003 (mar. 7) / video.

[dissenter]

[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.]

Comments

[dissenter]

[to be fair, many of the books he's accidentally implied to have read have hardly been touched. but it's always been in his nature to want more than he has, like a boy who grew up in a large family with a lot of siblings. at the dinner table you learned to take your share quickly, ahead of time, before it was snatched away from you.

but in lieu of more books to hoard, this internet thing sounds fascinating! qilby listens to kurapika -- that was his name, right? -- absolutely engrossed.] I... Can't believe I hadn't thought to look for something like that sooner.

We had a similar network on my world, but it wasn't quite the information-sharing tool you describe, mainly used for communication over long distances. [a pause.] The flowers worked well for that; I can't imagine using them as a medium for very much more.

[ih8spiders]

[Kurapika blinks at the reply, surprised by the sudden inclusion of horticulture in the discussion.]

I imagine you'd have trouble retrieving information, indeed, but--flowers?

[dissenter]

Yes, Manolias. Very special flowers that grew on my world. When I built that network -- our version of your internet, I suppose -- I took advantage of their natural connectedness with each other and used them as a foundation for it.

I haven't yet found any sort of magic or technology here comparable to the sort we devised. It was all very much tied in with nature. [a wry smile.] Though, to be fair, this city is in the middle of a desert...

[ih8spiders]

[He doesn't miss Qilby oh-so-casually mentioning that he invented their version of the internet, and gives an embarrassed smile, after recovering from his surprise.] So you already understood the concept, after all. Forgive me for assuming that you knew nothing of it.

[dissenter]

[and he laughs at that.] Not at all! The concept may be familiar, but I have yet to figure out how many things actually work.

The technology on this world is far greater than mine was, in some ways. What we relied on our magic to achieve, people have done here using only their own ingenuity. It's admirable-- even if it makes me feel a little archaic.

[there's nothing archaic about a bajillion year old man, okay.]

[ih8spiders]

[Unfortunately, Kurapika has yet to find out that Qilby is that old. He merely looks normally middle-aged, in the boy's eyes.]

The computers here have keyboards for character input, and disk drives to store information in, processors to do all the work, so they have all the components suited for information management. I suppose it would be harder to all that with shrubbery--but how do you talk through flowers?

[Kurapika hopes that it's not just some simple magic thing making it possible.]

[dissenter]

[HE JUST... SMILES... yeah now you've actually lost him. note to self: learn computer things.

qilby coughs and takes advantage of the question posed to feel a little less out of the loop.] It's a little difficult to describe without first explaining how our world was made. A force, an energy of creation we called wakfu permeated everything in our universe and -- much like the cosmic energy in this one -- it was a finite amount, which was endlessly recycled through the constant creation and destruction of living and non-living matter. This circular flow created unseen lines like rivers of wakfu, along which grew those flowers that I mentioned earlier: Manolias.

With our innate abilities to manipulate and alter the flow of wakfu, my kind used the flowers as nodes from which we could send impulses along these ley lines, like plucking a string and sending vibrations down its length. In the brush of their petals, the stir of their stigma, these signals could be interpreted with the help of personal devices every one of us carried. Devices somewhat similar to these mirrors, actually.

[he talked a lot, which is par for the course where he's concerned. even still, he puts on a somewhat-sheepish look, and nods.] Aah-- that's about the... Gist of it.

[ih8spiders]

[He cocks his head to the side halfway through the explanation, eyes bright with interest and attention. It reminds him of nen--well, there are parallels, at least, the implication of similar usages, except for the cosmic universal thing, which he's not sure of. If Kurapika noticed the sheepish look thrown his way, he doesn't show it.]

I think I understand. It would be difficult to store information, if you're only using impulses... What if you used the roots of those flowers? Or would that... energy dissipate if you tried to bind it to objects?

[dissenter]

[an impressed silence. that's probably the first time anyone on this rock has made any sort of enlightened thought about his work.]

Wakfu was always meant to be kept in a state of motion. As it stilled it became its opposite and counterpart energy-- [what was that saying he'd read occasionally...] --the yang to its yin: an energy of destruction known as stasis.

