audience: shess

[cyclists]

Comments

[cyclists]

Indeed.

After all, there remains one corrupted in your midst, no? It may be rather hard to determine their actions... but you possessed all the pieces you need to discern who they might be. You need only but information about their morality and countenance in order to make the accusation.

[that's lune's guidance anyway]

But that is merely the observation of an old man.

[nonbelligerent]

I'm not in the habit of trying to figure out deaths. My kind usually doesn't need an excuse to kill people.

[he is not suited for this??

and jan is dumb??? STOP]

[cyclists]

[there is another soft laugh at that]

It is merely the advice that I am bringing to any who will come see me - I believe it to be important for all of your continued safety, after all.

But I suppose you are correct. When you are among beings who will take life simply because it is what they have always known, it is an odd problem to face.

[nonbelligerent]

Will the remaining corrupted act again next week, along with whoever becomes corrupted then?

[cyclists]

[their gaze lifts upward in thought]

While I cannot peer into the future...

I find it difficult to discredit the possibility.

[nonbelligerent]

So we should expect even more deaths next week, then.

[cyclists]

[there is a pause at that and a glance to shess]

Are you worried?

[nonbelligerent]

Of course. At this rate, it's feeling more like we were brought here to be live sacrifices than anything else.

[cyclists]

Live sacrifices...

{there is a pause and a frown in their voice]

I had not thought of it that way. I suppose one might wonder what it is that the universe had intended by bringing you all here.

Even so, I do not believe that you have been fated to lose either.

[nonbelligerent]

Us, or the universe as a whole?

[after all, a victory for the latter doesn't mean a victory for individuals.]

[cyclists]

Each of you.

What purpose would there be to bring you all here, if it may only cause further instability? Is it a test of wills? Of the ability of not only each human, but each different race and spirit?

And yet it has been proven that there are some tasks that can be completed only by each of you - as the young one and I are bound to positions of overseers only.

Perhaps it is a question of whether each of you will be able to work faster than the darkness.

[thoughtfully, followed by a sip of tea]

Would you care for a cup?

[nonbelligerent]

You said it yourself, didn't you? Once the corrupted is no longer alive, they have been purified. Therefore, if purification is the ultimate goal, then what difference does it make to the universe if we become corrupted—so long as we all kill each other by the end?

[...]

All right.

[cyclists]

I suppose that would depend on if purification is the ultimate goal - there are others in your number who may not find it so easily agreeable.

[but they'll pour that cup for shess, offering it over to him]

[nonbelligerent]

I don't mean our goals. We're not the ones who set up this system.

[cyclists]

And yet the system is meant to express the importance of choice and individual action - else the young one and I would be able to impose far more with the powers at our disposal.

[nonbelligerent]

With all due respect, that's taking your word for it.

[cyclists]

[there is a nod]

So it is, so it is.

I find myself often limited to only words lately.

[nonbelligerent]

In any case, the two don't necessarily contradict. The universe can value individuality while still be willing to have us all die if we're unable to "outrace" the darkness.

Thirty or so lives? A pitifully small number to ensure stability.

[cyclists]

[there is a pause at that]

Do you still believe so?

After all, one of those lives is your own.

[nonbelligerent]

I'm not saying I would sacrifice those lives. Certainly not my own, so easily.

But I have no responsibility to oversee the universe either.

[and he's seen from experience, again and again, that those who are? yes. that is a sacrifice they're entirely willing to make.]

[cyclists]

You are correct. I wonder what it must be like, to hold such a responsibility.

[lune will thoughtfully sip their tea]

Even though I have been given some vague sense of instruction to look over you all here, I fail to sit entirely at ease with the idea of allowing things to remain as they are.

[nonbelligerent]

And yet, you can't interfere.

[cyclists]

Not directly or plainly.

Though it is also not without attempt.

[lune may or may not be dropping hints both publicly and privately]

[nonbelligerent]

[SHUT UP DANA]

Are you at least able to confirm the deceased's respective alignments now?

[cyclists]

[ . . . .

there's some muffled noises followed by a contemplative pause]

... I may be able to offer it to you in an exchange.