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

[deushexmachina]

I wouldn't burden you with the blame, I've come to a similar conclusion. An acquaintance of mine has been re-framing this as warfare — I didn't agree with her, at first.

But perhaps I should.

[passio]

I think it is. It has been, since we arrived. Even if it was one-sided, it was still a war.

[deushexmachina]

I see the wisdom in your words, I do. I'm just dreading the inevitable.

I was happy in my origin world, too.

[passio]

[ ... ]

Honestly, where I came from was miserable. It was a terrible world. But someone important was there. If I could destroy this world to get back to my own, maybe I would do it.

But I don't think that's the choice we're being asked to make. We don't know what really awaits us at the end of this.

[deushexmachina]

My apologies. I misunderstood. In truth I've been accused of being single-minded. Got caught inside my own head, sometimes it's hard to get perspective.

That's true. We don't know what we don't know.

[passio]

You don’t have to apologize. I was just thinking.

[ “just thinking,” in other words, “losing his mind to stress.” there’s a bit of calmness now to him that there wasn’t when he initially made the post, but communion still easily conveys that he’s antsy. defensive. ]

If you could go back and leave this world to the Regent’s desires, would you?

[deushexmachina]

[He takes awhile to respond, his heart in turmoil.]

I have a duty to the people I've left behind. I wouldn't be able to abandon them, if I was given the choice.

[passio]

[ dextera doesn’t judge the answer. there’s not so much as a quiver in the bond of communion; he hasn’t been struck one way or the other, and maybe even seems a little more at ease than before. ]

Maybe that means you’re still you. Even if that choice never comes, you’re able to consider it.

[deushexmachina]

A good perspective to consider. [Comforting, in a philosophical way.] I imagine I'm not the only one who could benefit from your wisdom.

[passio]

Wisdom? I don’t know. I was only able to say that because you gave me the idea.

[deushexmachina]

Maybe we make a good team, then.

[passio]

[ …never, not once, has he thought of himself as a teammate to anyone. even if it was only an off-handed comment, he finds himself struck by the novelty of the phrasing. communion allows that mild surprise to be reflected even in his text. ]

Thank you.

[ ah, he’s clamming up, but the words are honest. ]