NINETY-SEVEN

[tehpuck]

Again, interesting. I hope everyone thoroughly enjoyed the impromptu history lesson; it was, so far as I was paying attention at the time, accurate enough, with the exception of my presence; we I opted not to go on that floating chunk of steel for personal reasons.

Now, well rested and warmed up from a warm and crowded bed, I can safely say, yes,

Comments

[warped_inside]

I think I'd prefer to have my history lessons someplace dryer. And preferably with less death involved.

[tehpuck]

Dryer replacement seems more in the realm of future-prediction. And there's always death in history. That's how it gets to be history.

[warped_inside]

I meant the first-hand type. I get enough of people and things dying with work, thanks. I'll take my history from a distance where it belongs.

[tehpuck]

How old fashioned. And lucky you.

[warped_inside]

How is it old-fashioned not to want to watch people die?

Lucky me...for what?

[tehpuck]

I meant in terms of dryness and et cetera, but you've made a good enough point. Don't make me cite television as an example, though that's really more to do with laziness than modernization. The Romans got up and walked to see people slaughtered and tortured, at the very least.

History at a difference... pfff. It's inescapable. Lucky you, still being able to think you can keep it at arms length. Ignorance must be bliss.

[warped_inside]

People who watch that sort of thing on television probably either have never seen it in real life, or are trying to blunt their memories of seeing it in real life.

I'm a little more concerned the future, to be honest.

[tehpuck]

Which accounts for just about everyone, discounting the squeamish and the blind. Human nature is violent. Take it from someone who's seen enough of it to have an expert opinion and an outsider's point of view. Listening to me is always the wiser option.

Aren't we all?

[warped_inside]

It isn't just human nature that's violent. We share that with every race out there.

And I might be a little more concerned with the future than the average person.

Not so sure about taking advice from someone whose name I don't even know, though.

[tehpuck]

But you're the only ones who enjoy wallowing in denial about it.

I assure you that I'm more than a little preoccupied with it.

Robin Goodfellow at your service, and before you say it, not from Shakespeare, that bastard took all the credit for the play when I was the one who had to do all the work in the first place. Then again, it's mostly good press, I believe I remain impassive on the subject, or at least ambivalent. Still, the pleasure's all mine, Ms...?

[warped_inside]

Okay, you probably have a point there. But for the record, I'm not wallowing in denial, I'm just preferring to not have to watch mass destruction if there isn't a need for me to be there.

Or if I can't at least try and do something to stop it.

Sato, Toshiko Sato. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Goodfellow. You're the second person I've met lately who's turned out to predate the stories that are supposed to have invented them.

[tehpuck]

I was referring to you people on whole, but, yes, my point is seen.

The future? That's very single-minded, some of us would rather not be stuck in this time and place, thank you very much.

A pleasure, Sato-san. And, yes, swoon away; I can be held accountable for most stories and a few various stand-in jobs at some choice parthenons. All in a milennia's work.

[warped_inside]

The future...? Oh! No, I was referring to stopping the destruction, the death. Not the future. God no, the whole point is to protect the future! Although I'm not minding being here, if by time and place you're referring to the City. No plans on making it permanent, but I'm kind of getting used to it.

And...exactly why should I be swooning?

[tehpuck]

Something else I've learned in thousands upon millions of years dealing with your race and its largescale theatrics? Destruction is inevitable, death doubly so. The best you can do is keep you and yours out of the crossfire, if you have a 'yours' to claim in the first place. Which isn't always too terribly wise, in any happenstance.

It's the most common response when one learns they're in my presence, but if you want to move straight to removal of undergarments, be my guest. I do love a straight-forward girl... or boy. Whatever.

[warped_inside]

When you've sort of taken on the job of protecting the entire human race, the concept of 'you and yours' gets a little blurry. And the people I'd call 'mine' are exactly the ones who'll be throwing themselves in front of whatever danger comes along.

I see. But I'm not really in your presence, so exactly what would this undergarment removal really accomplish? Other than me getting cold.

[tehpuck]

...Then you really need to quit or take a long, long vacation. No one deserves that special torturous hell, except perhaps Nero, the bastard, but I doubt he's capable.

Exactly my point! So feel free to stick to swooning if necessary.