First Chances

Isstar unconsciously started to drum his fingers on his arms while they were still crossed. He became very aware of how it felt, and became very uncomfortable at the idea of any kind of delay between contact and the actual sensation. He shuddered a bit. “I can imagine that wouldn’t be... pleasant.” There was slight discomfort in his voice as he imagined the delayed sense.

He looked Angelo over again, but he couldn’t imagine the person in front of him looking any older than he was. Also, to Isstar, that didn’t make sense. How could there be two of the same person just because one of them is from a different dimension? Alas, he did not know what multiverse theory was yet. “What? I don’t understand how there could be two of you then?” His voice rose a bit. Things he couldn’t wrap his head around annoyed him. “Besides, I haven’t met anyone other than the staff or people I’m related to... maybe you’re just the first person they picked.” Isstar looked away from Angelo with an agitated grumble. It was mostly agitation at something he couldn’t understand, which was the issue with him being practically an overgrown toddler.

But his interest peaked again and he looked at Angelo once more. “Yep. Do you know him? I’ve never met him, so I only know his name. Not what he’s like, or what he looks like. Well, I imagine he’s basically just an older looking version of me.” Although he attempted to speak in a neutral way, curiosity crept into his voice. He knew that several of his personality traits plus appearance were copied from his original, but he had no idea what this person actually was like. “I was born pretty much in the middle of the raid the scouts were doing on the place I was made. I’m not the only one that came here, either.” Isstar had no issue in sharing these details, since it was just something that happened. He couldn’t feel many emotions about them.
“The people that made me were jackasses.” He dryly laughed.

Isstar listened to Angelo with vague interest, but the more he spoke, the more of a confused look appeared on Isstar’s face. “W-What. I know you’ve probably dumbed that down for me... but what?” There were still hints of agitation, but it was mostly drowned out by the sheer confusion he had. But as he processed it, the look died down little by little. “That was a bit of information to absorb, but I guess I understand it better now.” Hard to believe due to the hesitance he spoke in. Seemed even he didn’t entirely believe his own words. At least he could understand it just meant that there were more versions of Angelo that existed in different worlds, which allowed there to be two in this one.

Then, his eyes narrowed. “Well, that wouldn’t have been the case if the scouts hadn’t raided the place. The people that made me built into me some knowledge, and would’ve taught me what else I needed. But, I would’ve become some guard dog or lab rat in the end.” He spoke bitterly. “That’s the nature of my existence. I would’ve served with absolute obedience to the people who made me. Either for them to experiment on me or use me as part of some test.” Isstar couldn’t help but feel negative emotions about the reason he was made. For a start, a common reason a copy was made would be due to resistance from the original which made experiments harder. Alternatively, the copies would just be used as cannon fodder for tests. His existence was disposable, right down to the fact he had such a short lifespan as well. Since he arrived to the island, he very quickly acquired the desire to continue living.

There was another alternative. “...Or I would’ve served as someone who’d keep the people held there in line.” His voice became quieter, more serious compared to the bitter and sarcastic tone he held before. Isstar struggled with empathy, but he knew what him being part of that security would mean. Although he had no issue in letting loose his aggressive tendencies, that kind of pain was something he found detestable. His belief and pride just meant he wanted to win in a fight, he didn’t wish to inflict any more pain than what would be necessary.

Isstar turned his eyes away from Angelo, instead he stared at a wall with narrowed eyes. “The people who made me aren’t asses cause I was left alone. They’re asses for making me. I wouldn’t blame Liun, or anyone else rescued by the scouts, for hating me or the other copies. We only exist because something was taken from them.” Isstar of all people knew his existence was wrong. He existed for terrible reasons alone, that couldn’t be justified in any way. But his creation itself was just as twisted.

