Thistle

[crittersheep]

[You're in your barn! That doesn't seem so bad--oh, oh wait, you're in the air.

Your barn, and honestly some of your stuff, is just floating on clouds. You can walk on the clouds too if you want, no one's stopping you. You will not, however, be able to return to the ground, far, far below you, no matter what you do.

At least not til the Ritual is complete.

Floating among everything else is your priest, who seems to have fallen into a deep sleep, and the barn's crystal flower.

After a moment, you hear voices resonating from the crystal flower--the holy beasts, their voices and minds melded as one, call out to you.

It asks your Flock 3 simple questions.]

Comments

GEN

[crittersheep]

[TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES HERE]

[shortforever]

[This is honestly not too different compared to gravity control, so.]

...Seems like there's one more thing to do.

[literal_trainwreck]

So it ends with neither bang nor whimper... but philosophical debate.

[pictureimperfect]

[we laugh at gravity]

Just one?

[survivaltricks]

[deep inhale. . . deep exhale. . .]

Oh boy.

[literal_trainwreck]

Well? How do you intend to lock me down?

[leonheartedly]

Of course . . .

[runs a hand through his hair, muttering fuck]

[literal_trainwreck]

Well, Lupin has already proposed an answer to the first question. How do you feel about locked basements?

[shortforever]

At least we shouldn't get punished horribly for this one?

[survivaltricks]

. . . you okay, Tyr?

[papartner]

Extremely fuck.

[dadinside]

[he seems to have lost whatever he was sleeping in...]

... Ground's gone.

[pictureimperfect]

Yeah that happens sometimes.

[survivaltricks]

We're flying.

Re: GEN

[pictureimperfect]

Wait a second did Stormy just sacrifice his soul? His whole soul?

[survivaltricks]

[HIS SHIP???]

I don't know what's going on anymore.

[literal_trainwreck]

Apparently?

[shrugs. he also does not know what's going on]

Re: GEN

[leonheartedly]

Think so.

Re: GEN

[papartner]

[ hope you enjoy this shriek, Thistle ]

QUESTION ONE

[crittersheep]

[You instinctively know you should give one collective answer after discussing this]

If love and violence could go hand in hand, what would you do to your lover to ensure they never leave you?

Re: QUESTION ONE

[survivaltricks]

Nothing.

[that's it that's the answer-- oh no wait he has more]

Love and violence don't always go hand-in-hand, you know. Sure, sometimes you and the people you care about have to fight it out, but that's completely different. That's working through something together. That's releasing pent up frustrations in a productive way where nobody really gets hurt.

Using violence to force someone to stay with you is just shitty, you know? You don't have a right to restrict someone's freedom in that way. If you really love someone. . . you should be willing to let them go, and trust that they'll come back to you in the end.

. . . and I think. . . if they really love you in return. . . you'll find that they always will, too.

QUESTION TWO

[crittersheep]

[You instinctively know you should give one collective answer after discussing this]

Should you truly have to accept people just as they are? With the ability to change hearts, is it not morally correct to manipulate your loved ones' hearts?

Re: QUESTION TWO

[survivaltricks]

"Manipulate" is a shitty word to use, because you shouldn't "manipulate" your loved ones. That implies doing them harm, and none of us here wish to harm the people we care about.

That said. . .

It is okay to help change someone's heart. Especially if they want to change-- or need to, for the sake of being able to live their lives. We all agree that changing someone's heart can be life-saving. It's just. . . you don't have to do it with fancy magic or harmful manipulative tactics.

You can change a person's heart just by being there to support them. By loving them, and letting them love you in return. By giving them a place to belong, and a reason to keep living.

Those are the ways Thistle would choose to change someone's heart. Not through manipulation, but through kindness and love.

QUESTION THREE

[crittersheep]

[You instinctively know only the Shepherd is to answer this question]

If it were to save the world, if it were to save a city. . could you leave anyone behind? Be they flock, friend, or foe?

Re: QUESTION THREE

[survivaltricks]

[after a long moment of pondering, Lupin tilts his chin up, eyes flashing, and delivers his answer with confidence and conviction]

No. I wouldn't.

It doesn't matter to me who they are-- ally or enemy, flock or not. I'm not in the business of leaving people behind. And beyond that? I'm so sick and tired of being asked to sacrifice other people for the good of a larger group. These stupid rituals have forced us into that corner more than enough times. I'm finally taking my chance to reject that premise entirely.

[a small huff]

But don't misunderstand me. I wouldn't condemn the world, either. I'd find a way to save it as well-- using the power I've gained from the hearts of everyone else who has placed their trust in me.

. . . so my answer is. . . I refuse the dichotomy of your question. Nobody gets left behind. Nobody gets sacrificed to save the world.

Especially not you, Stormy.

Instead. . . we save it all together. Every last one of us.