039. [Text]

[explosivecombat]

One of the things I've always found admirable about humanity is their power to initiate change. Not just within themselves, either; that particular power includes the unique ability to instill change in other people – and for some, the world. It's always been rather appalling to me, that so many people would fail to understand how rare a gift that actually is: the actions of a single person have the potential to affect all of human society and leave their mark on the world, affecting and changing the course of the future itself.

It's a good amount of power that most people choose to do nothing with; it's a bit of a shame, really.

But whether we do anything with that power or not, we're all affected by it in some way; after all, the reason it exists at all is because people as individuals are volatile. We can change the world, and so it follows that the act of being in the world can also change us – whether through the actions of others who do choose to utilize that particular power, or just through the inconsistent nature of our surroundings. It follows the law of Equivalent Exchange rather well, I think.

Normally now is when I would suggest some sort of thought experiment to the network at large, probably morbid or inflammatory in nature, but I did promise someone that I would try not to be pointlessly negative for the sake of the holiday. Instead, my interest is elsewhere today – I want to know how this place has changed you. Positively or negatively, it matters very little to me; I'm just curious about what this place has given you, or perhaps what it's taken away.

Be as literal as you like, and as anonymous as you like; as usual with these sorts of things, your name interests me less than your answer.

Comments

[explosivecombat]

And you presumably won't know until you return, which is a bit of an unpleasant way of finding out.

[unkinder]

It seems to be that way, yes. But I suppose it can't be helped.

[explosivecombat]

Your situation may still turn out favorable, however; I suppose if anything, it's this place that's being a bit cruel about bringing you here at such an inopportune time, isn't it?

[unkinder]

You could say that. Though, honestly, I can think of a few worse times it could have brought me from.

Still. It makes you wonder if it happens that way sometimes for a reason.

[explosivecombat]

And what reason might that be, if you had to take a guess?

[unkinder]

Not that I believe it, per say, but perhaps I'm supposed to be learning something from this experience before I possibly die when I go home.

Otherwise, it's all just random.

[explosivecombat]

I don't believe in any sort of higher purpose like that, but I don't believe it's an entirely random occurrence, either - I choose not to think that some bizarre combination of circumstances just so happened to align in just the right way to bring us here. Everything that exists in the world - that is to say, in this world and in any other - does so because something caused it to be that way; to deny causality is to deny accountability.

That is to say, I definitely believe that we're here for a reason - that you're right in saying that this happened for a reason. I just don't know if it's as lofty as what you're positing.

We're here because something brought us here, not because of some sort of unexplained phenomena. That's all. Whether that source had some sort of higher reason or not had yet to be seen, but I don't doubt there is a reason.

[unkinder]

Honestly, I would much rather think that there is a reason that we're here in the first place. It makes things seem a lot less...perhaps hopeless isn't the word I'm looking for, but that way of thinking makes a bit more sense at the very least. Even knowing it was something that did it is better than nothing at all.

It may be improbable, but I have to wonder if we're meant to discover this possible reason as to why on our own, or if it is something that will reveal itself over time. I haven't been here long enough to make a statement on that.

[explosivecombat]

There's an old theory that exists regarding that, you know.

They used to say that those who find out too much about this place get sent back.

[unkinder]

[...Well that's interesting.]

Is that right?

Do you have reason to believe that theory to be true?

[explosivecombat]

A book exists that was compiled by a group of people that never worked together at the same time; they always met in pairs, never as a cohesive unit. There were a minimum of four people directly contributing to its creation, but possibly as many as seven or eight were involved, depending on how you want to classify someone as "involved." The book contained all of their observations and the information they had found about this world, as well as their theories about how it works; they wrote it separately from one another, though they shared some of the information between themselves. There are four sections of it, each written by one of those direct contributors; each section was written in that direct contributor's preferred form of cipher. The ciphers aren't unbreakable; with enough patience, all four sections can eventually be read.

Everyone who's taken the book with the intention of breaking all four ciphers and reading the entire thing has been sent home - and not immediately, mind you. They vanished after a reasonable enough length of time for it to be assumed that they managed to read it.

[unkinder]

[....Nagi isn't sure if that makes him even more curious about the dang book, or more interested in making sure he never comes in contact with it because good Lord.]

I see. ...Forgive me for saying so, but that seems a bit superstitious, don't you think? It could all be just a coincidence.

[...right...]

[explosivecombat]

I don't believe in coincidence.

Even if I were to be the sort to dismiss that sort of story normally, I've known several people who have tried to read it, and they've all left, exactly as I've said.

[unkinder]

...I see. Perhaps that book is one that is better left fully unread, then.

Unless you find someone unbothered by the fact that they might vanish once they make the attempt.

[explosivecombat]

As far as I'm concerned, anyone who wants to try is welcome to.

After all, the book is in my possession now.

[unkinder]

[Of course it is.]

Have you read any of it yourself, or do you prefer not to take the risk?

[explosivecombat]

There's one section I'm familiar with. I've broken one of the others and worked out what's there; I haven't touched the other two.

[unkinder]

Perhaps it would be worth attempting the other half, one day. Or finding someone to break the sections you haven't touched, then sharing the information you both know between each other.

[You know, assuming that would subvert the curse this book apparently has.]

[explosivecombat]

That's a possibility; I'll likely attempt it whenever I get tired of this place.

[unkinder]

You like it here for the time being, then?

[explosivecombat]

I don't have much choice but to like it here.

[unkinder]

Mm. I suppose you're right.

[explosivecombat]

My fate is also a bit less ambiguous than yours.

[unkinder]

Yes, that would make it easier to like it here, wouldn't it?

As I said, I don't exactly find it horrible...I'm sure there are worse places to be.

[explosivecombat]

Judging by what you've said, where you came from would probably be considered one of them.

Would you return, if given the opportunity?