He only existed because someone he didn’t even know resisted, rightfully so when considered the circumstances. The solution to that was to steal part of their very identity from them.
Isstar had little issue with sharing such things. Perhaps due to his lack of filter, or because it was how he is as a person. He had already told Fweiu, Quie, and Thiul. That for him to exist, his original, Liun, must have lost something. Isstar had no idea what could’ve been taken, and regardless of what was taken for him to exist, it would still be gone regardless on if it was minor or not. It wouldn’t surprise him if they had told Liun by now, and that was why he hadn’t met his original yet.

Isstar didn't speak as Angelo spoke. Only slightly because he had been taught it was rude to interrupt. Mostly because he attempted to process the words as they came out, but a part of him couldn't understand it. He could not understand how people didn't blame him for his existence. Similar views seemed to be shared by the Rukt'Ins that Isstar had met. They accepted him, despite the reasons behind his existence. That was just something he didn't exactly understand. It didn't matter he didn't ask to be born, it didn't change the fact he was essentially the one who caused any issues.

Externally, Isstar opened and closed his mouth a few times as he figured out what he wanted to say. If he had to be honest, he couldn't agree with that. He couldn't agree with people being wrong for blaming him for what happened. "...Whatever you say, I guess." Eventually he grumbled. It was pretty evident he wasn't exactly convinced by what Angelo said.

Probably would be a good idea to change topic, was the first thing that came to Isstar's mind. Besides, he was curious about the island. Since he hadn't actually seen much of it before he got sent to the islets, and had been too busy asking other questions with the other Rukt'Ins. "So, what's school like? I've been told I'll be put into remedial classes, whatever the hell that means." He turned to look at Angelo again, huffing a bit as he spoke.

Isstar listened with interest. Because of how he was created, he would have never needed to go to school. The most important information would already be hardwired into him, with other important information being taught to him afterwards. Socialising wasn’t considered important for what he would have been used for, so the whole social side that school brings wouldn’t have even been considered. But Isstar would be living on the island. He had been taking some classes while on the islets, and it already seemed he had some gaps. It was something he wasn’t too concerned about, since he would be more interested in the social side.

Few classmates. Isstar immediately felt that would be reasonable when considered what he was like. Even now, after he had improved little by little, his time spent with others was monitored because of his seemingly inherent nature to not play nice with others. He had improved, though. The mere interaction where he did not completely understand what Angelo had said could have previously resulted in a toddler style tantrum. His meetings with his blood relatives had also cooled him down.

He nodded along. “So there is a possibility I could be placed with others my own age after a while. Well, less people is probably better for me while I adjust anyway.” The dragon shrugged nonchalantly. “What other stuff is there to do on the island?” He raised an eyebrow.

Isstar nodded as he listened to the explanation of what the city was like. He knew what they were, that was information encoded into him. Urban areas where people lived, usually busy. But he didn't really know what they were like, or what their structure was. "Sounds efficient." It made perfect sense to him, and he thought it was pretty neat such a structure existed. He would probably do some roaming when he first arrives to the island so he could explore.

He thought about these places that had been described to him. He recognised each of these for what they were, but not what they actually were like. The community centre, and by extension the park, sounded like a good place for him to start once he left the islets. The mall wouldn't have much of interest for him, for now. Isstar didn't really even know what his own interests were, so he couldn't go to the mall and do shopping or anything like that, and he had no one to go with. Not yet anyway. As for the part about shooting range... Isstar tilted his head for a moment. "Shooting range? What do you mean by... Oh, you mean like guns." Isstar initially sounded confused, but as soon as he realised what it was, he lost interest. Guns weren't of interest to him, even though he wouldn't exactly be surprised if the use of some would have been something taught to him.

The dragon thought for a moment. Well, unless he royally screwed up then he would likely not be staying at the dorms once he left. "No, I don't think I will be. I'll probably be living with Thiul Rukt'In." The idea of the dorms interested him, but he had a bone to pick with Thiul and he felt that if he learned of her weaknesses, it would be beneficial for him.
Isstar would be too stubborn to admit he had taken a liking to Thiul, and that was why he wanted to stay with her.