Many, many revolutions ago,
our super-super-super-lifegivers discovered the ability
to stain our outer layers with images and symbols that could last forever.
Sometimes, they are meant to ward off dubious spirits.
Sometimes, they are a tribute to a being we love.
While other times, they symbolize a trip to a faraway island
while on a short break from your learnstitution.
It is an honor to bestow a being with a lifelong ink stain.
And one day, you will bring many beings great joy
by carrying on this special tradition.
That's why we already added you up there.
We know you'll wanna take it over
and keep it in the family for many revolutions to come.
Yay!
Here's our orb It's slightly leaning
Orbiting a star
We find ways to give life meaning
Some might seem bizarre
All we know is that we exist
And it won't be for long So it helps to put some foot tubes on
Joy and sadness, courage and fear
Curiosity and anger On a planet full of danger
And it's only getting stranger From here
- Apologies. - Hey.
Hi!
Normal voice.
Hi.
Are you going to visit Cocoslab Island?
No. Maybe. I don't know.
I applied to a learnstitution there.
But you're so smart. What else do you need to learn?
They have one of the best hospitality programs on the whole orb.
I doubt I'll even get in. Anyway, what are you doing here?
I was just perusing for a new book to read.
"A chance encounter leads to a day of falling in l-love."
How romantic.
Yeah.
Even though these novels aren't realistic,
they give me hope that I too can find a deeper connection with a being someday.
That is the dream, isn't it?
Why is it so difficult to find that being?
Because it is so easy to get in your own way
and cause so much anxiety that you puke.
Well, I better continue on.
I have to swing by the currency dispenser
to see if I still have currency to dispense.
That's fun. I hope you have plenty of currency.
Are you busy? Would you maybe want to accompany me?
I would like that. Yes.
It's about precision and a gentle touch.
And recognizing
that even if something is forever,
it is always possible to change it into something else that is forever.
And done.
Keep your ink stain out of direct starlight.
Clean it twice a day. See ya next time.
What's wrong, my tiny creature?
What? Nothing.
Uh-uh, a lifegiver can always sense when something is upsetting their offspring.
I just-- I don't wanna work here all the time.
Well, that's easy to understand.
We can offer you fewer hours each week
so you can spend more time with beings that are similar in revolutions to you.
As long as they don't inhale mild poison behind the tiny grocery mart.
No, I mean, I don't wanna work here at all.
I don't wanna take over the business.
I don't wanna give beings ink stains.
My head must still have liquid in it from my stand-up-rinse-off this morning,
because I thought I heard you say you don't wanna be an ink stain creator.
This ink stain salon has played a very important role in Beingsburg.
Our ink stains have honored some of the most important events
this burg has ever witnessed.
Look here. This being won the first Beingsburg Long Limb Run,
and my super-super-lifegiver stained him to commemorate the accomplishment.
Tell them about this being, dear.
They drank too much mild poison and asked for this very unusual ink stain.
Which we were happy to artfully oblige.
Considering the ask, that's pleasant to look at.
Look, I know this all means a lot to you,
but it doesn't mean as much to me.
Apologies.
You don't need to offer apologies, Offspring.
No. But you do have to work here.
Would you really leave Careful Now?
I guess. I mean, I like my job.
It pays me adequate earnings,
and I can eat anything that has fallen on the ground
for more than five seconds,
but I suppose I would have to.
I see.
But I have to get in first.
I'm sure you'll get in.
You have so much experience. And a great work ethic.
Plus, you always remember that I don't like soap leaf.
Gratitude, but I prefer to keep my expectations low,
so I don't become disappointed.
That is one of our significant differences,
besides you loving vibrating creatures
and me being afraid of them causing my lungs to collapse.
I prefer to focus on the positive.
When you do that, you start to see more positive things all around you.
Apologies, I don't have much to do today. May I continue accompanying you?
Of course. We have to finish this debate.
I hear what you're saying,
but wouldn't you rather be pleasantly surprised than frequently disappointed?
My lifegiver was a traveling salesbeing,
so we moved around a lot when I was smaller.
I found that I had two choices.
I could be disappointed to keep leaving the friends and learnstitutions I liked,
or I could be happy to meet new beings and see new places around the orb.
It was better to focus on happiness.
But I was always the one who left first.
No one I really cared about ever left me,
so I will admit this is a strange feeling.
So how did you end up in Beingsburg?
My sibling moved here for their vocation and spoke highly of the greenery.
So, I followed them to pursue my passion of landscape arts.
Is that what you do?
No. I currently sell habitats to beings
until I can break through the green ceiling.
Think you'll stay for a while or go see some new places around the orb?
I think I'll be here a while.
Surprisingly, I like the comfort of seeing some of the same beings every day.
Like you.
I've also become very close with your newest hire.
They're not the most skillful employee, but they have a lot of spirit.
