[That's better, at least. The smell's oddly endearing and at least he's not gagging this time.]
Can't I just die normally? I don't want a fabulous death and I don't want a death by this stupid silver thing. Also that's a really gross comparison but it's not entirely wrong, I guess. …do I want to know how YOU contracted it? And I realize it but he's a little busy right now and probably won't contact you.
Point taken. Just. No more. I can't take it anymore. My brain's slowly leaking out of my ears.
I've never been that great at meditating. That was always more Tadashi's department and you know that playing hooky was kinda what got me in trouble in the first place. Disappearing, doing whatever I wanted just for me? Those were Bad Ideas. It's always been like that though whether it was bot-fighting or ghost-hunting. There were things I wanted to do for different reasons and they were things people disapproved of. I get what you're saying, but I'm not even allowed to go back to the Station yet. Besides, most of my friends (friends?) have been too busy with everything else to take time, too. Like I said I got one supervised field trip that was just for fun but only for a day. It was nice though. I'll figure something out, even if it's just getting a good night's sleep for once.
Funny. Most likely they're glad to be able to redirect their attentions to the more important things instead of whether I'm going to get myself killed or not. There's…a lot going on. Big things. Bad things. I found out I was kind of a hinderance to the bigger picture and so I'm stopping that.
I know, I know. I know you're right and I know these are my choices. They just told me I'm not good at making the right choices and that I'm not good at putting my ideas together without risking my neck which maybe that's true. I know that for every action there's an opposite reaction, but this place makes it a lot harder to predict what that reaction's gonna be.
She's not nearly as scary as the High Queen, to be honest. They're both scary, but…there are important things they've both said that make sense. I can't tell you what they are in case this letter falls in the wrong hands, but believe me on that. And I'm moving forward but I'm still making those "mistakes" by continuing this thing with Juliet. Like I said, bad but wonderful mistakes. I don't know what his breaking point is (or yours, for that matter.) That's a great thing to say and I believe that, but that doesn't solve the fact that we don't know what it'll take before the people on that side stop feeling the same way they did before.
Also shut up. …but he IS really smart. And just…really good.
I think I need to go back to the start and revert back to what I was. Scientist first, then a hero. I need to go back to collecting the data and start asking more questions about the world instead of trying to bite into as much as I can. What happens if I question the wrong thing at the wrong time and lose everybody though? What about then, Joshua?
Considering the fact that I'm not entirely good at being a decent friend, I'm not gonna answer that. …a friend of mine wasn't able to help another friend of ours because he was too busy chasing after me when I made a stupid mistake. I've broken the trust in some of my friends. Other friends have disappeared. What's heroic about that? Tell me that. I know what you're saying and I appreciate the thought…but if you're framing it that way? I think you're more heroic than I am right now. You're the only one who really knows any of this. The negative stuff. You're the only one who really knows because I know you're not going to be mad I'm bringing it up.
And it's more like it's what makes LIFE simultaneously invigorating and frustrating. But your suggestions are kind of also appreciated. Really.
Until then, I guess.
PS: it's all over my sheets. And my hair. Never. Again.
Can't I just die normally? I don't want a fabulous death and I don't want a death by this stupid silver thing. Also that's a really gross comparison but it's not entirely wrong, I guess. …do I want to know how YOU contracted it? And I realize it but he's a little busy right now and probably won't contact you.
Point taken. Just. No more. I can't take it anymore. My brain's slowly leaking out of my ears.
I've never been that great at meditating. That was always more Tadashi's department and you know that playing hooky was kinda what got me in trouble in the first place. Disappearing, doing whatever I wanted just for me? Those were Bad Ideas. It's always been like that though whether it was bot-fighting or ghost-hunting. There were things I wanted to do for different reasons and they were things people disapproved of. I get what you're saying, but I'm not even allowed to go back to the Station yet. Besides, most of my friends (friends?) have been too busy with everything else to take time, too. Like I said I got one supervised field trip that was just for fun but only for a day. It was nice though. I'll figure something out, even if it's just getting a good night's sleep for once.
Funny. Most likely they're glad to be able to redirect their attentions to the more important things instead of whether I'm going to get myself killed or not. There's…a lot going on. Big things. Bad things. I found out I was kind of a hinderance to the bigger picture and so I'm stopping that.
I know, I know. I know you're right and I know these are my choices. They just told me I'm not good at making the right choices and that I'm not good at putting my ideas together without risking my neck which maybe that's true. I know that for every action there's an opposite reaction, but this place makes it a lot harder to predict what that reaction's gonna be.
She's not nearly as scary as the High Queen, to be honest. They're both scary, but…there are important things they've both said that make sense. I can't tell you what they are in case this letter falls in the wrong hands, but believe me on that. And I'm moving forward but I'm still making those "mistakes" by continuing this thing with Juliet. Like I said, bad but wonderful mistakes. I don't know what his breaking point is (or yours, for that matter.) That's a great thing to say and I believe that, but that doesn't solve the fact that we don't know what it'll take before the people on that side stop feeling the same way they did before.
Also shut up. …but he IS really smart. And just…really good.
I think I need to go back to the start and revert back to what I was. Scientist first, then a hero. I need to go back to collecting the data and start asking more questions about the world instead of trying to bite into as much as I can. What happens if I question the wrong thing at the wrong time and lose everybody though? What about then, Joshua?
Considering the fact that I'm not entirely good at being a decent friend, I'm not gonna answer that. …a friend of mine wasn't able to help another friend of ours because he was too busy chasing after me when I made a stupid mistake. I've broken the trust in some of my friends. Other friends have disappeared. What's heroic about that? Tell me that. I know what you're saying and I appreciate the thought…but if you're framing it that way? I think you're more heroic than I am right now. You're the only one who really knows any of this. The negative stuff. You're the only one who really knows because I know you're not going to be mad I'm bringing it up.
And it's more like it's what makes LIFE simultaneously invigorating and frustrating. But your suggestions are kind of also appreciated. Really.
Until then, I guess.
PS: it's all over my sheets. And my hair. Never. Again.
You're Hiro Hamada. I don't think "normal" applies, do you? As for the how, well, let's just say that I had a poorly timed nightly venture with someone high up on the food chain. A shame, too, since it was lovely up until I found out I got it from that same person.
Perhaps make those supervised field trips a treat for every now and then. A little congratulations for having (somewhat) good behavior.
You find predicting the reaction harder because you haven't had much experience with it before coming here. You don't know how people work or the myriad ways they can react to something you do. It's like playing a political game, but you have no idea what the rules or the goal of the game is.
Unity against a common enemy is one way, but the prejudice will remain. Only time and careful diplomacy can bring about any sort of peace. However, that may be nothing more than a pipe dream, considering how long this war has been going on. As for my breaking point, you've not once come anywhere near it in the year we've known each other.
See? The perfect casting of Juliet Capulet.
Finally, you start playing to your strengths. As for that possibility, and as sappy as this is going to sound, I rather doubt you'll lose me at this point. I believe we've invested too much time and energy into keeping contact with each other even now to give it up so easily. However, if the whole world turns against you in the space of a single moment, then you will have to figure that out for yourself. Nobody is ever truly prepared for it until they're faced with it.
I would give a gentle reprimand on how that friend of yours most likely wouldn't have been able to help even if he had been there, especially if the person he wanted to help was someone high up on the political ladder. I would go so far as to say it's irresponsible to put the blame on you in that case. You should perhaps ask yourself: what truly makes a good or bad friend? Is a good friend loyal to the very end? Does it make you a bad friend if you let them know that their habits are self-destructive?
Well, there's no use in getting mad about it when we can be more productive with our time.
