☿ // 001; [text; dated to 3/17]

[fionnuisce]

Now that I've collected what I'd evaluate as the basics of this place and how it's run, I'm curious enough to ask for a discussion of general opinions rather than concrete facts.

Particularly, regarding the supposedly confirmed ideas revolving around the state of our worlds. While the evidence supporting our homeworlds' destruction is considerable, I'd still like to hear what people think. It initially crossed my mind that it could be a very well-constructed lie, and while that has become a very distant possibility I'm hesitant to discard it altogether. And if it is in fact true, what happens then? Do you think there is a way to restore the places from which we've originated, or are we fighting for a Pyrrhic victory at best?

And that's not yet touching upon the more clearly confirmed matter of our souls and the replica forms we're using in place of our original bodies. I'd imagine this has caused existential crises aplenty, but let's put that aside for the moment. If the administrators possess the technology or magic to create such close copies, how is it they can't simply take out original bodies along with our souls in the first place And if there is a way to restore our worlds, would you logically assume that includes our original selves?

You're free to answer if you like, or ignore me altogether. It's your own choice. I can't really picture this as a simple matter to talk about without inciting a sense of dread and misery, so I'll hardly be offended if everyone shrugs this off and pretends they never saw it.

--Lord El-Melloi II

[Waver, honey. I'm sure signing your name like that is simply habit by now, but you might give your younger self a stroke.]

Comments

[canofworms]

[Kariya is impressed, certainly -- his eyebrows rise higher the further the exchange goes (even if the contrast between the ChuChu and Waver's Extremely Serious Extermination is a little...) -- it's his first glimpse of exactly how much Waver Velvet has really changed in ten years. He forgets that he had planned to help (he has a feeling Waver would have made an even more indignant face anyway, so perhaps that was for the best).

The fighting style isn't one he recognizes firsthand, but he's seen enough of the martial arts to recognize expert movements when he sees them.

He follows obediently in the aftermath, his Blade Wing Worms soggily joining the mercury maid, back to its mundane occupation, in guarding their backs.]

... You're a very strange magus, Waver Velvet.

[fionnuisce]

[Waver shrugged in response; his method had been a little extreme, maybe, but he didn't trust a single monster in this tower not to have some nasty surprise to them. Better to just eliminate them quickly, and since Volumen Hydragyrum was already active...well, why not use a gun as long as it was out of the holster?]

I take that as a compliment. [An ordinary magus wouldn't even have gone to the length of learning aikido, even if it was self-taught--he was precise, and that was what mattered. What was 'standard' in the world of magi was everything Waver Velvet hated and lived to change.]

[canofworms]

You should.

[He leaves it at that.

He has to wonder, though, if it's his imagination or if their paths really are that similar. He doesn't, after all, know this Waver Velvet much more than the man knows him. Something to chew on for the road.

Incidentally, though, it wasn't Volumen Hydragyrum that had impressed Kariya, though it certainly is a fine specimen of irony.]

You know, I think I understand your maid a little better now.

[It's too bad the Worms don't lend to a similar sort of repurposing. Though maybe having them bounce on keyboards is close.]

[fionnuisce]

What, this? [He waved a hand idly at the mercury canopy shielding them from the torrential downpour.]

Part of my 'inheritance', such as it is. I've put a lot of work into giving it some more practical uses.

[canofworms]

Yes. I recognize it.

[He stifles a chuckle.] I like the improvements -- a blob of magic should have a lot of applications on and off the battlefield. I doubt El-Melloi had the imagination.

[fionnuisce]

He lacked the imagination and the common sense, frankly.

[canofworms]

Some things not even the Second Magic can change.

[A sigh, as he idly swats a Worm off his shoulder. They're getting quite lazy.]

It's almost impressive, in its own way.

[Considering all else he's seen in the Tower...]

[fionnuisce]

Impressive? I'm not sure what you mean.

[canofworms]

That magi can have such a stubborn personality that not all the alternate timelines in the worlds could make a dent.

[Small, wry smile -- he knows the irony is there, even if it'll stay a private joke forever.]

[fionnuisce]

...I can't tell if you're insulting mine or everyone else's stubbornness, but I don't think it worth complaint if it's me you're talking about.

[canofworms]

Why would I be talking about you?

[Have an eyebrow raise.]

Did you forget? I haven't even met you -- this you -- in my world.

[Are they at another floor yet? This Tower is way too difficult to get around in without elevators, which is saying something considering how annoying the elevators are to navigate.]

[fionnuisce]

People usually get the message that I'm as stubborn as they come within two minutes of meeting me.

[no. this is bowser's endless staircase, bitches.]

[canofworms]

I never did say it was a bad thing, did I?

[You are such a funny guy, Waver.

Meanwhile, seriously, he is fit(ish) but not an athlete and he is going to start getting tired of these stairs. Especially if they're all this slippery.

OH WAIT what is that? Could it be one of the lake floors? (How many of those are there again--)]

[fionnuisce]

...Kariya, have you noticed how much goddamned water is in this tower? Aside from the rain, that is.

[canofworms]

I've only done a bit of exploring, but it is a little strange, isn't it? They haven't spared anything to make the Tower a world of its own.

[Flooded floor is flooded. He stops a little ways above the last step onto it, peering down curiously. There are probably shadows of monsters beneath the water, how cheerful.]

It's like saying, 'You'll be here for a while, but at least you won't lack for anything.' Not even weather.