01x09 - Before Star Rise

[bunniefuu]

[narrator] 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.

[chuckles]
That's why we already added you up there.

- [sign crackles]
- We know you'll wanna take it over

and keep it in the family
for many revolutions to come.

- [grunts]
- [both] Yay!

[laughs]

[singer] ♪ Here's our orb
It's slightly leaning ♪

♪ Orbiting a star ♪

- ♪ We find ways to give life meaning ♪
- [cheering, shouting]

♪ Some might seem bizarre ♪

- ♪ All we know is that we exist ♪
- [harmonizing]

♪ 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 ♪

- [mumbles, grunts] Apologies.
- Whoa. [grunts]

Oh. Hey.

[exclaims] Hi!

[clears throat] Normal voice.

Hi. [chuckles]

Are you going to visit Cocoslab Island?

Oh... [stammers] ...no.
Maybe. I don't know.

I, um, 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. [scoffs]
Anyway, what are you doing here?

Uh... [stammers] ...I was just perusing
for a new book to read.

[manager] "A chance encounter leads
to a day of falling in l-love."

How romantic.

Yeah. Hmm.

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? [sighs]

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. [belches]

Well... [sighs] ...I better continue on.

I have to swing by the currency dispenser

to see if I still have currency
to dispense.

Oh.

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.

- [mimicking]
- 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, uh, that's easy to understand.

Uh, we can offer you fewer hours each week

so you can spend more time with beings
that are similar in revolutions to you.

[inhales sharply]
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.

[gasps]
Ooh, tell them about this being, dear.

Oh. [chuckles]

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.

[sighs]

- [whirs]
- 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...
- [machine beeps]

- but I suppose I would have to.
- [machine whirring]

I see.

But I have to get in first.

Oh, 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.

Ah. 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?

[sighs]
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.

Oh, 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?

[sighs] 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.

[chuckles]
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.

[clears throat] Hi, Offspring.

Have you thought more
about what we talked about?

I haven't changed my mind.

[inhales deeply, sighs]

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? [scoffs]

Vocations don't speak!

What was the longest you ever lived
in one burg?

Probably about two revolutions.

That's it? Whoa.

- That's a lot of moving around.
- Eh, 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. [chuckles]

I think so? [chuckles]

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.

[manager] 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. [chuckles]

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.

[sniffs] How many ink stains do you have?

Uh, 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.

[huffs]
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.

N-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.

Y-Yeah, okay. Thank you.

How do you feel
about getting an ink stain?

I would rather express myself
in other ways,

like, uh, I don't know,
singing or dancing or... 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.

[stammers] 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?

Uh, 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?
- Y-Yes.

Do you like to shake them standing
behind other beings

at various celebratory events?

M-Maybe?

Let me see you shake.

Uh, now?

Yeah, just a little somethin'.

[strains, grunts]

[grunts]

Oh, needs work.

[panting, grunting] Oh.

- [sighs] I guess my lifegivers were right.
- [being beatboxing]

[beings cheering]

[beatboxing]

[rapping] ♪ I keep it moving
This grouproll is nonstop ♪

♪ Putting rhymes together
Like they were made of glomrocks ♪

- [beings cheering]
- Whoo-hoo!

What?

[rapping] ♪ It's magnetic ♪

♪ It's freestyle
I can deliver ♪

♪ I rap good
Someone please tell my lifegiver ♪

- Oh!
- I like that a lot.

- Yeah.
- [beatboxing]

[rapping] ♪ 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 ♪

- Whoo!
- Oh, so smooth!

Rhyming couplets.

- [beatboxing]
- [rapping] ♪ 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 ♪

- [beings cheering]
- [beatboxing continues]

[rapping] ♪ I feel kinda nervous ♪

♪ And I currently lack a purpose ♪

♪ Maybe I should try
To rhyme some verses ♪

[cheering]

- Yeah, get it being.
- Whoo! Obtain that.

- ♪ And here's a new thought ♪
- Mm-hmm.

- ♪ Uh, that I... bought ♪
- [beings groaning]

- Hmm.
- ♪ At the store ♪

- Uh...
- [clamoring]

- [groans] First part was good.
- Next time you'll get 'em.

- 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? H-How do you mean?
- Uh... [chuckles] What?

[rapping] ♪ 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.

Uh...
You're the talented being from the park.

- I am?
- They are?

Yeah. They impressed a whole crowd
of beings in the park.

[chuckles] 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.

Uh, 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. Uh, maybe we can ink
a beautiful scene on your lower back.

It is all the rage right now.

I am, uh, 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?

[laughs]

[chuckling] Oh, 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.

[whirring]

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... [screaming]

Oh! [sucks teeth] Oh, sorry.

[chuckles]
I-I got lost in what they were saying.

Uh, can you help us understand
what it is you'd like to be doing?

[grunts]

[rapping]
♪ 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 ♪

[chuckling] 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 ♪

- [chuckles] Wow.
- [exclaims, chuckles]

I have to say,

I did not see the day going this way
when I woke up this morning.

I have been pleasantly surprised.

[chuckles] 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. [chuckles]

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.

- Ow! Careful, fresh ink.
- Oh! Sorry.

Hmm. [giggles]

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... [stammers] ...wanna
show you something.

Did you just do that?

Yeah. I-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."

[gasps] You've listened. [chuckles]

You say it to every customer,
like, 20 times.

[chuckles, stammering] I do.

But, uh, that's not
the lesson I'm talking about.

[stammers]
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.

- [grunts]
- [grunts, chuckles]

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.

- [Offspring] Okay. [clears throat]
- [Lifegiver] Mmm! Oh!

- That does not feel good! [laughs]
- [Offspring grunts]

It's perfect. [chuckles]

- [both chuckling]
- Oh.

- See?
- [laughs]

Aren't you glad I won't be doing
this professionally?