I assure you that I would make a very disappointing hero. Truly, I don't recommend keeping that notion or you may regret it.
PS: Ah, and one more thing. Since I finally have contact with an Unseelie member, I do have a teensy little request. I would like to know if you come across any information on a fiery haired vixen who's been rather vexing in our lives. I'm severing my ties with her, but it's proving to be pretty difficult when I don't have a whole lot to go on.
[Ah, yes, wonderful code right there.]
Perhaps make those supervised field trips a treat for every now and then. A little congratulations for having (somewhat) good behavior.
You find predicting the reaction harder because you haven't had much experience with it before coming here. You don't know how people work or the myriad ways they can react to something you do. It's like playing a political game, but you have no idea what the rules or the goal of the game is.
Unity against a common enemy is one way, but the prejudice will remain. Only time and careful diplomacy can bring about any sort of peace. However, that may be nothing more than a pipe dream, considering how long this war has been going on. As for my breaking point, you've not once come anywhere near it in the year we've known each other.
See? The perfect casting of Juliet Capulet.
Finally, you start playing to your strengths. As for that possibility, and as sappy as this is going to sound, I rather doubt you'll lose me at this point. I believe we've invested too much time and energy into keeping contact with each other even now to give it up so easily. However, if the whole world turns against you in the space of a single moment, then you will have to figure that out for yourself. Nobody is ever truly prepared for it until they're faced with it.
I would give a gentle reprimand on how that friend of yours most likely wouldn't have been able to help even if he had been there, especially if the person he wanted to help was someone high up on the political ladder. I would go so far as to say it's irresponsible to put the blame on you in that case. You should perhaps ask yourself: what truly makes a good or bad friend? Is a good friend loyal to the very end? Does it make you a bad friend if you let them know that their habits are self-destructive?
Well, there's no use in getting mad about it when we can be more productive with our time.
I assure you that I would make a very disappointing hero. Truly, I don't recommend keeping that notion or you may regret it.
PS: Ah, and one more thing. Since I finally have contact with an Unseelie member, I do have a teensy little request. I would like to know if you come across any information on a fiery haired vixen who's been rather vexing in our lives. I'm severing my ties with her, but it's proving to be pretty difficult when I don't have a whole lot to go on.
[Ah, yes, wonderful code right there.]
Edited 2015-06-11 22:00 (UTC)
…probably not. Nothing about this is normal. Nothing about home was really normal either, so I guess I can't deny that. ALSO STOPSTOPSTOP. Just. Stop. I don't need to know about your nightly ventures with anybody.
Having to be on a reward system makes me feel like I'm five. I haven't been kept on this tight of a leash since about then either. It's weird. I get why they're doing this and everything but it still kinda makes me feel like I'm some little kid who doesn't know what he's doing. I got denied a Station visit, maybe I'll work up to that.
Yes. No. I mean I don't know, it's not that I don't know how people work. I get how people kinda work enough to fill in the pieces but I've never been that great with politics. I believe in certain things way too much to ever be a proper diplomat. I'm not saying that all prejudice should disappear only because I know that's not logical. We're at war. Nothing about that is even remotely logical but…the people I've spoken to about obtaining peace? I don't know if that's the right way either. I don't know what the right way for anything else but I DO know I'd like to get out of this with as few causalities as possible. Even the neutral route will kill people. Maybe it's a pipe dream but I can build anything, can't I? I'm kind of impressed you have that high of a bar, but then again considering who you are and the game you play maybe that's NOT that surprising.
I'm going to tell him you said that just to see how he reacts.
Only took me a year, huh? Let's see if they're still my strengths. You're right though that's totally sappy…but I'm glad to hear it. I don't really invest this much time into people so it'd kinda suck to hear it's not reciprocated. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. I've been still and keeping my head down for over a month. I can't think of how the world will turn against me yet.
You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you. Is it really irresponsible, or is it forcing me to own up to my own mistakes? I don't think it was entirely my fault either, but I definitely didn't help. And anyway, I'm pretty sure a good friend is just someone who continues sticking with you through the good and the bad, right? Even if it's just to knock you out of self-destruction. I tend to cause more destruction than construction lately though.
But you're right. There's a lot more productive ways to use our time.
I don't know, Josh. I could see you with a cape saving the world one riddle at a time. No, I take that back, that's kind of terrifying. I've got other notions about you anyway. Maybe I'll share sometime.
PS: …huh. Fiery-haired vixen? I only know of two people with fire-red hair and I'm not turning either of them in, so if you want my help you're gonna have to be a little more convincing than that.
[Ah well. Too bad he doesn't know enough about her to pinpoint her immediately.]
Having to be on a reward system makes me feel like I'm five. I haven't been kept on this tight of a leash since about then either. It's weird. I get why they're doing this and everything but it still kinda makes me feel like I'm some little kid who doesn't know what he's doing. I got denied a Station visit, maybe I'll work up to that.
Yes. No. I mean I don't know, it's not that I don't know how people work. I get how people kinda work enough to fill in the pieces but I've never been that great with politics. I believe in certain things way too much to ever be a proper diplomat. I'm not saying that all prejudice should disappear only because I know that's not logical. We're at war. Nothing about that is even remotely logical but…the people I've spoken to about obtaining peace? I don't know if that's the right way either. I don't know what the right way for anything else but I DO know I'd like to get out of this with as few causalities as possible. Even the neutral route will kill people. Maybe it's a pipe dream but I can build anything, can't I? I'm kind of impressed you have that high of a bar, but then again considering who you are and the game you play maybe that's NOT that surprising.
I'm going to tell him you said that just to see how he reacts.
Only took me a year, huh? Let's see if they're still my strengths. You're right though that's totally sappy…but I'm glad to hear it. I don't really invest this much time into people so it'd kinda suck to hear it's not reciprocated. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. I've been still and keeping my head down for over a month. I can't think of how the world will turn against me yet.
You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you. Is it really irresponsible, or is it forcing me to own up to my own mistakes? I don't think it was entirely my fault either, but I definitely didn't help. And anyway, I'm pretty sure a good friend is just someone who continues sticking with you through the good and the bad, right? Even if it's just to knock you out of self-destruction. I tend to cause more destruction than construction lately though.
But you're right. There's a lot more productive ways to use our time.
I don't know, Josh. I could see you with a cape saving the world one riddle at a time. No, I take that back, that's kind of terrifying. I've got other notions about you anyway. Maybe I'll share sometime.
PS: …huh. Fiery-haired vixen? I only know of two people with fire-red hair and I'm not turning either of them in, so if you want my help you're gonna have to be a little more convincing than that.
[Ah well. Too bad he doesn't know enough about her to pinpoint her immediately.]
In this world, you are a little kid who knows nothing. You struggle to adapt to the environment. How can you not when you're so driven by technology? You spent your whole life building new and amazing things with advanced technology, and now you're essentially starting at square one in the world of science and engineering. How fascinating that you appear to keep going back to this struggle. Oh, and not to mention the frustration of not being able to fix what's broken.
You'll find out. What you lack in finesse you make up for in reckless curiosity.
I also note that you don't put as much trust into people. I believe not thinking about the world turning against you is a healthy reaction, for once. Bravo.
Hard not to miss the excitement on your end. Let me be frank: if he'd been able to see into the future and know that she would have been attacked, would he have gone after you or would he have let you make your mistakes and stayed with her? Also, because she's so high up in the political and social ladder, would she not have guards stationed everywhere paid to keep her safe? Did he know that they had power like that? If he'd known it would happen, then wouldn't he have suffered the same fate? We have no idea how many people they can effect all at once. We know that it's at least four. What if these people have the power to control hundreds?
