chikaidestroyer | ∞ 15: Feathered guest

I suppose that explains it.

No, not particularly. However, as pointless and depraved as their activities may be, I'd rather it be the wildlife than our compatriots.

I suppose the wildlife are plentiful in comparison to us. But I somehow doubt slaughtering wildlife will appease them for long.

Yeah, I wouldn't count on it. I'm ... fairly certain it's post-experiment frustration; neither of them were particularly suited for the experiment's requirements.

I wouldn't want to make a habit of letting this sort of thing happen, but until one of them spills our blood, there's not a terrible lot to be done without some sort of acknowledged authority figure.

I can only imagine the horrors that enfolded in that regard.

And since we live in general anarchy, I suppose we'll just let them run around and get their current frustrations out of their systems.

...I'd rather not. Really.

Have you any ideas, Albert? It seems that there's already a group of people out trying to apprehend them; I wish them every success. Unfortunately, this is very possibly the birth of vigilante justice in Luceti, if those two don't carve holes in the team that's chasing them first.

It's not really vigilante justice when there's no form of justice to speak of instilled in Luceti. Someone has to deal with the problem, and unfortunately we are in no position to speak contrary. What would we say? "Don't worry, they will be punished in due time by our nonexistent justice system."

But I have no ideas. The idea of a council has its merits, but that was largely abandoned months ago.

...I can understand your weariness, Caesar. There's constantly too much to process here. And you may be succumbing to early stages of despair.

I suppose you're correct about that. Unfortunately, there's not terribly much that can be done. We have no prison except the world itself. Execution is a little extreme, and largely pointless, considering any offender would return shortly, perhaps with less power but no particular motivation to change their ways.

The idea has not been abandoned; rather we've come several steps closer than I was before on how to attempt such a thing. The truth of it is, also, that even if it is a success, it only has power over those who choose to obey. If that power attempts to impose itself on one who wishes to remain outside its influence, it is an attack, no matter how well-intended. We are to ourselves here sovereign nations; we may form coalitions, but when we fight, we war. It is highly unfortunate that these two fools have decided to do such a thing. I was dearly hoping to avoid such matters for a long time, yet.

That's not very heartening, Albert, but there are times I fear you may be correct. I know what needs to be done, but I haven't the resources to do much about it. And the experiments and kidnappings keep us constantly off balance, forcing plans to be abandoned and re-formed, only to have them implode again a week later. Some days it would be so easy just to throw my hands in the air and accept this as our new way of life, but ... I can't. I can't accept this.

We could continue to kill offenders until they've forgotten everything that made them violent members of society. But then we would be no better than the Malnosso, really.

I was thinking the same thing, as far as those that would be willing to follow a council. And I can't think of any around Luceti that citizens would see as an authority figure worth rallying around; we are too fractured, too immersed in our own melodramas.

That's the definite nature of this place; the Malnosso almost time their experiments for maximum possibility of catching us off guard. ...What is truly disheartening is that there are those that would choose the chaos of this place over their own worlds. Those that arrived here that had previously been dead, for example...

Exactly so, Albert.

So far, this is true. I think ... maybe he is right, and we must simply draw that person (or persons) out. Since the Malnosso seem to have resumed their activities, the patrols will start tomorrow at dawn and we'll see if any good will happen with that. Hopefully seeing others in action will spur more on, and that will extend to other areas.

It seems that way, doesn't it? And I truly doubt it's the chaos that is wanted; rather, unlike us, there are those here who truly came from worlds that are hell in comparison to this one. It may seem distasteful to us, but there is too much we don't know. For those that died ... there is no shame in wanting to live, Albert, even if it's no longer in the home you once knew. I can understand their plight.

...Who is "he"? And you said before that you were going to accompany the patrols, did you not?

I still don't much care for others around here. To prefer this type of lifestyle -- as puppets, cattle, or what have you -- over death is idiotic. I would much prefer death over this kind of intellectual misery for years on end.

Having had little in way of suggestions elsewhere, I've found a source that actually seems interested in resolving our plight -- he seems quite capable, if a bit impatient to take action. His name is Aya; you may have heard of him. And yes, I am a part of the first group. I doubt we'll encounter much, as the kidnappings are relatively recent, so I will have plenty of time to think along the way.

I'm sorry to hear that. I do not believe this life will not always be so, Albert -- once the Malnosso are gone, it would probably be quite pleasant, if uneventful. As determined as we are to fight our way out of here, there's a good chance that not many of us seem to be considering; there may not be a way back.

