*she puts her hands to her temples* You always - ugh - Santek, I'm not sure where you were going with that, but I think it was a compliment, but this guy - it's a marathon to keep up, and every time you say something he doesn't like he pulls out some detail he knows will rattle you so you'll just fall into whatever he thinks is right, and giving out the information so sparingly, it's like he's trying to raise the price on diamonds...
>Well, he is a Lord. You know very well I wasn't much better than that before y...
>...Av. What happened to your Muse?
>Well, he is a Lord. You know very well I wasn't much better than that before y...
>...Av. What happened to your Muse?
}|{ ... Well... I guess I never got the chance to know my Mother, now did I?
'Don't look at me. It wasn't my fault. It was the other me who did that.'
}|{ Other versions... One may wonder if their Debt should be counted towards the total value contrib-
'Shut it Av; I'm long past thinking that getting raised properly would have done you any good. So you can drop bringing up your whole spheel about being 'born' as nothing but a Derse Dreamer in an empty session because your Parents messed with something they shouldn't have ever even been able to find.'
'I'm through with being served the blame for that. You've taken part in your own Ruination; What With over-writing your session to include The Heir of Heart, Mage of Space, and The Bard of Time. to avoid mentioning myself, even just what trouble you caused them was enough to establish you as a manipulative arse.'
'Do you really think that you'd let something as simple as parents stop you from becoming that?'
'Don't look at me. It wasn't my fault. It was the other me who did that.'
}|{ Other versions... One may wonder if their Debt should be counted towards the total value contrib-
'Shut it Av; I'm long past thinking that getting raised properly would have done you any good. So you can drop bringing up your whole spheel about being 'born' as nothing but a Derse Dreamer in an empty session because your Parents messed with something they shouldn't have ever even been able to find.'
'I'm through with being served the blame for that. You've taken part in your own Ruination; What With over-writing your session to include The Heir of Heart, Mage of Space, and The Bard of Time. to avoid mentioning myself, even just what trouble you caused them was enough to establish you as a manipulative arse.'
'Do you really think that you'd let something as simple as parents stop you from becoming that?'
*her attention was DEFINITELY caught by the word "mother." But she has more than one thing on her mind at the moment*
We can't... If we want to move forward, we can't go on holding ourselves responsible for what alternate versions of ourselves did in different timelines. Else my mother's blood is on my hands, and... I can't live like that. I can't be who I need to be, for the people I love, if I'm always afraid of this terrible thing that I once had the potential to do. *she has Ribbon's voice in her head as she says this, back when they tested Onponn's empathy power, and Ribbon told her not to worry so much about what not to be...*
We can't ignore it, and forget it, because then we won't grow and we might do even worse than that someday, but we can't blame ourselves for it, either.
...but all that, is that... is that just what the story of a Lord is? Because it sounds familiar...
>Born alone, to a life mixed in with the game already, and only your parents' mistakes to guide you. It's all stacked to break you, everything in the world, so you break it instead. You make things go the way you need them to, you make everyone around you be the way you need them to be, whatever it takes, whatever half-truths it takes, whatever justifications you make to yourself, because it's all going to be worth it in the end, once you've made the world in the way you want it to be, once you've made things right by your ancestors and made everything perfect for your descendants... Everyone else's lives and decisions be damned, because they don't know any better, they'll just live it all wrong if you don't guide them into your singular vision how things should be, because as far as you can see, it IS the way things should be... A Lord is, in a phrase, a manipulative arse; that's well-put.
But that's not you.
>It's what I was. And what I would have remained, had you chosen differently. The one consolation I have in hindsight is even without your influence I still wouldn't have gotten very far.
Right. She killed you, didn't she. Other you, I mean.
>As far as I can tell. Other me doesn't like to talk about it. And I don't engage her in conversation if I can avoid it.
>In any case, here we are... With a Lord who has gotten very, very far indeed.
We can't... If we want to move forward, we can't go on holding ourselves responsible for what alternate versions of ourselves did in different timelines. Else my mother's blood is on my hands, and... I can't live like that. I can't be who I need to be, for the people I love, if I'm always afraid of this terrible thing that I once had the potential to do. *she has Ribbon's voice in her head as she says this, back when they tested Onponn's empathy power, and Ribbon told her not to worry so much about what not to be...*
We can't ignore it, and forget it, because then we won't grow and we might do even worse than that someday, but we can't blame ourselves for it, either.
...but all that, is that... is that just what the story of a Lord is? Because it sounds familiar...