However, he was also in crisis, so whatever he snapped at you should be taken with a grain of salt.
Then tell me how you're not a good friend since you do tend to stick to people through good and bad, even if you can't physically do so?
Let me ask you this: if I decided that the only way to save a whole city was to kill myself, then is that considered heroic of me when you take into consideration my true nature?
Also, unless it's a magical girl outfit, then I want nothing to do with it. That would look better on me than tights.
PS: I'm pretty sure neither of them are the one I'm thinking of. I rather doubt that they'd have any paternal relation to what I would call a kitsune, and not of the zenko or benevolent sort, either. I would say he was more of the yako classification.
You'll find out. What you lack in finesse you make up for in reckless curiosity.
I also note that you don't put as much trust into people. I believe not thinking about the world turning against you is a healthy reaction, for once. Bravo.
Hard not to miss the excitement on your end. Let me be frank: if he'd been able to see into the future and know that she would have been attacked, would he have gone after you or would he have let you make your mistakes and stayed with her? Also, because she's so high up in the political and social ladder, would she not have guards stationed everywhere paid to keep her safe? Did he know that they had power like that? If he'd known it would happen, then wouldn't he have suffered the same fate? We have no idea how many people they can effect all at once. We know that it's at least four. What if these people have the power to control hundreds?
However, he was also in crisis, so whatever he snapped at you should be taken with a grain of salt.
Then tell me how you're not a good friend since you do tend to stick to people through good and bad, even if you can't physically do so?
Let me ask you this: if I decided that the only way to save a whole city was to kill myself, then is that considered heroic of me when you take into consideration my true nature?
Also, unless it's a magical girl outfit, then I want nothing to do with it. That would look better on me than tights.
PS: I'm pretty sure neither of them are the one I'm thinking of. I rather doubt that they'd have any paternal relation to what I would call a kitsune, and not of the zenko or benevolent sort, either. I would say he was more of the yako classification.
That doesn’t make me a little kid, Joshua, and you know it. I’m NOT a kid. I’m…not. I just haven’t figured out how to make everything work yet but that doesn’t mean I’m actually still a kid. I’ll figure it out. In “reckless curiosity” or whatever.
…like you’re one to talk. You don’t trust people very much either, you know. I’m trying to get better about it at least. I don’t care if that’s a sarcastic bravo, I’m taking it.
I don’t know, that’s something you’d have to ask him. And you’re not GOING to, got it? Just…leave it alone. What’s done is done. So what are you saying, that there’s literally nothing we could have done? There had to have been something to lessen the damage, especially since it wasn’t just her that was effected. We need to learn more about these people. That’s my next goal even though everybody told me to back down. I’m not letting them do this alone.
I take most things he says with a grain of salt these days. I know better.
And that’s why I’m not a good friend. I know better, or I think I do. I make things worse for people. I agitate them and make them worry about me instead of focusing on the big issues and even if I stick with people through good and bad there are probably cases I should back off and I don’t because I’m stubborn. I don’t know if it’s true but…I don’t know. Haven’t you ever had times where you wonder if people actually like you or if you’re just an obligation to them?
…well in your case, wouldn’t killing yourself destroy the city anyway? How would that save it? But if it was the only option…maybe. You’d be doing what was right, wouldn’t you?
…just stop talking. The last thing I need to do is imagine you as a magical girl or a senshii or anything.
PS: …ah. I don’t know a lot about her, but…I can see what I can find out. Okay?
…like you’re one to talk. You don’t trust people very much either, you know. I’m trying to get better about it at least. I don’t care if that’s a sarcastic bravo, I’m taking it.
I don’t know, that’s something you’d have to ask him. And you’re not GOING to, got it? Just…leave it alone. What’s done is done. So what are you saying, that there’s literally nothing we could have done? There had to have been something to lessen the damage, especially since it wasn’t just her that was effected. We need to learn more about these people. That’s my next goal even though everybody told me to back down. I’m not letting them do this alone.
I take most things he says with a grain of salt these days. I know better.
And that’s why I’m not a good friend. I know better, or I think I do. I make things worse for people. I agitate them and make them worry about me instead of focusing on the big issues and even if I stick with people through good and bad there are probably cases I should back off and I don’t because I’m stubborn. I don’t know if it’s true but…I don’t know. Haven’t you ever had times where you wonder if people actually like you or if you’re just an obligation to them?
…well in your case, wouldn’t killing yourself destroy the city anyway? How would that save it? But if it was the only option…maybe. You’d be doing what was right, wouldn’t you?
…just stop talking. The last thing I need to do is imagine you as a magical girl or a senshii or anything.
PS: …ah. I don’t know a lot about her, but…I can see what I can find out. Okay?
You're 16, Hiro. In-between child and adult, yes, but you've been leaning more to child than adult. You wish to prove your maturity, but by doing so you prove your immaturity.
I trust others in the way that matters most. It's simply a matter of work to gain more than that simple courtesy.
I'm not going to talk to him about it unless it gets brought up, I assure you. You only say that there "might have been a way" only now that the thing has happened. It was an infiltration mission, Hiro, and one that was pulled off nearly seamlessly. They're professionals and unless you had an inside man to feed you information on their moves, then I'm sad to say that there was absolutely nothing more you could've done for her. All anyone else could have done was join in almost getting themselves killed, if not actually dying. I'm keeping my own wits about me to see if I can dig up anything more about these people. They've yet to attack our side, but that may only be because yours is a much easier target.
[This next bit is the reason for Joshua's slight delay. He's reminded of when he'd been younger and having that same question directed to everyone around him, even Sanae and his own parents. Yet, he'd been so desperate for a friend that believed he wasn't just seeing things and could help him understand what was going on...he just didn't have room for those doubts after a while.
And now, after a year away from people he knows closely? Now that he can only reflect on his past whenever he thinks about them? Joshua does wonder if perhaps his friendship with Sanae has been becoming more of an obligation on his side. He has doubts and fears, but he doesn't want to give life to those thoughts. It'll hurt too much to have them confirmed, to know for sure that his closest friend had been the one who wanted him dead.
It's only after he's able to combat these thoughts and feelings that he puts pen to paper again.]
I saw things that most people didn't see when I was alive. Of course I had those doubts when I was younger. They got dispelled as I grew older and still retained a close friendship with the one person who saw what I did and knew what it meant. The bonds we have are constantly tested by time and circumstance. You'll never truly know their thoughts even if you were a telepath.
Is it right to destroy a whole district's way of life even if it meant saving Tokyo from being poisoned?
Don't knock it 'til you try it. The girls' uniforms usually had better protective abilities than the boys' in my world.
PS: Much appreciated. I can do the same on my end.
I trust others in the way that matters most. It's simply a matter of work to gain more than that simple courtesy.
I'm not going to talk to him about it unless it gets brought up, I assure you. You only say that there "might have been a way" only now that the thing has happened. It was an infiltration mission, Hiro, and one that was pulled off nearly seamlessly. They're professionals and unless you had an inside man to feed you information on their moves, then I'm sad to say that there was absolutely nothing more you could've done for her. All anyone else could have done was join in almost getting themselves killed, if not actually dying. I'm keeping my own wits about me to see if I can dig up anything more about these people. They've yet to attack our side, but that may only be because yours is a much easier target.
[This next bit is the reason for Joshua's slight delay. He's reminded of when he'd been younger and having that same question directed to everyone around him, even Sanae and his own parents. Yet, he'd been so desperate for a friend that believed he wasn't just seeing things and could help him understand what was going on...he just didn't have room for those doubts after a while.
