[ they tilt their head, quiet for a few moments. ]
I mourn for the lives lost and hope that their souls may find peace. I worry for the future of those who remain here--and though I know it to be inevitable, as long as people exist, I am tired of conflict.
But as long as there's anything I can do to keep everyone safe, I will.
[ the corner of xie lian's mouth lifts, in a soft, sad smile. ]
You know, you're the second person I've had such a conversation with, this week. About the nature of humanity - about whether humans are good, or will always find their way to selfish cruelty.
...I don't want it to be that way, Brother Goat. [ he says, plaintive, looking up at the stars of the planetarium, and then back at his companion. ] I would do anything to stop it, too. I don't want to believe that everyone here will jump at the chance to destroy each other simply to save themselves, after we all so quickly seemed to be of the same mindset that working together would be the only thing that could save us all.
I don't mind forgetting. [ with a quiet huff. ] I have eight hundred years worth of nova. Can't the Realm just take from me, instead?
I don't believe humans to be inherently evil or good. They are what they are. A disappointing existence, at times, but one I cherish all the same.
[ even without any specific memories of them. ]
Please value your memories more. [ says the person who gave up all of theirs, but whatever. ] They hold the people you love, and those who have loved you--and those who exist only in your heart now. Even if they're ultimately a price you would pay to protect others, don't disgrace their name by simply saying that you wouldn't mind losing them.
[ they shake their head. ]
Though at this point, it isn't up to any of us, regardless.
[ xie lian huffs, a quiet, humorless laugh. he's in agreement about humans, too, and though he doesn't necessarily say so, you can read it on his face. for someone with no memories, they have more of a common ground than some of the others xie lian has spoken with so far. ]
Most of the people who have ever loved me are gone, in one way or another. [ with one single exception...maybe. ] I think many of them would be rather pleased, to forget me, or if I forgot them.
[ he pauses, thoughtfully. ] ...But you are right. It's not that I don't value the memories that I have - I do - but... in the grand scheme of things, I can handle hurt, and suffering. I have already once lost every facet of myself, and I still stand here, today. [ and gives a little bow of his head. ] But, I will take your words to heart, Brother Goat.
I suppose you have lived for much longer than the average human, but there are many beings that can survive for hundreds of years. Even trees may live to be in their thousands.
I find it to be something of a compliment, too. Being old simply means we have survived. [ with a softer smile. ] Look -- even without memories, we still yet can learn things about ourselves. It's those little moments I spoke of, before. Perhaps we should keep a list, hm? Brother Goat is old, most likely older than eight centuries, and something not human.
...That doesn't narrow it much, but that's alright. We've only been here a week.
[ xie lian does seem a bit heartened by this. some of the cloud from his expression has disappeared, though he's no less serious as he returns to their original topic. ] ...As for the Realm itself, I hope that that means death isn't the only way forward. It sounds as if there are still many mysteries to this place, your alls identities notwithstanding.
Ah, I'm fairly certain I'm older than eight centuries. We seem to remember our ages, at least... but mine has been lost to the years.
[ so that's a thing. ]
Yes. Though killing seems to be a way of regaining one's memories... I would like to still believe that it's not the only means, though it may be the quickest.
Chaos may spring forth, but we must endure--for the good of all.
[ xie lian repeats, quietly, and his small smile remains. for the good of all, indeed. ] I am glad, that I've ended up on your team, Brother Goat.
[ and then, sheepishly (haha get it) he adds: ] ...Although, I can't help but wonder if perhaps that's part of why we're in last place. I do apologize, if we've been cursed with terribly bad luck.
Well, not killing people is certainly a start! Tell me, do you know anything about these "rankings" yet, either? They have to do with the amount of nova that we gather, right? And we gathered nova helping you all find those items, and then...so, logically, Virid probably belonged to the Wolf team?
[ tapping his fingers against his chin... he's thinking out loud. ] Would Miss Yona have gathered nova for participating in that, as well...? Hm.
I'm not sure... It seems plausible that that child was with Wolf, but it also may simply be that Wolf's team did very well. All of you have been gathering nova even without us always being aware.
But you're correct in that the rankings should reflect how much nova each team has gained.
So...any kind of emotion? [ i really almost wrote "making life" instead of dying but this isnt that kind of game!
xie lian bops his fist gently against his open hand. ] Say, is there a way to measure how much nova comes from something, that you could do now? Are you able to check it quickly? [ Xie Lian Has A Questionable Idea ]
Um... I don't know if I can measure it on the spot. We mostly get a sense after the fact that nova has been obtained, but not the means by which it was done.
Brother Goat, I think you're a very wonderful team leader. You have been very helpful to me, and I'm sure to many others, and I feel very lucky that I got to meet you a little before some of the others did. You are very wise, and you all have worked very hard to help us, and I appreciate you and your efforts very much.
goat seems alarmed by all these compliments? what's going on? no one has ever praised them this much (in the, like, two weeks' worth of awareness they have)!
I haven't given a hug in a while! Let's see...here goes nothing!
[ how tall is goat. it doesn't even matter. they are getting a big, warm, strong arm xie lian hug that will probably lift them off of their feet a little bit.
[ yeah they're absolutely getting picked up off of the ground a little bit with this hug then. nice and warm. nice and cozy. very strong arms, very good for huggin.
he sets them down properly once the hug feels like it's lasted an appropriate amount of time - anything else would probably embarrass him - and then smiles, clasping his hands together. ] So?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I mourn for the lives lost and hope that their souls may find peace. I worry for the future of those who remain here--and though I know it to be inevitable, as long as people exist, I am tired of conflict.
