TEXT ✦ un: scion

[shtola]

[Hey, City network! What are you up to today? Having fun exploring the liminal spaces, reliving past memories, getting locked into vaults — or maybe just fucking around? Because apparently someone's in the mood for the latter.]

what's a girl got to do to get a little attention around here? ;)

[A short time after that initial post, a follow-up appears.]

because i certainly wouldn't mind being asked out for a meal and an evening in good company, myself. by someone worthy of the honor, of course; naturally, i'm a lady of discerning tastes.

[And then, a little bit later still: ]

takers must feel the unquenchable thirst of the pursuit of knowledge and be willing to participate in intellectual debate for bells on end. oh, and graciously accept defeat when i inevitably hand it to them. or don't — i'll best you at it whether you accept it or not. i'm ever so brilliant that way. how's that for sharing?

[OOC: If the content of this post sounds suspiciously unlike Y'shtola, that's because it isn't — Thancred (onlythans) and his sticky fingers have "borrowed" her network device for a short time. Responses will come from both Thancred and Y'shtola or possibly just Y'shtola after she murders Thancred in cold blood for this!]

Comments

[onlythans]

why do i sense that these pointed questions are in fact leading somewhere in particular?

[onlythans]

no, not at all

i simply don't believe you're capable of it either way

[limbical]

And I sense that you and Y'shtola are allergic to answering simple "yes" or "no" questions.

Did you or did you not remove an item? You don't need to tell me what it is.

[onlythans]

now that i would agree with
far be it from me to taint your understanding of your perfect star

it certainly must have been worth it
given the lengths lahabrea was willing to go for its sake

i'll leave you to it then
should you need reach out to me again, i've told you what name you can use

[onlythans]

a gag would make it rather difficult for him to debate for bells on end, would it not?

though it does raise other intriguing possibilities instead

[onlythans]

that's certainly an interesting perspective to take on the matter, "to myself or others". are you always defensive about anything you ever see happening to another person, for fear it might be repeated on yourself? seems rather a stressful way to live a life.

is that why you're interested in my motives? trying to figure out why i targeted who i did?

[onlythans]

do be careful when conjuring up any mental images
she shines so bright you may well find yourself blinded by her radiance

what can i say? when i find myself in a garden of flowers, i can hardly help but remark on their beauty

[onlythans]

oh, hardly
i'm allergic to all questions
she's partial to them but only when she's the one asking them

supposing i did?

[shtola]

( a fact she knows all too well. the encircled wrist would be a real danger if the one holding her were any other. mages of her brand do their best work at a distance - to be rendered immobile or silent may as well spell their deaths and seal their coffins. it'd be all too simple for him, too. he's dispatched threats far worse than herself.

it's by grace and luck that she happens to be on the right side of the line he's drawn does she get to keep her hand. that, she also knows. these are the differences between them that she's been made eminently more aware of in these last few suns since their arrival.

it does not mean she releases him though. because it's only now does she realize that he's managed to lead her right where he needs her to be, and she feels just a little cornered despite herself, so she'll take what little form of rebellion she can. )

To ask that you be made smaller, to be something more frail and utterly defenseless in this space rather than suffer a slight pinch - ( it's a measured cadence, neither angry nor surprised, like this was something she's seen a long time coming. his eyes are keen and a man that plays the fool is never truly one. ) - is that what this is truly about?

( to see if she even can? )

'Tis quite the gamble.

[limbical]

You should see a doctor about that. Fortunately, I am one. Do you break out in hives? I wonder if asking that counts.

[Okay, but seriously:]

I would check for a note in the safety deposit box. Something about sharing?

[codenametesla]

[...She doesn't like that he's figured her out as fast as he has, or that he's making her feel like a chronic do-gooder which she is.]

Well, in a world where we've all been dragged out of nowhere to a strange city, we have to look out for each other, right?

And she- you, mentioned knowledge and learning, and I like that, at least, so I would want to try to be friends?

Well... yes. Finding out whether it was malevolent or just someone you were already friends with was something I was curious about. It looked so much like some sort of school prank.