And now, after a year away from people he knows closely? Now that he can only reflect on his past whenever he thinks about them? Joshua does wonder if perhaps his friendship with Sanae has been becoming more of an obligation on his side. He has doubts and fears, but he doesn't want to give life to those thoughts. It'll hurt too much to have them confirmed, to know for sure that his closest friend had been the one who wanted him dead.
It's only after he's able to combat these thoughts and feelings that he puts pen to paper again.]
I saw things that most people didn't see when I was alive. Of course I had those doubts when I was younger. They got dispelled as I grew older and still retained a close friendship with the one person who saw what I did and knew what it meant. The bonds we have are constantly tested by time and circumstance. You'll never truly know their thoughts even if you were a telepath.
Is it right to destroy a whole district's way of life even if it meant saving Tokyo from being poisoned?
Don't knock it 'til you try it. The girls' uniforms usually had better protective abilities than the boys' in my world.
PS: Much appreciated. I can do the same on my end.
[Not even going to correct you, J. Thank you for making him feel older than he is.]
Okay then ye old wise one, how do I prove my maturity without being immature?
And what way is that anyway? Isn’t there really only one real way to trust somebody?
What else do you know about this, Joshua? What else do you know about how they executed this and planned everything? Our side isn’t the easier target, we just have stronger people to knock out. There’s a difference.
Anything you find out, you’ve gotta let me know. We need to be working together on this case. I need to report back to our people and make sure we’re all protected.
…I remember you told me about this, sort of. What if those doubts never go away though? What do you do then? What if those bonds fail the test? Maybe you don’t have those answers and that’s okay, but…it’s something I’m thinking about a lot. Maybe I should ask the monarchs to gift me with telepathy so I stand a chance of understanding people anyway.
Dunno. Is it right to let the Void destroy this world and all of our worlds if it means a chance of new life? Think about it.
...thank you for everything though. I mean it.
PS: I AM NEVER WEARING A GIRLS' UNIFORM.
Okay then ye old wise one, how do I prove my maturity without being immature?
And what way is that anyway? Isn’t there really only one real way to trust somebody?
What else do you know about this, Joshua? What else do you know about how they executed this and planned everything? Our side isn’t the easier target, we just have stronger people to knock out. There’s a difference.
Anything you find out, you’ve gotta let me know. We need to be working together on this case. I need to report back to our people and make sure we’re all protected.
…I remember you told me about this, sort of. What if those doubts never go away though? What do you do then? What if those bonds fail the test? Maybe you don’t have those answers and that’s okay, but…it’s something I’m thinking about a lot. Maybe I should ask the monarchs to gift me with telepathy so I stand a chance of understanding people anyway.
Dunno. Is it right to let the Void destroy this world and all of our worlds if it means a chance of new life? Think about it.
...thank you for everything though. I mean it.
PS: I AM NEVER WEARING A GIRLS' UNIFORM.
Yet another thing that you have to find out for yourself. Just don't be so impatient to be treated as an adult before you're truly ready for it.
I believe I spoke of it in our conversation in April. There are different ways you can trust a person, and my trust does not always mean my friendship. However you trust someone, it's as real as any other emotion associated with them.
Only what everyone else knows about it. Shard magic was used and that it was a certain Cult's doing. I assume infiltration based on how she'd reacted and in the fact that she's well guarded. How could it not be infiltration? Based on the fact that these people can look like anyone they come into contact with, I would guess that her attacker was planted in the heart of her defenses without anyone even lifting an eyebrow in suspicion.
Also, you're mistaken on that front. Your side is the weakest because of one very, very important element that chaos is so fond of. Your freedom. You work in independent groups. You thrive off of being independent and doing your own thing. Backstabbing is more generally accepted and understood. Not to mention the fact that it's so very easy to take what your court stands for and twist it into something that can invoke the wrath of the other court as well as everyone else. My court has been working as a solid team and encouraged to do so. Think tactically: would you target the side that works as a single unit or the one that's already divided?
I'm in agreement on this. The Cult is a problem to all of us, not just Shardbearers.
Then I would re-evaluate why you're in such a relationship. Doubt can be a healthy thing in small doses, but constant doubt is a warning sign. It means you don't fully trust that person, and you'll need to figure out the heart of why that is so. If those bonds fail the test, then make new ones. Not all friendships last forever. Sometimes, friends drift apart and never speak to each other again. But people always find a way to forge new bonds, sometimes stronger than what they used to have.
Even with telepathy, you'll never understand them. You'll never understand why they think that way or the true context of those thoughts. It's simply because you never experienced what they did or you experienced the same thing in a different way.
I don't need to. I know what I would do. Even I know that my judgment can be flawed, and so I give chances to have my mind changed.
[...He's never really been thanked before and he doesn't actually know how to respond to it. Perhaps Joshua's getting too close, too tied to this kid.]
I have this feeling that the face you'd make if you told me this in person would be priceless.
[Hey, Neku logic has been working so far.]
I believe I spoke of it in our conversation in April. There are different ways you can trust a person, and my trust does not always mean my friendship. However you trust someone, it's as real as any other emotion associated with them.
Only what everyone else knows about it. Shard magic was used and that it was a certain Cult's doing. I assume infiltration based on how she'd reacted and in the fact that she's well guarded. How could it not be infiltration? Based on the fact that these people can look like anyone they come into contact with, I would guess that her attacker was planted in the heart of her defenses without anyone even lifting an eyebrow in suspicion.
Also, you're mistaken on that front. Your side is the weakest because of one very, very important element that chaos is so fond of. Your freedom. You work in independent groups. You thrive off of being independent and doing your own thing. Backstabbing is more generally accepted and understood. Not to mention the fact that it's so very easy to take what your court stands for and twist it into something that can invoke the wrath of the other court as well as everyone else. My court has been working as a solid team and encouraged to do so. Think tactically: would you target the side that works as a single unit or the one that's already divided?
I'm in agreement on this. The Cult is a problem to all of us, not just Shardbearers.
Then I would re-evaluate why you're in such a relationship. Doubt can be a healthy thing in small doses, but constant doubt is a warning sign. It means you don't fully trust that person, and you'll need to figure out the heart of why that is so. If those bonds fail the test, then make new ones. Not all friendships last forever. Sometimes, friends drift apart and never speak to each other again. But people always find a way to forge new bonds, sometimes stronger than what they used to have.
Even with telepathy, you'll never understand them. You'll never understand why they think that way or the true context of those thoughts. It's simply because you never experienced what they did or you experienced the same thing in a different way.
I don't need to. I know what I would do. Even I know that my judgment can be flawed, and so I give chances to have my mind changed.
[...He's never really been thanked before and he doesn't actually know how to respond to it. Perhaps Joshua's getting too close, too tied to this kid.]
I have this feeling that the face you'd make if you told me this in person would be priceless.
[Hey, Neku logic has been working so far.]
Being a kid in this war makes me a liability for everybody else here. I don’t want that anymore. I just want to make things right, whatever that really means.
I know you did but that doesn’t mean I understand it any better now than I did then. How can you trust somebody without giving them your friendship? Isn’t that sort of an important part of it? I don’t think I could trust people I don’t consider a friend, even if it’s only a little bit of trust. Do you trust your enemies then? Have you ever done that?
…goes back to not being able to trust people that aren’t our friends. Infiltration only happened because we still let our guard down just a little bit. We’re taking precautions now to make sure this isn’t gonna happen ever again. Ways to make sure we can tell who’s who.
And our freedom isn’t destroying us.
[And yet he has a conversation with Jason that’s very similar to this later. Imagine that.]
