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[firstworldproblem]

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[firstworldproblem]

[He kind of just laughs at that.]

I'm assuming you mean when it was whole.

[deicider]

Yes. [pausing slightly, and adding with a faint hint of apology for asking so abruptly:]

If you feel like talking about it.

[firstworldproblem]

Better yet. I can show you.

[deicider]

[looks up, interested.]

Now?

[firstworldproblem]

[He pulls out his phone.]

I do have access to all of my memories in viewable form. A delight I did not expect to have.

[deicider]

[!] Oh - really? I do want to see.

[firstworldproblem]

[He does get out his phone and replay a choice memory!

Not that there is any actual backstory for this. It's a sprawling city with people milling about all with individual masks. The stars shine brightly in the sky. They'll get to see these individuals debate, create wonders with magic, and so forth! It does look really peaceful.]

[deicider]

[Cardinal rests back against Emet-Selch's chest. As the memory plays, a soft, wistful expression overcomes them.]

It doesn't really look anything like my world, but... [They don't complete the sentence, but Emet-Selch can likely intuit the rest.]

[firstworldproblem]

[Puts an arm around their waist.]

You seek peace, Cardinal Chases Dawn. While it comes in many forms, I have no doubt you can recognize its shape when you see it.

[deicider]

[Cardinal closes their eyes briefly.]

I wish I could show you mine. But most of my memories involve work.

[firstworldproblem]

I don't know. Chasing after this heretic of violence sounds entertaining. And your work defines you and you do take pride in it. It would be remiss to exclude it.

[deicider]

Yeah, but it's boring to watch. Mostly a lot of talk about politics.

I have one you might be interested in, though. [Cardinal pulls out their phone to play this memory.]

[firstworldproblem]

[The child bringing the toys to life gets a smile. It does seem like Creation magic and when wielded in such a manner it is pure.

The mention of erasing memories though has his expression sour, a nerve easily hit.]

I do believe your society could achieve peace. Though they must learn to accept rather than carve out the pieces they do not like.

[deicider]

[Thisbe being a psychopath is just an unfortunate fact that everyone has to deal with. Cardinal does look up to see his reaction, and pats his arm comfortingly.

Cardinal nods in agreement.]

I know. Whether it's strong enough to do that yet... [They sigh.] I don't know. But it will become unavoidable, between Bridger and - well, some other stuff. [They don't recall explaining Jevovah's assassination already.]

What did you think of their power...?

[firstworldproblem]

The child's? Truly it is very similar to our own abilities. Though I doubt they could bestow true 'life' merely the appearance of it. It is not to be feared, but similar to many talents it can be used for great harm as well as great prosperity.

But 'tis no fault of the child for being born that way. Though I imagine finding a teacher would be difficult.

[deicider]

I thought so. What's the difference between 'true' life and appearance?

[firstworldproblem]

The presence of a soul.

[deicider]

[Raises an eyebrow.]

Are there a lot of beings like that in your world? Life without souls.

[firstworldproblem]

I would not call them life. There are machinations of course. Clones even if one were to implement Allagan technology. While they may appear full of life, they do not share the emotions, the desires, the wants of mankind.

[deicider]

Allagan technology...?

Is that something you know, or something you believe?

[firstworldproblem]

Allag is a empire. One I fashioned myself. Of all the empires I created it is the one I am most proud of. And it did serve its purpose to usher in another Rejoining.

Ah, but did you believe these creations made by this child to have souls?

[deicider]

I want to hear more about that, too, sometime.

I don't know. Metaphysics isn't my area. But people would say things like that about Eureka - that she wasn't human because she doesn't feel things like a human. When everything is said and done, people might even say those things about me.

I do think Bridger brought one of my dolls to life. I don't remember much about it, only that it seemed to share all of my desires and plans. It helped me carry off a hit.

[firstworldproblem]

No one doubts you have a will of your own, thus a soul. And I suppose it isn't about feeling as one would expect, but feeling at all. Too often people view differences as an affront.

Did they? Well, then they would surpass Creation magic for we could never imbue items with a soul. Not that we would want to.

[deicider]

[laughs] Don't be so sure about that. The first thing everyone will say is that I was brainwashed into a killing machine by my ba'pas, trust me.

[But that's beside the point,]

My world has a similar principal. It's illegal to make artificial intelligence that are, well, too intelligent. But then you have people like Eureka being called computers, and Gordian working on mapping the human mind so a personality can be re-created using data. Eventually, the distinction will collapse.

[firstworldproblem]

As a figure that has done a fair amount of emotional brainwashing, trust me, they are different.

Ah, I suppose they can't distinguish not being able to see the souls themselves. Though it does make for a fascinating debate.