☿ // 004; [text]

[fionnuisce]

I can't help but notice a handful of people actually following along with that little collar-based rebellion only just mentioned on this very network.

You're all idiots. Allow me to outline the problems with this ill-conceived notion.

I: 'But we didn't need check-ups all last month!'

This is a true statement, I will concede that point. However. Consider that last month, Ruana was in control of this tower. And consider if you will the idea (which I have not yet seen contradicted) that she is the most powerful of the current administration. Have we any reason not to theorize that perhaps she was maintaining us herself through some means of which we are unaware?

As I've previously stated, I trust basically nothing I see or experience in this tower while she is in control. Least of all after that incident with the wireframes. For all we know, she has the ability to keep us functioning without sleep or collar check-ups for the entirety of her month if not longer.

II: 'The collars themselves are probably just limiting us!'

No. That's stupid. You don't know what these collars do any more than I do. Now, if you want to stop doing what's been keeping us alive (for a given value of the word) and functioning? That's your choice. But don't pass it off as some high and mighty brilliant revolution instead of the blind idiocy that it is.

Now, maybe this will work. As I just said, I have no idea what these collars actually do. However, I find there are far better ways to rebel than 'let's all stop doing the thing that probably maintains us!' When you have solid evidence that the collars are limiting our souls or powers? I'll acknowledge that and admit some course of action should be taken. Until then, you're grasping on to anything labeled 'rebellion' that you can find, even when it's a stupid idea.

III: 'We have to fight against this tower somehow!'

You're absolutely right. Of course we can't stand idle in this place or simply accept the way it functions. But tell me this: Which of the current administrators has shown any benevolence towards us?

Now tell me this: Which administrator is currently in control?

Hint: They're the same administrator.

Now do you think it wise to stage your grand ill-conceived rebellion while this place lies under the jurisdiction of the one administrator who seems to be at all sympathetic to us? Do you really want to risk alienating him completely due to the actions of a small and stupid group? If you must try this suicidal foolishness, stage it during Jason's or Ruana's months. Remember them? You know, the ones that actively make us suffer?

I won't argue that we need to fight back, because anyone with a brain can see that. But choosing one's battles is a wise course of action, as is not fighting that battle stupidly and with no information.

Edited to add: We have solid proof of retrieval units following individuals around. Now while I think that a consequence of fighting against this place, do you really wish to draw their attention doing something you have no proof will succeed to begin with, rather than fighting a battle there's some slightly better chance of winning?

IV: You're All Going To Get Yourselves Killed.

I should say the title of this section speaks for itself. However, if this works, you need to realize it will do so through dumb blind luck. More likely those participating in this will suffer, die whatever value of death you feel like assigning to this place, or any other list of unpleasant possibilities. So don't come crying to me if and when that happens, because I'll just say 'I told you so' and probably laugh derisively.

In summary? All of you engaging in this little collar boycott are either ill-informed, stupid, or both. I would advise those of you with intellect or common fucking sense to dissuade those showing interest in this. I think I've covered the most urgent and pressing points. If there are any questions, comments, or smart remarks of 'what the hell do you know', please leave them here or in the mailbox of Lord El-Melloi II. I'm not hard to find.

Comments

[colonial]

are we gonna do the thing where a bunch of people make a bunch of stuff about the same thing and then the network gets turned off?

[fionnuisce]

At this rate it wouldn't shock me. But I can't really just stay quiet if people are going to be reckless idiots.

text

[doctor_dismemberment]

Coming from someone who only ever had the "pleasure" of reading the incident the person above me is talking about after the fact?

If that happens again, I will literally stab myself in the face and film it for all of you.

(If anyone replies with "please do that" or something of the like, I will stab someone else in the face.

And film it for all of you.)

text

[fionnuisce]

Well, aren't you just a delight. I might hold you to that, you know.

[ text ]

[immortalia]

...Is it wrong if I am also worried about what the other administrators may do to Zo if this gets out of hand?

[ text ]

[fionnuisce]

Also a valid concern. While I don't think they would be likely to lash out against him, the possibility is not one I would overlook.

video;

[cullscuttlefish]

Don't forget the retrieval units. You really do not want one.

[Feferi's is still behind her.]

video;

[fionnuisce]

I should probably go back and make a note of that as well.

[text]

[attheclocktower]

Like I said on the other post, there have been times where not having your collar checked up have had side effects. One month, a year ago, none of the admins were really paying attention to the Tower, and we didn't have any. And by the end of the month, we were getting really lightheaded, and people with powers started to lose control of them.

My friend pointed out that the same sort of thing happened when one time people got the wrong collar colors.

[text]

[fionnuisce]

I don't believe I was here for any of that. Could you go into any detail on either incident, please?

[nobarnacles]

I'll admit that you certainly seem like you've put a considerable amount of thought into this, but let me offer a few counter-points:

1. If we are to rebel against any of these administrators, why not do it against the one known to be kindest? Getting the attention, negative or not, of the benevolent overlord seems far less foolish than aggravating the more sadistic ones.

2. While I don't find the notion of the collars limiting our powers a great motivation for refusing to attend a checkup, I do take offense to anything that's a token of someone else's control over me. If that isn't reason enough for you to be bothered, then we probably don't have much to talk about.

3. I don't really mind dying. There's not much to lose.

[fionnuisce]

Thank you for at least countering in a civil manner rather than being contrary for the sake of contradiction.

