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video; un: polaris
[ asriel has been described as an imposing figure, and the harsh lighting in this place does nothing to dispel that. it's a spacious room, and what light there is seems swallowed by the darkness of the shadows. the lamp on the desk beside him provides most of what there is, and it also illuminates the mess of books and papers he did not bother to tidy before making this.
his snow leopard daemon sits calm and still at his side, all except for her tail sweeping back and forth. there are the sounds of ravens chattering nearby unseen, but as the cat seems more attentive to asriel, they don't seem to be the cause of her anticipation. ]
I am Lord Asriel Belacqua. Few of you will know me, as I only recently found myself in this world, which is why I am here now.
For various reasons, I am interested in the pthumerians, but my research will take time and is more limited in some areas than I would like. I would rather hear it from the rest of you since the people alive here right now are more relevant than the opinions of authors who may no longer be with us. Do you consider them friends or foes? What role does their presence play in your lives? Do you approve of their influence on you? Consider me taking a neutral stance, so all sides have value; if it is worth mentioning, I would hear of it.
[ it's intended to be some encouragement to those who might wonder if their information isn't important enough (because it is), but asriel being asriel means it comes out sounding more like a command. ]
You needn't answer all the questions either, just whatever you like.
[ yes, the snow leopard talks too, but stelmaria's manner manages to be gentler, at least. ]
Given the implications of the illness problem, now seems an appropriate time for an exchange of information, don't you think?
his snow leopard daemon sits calm and still at his side, all except for her tail sweeping back and forth. there are the sounds of ravens chattering nearby unseen, but as the cat seems more attentive to asriel, they don't seem to be the cause of her anticipation. ]
I am Lord Asriel Belacqua. Few of you will know me, as I only recently found myself in this world, which is why I am here now.
For various reasons, I am interested in the pthumerians, but my research will take time and is more limited in some areas than I would like. I would rather hear it from the rest of you since the people alive here right now are more relevant than the opinions of authors who may no longer be with us. Do you consider them friends or foes? What role does their presence play in your lives? Do you approve of their influence on you? Consider me taking a neutral stance, so all sides have value; if it is worth mentioning, I would hear of it.
[ it's intended to be some encouragement to those who might wonder if their information isn't important enough (because it is), but asriel being asriel means it comes out sounding more like a command. ]
You needn't answer all the questions either, just whatever you like.
[ yes, the snow leopard talks too, but stelmaria's manner manages to be gentler, at least. ]
Given the implications of the illness problem, now seems an appropriate time for an exchange of information, don't you think?
no subject
So you would say the total personal autonomy you champion is perhaps an unachievable but worthy ideal?
How do you define licit interference? Or for that matter, the well-being of mother or children, and which choices might harm them?
no subject
[ which honestly explains his entire approach to his family, big picture guy that he is. ]
It has always been a systemic issue on a cosmic scale. We're dealing in things that concern gods and men.
[
haven't you heard? lord asriel is a big fucking deal.]What makes you think my ideal has ever been unachievable? Because I am one man? Because you assume it's impossible to believe it can be done and then do it?
You think too small.
no subject
Because you cannot defend the value of complete autonomy without fatal contradiction.
If what you mean is you have the will and ambition to kill a Pthumerian--or a god--then I don't doubt your capability.
[Which was not saying as much as one might think, given Illarion's own Patron could be killed by dropping a too-heavy book on him.
He just kept coming back.]
But I respect a personal grudge against authority far more than a sweeping claim all will be better off for its removal.
cw: mention of violence involving children
[ unfortunately for everyone, asriel's preferred method of debate is closing the issue when he's decided he's tired of it. ]
In any case, I believe we arrive there at the fundamental difference. I don't make sweeping claims unless I can back them up with evidence.
I fought and defeated an enemy that claimed to save people by cutting away their souls. I watched consciousness itself drain out of the worlds. The destruction of an Authority that condones the mutilation of children in His name can only be a positive change.
[ it's a good fight, but it's not to say there isn't considerable ego involved here, too. he is not a humble servant of a cause but fully committed to his self-appointed role as an agent of change. ]
But you are correct. Not all will thrive. Acceptance of the world I worked so hard to create will likely prove difficult for those too deeply entrenched in their ways to embrace it.