[ he absolutely allows this, yes!! groom away fellow noodle
xie lian nods, though - flat's got it right. it's the personal impact of this that twists in his heart like a knife, because it reminds him so much of a white clothed calamity, and an impossible cure. ]
I think that's precisely it, yes. It is as we have discussed - that a life is a precious thing. Violence only begetting violence, and cruelty begetting cruelty, is an endless cycle.
I was only with Baraqiel, and I don't know as much about Suriel and Shamsiel, but...
[ he's quiet, for a moment, recalling a conversation from a week or so ago, now. ]
...When I spoke with Baraqiel, I asked him what their ideal solution to the conflict was. They said...that they know very little, of the conflict as a whole, that they were only told a Temporal victory would mean certain destruction.
But, they also noted that they were sure the Temporals were told the same thing in reverse, and that they didn't expect an easy solution - but, they were amenable to one that is resolved with peace.
...I think they can understand, yes. I think they want to understand that solution, too.
[ he says this simply, closing his eyes, as if he were deep in thought. ]
Suriel told me pretty much the same thing. [ he chuckles ] Actually, they told me that Baraqiel would be the most difficult one to convince, but I'm guessing it might be the other way around?
But I wonder what made them be forced to just play along...is their boss just that powerful?
...I think... maybe, that is how they would want you to see them. [ baraqiel, that is. but, the smile on xie lian's face is fond, gentle. ] But...they are kind, and they are good.
[ he lifts his hand, touching his own heart very gently, eyes closing. number one baraqiel stan. ] That, I know for sure.
[ anyway. that aside - ] But, I agree, about the lying. Their surprise at so many things happening makes that seem even more plausible - and, even more frustrating.
Have you spoken with any of the Watchers, about what their reasoning for coming here was, Flat?
[ does xie lian know what that means? probably not? does it matter to flat? absolutely not! he'll say it anyways ]
No, I really haven't. But I know that Suriel was a high-school student in their world, learning to become a Hero. Though I do wonder if they came here the same way that we did, and they're the survivors.
[ xie lian sounds very thoughtful. something to consider, perhaps. ]
...From what I know, at least one of the other Watchers had a very specific reason to agree beyond just saving a world from something terrible. As they described it to me, it sounded like this higher power was making an offer, and a threat, all at once.
[ more mafia references? really? flat's starting to think that it's a little too much.
oh. speaking of mafia. ]
So I was thinking about the roles in the game I told you about. Mafia. There's a lot of them and they depend on the type of Mafia game you're playing, but you're generally going to have these types. One: a protector role. This can be a Doctor, Guardian Angel, etcetera. In the game, at night, they'll be able to protect someone. Two: a detective or seer role. They can choose someone and find out whether they're Mafia or not. And Three: A crier. They'll be the ones capable of leaving anonymous messages, like hints.
flat does a very good job explaining this - even if there are a lot of words happening here that xie lian does not understand - and he nods, touching his hand to his chin again. hmm. ]
...Sort of like the message that was in our rooms, that said we ought to examine our locations very carefully? Would that count as such an anonymous message? That should almost confirm that that sort of person would be here.
They didn’t leave a name, so I think that they’d definitely count. These criers can also be both agents or spies—though that depends on whether they’re the side of the Mafia or the village. Since I think that we are all working for the same side, we can forget about the details and just call them that.
[ he pulls out his note, grinning. ]
One of us wrote this message, I think we need to find a way to find them. Any ideas?
he has no idea. ] Or... perhaps we could write them a note back and place it somewhere publicly. Nothing too obvious - for instance, I wouldn't say that we are searching for them - but... something along the lines of "we hear your message loud and clear", or something? Perhaps they will write a letter back.
[ flat your impulsiveness. see, this is why he needs xie lian. ]
But that might be a better idea? I want to make sure that they don’t feel threatened by someone replying back. So… how about something like… “We hear you loud and clear, but two heads can shout louder than one.”
xie lian smiles a little sheepishly at the first part, not sure whether to laugh or to cry, but he brightens at the suggestion, though. ] I like that! Perhaps instead of sliding one to everyone - we can post it somewhere quite public, for people to see?
We could ask them to perhaps write their next note in their favorite color. Maybe we would be able to narrow down who it is based on that...? A very harmless suggestion that will be difficult to read into.
xie lian is not sure if he is going to laugh or cry. again. ]
....I suppose you aren't entirely wrong. [ his daemon makes a weird chittering noise from where he's grooming jack, but then continues on his merry way after a long pause. ]
....Maybe we can find something else to try and find a sign of it. Perhaps we could find a way to collect handwriting.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xie lian nods, though - flat's got it right. it's the personal impact of this that twists in his heart like a knife, because it reminds him so much of a white clothed calamity, and an impossible cure. ]
I think that's precisely it, yes. It is as we have discussed - that a life is a precious thing. Violence only begetting violence, and cruelty begetting cruelty, is an endless cycle.