>Born alone, to a life mixed in with the game already, and only your parents' mistakes to guide you. It's all stacked to break you, everything in the world, so you break it instead. You make things go the way you need them to, you make everyone around you be the way you need them to be, whatever it takes, whatever half-truths it takes, whatever justifications you make to yourself, because it's all going to be worth it in the end, once you've made the world in the way you want it to be, once you've made things right by your ancestors and made everything perfect for your descendants... Everyone else's lives and decisions be damned, because they don't know any better, they'll just live it all wrong if you don't guide them into your singular vision how things should be, because as far as you can see, it IS the way things should be... A Lord is, in a phrase, a manipulative arse; that's well-put.
But that's not you.
>It's what I was. And what I would have remained, had you chosen differently. The one consolation I have in hindsight is even without your influence I still wouldn't have gotten very far.
Right. She killed you, didn't she. Other you, I mean.
>As far as I can tell. Other me doesn't like to talk about it. And I don't engage her in conversation if I can avoid it.
>In any case, here we are... With a Lord who has gotten very, very far indeed.
... *the Other guy isn't all to happy with this train of thought. It didn't matter if they didn't hold themselves responsible for the actions of their other, because Av held them responsible; the actions affect them regardless of their own view. And they don't like the idea of Av possibly being sympathized with in this way... they aren't honestly sure What they want actually*
}|{ Well... Sounds like you've got me all figured out, doesn't it. But, Breaking The Game... Making things Better for 'descendants'... It may sound like the aforementioned Justification, but could you think of anything better to have done? It will bring many the chance to make a choice that would have been made for them. To get to go someplace where the Law of The Game will no longer reach them, or, to have to put up with the freshly unrestricted Terrors who care very little for the lives and wills of those they will force into The Game.
Plus... This new World is the only chance for 'the mistakes of my parents' to be righted. The Only place they can come to be again...
Though, 'chance' may be a tad deceptive. The Tree of Life is already circumstantially complete. The Worlds within already Are. They are no longer, [DELETE;]'ed.
They will Live again, despite the best efforts of... 'Fate', we'll call it.
*specifically not calling out the other Lord of Doom*
}|{ Well... Sounds like you've got me all figured out, doesn't it. But, Breaking The Game... Making things Better for 'descendants'... It may sound like the aforementioned Justification, but could you think of anything better to have done? It will bring many the chance to make a choice that would have been made for them. To get to go someplace where the Law of The Game will no longer reach them, or, to have to put up with the freshly unrestricted Terrors who care very little for the lives and wills of those they will force into The Game.
Plus... This new World is the only chance for 'the mistakes of my parents' to be righted. The Only place they can come to be again...
Though, 'chance' may be a tad deceptive. The Tree of Life is already circumstantially complete. The Worlds within already Are. They are no longer, [DELETE;]'ed.
They will Live again, despite the best efforts of... 'Fate', we'll call it.
*specifically not calling out the other Lord of Doom*
You want to bring your parents back... That's what this is about, isn't it.
>Of course it is. It's the most natural desire in all existence.
But acting on it... God, Av... I'm not sure I'd ever have understood that. I could say I do, but, when I saw her in the sprite, I...
It's a logical choice. Going to this Tree. Putting our families there, so they'll be safe. It makes sense. But...
Shit. I don't buy it. It's too reductive. That this is the only way, that it's already happened so we have to - that's the self-fulfilling destiny paradox loop bullshit the game runs on. Being like the game to beat it? No. No, this isn't beating it. It's, it's running away. Again. And sometimes running away makes sense, as a tactical retreat, so you can live to strike and win later. But this is running like I did when I came to the fold. It's just, running. It doesn't end the game. For a few people, maybe, assuming that you're right, it will be over. But it'll still be out there. And we'd still be living by its logic. Stuck in a loop, not moving forward. So who's to say that it wouldn't come back. Who's to say that it wouldn't give way to something worse.
*to the Other guy* You said you found other things. In all your searching, did you find anything that could truly take out the game for good? There has to be a way to salvage this world. I'm not nearly a hero, damn it, but this world has become too much like home for me to just give up on it.
>Of course it is. It's the most natural desire in all existence.
But acting on it... God, Av... I'm not sure I'd ever have understood that. I could say I do, but, when I saw her in the sprite, I...
It's a logical choice. Going to this Tree. Putting our families there, so they'll be safe. It makes sense. But...
Shit. I don't buy it. It's too reductive. That this is the only way, that it's already happened so we have to - that's the self-fulfilling destiny paradox loop bullshit the game runs on. Being like the game to beat it? No. No, this isn't beating it. It's, it's running away. Again. And sometimes running away makes sense, as a tactical retreat, so you can live to strike and win later. But this is running like I did when I came to the fold. It's just, running. It doesn't end the game. For a few people, maybe, assuming that you're right, it will be over. But it'll still be out there. And we'd still be living by its logic. Stuck in a loop, not moving forward. So who's to say that it wouldn't come back. Who's to say that it wouldn't give way to something worse.