Stasis was a very volatile, dangerous force to work with. If we accidentally produced it in the roots of our Manolias, we would be just as likely to have a flower that could blow up in our faces at any moment, as one that'd do what we set out for it to do. [a real, genuine smile.] But that's an inspired thought, for someone who could have had no way of knowing that. Once again, you impress me.

[ih8spiders]

[Now it's his turn to look sheepish. Not that he doesn't feel pleased at receiving praise, but accidentally hitting on the way to make flower bombs kind of puts a damper on things. In fact, he looks more dismayed than flattered.]

Oh, I'm sorry. It's not really an inspired thought. [He rubs at his jawline below his right ear, an embarrassed, self-conscious gesture.] I only wondered if it's like the energy we use in my world. We can imbue objects with it and have it perform specific functions, with the objects as vessels--but it looks like it's not the same, after all.

[dissenter]

A lot of people here seem to be under the impression that was was true in their world automatically applies in this one as well. [a little snort.] Not all of them have your wisdom to recognize that that's a narrow-minded assumption.

I've spoken to people from several different worlds that, like yours, come with a unique form of energy that its inhabitants utilize. It's true that there are many similarities among them but-- the differences are telling. [and, with some polite interest--] For example, your energy sounds quite a good deal more practical than wakfu ever was. Ours was somewhat more difficult to harness and use in machinery... My people were just among the only few who had the knack of it.

[ih8spiders]

[Kurapika shakes his head.]

There are parallels, but they're too different. It would be pointless to try to compare them against each other. From how I understand it, your wakfu naturally affects everything in your world, even inorganic objects. The energy in my world--we call it nen--is generated only by living things, and wielded only by those who have enough awareness of their own power. Its practicality is thus limited to those select few. The majority of the populace don't even know that it exists.

[dissenter]

Now that's interesting. [a tilt of his head.] Is there a specific reason for such secrecy? Or are those who can't achieve awareness of their abilities simply without the potential to wield nen at all?

[ih8spiders]

[nods] More or less. It's not that the knowledge is kept secret on purpose; it's just pointless to let normal people know about it. They'll have trouble understanding it, and might even grow to fear those who can wield it.

[dissenter]

[he listens quietly, thoughtfully, and such is his reply when it finally comes -- almost tentatively, but not because he doesn't know what he's talking about. in fact, it seems quite the opposite.]

Or the knowledge itself. It's-- difficult for me to imagine a divided society like that. There were a few distinctions to be made among my kind, but for the most part, we were equals and had little to fear amongst ourselves.

But there were dangers, of course, those that didn't have the knowledge we had. [his tone saddens almost imperceptibly.] But they came from without, and they weren't motivated by fear, but envy. Would that it were only fear.

last edit I swear

[ih8spiders]

[He flashes Qilby a quick, reassuring grin.]

It's not that bad. The division isn't obvious. Those of us who use it understand that it's a dangerous power that the public at large would be better off not having any contact with, and those who don't, aren't even aware that there is a division to be felt. The only time normal people encounter nen is when the occasional unscrupulous nen user decides to involve innocent bystanders in their battles. [And here he frowns, obviously thinking back to some kind of personal experience.] Or sometimes, really talented individuals may awaken the ability on their own, without prior combat experience. I've heard of painters or musicians doing that.

[shrugs] But when that happens, normal people just refer to them as geniuses, without ever suspecting the influence of parapsychological forces. Encounters that trigger fear or envy--they rarely happen.

[It's clear that he's not dwelling too long on the idea of a society divided by what their people can or cannot do, which is why he finds Qilby's thoughtfulness odd--that last bit almost sounds wistful.]

I take it that's not the case in your world?

hahaha i see my inbox and it makes me feel popular!

[dissenter]

Not necessarily our world, but those beyond it. Unlike yours, our society -- and likewise, our capabilities -- were kept completely open. Our knowledge and power was to be shared unconditionally with all those who needed it.

But there are those who cannot be gifted power-- they have to take it for themselves, consume it, leaving behind nothing but ruin in their wake. [somberly.] And that was to be the ultimate fate of my people for ten thousand years following the attack on our world: to exist little more as a handful of relics left behind on a planet that moved on.

[an incongruous laugh -- it's forced, a lame attempt at a joke.] I'm somewhat of a relic myself, as you can see. Even after all this time, I still believe in openness.