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[ flat continues speaking evenly, taking in all of the information. there's a couple things that he could say on the matter but... ]
Do you think that they can understand that the Temporals aren't our enemies?
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[ he's quiet, for a moment, recalling a conversation from a week or so ago, now. ]
...When I spoke with Baraqiel, I asked him what their ideal solution to the conflict was. They said...that they know very little, of the conflict as a whole, that they were only told a Temporal victory would mean certain destruction.
But, they also noted that they were sure the Temporals were told the same thing in reverse, and that they didn't expect an easy solution - but, they were amenable to one that is resolved with peace.
...I think they can understand, yes. I think they want to understand that solution, too.
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[ he says this simply, closing his eyes, as if he were deep in thought. ]
Suriel told me pretty much the same thing. [ he chuckles ] Actually, they told me that Baraqiel would be the most difficult one to convince, but I'm guessing it might be the other way around?
But I wonder what made them be forced to just play along...is their boss just that powerful?
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[ he lifts his hand, touching his own heart very gently, eyes closing. number one baraqiel stan. ] That, I know for sure.
[ anyway. that aside - ] But, I agree, about the lying. Their surprise at so many things happening makes that seem even more plausible - and, even more frustrating.
Have you spoken with any of the Watchers, about what their reasoning for coming here was, Flat?
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[ does xie lian know what that means? probably not? does it matter to flat? absolutely not! he'll say it anyways ]
No, I really haven't. But I know that Suriel was a high-school student in their world, learning to become a Hero. Though I do wonder if they came here the same way that we did, and they're the survivors.
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The survivors? Do you mean... along the lines of this conflict?
[ also he will address what the fuck a tsundere is in a minute ]
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[ he waggles his hand. ]
It might not mean anything though. Just a theory.
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[ xie lian sounds very thoughtful. something to consider, perhaps. ]
...From what I know, at least one of the other Watchers had a very specific reason to agree beyond just saving a world from something terrible. As they described it to me, it sounded like this higher power was making an offer, and a threat, all at once.
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[ more mafia references? really? flat's starting to think that it's a little too much.
oh. speaking of mafia. ]
So I was thinking about the roles in the game I told you about. Mafia. There's a lot of them and they depend on the type of Mafia game you're playing, but you're generally going to have these types. One: a protector role. This can be a Doctor, Guardian Angel, etcetera. In the game, at night, they'll be able to protect someone. Two: a detective or seer role. They can choose someone and find out whether they're Mafia or not. And Three: A crier. They'll be the ones capable of leaving anonymous messages, like hints.
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flat does a very good job explaining this - even if there are a lot of words happening here that xie lian does not understand - and he nods, touching his hand to his chin again. hmm. ]
...Sort of like the message that was in our rooms, that said we ought to examine our locations very carefully? Would that count as such an anonymous message? That should almost confirm that that sort of person would be here.
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[ he pulls out his note, grinning. ]
One of us wrote this message, I think we need to find a way to find them. Any ideas?
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Handwriting...?
[ ????????
he has no idea. ] Or... perhaps we could write them a note back and place it somewhere publicly. Nothing too obvious - for instance, I wouldn't say that we are searching for them - but... something along the lines of "we hear your message loud and clear", or something? Perhaps they will write a letter back.
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[ flat your impulsiveness. see, this is why he needs xie lian. ]
But that might be a better idea? I want to make sure that they don’t feel threatened by someone replying back. So… how about something like… “We hear you loud and clear, but two heads can shout louder than one.”
no subject
xie lian smiles a little sheepishly at the first part, not sure whether to laugh or to cry, but he brightens at the suggestion, though. ] I like that! Perhaps instead of sliding one to everyone - we can post it somewhere quite public, for people to see?
We could ask them to perhaps write their next note in their favorite color. Maybe we would be able to narrow down who it is based on that...? A very harmless suggestion that will be difficult to read into.
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[ he'll nod excitedly. ]
It might be a bit difficult to ask what people's favorite colors are, but I'm sure I'll find a way to get that information! We just have to try.
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[ he's already picturing flat running up to every person in the game and asking "hey whats your favorite color" after they post this note. ]
It may have to come from observation, but - it might be onto something, at least.
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[ ....................................... ]
I'll do my best to be subtle.
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xie lian wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. ]
...If you looked at me, without asking... What do you think my favorite color is?
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eyes ]
...it is white.
[ xie lian, who is wearing all white, who has refused to wear any color but white this entire time ]
1/3 maybe
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3/3
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xie lian is not sure if he is going to laugh or cry. again. ]
....I suppose you aren't entirely wrong. [ his daemon makes a weird chittering noise from where he's grooming jack, but then continues on his merry way after a long pause. ]
....Maybe we can find something else to try and find a sign of it. Perhaps we could find a way to collect handwriting.
(no subject)