*to the Other guy* You said you found other things. In all your searching, did you find anything that could truly take out the game for good? There has to be a way to salvage this world. I'm not nearly a hero, damn it, but this world has become too much like home for me to just give up on it.
}|{ ... *Doesn't exactly have much to say... what, would they simply elaborate on what they know of their parents? how 'unfair' their loss was? Av is feeling more childish than usual, now that the subject of their parents has been brought up...*
*Av, 'speechless' for once? Good. this works for them. A chance to straighten things out with their own words & works*
'There are a few things. But first, I'd like to give some fact checking about The Tree of Life. I've not had this entire version of my life be about making it just so it can be slandered.'
'The Tree has not 'already happened', like that. The Tree in and of itself is 'finished', being that it contains a Single Universe.'
'It will be 'complete' when it gets some... 'vital nutrients' from the event that causes the defeat of LE. When complete, it will be self-sufficient in being able to Grow New Universes without requiring internal interference.'
'If Things happen from now that somehow prevent it from reaching this point, it is still at least A Universe, which should have lifespan enough to satisfy anyone choosing to shelter within it alongside any 'natives'.'
'And it is not run on anything like 'The Game', or, 'The Frog'. There is this kind of 'microbial Universe' that manages to make new universes as easily as people make new people. for the 'natives', it is a tricky and rare event for them to manage to create a new member of their kind. Positions of Universe and People kind of swapped for them. There are many, Many little 'genetic quirks' that had to be sorted through to get what was needed to make The Tree of Life.'
'But, with that out of the way, I will say, no there isn't any absolute assurance that something vaguely resembling The Game might come to be, but if it does, it would be completely the work of those within The Universe. The Tree of Life is NOT designed to make anything like The Game in order to continue, unlike Frogs. If anyone DID manage to MAKE, MAKE, not FIND, because there is NOT one being left on purpose, themselves a backdoor into The Universe Creation Process, I think they might find something able to be vaguely compared to The Game, except that The Game can be won with no Player input required, as Automated systems handle everything. The only way the could 'lose' is if they sabotaged anything by mistake. Then that's their loss. The only people who have to pay for their meddling is themselves, stuck in a 'Dead Session' till they can find a way out.'
'If there are any other questions or misconceptions for the lead programmer, I'll be mostly happy to answer.'
'As for THIS World, well. This World is built around The Game being Played. The only thing you can do about it is to try to make that a Good thing. And it will never be a good thing so long as The Terrors Exist. You'll need to get yourself a new LE to go around slaughtering them if that's what you want.'
*Av, 'speechless' for once? Good. this works for them. A chance to straighten things out with their own words & works*
'There are a few things. But first, I'd like to give some fact checking about The Tree of Life. I've not had this entire version of my life be about making it just so it can be slandered.'
'The Tree has not 'already happened', like that. The Tree in and of itself is 'finished', being that it contains a Single Universe.'
'It will be 'complete' when it gets some... 'vital nutrients' from the event that causes the defeat of LE. When complete, it will be self-sufficient in being able to Grow New Universes without requiring internal interference.'
'If Things happen from now that somehow prevent it from reaching this point, it is still at least A Universe, which should have lifespan enough to satisfy anyone choosing to shelter within it alongside any 'natives'.'
'And it is not run on anything like 'The Game', or, 'The Frog'. There is this kind of 'microbial Universe' that manages to make new universes as easily as people make new people. for the 'natives', it is a tricky and rare event for them to manage to create a new member of their kind. Positions of Universe and People kind of swapped for them. There are many, Many little 'genetic quirks' that had to be sorted through to get what was needed to make The Tree of Life.'
'But, with that out of the way, I will say, no there isn't any absolute assurance that something vaguely resembling The Game might come to be, but if it does, it would be completely the work of those within The Universe. The Tree of Life is NOT designed to make anything like The Game in order to continue, unlike Frogs. If anyone DID manage to MAKE, MAKE, not FIND, because there is NOT one being left on purpose, themselves a backdoor into The Universe Creation Process, I think they might find something able to be vaguely compared to The Game, except that The Game can be won with no Player input required, as Automated systems handle everything. The only way the could 'lose' is if they sabotaged anything by mistake. Then that's their loss. The only people who have to pay for their meddling is themselves, stuck in a 'Dead Session' till they can find a way out.'
'If there are any other questions or misconceptions for the lead programmer, I'll be mostly happy to answer.'
'As for THIS World, well. This World is built around The Game being Played. The only thing you can do about it is to try to make that a Good thing. And it will never be a good thing so long as The Terrors Exist. You'll need to get yourself a new LE to go around slaughtering them if that's what you want.'
*between Santek and Sophie, and the way their experiences line up with Av's there's a good amount of feeling sorry for them. But not enough for either of them to prioritize it at the moment*
>Well, we do have a few Lords here. I'm not saying that last suggestion is a solution I find very appealing, but it goes with saying that it's an option.
