video; un: smoking_bomb

[bakudan_bambino]

[This video must have been recorded earlier and taken a while for Gokudera to decide to post it. He's sitting in his attic apartment by a window, a leopard sleeping on a couch behind him, an open book in front of him, pencil in hand, and mug full of something steaming before him.]

Before I begin: Emet, thank you. The potion's working.

[Gokudera takes a small sip of his coffee? tea? looks like he's enjoying some peace. The glasses on his face fog from the drink and he sighs before fidgeting with his pen.]

There is something I've noticed about going from world to world... humans are so focused on finding out their purpose. The meaning of their lives. They're born wondering why they exist at all in most cases. How true is that for you? Does everyone wonder what the meaning of life is?

[Gokudera is visibly more well than any point in at least the last three months, still wearing his collar but looking a little less gaunt. He sets down the pen and chews on a stick of licorice root.]

Maybe I'm just having an existential crisis or something

But no one I've ever really spoken to in any of the three worlds I've been on has parents who were off-worlders. This is just one stop and we arrive with an objective.

It makes me wonder. Are there probably people who want to know what they're working with rather than against? That are in favor of the Calamity for chaos' sake? Who are sick of just doing what they're told?

I'm not saying I am, and I'm not looking for an argument or a debate. I'm just curious if anyone feels that way? Who isn't looking out for the safety of their home world? Why?

[He leaves the camera on for at least a minute of silence while he writes.]

Just trying to gain some new perspectives...

[The leopard behind him (very real and in that odd stage between cub and adult), gets up and approaches so much that it's no longer in frame, but growls and a paw can be seen swatting before the feed is cut off.]

Comments

video; UN: firstfallen

[corruptedsave]

I really doubt you're gonna get any answers to your question, unless the person is an idiot.

[Have a kid, with a goat, hanging around in an outdoor area.]

No one smart is going to admit in public that they're all for the destruction of their world.

[bakudan_bambino]

Maybe I'm looking for an idiot. Hell, maybe I like talking to idiots... They can be amusing. Bring fresh stupid perspectives to the table.

What about people that don't care about the wellbeing of their world?

[This is an entertaining conversation so far. Thank you. Gokudera looks curious, and he's not writing anymore. Not that anyone could read what he was writing, since it's in code.]

[corruptedsave]

Well I wish you luck in your hunt for an idiot.

And I dunno, they might not reply either.

[Considering Chara's thoughts and opinions about their own home situation they would fit into the category of people that could answer that question. They just don't want to.]

[bakudan_bambino]

Thanks.

Right.

[He's not in an argumentative mood. Just interested in a discussion.]

video: un: honda

[agentlewish]

... I'm not sure if we'll ever find the meaning to our lives, but...

Just living day to day and finding happiness through that... isn't that part of what makes life wonderful to begin with?

[bakudan_bambino]

We won't. No one ever will.

Living and having a meaning for living are, I think, different things. But you make a good point. There's motivation to keep going, but in a world like this where your presence has a purpose, do you feel the need to grow to fulfill it?

[agentlewish]

I... I'm not sure.

For most of my life, I... just wanted to do what my Mom hoped for me to do. She wanted me to graduate high school, but... I haven't thought about anything passed that.

( It's... scary to think about. )

But here, we all have some sort of goal -- to help one another, and our worlds.

[bakudan_bambino]

Is there anything you're good at, or like to do?

[Maybe... helping people? She could make a lot of money focusing on quests in this world.]

Right.

text; UN: swordandshield

[icastsword]

[He knows how to use the video function, he just chooses not to.]

I exist because my parents wanted me. I know that's not true for everybody but I think it's true for most people.

I've met a couple people who didn't care about the safety of their home, though. They were pretty unpleasant.

text; un: smoking_bomb

[bakudan_bambino]

[And that is fine. Gokudera will respect that.]

Everyone exists because they were created whether their parents wanted them or not. I meant more... that sort of need to find and fulfill a role, a purpose in your life. Do you have that?

How were they unpleasant?

[Gokudera cares about his home, but he doesn't know if he cares about everyone else's, and if there are some that want their worlds destroyed, would it be bad for him to want to help them?]

[icastsword]

Not really, no. I don't see why I would need a role to be happy meeting new people and learning new things.

One of them cursed an entire town of people who were under his protection because he thought making a deal with the goddess of avarice and greed was somehow going to fix the low birth rate of pureblood Infernals. He was going to hand the entire Infernal Realm over to her, which he had no authority to do, and ruin everybody's day. He's powerless and in custody now, but the people he cursed are still cursed, and I don't know if there's a way to fix that.

The other was trying to summon a soul-eating entity into the known realms. If she'd succeeded, everything would be gone I'm not sure why she hated life so much she felt everyone else needed to suffer and die along with her, but that's what she was trying to do. I think that's basically what her motivation was, anyway. She had a lot less success than the other guy, thankfully.

[bakudan_bambino]

Ah, so it's about the experience. That's a good way to look at it.

Yeah, sounds unpleasant. I'm not for taking anyone down with me if I'm going out. I just know it's all inevitable. I think I'm feeling nihilistic.

