(OOC) Question Meme

[tarnished_salt]

It goes LIKE SO. You comment here and ASK A QUESTION it can be anything CFUD related, OOC, IC, Relationship, psychology, thoughts, whatever. I.E. My character's opinion of your character or maybe what you have been wondering about this behavior or that, or general thoughts on my characters or canons or what, who I might consider raping you into

Comments

[tarnished_salt]

Partially, I think that's because Jesse is a little inconsistent with his metaphysics in this series. XD What's actually happening, as far as I can tell, is that you start with an intelligence formed from the interaction of divine will with astral substance; this being is called an angel, and is usually but not necessarily "good." (I'd really rather not see an angel brought into being by one of Astaria's impulses.) An angel exists to fulfill the specific divine directive which brought it into being; it's not connected to the will of Heaven after its creation. Then you sever the part of it which is capable of independent action -- the part which decides how to enact divine will, and which Magda claims may or may not be capable of free will itself in itself -- from the part of it which is purely astral. The free-will part becomes a Mara, new-born and childlike as it attempts to develop its own means of making decisions for the first time. The astral part becomes a demon; bereft of purpose or any means to determine it, it becomes a destructive entity -- not necessarily "evil", just unable to interact save through destruction. When Mikah entered the Forge of Dawn, he merged with the demon in the hedzaii’ha, giving it the purpose "become a conception of a conscience for my brother" from his own will; this substitutes for the divine creative impulse which normally brings an angel into existence, and explains that particular angel's nature.

The problem with this theory comes with the hedzaii’ha, which causes Stiaan to become paranoid and hubristic, but not mindlessly destructive per se (although his temper certainly became worse). One could, however, argue that exposure to the demon's power actually damaged his mind in ways that are classically destructive; indeed, it would be fairly easy to claim that the mindset Stiaan was being twisted towards was very much the mindset of a being who remembered being called forth, betrayed, and torn apart, bereft of its original reason to exist and unable to redefine itself anew. It also erodes his long-term planning, and makes him prone to lash out in anger, both characteristic attributes of a will-less, destructive being. (One could also argue that Jesse slipped, ascribing attributes to the hedzaii’ha which are true of classical demons but are inconsistent with his metaphysics. Sometimes he's very good, and sometimes he isn't.)

Hmmm, question. In your headcanon, what's the best adventure Mikah and Stiaan ever had together?

[height_rule]

See I saw it different. Or I read it different. Magda- "An angel may have free will in small matters -- there are questions about that -- but it can’t oppose the will of heaven. Its matter is the will of heaven, and it can no more disobey the gods than water can run uphill." It also takes the will of all the gods to create them. So they're sort of more for the greater good than specific goals.

I think you're right on the demons though. They seem not be evil but more classical idea that when turned from the light of heaven they express themselves with destruction and pain.

I think they're the ones that keep the free will though. The Mara are just not connected to anything. They have free will only because they are completely alone in their loyalties.

On their greatest adventure. Hmmm. There are so many possibilities. I sometimes wish to fic about their initial freedom from the mage that created them. Two baby Maras that had been imprisoned and suddenly found themselves in the outside world probably did all sorts of glorious and horrible things. I can also see Stiaan travelling with a golden bird on his shoulder which he calls his brother. It'd also be nice to play with how they originally got the nicknames. If we're talking in terms of fun their best adventures would have to be when they travelled with mortal creatures. They probably messed with them a lot :)

In terms of not fun I think it's more of another question than an answer. Mikah says he thinks falling in love is something they learn. It doesn't come naturally. My headcanon says that while it is rare since they delete so much time with people and mostly don't interact with them too much it's probably happened before. So I think their best adventures are the times they've fallen in love with other creatures. Do you think it's possible? I figure they don't remember it because it hurt too much when the other died or forgot them.

[tarnished_salt]

I think the difference in our reading is this: as I saw it, any god can create an angel, rather than it requiring all of them. (Because really, can you see Astaria creating an angel for the greater good? I guess maybe if they bribed her.) The reason I pegged demons as having no free will is because Mikah says "The Mara must provide the element of will, since a demon has none."

I think it's possible for Mikah; I'm not sure Stiaan would have forgotten the fact of it, since he's supposed to be very, very selective in what he deletes. (In fact, Mikah knew he'd be in love and forgot, so I'd say it's more than possible.) I get the impression that Stiaan hasn't ever really fallen in love, or had relationships with many people, but Mikah had; Rema was an exception designed to waste Astaria's time in a harmless manner, and while Stiaan probably felt some affection for him during the relationship god knows why, I wouldn't call it love by any means. I think that real romantic love is something he's never felt, but that Mikah has (they don't count for each other, because that bond is...special.)

I'm bad at questions, so I'll cheat; name an essay you'd like to see me write about the Kastorverse or Stiaan.

[height_rule]

Wow, you're right Jesse failed. Magda does say only all the gods together can make a being.

Do you think Stiaan ever will?

Hmmmmm. Perhaps an essay on why Stiaan made the crown and how much damage it's left? He still struggles with things sometimes. I remember him saying he'd use the key. So it'd be nice to know how it's still affecting him.

[tarnished_salt]

....you're right, she does. Augh, Jesse, some consistency please. :|

I think so. I think that he and Kastor are Jesse's primary-pairing archetype with some of the roles flipped around, so that will appear eventually, and further I think he's receptive to it at the moment. In camp, who knows? Things happen that we never plan.

I have only the vaguest idea why he did that, but I can essay on whether and how it still affects him. It'll be short, though, because I actually think that most of the damage is being or has been repaired. He'd use the key out of curiosity, which was a problem for him before the crown, as I remember. (Honestly, I think he made the crown for curiosity's sake, too. He wanted more available power for his researches, or something. But Jesse drops no hints.) You can pick again, if you want. XD

[a_heartsdesire]

I actually can't think of anything else that hasn't been resolved in OOC communication or threads. Mikah's been doing a lot of soul digging with Kas ans Stiaan lately. The main things are: They both love Mikah. They're also both attracted to the other but are going to need a lot of time before this could even evolve into something else since they don't know each other well and are special. They're both confused and need cuddling. Give me hints if there's anything to add.

[tarnished_salt]

That pretty much sums it up. :Db We are very special.

[a_heartsdesire]

I am going to fix you someday.

[tarnished_salt]

Yes, you will.