But as long as there's anything I can do to keep everyone safe, I will.
no subject
You know, you're the second person I've had such a conversation with, this week. About the nature of humanity - about whether humans are good, or will always find their way to selfish cruelty.
...I don't want it to be that way, Brother Goat. [ he says, plaintive, looking up at the stars of the planetarium, and then back at his companion. ] I would do anything to stop it, too. I don't want to believe that everyone here will jump at the chance to destroy each other simply to save themselves, after we all so quickly seemed to be of the same mindset that working together would be the only thing that could save us all.
I don't mind forgetting. [ with a quiet huff. ] I have eight hundred years worth of nova. Can't the Realm just take from me, instead?
[ that's. a half joke. a quarter joke. ]
no subject
I don't believe humans to be inherently evil or good. They are what they are. A disappointing existence, at times, but one I cherish all the same.
[ even without any specific memories of them. ]
Please value your memories more. [ says the person who gave up all of theirs, but whatever. ] They hold the people you love, and those who have loved you--and those who exist only in your heart now. Even if they're ultimately a price you would pay to protect others, don't disgrace their name by simply saying that you wouldn't mind losing them.
[ they shake their head. ]
Though at this point, it isn't up to any of us, regardless.
no subject
Most of the people who have ever loved me are gone, in one way or another. [ with one single exception...maybe. ] I think many of them would be rather pleased, to forget me, or if I forgot them.
[ he pauses, thoughtfully. ] ...But you are right. It's not that I don't value the memories that I have - I do - but... in the grand scheme of things, I can handle hurt, and suffering. I have already once lost every facet of myself, and I still stand here, today. [ and gives a little bow of his head. ] But, I will take your words to heart, Brother Goat.
What happens now?
no subject
[ they think for a moment. ]
I imagine you will still be expected to gather nova. That hasn't changed.
But although that child's death has repaired the Realm to some degree, parts are still unstable. We aren't sure yet of how to fix it.
no subject
Brother Goat, I think you are the first person I've ever met to ever call me young!
no subject
I suppose you have lived for much longer than the average human, but there are many beings that can survive for hundreds of years. Even trees may live to be in their thousands.
no subject
[ ... ] Erm, older? Sorry, that was rude.
no subject
I don't mind being called old. I suppose I must be.
no subject
...That doesn't narrow it much, but that's alright. We've only been here a week.
[ xie lian does seem a bit heartened by this. some of the cloud from his expression has disappeared, though he's no less serious as he returns to their original topic. ] ...As for the Realm itself, I hope that that means death isn't the only way forward. It sounds as if there are still many mysteries to this place, your alls identities notwithstanding.
[ yeah xie lian its only week 0 chill ]
no subject
[ so that's a thing. ]
Yes. Though killing seems to be a way of regaining one's memories... I would like to still believe that it's not the only means, though it may be the quickest.
Chaos may spring forth, but we must endure--for the good of all.
no subject
[ xie lian repeats, quietly, and his small smile remains. for the good of all, indeed. ] I am glad, that I've ended up on your team, Brother Goat.
[ and then, sheepishly (haha get it) he adds: ] ...Although, I can't help but wonder if perhaps that's part of why we're in last place. I do apologize, if we've been cursed with terribly bad luck.
no subject
No, it's fine. All I want is that all of you do what you think is best and makes you happy...
no subject
Well, not killing people is certainly a start! Tell me, do you know anything about these "rankings" yet, either? They have to do with the amount of nova that we gather, right? And we gathered nova helping you all find those items, and then...so, logically, Virid probably belonged to the Wolf team?
[ tapping his fingers against his chin... he's thinking out loud. ] Would Miss Yona have gathered nova for participating in that, as well...? Hm.
no subject
But you're correct in that the rankings should reflect how much nova each team has gained.
no subject
[ if only... ]
no subject
Strictly speaking, there is nothing that says it doesn't. Nova is drawn to emotions, but those not need be negative, necessarily.
no subject
So...any kind of emotion? [ i really almost wrote "making life" instead of dying but this isnt that kind of game!
xie lian bops his fist gently against his open hand. ] Say, is there a way to measure how much nova comes from something, that you could do now? Are you able to check it quickly? [ Xie Lian Has A Questionable Idea ]
no subject
Um... I don't know if I can measure it on the spot. We mostly get a sense after the fact that nova has been obtained, but not the means by which it was done.
What are you thinking...?
no subject
[ said with a smile!!!
and then. ]
Would it be alright if I gave you a hug?
no subject
goat seems alarmed by all these compliments? what's going on? no one has ever praised them this much (in the, like, two weeks' worth of awareness they have)!
but. ]
O-Okay...?
[ they hold out their arms? ]
no subject
[ how tall is goat. it doesn't even matter. they are getting a big, warm, strong arm xie lian hug that will probably lift them off of their feet a little bit.
congrats you're being hugged by god ]
no subject
but yay... hug...? they do their best to hug back. ]
no subject
he sets them down properly once the hug feels like it's lasted an appropriate amount of time - anything else would probably embarrass him - and then smiles, clasping his hands together. ] So?
no subject
???
...
!!! ]
Oh! You want to know if that gained any nova... Er, I'm not sure yet. I don't think it's always noticeable immediately.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)