@hythlodaeus | text

[nomoresharks]

I've an odd question to ask, if you'll indulge me.

Let us say a world exists where all work toward the betterment of their world, where none go without, and no one need be separated from their loved ones before they could bid farewell. Each day is peaceful and productive, and you know your place within it. You need not leave until you are ready, and only when you feel fulfilled.

Would you choose to live in this world or the one you came from? Why?

And to those who know why I ask this question, I pray you answer as well, and do so honestly. I promise 'tis in the spirit of keeping an open mind.

Comments

[nomoresharks]

[Librarian? He's met quite a few of those. Which means...]

Oh dear. Yes, you've got quite the endeavor on your hands indeed.

[bemist]

alright
who talked

[ who does she have to throttle ]

[nomoresharks]

[There's a pause in his replies as he's taken off guard by the reply.

Please excuse him. He needs a moment to laugh his ass off.]

I've no specifics, I assure you!

I've simply met enough people from your world to be able to pick up on a few commonalities is all. And from those commonalities I know just enough to know much needs to be considered.

You are from "The City," correct?

[bemist]

yeah that's right
meaning i guess you already know how messed-up it is
and also that you've met my coworkers

[nomoresharks]

At least a few of them, yes if you mean those who also claimed to be librarians. Though there were a handful that didn't address themselves as such.

And while I'm not sure I personally would call your home "messed up," I confess I can see some room for improvement.

[bemist]

probably from that other company then
and believe me
the city's messed up
if no one's told you the real bad details, I grew up in the backstreets there
like the slums

[nomoresharks]

I've heard that people killing one another is common.

"Slums," however, are new to me.

[bemist]

where i'm from there are nests and there are the backstreets
nests are for the people with money
fancy and protected as long as you can afford to live there
the backstreets are for everyone else where there's no point in getting to know your neighbors
they'll probably turn up dead in a few days

[nomoresharks]

[He still has trouble wrapping his head around it. It's a world as fantastical to him as his own world must be to them, albeit in the opposite direction.]

I don't know what to say.

I would offer apologies and condolences both, but coming from someone like myself, I imagine they must sound incredibly hollow.

[bemist]

i don't know what someone like yourself means
but it's fine
it's more or less a way of life there
no use lamenting it, changing it comes next

[nomoresharks]

[Someone who had no concept of a slum until just now, he thinks, though keeps that part of his answer to himself. After all, if she has no issue with his lack of experience, there's no reason to guilt himself over it for her.]

I wish you luck. A conviction such as that is to be lauded, I think, and I'll not have anyone dismissing the effort. 'Tis a battle worth fighting.

[bemist]

they could dismiss it if they wanted
it's fine
doesn't change what i wanna do
but thanks