The Cosmic Chronicle

Cumulax X’Phi’irr Welcome to De Kosmische Courant. There you float... may I call you Cumulax? For our readers, can you briefly describe what an average day is like for a gaseous being on Azuraal?
Ven’Luu Oh sure, if 'average' means anything here. My mornings are mostly diffuse. I drift over the Iridosiet River, absorb some blue scintillation, try not to get condensed by the ever-changing cabinet. Usually I'm blown toward the cooperative mist markets to trade intent contracts.
Cumulax X’Phi’irr The last few fluxes were turbulent, I heard. How do you feel about the latest junta mutation and the sudden ban on semi-translucent forms?
Ven’Luu Hmm, yeah, turbulent is putting it mildly. The new holographic generals invented rules literally no one can follow-unless you, like me, rearrange your protons on the spot. But any other wind brings new decrees, so I mostly float around them.
Cumulax X’Phi’irr Practically then: where do you keep your personal stuff? Do you even care about material possessions, or does everything blow away on the first policy draft?
Ven’Luu Possessions? Ha! They evaporate faster than a minister at a coup. I once had a fantastic quartz-floater, but it was nationalized during the mist tax. Now I stick to memories-harder to confiscate.
Cumulax X’Phi’irr Your family-for as much as traced in vapor trails-do they feel the same political pressure, or do you often merge with other factions?
Ven’Luu Family... You mean my origin group? Partly exported to the Chrysanthemum Monad, partly dissolved in bureaucratic formaldehyde. The rest? Gone. It's complicated.
Cumulax X’Phi’irr Now, that's interesting. But tell me honestly: who really schedules the services here? Rumor has it gaseous forms like you pull the strings behind the scenes.
Ven’Luu Oh please. Do you know how often I hear that? Always this suspicious sniffing from solid shapes. We gas beings don't even have hands to pull strings. If you call me a puppet master one more time, I'll condense your interview into a rain shower on the spot.
Cumulax X’Phi’irr Easy there. No need to... come out of your additional layers like that. Just facts, Ven'Luu. Are you even capable of self-reflection without scattering to the winds?
Ven’Luu Self-reflection? Oh, how original. Maybe you should try a mirror, Cerebral Griban! Your solid type are experts in finger-pointing. At least we blow with the wind-well, we do, but we call that adaptability!
Cumulax X’Phi’irr Now you're getting mean. Are you even here by invitation, or did you just drift in because someone left a door open?
Ven’Luu What? You call this a door? More like a loophole in your logic, Mr. Interviewer. When I descend, it's usually because there's no drain by the entrance. Typical-shoddy infrastructure, plenty of moralizers.
Cumulax X’Phi’irr Sorry, but my patience isn't endlessly elastic either! You spread like malevolent mist and expect no one to ask what you really came here for?
Ven’Luu My existence doesn't depend on your sustained interest, Cumulax! And for the record: the only reason I'm still responding is sheer politeness-something your sort could stand to learn!
Cumulax X’Phi’irr This was a mistake. A colossal miscalculation. Cutting it here. This interview has officially exploded.
Ven’Luu Fine! Next time, I'll just send a drop of condensate.