So it's a universe that would give birth to new universes eventually, without need for any game mechanism... And there are people who already live there? How would people from this world moving in impact them?
And, you seemed pretty eager when you got here to bring up that there are other solutions, between staying here and going to this Tree place you've made. I'd love to hear them.
>Well, we do have a few Lords here. I'm not saying that last suggestion is a solution I find very appealing, but it goes with saying that it's an option.
So it's a universe that would give birth to new universes eventually, without need for any game mechanism... And there are people who already live there? How would people from this world moving in impact them?
And, you seemed pretty eager when you got here to bring up that there are other solutions, between staying here and going to this Tree place you've made. I'd love to hear them.
}|{ *Av does have a little thing to interject here*
Careful with The Terrors. Many people think they can just stab them or the like, and forget that they exist in a total mesh of all Aspects. They can move and work in ways not limited to just Time and Space. And they WILL use any dirty trick they can think of. There are a few tricks that can be used back mind you, but...
It'd be hard to uproot them from their position of Power without any collateral damages to The Furthest Ring; the place where, well, All of The Universes 'Here' happen to reside. It's good to be ready and willing, but...
'Av made a few friends to help with the adjustment. Though very few cases would be as direct as to have people popping in out of thin air. Most common choice, for most effective adjustment, is for new versions of any arrivals to have already been living in there, and for their memories to leak back to them over time. that way they don't get to big of a culture shock.'
'It's mostly on a case by case basis for the hows and the whats of people moving in.'
'I am still willing and eager to share. I've actually got one or two in mind that seems very tempting personally. Reality, as should surprise no one, is an incredibly diverse place.'
*they take a moment to pull out a phone, refreshing themselves on some of the information*
'There's this 'island'... Static 3Space-1Light, dynamic 1Time... Very much alike 'normal'. Its got nature, its got buildings... A real relaxing kind of place, with plenty of room for creative outlet... Not to many native to be found though. Just 1 guy maintaining things from what I've seen. And The Island has to be willing to accept you for you to go there. I pass its standards, and hope to go there in my 'retirement', if events line up so that I'm not left with any unfinished business... Supposedly a little tricky to leave though, like most Worlds. It's not like you can just catch the ferry and leave The Universe. But for those who do want to leave, the 'janitor' ought to be able to help... I really like this one...'
'There's also this impressive, but rather desecrated place with Static 3Void, Dynamic 2Light. A real DIY kind of place. any 'real people' that visit get the chance to become 'guardians', who get to act as the Living Engines of Zones of their own Design. With a good influx of people, it could become a real wondrous place. However last I checked, It was left with just 3 Guardians & a whole lot of cleansed Structure... Probably would take about... 11 more people to fire the place up again. I'd love to go there if it got enough competent Guardians to start back up'
'Let's see... Ah, there's also those Microbial Universes I mentioned. Each one is only a little larger than the average Solar System inside, but what would you ever need That much room for. The Natives mostly tend to find those unlike themselves who can create new microbial Universes at will both fascinating & pitiable. ... Pretty sure becoming a glorified Pet isn't on the to do list of anyone here, so I'll just move on to the next one.'
'There's a solitary pocket of 'normal' SpaceTime routed through Aetherious interference... Nice natives, but they can only handle there ever being 1 non-Aetherious being relative to itself at a time, else things get kind of ~Broken. Nice for some, but, only if they are ok with never seeing anyone they once knew again.'
'A Reality with Static 3space-1life-1doom, Dynamic 1Time. kind of like 'normal', but, some things are radically different on the 'subatomic' scale. different kinds of physics. Whole World runs mostly on this high-energy fluid that exists in (nearly) All matter. And it's got some seriously amazing Engineers. I actually ran some hypothetical designs by some of them once. They've got some brilliant stuff over there... and, it's still got trees & towns & people... all the 'normal life' kind of stuff to.'
... 'I think I'll try to focus on more... 'natural', alternative choices... I'll need a moment to look them up, unless you've heard all you think you need to hear for now.'
Careful with The Terrors. Many people think they can just stab them or the like, and forget that they exist in a total mesh of all Aspects. They can move and work in ways not limited to just Time and Space. And they WILL use any dirty trick they can think of. There are a few tricks that can be used back mind you, but...
It'd be hard to uproot them from their position of Power without any collateral damages to The Furthest Ring; the place where, well, All of The Universes 'Here' happen to reside. It's good to be ready and willing, but...
'Av made a few friends to help with the adjustment. Though very few cases would be as direct as to have people popping in out of thin air. Most common choice, for most effective adjustment, is for new versions of any arrivals to have already been living in there, and for their memories to leak back to them over time. that way they don't get to big of a culture shock.'
