028. [Text]

[explosivecombat]

[Well. The previous night's sleep was absolutely hideous, for reasons that Kimblee really doesn't want to discuss, especially not with the network as a whole; however, the lack of contact with people is possibly the last thing he wants.

So. Polling the audience time again. Let's do this thing.]

While I know that this world has a tendency to pull some strange sorts of mayhem when it comes to bringing people here, have any of the rest of you found people from a different version of the world you came from? I'm not talking about different points on the timeline - though if any of you have experienced anything particularly strange on that front, I'm interested in hearing about that as well. What I'm referring to are instances of the world being identical up to a point, and the subsequent differences led to the timeline of your world and the timeline of this alternate version being entirely different.

From what I understand, this can lead to things such as another version of you living out an alternate version of your life; an example of what things might have been, if you made different choices. I know that it's a popular theory, philosophically, but have any of you received irrefutable evidence that that's the case in whatever reality you came from?

Because I have.

Comments

[explosivecombat]

Oh, come now. "Furniture" is a bit harsh, don't you think?

That said, however, I'd think the first time she dragged him through anything like that would be enough proof for most.

[Audio]

[belphe]

[This is not the first time she's gotten that reaction in this place]

There is no shame in being furniture. Few are lucky enough to know their lot in life from the very start.

And you would think so...he seems very determined to prove that magic doesn't exist, even when he's surrounded by it. Lady Beatrice has found it very entertaining.

[explosivecombat]

Ah, one of those, then, is he? I can't say I blame her, if it's a matter of stubbornness on his part. All the better to make a game of it - good for her.

And if you find no shame in your lot, all the better for you, I suppose; my thoughts on mine tend to get people telling me to stop thinking as I do and I'm well aware that it's annoying, and it's neither my business nor do I care in your case. So you won't hear further arguments from me on it.

[belphe]

[there's a brief pause on her end. Holy crap, did she accidentally stumble upon someone who understands for once?]

It seems most humans demand that everything conform to what makes them comfortable - other people's existences included.

[explosivecombat]

Oh, definitely.

It's a bit of a shame that most of "what makes them comfortable" is also what makes them hideously dull. It never has anything to do with actually meeting any of their own potential and everything to do with wallowing in their own self-satisfaction; it's repulsive how complacent most of them are. Not accepting their lot, but actively striving below it. It's ridiculous, bluntly put.

[belphe]

They want utmost freedom to do anything and everything. ...but when it's given to them, most of them are all too happy to hand it over in exchange for being lazy pigs.

Though, as Sloth, it only makes my job easier. When it comes to witches and devils, sometimes its hard work to make others do nothing.

[explosivecombat]

[...Wait. Back up, back up.]

"Sloth," was it? Would it be out of line to assume you've six siblings, as well?

[belphe]

Huu...? Six sisters, yes. I was told they've been and gone from this place before...did you meet them?

[explosivecombat]

Ah, I thought so - and you're all sisters as well? Unfortunately, I've never met any of them, but I knew some individuals that weren't human but followed a similar naming pattern.

Am I to assume from what you've said that you're the embodiment of your particular...element, to put it politely? Or was your master just being clever in naming her furniture?

[belphe]

The Stakes of Purgatory all come with their respective specialties~

I am Belphegor of Sloth, fourth of the seven. It is my greatest accomplishment and joy to make Lady Beatrice's enemies completely forget their independence and drive.

[explosivecombat]

So it's both a literal and a weaponized interpretation of your particular sin? Consider me impressed, Miss Belphegor.

[belphe]

You sounded as if you'd expected a different answer...are there others like us from your own fragment?

[She sounds intrigued, always glad for an opportunity to learn more about creatures and magics of other worlds]

[explosivecombat]

The individuals I knew were somewhat literal interpretations, for the most part - though I didn't know all of them well enough to understand how, I'd imagine they're all more or less on the same level when it comes to how appropriate their designation was.

However, while they could definitely fight and far outmatched any human being they went up against, they were using a form of alchemy and the way they did so generally had nothing to do with anything specific - it was just what they chose to do. What they specialized in was more a matter of choice than anything dictated by who they were, directly.

[belphe]

I see~ How very chaotic.

The Sisters are not permitted to use such things. We can use only what Lady Beatrice grants us as we were borne of her imagination and magic. Though, as she is quite expansive in her capabilities, so, too, are we when allowed.