(no subject)

[belheir]

Sender: Anonymous
To: Everyone
Subject: Question

What do you think human nature is closer to? That of gods, angels, or demons?

[ It's been something that's been bothering him for some time. He knows the answer he had given, but it'd seemed like it was... incorrect, at the time. ]

Define "human" as whatever your worlds closest equivalent is, if you need to.

Comments

Sender: Joshua

[empyreancatastrophe]

I would say humanity is close to none, while bearing aspects of all.

Human existence is a grand tale. One where cosmic wonders unfold upon each page. One where we fill the role of an entity whose essence aims to mimic the divine, elude the ethereal, and dance in the wake of shadows. An enigma wrapped in the fabric of time, a brief, bright spark that illuminates a small corner of creation with the brilliance of free will.

Unlike lofty gods who command the heavens with omnipotence, humanity stands as a testament to the beauty of limitation. Neither burdened by the clipped wings of angels nor ensnared by the infernal chains of demons, humans tread the earth with a unique, untamed spirit, a spirit that yearns to soar beyond the boundaries of destiny--even if it means we often court destruction in our hubris.

Such is the blessing and the curse of our wills.

Free will, that sacred flame stoked by equal parts ego and humility, courses through the veins of every human being, a force that carves paths unknown and fills us with the courage, or foolhardiness, depending on who one asks, to traverse them. It is the catalyst for choice, the forge where dreams are wrought and where the magnificent discord of individuality thrives.

However, as I mentioned before, despite my honeyed words, there is of course a darker side to our will. We may dance in the wake of shadows, but only because we rarely take responsibility for them.

We bear no infernal chains, yet we clad our innocent brethren in steel and, therefore, our entire lot in chains of acrimony.

Our wings may not be clipped, but we cannot fly without accounting for the weight of consequence.

We stand as a testament of limitation, but if we were to ever break free of it, we would ultimately destroy ourselves.

While gods, angels, and demons may be defined by their celestial attributes, humanity is characterized by its boisterousness, its fragility, and the exquisite chaos of its unbridled will.

I hope this answers your question.

[belheir]

[ Leave it to Joshua to wax poetic.

Though... that was essentially what Naoya had told him too. His Naoya, not the one here from a different path taken. ]

I was told what you just said once. That humans are neither like the unwavering rigidity of angels and gods, nor like the free form chaos of demons. That in a good sense they were flexible enough to lend to either or. In a bad sense, too vague to be fully trusted to either.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[He is nothing if not consistent!]

Obviously I agree with this person’s assessment.

However, I am curious about yours. It sounds as though you don’t entirely agree. Although I could be mistaken.

mobile tagging kills me 9/10 times

[belheir]

I'm still deciding. My initial answer to that question posed was that humams were more like demons than angels and gods.

I still believe that, though how much I'm not sure of.

😭 it's the worst

[empyreancatastrophe]

What led you to your initial conclusion?

[belheir]

My own choices. It's something I guess I have to believe.

[empyreancatastrophe]

You say that as if you've no other alternative.

[belheir]

I don't, really. It's a bit complicated, and I don't know how to explain without going into details I'd rather not.

[empyreancatastrophe]

Understandable. Beliefs are complicated even without confounding factors, be they explicit or implicit.

As I'm sure you've witnessed first hand with the responses you've received.

[belheir]

Yeah, it's pretty complicated, though I guess I'm making it more so.

And you're right. More people came up with the answer that the one who asked me had, rather than take the options I gave. I guess maybe that lends more into proving him right than I'd like.

[empyreancatastrophe]

If I may be presumptuous for a moment, it is also a reflection of how humans tend to act.

One could place a hundred options in front of us, all equally viable, and we will still opt to find a hundred and first.

[belheir]

You're not wrong, but I also chose from the list of options presented to me at the time, instead of thinking about it too deeply.

I guess that goes to show it's definitely an individual thing, more than a whole.

[empyreancatastrophe]

I agree that the question invites one to think on an individualistic level. To consider what being a human entails, to consider the nature of the metaphysical.

It's an enjoyable thought experiment. Thank you for proposing it.

sender: hiyori

[wwtd]

[ might be crying from how beautiful this all is?? (also might have copied this all word for word and wrote it down in her personal journal with credit towards him. just because it's so moving.) as such, she has to comment: ]

You have a wonderful way with words! Are you a writer?

[empyreancatastrophe]

[As much as he'd hate to make someone cry, he'd also feel honored about the reason!]

Oh! Thank you. You're very kind.

While I do enjoy writing, I'm not sure if I could be considered a writer. At least not one for coin, if that is the criteria we are abiding by.

[wwtd]

Oh no, it's just the truth. I'm probably not the only one who thinks so.

I wasn't thinking for money. If you enjoy it as a hobby? I would consider you a writer, then.

Well, I already do, when you can write something like that. Can I ask about the other things you've written?

[empyreancatastrophe]

Yes! I would be happy to share.

I’ve written several personal journals, and I was working on a book chronicling pertinent events from my home realm in connection with other historical events. I’m currently undertaking the same for events in this realm, with both personal accounts and notes on research from the local archives. I’ve unfortunately little time for prose, so I strive to infuse some of my own voice into those academic pieces. However, I feel that I should edit the manuscripts before offering them for publication.

I will occasionally dabble in poetry when inspiration strikes, but it is hardly polished.

1/2

[wwtd]

[ yes. definitely a writer. ]

It's probably great if I'm judging based on what you just wrote.

I write in journals myself, but it's usually just about what I did that day. Nothing interesting like what you've been doing.

[wwtd]

If you need help editing, I would be happy to help!

[empyreancatastrophe]

Pray do not devalue your own work. The words you use to write about your day are yours and yours only. That simple fact alone makes them invaluable.

And I appreciate your offer. Truly. However, I could not ask you to undertake such a task without some sort of remittance.

[wwtd]

[ ... ]

You're right. They're my memories so they're precious to me. I guess just compared to what you've done, it didn't seem as impressive.

How about sharing notes instead? I do that sometimes with my friends Yama and Ami back home.

[empyreancatastrophe]

A piece of advice that has helped me is to avoid comparing my skillset to others'. Comparing yourself today to yourself of yesteryears is a far fairer, and accurate, way to judge your skills.

And I think that's a brilliant idea. I'm happy to read any words you feel comfortable sharing.

[wwtd]

That does sound more fair, but it's difficult not to compare yourself to others' sometimes. Especially when there's such a gap in abilities. I don't think it's a bad thing.

[ had this been in person, joshua would see the sheepish smile on her face. ]

Everyone has things they're good at and things they're bad at.

Let's see. Most of it is observations of the strange periodical patterns of Songerein. As we reach the middle of the month, there's usually some big event that happens and something we have to do to solve it.

I wonder if there isn't some other reason we're here. Something we have to do but nobody knows what that is yet.

[empyreancatastrophe]

I agree that it can be difficult. However, as long as you maintain your perspective, then I can also agree that it isn't necessarily a bad thing, as you've said.

As for your notes, I see merit in your pursuit, and I think there is much that can be discussed. Should be discussed, really.

Mayhap we should consider a time and place to meet in-person?

[wwtd]

I try my best to keep my feet on the ground.

[ !!! it's like a study session. man, she missed having these with yukine. ]

Really? Sure! Yeah! When is a good time for you? I go for a run in the mornings, but after that I'm free.