'It's mostly on a case by case basis for the hows and the whats of people moving in.'
'I am still willing and eager to share. I've actually got one or two in mind that seems very tempting personally. Reality, as should surprise no one, is an incredibly diverse place.'
*they take a moment to pull out a phone, refreshing themselves on some of the information*
'There's this 'island'... Static 3Space-1Light, dynamic 1Time... Very much alike 'normal'. Its got nature, its got buildings... A real relaxing kind of place, with plenty of room for creative outlet... Not to many native to be found though. Just 1 guy maintaining things from what I've seen. And The Island has to be willing to accept you for you to go there. I pass its standards, and hope to go there in my 'retirement', if events line up so that I'm not left with any unfinished business... Supposedly a little tricky to leave though, like most Worlds. It's not like you can just catch the ferry and leave The Universe. But for those who do want to leave, the 'janitor' ought to be able to help... I really like this one...'
'There's also this impressive, but rather desecrated place with Static 3Void, Dynamic 2Light. A real DIY kind of place. any 'real people' that visit get the chance to become 'guardians', who get to act as the Living Engines of Zones of their own Design. With a good influx of people, it could become a real wondrous place. However last I checked, It was left with just 3 Guardians & a whole lot of cleansed Structure... Probably would take about... 11 more people to fire the place up again. I'd love to go there if it got enough competent Guardians to start back up'
'Let's see... Ah, there's also those Microbial Universes I mentioned. Each one is only a little larger than the average Solar System inside, but what would you ever need That much room for. The Natives mostly tend to find those unlike themselves who can create new microbial Universes at will both fascinating & pitiable. ... Pretty sure becoming a glorified Pet isn't on the to do list of anyone here, so I'll just move on to the next one.'
'There's a solitary pocket of 'normal' SpaceTime routed through Aetherious interference... Nice natives, but they can only handle there ever being 1 non-Aetherious being relative to itself at a time, else things get kind of ~Broken. Nice for some, but, only if they are ok with never seeing anyone they once knew again.'
'A Reality with Static 3space-1life-1doom, Dynamic 1Time. kind of like 'normal', but, some things are radically different on the 'subatomic' scale. different kinds of physics. Whole World runs mostly on this high-energy fluid that exists in (nearly) All matter. And it's got some seriously amazing Engineers. I actually ran some hypothetical designs by some of them once. They've got some brilliant stuff over there... and, it's still got trees & towns & people... all the 'normal life' kind of stuff to.'
... 'I think I'll try to focus on more... 'natural', alternative choices... I'll need a moment to look them up, unless you've heard all you think you need to hear for now.'
I... need to talk to my family. I can't make a decision like this on my own.
*Santek nods, smiling, thinking but not saying, that therein lies the value of the world that gave birth to her*
*Santek nods, smiling, thinking but not saying, that therein lies the value of the world that gave birth to her*
}|{ Including Hamnet and Factor I'm guessing? This involves them to. Maybe even moreso since they are currently without The Game.
*The invitations have been offered, delays on offering to the two of you who know nearly nothing of all this*
'hmm... I'd just like to weigh in on the idea of using The Island as a safe place for those who could be threatened by a Session of The Game. With a little work, I'm sure a way to 'clock in' and out could be arranged, even though I don't know much of what kinds of 'requirements' it has to get to visit. I just know that I meet them.'
'I know things are going to be talked out by you all, but...'
'I think it fits the need to keep safe while also remaining 'here' enough to try and combat The Game's negative attributes.'
*Valdis is here real quick. they're used to getting such invites, and don't tend to put it off for long*
|/=@] ... |/~@] Hmmm... *interesting situation here*
*and here comes Dots* [!~!] ... h, hello? what's happening?
*Ribbon, as of right now, is a bit spooked by Av giving an offer to talk*
}|{ Might be better if you send the rest some invites.
Should we get The Onponn family directly involved to, or do you think they would be better off making their own private choices regarding all this
*The invitations have been offered, delays on offering to the two of you who know nearly nothing of all this*
'hmm... I'd just like to weigh in on the idea of using The Island as a safe place for those who could be threatened by a Session of The Game. With a little work, I'm sure a way to 'clock in' and out could be arranged, even though I don't know much of what kinds of 'requirements' it has to get to visit. I just know that I meet them.'
'I know things are going to be talked out by you all, but...'
'I think it fits the need to keep safe while also remaining 'here' enough to try and combat The Game's negative attributes.'
*Valdis is here real quick. they're used to getting such invites, and don't tend to put it off for long*
|/=@] ... |/~@] Hmmm... *interesting situation here*
*and here comes Dots* [!~!] ... h, hello? what's happening?
*Ribbon, as of right now, is a bit spooked by Av giving an offer to talk*
}|{ Might be better if you send the rest some invites.
