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

[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.

[planetary_bonds]

We're dancing around it, but I think it's safe to say we agree on that level, at least. But it seems like we've strayed off our initial topic...

[What were they exactly trying to discuss, again...?]

[fiendennor]

Initially, the cause (and potential culprits) of the induced madness.
More directly, what lies in the world beyond this island.

[planetary_bonds]

Mmh.

I suppose, to prevent us from getting distracted again, we should research for any available information first...I'd be happy to talk about this again when we have the chance.

[fiendennor]

Of course. I'll be doing some research myself.
Please let me know if you uncover anything.