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We would be expected to take care of them, would we not?
[Which doesn't sound too great. But in the end, he shrugs.]
I suppose, if this were to be a sanctuary to some... we could repay our debt by allowing you to stay.
[Which doesn't sound too great. But in the end, he shrugs.]
I suppose, if this were to be a sanctuary to some... we could repay our debt by allowing you to stay.
True.
[He considers it.]
Maybe from time to time. But I find that the unexpected tends to yield more satisfying results.
[He considers it.]
Maybe from time to time. But I find that the unexpected tends to yield more satisfying results.
It also lands you in hot water.
[He says that flatly. Sorrow is practical -- maybe too much so, at times. Nick doesn't give up on making him see reason just yet, but he struggles to keep the terseness out of his voice as he continues.]
I understand that you've gotta do what you've gotta do to get by, but what's 'satisfying results' for you is sheer torture for some of us. That business with the ghosts? That was too far.
[He says that flatly. Sorrow is practical -- maybe too much so, at times. Nick doesn't give up on making him see reason just yet, but he struggles to keep the terseness out of his voice as he continues.]
I understand that you've gotta do what you've gotta do to get by, but what's 'satisfying results' for you is sheer torture for some of us. That business with the ghosts? That was too far.
To an extent, but there are many fighters among the people here, and I get the impression that your previous hosts were less inclined toward combat. There are also very innovative people here, as we saw when the city was split and people were trying to find a way to establish network communication to the other side. I suspect anyone willing to stay would be willing to find ways to contribute to the community.
[Granted, she knows most people will be eager to leave, but it's good to know what people's options are.]
I do think that most would choose to either go home or to a friend's world, mind you.
[Granted, she knows most people will be eager to leave, but it's good to know what people's options are.]
I do think that most would choose to either go home or to a friend's world, mind you.
[He remembers Faith. She was- kind, and sympathetic. He wasn't always kind to her, not that he's always kind to anyone, but he appreciated her all the same.
It's noble that Kate is doing this for them and for her. He finds himself nodding at the thought.]
I understand that we will have to work together for this. I am willing to do so- I don't have much of a choice, really. But at this point, neither do you.
[And whose fault is that?]
What I mean to say is- thank you. I'll keep your contributions in mind.
It's noble that Kate is doing this for them and for her. He finds himself nodding at the thought.]
I understand that we will have to work together for this. I am willing to do so- I don't have much of a choice, really. But at this point, neither do you.
[And whose fault is that?]
What I mean to say is- thank you. I'll keep your contributions in mind.
I can smell the flowers, yes.
Thank you. It's a kind gesture.
Thank you. It's a kind gesture.
We can't.
[He agrees.]
Some of us want to, but- it's simply not feasible. Running was just to save us in the first place.
[He agrees.]
Some of us want to, but- it's simply not feasible. Running was just to save us in the first place.
Can you convince the ones who want to keep going that we can't run anymore? Sounds like they listen to you best.
[ That simple thanks causes a strange mish-mash of feelings. ]
No problem, dude.
Just let me know when the smell starts to fade, I'll replace it!
No problem, dude.
Just let me know when the smell starts to fade, I'll replace it!
I see.
[That was a pretty rough one, he'll admit.]
But ultimately, all of you are alive again. Would that be the case if I truly did go 'too far'?
[That was a pretty rough one, he'll admit.]
But ultimately, all of you are alive again. Would that be the case if I truly did go 'too far'?
Of course.
[But it's an interesting thought.]
I'll keep that in mind. It isn't exactly a pressing concern at the moment.
[But it's an interesting thought.]
I'll keep that in mind. It isn't exactly a pressing concern at the moment.
He knows, I think.
[He sighs.]
It's just a hard reality to accept.
[He sighs.]
It's just a hard reality to accept.
Not at the moment.
[Though he appreciates her optimism.]
We'll know more when Rage and Delight return.
[Though he appreciates her optimism.]
