Text; username: JustD

[distant_one]

My name is D, for those of you who aren't familiar with me, I organized and designed the Outpost.

For several months Snow White and I have been speaking with the beast commonly called Deerlona, the first Sleeper to arrive in Trench, named Ramona.

She says that when she was released from the nightmare world the waking world was already soaked in blood pollution but beasts were just beginning to emerge, but she could tell they would be permanent. Most things were in chaos, but that as corruption and beasts became more common the world became more balanced.

When we asked, Ramona also said she believes Pthumerians are part of maintaining that balance.

She hated Riteor as well. She called him a power hungry hack and she's glad that we chose to get rid of him.

I have sent further questions to her on the possibility of Hali's offer, but Ramona doesn't always respond quickly.

Anyone who wishes to ask her anything should seek Deer to act as messengers; She is very protective of Sleepy Town and also feels a compulsion to attack people.

There are more construction projects this month at the Outpost, but I also wanted to announce that Manabu will be leading a project to construct a road between Trench and Riteor's city.

And on that subject, I am going to ask Hali to take over or prevent Pthumerian influence on that city.

Comments

text; un: polaris

[anbaric]

Yes, because we can trust the word of a Beast steeped in blood Corruption as long as anyone can remember. The Pthumerians surely haven't tampered with her memories in all this time.

[ he's texting, but anyone can tell he's being sarcastic. ]

Do you ever consider that you are being fed information intended to trick you?

Voice; un: justD

[distant_one]

The Pthumerians are subject to corruption amd beasthood as well. The fact that they are unable to prevent it or reverse it in themselves makes me think she might be one of the few we can safely say have not been tampered with.

I could be lying to you about speaking with her. Do you have less suspicion that I am trying to trick you than she is trying to trick me or is it merely that you won't accuse me of such deception to my face?

voice;

[anbaric]

[ he's also happy to have the rest of this conversation via voice. ]

No, I would accuse you directly just as easily if I believed that was the case.

The Pthumerians manipulate our lives according to their whims. It is in their nature. Like all living things, they desire to survive and propagate, but acknowledging the existence of parasites doesn't mean tolerating them.

[distant_one]

I am not convinced they need us in a general sense, which is one of the requirements to be classified a parasite. Desire having us around, tolerate our existence in the same space, or gain some non-vital benefit from us, yes.

Some of them are undeniably manipulative and harmful. The cyclical nature of patrons also seems to be such that effects on us are temporary and conflict with one another.

I would prefer a solution that disentangles us from them, but we are merely guests here.

The real decision on if we should attempt to get rid of them belongs to those who are born here, live here, and will die here instead of returning to the sea.

But none of that has any bearing on my decision to share the answers of a Sleeper who has been here longer than the rest of us, nor do I vouch for her statements in any way except to say that she made them.

[anbaric]

Call it whatever you like. We are free entertainment.

If we are powerful guests in an unhappy world, then we should use our power to leave it in a better state than we found it. No one wants to live in fear.

[distant_one]

Is living in fear the impression you get from the people of Trench?

If we force our ideals of a 'leaving the world in a better state' upon them when they don't want it we are no better than the Pthumerians.

[anbaric]

"Ideals"? Anyone can see that these people do their best with what little they have, and this world is actively trying to kill or at least torture them. If they were happy and safe, the promise of an easier life would not be so enticing.

The way it's been explained to me, this world was deliberately shaped to pave the way for the Pthumerians coming into it. Naturally, it would appear that the world needs them for its continued existence from the perspective of someone who was here in the beginning.

[distant_one]

Whatever the world was before, whatever the people who lived before might want, it's the living people now who get to choose whether they want to embrace or fight against the Pthumerians.

Give them tools, options, technology, safety, infrastructure, but the greater choice of what to do with the Pthumerians isn't ours.

You and I are just guests, passing through.

[anbaric]

You say that, but you would still encourage one of them to take over another city.