deernet | video; un: shiro

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video; un: shiro

[Local man sits at his kitchen table, arms folded and a coffee mug in front of him. He looks... worried. Concerned. And is clearly preparing for a Speech.]

My name is Shiro.

I'm one of the Sleepers who came here from Deerington, the dream world. I don't actually know how many of you out there are in the same boat anymore, so... with a choice like we've been given, I don't know how many of you remember the last time we had one like it.

[He means the vote that ended the dream.]

That vote ended with Julia Sodder's death.

I want to think it's because a lot of us didn't fully understand the consequences. I want to think it was because a lot of people were hurt, afraid, and thought they were doing the right thing. Or they just wanted to protect the people they knew. Regardless, Julia Sodder died. The people she'd brought into her world to save her... they let her down.

[Deep breaths Shiro, because it really sounds like you were trying to say I let her down, there. He folds his hands, and props his chin up in them.]

You can probably see where I'm going with this.

I'm not saying don't give this Pthumerian your opinion. At this point, inaction is probably the worst idea we've got. These beings - they're a part of this world whether we like it or not. They have been for longer than we can probably realize. [He grimaces.] Aside from one...

[Friggin Mother Mercy/Superior.]

We should be careful, I think, to do anything that cuts them off from their world. Even if we think it might help the people we care about. Protect them. We could end up doing something we really regret.

[There's a long pause, Shiro debating his next words.]

Like always, I'm open to explaining anything to people who have no idea where I'm coming from. I'm more than happy to talk about what happened in Deerington. The way I see it, maybe that will help us understand this world.

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[ Sorry, Shiro. It's A Thing that makes him super angry. Generally speaking anyone who holds power over others is on his shit list. Standby. He's in the process of Cooling Off and also trying to decide whether he wants to be private or not. This was probably important enough to not be. And just figuring out how to think properly again. You know. ] There's gonna be stronger opinions than mine, probably. It's a pretty impacting decision and I don't doubt it's gonna have unfavorable consequences either way. Large decisions usually do.

[ This is his way of saying hey man, I'm sorry someone died but sometimes people die. Par the shitty course of having to make shitty choices. Fuckin sucks, bro. But it happens. ] So let's lay it out, then. What do we know— guess this is also a question to any snooping ears, too. [ Brief pause for quick humor with a cute little "Haaii ~" before back to scheduled programming: ] Did you ask anything?

I'm sure there will be. There always are, one way or another.

[And he really can't fault people for it. He's not going to get anything across, make any headway, if he's running around blaming people and getting angry with them. As long as they all just think their choices over, then that's mission accomplished.]

[You can't force people to do anything.]

I did. I asked if there was a similar ritual that could be used to keep a Pthumerian out of Trench itself. Hali told me that was impossible - the way the Tower and others are bound to the city is different than anywhere else.

[ That's the frustrating part of it, isn't it? In the end, people will people. You make your moves and do what you feel is best and that's really all that can be done. The extent one goes to, though, can differ. More on that never. ]

Mm. I'd be curious to know why that is.

Here's the thing: I've been pitched prosperity, safety, and ease before. It's appealing, but at what cost to our freedom and identity? I know there are people here who come from a place of hardship or might be unable to survive or thrive under less fortunate circumstances but I also know there are those here who thrive in dirt. We can pull together for those people. We can care for our own. And, as far as I can tell, no one has to exist there. Trench remains, right?

I feel this in the same way that we can care for our own when the inevitable consequences hit. Will they be angry? Eh, probably. Make things more hell for awhile. I honestly feel like it'll happen either way.

Why we can't do the same to Trench? Or why the Tower is bound to the city like it is?

I hope they won't make things worse for people. Given this is an offer coming from one of them, I feel like there's a better chance they'll respect the decision. They don't seem as vengeful towards us as Superior - or Mother Mercy like she calls herself now.

[Ugh, he hates that name. He hates that witch. At the very least, she won't be able to touch anyone in that location, if they vote to keep the Pthumerians out.]

You're right - no one has to go, either way. If it does get decided to be a Pthumerian-free city, I really hope that goes better than it looked.

Why we can't do the same to Trench. but, eh... You really think god-like things don't fight among one another? I dunno, sounds like you've been here for a long time but. [ A click of the tongue. You know. He's skeptical. ]

sometimes freedom is more important than luxury to some.

The way he made it sound - that the Tower is too much a part of Trench to make it possible. I don't think it's the same as the other city... where the Tower just influences Trench. I think it is actually the city itself, in some way.

[But Shiro's not here to pretend to fully understand the Pthumerians. Not even Cynthia.]

They might, sure. I haven't seen a lot of history or information about fights between them, so I don't have a lot to go on one way or another. It's my opinion, to be honest.

[No shame in admitting that. It's best to be honest here, after all.]

[ He still hasn't quite worked out the finer details of working out Omnis, but here he is: the device held much too close to his face to that only a tired, dark-rimmed and wide eye appears, half-obscured with light blonde hair. ]

Yes. I asked if he would be happy to be bound. [ There's a long pause, his attention drifts off briefly. ] Feelings, fleeting. Like a memory. He finds his form in choice and free will.

He will feel... fulfilled.

[Oh, hello new... face? Part of a face.]

That's good to hear. Thank you for asking him that.

So I guess we can say "Choice" is his realm. Like the Doorway is "Promises". That explains some of what he told me.

Yes. Blood and body but... embodying.. [ In so many ways like what he is, and so many ways what he is not. ]

He... felt familiar. He wants to because that's what he is. He said it will not hurt him.

Then thank you, again. I hope your questions help people make their choice.

I don't think I've met you yet. I'm Shiro.

Yes. I would like that.

[ He likes to help. Wants to help. ]

No. The world fell away. Then... washed by waters onto weary shores. Something old is now something new. [ ... ] I'm Cole.

It's nice to meet you, Cole.

Are you doing all right, since you washed up? This place can be a lot to handle sometimes.

[ There's a pause as he considers. ]

I.. don't like the blood. It's too loud.

But I can help here, even if it's too loud.

Too loud...?

I'm sorry, this might be a stupid question, but - would something like earplugs help?

... No. I don't listen with my ears.

It's in my head.

Ah, yeah. Headphones or earplugs definitely wouldn't help then.

Have you tried anything? I don't want to suggest something you've already looked into.

The one with the third eye tells me I can stay away from the blood magic.

But I don't know how to not hear it. I don't know if I can stop. I wouldn't be me anymore if I couldn't.

Yeah, staying away from blood magic is... that's always a good idea.

I'm sorry I can't be more help. Maybe there's something in the archives that could, though.

You want to help. That's what matters.

Old tomes, texts. Whispers of the past and present. Even beyond this world.

[ He pauses, considers. ]

...Maybe.

Yeah, it's worth a try. Maybe someone there could even help you find something.

I hope it helps you. It sounds rough to have to deal with that the whole time you're here.

[ wtf. ]

uhuh. well, that's good i guess.

Yes. And... it won't hurt him, it's what he is.

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video; un: shiro

thread jacking welcomed since this is gonna get chatty, probs!

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video | un: username

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voice; @anonymous

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