...I am very lucky, but... it is likely a bit of both.
[ unfortunate. ] I have not yet asked about Yukio's team, and I did not ask about Suigetsu's, but... at my last count, the Temporals numbers were smaller.
I asked Rameel what would happen if one faction was wiped out. They made it seem like that would be the end of this conflict, and would have horrific consequences as a result. So...it pains me to know, it truly does.
...me, as well. Still - do not yet lose hope, Mr. Sholmes. There are a large number of us left, and I want to throw everything I have into solving this, as soon as possible, to avoid as much death as possible. It is part of why I have been working so closely with the, ah. People who appreciate the weather.
...I think you may have misunderstood my original intention with such things.
[ he laughs, a little sheepish. ]
I did not wish to spread it much beyond the person you know who may need to be in contact with them... I thought then perhaps it would be easiest to have them ask me the question so I could answer it correctly and know who to send along to the group.
Though - since we have that mutual friend, perhaps it would be easier to have them meet instead of through me.
Oh, no. He made it very clear to me earlier that he was someone who could pass on messages to people he knew and wanted me to direct roles to him, so I thought it best to inform him, as I didn't know whether the two of you were in touch until that point. Best to keep him on the same level, yes?
[But he's not being harsh - he's just amused.]
I think so, yes. He made it clear to me that the reason he disapproves is that roles can lose their responsibilities if the word gets out about them too much, and even code words can count towards that. As I do not have a role, this was news to me. So... [And a nod.] I do think I want to be careful about such things. Your last statement may be correct, and I agreed with our friend for him to be the liason. Much safer.
[A huff.]
Either way, I would talk with him. He is doing good work on his own, as you are aware. I'll still provide the invitations, of course, and whatever services you need, regardless.
[ not me being unable to read im gomen ] ... This is all still new to me, too.
I know the roles themselves are only able to share with one or two people in total outside of their group in total, and that is the maximum number. I have met several of them, now, and been meeting with them very frequently, so it has been easiest for me to get to find them when I can, less they have already met their quota.
[ he winces a little, sympathetic. ] ...Coordinating this is all rather difficult when we must speak in secrets and whispers...
But, I am glad. To point them towards our friend would be most helpful indeed - and the sooner, the better.
...mm. Youth is not always an indicator of inexperience - [ considering his own age is "seventeen", after all. and... some of the youngest here are some of the wisest. ] - but, I know what you mean. Some among us are barely teen.
[ xie lian purses his lips for a moment, thoughtful, but then shakes his head. ]
It is hard, to put such difficult decisions on the shoulders of others, knowing there is little you can do to help them bear the burden.
[sholmes gathering up all the young ones like I CAN'T PROTECT THEM]
...
[He looks away.]
I'm a great detective. I must always consider every possibility, every road, everything that may change the course of where a mystery might go. But people are wrapped up in that mystery. And as a great detective, I feel responsible for them, because one can't help it. [He doesn't know why he's suddenly just explaining all of this. It's like somewhere, something broke. He's just letting it all out before he gathers it up into his arms, closes himself off, and leaves, as he always does.] I'm standing behind the curtains desperately wishing that the players do a good job on stage. Something like that.
[ there's something about confessing things to a god that's easy, isn't it?
xie lian's expression softens immediately. he is endlessly compassionate - the voice of justice, the heart of the world - and he feels for sholmes as he describes the frustration and hurt of not being able to help others. it's familiar. ]
...You are a great detective - though, I wonder if you feel such responsibility not just because you are a detective, but because you are you.
You have done much for me, Mr. Sholmes, as you have done much for the others here. To support others instead of stepping onto the front of the stage, as you said, is... very difficult. It is something I am also having trouble with doing.
[ xie lian has always been bad at that, after all. it wasn't the reason that xian le fell, but - it probably didn't help, either. he's never known how to mind his business. ]
But... those 'players', in this case, need people like us to provide that guidance and support the best that we can - our own experience with others may be bolstering them to be stronger, so that if they were to look back behind the curtain for reassurance, they would know there was always someone there in case they falter. That faith and belief is a powerful thing, even if it feels like it isn't.
Ahaha. Well, am I not one in the same, my dear fellow? Where the great detective begins, the person ends, and where the person begins, the great detective ends. It's how it is.
[It's hard to think of one being divorced from such a thing. That's what he is, 24/7. Always. Forever, likely.]
