the second ◆ [ video ]

[imperils]

[ the camera is angled, gazing down on a chessboard resting on a surface draped with unblemished white. Its varnished surface looks somewhat dismal - the black-and-white squares faded, marred by abrasions and dull thin scratches exposing the rust-red wood underneath. Though all of the black pieces are lined up at one end, a white pawn stands alone

Comments

Video

[imperils]

Some would say that finding truth requires a certain amount of obsession.

Video

[imperils]

And, what if what you were trying to accomplish was worth everything? That's a common view that humans have, right, to sacrifice it all for some idea or purpose...?

♔ video; private

[imperils]

[ the pink light is interesting, if only because it's so incongruous with its surroundings. But, Bernkastel doesn't move so much as an eyebrow. ]

With something else that's intangible.

♔ video; private

[imperils]

[ have fun creeping in your office then, Xaldin. ]

That's one way.

[video]

[masterbaiting]

She's trying to grant her own wish. That princess is.

[This boy is worrying the ribbon from the front of his clothing between his fingers.]

Princesses have it hard, don't they? In stories like that. But it usually ends up happily. Really fucking morbid, or she might lose her hands before she finds what she's looking for, but they end up happily.

[video]

[imperils]

[ Victorian-era, Western clothing, she notes. Witches are fond of dressing the same. ]

That's an interesting view. But, there's no reason for stories to end happily just because there's a princess in it.

[video]

[masterbaiting]

Yet they tend to.

[video]

[imperils]

And, are those the kind of stories you prefer...?

[voice]

[goldilocked]

When someone has nothing to lose, personal tragedies cease to be personal.

[permavideo]

[imperils]

Take away love, wealth, family, and friends... and humans are still left with themselves, aren't they? The princess in the story hasn't thrown that away yet.

[permavoice]

[goldilocked]

How do you know? Do you know the princess well?

[imperils]

I do... but, isn't it obvious...? If she had lost herself, she wouldn't still be searching.

[evaluative]

It is interesting, to see how far they will go.

[imperils]

It's usually pretty far. Some people just don't know when to give up.

[evaluative]

Without a definite limit, they may have trouble knowing. Though one can hardly blame them for their inability to know, it is a failing of theirs.

[imperils]

Yes. And yet... even if they're faced with incalculable odds, they'll still struggle and struggle, sometimes to their dying breath. Humans are quite extraordinary.

[ there's no warmth in her tone, however. ]