[unrequite]

That's my point, actually. One cannot convince someone that huge, lavish displays of love and affection exist if that someone in question has difficulty believing in those concepts at all. Someone who is invested in the gift of letting another know they're wanted doesn't ask for proof. They simply risk that level of vulnerability.

That's the first rule, my darling. No one romances someone who is unwilling to be romanced. That's coercion. It's simply not done.

[fussiest]

[ and what colours the drapes should be. by the way, the answer is not black. ]

Which brings me to my main problem with every answer you've posed to this question: that you choose to die on the hill of an unfair dichotomy.
You assume that choosing morality is not practical. That's absurd! Morality is practical because it provides rules that allow us to live with others, and live with ourselves! Morality is practised in our world, therefore it is practical - and choosing a good purpose with no positive moral attributions is far from ideal!

[justscribing]

[The one time Alhaitham is willing to take color matching into account and suddenly black doesn't "go with everything" anymore. It blocks more light! The purpose of curtains!]

It isn't an unfair dichotomy to hold charity to a standard that it must have practical results, which is what the wealthy passing their money down is. If it were a moral good to throw mora into an endless chasm then to actually do so would still be a meaningless task. You can't define a good purpose solely on its moral weight, and someone who engages in practical good without the intent of moral attributions has a much greater impact society as a whole.

[icanfixer]

NAY, I DID NOT CONSIDER
BUT THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO GO ABOUT IT THAN A BORROWING SHE DID NOT AGREE NOR CONSENT TO
FOR EXAMPLE, THEE COULD INVITE HER TO A PLACE OF MEETING AND THEN DO SO WITH ANOTHER OF THY CHOICE AND ALLOW THEM TO GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER WHILST THEE ATTEND TO OTHER MATTERS

[ ...............

it isn't villainous!!!!!!!!!!! ]

[shtola]

( wait hold on??? don't ambush her?! she can make friends just fine! and also why does anyone need to leave!! )

[shtola]

I'm afraid his inclination for theatre is not one I share, so I would not be able to properly express the fullness of his flair, but I shall offer you my best attempt regardless.

( ahem. )

I ought to be able to prevail in the task with boyish charm and winsome wit that most certainly has not caused ruckus within our shared base of operations even once. One could even claim that the jealous crowd of paramours livened up the space some. After all, how could any find fault in the gathering of picturesque beauty and magnificence?

Ah, but such is in the past. This greying old dog's appetite isn't quite as ravenous as it used to be on account of the aching bones. The twenty or so is better cut to a manageable five.

[shtola]

( 🍿. )

[shtola]

There's a thrill in it for him. One I cannot claim I wholly understand.

But never you mind that. I saw mention of a clinic you were seeking to manage?

i got kfc since this post

[shtola]

We shall see. I vastly prefer my discussions free of innuendo, and currently I haven't the evidence that you'd last even a bell.

[shtola]

All the better, I find. Collaborators are well and good, but it isn't until one has to defend their arguments do they realize how it may be better reformulated and structured - if they were even right at all. Building theory atop a fragile foundation would only serve to be a waste of time.

A doorway is best for my aim, as distance is one I do not have a quantifying measure for. I've succeeded in travelling to one such realm, but I will admit that the current state of what has been done to it already is what made the feat easier in comparison.

[limbical]

You'd be correct. Is there something about it I can help you with? Answer additional questions?

[shtola]

There's a few, but I'll say that I do enjoy the challenge to my creativity.

Quite so. Though I'm intrigued by the implication that yours is a study free of such? Matters that can be claimed as fact are so few in comparison in the grand scheme of things. It could very well be that your star has reached conclusions that we haven't.

[shtola]

'Twas the presentation more than anything that ought to have an adverse effect, unless you find such arrogance charming?

( baffling if true. )

[shtola]

I've a talent for people with a sharper tongue. One could even say that I'm better equipped for them.

In the realization that most of whom I find myself mingling with is not of the same star - there's not a singular topic I'd like to limit such conversations to. 'Twould make for a fascinating comparison in culture, history and advancements, if naught else.