...But you're right. One must stand strong, despite all obstacles and circumstances. [A light smile.] And I'm sure you know a thing or two about faith. What a powerful thing it is. I suppose we're both here to hold up the rest, and ensure they reach the stars.
[ he smiles to that, too. ] I think - our best advantage is that we are able to talk far more freely than any of them are. We ought to see if we can't host a meeting for information again, as I have a few things from them that I would like to share with the group as a whole about our conflict itself.
I'm sure we all have something to bring to the table. Let us gather, and ensure we can put together the pieces. [He tilts his head.] What are your theories so far, if you don't mind me asking?
I can only garner what I can without so much context, but... I do believe that the Temporal and Celestial conflict is directly tied to a conflict of the Heavens of this world - specifically, some sort of legend where their single god threw an angel out of Heaven, and there was a war because of it.
I believe the temporal side is meant to be matched with that 'Lucifer', in that according to those who were more familiar with the legend, Lucifer began to rebel because he felt as if humans should be able to have 'knowledge' - and knowing that makes the concept of 'temporal' to me not mean time, but rather... 'worldly'. To me, it sounds as if the godly beings granted favor to these realms, and then perhaps they somehow gained knowledge that was forbidden, and were then subsequently destroyed.
[ hate! that!!! ]
I don't know how much that theory helps us, truthfully, but I don't think it was an accident that we were taken to Ankheen, with its massive serpent skeleton, either.
Edited (ive got 180 icons how do i still repeat them) 2021-10-27 11:09 (UTC)
Say, my dear fellow. Are you aware of the story of the devil? For what you describe sounds awfully close to that, Save the "giving favor to realms", though. And...haha. Goodness. How did I overlook the snake?
[A huff.]
Has someone told you of the story of the Garden of Eden?
...Mm. I asked Allen for some clarification on it, and he told me the full story.
[ white people religion is the worst ]
The 'giving favor' I believe may have come from the single 'god'. The idea may have been to keep these humans under the more controlled thumb of the god, instead of having them seek knowledge or temptation. It's not as if either side's original intentions are particularly evil - it is the actions that involved humans that may have become that way.
[ though xie lian has been very calm throughout this discussion, it is at the end where his eyes seem to take on that flint of passionate, justice-led anger. ]
[That's a serious look from Sholmes, for a moment. Under the thumb of a god...he hates the sound of that.]
Like...humans are treated as nothing better than ants. [He recognizes that anger in Xie Lian's eyes, and he nods, fully in agreement.] I can't say I appreciate such cruel meddling, even if it is a god or not.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ unfortunate. ] I have not yet asked about Yukio's team, and I did not ask about Suigetsu's, but... at my last count, the Temporals numbers were smaller.
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I asked Rameel what would happen if one faction was wiped out. They made it seem like that would be the end of this conflict, and would have horrific consequences as a result. So...it pains me to know, it truly does.
no subject
...me, as well. Still - do not yet lose hope, Mr. Sholmes. There are a large number of us left, and I want to throw everything I have into solving this, as soon as possible, to avoid as much death as possible. It is part of why I have been working so closely with the, ah. People who appreciate the weather.
no subject
[And a nod.]
Also, our mutual long-haired friend does not approve of our weather-related shenanigans, it seems.
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[ he laughs, a little sheepish. ]
I did not wish to spread it much beyond the person you know who may need to be in contact with them... I thought then perhaps it would be easiest to have them ask me the question so I could answer it correctly and know who to send along to the group.
Though - since we have that mutual friend, perhaps it would be easier to have them meet instead of through me.
no subject
[But he's not being harsh - he's just amused.]
I think so, yes. He made it clear to me that the reason he disapproves is that roles can lose their responsibilities if the word gets out about them too much, and even code words can count towards that. As I do not have a role, this was news to me. So... [And a nod.] I do think I want to be careful about such things. Your last statement may be correct, and I agreed with our friend for him to be the liason. Much safer.
[A huff.]
Either way, I would talk with him. He is doing good work on his own, as you are aware. I'll still provide the invitations, of course, and whatever services you need, regardless.
no subject
[ not me being unable to read im gomen ] ... This is all still new to me, too.
I know the roles themselves are only able to share with one or two people in total outside of their group in total, and that is the maximum number. I have met several of them, now, and been meeting with them very frequently, so it has been easiest for me to get to find them when I can, less they have already met their quota.
[ he winces a little, sympathetic. ] ...Coordinating this is all rather difficult when we must speak in secrets and whispers...
