elevatoravatar | A Fool and the World; Video

Elizabeth had been watching the identity crises that had been happening for the week and firstly, she was not suffering through one being spared the fake identity, secondly her own identity was something she was still figuring out so it all seemed odd to her. Still many people were upset, so she had given it some time before posing her question.

"People of this place, I admit that being spared some of the more odd parts of living the lie that was pushed on us a few weeks ago I am uncertain how to ask this but I shall try."

She takes a breath and nods.

"What about you is defined by you internally, and what about you is defined by the world around you? Is it all one? Is that why the previous lie was so difficult for many to see, or is there something different, like the fire that was stoked in many by the spirits that ran rampant when I came here? I myself am a bit confused by all of this and would appreciate any help. That and while I no longer have access to the many rewards for assistance from home and can offer little more than appreciation for help, still hope that kindness is a form of currency that has not been erased from this place."

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"I did? Or did I simply admit that I simply do not know and need time. Honestly, I just see so many languishing about the road never taken instead of just acknowledging that they are being washed down a river more than traveling a road. If one accepts that one does not have control of everything in their universe, one can more easily prepare to...."

Her expression turns very dark. "Deal with those who would usurp it for means that are less than pleasant."

"...a river, huh?"

His tone had taken on an edge as he spoke and tried to forget. Elizabeth's words had once agains struck a chord-- he knew what it felt like to 'not have control' and to be 'usurped.' But, it was only in hindsight that he understood it for what it was.

There was no change in his tone as he continued.

"I've found that there's no easy way to prepare for being washed down one without a boat." Barnaby huffed. He didn't like these metaphors. "And, there is generally no good reason to ever be usurped."

"True, but one can move much more quickly if one goes with the river as opposed to fighting it. Sometimes the answer is not the direction we wish it to be."

"So what, we should just accept incidents like this? That..." He paused and took a breath. "I can't."

Forcibly changing a person's view of themselves and reality was unforgivable.

"Not at all. The loss of the truth can lead to terrible consequences, but one must also know sometimes greater powers choose to make one's life.... Interesting, and for no reason other than childish games or simple whims sometimes."

She shakes her head and sighs.

"No, those times anger is warranted, but not so much at one's self, one must simply shake off that rage and direct it where it is most useful."

"I know that."

And he's done it. Unfortunately, the resolution left him in the same position as Elizabeth.

Still, even in the same position, Elizabeth still had quite a bit more to learn about humanity than most people had to unlearn in order to move on.

"Then you should also know why it matters, correct?"

"That's correct. But, that doesn't mean that I won't work to stop it from happening again. Even if it doesn't work...I can't just let it be."

"And thus your world is set against the world around you. I hope some day to have the strength to do that myself, but I must understand why before I do."

"...Are you saying that you've got nothing in your life?"

There was no judgement or accusation in his voice, just mild curiosity.

"No, I am saying my life with mortals is too new to have acquired anything. I simply have my goal and persona."

"Then, what is your goal?"

"To free my friend from an eternity of being the wall that keeps mankind's destructive urges from causing its oblivion."

Oh, yes. That.

[His own folly. The woman was confusing.]

...What exactly did you mean by 'persona', like what you said before?

"Persona, the mask we wear to face the world given power. Some only wear one, others can wear many. I myself have just realized how to wear my own instead of borrow those of my guest."

"A mask given power..."

The idea of it felt oddly familiar, as if he had already encountered the concept somehow.

"Can you give any examples?"

"In person I could. Not over this device. Some things are best experienced as opposed to merely told about."

"Most things are. But, I'm not against arranging something for the future...if we're not toyed with again."

He knew in his bones that this wasn't nearly the end. They would continually be toyed with, and he would resent it and try to reject it every time.

"That may be difficult. From what I have been told there are periods where the storm is calm, but in the end it never ceases."

He huffed irritably at her words, despite recognizing the truth in them.

"Don't remind me."

"Then perhaps in the next time of simple quiet."

That was something he could manage.

"I'll look forward to it. But, tell me. What's your name?"

"I am Elizabeth of the Velvet Room.

"Barnaby Brooks Jr. What is the Velvet Room?"

"It is a place where men see the gods and demons that live within them."

A Fool and the World; Video

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