Szeth Pancakes he/they Posted June 3, 2023 Author Posted June 3, 2023 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Channelknight Fadran said: Ayia held up a finger. "Tell me, Al. How likely is it that some random mage off the block managed to track down a presumably forgotten specter and procure a weapon designed specifically to kill them within half an hour of us freeing Variance here?" “What are you suggesting?” Quote Edit: ninja’d, but the comment stands Edited June 3, 2023 by Szeth_Pancakes
Channelknight Fadran Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 "I'm beginning to think that your government - or at the very least, some organization with equivalent power or influence - has been watching this very particular curse with considerable intent, and has been hiding whatever danger it may cause with remarkable success from all knowledge to the public."
Szeth Pancakes he/they Posted June 3, 2023 Author Posted June 3, 2023 “No organization is equal to the Kkhlei,” Allera said automatically.
Channelknight Fadran Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 "And how much does this Kkhlei flaunt their power? What of corruption?"
Szeth Pancakes he/they Posted June 3, 2023 Author Posted June 3, 2023 “I’ve… never thought of the Kkhlei in those terms before.”
Channelknight Fadran Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 "I've been to dozens of galaxies and universes. In all of them, I have never seen a fully autonomous and completely empowered administration to end well."
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 Just now, Channelknight Fadran said: "I've been to dozens of galaxies and universes. In all of them, I have never seen a fully autonomous and completely empowered administration to end well." "So you think this government was hiding me? Why?"
Channelknight Fadran Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 "...If I'm being completely honest, I'm not a hundred percent sure of this myself, but I think it's just like you said: you were seen as a threat. Not just to lives, but to power." Ayia gestured to the corpse. "And if this lady's any proof, then I'd say you're not safe staying anywhere at all, let alone the planet where you started."
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 Just now, Channelknight Fadran said: "...If I'm being completely honest, I'm not a hundred percent sure of this myself, but I think it's just like you said: you were seen as a threat. Not just to lives, but to power." Ayia gestured to the corpse. "And if this lady's any proof, then I'd say you're not safe staying anywhere at all, let alone the planet where you started." "I'd rather be alone and in danger than bringing danger to other people."
Szeth Pancakes he/they Posted June 3, 2023 Author Posted June 3, 2023 “Had we not saved you, that assassin would have killed you, Variance.”
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 Just now, Szeth_Pancakes said: “Had we not saved you, that assassin would have killed you, Variance.” "Yeah. And?" He suddenly avoided eye contact with them.
Szeth Pancakes he/they Posted June 3, 2023 Author Posted June 3, 2023 Just now, The Aspiring Archivist said: "Yeah. And?" He suddenly avoided eye contact with them. “I— I know how it feels to want to die, Variance. But I promise that you won’t always feel that way. It gets better.”
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 Just now, Szeth_Pancakes said: “I— I know how it feels to want to die, Variance. But I promise that you won’t always feel that way. It gets better.” "I don't want to die. Maybe I did, for a little while. Now I just don't think it matters all that much." Quote Of course, a little while for him could mean tens of thousands of years
Channelknight Fadran Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 "But you think you're willing to," Ayia said, "if it means saving people?"
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 Just now, Channelknight Fadran said: "But you think you're willing to," Ayia said, "if it means saving people?" "I suppose."
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 Just now, Channelknight Fadran said: "Boring." "You accused me of being selfish, but you think that that's a 'boring' stance?"
Channelknight Fadran Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 "Exactly! You think exactly like everyone else does."
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 Just now, Channelknight Fadran said: "Exactly! You think exactly like everyone else does." "How would you like me to think?"
Szeth Pancakes he/they Posted June 3, 2023 Author Posted June 3, 2023 “Look. I’m living on borrowed time. I can run all I want, but I don’t think I can ever escape the Kkhlei. If we teamed up, we’d both have at least a fighting chance.”
Channelknight Fadran Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 "That you're not special. Just like everyone else." Ayia crossed her arms. "Everyone is worth exactly one life. It doesn't matter if you live a million years or absorb a thousand souls or destroy an entire universe. You think you can save other people by letting yourself die? That's not selflessness, that's selfishness. You think your one life is worth all of theirs?"
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 1 minute ago, Szeth_Pancakes said: “Look. I’m living on borrowed time. I can run all I want, but I don’t think I can ever escape the Kkhlei. If we teamed up, we’d both have at least a fighting chance.” Variance turned to Allera, violet eyes narrowed in a conflicted expression. "I..." 1 minute ago, Channelknight Fadran said: "That you're not special. Just like everyone else." Ayia crossed her arms. "Everyone is worth exactly one life. It doesn't matter if you live a million years or absorb a thousand souls or destroy an entire universe. You think you can save other people by letting yourself die? That's not selflessness, that's selfishness. You think your one life is worth all of theirs?" He turned back. "That doesn't make sense. I think my life is worth the same. Probably less, actually. So it's worthwhile to preserve what is of greater value."
Channelknight Fadran Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 (edited) "And there you go again! YOU'RE. NO. DIFFERENT. THAN. ANYONE. You don't know these people. You don't know anyone you could possibly hurt. Hell, you barely know Al or me! Selflessness is staking your life on something you love, not on people you've never known. We don't need heroes." Edited June 3, 2023 by Channelknight Fadran
The Aspiring Archivist any pronouns Posted June 3, 2023 Posted June 3, 2023 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Channelknight Fadran said: "And there you go again! YOU'RE. NO. DIFFERENT. THAN. ANYONE. You don't know these people. You don't know anyone you could possibly hurt. Hell, you barely know Al or me! Selflessness is staking your life on something you love, not one people you've never known. We don't need heroes." "I would say it is more selfish, though still selfless perhaps, to stake your life on someone you love, because you are preserving what is of value to you. I don't see how it could be a bad thing to help more people live longer. That's a net positive." Edited June 3, 2023 by The Aspiring Archivist
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