The people I care about work as a team and we don’t isolate ourselves. And you know what? Just because your court’s working as a solid team doesn’t mean that you guys are any safer than we are. Didn’t your king just get killed? This isn’t about backstabbing or weak points. We’re ALL targets now. The problem is we can’t figure out what the pattern is yet and who’s really undermining who.
But until people start focusing on the Cult instead, we’re gonna get nowhere.
…that would mean probably re-evaluating my relationships with every single person I know. Maybe I’m scared of what I’ll find out. Who knows? I was just curious, it’s not a big deal. There a joke in here about atoms and covalent bonds, but I’m going to skip it and save what’s left of my reputation with you.
Like I said, at least I’d stand a chance though. That’s better than not arming myself at all, don’t you think?
…you’re better than some then. I’m gonna take that as a challenge to try and change your mind then. It’ll be fun, give me something to do. Knowing you, you won’t make it easy anyway.
You’re hilarious. Forget it. Just…keep all of that in mind. For whatever.
I know you did but that doesn’t mean I understand it any better now than I did then. How can you trust somebody without giving them your friendship? Isn’t that sort of an important part of it? I don’t think I could trust people I don’t consider a friend, even if it’s only a little bit of trust. Do you trust your enemies then? Have you ever done that?
…goes back to not being able to trust people that aren’t our friends. Infiltration only happened because we still let our guard down just a little bit. We’re taking precautions now to make sure this isn’t gonna happen ever again. Ways to make sure we can tell who’s who.
And our freedom isn’t destroying us.
[And yet he has a conversation with Jason that’s very similar to this later. Imagine that.]
The people I care about work as a team and we don’t isolate ourselves. And you know what? Just because your court’s working as a solid team doesn’t mean that you guys are any safer than we are. Didn’t your king just get killed? This isn’t about backstabbing or weak points. We’re ALL targets now. The problem is we can’t figure out what the pattern is yet and who’s really undermining who.
But until people start focusing on the Cult instead, we’re gonna get nowhere.
…that would mean probably re-evaluating my relationships with every single person I know. Maybe I’m scared of what I’ll find out. Who knows? I was just curious, it’s not a big deal. There a joke in here about atoms and covalent bonds, but I’m going to skip it and save what’s left of my reputation with you.
Like I said, at least I’d stand a chance though. That’s better than not arming myself at all, don’t you think?
…you’re better than some then. I’m gonna take that as a challenge to try and change your mind then. It’ll be fun, give me something to do. Knowing you, you won’t make it easy anyway.
You’re hilarious. Forget it. Just…keep all of that in mind. For whatever.
Take small steps instead of large leaps. I know patience doesn't come easily to you, but it's necessary.
Not really. You can be friends with someone but not trust them. Just as you can trust someone without being their friend. As for my enemies, the trust gets taken away if they'd earned it and not given at all if they're my enemy from the start.
It'll happen again. Until we have ways to defend ourselves against that kind of attack, even the best precautions can be cracked given time. However, it's something to help, and I can't deny that. I just want you aware that it's not going to be 100% effective for the long run.
Hiro, Hiro, I'm not saying that your freedom, your individuality, or your side as a whole is bad or wrong for doing what they do best. Don't get so defensive and start looking at it tactically. Your side is divided into tight-knit groups. Sure, you may come together for a common cause, but when that's all said and done? You'll go right back to your own little world within your groups. When you plan an attack, you go for the fort that's easier to isolate and sabotage.
Here's another thing to think about: that little attack your side led with the Dullahan? I would bet quite a bit of gold on the probability of the Cult having spies there to observe the fight. Analyzing the weaknesses of my side's defenses as well as how your side works in a fight. The results of that battle will likely have a great deal of bearing on their next target.
Be afraid, then. I'm sure it's just a passing thought to you. After all, why else would you bring it up with me?
Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.
Somehow, I don't think you have a clue of what you're talking about. ♥ My mind was made up and then changed. Right now, I still haven't made up my mind. There's too little information for me to make an informed and fair decision.
Not really. You can be friends with someone but not trust them. Just as you can trust someone without being their friend. As for my enemies, the trust gets taken away if they'd earned it and not given at all if they're my enemy from the start.
It'll happen again. Until we have ways to defend ourselves against that kind of attack, even the best precautions can be cracked given time. However, it's something to help, and I can't deny that. I just want you aware that it's not going to be 100% effective for the long run.
Hiro, Hiro, I'm not saying that your freedom, your individuality, or your side as a whole is bad or wrong for doing what they do best. Don't get so defensive and start looking at it tactically. Your side is divided into tight-knit groups. Sure, you may come together for a common cause, but when that's all said and done? You'll go right back to your own little world within your groups. When you plan an attack, you go for the fort that's easier to isolate and sabotage.
Here's another thing to think about: that little attack your side led with the Dullahan? I would bet quite a bit of gold on the probability of the Cult having spies there to observe the fight. Analyzing the weaknesses of my side's defenses as well as how your side works in a fight. The results of that battle will likely have a great deal of bearing on their next target.
Be afraid, then. I'm sure it's just a passing thought to you. After all, why else would you bring it up with me?
Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.
Somehow, I don't think you have a clue of what you're talking about. ♥ My mind was made up and then changed. Right now, I still haven't made up my mind. There's too little information for me to make an informed and fair decision.
Yeah, I’ve heard. I’m working on it though…promise.
That doesn’t sound like a very healthy friendship dude. Actually neither of those sound very healthy for anybody and I stand by they’re mutually exclusive.
What ways, Joshua? What ways can we really build to defend ourselves against this kind of thing? Answer that and then I’ll agree with you. With the way you make it sound NOTHING is going to be 100% effective for the long run.
…sorry, I guess. Things are just getting out of control again. I still don’t see why we can’t keep our tight-knit groups when we usually band together for the greater cause at the end of the day. Isn’t that the more important part? Have people constantly working on different goals to mindmeld later?
You really think so huh? That…wouldn’t surprise me, considering how easily they can blend in among us. What do you think it means then? Who’s next? If they pinpoint all of the weaknesses of the Seelie court it makes sense for it to be you guys, unless they’re stupid enough to attack us again while we’re reorganizing.
…we’re doomed if we don’t do something, aren’t we.
I’m never gonna be a telepath and you know it. Quit messing around. [He sure did just bypass the fact that he’s scared of anything.]
I know what I’m talking about enough to keep me alive still. Isn’t that the important part? Think about it.
Speaking of keeping myself alive…in the interest of keeping BOTH of us alive we should probably cut this short. Contact me if anything else comes up.
And stop sending me hearts.
That doesn’t sound like a very healthy friendship dude. Actually neither of those sound very healthy for anybody and I stand by they’re mutually exclusive.
What ways, Joshua? What ways can we really build to defend ourselves against this kind of thing? Answer that and then I’ll agree with you. With the way you make it sound NOTHING is going to be 100% effective for the long run.
…sorry, I guess. Things are just getting out of control again. I still don’t see why we can’t keep our tight-knit groups when we usually band together for the greater cause at the end of the day. Isn’t that the more important part? Have people constantly working on different goals to mindmeld later?
You really think so huh? That…wouldn’t surprise me, considering how easily they can blend in among us. What do you think it means then? Who’s next? If they pinpoint all of the weaknesses of the Seelie court it makes sense for it to be you guys, unless they’re stupid enough to attack us again while we’re reorganizing.
…we’re doomed if we don’t do something, aren’t we.
I’m never gonna be a telepath and you know it. Quit messing around. [He sure did just bypass the fact that he’s scared of anything.]
I know what I’m talking about enough to keep me alive still. Isn’t that the important part? Think about it.
