to the pleroma (text)

[passio]

[ it’s not an intentional attempt at anonymity. dextera just has no experience with this kind of broad communication, and to him, there’s little point in introducing himself anyway. those who have met him may be able to recognize the emotional “signature” attached to the words newly displayed in their minds, and may be able even to attach the soft sound of his breath or the perpetually-uncertain expression he wears to the message he knows is about to be contentious.

but, it’s been bothering him since the events in venera. perhaps the seed was planted even before that, from his very first experience with the kenoma and having the pleroma overtake it to save him in the end. ]

Are we wrong?

[ it’s… actually not what he wanted to open with, but the panic of broadcasting a message so publicly has him blurting things out even through what should be the most temperate of mediums. ]

The Regent said it was the Pleroma that caused the disease in Venera. That force wanted us to live forever in delusion. I don’t want to destroy the world. I don’t want to make a new one either. I was happy there. I would have been happy there.

The distilled Kenoma tried to manipulate our thoughts. Didn’t you all feel that power when we escaped? The Hope that allowed us to fight? Are we still being manipulated?

Comments

[coupris]

[The waves of distress are palpable through the Communion, so Kim can only hope his evenness carries over it.]

No side is going to have absolute good or absolute evil. Everyone has their own reasons for choosing a side.

However, I think it's safe to say that we can't trust anything the Regent tells us.

[passio]

What reason does the Regent have to lie? They already control everything. Those people are already on their side.

[ it’s a sincere question, but there’s something more to it that even dextera can’t quite explain. as if he’s trying to understand something beyond the regent… there’s a yearning. ]

[coupris]

Because they want to control us, as well.

[He didn't endure those torturous days in the cave to forget that.]

It would seem Aions are more difficult to kill than they are to persuade into the Kenoma.

[passio]

[ dextera exhales, the sigh reaching even across their shards. ]

Did you feel it? The pull of the Kenoma?

[ it feels like no one else is or ever was as tempted as he is. ]

[coupris]

[The feeling of that sludge in his veins still wakes him up at night, on occasion.

"Think on every face that wouldn't hold out for you. You know you'll lose count."]

Yes.

[Short, clipped, but honest. Hadn't everyone?]

[passio]

[ the lack of detail in that answer is telling, and dextera feels a pang of sympathy—and remorse for asking. unfortunately, it does set him a little more at ease, to know he’s not the only one who could have given in but didn’t. ]

Can I ask why you turned away?

[coupris]

Because a few hurt feelings don't give me the right to decide the fate of billions of people I've never even met.

[His tone is a bit more somber, but it isn't pointed. There's nothing wrong with Dextera having doubts.]

The Pleroma may not be an absolute good. I doubt very much that it is. However, it's never taken our choices away.

[passio]

—…

[ dextera inevitably flinches, and it’s reflected likewise in a flicker of the text he sends. kim wasn’t targeting him, but his words managed to strike a sensitive spot nonetheless. ]

Yes. You’re right about that. Maybe that’s something only a person can do.

[coupris]

Maybe so. But you're still here, deciding. I think doubt is quite human, too, no?

[passio]

[ human, is it? there’s a meaningful pause. ]

It’s a blessing and a burden.