Should we get The Onponn family directly involved to, or do you think they would be better off making their own private choices regarding all this
*why is she surprised? She shouldn’t be surprised. Av has conversations on his terms, not anyone else’s* Do NOT bother anyone else with this.
>Careful. This might not be something you can protect them from.
Well I can try!
>Let me rephrase. This might not be something that you should protect them from.
>Careful. This might not be something you can protect them from.
Well I can try!
>Let me rephrase. This might not be something that you should protect them from.
[!~!] ? *Dots is confused. though, a part of them is grateful for the ability to be confused. preferable to what it used to be* What?
}|{ a bit late to not bother anyone else over The Tree of Life... I've already been working with other people about it. I talk with more people than just everyone present right now you know.
|/@~] *pointedly NOT looking to Av for answers,*
Let's, take a moment and start over. What exactly is happening right now, and what is supposed to be talked about.
'We are nearing the 'time' when LE is destroyed. This will have a number of effects, most prime among them being that The Terrors will no longer need to pretend to work with Players.'
'Some people want to Fight The Terrors, while others are better off evacuating due to a lack of ability to change much.'
'Fight, flight, or a mixture thereof is currently being considered here. Av wants The Tree of Life to be a prime place to flee to, and by most accounts as the one who worked on the project, I would agree. But some would also rather not go anyplace Av has been involved in, so a number of alternate options are also up for consideration.'
[!~!] ... *trying to take it all in. were the situation a little less odd, she might feel free to try and get introduced to Santek; she doesn't think the two of them have ever met*
}|{ a bit late to not bother anyone else over The Tree of Life... I've already been working with other people about it. I talk with more people than just everyone present right now you know.
|/@~] *pointedly NOT looking to Av for answers,*
Let's, take a moment and start over. What exactly is happening right now, and what is supposed to be talked about.
'We are nearing the 'time' when LE is destroyed. This will have a number of effects, most prime among them being that The Terrors will no longer need to pretend to work with Players.'
'Some people want to Fight The Terrors, while others are better off evacuating due to a lack of ability to change much.'
'Fight, flight, or a mixture thereof is currently being considered here. Av wants The Tree of Life to be a prime place to flee to, and by most accounts as the one who worked on the project, I would agree. But some would also rather not go anyplace Av has been involved in, so a number of alternate options are also up for consideration.'
[!~!] ... *trying to take it all in. were the situation a little less odd, she might feel free to try and get introduced to Santek; she doesn't think the two of them have ever met*
*she takes a moment, trying to center herself and keep her prioirities straight... and finds herself reaching out to Ribbon as she does so. Much as she wants to protect Ribbon from all this, she wants/needs? her there with her, or at least, it would be nice if Ribbon could hear what was being said, while remaining a presumably safe amount of distance away if that’s what she wants...*
I... This is Santek, first of all. He’s an old... *friend seems the wrong word for their dynamic* ... I trust him. More than the others we’re dealing with here.
>I appreciate you saying so, though I wouldn’t blame you for keeping me on the same level of trust as the other two meddlers here.
Really. Really? Hardly. Okay, let’s talk about trust. I trust Av to provide a version of reality that is strictly literally true but serves his agenda and emotional needs at the expense of anyone else’s even if he seems helpful. I trust the “other guy” to dislike Av enough to get in his way and consequently be helpful to the rest of us who don’t like Av. I trust you to—I don’t know, keep me straight, I guess, or make me better, in some frustrating cosmic sense we’re good for each other, how could I not trust you after all the shit we’ve been through. The fact that most of it was objectively your fault notwithstanding. And I— I don’t trust myself to make decisions for other people, especially not something this big, but... there’s that promise I made, past tense doesn’t feel right really because it’s a standing promise, that no one I love is going to suffer because of the game, not if there’s anything I can do about that. And I had absolutely no idea— when I made that promise, I meant it, but I had no idea how I was going to keep it. And here I am with options. Here we are, with options. And I don’t know what’s going to happen next but it has to lead to my family being safe from the game. It has to.
I... This is Santek, first of all. He’s an old... *friend seems the wrong word for their dynamic* ... I trust him. More than the others we’re dealing with here.
>I appreciate you saying so, though I wouldn’t blame you for keeping me on the same level of trust as the other two meddlers here.
Really. Really? Hardly. Okay, let’s talk about trust. I trust Av to provide a version of reality that is strictly literally true but serves his agenda and emotional needs at the expense of anyone else’s even if he seems helpful. I trust the “other guy” to dislike Av enough to get in his way and consequently be helpful to the rest of us who don’t like Av. I trust you to—I don’t know, keep me straight, I guess, or make me better, in some frustrating cosmic sense we’re good for each other, how could I not trust you after all the shit we’ve been through. The fact that most of it was objectively your fault notwithstanding. And I— I don’t trust myself to make decisions for other people, especially not something this big, but... there’s that promise I made, past tense doesn’t feel right really because it’s a standing promise, that no one I love is going to suffer because of the game, not if there’s anything I can do about that. And I had absolutely no idea— when I made that promise, I meant it, but I had no idea how I was going to keep it. And here I am with options. Here we are, with options. And I don’t know what’s going to happen next but it has to lead to my family being safe from the game. It has to.