Speaking of keeping myself alive…in the interest of keeping BOTH of us alive we should probably cut this short. Contact me if anything else comes up.
And stop sending me hearts.
End of June, post-Hiro's quest, rune-locked letter, written in Josh's native language
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zerotohiro
2015-06-18 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Do not read this out loud.
Do not share verbally without silencing wards or a way to ensure you won't be overheard.
Burn after reading. Or eat it. I don't really care.
Don't become a target.
The Cult of the Fox is rumored to be led by Reynard's daughter, Severine. That's who you meant, isn't it? The fiery-haired girl. Half-sylph. Did you know? Now you do. We don't know how many people are part of this Cult. ALWAYS watch your back.
Reynard wanted to raise a third court to defeat both of our own and used all means possible to do so. Killing people, kidnapping people, torturing people, etc. The third court's not possible anymore but that doesn't stop the Cult. They're still going strong and they still probably want to destroy all of us. They're probably the ones instigating so much of the anti-shardbearer sentiments that cropped up last summer. Nobody's safe.
Not magically. Not martially. Not mentally.
The Cult wears the masks made out of shards. Because of our shards we're able to recognize it and know on-sight so long as they're not using it to disguise themselves. Clever assholes. With the masks the Cultists can wear anybody's face and mimic anybody's voice and can shapeshift. SHAPESHIFT.
Here's the scary part. They're trained in ways that we're not. They know how to use ancient shardbearer arts we haven't yet. They can mind control us, erase and warp our memories, and who even knows what. We're all at the risk of being messed with and rendered totally useless and driven completely insane.
NATURAL OR TRAINED RESISTANCE TO THE ABILITIES THEIR SHARDS GIVE THEM DON'T HAVE AN EFFECT. REMEMBER THIS. PLEASE.
We don't know how many crimes the Cult's committed but we know of some. The Oracle's death was originally thought to be our fault (which it's NOT…) but knowing that the Cult can wear our faces it takes it off of us. Those hangings in Daonna, the beheading of natives, and obviously an attack on an Unseelie stronghold after they rescued one of the cultists from Cothromach (dude was posing as one of us. NOT COOL.)
These guys are posing as us. They're posing as shardbearers which doesn't help combat the fact the natives are NOT happy we're here. Some of the Cultists can probably manipulate people into believing they're shardbearers and the idea that they're capable of turning all of us against each other freaks me out. We've known for a while that there's something wrong with the fact that everybody's so focused on the war between the courts. It's the perfect chance for them to strike. Look at what happened to us recently.
We need to get stronger. All of us. We all need to get better and get stronger in other shard magic. THAT SAID, DON'T YOU DARE ACTIVATE YOUR SHARD AROUND A CULTIST. Outside interference from someone can pull both shard-using members out of the mind of someone else. Seriously. Don't do it.
If you can, find a way to identify yourself. Some people are getting tattoos or marking themselves in ways that are unique to them so we're not victims of bodysnatchers. Keep the marks hidden. Don't even know what it is so that others can identify it for you and your mind can't be raked for the info.
On top of Severine who's super dangerous, there's Martin Maskmaker. Shardbearer of a court that no longer exists. Name implies he made the shard masks that they're using against us. We don't have a lot of proof, but think about it.
In the meantime, keep your eyes open. Be suspicious of everything going on, especially anything that's going to point fingers super fast. That's exactly what they want.
Stay sharp.
Do not share verbally without silencing wards or a way to ensure you won't be overheard.
Burn after reading. Or eat it. I don't really care.
Don't become a target.
The Cult of the Fox is rumored to be led by Reynard's daughter, Severine. That's who you meant, isn't it? The fiery-haired girl. Half-sylph. Did you know? Now you do. We don't know how many people are part of this Cult. ALWAYS watch your back.
Reynard wanted to raise a third court to defeat both of our own and used all means possible to do so. Killing people, kidnapping people, torturing people, etc. The third court's not possible anymore but that doesn't stop the Cult. They're still going strong and they still probably want to destroy all of us. They're probably the ones instigating so much of the anti-shardbearer sentiments that cropped up last summer. Nobody's safe.
Not magically. Not martially. Not mentally.
The Cult wears the masks made out of shards. Because of our shards we're able to recognize it and know on-sight so long as they're not using it to disguise themselves. Clever assholes. With the masks the Cultists can wear anybody's face and mimic anybody's voice and can shapeshift. SHAPESHIFT.
Here's the scary part. They're trained in ways that we're not. They know how to use ancient shardbearer arts we haven't yet. They can mind control us, erase and warp our memories, and who even knows what. We're all at the risk of being messed with and rendered totally useless and driven completely insane.
NATURAL OR TRAINED RESISTANCE TO THE ABILITIES THEIR SHARDS GIVE THEM DON'T HAVE AN EFFECT. REMEMBER THIS. PLEASE.
We don't know how many crimes the Cult's committed but we know of some. The Oracle's death was originally thought to be our fault (which it's NOT…) but knowing that the Cult can wear our faces it takes it off of us. Those hangings in Daonna, the beheading of natives, and obviously an attack on an Unseelie stronghold after they rescued one of the cultists from Cothromach (dude was posing as one of us. NOT COOL.)
These guys are posing as us. They're posing as shardbearers which doesn't help combat the fact the natives are NOT happy we're here. Some of the Cultists can probably manipulate people into believing they're shardbearers and the idea that they're capable of turning all of us against each other freaks me out. We've known for a while that there's something wrong with the fact that everybody's so focused on the war between the courts. It's the perfect chance for them to strike. Look at what happened to us recently.
We need to get stronger. All of us. We all need to get better and get stronger in other shard magic. THAT SAID, DON'T YOU DARE ACTIVATE YOUR SHARD AROUND A CULTIST. Outside interference from someone can pull both shard-using members out of the mind of someone else. Seriously. Don't do it.
If you can, find a way to identify yourself. Some people are getting tattoos or marking themselves in ways that are unique to them so we're not victims of bodysnatchers. Keep the marks hidden. Don't even know what it is so that others can identify it for you and your mind can't be raked for the info.
On top of Severine who's super dangerous, there's Martin Maskmaker. Shardbearer of a court that no longer exists. Name implies he made the shard masks that they're using against us. We don't have a lot of proof, but think about it.
In the meantime, keep your eyes open. Be suspicious of everything going on, especially anything that's going to point fingers super fast. That's exactly what they want.
Stay sharp.
[Joshua's letter doesn't come as fast as the last conversation had. He's been tying up his own loose ends.]
Half-sylph I didn't know, but that's interesting.
Some of this I've already received information about. The information I didn't know about has explained a couple of things. These ancient teachings must have been lost to history for a reason, and may well have been skills acquired only through in person lessons, never written down.
We're forced to turn inward, but if we're careful, then we may be able to work within the rules shoved onto us. Perhaps we could even change those rules, given the right information and the right way of handling it. When you stop looking for the enemies outside of the ones you know, that's when you get the knife buried between your shoulder-blades.
Added suggestion to the markings: make it temporary. This way, it's a different mark every time and can change where it's located on your body. Either way, it's not total protection, but it's something we can all do in the meantime.
This requires investigation. It could be possible that there's someone with extraordinary talents using his name and he's actually dead in a ditch somewhere.
Hiro, whatever you do, don't be rash. You must be cautious if you're going to try investigating these people and helping put a stop to them. These people are more dangerous than any of our Monarchs, and I don't want to see you become a victim.
[This is...the first time Joshua's ever said something definitively protective to Hiro. Everything else has always read as off-handed, just like he normally is. This is different, though. The Cult changes things rather drastically.]