No need for sarcasm, Caesar; I just feel the need to have all the details laid out plainly, and I do so ever enjoy watching you write more eloquently than you ever could talk. And what do you intend to bring to a patrol group if you accompany them? Leadership?

What a wonderful notion. And considering the options would be live the rest of our existences in this world as the Filial or find a way to return without the Malnosso's knowledge... Well.

[ooc: Oh, how things don't change. XD]

It was a pretty stupid question, Albert. As for my purpose in going ... I want to learn the land, and this is my best chance to do it so far. I doubt we'll encounter anything dangerous at this point, so I imagine all I'll really be is a number, to discourage any kidnapping attempts, as we have discussed previously.

A painful possibility, Albert. I dearly hope it's not the case, but it's wise to prepare for all situations.

Excuse me for wishing for a clarification. Do be sure to apologize to the wildlife for the horrendous actions of those two individuals, and that we are thankful that it is them and not us suffering.

That is something for which there is no preparation. Not if you wish to remain detached from this world and its people.

[ooc: The love-crash was a lot harder than expected. XD; He greatly underestimated it, methinks.]

Look, Albert, what the hell do you want me to do about it? It's a frustrating situation, yes, but from the look of it there aren't a whole lot of people willing to do more than state their unhappiness about it and offer shelter, either.

...maybe it's already too late for me, then.

I don't expect you to do anything. I'm just saying that the wildlife may wish for an apology, considering many of them probably don't consider the forests safe anymore. Similar to us, really.

Perhaps so. But you do seem so much happier here, the Malnosso problem aside.

[ooc: XDD This is Albert we're talking about. The day he starts sharing his feelings is the day he goes through another near-death experience. 8D]

...I'll pass the sentiment along. Of course, they may be pretty scared of anyone out in the forest at this point. If they've any great measure of self-preservation, they'll have found safe places by now.

I think you may be correct.

Oh yes, I have to agree with that particular statement. This owlet that has invaded my room refuses to leave.

A pity. I don't think there's ever been a Silverberg to entertain the thought of preferring a different world over our own.

[ooc: XDD I wouldn't be surprised if these two don't resort to low-blows at some point. That would definitely be a painful point to hit at.

Could be worse, I suppose. You could be like the healer and his house full of birds and squirrels.

I don't think there's ever been a Silverberg before us to have ever had the reason to. And honestly, I don't recall ever mentioning I preferred Luceti to our own home. There is plenty to be missed about the world we were torn from.

I'd rather not imagine. It's bad enough the thing leaves bones on my windowsill.

Is there? You've said you spent the last two years searching for yourself. And before that, you preferred aimlessly traveling under the guise of accompanying Apple as she researched for Mathiu's biography. What would you miss? The school you dropped out of, the friends you departed from to find yourself, the family you live contrarily to?

[ooc: Dammit, Albert, stop being an ass. DX]

Is it so difficult for you to imagine missing things even if they don't fit your ideal of what they should be?

I miss Gregminster in winter. I miss the Grassland Festivals. I miss our parents, and even grandfather. I miss the smell of the Great Forest just after the rain, and the way I knew where I was even in the middle of nowhere. I miss Karayan cooking and poorly-told Lizard jokes and the way that creepy little guy in Rockaxe with the cups would run whenever I came to town. I miss Apple and Hugo and Thomas and Salome and every single one of Nadir's ridiculous plays.

I could go on for hours, but I imagine you get the picture.

The longer we stay here, the less impressionable those memories will be. You have your friends here who you will soon enough have known as long as those from the Grasslands war. You will try different foods and forget those tastes, those clumsy jokes. Memory and desire are such a fickle thing, even here. Especially here. The Malnosso see to that.

As you said, some already favor this place. It wouldn't take much to change your opinion.

[ooc: I think he's just fucking with Caesar to deal with his frustration. D:]

Who are you trying to convince of that, Albert?

I wouldn't ever forget home, even if I was made to live here for the rest of my days. It's ingrained in my blood, as deeply as the name I wear. It is not so easy to give up the things you love. At least ... it shouldn't be, nor is it for me.

This place is a prison -- an occasionally beautiful prison, but a prison nonetheless, and that is something else I can't forget.

...

If you wake up one day and find that this is all you know, would you still want to "go home"?

[completely scrawled out] ~~I'm crashing, Caesar. That event has me thinking the worst again and I underestimated it badly.~~

[ooc: Indeed. u_u]

Edited 2008-02-27 02:10 (UTC)

...I wouldn't forget. I won't, the same way you wouldn't, no matter what these bastards do.

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