}|{ *that's... a pretty fair-ish assessment. Av won't actively object to it*
*'Other guy' is ok with it to, but also wishing that they could skip to the part where everyone starts making a choice. they're not so good with all this social stuff*
[!~!] Hello Santek. [!u!] Well if it helps, you've already done a great job helping me not suffer because of it.
*Ribbon, hearing a knock from Sophie, chooses to stop just listening by the door and enter*
0~0 0u0 Hello... *Ribbon had wanted to say something, but now being here, she feels a little nervous. she doesn't know exactly how to say what she wants to say*
0~0 umm. sorry. just a moment... -~-
...
0~0 At a time that seems like forever ago, my home was attacked.
*trying to not look at Valdis; it isn't their fault anymore*
It was a seemingly impossible force we were up against. So do you know what we did?
I took the Crystal that they were after, and fled somewhere where I knew I could return.
-u- It, didn't work out perfectly, since the Crystal ended up breaking, but...
0u0 I was safe. It was safe. And I was able to find help. In time, we were able to fix the Crystal and save my home.
0~0 And this would have gone very differently if we didn't know the importance of retreating when needed. The Darkmatter would have gotten my Home AND the Crystal... And then they would have had everything they needed to do whatever unknowable plan they had...
0u0 I think... 'other guy'? ... 0~0 really should get you a name...
0u0 I think You said something about an Island that was free from The Game? And that we could get something that would let us travel to and from it?
^u^ That sounds like the perfect place to go to be safe, and still know that we can return when needed. 0u0
|/=@] ... *Valdis is... going through some regrets, regarding the attack on Ribbon's Homeworld*
*'Other guy' is ok with it to, but also wishing that they could skip to the part where everyone starts making a choice. they're not so good with all this social stuff*
[!~!] Hello Santek. [!u!] Well if it helps, you've already done a great job helping me not suffer because of it.
*Ribbon, hearing a knock from Sophie, chooses to stop just listening by the door and enter*
0~0 0u0 Hello... *Ribbon had wanted to say something, but now being here, she feels a little nervous. she doesn't know exactly how to say what she wants to say*
0~0 umm. sorry. just a moment... -~-
...
0~0 At a time that seems like forever ago, my home was attacked.
*trying to not look at Valdis; it isn't their fault anymore*
It was a seemingly impossible force we were up against. So do you know what we did?
I took the Crystal that they were after, and fled somewhere where I knew I could return.
-u- It, didn't work out perfectly, since the Crystal ended up breaking, but...
0u0 I was safe. It was safe. And I was able to find help. In time, we were able to fix the Crystal and save my home.
0~0 And this would have gone very differently if we didn't know the importance of retreating when needed. The Darkmatter would have gotten my Home AND the Crystal... And then they would have had everything they needed to do whatever unknowable plan they had...
0u0 I think... 'other guy'? ... 0~0 really should get you a name...
0u0 I think You said something about an Island that was free from The Game? And that we could get something that would let us travel to and from it?
^u^ That sounds like the perfect place to go to be safe, and still know that we can return when needed. 0u0
|/=@] ... *Valdis is... going through some regrets, regarding the attack on Ribbon's Homeworld*
*Sophie is quiet, and Santek thinks she might need a little more of a nudge*
>Running to. And running with. With a plan for well-being and a way of return. It's a better kind of running than the kind we're both guilty of.
Yes. I... Yes. Thank you, Ribbon. I agree.
*what she really wants to do is reach out and hold Ribbon... but not here, not now. Sometime she can pretend Av isn't watching. And speaking of--*
Just to be clear, Av, our children will hear this from us, when we're awake. Not here from you. And not after we've already moved. We can't keep springing big changes on them.
>Running to. And running with. With a plan for well-being and a way of return. It's a better kind of running than the kind we're both guilty of.
Yes. I... Yes. Thank you, Ribbon. I agree.
*what she really wants to do is reach out and hold Ribbon... but not here, not now. Sometime she can pretend Av isn't watching. And speaking of--*
Just to be clear, Av, our children will hear this from us, when we're awake. Not here from you. And not after we've already moved. We can't keep springing big changes on them.
/u\ 'whew'... -u- I was pretty concerned I might have been seriously overlooking something there, and end up looking like a fool after opening up about that...
