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

[nomoresharks]

My areas of expertise are somewhat limited, I'm afraid, but I'd like to think I'm learned enough when it comes to matters of theatre. And a few other things I've come to learn aren't nearly as universal as I once thought, but if matters such as the Underworld or the intricacies of arcane entities versus living beings are of any meaning to you, I should be glad for the discussion.

[onlythans]

[A little jolt of creeping apprehension crawls down his spine, as though if someone were to say "the Underworld" three times while looking in a mirror glass, the eminent Emet-Selch would appear like fucking Beetlejuice just to utterly ruin his day personally and specifically.]

what a coincidence — i likewise find arcane entities of particular interest. pray give me a sampling of your extensive knowledge on the subject.

[nomoresharks]

Tis more how they act that draws my attention. Even without a soul, so many of them are capable of displaying such unique personalities, and many more are shaped by any myriad of experiences that they encounter throughout their existence.

It opens up countless questions about the nature of living being and arcane entity alike.

[onlythans]

[Gods. He never paid attention to Urianger's lectures long enough to be of any use on a topic like this, though perhaps he can offer it up to Y'shtola when she comes for his throat as a bargaining chip to delay his own untimely demise.]

possessing a personality yet lacking a soul? so, something like a familiar, then?

[nomoresharks]

[It takes a second for him to reply. "I'm ever so brilliant that way" had already raised a flag, but...]

Something of the sort, but not quite. Not every arcane being is a familiar, after all.

Though I concede that many--if not most--subjects of study tend to be.

text; un: archon

[onlythans]

indeed, i can think of a few other things that could boast personalities yet lack souls

albeit less in the technical sense and more in the derogatory one

[nomoresharks]

Ah, the true author reveals themself! Would that it could have been accompanied by an appropriately dramatic moment.

That said, I'm not sure I can bring myself to agree with your conclusion. Mayhap I have been lucky. My world seems... quite different from others, or so I've gathered.

[onlythans]

ordinarily i would offer my dear friend fireworks for such a moment, but in this instance i fear she would recommend i light them beneath myself.

quite different in what way?

[nomoresharks]

I suppose the easiest way to answer that would be to start with the murders.

[Luckily for them both, Hythlodaeus quickly realizes how that can be misconstrued]

The frequency, I mean. Which is to say, the fact that they exist with any frequency at all in some places.

[onlythans]

[Oh. Oh, this has the possibility to go real bad real fast.]

are you suggesting those of your homeland were above murder?

[nomoresharks]

I should hope so. I find it difficult to imagine why anyone would ever go so far.

Or I suppose I should say that I could come up with some theoretical reasons behind the act, but the reality is another thing altogether.

[onlythans]

ah, of course, how foolish of me

to constitute murder, the victim needs must be a living creature, isn't that so?
so naturally one might kill as much as he wanted and not be a murderer

so long as he refused to consider those he killed to be alive

[nomoresharks]

[??????????]

I honestly have no idea what in the world you mean.

[Unless... No, it's too extreme a philosophy, even for him. But there are just enough similarities that he has to ask:]

You wouldn't happen to be acquainted with a man by the name of Hermes, would you?

[onlythans]

[Well. If he hadn't already had his suspicions, he certainly does now.]

i've never met anyone by that name

[THIS IS A FACT THAT IS TECHNICALLY TRUE IF YOU CONSIDER IT IN A VERY PARTICULAR WAY.]

why do you ask?

[nomoresharks]

Your words remind me of him in a way.

[And though he can't claim to have proof beyond a shadow of a doubt, he's certain that this person, whosoever they may be, is at least somewhat acquainted with his home.

But rather than elaborate, I shall reply in the spirit of debate.

Purely in the technical sense, man does not decide what does and does not decide what can be considered "alive." Any creature whose construction abides by the laws of nature and possesses a soul is considered a living being, whereas those that do not contain one are not. They are instead arcane entities.

However, the technicalities of life don't always take into account the closeness that one can come to feel for another, soul or no. The loss of a familiar can come with the same sadness one might feel for the loss of a friend.

If the hypothetical individual you refer to were to snuff out the lives of all those before him for naught but his own gain, then I would agree with you--that comes quite close to the vision I have of what a murderer might be. But if the goal is to keep another safe--a companion, for instance, or another species that may be wiped from existence should a creation persist on its current path...

Tis a regrettable choice, but a necessary one, I think. And if that act of preservation is an act of murder... that I cannot say.

[onlythans]

[Y'shtola standing three yalms away probably watching Thancred all but vibrate into another dimension right now.]

speaking of names, i notice the one you've chosen to use on this forum is hythlodaeus

that wouldn't perchance happen to be your own name, would it

[nomoresharks]

You would be correct.

Unfamiliar with these devices as I am, I may or may not have thought that that was what it was asking for, rather than the clever pseudonyms everyone else appears to have.

[onlythans]

then permit me just one more question
in the spirit of debate

i suppose you might find it a bit asked and answered
but i would hear you say it even so

do you believe the convocation of fourteen is above murder?

[nomoresharks]

I should hope they would be, yes.

And I cannot help but notice that despite you knowing my name, you have neglected to tell me your own.

[onlythans]

[That damned necklace. That damned necklace. Nothing is yours. It is to use. It is to share. If you will not share it, you cannot use it.]

ah, how careless of me
tis merely that it's of so little consequence you see

you can call me "vessel"
that was lahabrea's preferrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrdsdrd

[nomoresharks]

I'd prefer not to if it's all the same.

And I should hope these implications you've put before me without proof are naught more than a misunderstanding, either on my part or yours.

text ✦ un: scion

[shtola]

( actually, this one's good. who knew anyone would actually take that particular bait. )

I almost wish you pressed him further for his insight on aetherology and its respective theories.

( she would've enjoyed reading that a little too much, probably. )

I meant to seek you out again, and now it seems we've more to discuss than I previously realized.

[nomoresharks]

Ah, this explains things. A friend of yours?

And as I said to him, I shall say to you: I would be more than happy to discuss the matter at length. Preferably over tea, but I'm not opposed to giving any number of new beverages from this world a try either.

[shtola]

( there's only so many times this grump is willing to say 'yes this asshole is my friend'. but she's also not saying no? )

Have you found any in particular that grabbed your attention? In drink, I mean.

[nomoresharks]

I've tried a few of the "sodas" so far and found them quite delightful. The strawberry flavor in particular had a nice taste to it, assuming you prefer something sweet, that is.

I've been eying some of the varieties of alcohol as well, but I haven't a clue where to start. I've never seen so many in one place before.

[And since there's no other Ancients here to get on him for indulging himself, he's going to indulge himself in whatever he finds as much as he likes.]