Half-sylph I didn't know, but that's interesting.
Some of this I've already received information about. The information I didn't know about has explained a couple of things. These ancient teachings must have been lost to history for a reason, and may well have been skills acquired only through in person lessons, never written down.
We're forced to turn inward, but if we're careful, then we may be able to work within the rules shoved onto us. Perhaps we could even change those rules, given the right information and the right way of handling it. When you stop looking for the enemies outside of the ones you know, that's when you get the knife buried between your shoulder-blades.
Added suggestion to the markings: make it temporary. This way, it's a different mark every time and can change where it's located on your body. Either way, it's not total protection, but it's something we can all do in the meantime.
This requires investigation. It could be possible that there's someone with extraordinary talents using his name and he's actually dead in a ditch somewhere.
Hiro, whatever you do, don't be rash. You must be cautious if you're going to try investigating these people and helping put a stop to them. These people are more dangerous than any of our Monarchs, and I don't want to see you become a victim.
[This is...the first time Joshua's ever said something definitively protective to Hiro. Everything else has always read as off-handed, just like he normally is. This is different, though. The Cult changes things rather drastically.]
End of June, post-Hiro's quest, rune-locked letter, written in Josh's native language
zerotohiro
2015-06-19 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I've known for a while. I didn't know you meant her until recently and then things got bad and then I received some inside info and now here we are. Half-sylph and fully dangerous.
You really don't think they were written somewhere? They have to be. There has to be record somehow but...I mean the Drabkeeper's library burned. Other places and people have been destroyed. Someone's gotta have information stored somewhere else, don't these guys believe in back-ups?
So what exactly are you suggesting, that we work among ourselves but keep an eye out for ways to work around the restrictions? Isn't that what we're already doing? I'm done being blindsided, I'm always going to look out now.
And I don't like the idea of making it temporary, personally. What if it disappears when you need it most? What if your friends don't recognize it either because it changes too much? It's not total protection but it's our best bet for now.
"This requires investigation?" And you're telling ME not to be rash? If I'm not allowed to act on my own, neither are you! Any of you! I'm being perfectly cautious and...look. I'll be fine. You're the one with the crazy angel powers and everything. I think you're more likely to be a target than I am. I'm just...me.
So seriously. Wanna talk about not being rash? You've gotta be more calculative than ever.
You really don't think they were written somewhere? They have to be. There has to be record somehow but...I mean the Drabkeeper's library burned. Other places and people have been destroyed. Someone's gotta have information stored somewhere else, don't these guys believe in back-ups?
So what exactly are you suggesting, that we work among ourselves but keep an eye out for ways to work around the restrictions? Isn't that what we're already doing? I'm done being blindsided, I'm always going to look out now.
And I don't like the idea of making it temporary, personally. What if it disappears when you need it most? What if your friends don't recognize it either because it changes too much? It's not total protection but it's our best bet for now.
"This requires investigation?" And you're telling ME not to be rash? If I'm not allowed to act on my own, neither are you! Any of you! I'm being perfectly cautious and...look. I'll be fine. You're the one with the crazy angel powers and everything. I think you're more likely to be a target than I am. I'm just...me.
So seriously. Wanna talk about not being rash? You've gotta be more calculative than ever.
A shame our lockets can only text people via dictation. Otherwise, it'd be a simpler matter to get this information circulating through my side as well. Though...I do have connections who may be able to help with that.
Consider it like this, Hiro. Shardbearers once were able to wield great and terrible power, using that power for good or ill or however it suited them best. What if that information was lost on purpose to the world at large? The Drabkeeper would've been the only one who had that information, no matter what, but what if he didn't keep copies of those particular books out for the public to read?
Calm yourself before you let your emotions do the blinding. The Monarchs keeping us from working together is still a major problem. We still need to work within those restrictions they've placed on us, and that's by not openly working with each other.
Except that the more people who know about your mark, the less secure it will be. As it gets fainter, you get a different mark in a different place. The thing with the mark is that it's something not in your memory. You've never seen it before or if you have, then you only have a vague impression of what it might be. A third party looking at the two of you will immediately notice that there's a detailed mark on a visible part of your body, but not on the fake's. The mark is only for the benefit of that select few people you trust, and it can't be a huge circle. Otherwise, you run a higher risk of the copycat knowing about it as well.
You overestimate my power in this world, though I'm flattered by the sentiment. I'm not nearly as powerful in this current form, this Realground version of myself. Powerful yes, but still relatively weak. Also, I've taken care to not show the full extent of my abilities in this world. You've only seen a brief glimpse of what my "crazy angel powers" can do.
You're just you and you willfully would walk into traffic if you saw something you liked on the other side of the road. Regardless, I said nothing about you being allowed to investigate or not. Merely, I asked you to be cautious as you run headlong into the street.
Consider it like this, Hiro. Shardbearers once were able to wield great and terrible power, using that power for good or ill or however it suited them best. What if that information was lost on purpose to the world at large? The Drabkeeper would've been the only one who had that information, no matter what, but what if he didn't keep copies of those particular books out for the public to read?
Calm yourself before you let your emotions do the blinding. The Monarchs keeping us from working together is still a major problem. We still need to work within those restrictions they've placed on us, and that's by not openly working with each other.
Except that the more people who know about your mark, the less secure it will be. As it gets fainter, you get a different mark in a different place. The thing with the mark is that it's something not in your memory. You've never seen it before or if you have, then you only have a vague impression of what it might be. A third party looking at the two of you will immediately notice that there's a detailed mark on a visible part of your body, but not on the fake's. The mark is only for the benefit of that select few people you trust, and it can't be a huge circle. Otherwise, you run a higher risk of the copycat knowing about it as well.
You overestimate my power in this world, though I'm flattered by the sentiment. I'm not nearly as powerful in this current form, this Realground version of myself. Powerful yes, but still relatively weak. Also, I've taken care to not show the full extent of my abilities in this world. You've only seen a brief glimpse of what my "crazy angel powers" can do.
You're just you and you willfully would walk into traffic if you saw something you liked on the other side of the road. Regardless, I said nothing about you being allowed to investigate or not. Merely, I asked you to be cautious as you run headlong into the street.
Total shame, right? I constantly feel like we’re going backwards. Do I know these connections, too?
But why would that information be completely lost on purpose? I can buy that people tried. I can buy that they kept it from the public but someone HAS to know. Somebody has to know so that they can bring out the same power when they need leverage…kinda like now. That’s what I want to find. I need THAT information.
I AM calm. And I know that’s what they want us to do, and I know we have to play their game but…it’s only a matter of time before we’re pushed back together. It’s gotta be that way. It doesn’t make sense otherwise.
I would only tell a few people in the first place, but like I said…what if they don’t recognize it because it changes too much? What if you don’t get to see them in time to tell them you updated the mark? A lot of people have the same friends, Joshua, that’s a lot of marks to memorize and if they keep changing…? Anyway I can’t disagree that it’s just for a few people. It’s just a pain having to track down people to give you a new mark over and over again. Isn’t there a compromise?
You realize that whole sentence is sorta contradictory don’t you? “Oh I’m not that powerful but I’ve only shown you a bit of how powerful I am in this form.” Am I ever going to see the full extent of the RG form? (I think I know the answer to that.) My point still stands though. They’re more likely to go after people with powers and not people like me.
Why does everybody use the traffic analogy? It’s not that bad! But I’m going to be careful. I have a few ideas to follow but I’m going to make sure I don’t get caught up in it.
Just make sure you do, too.
