Text || May 2

[3rdbest]

Few announcements and a question.

First, I’m Matt and I have a business called Black Mesa. It's a House Call Technician business, and we fix computers, broadcasting and wireless systems, business equipment and security system. If anyone is interested or just wants a job, call me maybe.

Second, I’m doing missions, have a nice record, and kind of want to keep going. So I’m currently looking for a Meister who would be cool with going on missions. I’m a Weapon, a Portal gun; I shoot regular bullets and also create Portals.

Third, imagine you have raw steaks. How hard it is to cook them? And how do cook them exactly?


[ PRIVATE TO: DUO ]
Duo. I hope you didn’t forget our date tonight.


[ PRIVATE TO: NEAR ]
A word, please.

Comments

[consider8]

Are you always this cynical, I wonder? :::;)

Regardless, I am completely aware of that stance as one via8le interpretation. However, I am also a stern 8eliever that life is what you make of it. I simply haven't come up with a good answer for this place yet.

[3rdbest]

You are the second person to call me that in a space of a week. I'm getting traumatized by that word.

Of course life is what you make of it, but it doesn't mean you make all of it. There are always variables you can't really control. This world and city? It's one of them, I guess.

[consider8]

You know what they say. You can dismiss one o8servation as circumstnace, 8ut two of the same o8servation is a pattern.

You're right, of course. That's why I think it is important to determine what it is we are supposed to do here.

[3rdbest]

Nah, you can't form a pattern with only two observations. You need a lot more samples and a lot more similar results. So, I suppose I won't worry about my possibly-existent-but-not-yet-proved cynicism.

You don't believe in random? There has to be a reason?

[consider8]

We'll keep that in mind for the third o8servation then. Try not to make it ruin your psyche.

I don't 8elieve in random, 8ut that may 8e a fall8ack to the universe I am from. Everything happens for a reason. Some reasons are more su8tle than others. You don't think so?

[3rdbest]

Nothing ever would.

I don't know about you guys, but we human don’t want to accept radical contingency. We want things to have explanations. We want life to have a purpose, chance events to have meaning, and children’s deaths to have a person to blame. We want life to make sense. That's why we can make everything have a reason or purpose.

The way I see it, is that sometimes things do happen for a reason. And sometimes they don’t. That’s life here at the edge of chaos, and I for one enjoy the ride.

[consider8]

Oh sure, there are certain things that don't make much sense. And things that you don't like. 8ut even those small things change you in ways that are intangi8le.

I've had a 8irds eye view of all this, if you'll remem8er. I've known this fact to 8e true. For three whole universes, in fact.

There were a lot of samples, here.

[3rdbest]

I'm going to spare you the whole conversation that would follow next - in which I tell you that not everything happens for a reason and maybe "random" is a thing, you tell me you have proof it does from those three universes, and then I tell you my Universe is different, and you tell me something to overthrown that idea, and I'll tell you "Whatever floats our boats".

In the end, I still don't agree that everything happens for a reason. And you will still think it does.

[consider8]

Why spare me? I'd find the whole thing rather intriguing.

I think you are saying you are sparing yourself. And making it sound like you are doing me a favor so that this conversation can end on a peaceful note. 8ut conscientiousness isn't always helpful, is it?

And 8esides, you are making the decision for me. Though it may 8e convenient for you, the act itself is rather selfish.

[3rdbest]

Mostly, I'm jumping ahead to the end of a conversation we both know it wouldn't change a thing. You are rather certain of your opinion because you have seen it through three different universes, and I am fond of mine because I didn't come from any of those universes and I enjoy living without the constant need for a reason about everything.

And I never said my actions aren't selfish, Aranea. I am rather selfish, after all.

[consider8]

And presumptuous, too.

[3rdbest]

It's a gift.

[consider8]

I like talking, even if I know the outcome. The discussions, segues, examples, and methods can 8e even more important than securing your position. I like to think of it as an exchange and not necessarily as a de8ate.

[3rdbest]

And you'd get to learn about me. [ so, that may be the actual issue here. Why Matt doesn't debate. ]

[consider8]

[She's already learning about you, Matt. ::::)]

And you'd get to learn a8out me.

Would that make you uncomforta8le?

[3rdbest]

[ of course. But Matt is just wary about you knowing more ]

Yeah, it goes both ways.

I like to be "mystery man".

[consider8]

Aren't we always?

[3rdbest]

Yes. And I hope to keep it that way, it's so much fun. [ and he also has socialization issues ]

[consider8]

Has any8ody happen to explain to you how the concepts of aspects works in our universe?

[3rdbest]

No, but I would love some enlightenment on that.

[consider8]

Oh, good, I was hoping you'd say that. Now, each designated hero from my universe, and indeed, the various other universe in different iterations, was garnished with a specific aspect. While there are many such aspects, the ones I am familiar with are Time, 8reath, Doom, 8lood, Space, Heart, Mind, Light, Void, Rage, Hope, and Life.

[3rdbest]

Alright.

Quick question, which one were you?

[consider8]

I am of the Light aspect, o8viously!

[Well, actually not so obviously, but he doesn't need to know that~]

[3rdbest]

Explain to be what each means and maybe I will agree (;

[consider8]

The light aspect deals with the aspects of fate and luck. However, rather o8tusely, it also deals with the acquisition of knowledge and making informed decisions. We are also illuminators, finding what is unknown and making it unknown.

In short, my aspect is a polite way of calling me a rather effective snoop.