"Abject truth?" Jigano mused thoughtfully. "A curious way to phrase it. A miserable truth, without hope to temper it. Or, perhaps, a dire truth, that sees no way forward. I would counter that in this, hope inspires innovation to create a new truth. Is that not what the Voice is doing with your fluid? Experimenting with the hope that a better way may be found to improve it?"
Wordplay and semantics, but then, that was the very basis for a how a bard preferred to face the world. A sharp sword was well and good, but it was even better when one could avoid using it. Or, in recognizing one's own physical limitations, to at least find friends who could do so better if words failed. "Allies for survival" Jigano answered with a wry smile. "Allies for protection against things like wolves or bandits or storms. Allies for accomplishing goals - like the researching inherent of our guild. We can accomplish far more together - learn more, cover a broader range of topics and in greater depth - than any one person could in the same amount of time."
He tilted his head, curious that 108 didn't miss sunlight, but finding no reason to doubt them. But their dissection of the spire guardian's weaknesses and motives reinforced what had been discussed before, both at the town meeting and in their current conversation. He started to frown in thought, but 108's suggestion smoothed the expression into one of consideration instead. "Yes... I wonder... if a way could be found to immobilize it...." He hesitated, then glanced to his companion with sobering intensity. "And the Voice? Can you ask your creatrix... if it is one of her children gone mad with light, does she have any power left over it? Or does she know how it came to guard this spire that seems the key to the barrier that traps us all, her included, within?"
Wordplay and semantics, but then, that was the very basis for a how a bard preferred to face the world. A sharp sword was well and good, but it was even better when one could avoid using it. Or, in recognizing one's own physical limitations, to at least find friends who could do so better if words failed. "Allies for survival" Jigano answered with a wry smile. "Allies for protection against things like wolves or bandits or storms. Allies for accomplishing goals - like the researching inherent of our guild. We can accomplish far more together - learn more, cover a broader range of topics and in greater depth - than any one person could in the same amount of time."
He tilted his head, curious that 108 didn't miss sunlight, but finding no reason to doubt them. But their dissection of the spire guardian's weaknesses and motives reinforced what had been discussed before, both at the town meeting and in their current conversation. He started to frown in thought, but 108's suggestion smoothed the expression into one of consideration instead. "Yes... I wonder... if a way could be found to immobilize it...." He hesitated, then glanced to his companion with sobering intensity. "And the Voice? Can you ask your creatrix... if it is one of her children gone mad with light, does she have any power left over it? Or does she know how it came to guard this spire that seems the key to the barrier that traps us all, her included, within?"
