexplained phenomenon where the dead rose from their very graves. But unlike the movies, the would be threat was taken care of quickly and cities everywhere began to follow their example by preparing themselves, just in case it should happen to them next. Would it be another zombie infestation? Would it come in the form of vampires as seen elsewhere? Or would it come from the silent metropolitan city next door?" Nigel's gaze was serious and concerned as he stared into the camera. "But this week, I'm not here to discuss the troubles of this new and extraordinary age we live in. No, I'm here to introduce you to a living breathing mythological creature of legend.. the dragon."
The camera moved to get a shot of Paladine, looking as stately as he could considering he was laying down. He took a heavy breath and the camera moved back so it could capture Nigel in the shot as well. "Please, call me Paladine," the dragon said, his voice loud enough that the boom mics weren't needed.
"Very well, Paladine." Nigel adjusted his glasses and leaned back in his seat, his hands clasped together on his lap. "Welcome to the show."
"I'm glad to be here. I'm a fan of your work." Paladine said with a toothy smile. "I was sorry to see you didn't get to meet the Gentle Giant."
"So was I, but there will be other times," Nigel brushed off the failed attempt to locate the giant robot himself and tried to shift topics. "But today it's all about you. You are a being of myth and legend. The likes we've only seen in fantasy and movies. Why now? Why do you make your presence known?"
Paladine appeared thoughtful at the questions before replying. "To be honest, I missed having believers and my faithful. I thought this might be a suitable way to perhaps make new connections in this world of yours."
"Our world?" The phrase surprised Nigel and he removed his glasses as he spoke. "Are you saying you aren't from here?"
"I'm afraid not. My world is far away... and I can sense it is lost to me."
"So, you're an alien."
"That is a rather simple way of putting it, but I suppose it works."
"An alien that wants to collect faithful believers.." The staff knew what Nigel was building up to and they couldn't help but wonder if it was such a good idea right now. Nigel's voice grew slightly accusatory. "Perhaps as a cult or by setting yourself up as a religious icon?"
Blinking in surprise, Paladine sighed. "Perhaps. Where I come from, I was a god. I still am, but I am one without any faithful here."
"So you would claim to be God and to perform 'miracles'," Nigel even used finger quotes around the word, "to earn our trust in you?"
"Of course not!" Paladine snapped at him, his vehemence at the thought of tricking others was in plain sight. "I said a god. I am not the one who created all. I am not the one who created me. I am simply a deity, one of many in existence. My domain was the godly force of majesty as I represented all that was good in my realm. I support the soul's aspirations to rise to greatness and the choice to improve oneself by following the example of others. I encourage and represent the ideal of redemption and strive to bring those lost in the dark back into the light."
Nigel put his glasses back on and leaned forward, knowing the camera was going to get a closeup of his face. "And you would claim to bring your power of influence to those that worship you? You'd have the people of this world reject their own faiths to embrace yours? What happens if they don't?"
A loud sigh came from the shining dragon. He should have expected this kind of interview but he had allowed himself to be too hopeful. It was a fault of his, one he had to work on. "I would claim no such thing nor would I demand anyone reject their own religions. I am simply offering myself to them should they see fit. If an individual becomes a cleric of my faith, I would be able to grant them the powers of healing to share with the mortals of this world. Where I come from, there were many gods at work so I am accustomed to those with different faiths. In fact, I welcome it. To selfishly demand all worship you and no other is similar to a form of slavery and holds no place in a world needing balance."
"The power of healing. As in you could heal with, what? Love? Magic? What about science?" Nigel was feeling energized now. There were so many things he could ask, so many topics to touch on, he knew he could get another episode out of it. "Why can't you just offer these powers without people placing their faith in you?"
"Magic. We are not Care Bears," He replied in a droll tone. "We have our own core sources of power, but we can only give to mortals what is given to us in return. Simply put, the deities I know are unable to function any other way." The dragon frowned, "Though I will admit there are those that would ignore that balance to suit their own needs, but even they would demand absolute faith to themselves in order to do so."
"And are these other deities with you now?" Nigel asked, actually looking around in case they suddenly appeared.
Paladine's eyes closed as he tried to search for his own fellow gods of Krynn. "Not that I am aware. But that does not mean they do not exist. I can not claim to know every being of divine power, only those I knew in my realm."
Nigel accepted that for the time being and decided to focus on some of his other questions. He would make sure to convince the dragon (god?) to do another interview to allow further insight into his religion. "You mentioned earlier that you couldn't sense your realm. What do you mean by that?"
"I mean it is lost." His eyes opened and he leaned his head closer to Nigel. "As in it does not exist or it is hidden from my sight. It would take great power to hide an entire world from the divine's sight and even then I would still feel.. something. I can not return to my home nor the mortal realm I protected."
"Is that why you came here? To start fresh?"
"No, I did not come here of my own choice. I was simply here." His tail rose and pointed to Metropolis. "Much like the towering city there. Or the magic that this realm has been soaking like a sponge since before my own arrival."
"Ah, yes," Nigel wore a placating smile as he straightened up. "Magic. Let's talk about magic. How does magic work? Where does science fit in?"
"Magic is.. magic. I hope you'll forgive me for not elaborating, but I only know how mine works. I'd hate to do someone else an injustice by explaining poorly or misinforming the masses with my own experiences." Paladine was trying not to get into that discussion, if only for the fact it would open the doors for more questions he had no answers to. "But I don't quite understand your question about science."
"Does magic replace science?" The journalist asked. "Would your miracle cures replace the advances in medicine?"
"Ah. I see." Paladine nodded his head in understanding at the fears of the man. "Personally, I think magic would work well in tandem with science. Perhaps one could create a new energy source safe for your planet if a mage and a scientist worked together. As for medical purposes, even though my own clerics could perform things you would call miracles, I firmly believe that their power could not replace your own medical advances. In the end, we are all still limited to what we are capable of doing, even someone like me. The mysteries of magic can not solve every problem. It is a resource to be used and respected, not unlike what your world uses in every day life."
Nigel spotted a hand gesture, signaling for him to wrap up the interview. "It seems our time for the day is winding down, but I'd love to have you back on the show. Your willingness to speak to the people is welcoming and I for one have yet to sate the curiosity you've instilled today."
Paladine was tempted to refuse the offer, but he had allowed this door to be opened in the first place and would see it stay open for as long as necessary. He still had other forms he could hide in, such as Fizban, so his anonymity was mostly intact. "Then I dare say we'd best keep in touch, young man. Your people have my number."
Nigel nodded and turned toward the camera, "I'd like to thank Paladine for taking the time to be here and to thank Red Oak for being such gracious hosts. Tomorrow I'll be back in the studio where we'll do a call in session and find out what you think of Paladine, the Gentle Giant, and your own opinions on Magic versus Science. I'm Nigel Inyourface and keep a look out. You never know if it'll be your face I'm in front of next."