That's the nicest way to put it, yes.
Here, I'm gonna make a wish.
Do you think it'll come true?
Do I think throwing a currency disk into a basin of liquid
has the magical power to turn thoughts into reality?
I don't think I do.
I think it will.
I don't understand.
I spent all my revolutions working to provide them with a secure future,
and now it's as if I've been swatted across the face.
I knew we should've had more offspring for this very reason.
It's okay.
If they really don't wanna work here, I think we should listen to them.
Well, what are they gonna do for their vocation?
Why don't you ask them?
Don't raise your volume if you don't get the answer you're seeking.
Hi, Offspring.
Have you thought more about what we talked about?
I haven't changed my mind.
Lifegiver, I don't wanna work here.
I'm terrible at ink staining, and I don't find it fulfilling.
I'm raising my volume because this is not the answer I'm seeking!
Why won't you support me in finding a vocation that speaks to me?
Vocations don't speak!
What was the longest you ever lived in one burg?
Probably about two revolutions.
That's it?
- That's a lot of moving around. - You get used to it.
You start to realize everything is temporary until you perish.
Is that looking at the bright side? I genuinely can't tell.
I think so?
I've been learning that the fleeting nature of life helps my anxiety dissipate.
It allows me to focus on the positive aspects of each moment.
You didn't seem like you were able to focus on the positive
when you turned my vibrating creature pink.
That is true.
I'm better than I've been, but I'm still anxious
- about certain things. - Like what?
Like accidentally doing something
that would make you not wanna spend time with me anymore.
Well, if the fleeting nature of life makes you less anxious,
why would you be worrying about how temporary our friendship could be?
Yeah. No, no, you're right.
What a quandary. I--
You know, I guess all beings look for permanence,
when the lack of permanence is what makes life so interesting.
It might be unrealistic, but it's what gives us hope.
I think that's why I got my ink stains.
They give a sense of permanence for experiences I never wanna forget.
- How many ink stains do you have? - Six.
Three that I like, two that I regret,
and one that I know I spent currency on, but I cannot locate.
Do you have a favorite?
I really like this one.
I got it while I was at the learnstitution for meteorology.
Because you see the rain clouds before the star?
Because there's a lot of beauty in the rain.
Plus, in my defense, it did rain a ton the summer I got it.
But you could've gone for the star.
I'd rather be prepared for the rain.
What if the rain doesn't come?
The rain has to come eventually. It is necessary for survival.
I'm gonna prove my lifegivers wrong.
There's plenty of things I could do for a vocation,
and I'm gonna find one at this fair.
You look like you want to plan beings' trips all over the orb!
We pay unlimited single-serving jars of jam.
No, thank you.
Interested in sitting in front of an illuminated machine
and click-clacking numbers?
Yeah, maybe.
Well, let's see how fast you can do it.
Yeah, okay. Thank you.
How do you feel about getting an ink stain?
I would rather express myself in other ways,
like, I don't know, singing or dancing or pottery.
Do you sing or dance or do pottery?
Not yet. But that's how apprehensive I am about it.
You are an interesting being.
And I do mean "interesting" in a way that suggests that you're unique.
Thanks.
The way you described ink stains has me intrigued.
I like that they capture a moment in time.
So even if you regret one eventually,
you'll always remember the circumstances that led you to it.
For better or for worse.
- Yes. - They mark your journey.
Exactly!
So, do you wanna get your first ink stain
to commemorate your courage in getting your first ink stain?
Preferably not.
But I'd consider it if that means we can continue spending time together.
Let's check it out. I could see something maybe on your limb, right here.
Like a soap leaf?
Ha-ha!
What? You don't like soap leaf?
- Welcome! Do you like to shake your limbs? - Yes.
Do you like to shake them standing behind other beings
at various celebratory events?
Maybe?
Let me see you shake.
- Now? - Yeah, just a little somethin'.
Needs work.
I guess my lifegivers were right.
I keep it moving This grouproll is nonstop
Putting rhymes together Like they were made of glomrocks
What?
It's magnetic
It's freestyle I can deliver
I rap good Someone please tell my lifegiver
- I like that a lot. - Yeah.
I'm gonna catch it And make it real smooth
The improvised groove Is now slightly improved
Double Shadow Day Can you handle the view?
Let me come and share The magic with you
So smooth!
Rhyming couplets.
I'm Medallion
More flavor than a scallion
One, two, three, a-a-a thousand Right now I'm rhyming, I'm surrounded
Looking for one more rhyme I-I found it
I feel kinda nervous
And I currently lack a purpose
Maybe I should try To rhyme some verses
- Yeah, get it being. - Obtain that.
And here's a new thought
Uh, that I... bought
At the store
- Next time you'll get 'em. - First part was good.
- Dope first verse. - You gave it your all.
That's what matters.