[ih8spiders]

[The relatively easy-going expression freezes on his face, and Kurapika looks at Qilby with some disbelief.]

Ten thousand--you're not implying--wait, just how old--

[He cuts the question, coloring a bit in embarrassment. The jokes, saying he's archaic, or a relic, talking about his society like he's been there all along, and if their civilization really does span ten thousand years--]

[dissenter]

[he laughs again, but more loudly and openly. it's not scornful, but kurapika's incredulity seems to have cheered him up a little.]

Far, far older than I look, as I've been told numerous times. The souls of my siblings and I have been around since the creation of our universe. It's our quirk of endless reincarnation that grants us the gift of what is practically immortality-- and the somewhat more-dubious gift of being able to experience all that comes with a normal lifespan. [just a little sardonically.] I don't know what I'd do if I could never know what it was like for a body to grow old.

[ih8spiders]

[Mind = blown. He's looking a bit glassy-eyed at the implications. The countries were old, but not even they could claim to be present since the creation of their universe.]

That is amazing. You practically have all the time you need to learn everything there is to know about your world.

[dissenter]

I do, and I did. But it's knowledge that's inconsequential in the bigger picture. The much bigger picture.

[he shakes his head, tossing his long hair.] My kind are in a better place than most to comprehend the implications of the infinite, and we Eliatropes had known for a long time that there were too many planets besides ours to count-- but the idea that there're entire other realities out there is one that's difficult for even me to fathom. I don't think there's a place out there with a greater collection of people from all these different universes.

It'll be a simple thing for me to visit these worlds once my powers are returned to me. But I understand that will only happen when we're sent home-- and we're not likely to remember anything that's happened here once that's done. Either way, it's a nice thought...

[what a curious thought, forgetting something...]

[ih8spiders]

Really?

[headtilt]

I just tell myself not to consider limitations, or technicalities, or what should or shouldn't be possible based on known scientific laws. Accepting--or understanding that there are countless realities besides my own becomes a lot easier after that.

[He shifts uneasily.]

But I suppose you have a point. It's not likely an idea that I'd think too deeply on even if it were to occur to me, if I'm back in my world and can't remember anything of what happened here.

[dissenter]

There may not be any limitations. That's what makes the thought so enthralling. Hard to grasp, maybe-- but enthralling all the same.

[he'd been smiling (somewhat enigmatically, even) but the expression slips somewhat.]

It's a shame, the way BREW takes things from us. There are many things we could have brought in with us in order to help end the war. But there's even more we could take away from this world-- experiences, knowledge, friendships. This is a world where many may flourish, both buds and... [a self-deprecating little laugh] ...Even withered old stalks like me, if you can believe it. I hardly did, myself.

I can only assume that its BREW's mechanisms that result in our forgetfulness upon being sent home. [soberly.] I wonder if that could be avoided, should another method of departure present itself.

[ih8spiders]

I don't really mind being subjected to BREW's nuances, but... [He shakes his head, looking rather resigned.] I've had time to get used to it, I guess.

There are no limitations to the kinds of worlds that might exist due to the numbers involved, maybe, but each reality has to be bound by a certain set of rules. We don't belong in this world. Frankly, I'm surprised that it hasn't imploded yet from all the laws that must be getting broken every time a new group is brought in...

... And don't you think they'd have found it by now, if there's another way out of this place? [He's trying not to give Qilby the look he reserves for newcomers and people slow to understand and accept their roles in this world.]

[dissenter]

Is the secret of inter-dimensional travel one you'd expect to find in less than a year? While all available resources are dedicated towards fighting a war on all continents? [he laughs, but the sound is gentle-- not harsh. it's not like he's trying to make kurapika feel like a moron or anything.]

I'm not saying there is, without a doubt, another way to get home... But I certainly don't believe that nine months is anywhere near enough time to exhaust all possibilities, especially where travel between worlds is concerned. Call it wishful thinking... Or experience, on my part.

[and he only sounds a little regretful when he adds:] But Shibusen has their priorities, and ending this war is quite understandably at the top of their list. It's probably for the best -- who knows how many people would continue to risk themselves helping win the war, if they knew there was another way to get back where they belong?