I've been to two other worlds aside from my home and each time it was like I had to do something for the benefit of that world or my own, or... to entertain a bunch of aliens.

Anyways, I think this place isn't so bad. I was just wondering what anyone has to go back to... if they're looking forward to that, or if they'd prefer to stay here... just... want to hear how other people are handling being put on this world against their will? It's an interesting topic of conversation.

to think... any one of us could live here and never start our own families... at least not in the usual way. People leave this world against their will all the time, too. I'm sure.

< thearchitect >; local prisoner live-tweeting from prison

[emet_sulk]

My world can perish for all I care.

Have you encountered any side-effects to the remedy thus far?

[bakudan_bambino]

There's no one left in it you care about?

Now that my body doesn't need to sleep as desperately, and I ration out dosage accordingly with time, I find I've become a bit of a light sleeper. But it's easy to fall back asleep. No issues aside from that. Everything else seems normal. Dreams are crazy, but I doubt that has anything to do with it...

oh wait, I don't know if it's any ill side-effect, but my fingers are asleep when I wake up. Maybe physical sensations are slower in returning when the potion wears off?

Or maybe it's just bad circulation... my hand is sort of fucked, anyways.

[emet_sulk]

I see. It could be a combination of both. If it bothers you, I can attempt to tweak the potion.

And no, there is not, for everyone I ever cared for died long ago.

[bakudan_bambino]

Ah no, it’s just a matter of adjusting

No one remembers you?

Voice; un: Koromaru

[whatsamada]

[Hmm...]

Now I'm curious. Why aren't you looking out for the safety of your own world?

Re: Voice; un: Koromaru

[bakudan_bambino]

I am.

What makes you think I'm not? Because I'm asking questions?

It just feels odd. To assume that every single person brought in to this world to save their world actually all want to save their home worlds. There's no way that everyone feels the same, right?

My home world is important to me, but I don't think I play any part in it anymore. Not that I want it to end or be destroyed or in danger... I'm just not the hero of my world. Never have been and likely never will be. There are people in that world I love and respect and cherish.

Voice; un: Koromaru

[whatsamada]

No, I was just curious.

But you are right, there would be people who wouldn't care about their world at all. Although, I must admit, it does make me wonder what happened to make them think that way.

[Pause]

Which makes me wonder what makes you say that you're not a hero in your world. I'm sure there has to be a role you can play there.

text | anon

[knightglow]

[ She is definitely here in absolute awe, wonder, and bewilderment in seeing Emet-selch mentioned. Then further, seeing him apparently message from prison of all places. Perhaps a bit too much for even her to process, but as always... Emotions get tossed aside for her later self to deal with. She focuses upon what is here. Dissects it and perhaps, in reminisce of this very moment. She writes in anonymous fashion; ]

In the words from a friend spoken once before, 'One day, we too will be ashes and dust, but not today. Our time is not yet finished.'

[ In context these words may not have made sense, but to her it does. ]

Stay your course less your conviction wavers, and even if it does. Remember the faces of those who you left, and the faces of those whom you continue to fight for always. We are here in this moment. Alive, chosen to orchestrate what will is upon us to move forward. So long as there is always someone's face to think about, there is always a reason to continue onwards.

re: text

[bakudan_bambino]

And what of those already dead? Back in their homes? Why would they want to save a world they may blame or hate?

Some of us have died many many times.

I'm not suggesting anyone... end themselves or something like that. I'm also not humoring the idea of giving up! But that maybe the path forward may not be so direct or even the correct direction at all! Sometimes, life is made up of and can reward detours!

anon

[knightglow]

[ Na'na cannot help but find herself kindled with this soul seemingly struggling to find themselves amok a catastrophic circumstance. It reminded them oft their time in Ishgard, facing down Thordan VII. The first time she took hold of her Sword... ]

No matter the amount of times you have died, nor no matter the amount of times you have lost others. Why would you contend with ceasing your movements? Do you too wish to die along with them? Leave yourself caught in time just like the Universes around us? Unable to move on?

Is it really so worth it to let the other Universes burst in a Calamity? Die away? All those people who don't know what is going on, and all those people who would earnestly wish for another moment in the world they live in.

There is no shame in detours. There is no shame in looking away, and there is no shame in feeling how you do.

Ultimately at the end whatever choice you make, that is an answer of your own.

Just know, whatever answer you don't take. Another will.

Video : Un; Caster

[colchismagecraft]

[Have a creepy looking lady in a hooded cloak. There was no harm in answering his question, she supposed.]

...I don't want to die, but my world can burn for all I care. There's nothing left there for me.

What do you want to ask?

video; un: smoking_bomb

[bakudan_bambino]

[He's seen this username before but never bothered talking to this person. Did they speak to the Tenth? Maybe then, he had lurked.]

Are you working on your magic to save the rest of the worlds, then? They can't all be bad...

[colchismagecraft]

[On the other hand, this username wasn't one that had caught Caster's attention- but it wouldn't surprise her too much if there were people who recognised her here who she didn't know.]

Mostly academic curiosity. The magic here functions rather differently to the Magecraft of my world...so I want to try and master it for that reason.

... If it helps the rest of the worlds in the process, then I hope it at least benefits my allies here. Assuming the King isn't lying about his intentions;