But why would that information be completely lost on purpose? I can buy that people tried. I can buy that they kept it from the public but someone HAS to know. Somebody has to know so that they can bring out the same power when they need leverage…kinda like now. That’s what I want to find. I need THAT information.
I AM calm. And I know that’s what they want us to do, and I know we have to play their game but…it’s only a matter of time before we’re pushed back together. It’s gotta be that way. It doesn’t make sense otherwise.
I would only tell a few people in the first place, but like I said…what if they don’t recognize it because it changes too much? What if you don’t get to see them in time to tell them you updated the mark? A lot of people have the same friends, Joshua, that’s a lot of marks to memorize and if they keep changing…? Anyway I can’t disagree that it’s just for a few people. It’s just a pain having to track down people to give you a new mark over and over again. Isn’t there a compromise?
You realize that whole sentence is sorta contradictory don’t you? “Oh I’m not that powerful but I’ve only shown you a bit of how powerful I am in this form.” Am I ever going to see the full extent of the RG form? (I think I know the answer to that.) My point still stands though. They’re more likely to go after people with powers and not people like me.
Why does everybody use the traffic analogy? It’s not that bad! But I’m going to be careful. I have a few ideas to follow but I’m going to make sure I don’t get caught up in it.
Just make sure you do, too.
Most likely not.
The only ones who would know are the ones who've had that knowledge passed down to them orally. Writing those techniques down would mean tempting more than your casual thief to try stealing them. Given the fact that you're grounded at the moment, you're not in the best position to find out that information on your own. You'll need to rely on other people to gather that information for you, don't you?
I can sense that you're a font of calmness at the moment even from all the way over here. Still, given how things are, I wouldn't hold your breath on that happening anytime soon.
The only "compromise" is whatever you choose to use as your method. You could keep it permanent. You could use the same symbol and move it to a different place. You could use different symbols to move to different places. The end result is the same.
Perhaps, if things keep going as they are. Eventually, my hand will be forced. I just plan on keeping it to my chest as long as possible. However, don't discount yourself just yet. Your status and connections are just as likely to make you a target as someone with supernatural abilities.
The analogy suits.
The only ones who would know are the ones who've had that knowledge passed down to them orally. Writing those techniques down would mean tempting more than your casual thief to try stealing them. Given the fact that you're grounded at the moment, you're not in the best position to find out that information on your own. You'll need to rely on other people to gather that information for you, don't you?
I can sense that you're a font of calmness at the moment even from all the way over here. Still, given how things are, I wouldn't hold your breath on that happening anytime soon.
The only "compromise" is whatever you choose to use as your method. You could keep it permanent. You could use the same symbol and move it to a different place. You could use different symbols to move to different places. The end result is the same.
Perhaps, if things keep going as they are. Eventually, my hand will be forced. I just plan on keeping it to my chest as long as possible. However, don't discount yourself just yet. Your status and connections are just as likely to make you a target as someone with supernatural abilities.
The analogy suits.
Somehow I didn't think so.
You realize then that the only way to actually get this information is to either get people to talk or actively lift it from their brains. I don't think they're great options, but they're options. ...and anyway, I can still do a little bit of work from here. I'm not totally grounded. Just mostly grounded. It all comes back down to who you trust with this kind of thing.
You're making fun of me, aren't you. I am the most calm you've ever seen and you can't prove otherwise. And just because things are going this way now doesn't mean they're going to be forever...isn't that the point of the world? Things change.
And it probably doesn't matter. I doubt I'm getting a tattoo anytime soon. Or letting somebody cut me. But I'll keep that in mind if anything changes.
What status and connections? You mean being an Unseelie shardbearer and who happens to be close to a couple of the prominent figures on the Unseelie side? I guess MAYBE that makes me a target if you really think about it. I'm still saying that they seem to be going after higher beings first. Gods and stuff. I'm not a god, remember?
Way to totally ignore my last sentence, dude. But I'll take it as "you're right, Hiro, thank you for being my friend and looking out for my well-being even while you're busy dodging metaphorical trolleys."
You realize then that the only way to actually get this information is to either get people to talk or actively lift it from their brains. I don't think they're great options, but they're options. ...and anyway, I can still do a little bit of work from here. I'm not totally grounded. Just mostly grounded. It all comes back down to who you trust with this kind of thing.
You're making fun of me, aren't you. I am the most calm you've ever seen and you can't prove otherwise. And just because things are going this way now doesn't mean they're going to be forever...isn't that the point of the world? Things change.
And it probably doesn't matter. I doubt I'm getting a tattoo anytime soon. Or letting somebody cut me. But I'll keep that in mind if anything changes.
What status and connections? You mean being an Unseelie shardbearer and who happens to be close to a couple of the prominent figures on the Unseelie side? I guess MAYBE that makes me a target if you really think about it. I'm still saying that they seem to be going after higher beings first. Gods and stuff. I'm not a god, remember?
Way to totally ignore my last sentence, dude. But I'll take it as "you're right, Hiro, thank you for being my friend and looking out for my well-being even while you're busy dodging metaphorical trolleys."
It's more of a security issue than anything personal.
Of course. That's why you use agents to gather this information for you instead of going in person yourself. Aside from which, they will hopefully have experience in getting that information out of these people.
Everything changes. It could be instantaneous or it could take eons. Sadly, I feel that our time is running short, so we will need to expedite change very carefully.
Consider yourself lucky to not be one, Hiro. It's a high price to pay to become a god, especially nowadays. However, those connections you have, if deep enough, can most certainly make you a target. This isn't to say that you should cut them. It's simply that you should be aware that there may already be a target painted on your back. The most damage you can do to a person is by destroying the people they most care about.
[He's going to ignore the friend comment. At least, for now he is.]
Of course. That's why you use agents to gather this information for you instead of going in person yourself. Aside from which, they will hopefully have experience in getting that information out of these people.
Everything changes. It could be instantaneous or it could take eons. Sadly, I feel that our time is running short, so we will need to expedite change very carefully.
Consider yourself lucky to not be one, Hiro. It's a high price to pay to become a god, especially nowadays. However, those connections you have, if deep enough, can most certainly make you a target. This isn't to say that you should cut them. It's simply that you should be aware that there may already be a target painted on your back. The most damage you can do to a person is by destroying the people they most care about.
[He's going to ignore the friend comment. At least, for now he is.]
[He debated not answering at all...but it's one last note with only a few short lines.]
Just don't be afraid of the change that comes no matter how much time we have left.
And no matter what? I'm not going to let me or my friends get damaged.
[And that includes Joshua, and he's not clarifying because he knows Joshua will know. That's all, dude. Keep those things in mind.]
Just don't be afraid of the change that comes no matter how much time we have left.
And no matter what? I'm not going to let me or my friends get damaged.
[And that includes Joshua, and he's not clarifying because he knows Joshua will know. That's all, dude. Keep those things in mind.]
[Joshua's locket will chime but when he looks at the message there isn't a name attached to it (thank you, magic, for being able to tap into the Seelie network and block out names.) He doesn't know if Joshua has a compass, but he knows he has an Ariadne-necklace. That's good enough for him, and he has to make sure this isn't ignored.
The important thing here is the message. There are no words, but instead it's just an attachment of another message. This current message comes from a mystery network and if he tries to follow it back, it'll lead him to an error. Watch and learn, J.]
The important thing here is the message. There are no words, but instead it's just an attachment of another message. This current message comes from a mystery network and if he tries to follow it back, it'll lead him to an error. Watch and learn, J.]
Tell me what you know about shards.
[ Assuming he even knows anything besides the usual, that is. This was a wild guess. ]
[ Assuming he even knows anything besides the usual, that is. This was a wild guess. ]
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