But, I am glad. To point them towards our friend would be most helpful indeed - and the sooner, the better.
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[And he just looks...tired, suddenly.]
I just....worry for them.
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[ quietly, though that tired look does not go amiss. ] It is a very dangerous job.
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[He shakes his head, using his only hand to thread through his hair.]
Especially those who are young who are given roles. Hardly fair.
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[ xie lian purses his lips for a moment, thoughtful, but then shakes his head. ]
It is hard, to put such difficult decisions on the shoulders of others, knowing there is little you can do to help them bear the burden.
no subject
...
[He looks away.]
I'm a great detective. I must always consider every possibility, every road, everything that may change the course of where a mystery might go. But people are wrapped up in that mystery. And as a great detective, I feel responsible for them, because one can't help it. [He doesn't know why he's suddenly just explaining all of this. It's like somewhere, something broke. He's just letting it all out before he gathers it up into his arms, closes himself off, and leaves, as he always does.] I'm standing behind the curtains desperately wishing that the players do a good job on stage. Something like that.
no subject
xie lian's expression softens immediately. he is endlessly compassionate - the voice of justice, the heart of the world - and he feels for sholmes as he describes the frustration and hurt of not being able to help others. it's familiar. ]
...You are a great detective - though, I wonder if you feel such responsibility not just because you are a detective, but because you are you.
You have done much for me, Mr. Sholmes, as you have done much for the others here. To support others instead of stepping onto the front of the stage, as you said, is... very difficult. It is something I am also having trouble with doing.
[ xie lian has always been bad at that, after all. it wasn't the reason that xian le fell, but - it probably didn't help, either. he's never known how to mind his business. ]
But... those 'players', in this case, need people like us to provide that guidance and support the best that we can - our own experience with others may be bolstering them to be stronger, so that if they were to look back behind the curtain for reassurance, they would know there was always someone there in case they falter. That faith and belief is a powerful thing, even if it feels like it isn't.
no subject
[It's hard to think of one being divorced from such a thing. That's what he is, 24/7. Always. Forever, likely.]
...But you're right. One must stand strong, despite all obstacles and circumstances. [A light smile.] And I'm sure you know a thing or two about faith. What a powerful thing it is. I suppose we're both here to hold up the rest, and ensure they reach the stars.
no subject
[ he smiles to that, too. ] I think - our best advantage is that we are able to talk far more freely than any of them are. We ought to see if we can't host a meeting for information again, as I have a few things from them that I would like to share with the group as a whole about our conflict itself.
We've been theorizing quite a bit.
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[A firm nod, and a wider smile.]
I'm sure we all have something to bring to the table. Let us gather, and ensure we can put together the pieces. [He tilts his head.] What are your theories so far, if you don't mind me asking?
no subject
I believe the temporal side is meant to be matched with that 'Lucifer', in that according to those who were more familiar with the legend, Lucifer began to rebel because he felt as if humans should be able to have 'knowledge' - and knowing that makes the concept of 'temporal' to me not mean time, but rather... 'worldly'. To me, it sounds as if the godly beings granted favor to these realms, and then perhaps they somehow gained knowledge that was forbidden, and were then subsequently destroyed.
[ hate! that!!! ]
I don't know how much that theory helps us, truthfully, but I don't think it was an accident that we were taken to Ankheen, with its massive serpent skeleton, either.
no subject
[He....frowns.]
Say, my dear fellow. Are you aware of the story of the devil? For what you describe sounds awfully close to that, Save the "giving favor to realms", though. And...haha. Goodness. How did I overlook the snake?
[A huff.]
Has someone told you of the story of the Garden of Eden?
no subject
[ white people religion is the worst ]
The 'giving favor' I believe may have come from the single 'god'. The idea may have been to keep these humans under the more controlled thumb of the god, instead of having them seek knowledge or temptation. It's not as if either side's original intentions are particularly evil - it is the actions that involved humans that may have become that way.
[ though xie lian has been very calm throughout this discussion, it is at the end where his eyes seem to take on that flint of passionate, justice-led anger. ]
no subject
[That's a serious look from Sholmes, for a moment. Under the thumb of a god...he hates the sound of that.]
Like...humans are treated as nothing better than ants. [He recognizes that anger in Xie Lian's eyes, and he nods, fully in agreement.] I can't say I appreciate such cruel meddling, even if it is a god or not.