"Yo octo-pussy. You like football?"
"I like it more than a lot of other sports ^__^"
So, from what I could gather, they thought it was some kind of war, that they were transported there via anomaly to fight against some kind of foe they called Trespassers. And it was just my luck that we happened to match their description of one. They also didn't react to favorably to anything to comparing it to a simulation as some infighting amongst them quickly showed, so with that in mind, I decided I'd keep quiet about our opinion on the whole charade.
I did of course report the matter, not that I didn't expect my sensor readings to be watched by others, any sort of threat like that is definitely a concern, even if spoken by dubious sources. Still, it had our usual countermeasures ready anyway, made easy by the fact that they were always ready anyway, including the dire ones that, though not bearing the cheeriest of prospects certainly beat nonexistence.
BOXWOOD attempts to track down each of the persons the argument centered around and speak to them. If he does find them, he'll speak in his usual, cutesy voice and then leave without waiting for a response.
Whatsherface, the thing with the four arms was definitely a handful. Sure, Alanis wasn't doing any favors for anyone back there, but if four-arms didn't go berserk, it never would have escalated. Seems to think that it's fine to be angry and stop listening to reason because she's gone through some shit, what she really needs is a fucking shrink. Alienating your own comrades because of your beliefs, really? I daresay it's as if she was almost human. Actually, no, they all were human enough in thought. The same self-destructive, internecine bullshit as always. "Oh boo-hoo, my people got slaughtered, so I'll just go take it out on someone who could have helped me get revenge", what drivel. I made a bet with myself then and there, if Alanis kicks the bucket, she'd be moping like nobody's business and go all psycho to anyone who talks shit about her posthumously.
"Our friends. You said 'our friends'. So they are her friends too then? People she cares for. People she would lay down her life for. Then she has reason to fight for them too right? Even if she thinks it's just a game, and the way she talks about it, she doesn't seem to think it's the kind of game anyone can restart. You may not care much about it now that you are mad. And you have every right to be mad. But this isn't good for morale. And far too often, our fates and fortunes are sown one seed at a time through the smallest of actions. Her philosophy may not match yours, but does it really matter in the end? If this is a game, she still wants to win. No, she still needs to win, because she doesn't think she has a second chance at it.
So what does it matter if what she thinks of the situation is a bit weird? Enough people have died and will continue to die for the most fleeting ideologies. I am not saying she is right. She is very much in the wrong for the way in which she said it. But that doesn't make you right either. I admit, I don't really understand what's happening right now. But it doesn't sound good, and it doesn't sound like we can afford to sit here and argue with each other. So please, let's nip this thing in the bud. If I go to her, and I get her to talk a bit less about it, keep it a bit more private, would you be willing to accept her again? To treat her no worse than before? It'd be nice if you could go back to being friends! ^__^"
Alanis as it quickly turned out, was one of those people who's too smart for their own good, you know the type. They think they know it all and before you know it, they'll be lying there in a pool of their own blood with their brains all over the pavement because they overestimated themselves and you'll be the poor bastard left to clean up the mess and dump the body. They can't stand people being wrong and they'll always be the one with the final word in, good lot it'll do for them, because in the end, the one who with the last word of them all, is the one left to write the obituary, and it won't be them. So I figured, I could got get her to shut up even a bit about those beliefs of hers, she might get along better with everyone else and stop demoralizing the lot of them. A long shot I know, but there wasn't much better to do back then.
"Alanis, right? You don't want to talk right now. I get that. But, may I please get a few words in? You seem like a bright girl, got plenty of thoughts in that head of yours a few steps ahead of everyone else, right? I'd like to give you a bit of advice. Because I've seen this happen too many times before and I don't want to see it happen to you. Intellect is worthless without tact. There are those who could have changed the world a thousand times over, had they only been given the chance, yet they never were, because no one wanted to. Maybe they were just ill-mannered, or just too shy to ask, but in the end, it's all the same, they were forgotten when their names should have been praised for centuries to come. You're not afraid to stand for what you believe in, that's good, admirable. Brave. What you need to do, is to choose when to make a stand.
Sometimes, people just don't like being told that they're wrong. Sometimes, they don't even want different perspectives. Even with infallible proof, it is natural to cling to the old world we are so used to, as we all wish for some stability. I'm not telling you to give up your beliefs. In truth, my private thoughts do match your belief quite a bit, but the others don't want to hear it. Some don't listen past the word 'game' before jumping to the completely wrong conclusion, others loathe the thought of being made a puppet. It doesn't really matter what, because either way, they won't listen and if they won't listen, then you need to stop talking for your own good. As hard as it may be to watch there in silence with all those possibilities rushing through your mind, trying to preach to those who will persecute you for it is pointless. Find people who don't mind listening to you, that football player looks like he might be willing to, even if he might not agree with them. But do not think that you can convince someone who refuses to listen, or that your beliefs outweigh your own well-being, martyrdom is overrated. Like it or not, we all need to make compromises, or in the end, we will have no one to compromise with. >__<"
In either case, he ends with the same parting statement:
"In truth, everyone is going to hurt you, whether they want to or not. You just need to find people worth suffering for, because they'll be doing the same for you. Think, is this really worth all the tears?"
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Topic: Trespassers of the Multiverse: Gaiden [IC] Four is Death... (Read 768653 times)