05

[fingersloophole]

When we're here...do we go on where we come from? We're not replaced with a very convincing double?

And if we're in both places at once...do we ever gain memories of what is the future for us? Do we ever get a chance to change it?

I'm hardly a philosopher. I don't know if anyone could even know these things...but theories would be welcomed.

Comments

voice

[malfattore]

My theory is that we've been kidnapped entirely by an unknown deity.

{... which is a little hard to swallow, being an atheist-pretending-to-be-Christian}

We're here and only here, waiting... patiently... to go back.

Voice

[fingersloophole]

...so whose religion is correct or has this deity not revealed itself? [Join the club except this branch is henotheistic.]

Then what of the fact I exist in my own time past what I can remember?

Voice

[malfattore]

Well, my God is mine, and forever correct. {Mmmf, right.} Though from my brief time here, I already see many have come with their own. I would guess this realm has its own, as the power of a deity is the only explanation. {Oddly enough, despite his own convictions, he can't logically come up with any reason not involving a god.}

Perhaps there are multiple yous in multiple realms, each separate from each other.

Voice

[fingersloophole]

And those I know here all just happen to be from another realm exactly like my own with a different me? [He's suspicious of coincidence and really doesn't believe one could be that huge.]

I don't tell people what to believe. Except that until you show me concrete proof, I won't be believing any religious voodoo is involved. An interesting theory, however.

[video]

[i_love_taiyaki]

Maybe it's like a weird time-freeze somethin' or other. It seems like we're all from different points in time, even if we're from the same place, right? Er... well, I guess that wouldn't make sense, either, would it; if time stopped for me then how was I there for when someone else...

Bah, this is givin' me a headache.

[fingersloophole]

You see the conundrum that this presents. Unless there are multiple time lines in which certain people disappear at certain points and we are from others.

...or unless it is something else entirely.

[i_love_taiyaki]

Time paradoxes suck, man. I don't even think I wanna think about this.

[fingersloophole]

Maybe we are just replaced with very convincing androids.

[voice]

[girl_unlocking]

Well.

That kind of happened, once.

[private]

I don't think it's a double. I ...think that time just kind of ...stops. And then starts again when we go back.

Were you here for the missing ten days?

Voice (Private)

[fingersloophole]

I wasn't. How can days be missing?

Voice (Private)

[girl_unlocking]

There was a thing here, maybe before you came? A lot of people lost days. Other ...versions of them were here instead. For those days.

I lost ten days. There was an older me here, who ...claimed to remember this place. A-and everyone I'd met. Made it sound like she'd just gone home one day and poof. Started from where she'd left off.

[...]

It's still on the forge.

[...]

...I didn't remember any of it when I woke up outside. And I hadn't watched it on the network because I...

...well, I was scared, is what.

But. That seems really stupid now. For a thing to be scared of.

There are way worse things than that.

Voice (Private)

[fingersloophole]

Thank you. I will consider that, then. It's...comforting. It's something to dwell on. That perhaps the older me would remember being here even if I told no one.

Voice

[i_love_squats]

It's complicated, what with people coming and going and remembering different things and different times. I don't think it happens the same for each person, and I don't...I don't think we'll know 'til it happens. [Until it's too late.]

Voice

[fingersloophole]

Live for today then? As you're always telling me, at least.

I do not like not having answers. I'm sure you can relate.

Voice

[i_love_squats]

Yeah, I know it sucks, that sorta lifestyle when you're so used to something different, but so far "living for today" is the only thing I can think of to do. And really, it's not that bad.

You could hit up the library, if you want? Maybe someone has answers. Or someone who left, went home, and came back with their memory of here in tact. You could try them.

Voice

[fingersloophole]

Zack Fair offering wisdom. Who would have guessed? [His tone is amused, but a nice kind of amused rather than making fun of him.]

I will look into both those things, thank you. It is...very difficult to keep faith with situations being as they are.

Voice

[wellsuited]

If you ask a hundred people, you'll probably get a hundred and one answers. My theory is...I don't have a theory anymore. It doesn't matter what happens or where I am, I'm still a Turk. That's all I really know.

[Private]

Yes Sir.

First there's Sasori. He's been with me the longest. He's one of the shinobi and was friends with Itachi--

[A pause.]

Someone he knew from his home, someone who was also a Turk for a short time.

The thing about shinobi is...well, they're pretty incredible. And Sasori's no exception. He's sharp, fast, skilled with small weapons. Oh, and he likes puppets!

I trust Sasori, and he's good at what he does. He's currently working on a training exercise program.

Riza Hawkeye is the newest recruit. I don't know much about her personally, but so far she's been pretty professional. And she's a great shot! I'd like to work on some plans for a shooting range with her. With your blessing, of course.

[Elena pauses again, but continues at length.]Sir, there is one thing. The Turks here...they're not like you and me

Voice

[fingersloophole]

I think being Turks means different things to us. Not that I'm not relieved you're in a better time, of course. Perhaps I have a few more years of maturing to do to catch up.

[Private]

Not like us? I would like to meet them, even if you do their day to day handling. They sound promising, however. Good work, Elena.

Voice

[wellsuited]

Oh no Sir, I didn't mean--

[Private]

They weren't raised by Shinra. You and I...we're sort of endangered.

[She laughs. Awkwardly.]

Of course! I thought we might start training together. You know, see how we function as a team.

[BRB, blushing.]

Thank you, Sir.

Voice/Private

[fingersloophole]

You mean that they have stauncher morals. They're less likely to do the more...unpleasant things that need to be done. I understand. Not everyone is a bred Turk.

We'll start training together then. I'm sure we'll function as a team quite well though you'll have to excuse me being without a pattern for several years.