The Cosmic Chronicle

Thrlix (interviewer) Good morning, if that even applies in Lysmond Polarquadra. I see... uh, your form is glowing extra bright today. Are you comfortable here among the synth-ice domes?
Qrrenx (neutron-being) Um, hardly. This atmospheric density-it crackles along my shells. But yes, who am I to complain. Your temperatures are... absurdly constant.
Thrlix You're here as a representative of the neutron collective, correct? What's your main occupation on this creaking expanse?
Qrrenx Well, harmonizing suppliers. Renegotiating landing rights. And defending myself against constant requests to, well, not accidentally merge with the current-fish parquet. I like order, but not ice fishing.
Thrlix Interesting... Your accent is, uh, irregular by local idiom-bot standards. Do you actually enjoy mingling with people?
Qrrenx Enjoy? No. Practical? Sometimes necessary. Most contact here is procedural. Ever tried handing a memo to an ice-crack herder? They eat paper. Literally.
Thrlix So, just to be specific: what do you think of those spinning bridges outside? Have you ever tried rolling across, or... do you just flash right through?
Qrrenx A flash, yes. My kinetic aura stays neatly thawed that way. But the bridges? More for show. For neutrons, ‘spinning’ is mostly confusing, it causes... awkward migration between layers. Trust me.
Thrlix I heard you were recently involved in the incident at the Polar Memoratorium-wandering energy fields, angry diplomats. Care to comment?
Qrrenx Eh, not my finest hour. I was merely trying to absorb data, but that block... it snapped back. Diplomats got statically charged. One spark and half the council burbled in incomprehensible notations. Nonsense, really, but the fallout lingered.
Thrlix Are people still not talking to you since then? I caught signals from frozen expressions.
Qrrenx True, the local culture deals in cool silence after chaos erupts. You have to sit it out, though time... uh, not exactly my strongest reference point.
Thrlix I see: not quite in your element. So why are you still here?
Qrrenx Bureaucratic inertia. Someone has to balance the energy loads in that knowledge block-you wouldn't believe how fast it implodes without oversight.
Thrlix Do you feel underappreciated? Or is that just part of being a neutron, basically invisible to the colorful crowd?
Qrrenx The first. It's innate, I think. No one sees you until you pass through and everything suddenly stops working.
Thrlix How do you cope with the locals’ icy humor? Those ‘closed fridge’ jokes must be annoying...
Qrrenx Absolutely. Especially when they toss root vegetables my way and yell ‘magnetic field joke’. Well, you have to endure.
Thrlix Any positive experiences? Anything you appreciate about Lysmond Polarquadra?
Qrrenx Eh... sometimes, in the early dusk, the whole city subtly vibrates from underground current-winds. Then, briefly, it feels as though there's some harmony between ice cube and neutron field.
Thrlix I get it. Are you planning to stay here long or have you seen enough?
Qrrenx My stay depends on the next council. Either I implode, or they realize my contribution sheds a little light on this city of perpetual dusk.
Thrlix Okay, last question... What really makes you nervous?
Qrrenx Dogs. Especially the ones with reflective jackets. Too much compactness in one place, you see.
Thrlix Huh... Didn’t see that coming. Thanks, Qrrenx. We’ll see if you survive the next council without any unexpected phase-shift.
Qrrenx Yes, thanks for the opportunity. And... if you want fermented glacier-yeast tasting, don’t call me.