video; un: mogget

[themogget]

[The cat on the screen might be familiar by now. He sits primly with both paws neatly side by side and his tail curled around him, the tip lightly flicking up and down.]

I did wonder what I was doing here at all, to begin with. [He says. The statement has the air of someone continuing an earlier conversation, though he hasn't made many outreaches on the network at all.] Summoned to another world to save a hundred others? I had no care for my own world, let alone this one or anyone else's.

[The bell that usually hangs on his collar - for those who are well-acquainted enough with the feline to notice - is now missing, though the green tear-shaped pendant is still present.]

I cared not a bit for Geardagas, either. The sheer audacity of pulling me about the multiverse like a toy is not something I have ever come to appreciate from these places that seem to 'need' my presence. [But then... Mogget looks thoughtful, as much as a cat is able to make such an expression.]

I wonder if I was too harsh in my evaluations. If multitudes of worlds and the people in them may be worth the effort after all. [His ears twitch.] Even the worst of them, if it means also saving the best, no?

Comments

Video; un: music2myears

[afoolshope]

I think they're always worth saving.

Letting a world die because some within that world are bad doesn't do those who are simply living their lives or who are trying to help justice.

[themogget]

That is a matter of opinion.

[Mogget's opinion being that until recently he simply didn't care one way or the other.]

But I expect most will feel the same as you. Places like this do seem to pull in those sorts.

Video; un: BorkBork

[redeyedbluehound]

A talking cat, huh?

[I mean, he's dealt with much stranger, but still.]

What is Geardagas?

[themogget]

Geardagas was the world I was in prior to this one. One which drew us in through mirrors with a similar goal to that of Avalon - the preservation of their realm.

[And he had had about as high an opinion of matters there as he does here - that is to say, he finds the whole thing to be borderline insulting.]

And yes, I am talking. No, I am not entirely a cat. Nor am I anyone's familiar, before you ask.

[redeyedbluehound]

I see. You seem not enthused about being here. Something left undone back where you're from?

[After that explanation, he's going to phrase this next question carefully, although it still might offend Mogget.]

So, are you a Servant? Throne of Heroes Servant, not house servant.

[themogget]

Not anymore, but I don't see why anyone would be entirely enthused about being here.

[As much as he would say he is not, Mogget acts very much as one might think a cat would if they could speak... including the assumptions that his opinions are always correct.

Which, naturally, they usually are.]

And no, I am not a 'Throne of Heroes' Servant. I assume that title has some kind of special significance to you.

[redeyedbluehound]

Could be worse. You could be dead.

[He has some experience in that.]

Mmm, you could say that. I thought that since you seemed offended by being called a cat, being called a servant might be a problem.

[themogget]

I could be. How lucky for me.

[To be fair he isn't sure he could die, but there are worse things.]

And I am not offended, it simply isn't true. Calling me a servant may have been closer to fact until recently, but that is also now incorrect. [A pause, before he adds in rare clarification-]

My change of heart resulted in the ending of my servitude, though I suppose I would not have minded if it didn't.

Video | un: pikohammerhero

[pricklybloom]

[ As she listens to Mogget's words, she can't help a small smile. ]

I think so too. Even if there might be bad people out there, there are some truly good people too. And if saving them means helping everyone, I'd still do it.

[themogget]

I wonder how much evil there would have to be in a world before most people here would consider that it was no longer worth saving?

[A question that interests him as he says it. How much would be too much for people who thought everything worth the effort?]

[pricklybloom]

[ Amy hums softly in thought. ] I don't know. But even if a world is filled where mostly everyone is evil...that doesn't mean it will always stay that way. There's always the possibility that things - that people - can change.

There's always the chance that good can come back into the world, if people let it.

[themogget]

Hm.

[Interesting.]

You have more confidence in the inherent goodness of people than I. [Admittedly he had begun to see the value in people, in the world, in life itself - enough value to act to save it - but Amy's optimism certainly outstrips his.]

Though, I suppose... there is a need for it. [Hmmm.] A little positivity can go a long way, in the right situation.

[pricklybloom]

To be honest, I've seen a lot of both. I've known people who are only in it for themselves, and they don't care who they hurt to get what they want. But I've also known people who will stand up and do what's right, no matter how hard it is. People who will give up everything of themselves for the chance that others can keep living as they are.

And... [ Amy shrugs a little. ] I don't know. Seeing the good side of things can be hard sometimes. But I think that's why it's important to be able to find it.

[themogget]

[Interesting.

Amy isn't to know that Mogget has seen both sides - has been both sides of that equation. He probably doesn't give the impression even now that he really cares about anyone.]

You remind me of someone. [He says then, thoughtfully.] And at one point the comparison would not have been a compliment. But more recently, hm... Yes, you do remind me very much of him.

video, un: cherrypit

[polterguide]

I wasn't expecting to see anyone else who went through Geardagas to show up here, but I guess that just makes sense with how little sense all of this multiverse stuff makes.

[There's a pause, as they consider Mogget's question.]

