Jigano raised a bemused brow as 108 first insisted that there could be no new truths, then that there were truths that had 'never been before' which... was the definition of new, even as they argued otherwise. But they had said that there was something wrong with their language... chip? So perhaps that was it. He did, however, allow a further question to slip past his lips. "What, then, do you see as the difference between truth and facts, since you separate them like that?" he queried curiously, trying to find and align the language discrepancies that felt like they were hampering their discussion. As if they were speaking almost the same language, close enough to get the gist of things, but that they were breaking down at some of the points of finer detail.
"Friends to remember me," he corrected gently, with a smile. "Though allies may become friends, in time. That is the ideal outcome, at least."
Jigano nibbled his lip thoughtfully as further information about the spire demon presented itself. "So... it will not attack until and unless a specific line is crossed... and it will not cross that line, if someone retreats beyond it, even in combat?" It might be wise to demarcate that line in some visual way, at least once the snow had melted. To let newly-arrived Outlanders know when to stop, and to give those caught in a haze of battle with the creature a sense of where safety would lie.
He nodded acceptance of the Voice's inability to control the creature - or the inability of her children to plead for her to do so. They had nothing with which to change her mind, by diplomacy or by force - if it even was a choice on her part - and so there was no point in pursuing it further.
Again his brow was raised, this time in surprise, when 108 drew out the 'lines' they saw between them so starkly, and chose to hoard their knowledge instead of sharing it. It was something the lorekeeper respected, but that didn't mean it wasn't frustrating. Still, he had received a great many answers and new information, and he was not so churlish as to force the issue. Instead he inclined his head in respect for 108's decision. "I suppose it is because I am an Outlander," he mused, "that these definitions of 'us' and 'them' ring discordant to my ears. At least for the definitions of 'attuned' or 'ascended' or 'abandoned.' Naturals versus outlanders, I can see. But my brief experience here has been to watch different types interact and befriend each other, with friction more between individuals than groups. I know Attuned and Accepted who are eager to breach the barrier, and I have met Ascended who very strongly protest against any such attempts." He gave a slight shrug, glancing at his companion as he considered their question.
"For myself, I had initially sought freedom. I have been researching for ways to bring the barrier down, yes. With what you have told me now... I will need to think on what you have said." He frowned in thought, gaze unfocused as his mind turned inwards. "My thoughts at the moment, though... hm. As a race, I do not believe the Ascended to be evil, or deserving of imprisonment. Those I have met have been... well. No different than anyone with blood instead of clear fluid, not in their actions or personalities. Some are people who have good intentions, others have bad ones, but such is the right of the individual, and can be said of any other race. So, in that regard I am inclined to continue my efforts to break free."
He paused, raising his face to the stars above and letting the snow prickle lightly against his skin as it landed and melted against his warmth. "But it is also true that I don't know what your god has planned. If she seeks coexistence and recognition for her children, then I see no harm in our goals aligning. If she seeks to simply follow in the footsteps of those that imprisoned her - to vanquish or banish them, to kill off those mortals who cannot or will not Ascend under her authority - then she becomes a threat not just to all non-Ascended, but to even those of her own children who have formed emotional bonds with them. But that is on her alone, and still none of the mortals caught in this game of gods deserves this punishment, regardless of race." He exhaled smoke into the air, turning his attention back to the spire with open eyes and a wry smile on his lips. "It is a conundrum, you see, and not a decision I can make lightly or quickly while I know so little of her." Though, he did not say aloud, the Voice's secretive ways and racist attitudes didn't exactly lend themselves to reassurance of benign intentions towards non-Ascendeds of any variety. Unity had operated much the same way, after all.
And what an unsettling thought that was.
"Friends to remember me," he corrected gently, with a smile. "Though allies may become friends, in time. That is the ideal outcome, at least."
Jigano nibbled his lip thoughtfully as further information about the spire demon presented itself. "So... it will not attack until and unless a specific line is crossed... and it will not cross that line, if someone retreats beyond it, even in combat?" It might be wise to demarcate that line in some visual way, at least once the snow had melted. To let newly-arrived Outlanders know when to stop, and to give those caught in a haze of battle with the creature a sense of where safety would lie.
He nodded acceptance of the Voice's inability to control the creature - or the inability of her children to plead for her to do so. They had nothing with which to change her mind, by diplomacy or by force - if it even was a choice on her part - and so there was no point in pursuing it further.
Again his brow was raised, this time in surprise, when 108 drew out the 'lines' they saw between them so starkly, and chose to hoard their knowledge instead of sharing it. It was something the lorekeeper respected, but that didn't mean it wasn't frustrating. Still, he had received a great many answers and new information, and he was not so churlish as to force the issue. Instead he inclined his head in respect for 108's decision. "I suppose it is because I am an Outlander," he mused, "that these definitions of 'us' and 'them' ring discordant to my ears. At least for the definitions of 'attuned' or 'ascended' or 'abandoned.' Naturals versus outlanders, I can see. But my brief experience here has been to watch different types interact and befriend each other, with friction more between individuals than groups. I know Attuned and Accepted who are eager to breach the barrier, and I have met Ascended who very strongly protest against any such attempts." He gave a slight shrug, glancing at his companion as he considered their question.
"For myself, I had initially sought freedom. I have been researching for ways to bring the barrier down, yes. With what you have told me now... I will need to think on what you have said." He frowned in thought, gaze unfocused as his mind turned inwards. "My thoughts at the moment, though... hm. As a race, I do not believe the Ascended to be evil, or deserving of imprisonment. Those I have met have been... well. No different than anyone with blood instead of clear fluid, not in their actions or personalities. Some are people who have good intentions, others have bad ones, but such is the right of the individual, and can be said of any other race. So, in that regard I am inclined to continue my efforts to break free."
He paused, raising his face to the stars above and letting the snow prickle lightly against his skin as it landed and melted against his warmth. "But it is also true that I don't know what your god has planned. If she seeks coexistence and recognition for her children, then I see no harm in our goals aligning. If she seeks to simply follow in the footsteps of those that imprisoned her - to vanquish or banish them, to kill off those mortals who cannot or will not Ascend under her authority - then she becomes a threat not just to all non-Ascended, but to even those of her own children who have formed emotional bonds with them. But that is on her alone, and still none of the mortals caught in this game of gods deserves this punishment, regardless of race." He exhaled smoke into the air, turning his attention back to the spire with open eyes and a wry smile on his lips. "It is a conundrum, you see, and not a decision I can make lightly or quickly while I know so little of her." Though, he did not say aloud, the Voice's secretive ways and racist attitudes didn't exactly lend themselves to reassurance of benign intentions towards non-Ascendeds of any variety. Unity had operated much the same way, after all.
And what an unsettling thought that was.
