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

[explosivecombat]

Come now. It's not that rare.

[doitrockapella]

It's rare when it happens despite my not actively soliciting it.

[explosivecombat]

Unfortunately, that's how it is for everyone.

You're an exception in that you get it after you solicit it.

[doitrockapella]

So you think I'm exceptional.

What keeps you from doing it of your own volition?

[explosivecombat]

I'm just not in the practice of offering compliments, I suppose. Praise is a different matter and I'll give credit where it's due, but flattery isn't anything I really do much of.

[doitrockapella]

Is that because praise is duly earned and worthy of acknowledgement, so there's a basis for offering it, but flattery and compliments don't really provide you with any personal benefit from offering them?

[explosivecombat]

Something like that, actually.

[doitrockapella]

You see? I can be taught.

You can praise me now.

[explosivecombat]

And how is it any different from flattery, if you're just going to solicit it?

[doitrockapella]

Because if you're willing to call it praise, then that tells me something about your position. Flattery only tells me something about mine.

[explosivecombat]

Either way, you're going to have to try harder; you know I've never made it that easy for you.

[doitrockapella]

Praising me also comes with the notable side effect of making me slightly more inclined to kiss you again.

Whether or not you consider that a benefit worth exploring is up to you.

[explosivecombat]

Let's say I'll keep that in mind and leave it at that.

[doitrockapella]

You're no fun.

[explosivecombat]

Plenty of people would beg to differ, you know.

[doitrockapella]

And yet you're not nearly so interested in them as you are in me. I wonder why.

[explosivecombat]

Consider it one of life's great mysteries.

[doitrockapella]

One that might have to wait for another day, all things considered. You have a bad habit of keeping me up late.

[explosivecombat]

I believe you contacted me...?

[doitrockapella]

It could've been a short call.

...Theoretically.

[explosivecombat]

Despite that known habit of mine, I suppose it could have been.

Theoretically.

[doitrockapella]

I've got something for you, though, before I go.

[explosivecombat]

Do you, now?

Go on, then.

[doitrockapella]

Then — in my childhood, in the dawn
Of a most stormy life — was drawn
From every depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent, or the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that 'round me rolled
In its autumn tint of gold,
From the lightning in the sky
As it passed me flying by,
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view.