We'll know more when Rage and Delight return.
[That wrinkle in his brow hardens.]
We're alive, but we're still living with the aftermath. For some, that's making them wish they hadn't pulled through at all.
We're alive, but we're still living with the aftermath. For some, that's making them wish they hadn't pulled through at all.
That's a bit morbid.
[Frankly.]
Are there not good events, too? Things that make you happy to... 'pull through'?
[Frankly.]
Are there not good events, too? Things that make you happy to... 'pull through'?
Understandable. Preparing for the Null and those who might help them would be a higher priority. I suspect I may not be the only person who pretended to be cooperative in order to gain further information from the Null, but I have no idea who was sincere versus who was pretending.
[Well, she can think of one person who'd be sincere, but she's confident in her ability to talk him down.]
On that topic, how do you plan on handling the matter of people who are sincerely willing to help the Null? Obviously you want to protect yourselves, but being too heavy-handed about the consequences would be unwise.
[Well, she can think of one person who'd be sincere, but she's confident in her ability to talk him down.]
On that topic, how do you plan on handling the matter of people who are sincerely willing to help the Null? Obviously you want to protect yourselves, but being too heavy-handed about the consequences would be unwise.
[Being morbid was the point, as it seems to take straightforward ones to get through to the gods.]
For some folks, those are just as bad. What you deem as making them happy might just make them want to go home even more, and hate the people who are keeping them here all the while.
For some folks, those are just as bad. What you deem as making them happy might just make them want to go home even more, and hate the people who are keeping them here all the while.
Not really.
Don't tell Carlisle, but I stole some petals from his stuff too.
They smell nice.
[ There's a pause between this set of texts and the next,
but- Honesty. She'd promised. Talk out her feelings more or... whatever. ]
Hey.
Mind humoring me and answering a question?
I can't hurt you, right?
Like. Not that I would, I just. Saw some shit in the mirrors that made me worry and, I don't know. I just wanna' make sure it's not possible.
Don't tell Carlisle, but I stole some petals from his stuff too.
They smell nice.
[ There's a pause between this set of texts and the next,
but- Honesty. She'd promised. Talk out her feelings more or... whatever. ]
Hey.
Mind humoring me and answering a question?
I can't hurt you, right?
Like. Not that I would, I just. Saw some shit in the mirrors that made me worry and, I don't know. I just wanna' make sure it's not possible.
Edited 2017-09-17 12:01 (UTC)
I agree.
[Surprisingly enough.]
You are ultimately at our mercy, but as the Null are electing to attack us through you, it makes you a liability. The more you fear us, the more willing you are to side with them. Something will have to be done- but what remains to be seen.
[Well...]
Perhaps we'll poll the crowd. [He says it... maybe a tiny bit sarcastically. Is that even possible? Is the corner of his mouth quirking up right now?] That always seems to get positive responses.
[Surprisingly enough.]
You are ultimately at our mercy, but as the Null are electing to attack us through you, it makes you a liability. The more you fear us, the more willing you are to side with them. Something will have to be done- but what remains to be seen.
[Well...]
Perhaps we'll poll the crowd. [He says it... maybe a tiny bit sarcastically. Is that even possible? Is the corner of his mouth quirking up right now?] That always seems to get positive responses.
Then I don't see a way to win.
[Frankly.]
We'll keep doing as we've been doing, as that is the only thing to achieve desired results. We cannot afford regret or hesitation or we may all die.
[Frankly.]
We'll keep doing as we've been doing, as that is the only thing to achieve desired results. We cannot afford regret or hesitation or we may all die.
This isn't about winning. It's about the fact that we need each other to survive this, and if you aren't even willing to compromise, you'll find people will be more than happy to turn against you, survival or not. It's not logical, but that's just how people are.
I'm sure he won't miss them.
You cannot. Very little in this universe can physically harm us and you are not capable of any of it on your own.
You cannot. Very little in this universe can physically harm us and you are not capable of any of it on your own.
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