First: I do not think it remotely wise to stage most forms of protest during a month when he's in control. One possibility is that Jason and Ruana could try to convince him that those who would cause trouble while under his jurisdiction are not worth his sympathies. If that should happen and should they succeed, we'd lose the only benevolent one among them. There's no telling what could happen should that come to pass, but it wouldn't be good. Worse yet, they could get rid of him outright as a result. Cracking down, such as it is. With only a year left, they might well come to the conclusion that continuing to draw people in is pointless.

Second: I will agree that the existence of the collars themselves is unsettling. But I don't know how these false wireframe forms work, and I doubt anyone else has such authority to speak on the matter. If attending these admittedly troublesome check-ups will keep these bodies operational, I see very little reason to stop without having even the slightest indication it could end well.

Third: I can't argue that in itself. If one has no objection to dying, I suppose it's not my place to interfere. But I would sooner speak out against recklessly risking oneself if they have no such thoughts. I don't want anyone to suffer for a hastily-conceived plan, especially if they don't wish to die themselves.

[Text]

[great_king_of_evil]

Ah, so many words to hide how afraid you are. I see you are experimented in this domain. The gift of the silver tongue, the mark of a cultivated man... And of a liar.

The usual tactic, it never gets old. Undermine those actually willing to take risks and move. Make them look like fools and ignorant toward the masses, only for your own behavior to be seen as true bravery and wisdom when it is only well-disguised cowardice.

You are so willing to discuss how others are misinformed, but allow me to inform you that the extent of your knowledge about this tower is incredibly limited. You speak as if last month had been our only experience with missing collar-checks. This has happened before. Nothing bad happened, well at least to those strong willed...

If only it was all... Yet, allow me to add another thing. You speak of Zo as if he were an ally. As if we had to somehow be nicer to him than to anyone. Yet he is Ruana's puppet. Noble feelings you have, yet if you truly entertain the hope to see Ruana fall, know that the boy will stand before her and protect her to the last of his breath.

He is no ally. He is as much of an enemy as all the other administrators. And if you truly wish to oppose the tower, he too shall fall someday.

[Text]

[fionnuisce]

[ganondorf did you just paraphrase revolver ocelot.]

Me, a liar and a coward? I've been called quite a lot, but those are insults I can assure you are flat-out baseless. Those with a silver tongue are either compensating for a miniscule intellect or goddamn geniuses. I, for the record, make no secret of being the latter.

And really, if he is Ruana's puppet as you say? Even a puppet can rebel against those holding the strings, and I'm not one to burn bridges just in case such a thing might happen.

[ghostytrainer]

ok, i don't disagree with you on what you're saying but you really might want to think about going back and doing a little rewording.
calling people idiots isn't any better than what the other guy did.
it isn't the smartest idea, i agree, but people aren't stupid for making that choice.
people have their reasons beyond just the blind leading the blind.


(also you have 2 third points, jsyk.)

1/2

[fionnuisce]

...Son of a bitch. I got so angry I didn't type that correctly.

2/2

[fionnuisce]

[after fixing that:]

Thank you. Now, while perhaps I didn't have the kindest of wording, I'm afraid I can't quite bring myself to care. When 'don't go along with the poorly-planned and stupidly timed protest' actually needs to be said, I should think a little harsh wording in order.

anon

[puppy_lancer]

hey, if people wanna do this, let them
just focus on keeping the people around you safe

[fionnuisce]

I had no intention of failing in that respect. But I don't want people to suffer because they think they're doing something right.

Open Video to Locked Video

[oathshackledbird]

For what it is worth, I agree with you on this. While ill-thought out plans and random attacks may gain little bits of information here and there, considering what we are facing the toll we will have to pay for that information will probably be much higher in the long run than the value of any information gathered.

Not to mention there will be innocents who are forced to suffer along with those who actively rebelled. Whether or not people think Zo an innocent is their choice, but considering his age and inexperience it is likely he will also suffer in some way should things like this happen on his watch. For all we know, they may decide to remove him from the rotation completely leaving us to face the others more often.

...

[Video Locked.]

What terminal are you at?

[Diarmuid's previously calm expression grows sterner and more concerned.]

Don't give me any of the foolishness that was in your letter either. Besides the fact that you could hardly write straight, I felt what happened. You are NOT okay.

[Might someone be slightly worried about his friend being tainted by the corruption he knows Avenger carries? Yep...]

private; text

[fionnuisce]

Exactly. This is far too much risk for not nearly enough potential gain, and I can't just sit here quietly if I can talk some poor idiots out of it.

...Meet me back at my room. We can talk there.

text

[frilliance]

It's quite frightening to see how many individuals on the network are actually willing to go ahead with this foolishness.

text

[fionnuisce]

As I said to someone else, dire situations draw out the worst of human stupidity.

[no_longer_a_king]

I agree with you. If this were any other month, I would say this is a good idea, but not when it is Zo in charge.

Furthermore, we might have been able to go without check ups for a month not due to Ruana, but because the check ups themselves might intentionally be done more often than necessary in case something like last month happens. Or the months I've heard of where the Tower almost lost power entirely.

[Not entirely, if the Glamour System was still up and running.]

[fionnuisce]

That's also a possibility, one a little less terrifying than 'Ruana can maintain us alone'.

[keybearer]

This whole protest is going to flop. I know you've already heard about last June, but as someone who showed up around then, I'm not looking forward to the repercussions of this mess.

I think what's even more disturbing is the fact that so many don't even care if this kills them. I just can't wrap my head around all the people who actually want death.

[fionnuisce]

Worse yet are the ones that haven't considered potential collateral damage. I'm not interested in dying for someone else's colossal miscalculation.