/takes the huntress out back and buries it (jan mingle pt. II)

[scrubscrub]

Who: Anyone on the SS Huntress! Crew and visitors.
Broadcast: N/A
Action: SS Huntress
When: More of January! We got three new crew mates and it will be messy.

IT'S ANOTHER MINGLE FOR OUR EVER-EXPANDING SHIP.

Also, we need an update on how well Koala is doing at pinball.

God, help this ship.

Comments

[nerdeology]

That's true. There are still those who remember us, and how important it is to bring back the connection we used to have. Some humans are alright.

[He has a certain bias, mind you.]

[beardstrokes]

Well, if some of them can be, perhaps there is hope after all.

[nerdeology]

There's definitely hope. It's just going to take a lot of work. But we have a way to accomplish it now, so I'm certain that it'll be fine.

[beardstrokes]

Excellent. I look forward to the fruits of your hard work.

[ He doesn't have to know or understand a different world to wish it a better outcome. ]

[nerdeology]

[This guy is kind of absurdly nice.]

You'll have to meet Sorey, then. I have a feeling you two would get along.

[beardstrokes]

Sorey? One of your friends from your world?

[ Huh, maybe they came together. How interesting. ]

[nerdeology]

Yes. He's also the Shepherd- the one who's going to bring seraphim and humans together. Singlehandedly, if that's what it takes.

[Remember that slight bias? Yeah.]

[beardstrokes]

That is quite the task for one person. Why does he have to do it alone?

[nerdeology]

[That... is actually a sobering question, and something he doesn't like to think about.]

Some would say... it is the fate of one who chooses to be a Shepherd. The path of purification is lonely and full of pain.

...He's not alone, though. Both seraphim and squire can pledge themselves to him. They share his goal and his fate, and in doing so, share his burden.

[beardstrokes]

[ Ah. Obi-Wan looks away, briefly. ]

It is never easy for those who are chosen.

[nerdeology]

No, it isn't.

[And those who care about the chosen one are constantly stressed about whether or not they're okay. Chosen ones are often quite fragile.]

You seem like... you understand.

[beardstrokes]

My student is considered to be the Chosen One for a prophecy long foretold. I do believe it and yet, I would not wish those burdens on him.

I'm afraid, though, that it is out of my hands now.

[ And the damage is done. Anakin will never be a normal Jedi, like the rest of them are, like Obi-Wan. He will always possess that odd stigma and burden of being both Chosen and outsider. ]

[nerdeology]

[Prophecy... that's not great. As bad as Sorey's path can get, at least he's always been in control of his own choices. As soon as some pre-arranged fate is involved, things can get sticky.]

Out of your hands? Are you saying you can't help?

[beardstrokes]

I'm saying I've done what I can. I am only a teacher. I can help, advise and even guide. But I cannot control another person's destiny.

[ That's semantics, but it is true. Obi-Wan would never exert that kind of control over a person. ]

[nerdeology]

I see.

[Talk of fate aside, it only means the one chosen has to make their own decisions. That's familiar, at least.]

If you stick by him, maybe something will come up. Even fate itself can be fickle.

[Only history is set in stone, in his mind. The future can do all kinds of things.]

[beardstrokes]

I doubt I could change my decision to keep an eye on him.

[ No matter what he hears, that much won't ever change. Obi-Wan is Anakin's teacher, friend and brother. ]

[nerdeology]

The mark of a true companion.

[If nothing else, it's admirable.]

I wish there were more humans like you.

[beardstrokes]

Perhaps.

[ He strokes his beard lightly. ] But that could also be quite boring. In all of us, human or otherwise, is potential. And we all reach it in different ways.

I try to reach mine through my beliefs.

[nerdeology]

I'm all for variety. If all seraphim were alike, that would be boring, too.

But key traits - determination, goodwill, loyalty, kindness - that's what keeps a human free from malevolence, and therefore uncorrupted. In other words, it's ideal for my kind. I admit, we have a slight bias towards humans like that.

[He'd kind of like to not get poisoned by his chums.]

[beardstrokes]

[ He nods in understanding. ]

When I was young, I used to have difficult in situations or places where great darkness or terror lingered. Fear, loss, pain . . . it was hard to parse with the abilities I had.

[nerdeology]

What abilities?

[He's already heard from others that outside of his own world, some humans have magical abilities, so he's automatically pinged.]

[beardstrokes]

Well, I'm able to tap into the Force - the lifeforce that I was telling you about earlier. As such, I have certain abilities such as being able to perceive the truth, revealing other hidden intentions, visions and so on.

[nerdeology]

Interesting. Like seeing into the hearts of others, in a way?

[Just feeling it out.]

[beardstrokes]

[ He glances at him, and nods. ]

Yes, that sounds about right.

[nerdeology]

Huh. Not that different, then.

[A human with the power - at least, in part - of a seraph? Now that's familiar.]

I can understand why it would be a struggle to possess a power like that in times of strife. Looking into a heart of darkness is a fearful thing.