NIETZSCHE; DEAD PHILOSOPHERS' INBOX

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT; LOCKED TO doitrockapella]

The offer for conversation is always open, should you desire to take me up on it; I can't guarantee that I'll respond immediately, nor will it necessarily be the response you want, but I'll always respond in some way.

In the name of enlightened discourse.

Comments

[doitrockapella]

It's nice to be back to text, isn't it? Buona sera, Nietzsche.

Given the chance, I'd want to pursue some new form of alchemy that either hasn't yet been discovered or is only in the very beginnings of practical application. Something that would both push the envelope and open up a new frontier of study for the alchemists who might follow me. You know how I like the thought of opening doors.

[explosivecombat]

Quite nice indeed.

As for your answer, allow me to ask one more thing. Which will you enjoy more: opening those doors for those who might follow you, or being the first to walk through them at all?

[doitrockapella]

I can't have them both at once, in equal measure?

[explosivecombat]

Of course you can.

The question is, would you?

[doitrockapella]

...

I want to be the first to do it. And I want the world to know it, too.

[explosivecombat]

There we go.

And really, there's no shame in it. After all, if you offer a person the power to change the world, chances are that they won't be thinking of the world first and foremost - no matter how much we're told to adhere to that phrase I asked you to interpret.

[doitrockapella]

It does say "be thou for the people", not "be thou wholly for the people". There's a difference between not thinking of them solely and not thinking of them at all.

Though I assume that told you what you wanted to get out of me?

[explosivecombat]

It did, yes, though perhaps not for the reason you think; I'm fully capable of being curious without ulterior motives, you know.

[doitrockapella]

Or with no more ulterior motive than that you're interested in me, at least.

[explosivecombat]

I thought we'd established that as a given by now; it's hardly an ulterior motive if that's the case.

[doitrockapella]

It's more fun to interpret it as an utter lack of subtlety on your part. It makes me feel exceptional.

[explosivecombat]

And as usual, you're going to have to work harder if you want me to join in this ego-stroking of yours, but you're more than welcome to think what you want.

As for the rest of that homework you've turned in to me - might I ask for clarification on some of it?

[doitrockapella]

There's something to be said for persistence.

What clarification in particular?

[explosivecombat]

"Taking what others have"...?

[doitrockapella]

[Blast.]

What is there to clarify about that?

[explosivecombat]

I asked you for talents that are most vital to you as a person.

That's a rather roundabout but unbelievably interesting confession you've just given me, if you're saying what I think you are.

[doitrockapella]

It's not a confession. It's something I was told once, when someone decided to tell me what he thought was most vital to me as a person. I told him he was wrong.

I only included it to see which of us you end up agreeing with someday.

[explosivecombat]

And who was this individual you're mentioning, through curiosity?

[doitrockapella]

The same one who told me riddles about sociopaths and drowned women.

[explosivecombat]

...how did you even get involved with this person in the first place? He sounds absolutely charming.

[doitrockapella]

Do you remember how I got involved with you?

[explosivecombat]

You know, if I were a decent person I would be telling you to re-evaluate your choices right about now.

Fortunately enough for both of us, I'm not, so I'll refrain.

[doitrockapella]

I saw him locked up, you know. I haven't ruled out the possibility of someday seeing the same for you.

Bringing him down was my job. That's not a choice I regret.

[explosivecombat]

I don't doubt that you haven't ruled out the possibility, but somehow I think that's more because you don't like ruling out possibilities, fullstop, as opposed to you truly wanting to see it.

[doitrockapella]

Does it bother you to be compared to him?