I think it's worth the effort, even if I'm not sure there's a world that could be considered "the worst" or "the best". That seems like an awfully black and white way to look at things, because what's good and what's bad is so hard to objectively quantify. There are people here who come from all sorts of worlds with different values and beliefs, so I'm sure everyone would disagree on any judgment that could be passed on these other worlds.

Which isn't really the point, I guess, but I think it would just be a tragedy if it all ended for everyone. I also really don't want to die in some cosmic, multiverse ending event? Like, saving everyone would be nice, obviously, but I also don't want to die if I don't have to even if that's a much more selfish motivation.

[themogget]

[Mogget studies Bailey in silence for a few moments, then makes a soft sound.]

Oh, it's you.

[They had never really talked, but cats do get around after all... and Mogget had been as much of 'no fixed abode' in Geardagas as he is in Avalon.]

'I don't want to die' is an an inherently selfish motivation, but that doesn't invalidate it. I've used it often myself. Sometimes such basic things can be far more motivating than the abstracts of the grander scale. [The cat sniffs slightly.] The smaller picture has its place as much as the bigger does.

[polterguide]

Yeah, it's me.

[Maybe they should question why a talking cat recognizes them, but... Cats. Cats are just like that, they think.]

That's true enough, but... I dunno, sometimes I get the feeling most people aren't actually looking at the smaller picture. [They scratch their cheek.] Which I can see why they wouldn't, because being told worlds are going to end without help is one of the biggest pictures you can have, but... I thought people being so sacrificial and all that and doing everything for the greater good no matter the cost was, like. Not something people could really do without ever stopping to actually consider those costs and everything else going on at the time. It doesn't sound like a real thing, but some of the people here do seem to be that way.

[themogget]

[Recognises their face, yes... but the name escapes him. Or maybe he never knew it to begin with? No matter, they are saying interesting things and that is enough for Mogget.]

Mm, some of them do. I've noticed they tend to be the ones who are also capable of doing the most damage.

[He knows the type. He's seen enough of them.]

I'm not sure that the concept of multiple worlds ending as a result of what amounts to a massive light display in the sky is something that everyone here can comprehend. Not to mention that this world operates on its own rules.

[polterguide]

I mean, it's definitely something I have had a hard time wrapping my head around. This place is so different from Geardagas, but it's more similar to there than my home. Least so far as things like... magic and monsters and all of that being things that exist in this kind of capacity.

[Sighs.]

And I'm sure there's people who are even less familiar with magic than I am, here, being told they have to help... win this fight and all. Plus people who know even more, but still have to start from scratch because everyone's magic and powers or whatever have been stripped away. Like... I'm sure there are people here who have dealt with things close to this scale, but with having to learn how to fight, or heal, or whatever all over again... I can imagine in some ways it's harder for them to figure out what's going on and what can they do about the world's ending because all their experience and expertise means nothing.

[They sigh, shoulders sagging.]

It feels like we're all being asked to do too much, but we can't exactly do nothing if we want to survive this.

[themogget]

Mm, true enough.

[With all of it he can at least concede that last point. If they want to get through all of this then they need to do something, or at least most of them do. Towards the end of his time in Geardagas Mogget had found himself venturing on expeditions he would not have considered attempting upon his arrival there...

He has shown about as much interest in Avalon's plight until recently, and would claim it was only curiosity that had led him to head out on various quests here. Maybe it had been more than that.]

We can only be expected to help within the limits of our own ability and experience. Asking us for more than that would be entirely foolish. [Mogget sniffs slightly.] I never think much of the leadership of these places, but I believe they at least understand that much.

[His eyes narrow a little, pupils briefly dilating.]

A pity that our native powers are as equally bound here as they were on Geardagas. Especially when I'm feeling so much more inclined to be helpful.

video, un: filament

[omnicrafter]

That's a familiar one. What changed your mind, if I may ask?

[themogget]

[A familiar one, she says, and he peers at her as if trying to work out what she means. Did she recognise the name of the place, or is it just the scenario that seems familiar?

Hm.]

That's my business. [He tells her, though without too much unkindness to it.] But suffice it to say that I see a certain value in existence and in mortal life that I did not before, and have a small but real desire to ensure its continuation.

I am at last free from convention hell

[omnicrafter]

That's good. I'd hate to see what'd happen if you were the actively murderous type. Apathy is far too easy to turn into callousness, after all.

I do understand feeling frustrated at being tugged around the multiverse, though. It's a bit tiring after the first two or three times of being told we're needed for something...

[themogget]

[He makes a sound that borders on amusement. Irhya is closer to the truth than she might expect.]

I have no real issue with being needed for something in its own right. [Mogget purrs out, his ears flicking back for a moment.] My issue is with being used. Something which I have found is an unfortunate similarity between here and Geardagas... though the latter was infinitely more irritating in its demands.

[omnicrafter]

Indeed, it's not unlike we're some kind of universal currency when it comes to otherworlds using us for any given purpose. How do you figure on one being more irritating than the other, though?