001 ✒ (audio)

[undealt]

An entire war effort founded on the idea that you can change the past. [Gold sounds a bit amused at the thought. He can see the future- or could. Changing the past, however... well, that's completely out of the realm of possibility.] It's such a lovely notion, wouldn't you agree? The idea that by changing a few things, you can change the entire course of the future.

[He chuckles.] I wonder if it's occurred to them yet that for all their hard work and attention to detail, the future is not so easily bent into shape the way we'd like it to be. Some things simply have to transpire. Fate can't always be altered. 

But I could be wrong, and frankly, I am going to be thoroughly disappointed if I'm not. I don't like having my time wasted, especially not for someone else's folly. And I'm aware cynicism has no place in a war, especially one as desperate as this has become. [Because wow Jesse kinda spilled the beans on how phenomenally up Shit Creek we all are.]  Besides, some would say the impossible nature of a thing makes attempting to subvert it that much more enticing.

As far as cynical hand-wringing is concerned, I believe we're all nearly spent. And I'd like to think that spectacular introduction to the base I just received [seriously, zombies?] was meant to be a wake-up call for everyone. 

It's something to think about anyway. It's not as if we're lacking in time. 

[And with that thought-provoking boot up your ass, Gold's out.]

Comments

Audio;

[maipokerface]

A wake-up call about what exactly?

Audio;

[undealt]

To start actively working towards a goal, rather than being reluctantly led through it. I've heard enough about this operation to know it seemed to lean more towards hand-holding.

audio

[occlusion]

I wouldn't say that this is an impossible task, give the technology present.

audio

[undealt]

[hah hah hah. SCIENCE.]

And given my experience, changing the future doesn't typically end well for most people. A certain wariness is hard to ignore.

video;

[quackery]

Well, I mean, there's stuff we've been able to change before, so I don't think it's impossible at all. I don't think it's the part where it seems impossible that makes the people here want to help, either.

video;

[undealt]

[FATE IS A CRUEL MISTRESS, AHIRU.]

But I'm certain the difficulty of the task doesn't help those who spend their days digging in their heels.

[video]

[legal_eagle]

[Sonya's grinning, all bright cheer.]

Oh, listen to that. You just used the f-word.

[video]

[undealt]

[It's his favorite f-word, which is pretty impressive for not-Begbie.]

And I take it that's amusing? [Look at your cheer. Have some cheerfully vague condescension right back. Which, admittedly, is his default state, so whatever.]

[not here...]

[5055034455]

[...but oh, will Saul be watching this conversation.]

Video;

[needsteaplz]

Changing fate is possible but it's a super high gamble.

And it's not just this world that's in danger. Everyone's world is stake.The United Earth managed to destroy one world before and they can do it again with any of ours.

I'm not a pro-Initiative by any means. I just refuse to let my family and friends be destroyed.

Video;

[undealt]

So I've heard. [No, but really CAN HE JUST NUKE NEVERLAND AND BE DONE WITH IT.]

I'm willing to play along with the game- what grates is how inefficient all of this. [Not enough actually getting shit done for his liking. It's madness and he's from a canon that doesn't know the definition of efficiency.]

audio;

[horncrown]

[ Well. Congratulations. These thoughts lured him out of his silent stalking about. ]

I don't think you are cynical enough.

audio;

[undealt]

And where would it get me? Still here, still worried any trip home will be met with unpleasant retribution... Something of a rock and a hard place, isn't it?

[ voice ]

[oldsoldiersneverdie]

If there's one thing life has beaten into me, it's that 'fate' and 'destiny' are far more malleable than their definitions imply. Some points are fixed, yes, but frequently they take unexpected forms.

[ voice ]

[undealt]

And those unexpected forms could be just as awful as the alternative, but if it's this or staring at the walls, I'm not inclined to waste away in despair of a war that may or may not be impossible to win.

The true question is how many people here feel similarly?

AUDIO.

[badnewsboy]

Right! So much for that Midgardian saying "the best way to shape the future is to shape the past"! Perhaps they've gotten it turned around and backward.

Perhaps we much shape the future to restore the past.

How philosophical.

AUDIO.

[undealt]

Eradicating an enemy before they can gain power is somehow more appealing than destroying one who has gained too much ground, apparently. Though not altogether fair.

[Not that he cares about fair. It's just funny.]

audio

[wolfuncaged]

I do not believe in destiny. If you wish your future to change, you have to change it for yourself. Sitting around and claiming it is destiny you are in such a position, with no way out of it is the path of someone too lazy or afraid to change things.

audio

[undealt]

[look you don't know his life. fate hands him some really raw deals.]

Well, that's wonderful spin. I'd love to believe it, but experience tells me otherwise. If there was no fate or destiny, then coincidences would be just that. And I don't believe in coincidence. Everything happens for a reason.

video;

[lucency]

[ gently: ] You don't need to scold; none of us are exactly thrilled to be here.

video;

[undealt]

I'm hoping it encourages them. [His encouraging voice just sounds a lot like his scolding voice.]

voice;

[acemedium]

You really like giving speeches, huh...

voice;

[undealt]

I've always preferred words to weapons. It's best I stick to my strengths.

[everyone's a critic.]

Audio

[astraia]

Fate. [The word is pensive, and almost melancholy.] I always liked to think we made our own. [Until her life was hijacked by a primal cosmic force, anyway.] But there are forces out there stronger than our own wills.

Audio

[undealt]

A sad truth, my dear. I find it difficult to believe that no one really has a choice, but I can't help but think that some things are just meant to be. And regardless of what we do to stop it, our choices bring us back to the very thing we hoped to prevent.

The dangers of self-fulfilling prophecies.

audio;

[getoffmyearth]

What wars have you been in where everybody wasn't cynical?

audio;

[undealt]

Less the wars and more the winning side. [But his first experience with war was the Vietnam Conflict of pointless fairy tale character wars, so your point is made.]

video.

[scinlae]

[ Morgana lounges on a chair as if it were a throne and a crown sits her head. what a refreshing amount of cynicism, she knew she was missing something in her day. ]

Prepare to be disappointed, for all they have done very little has changed.

video.

[undealt]

[well, if he doesn't know that type.]

So we're just going to play war games until something breaks, then? [He smiles a bit too darkly. He'd systematically murder every person in this base if it woke someone up enough to move things along. He was very much prepared to be at his darkest in Neverland.

The downside, however, is he left Belle at home so he could and now that she's here, his restraint has to be shown. Still. Something would give.]

hello i am here late

[bittertears]

Whether certain events indeed need to happen, that simply won't be enough to dissuade others from wanting to change that.

shh no one is ever late here

[undealt]

Well, I'm not hoping to dissuade them. There's nothing to be gained from not suffering the Initiative's whims at all. However, there doesn't seem to be much forward motion, now does there?