How admirable of you. And I imagine we would be keeping some eye on you, as well.
This is where we would meet, my staff and I. To either relax or discuss the affairs of the students or our research.
You wished for stories of the time before the end...
[Well he's going to start telling those stories. A bit about the research, some about students or faculty. Mostly just about what life was like working in this department.]
[ that's cute just sad old men babysitting each other but maybe by then they won't be sad, only old. ]
To be honest, there's a not insignificant chance I've stopped aging. If we actually could move to each other's worlds, well. I imagine eventually coming to live in yours would be one way to ensure I won't end up living alone for the rest of eternity.
[ But he's going to stay silent as Lahabrea starts actually sharing his stories - and like last time, he listens intently, clearly enjoying hearing more about the research, and how his life was like before. He's already talked to Emet-Selch about these things before, but it's nice to hear these stories from Lahabrea too. If nothing else, it ensures their tales are passed on ]
[He will settle on an overlarge couch as he talks but he is keeping THAT tidbit in mind. So when he finishes with a few stories he falls silent, leaning back thoughtfully.]
Oh. Yes. Cooperation was always the most important but everyone was different. We all knew we were striving together, but those who liked a challenge would pit themselves against one another in a friendly way. To have a worthy rival to strive to outdo--but I would say losing was not as frustrating for us as it might be for mortals. Instead we would celebrate each other's success and vow to outdo them next time, but not with jealousy or resentment for having lost, but with... Excitement, would be the word I believe.
Competition was a thrill of discovery more than of some concept of winning or losing. Of pushing limits to learn and achieve. The best of my students or colleagues might one day inherit my position, and those that wished for it would have that as incentive, but the ones that did not reach such a goal would not have held bitterness for it. And not all would even want to be be "Lahabrea", simply content to engage in research for the joy of it without the obligations.
That said I did say we were all different. There were a few of a more competitive nature than most, eager to prove themselves against any and all. Even among the Convocation one name comes to mind of that sort. But I would not say that such extreme competitive mindsets were so common.
Igeyorhm was also often eager to prove herself. Though that stemmed more from her own confidence I believe. Over-confidence, sometimes. But I did find that charming about her, even when she was rash.
Well. I certainly can't judge over-confidence. But I imagine none of you would have arrived at your position without at least a little bit of ambition, or at least desire to help your community.
Indeed. Confidence and competence both. As well as an actual desire for the position, or at least no will to turn it away. No one was forced to be on the Convocation, if the best candidate refused then the position would be offered to the next, until someone took it up.
Desire to help the community would have been a bigger factor than ambition. The council was the governance of Amaurot, but our people lacked the concept of authoritative power. We were the responsible authority but we were no greater than the people we were responsible for. We were invested with their complete trust, and we strove ever to meet their expectations in faith.
It was a taxing, often frustrating, ever demanding position. And yet I would not have relinquished it for the world, save to one I felt was up to the task.
Whatever else it may have been, it was rewarding to me, I was able to make a difference in ways I was satisfied about, to resolve debates and to keep our fellows on task when required....
Hm... I suppose I am. Thank you for listening to an old man's rambling.
[He looks around the room, thoughtful.]
I do believe there is merit in reminiscing... But I do wonder at the dangers of dwelling too much in phantoms. Ironic of me to say I suppose. I have no doubts in our ability to see things through given another chance, but until our work is complete, I feel mixed about letting my heart be too much at ease among these familiar shadows. They give Emet-Selch comfort, however, and so they serve a purpose.
Indeed. I have never been one content to relax until the work is done.
But this is fine. You enjoy Amaurot and it is where my heart dwells. I cannot reconstruct all with accuracy, but you might enjoy seeing memories first hand. Our technology allowed for their storage, shall I show you?
I would be most fascinated to hear of your own world and its technology as well. Even if you lack magic and aetheric science, it seems as if you reached a sufficient level of advancement.
But do feel free to view whatever catches your fancy. This is where the Concepts and memories are stored for the department after all.
I feel like technology for the rest of my world as a whole is behind this place, but—
[ he's going to go check the crystals, reading each label and touching them, trying to understand what they're like ]
But as I've mentioned, dad built mom, and Luther spent a couple of years on the moon because he sent him there. And there's the matter of the Commission, of course.
If I had to guess, the potential for more advancement is there, but the rest of the world is kept in the dark about it.
[If he's actually activating them he'll get to see all kinds of scenes, otherwise they're just sort of... Well. Creation Concept Storage in one area, and the rest is whatever academic proceedings were considered important, meetings, dissertations, debates.]
