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]

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.

[doitrockapella]

There was a point where I said something that must've utterly baffled you.

You stared at me a minute, the gears in your head practically audible as they ground away, and then handed me a stone shaped like a deer in the hopes of pacifying me.

[explosivecombat]

...What.

[doitrockapella]

You know it was Thanksgiving yesterday — have I mentioned I'm thankful for how comparatively well-adjusted you are now?

[explosivecombat]

No, no, you're going to need to explain this deer thing, that's the second time you've mentioned it.