0u0 Thankyou for listening. *no point in Taking a bullet for someone if you can both get out of the way; Ribbon is glad that safety seems assured*
}|{ it only ever was an offer. continuing to not contact them is easy.
|/=@] There is just one main problem I can see with the plan to go to The Island...
|/~@] What kind of 'standards' does it have. Just knowing that you somehow meet them isn't enough to go off of.
[!~!] *hmm. that could be a problem; if anyone in the family doesn't meet the standard...*
*Other guy thinks on this a moment...* 'I'll do some testing. I'll get a msg sent to you by your morning with my findings and with a means of getting to and from The Island... Are you ok with private handheld devices, or would a 'portal' set up be preferred.'
0u0 Thankyou for listening. *no point in Taking a bullet for someone if you can both get out of the way; Ribbon is glad that safety seems assured*
}|{ it only ever was an offer. continuing to not contact them is easy.
|/=@] There is just one main problem I can see with the plan to go to The Island...
|/~@] What kind of 'standards' does it have. Just knowing that you somehow meet them isn't enough to go off of.
[!~!] *hmm. that could be a problem; if anyone in the family doesn't meet the standard...*
*Other guy thinks on this a moment...* 'I'll do some testing. I'll get a msg sent to you by your morning with my findings and with a means of getting to and from The Island... Are you ok with private handheld devices, or would a 'portal' set up be preferred.'
*Santek just smiles. Thing seem to be going well for his Muse.*
*there are quite a few snide retorts she could make to Av, but thankfully there's enough else going on that they remain in the back of her head* A laptop message is fine... What is your name, anyway?
*there are quite a few snide retorts she could make to Av, but thankfully there's enough else going on that they remain in the back of her head* A laptop message is fine... What is your name, anyway?
'... My chat handle LMS should suffice.'
0~0 ... *there's, probably a story to be had here, but... Ribbon is unsure if Now is the best time to hear it & try to help*
|/=@] *well. they'll get the information soon enough. Valdis still doesn't see much of a motive for 'LMS' to lie about The Island... They're about ready to 'go back to sleep & wake up'*
[!u!] Thankyou. *Dots is ready to. They don't really feel like they had any brilliant ideas to share here, but support is enough at times*
0~0 um. before we go... It may seem a little selfish of me... -u- but would it at all be possible for my rest to feel full when I wake up? I want to be doing my best when we tell the kids. And I feel like this interruption in the middle of an already abbreviated night's sleep would just be miserable otherwise... /~\
}|{ not a problem at all! Sorry to have interrupted an already dreadfully short night for you.
0~0 ... *there's, probably a story to be had here, but... Ribbon is unsure if Now is the best time to hear it & try to help*
|/=@] *well. they'll get the information soon enough. Valdis still doesn't see much of a motive for 'LMS' to lie about The Island... They're about ready to 'go back to sleep & wake up'*
[!u!] Thankyou. *Dots is ready to. They don't really feel like they had any brilliant ideas to share here, but support is enough at times*
0~0 um. before we go... It may seem a little selfish of me... -u- but would it at all be possible for my rest to feel full when I wake up? I want to be doing my best when we tell the kids. And I feel like this interruption in the middle of an already abbreviated night's sleep would just be miserable otherwise... /~\
}|{ not a problem at all! Sorry to have interrupted an already dreadfully short night for you.
Not selfish at all. Sleep well. And - thank you. For being here. *looks at Ribbon, and Valdis, and Dots. And Santek* All of you.
>It's where I should be.
>It's where I should be.
^u^ Your welcome. *always happy to help*
|/=@] |/=^] of course. |/=@]
[!u!] welcome... *Dots is just happy to be included. she feels a bit like an afterthought to the family at times with how short she's been around*
*Dots, Ribbon, & Valdis 'leave', ready to awake fresh in the Morning*
*LMS is tempted to remark on Santek thinking that 'here' was a place worth being, and possibly offering them a chance to try and visit The Island during testing, but... LMS isn't all to interested in complicating things; an interest that is shortly rendered moot by Av*
}|{ What about you Santek? Plan on just headed back to the Terror's Bubbles? Maybe The Island could be a nice place for you to, since everyone else seems to be planning on headed there.
|/=@] |/=^] of course. |/=@]
[!u!] welcome... *Dots is just happy to be included. she feels a bit like an afterthought to the family at times with how short she's been around*
*Dots, Ribbon, & Valdis 'leave', ready to awake fresh in the Morning*
*LMS is tempted to remark on Santek thinking that 'here' was a place worth being, and possibly offering them a chance to try and visit The Island during testing, but... LMS isn't all to interested in complicating things; an interest that is shortly rendered moot by Av*
}|{ What about you Santek? Plan on just headed back to the Terror's Bubbles? Maybe The Island could be a nice place for you to, since everyone else seems to be planning on headed there.
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