No. [Cardinal's focus grows distant for a moment.] We competed for O.S when we were younger. There's no one I'm closer to.
So you could do the worse thing anyone could think of and and still come back. I see why you were surprised. Isn't that strange for everyone else? Would everyone know?
It's complicated; I'm still missing pieces. When we were younger, I did hate Ockham. They were always twice my size and I had to work five times harder to beat them. But later... I wanted them to be O.S.
[Pokes him idly.] You didn't answer; does everyone know, when you come back? That you had to be reborn.
You thought he could do a better job? Or did you believe your skills more useful elsewhere?
[He sighs at the poking not put out at all.]
Not necessarily. I suppose if one's disappearance was noted during the destruction of one vessel to the creation of the next. If that is what you are asking. There is no way to tell how many vessels one has shed.
Ockham wouldn't be O.S if they weren't the better candidate. [Firmly.] So it was some of both, and I think we both mellowed out after the bash' adopted Lesley—The orphan from the Juniper hit. [The one they had played to demonstrate O.S's abstract influence.]
[Hums thoughtfully.] It's hard to believe no-one would be keeping an eye on someone like that. But it sounds nice.
A question to think about. Were they truly the best candidate? Not simply because you might also strive for it, but on a more objective sense.
Truthfully, I was second choice for the office of Emet-Selch. The other candidate merely stated I was more practical and refused it. I do wonder how different life would have been had he take up office.
Really? [looking up at him, eyebrows raised.] Did you want to be Emet-Selch?
I do think they were the best choice, at least until the circumstances changed. The decisions O.S has to make needs a steady hand, and there's no-one steadier than Ockham.
But there were practical considerations. Ockham's always had a better handle on Thisbe and less grief with Cato. And my time was better spent keeping Ganymede in office. I have to turn down office myself every year, or else I'd be co-consul at this point.
... Yeah. Retirement wouldn't suit me, though. After being stuck in this place so long, I want to go somewhere I can put my talents to use. Or maybe learn some new talents.
Perhaps just a little. Though I'm surprised the memory does not return to you.
There are those with extraordinary power. Of that there is no mistake. But I think your wisdom will serve you better. And speaking of, why do you enjoy annoying Five so?
[They pout slightly. ] I'm starting to think something happened between you two.
[Sighs!] My wisdom, huh. I think I annoy Valour just by existing; I haven't really been trying. But I do think he's kind of stuck-up. It wouldn't kill him to relax a little.
He dislikes others talking down to him and he values his own advice over others. To his credit, he is quite intelligent. And yes, he could, but that will come with time.
The two of you can nurture whatever relationship you like. I am just curious.
[Shrugs.] Intelligent people still jump to conclusions. I don't think I'll do myself any favors trying to change his mind. I lost that sort of delicate touch, anyway.
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And when you say 'kill', do you mean returning them to the lifestream, or destroying them?
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Returning to the lifestream. Though I suppose one could utterly destroy a soul.
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So you could do the worse thing anyone could think of and and still come back. I see why you were surprised. Isn't that strange for everyone else? Would everyone know?
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You have learned here that the mental effects are vastly more concerning than the physical ones.
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[Pokes him idly.] You didn't answer; does everyone know, when you come back? That you had to be reborn.
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[He sighs at the poking not put out at all.]
Not necessarily. I suppose if one's disappearance was noted during the destruction of one vessel to the creation of the next. If that is what you are asking. There is no way to tell how many vessels one has shed.
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[Hums thoughtfully.] It's hard to believe no-one would be keeping an eye on someone like that. But it sounds nice.
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They would. Curious lot that we are. And if they were a danger, we would need to determine why.
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I guess you could...? ["Why would you" is implied in the tone.] I don't think it's ever come up.
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Truthfully, I was second choice for the office of Emet-Selch. The other candidate merely stated I was more practical and refused it. I do wonder how different life would have been had he take up office.
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I do think they were the best choice, at least until the circumstances changed. The decisions O.S has to make needs a steady hand, and there's no-one steadier than Ockham.
But there were practical considerations. Ockham's always had a better handle on Thisbe and less grief with Cato. And my time was better spent keeping Ganymede in office. I have to turn down office myself every year, or else I'd be co-consul at this point.
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So he is your leader in a sense, correct? The final decision is his, but yours and your fellows can influence him.
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My leader in every sense—well, former leader. But yeah, they wouldn't have decided anything major without at least consulting the rest of us.
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"You find practical use for that which you see, while I enjoy the seeing for its own sake."
I should mention this man was among my most closest of friends. Hythlodaeus.
Then not a bad position to be in even if the title was not yours. Our means of decision making was not that much different.
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Do you think you would have been happier if the office wasn't yours?
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Though you wish to find a new place when this is all said and done, correct?
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You wanted to keep your abilities if I recall. I can see why.
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Most of the combatants here seem to have also had some supernatural skill. I'm good, but I can't do magic.
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There are those with extraordinary power. Of that there is no mistake. But I think your wisdom will serve you better. And speaking of, why do you enjoy annoying Five so?
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[Sighs!] My wisdom, huh. I think I annoy Valour just by existing; I haven't really been trying. But I do think he's kind of stuck-up. It wouldn't kill him to relax a little.
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He dislikes others talking down to him and he values his own advice over others. To his credit, he is quite intelligent. And yes, he could, but that will come with time.
The two of you can nurture whatever relationship you like. I am just curious.
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