I figured it out. I know what I wanna do.
I wanna rhyme words freely.
- Rhyme words freely? How do you mean? - What?
I'll say words and then words That rhyme with those words
It's like a-a puzzle With ten million code words
I tried to do other stuff It all went poorly
It felt like there's nothing out there For me
I think I found a light I can rhyme words all night
It's, like, the only thing That feels right
Is this like spoken word?
- Greets. - Greets.
Greets.
You're the talented being from the park.
- I am? - They are?
Yeah. They impressed a whole crowd of beings in the park.
That's kind of you to say.
I was worried I wouldn't be able to find something I was good at.
I did mess up at the end, though.
We'll continue this confusing conversation shortly.
What can we do for you both?
My friend here is very excited about getting their first ink stain.
I only humored them because I wanted to spend more time with them.
This excuse is not uncommon and produces a good amount of new customers.
Yes. Maybe we can ink a beautiful scene on your lower back.
It is all the rage right now.
I am overwhelmed by the feeling of possibility.
Would you mind saying that so my offspring can hear?
I am overwhelmed by the feeling of possibility.
Me too! I'm excited to explore this new ability.
I think that backfired.
I'm sorry. You don't really need to get an ink stain.
I thought it would be fun to come here because you seemed genuinely curious.
I never intended to cause you more anxiety.
It's okay, I want one. I wanna commemorate our time together.
This is going to sound strange,
but would you be able to ink stain a pink vibrating creature
with a soap leaf in its mouth?
We've had a lot stranger asks than that, my friend.
The pink vibrating creature represents
the time I wasted feeling anxious about what could be,
rather than focusing on what already is.
Why the soap leaf?
I don't know. I guess it reminds me,
you can't help that some things in life are just gross.
But even all gross things are temporary.
Gratitude for giving me a fresh perspective.
This is incredibly painful.
Don't worry. The pain is also temporary, unlike my employment here.
I know this is none of my commerce,
but life is finite which is why you should embrace a vocation that you enjoy.
Listen to them. They are sma--
Sorry. I got lost in what they were saying.
Can you help us understand what it is you'd like to be doing?
I knew my lifegivers wouldn't get it
I'm glad I said it But I also, like, kinda regret it
Ink staining is cool But I don't wanna do it
It's not, like, stupid I'm just not really drawn to it
Oh, blip, that's pretty good.
What if I wanna dance to my own music?
Not in real life 'Cause I'm bad at limbshaking
Taking the safe route is a temptation
But I feel-- I don't know, impatient I'm feeling many strange sensations
Wow.
I have to say,
I did not see the day going this way when I woke up this morning.
I have been pleasantly surprised.
Me too.
Do you have any more establishments to pursue?
No. I have to go feed my vibrating creature
before they punish me with their mean glances.
Would it be appropriate if I walked with you in that direction?
Of course.
We need to give them wings to fly.
They found something that they like. Let's let them wing it.
You're right. But who will carry on our traditions?
Nothing is forever.
Perhaps they will eventually come back to the ink salon,
or perhaps they will continue their own journey,
and the ink salon will be no longer. We don't know.
But they're a good being, and they deserve our support.
I know.
You are a good lifegiver.
You are a good lifegiver too.
Your passion inspires others to find their own.
I had a really nice time spending the day with you today.
I did too.
Would you maybe wanna go out again sometime?
Perhaps on a proper date to the planetarium on Double Shadow Day?
I would like that very much.
What?
I knew my wish would come true.
See you tomorrow.
- Careful, fresh ink. - Sorry.
You know, I waited all day for you to officially ask me out.
I never thought you'd get an ink stain before you finally did it.
It was worth the pain.
Offspring, can I talk to you for a moment?
It'll just take a moment.
I wanna show you something.
Did you just do that?
Yeah. I did.
Offspring, I'm someone who believes in telling stories through art.
And I want you to share your story with all beings out there.
If speaking in words that have a similar cadence and rhythm and sound-like endings
is how you wanna do that, then that's what you should do.
What about working here at the ink stain salon?
You can always come back here if you want.
I don't think I will.
But you can if you want.
I really don't think I'm going to.
Let's just leave it at "The door will always be open."
Thank you, Lifegiver.
You know, in all my revolutions helping beings share their stories,
I realized a very important lesson.
I know, "Keep your ink stain out of direct starlight and clean it twice a day."
You've listened.
You say it to every customer, like, 20 times.
I do.
But that's not the lesson I'm talking about.
In helping beings share their stories,
I realized that the most important story is the one you tell yourself.
And I want your story to be that you can do or be anything you want.
Hey, will you sit with me while I finish this ink stain?
Actually, Lifegiver, maybe I can finish it for you?
Only if you want to.
Okay.
That does not feel good!
It's perfect.
See?
Aren't you glad I won't be doing this professionally?