Still, that that advancement exists is interesting. As you say, it speaks of such potential even in a world without ready access to aether manipulation.
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This is where we would meet, my staff and I. To either relax or discuss the affairs of the students or our research.
You wished for stories of the time before the end...
[Well he's going to start telling those stories. A bit about the research, some about students or faculty. Mostly just about what life was like working in this department.]
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To be honest, there's a not insignificant chance I've stopped aging. If we actually could move to each other's worlds, well. I imagine eventually coming to live in yours would be one way to ensure I won't end up living alone for the rest of eternity.
[ But he's going to stay silent as Lahabrea starts actually sharing his stories - and like last time, he listens intently, clearly enjoying hearing more about the research, and how his life was like before. He's already talked to Emet-Selch about these things before, but it's nice to hear these stories from Lahabrea too. If nothing else, it ensures their tales are passed on ]
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Were they ever competitive? Your students. Your people do seem to be more focused on helping one another, rather than prove they're better.
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[Roused from his thoughts a little.]
Oh. Yes. Cooperation was always the most important but everyone was different. We all knew we were striving together, but those who liked a challenge would pit themselves against one another in a friendly way. To have a worthy rival to strive to outdo--but I would say losing was not as frustrating for us as it might be for mortals. Instead we would celebrate each other's success and vow to outdo them next time, but not with jealousy or resentment for having lost, but with... Excitement, would be the word I believe.
Competition was a thrill of discovery more than of some concept of winning or losing. Of pushing limits to learn and achieve. The best of my students or colleagues might one day inherit my position, and those that wished for it would have that as incentive, but the ones that did not reach such a goal would not have held bitterness for it. And not all would even want to be be "Lahabrea", simply content to engage in research for the joy of it without the obligations.
That said I did say we were all different. There were a few of a more competitive nature than most, eager to prove themselves against any and all. Even among the Convocation one name comes to mind of that sort. But I would not say that such extreme competitive mindsets were so common.
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Do ask Emet-Selch about Nabriales. Thinking on the man gives me a headache.
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He was that bad? Very well then. I'll be certain to ask him, and hopefully it won't have the same effect on him.
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Igeyorhm was also often eager to prove herself. Though that stemmed more from her own confidence I believe. Over-confidence, sometimes. But I did find that charming about her, even when she was rash.
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Desire to help the community would have been a bigger factor than ambition. The council was the governance of Amaurot, but our people lacked the concept of authoritative power. We were the responsible authority but we were no greater than the people we were responsible for. We were invested with their complete trust, and we strove ever to meet their expectations in faith.
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Whatever else it may have been, it was rewarding to me, I was able to make a difference in ways I was satisfied about, to resolve debates and to keep our fellows on task when required....
Yes. I liked it.
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I see. Thank you for telling me about it.
You do seem happier when you recall those times, you know.
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Hm... I suppose I am. Thank you for listening to an old man's rambling.
[He looks around the room, thoughtful.]
I do believe there is merit in reminiscing... But I do wonder at the dangers of dwelling too much in phantoms. Ironic of me to say I suppose. I have no doubts in our ability to see things through given another chance, but until our work is complete, I feel mixed about letting my heart be too much at ease among these familiar shadows. They give Emet-Selch comfort, however, and so they serve a purpose.
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We can change the setting once more if you'd rather - unless you have more you'd like to show me.
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But this is fine. You enjoy Amaurot and it is where my heart dwells. I cannot reconstruct all with accuracy, but you might enjoy seeing memories first hand. Our technology allowed for their storage, shall I show you?
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[There is another door from this room that he'll lead Five through, full of the memory container crystals from Anamnesis Anyder.]
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I'm sure he would if I asked him. I'll cut him some slack just this once, and take responsibility for it.
[ But okay it's time to check out all those memory containers. Also he feels so tiny there ]
How do they work—?
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[He will explain how they work I forget the specifics.]
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That's intriguing. I don't believe we have anything like that in my world - though that's not surprising.
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I would be most fascinated to hear of your own world and its technology as well. Even if you lack magic and aetheric science, it seems as if you reached a sufficient level of advancement.
But do feel free to view whatever catches your fancy. This is where the Concepts and memories are stored for the department after all.
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[ he's going to go check the crystals, reading each label and touching them, trying to understand what they're like ]
But as I've mentioned, dad built mom, and Luther spent a couple of years on the moon because he sent him there. And there's the matter of the Commission, of course.
If I had to guess, the potential for more advancement is there, but the rest of the world is kept in the dark about it.
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Still, that that advancement exists is interesting. As you say, it speaks of such potential even in a world without ready access to aether manipulation.
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