text; un: beatrix [2]

[fiendennor]

I dearly hope everyone is safe after the turmoil in Olympia.
Wyver too, I've heard, though I was fortunate enough to not to experience it myself.

Does anyone else find it odd? That tensions were suddenly inflamed in such a way. Normal people turning violent.
Or the refugees ourselves having our own aggressive tendencies reinforced and heightened.

It's hard to believe that all of this is entirely natural, or the result of simple historical tensions.
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before? Something that has this sort of aggressive effect on the populace?

Comments

[fiendennor]

We know too little about the world beyond this island. A third party trying to divide and conquer is the most logical conclusion, but none come to mind right now. Unless it's a group trying to overthrow the leadership of one or both countries? Who would benefit from destabilization?

[planetary_bonds]

We only know of Wyver and Olympia. If this really is a place that's been used as a dimensional dumping ground for whatever the Natha have saved, there have to be more than just two factions out there. We just haven't explored enough to know about them.

[So basically, Yusei's agreeing with the sentiment that they know too little.]

There are some unaffiliated people that seem to enjoy taking jobs from both sides, but I don't know if they'd benefit from this. Those people offering shadier jobs, I mean.

[fiendennor]

I mean, it isn't implausible to think that a criminal underworld might benefit from less oversight. But when it changes into outright anarchy, I have to imagine that becomes a liability. What exists of this world beyond the island?

[planetary_bonds]

You'd be surprised by how much they can benefit when things become truly chaotic. Sometimes they ironically become the one sole source of order in these things...

[He speaks from experience, but still.]

I wish I could tell you, but I don't know.

[fiendennor]

It's not impossible. But if your businesses and fronts are as much at risk of being destroyed by the mob as any other, that strikes me as poor planning.

It's actually rather fascinating to think about. This is an entire planet, as far as we know. There could be limitless resources available to us and the Orbiters.

Why limit us to one solitary island?

[planetary_bonds]

It depends on the strength of that organization's network, I suppose. But it's not something we can easily speculate on either way, since we have such a limited view of the big picture.

I'm not sure. Maybe they wanted to make sure we could stay in easy contact with each other? Or perhaps they're trying to limit our influence in case we upset some sort of balance by being introduced. It could be anything...and I doubt they'd give us a straight answer if we asked.

[fiendennor]

No, they probably wouldn't.
And location doesn't seem to be limiting; these devices can contact up into orbit.

I wonder if it would be possible to sail off the island and find something else?

[planetary_bonds]

i don't think it would be impossible. i doubt the people of olympia and wyver would stop us.

the question is would the journey be safe, with the resources and knowledge that we have?

[fiendennor]

I mean, I'm certainly no sailor. I can fly on my broom, but even then I'd be limited by supplies and finding a place to sleep. But surely we have to have people with that kind of talent, right?

[planetary_bonds]

With the huge amount of people the Natha have rescued? Undoubtedly. This might be something to consider organizing on the network at a future date.

[fiendennor]

Yes, I agree. Or perhaps we're overthinking it. And the only reason we don't know about the world beyond this island is that we've never asked. They have harbors, don't they? And ships. They must be going somewhere.

[planetary_bonds]

That's...true. Asking the sailors and tradesmen would definitely get us more information about what's there, right? And maybe we could earn passage on one of those ships...It's definitely a more viable thought.

[fiendennor]

We need to start thinking about the bigger picture. Weren't we rescued to help save the universe? It isn't that I don't think these things are serious or worth addressing, but the political affairs of a single island seem... minute by comparison.

[planetary_bonds]

They might, but that doesn't mean they don't have their own place in this world.

[Ah. It's the "nobody is useless" mindset again.]

Maybe they have more influence than we think.

[fiendennor]

I'm not suggesting that they don't. But if there is a link, it's not obvious yet. Perhaps this small island does indeed hold some sort of... key to the cosmic struggle ahead of us?

[planetary_bonds]

It could be.

And perhaps, the conflict between these two cities might have something to do with it?

[Power tends to be a source of conflict. He should know.]

[fiendennor]

It might.
Or it might be a distraction from whatever is here that we're meant to be doing.

[planetary_bonds]

Either way, we won't know for sure until we find out.

[fiendennor]

That's correct. Perhaps we should just ask them. The orbiters, I mean. They probably won't say anything, but who knows for sure?

[planetary_bonds]

I wonder if they haven't already been leaving us hints, in some weird way. Did you see those simulations from the last time?

[Maybe, maybe not.]

So maybe they'd just leave more cryptic hints.

[fiendennor]

...it's not that I don't enjoy a good puzzle, mind you.
But if you want us to be accomplishing a goal on your behalf, I would hope that you would do quite a bit better than cryptic riddles we're meant to figure out before we can act.

[planetary_bonds]

I can't pretend to understand them. I can only be grateful for this second chance they've given us.

Still, I'm not unused to forging my own path. If they expect me to do more of the same, then I'll do it. And I assume you're the same.

[fiendennor]

If need be, yes.
I have no issues with forging ahead on our own.

That said, they know more about the issues ahead of us than we do. I'd rather not write them off entirely.

[planetary_bonds]

Understandable. They're a valuable resource, and the closest thing we have to benefactors...I don't think we can afford to completely ignore them.

I just wouldn't expect much.

[fiendennor]

I think there's a vast gulf between casting them aside entirely and not relying on them too heavily, or at all.
I'm fine with building up our independence as a community; in fact, I encourage it.
But they are a resource that we shouldn't pretend doesn't exist.