soul_campaign | 003 (mar. 7) / video.

[it's been over a month since qilby last showed his face in a personal post on the network, and since then the pile of books on his workspace have grown to obscene levels. either he's been spending all his food money on these things -- he certainly isn't looking any less gaunt than usual -- or someone's been seriously ignoring their due dates at the library…

due dates don't apply to kings, anyway. and that's the truth!

he smiles a tired smile.] Believe it or not, I think I'm beginning to exhaust Shibusen's library of its resources. A word to the wise -- the selection is smaller than it first appears, when the majority of books are restricted to the public.

[is that a subtle jab at the way things are run? probably not. he's still generally-cheery looking, after all.] I wonder what the policy on traveling outside the city is, when one's not accompanying their partner on a mission. It's dangerous out there, of course, but I'm curious about the rest of this world outside the city's walls. It's not every day that I-- [well, that'd be a lie] ... That most people get to see a new planet, and I'm sure I'm not the only un-partnered individual who's got an itch to explore. The libraries of the world await...

... Perhaps, when things calm down a bit. [you know, when you mighty warriors can afford to sit around and lounge by the pool all day.] In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions as to other ways of acquiring study material? A man needs to keep himself occupied.

[you have no idea.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What is there that's hard to swallow about the concrete facts of the every day occurrences on Earth that keep it operating the way it should? We all know the process of life from the moment you come in the world and breathe your first breath.

[ Hm. It seems to interest her, at least, that his world wouldn't really work in the same ways as this one. But, still - ] It begs to be asked why you wouldn't take on the challenge of understanding philosophers in the context of their own worlds and how it might apply to yours, however.

There are many different types of life, some of which are absolutely incomparable with others. The philosophies of an immortal race would not be concerned with the same issues that those of a mortal race would, for example... And vice versa.

[and that-- well, he's probably not too interested in spending the time taking on that challenge just because if he has his way, he won't be on this rock for very much longer. but he can't say that now, can he?] The same goes for what you take to be "concrete facts" about the way your world runs. Not everything is so immutable.

Exactly. Whether or not an immortal race was concerned with the same issues I was, it's still to my advantage, mortal or immortal, to learn about what they think of in lieu of survival or the balance of life and death. It's a lot like what my traveling partners and I are learning about, following on the trails of these immortal proxies. It's... very interesting to learn of what people find necessary when small issues of survival are no longer necessities.

[ But then a little motion to say 'but if you prefer it that way': ] But I suppose sometimes living in blindfolds isn't that terrible.

[of course, he wants to say, you're mortal. but while mortals find the lofty issues of the immortal so fascinating, the opposite is rarely the case. there's absolutely no reason for it to be.

how typically self-centered of the short-lived-- as if they could claim some understanding of the problems people like him had to face, the sort that were on the cosmic scale. his own kind frequently had trouble with it, so what made a little fish like this one think she could comprehend the size of the ocean she swam in?]

That's to your advantage, as you say. [he waves a hand.] You make it sound as if your kind think about nothing but death and how to avoid it.

So that being said, I'd be more than interested to hear what sort of mortal issues I could concern myself with -- speaking as someone who's never had to worry about "small issues of survival." [the words are scathing, but his tone is not. there's only some dryness in the quirk of his smile when he adds:] This blindfold of mine's starting to feel uncomfortable.

It's not wholly untrue, where I'm from. Survival is what we have time for and little else, at times.

[ Nevertheless she decides to catch the little edge to that, brow popping up to settle back down, a mildly amused look decorating her pale face. Even if there might be a little sass, there, she seems to approve. Maybe because there are very few here who challenge her in the ways she's like them to.

I can't tell you what issues to look in to, or even if you should "concern" yourself with them. That's your little corner to explore, if I have my say so. [ And she will, because damn it she's Re-l Mayer. ]

It's just an odd fascination of mine, lately. Trying to understand the difference between something like my life and one of the proxies I've encountered in my home world. Or even as opposed to Vincent, in his state. It's considerably harder to ask him things when he's... who knows how far away.

[that's shorthand for "yes, qilby, you don't have to give a damn," isn't it? good. because he won't -- not while he's got so many matters of greater consequence to attend to.

he might've acted rather uncharacteristically prickly in the past minute; he seems to regret it, sighing, and softening a little.] That's an understatement. But BREW has its moments of whimsy -- perhaps you'll see your friend Vincent here soon enough.

I couldn't tell you what life is like for either him or-- "proxies," did you say? But I can speak somewhat about the unique brand of immortality I share with my brothers and sisters. [a wry little dip of his head.] If you were looking to encounter all different sorts of life, you were brought to the right place, I suppose.

This wasn't exactly the 'adventure' I was aiming to have, but I suppose it will have to do. [ As much of a wasteland as Earth was, in her home world, it wasn't as alien and strange to her as Death City was. The threat of people dropping back to Earth wasn't nearly as looming as Witches that powerful. ]

You have my attention, if you want to continue.

You're not the only one who feels that way... [he wanted to see other worlds, of course. but he wanted to do it without having his powers fettered, and leading his entire race with his sister by his side. the little side-trip to this world hit exactly none of those important points.]

Well, my siblings and I have been around for thousands upon thousands of years -- since the dawn of time, when our universe was created. And while the twelve of us live and die like the rest of our people do, we're the only ones among them who reincarnate upon each death. It's said that our Goddess created us this way so that we'd be uniquely suited to ruling our race through the ages, as a council, with me as their king.

Indeed, our countless lives have provided us with a good context in which to continue governing -- contrary to what you might think, my siblings and I tend to keep the same talents and personality traits throughout each lifetime. This consistent atmosphere, coupled with the accurate records we've been able to keep of our entire race's history, ensured that our world experienced a long, unbroken peace.

[a pause.] Not many people would call reincarnation "immortality." But that's what it is, effectively: though our body dies, our soul remains. Somewhat like the way things work here.

[ Interesting. Re-l seems to take a moment to really soak that in, settled back in her seat to properly take it all in. Reincarnated time and time again with the same general abilities and personality - it was a bit like immortality, wasn't it? Still, to be offered such a thing in life had to be a burden and a blessing, if you wished to call either of them those things.

And yet, she can't help but think of Romdeau with the air of consistency and the turn over of time again and again. ]

... Does it ever grow boring for you?

[a question that always makes his breath catch unnoticeably in his throat, just for a moment.]

It would, if the Council Eliatropes didn't have the good fortune to forget their previous lives upon the turn of each new one. But as I said, we keep very good records -- especially me, in particular. [a none-too-humble smile, but one that seems justified and not mere bravado. he glances to his side, at a small stack of books.] Imagine picking up the work where it left off in your last life, and realizing that you hold the cumulative effort of not only that life, but hundreds of lifetimes. And not only that, but having it dawn on you that that's a reaction you've had hundreds of times before.

[it's easier for him, of course. he doesn't forget. and really, in truth, that's not "easier" at all.] I've accomplished much in my time. No end of diseases have been cured thanks to my work, so many technological advancements have been made... And we shared them all, when we could, as was our duty.

003 (mar. 7) / video.

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