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]

...there's evidence that there are multiple versions of some worlds - different timelines, different dimensions, I'm not sure how to describe it, but sometimes there are two or more versions of the same world that seem to have taken divergent paths for some reason. I don't know what causes it, but I'm not the only one that's experienced it - there are a few others in this place who seem to have found evidence of similar happenings.

It's possible your world is one of those - something was different in an alternate version, and it resulted in her.

[doitrockapella]

The one of you that had blue eyes.

I've created at least one before, myself. It was set right later, but it doesn't take much. Just a time machine and a single change.

[explosivecombat]

A time machine...? They actually exist for you?

[doitrockapella]

I have one. Two, actually; I borrowed one from the people who set things right after I meddled with history, as well.

[explosivecombat]

Such things are only in movies, where I'm from.

But there are at least two other versions of myself out there that I know of; it seems as though things might be similar for you. At least it's not completely unheard of, apparently.

[doitrockapella]

[...Let's see, mental math time. One...two...]

Three. I can name three.

[explosivecombat]

Three...?

[doitrockapella]

The blue-eyed one, the prodigy, and the one I met.

You taught me how to activate my circle, Teacher. Or a version of you did, anyway.

[explosivecombat]

What?

What was he like, then?

[doitrockapella]

When you were in Ishval, was there a point where...um. You were about to be...transferred, I think. To a new district? And you thought the war was about to be over soon, or would, once you'd finished whatever it was you had to do. Does that sound right?

[explosivecombat]

Yes, it does - I was working in the Gunja district the first few weeks after I arrived, but I received orders to handle business in the Kanda district close to the war's end.

[doitrockapella]

He was just about to be transferred.

I didn't realize you knew Major Armstrong.

[explosivecombat]

[...oh.]

...I do, yes. Not very well, mind you; we've had more than our share of differences over the years.

[doitrockapella]

I heard something about a breakdown.

...Was there someone else you knew who'd fit the description of "short, dark-haired, handsome, and idealistic"? Someone you didn't like, maybe?

[explosivecombat]

Oh, definitely - do you remember when I was telling you about the various sorts of combat alchemy I've seen utilized, and that person who was able to control fire came up? I believe I mentioned him as being a rival of mine.

[doitrockapella]

I do remember. He fits that description?

That other version of you didn't seem to enjoy the thought that your rival might be my teacher.

[explosivecombat]

Well, he's a good deal shorter than I am and certainly dark-haired; women seem quite fond of him so I assume he can be considered handsome (though I've never found him to be such), and I believe the point in time you're referring to came shortly after I got into an incredibly barbed argument with him regarding ideals. So I can see where he fits that description, and why I might not have been pleased to hear that at the time.

[doitrockapella]

Because you were jealous, or because you wouldn't have liked the thought of him passing on his ideology to a malleable student?

[explosivecombat]

Well, if you want me to be honest, it's because I just find him insufferable.

[doitrockapella]

Now I really do wonder what happened to your sense of either aesthetics or candor.

[explosivecombat]

...I'm sorry, what?

[doitrockapella]

They're your words, not mine.

He was much more inclined to take my bait and stroke my ego than you are.

[explosivecombat]

If anything, you should be grateful that I'm not doing that to you now; that sort of thing was usually a sign that I wanted something.

[doitrockapella]

...Meaning this in the best possible way, I have my doubts that you were really that subtle back then.

[explosivecombat]

Well, that depends on what I wanted.

But I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and ask what you mean by that anyway.