Re: Inexorable Altercation [Round I- The Sleeping World of Rock]
06-12-2010, 11:33 PM
Originally posted on MSPA by Pinary.
"Well, Felix," Will said, keeping his laser pointed squarely at Loran's head, "the trouble lies in how inevitable this all really is. Disregarding the book for a moment, let's consider the people around us. More than half of us contestants were described in terms of violent tendencies. A 'naturally evolved assassin,' a 'heartless warrior,' and, if I recall correctly, a 'textbook villain...' If even one of these stays true to their description, we have a situation in which bloodshed of some form or another is practically inevitable."
"And then, of course, there is the consideration of the book. If it is as it appears to be and contains a complete record of what is going to happen here, then it's a prophecy, and let me tell you something about prophecies: The common perception is backward. By their very existence, prophecies change the outcome. The mere existence of that book changes what's going to happen, and even if it's just a small change, it will still echo forward. Prophecies take a hell of a lot of work to get right, and if they expect us to cooperate, they're in for a shock."
"I, for one, am not a fan of prophecies. One of the first things I saw after my successful experiment was a prophecy I myself had left, and I spent fifteen years working my ass off to fulfil it. Even if they've gotten it down to a stable time-loop already, there's still going to be variation, and that variation's where we can choke them."
This, of course, was complete rubbish. If they were in a stable time-loop, then he'd said that many-a time before, and the outcome was as it was. What that outcome actually was was a mystery- those hooded fellows couldn't be trusted, and any word they said was suspect, likely carefully calculated to lead them along the "correct" path.
But it would do no good to say any of this out loud. Right now, they needed to calm things down, and a defeatist attitude was not conducive to that goal.
"So what do we do, then? Certainly, we could start killing, hoping to be the last one standing, but that leaves us all in a rather poor position, statistics-wise. I prefer a higher than 12.5% chance of survival, myself."
"So we don't just go killing each other, then. Of course, if there are those of us who feel the need to attempt to kill us and we defend ourselves, then that's up to them. I, for my part, will not direct harm towards anyone who does not attempt to do harm to others first. All who do, well..." He gestured in a vaguely threatening manner with his laser.
"Well, Felix," Will said, keeping his laser pointed squarely at Loran's head, "the trouble lies in how inevitable this all really is. Disregarding the book for a moment, let's consider the people around us. More than half of us contestants were described in terms of violent tendencies. A 'naturally evolved assassin,' a 'heartless warrior,' and, if I recall correctly, a 'textbook villain...' If even one of these stays true to their description, we have a situation in which bloodshed of some form or another is practically inevitable."
"And then, of course, there is the consideration of the book. If it is as it appears to be and contains a complete record of what is going to happen here, then it's a prophecy, and let me tell you something about prophecies: The common perception is backward. By their very existence, prophecies change the outcome. The mere existence of that book changes what's going to happen, and even if it's just a small change, it will still echo forward. Prophecies take a hell of a lot of work to get right, and if they expect us to cooperate, they're in for a shock."
"I, for one, am not a fan of prophecies. One of the first things I saw after my successful experiment was a prophecy I myself had left, and I spent fifteen years working my ass off to fulfil it. Even if they've gotten it down to a stable time-loop already, there's still going to be variation, and that variation's where we can choke them."
This, of course, was complete rubbish. If they were in a stable time-loop, then he'd said that many-a time before, and the outcome was as it was. What that outcome actually was was a mystery- those hooded fellows couldn't be trusted, and any word they said was suspect, likely carefully calculated to lead them along the "correct" path.
But it would do no good to say any of this out loud. Right now, they needed to calm things down, and a defeatist attitude was not conducive to that goal.
"So what do we do, then? Certainly, we could start killing, hoping to be the last one standing, but that leaves us all in a rather poor position, statistics-wise. I prefer a higher than 12.5% chance of survival, myself."
"So we don't just go killing each other, then. Of course, if there are those of us who feel the need to attempt to kill us and we defend ourselves, then that's up to them. I, for my part, will not direct harm towards anyone who does not attempt to do harm to others first. All who do, well..." He gestured in a vaguely threatening manner with his laser.