[network] @LELRIC; audio; night 315 [open]

[armoured]

There's been a lot of talk recently about this discovery that we might not really be us, that we might be digital copies downloaded into random bodies, and I know that it's been bothering a lot of people to think that they might not be "real". I don't know whether it's true that we're not the original people that we think we are or if we're copies, though I guess it would explain a lot of what happens here and how we're altered or brought back from the dead.

[In a way less horrifying way than he has been imagining this whole time.]

But I just wanted to say that I think we're real. Maybe not the originals, but real all the same. It doesn't matter where I came from, I'm still me with my own memories, experiences, and feelings. And all of you are real, you've had real impact on the lives of other people here, friends and enemies alike. That has to count for something.

[He's struggled with the thought that he might not be real before, when Barry the Chopper taunted him about being a puppet. It tore him apart then, it nearly broke Ed in the accusing, but he learned a lesson from that. He won't forget that lesson easily.]

So-- so I thought it might be nice if we could talk about the things that are real to us, not just here, but back home. Talk about the worlds we remember and the people that were there, and share them with other people who might never have heard of anything like it. We could even add it all to Mr. Carsen's library, an encyclopaedia of worlds. If you'd like to share, I'd love to hear it. So, um, that's all.

Comments

[absentconstellation]

I have tales of heroes and gods, mortals and commoners, humans and beast people. Tales of sadness, joy, love, hate, sacrifice, victory, war and peace.

[ Choose brah ]

[armoured]

Why don't you tell me about your home, and your family, or your friends?

[Something more personal than grand epics.]

[absentconstellation]

That is precisely what I intend to do. I have wandered the mortal realms for eons, and seen many things.

[armoured]

Then you choose what to tell me about.

[He doesn't want to guide this, he wants to know whatever is deemed to be most important by the teller.]

[absentconstellation]

Very well.

[ He goes on to tell the entire story of Song of the Lioness Books 2-4 which I don't remotely want to actually write out and probably nobody wants to read when they could just read the books. The Great Mother Goddess shows up a few times, Alanna is a knight and mage who pretended to be a boy, Roger is the bad guy and Alanna and her friends end up having to save the entire continent basically. The Cat was called Faithful and the Goddess told him to take good care of Alanna and he dies at the end. ]

[armoured]

[Al listens the whole time with interest, though it's an awful lot to absorb when it's all said and done.]

...it sounds like she was lucky to have a friend like you.

[absentconstellation]

Quite the contrary. I was fortunate to know one such as she.

[armoured]

Can't it be true both ways?

[He knows he's fortunate for his friends, but he's sure they likely say the same about knowing him.]

[absentconstellation]

I suppose it can.

[ It was more a comment on his own feelings than on hers. He still misses her dearly... but he still misses all of them dearly. ]

[armoured]

I can understand why she'd be happy to have a friend like you, you've always been kinder to me than you had to be.

[Have confidence in yourself, cat.]

[absentconstellation]

My existence would be terribly boring if it was motivated only by necessity.

[armoured]

Do you always have to answer people like that, or are you allowed to take a compliment once in a while?

[It's mostly amused, and only partially frustrated.]

[absentconstellation]

I take all compliments.

[ He does enjoy being contrary, though. ]

[armoured]

That's so not true.

[He snorts, please!]

[absentconstellation]

And I keep them to myself.

[ He thrives on compliments. And pettings. Compliments and pettings. ]

[armoured]

Fine, fine.

[He's not going to win this.]

Well... thanks for telling me your story anyway.

[absentconstellation]

Certainly. I have eons more, if you wish to hear another.

[ Now, later, any time. ]

[armoured]

Of course, I always want to hear more about you and your world.

[Now or later.]

[absentconstellation]

Then perhaps I should tell you about the Provost's Guard, Rebakah Cooper.

[armoured]

Sure, you really don't have to suggest things before you tell me, I'm interested in everything.

[absentconstellation]

There is far too much for me to tell you 'everything'. But Beka's story is a fine one to share.

[ And so he launches into the story of another entire series worth! This one is mostly about police work, but somehow manages to end with slavery being outlawed in Tortall. ]

[armoured]

[Again, he's quiet until he's done talking, listening attentively the whole time.]

...thanks, I'll really try and remember these stories.

[absentconstellation]

Alanna and Beka are both worth remembering.

[ He misses the both of them. A lot. Then he yawns luxuriously. ]

I am tired now. I will tell you more some other time.

[armoured]

Oh-- uh, yeah, of course. Thank you for telling me what you did.

[And with that, he'll hang up politely so that the Cat can go and get some sleep.]