Conversation Space: The Ultimate

[powersthatbe]

You feel as if you've stepped through a door.

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Comments

[morbirdinterest]

[Hmm. Frustrating. Still, not unexpected.]

Do you object in some way to the task in mind?

[powersthatare]

Two barks.

[morbirdinterest]

Do you object to me, in particular, performing the task?

[sagetime]

Two barks.

[Then, there's a green glow of light, and after a moment, SAGE appears in the center of it as his humanoid avatar, looking utterly exhausted.]

Perhaps... this... will prove more productive.

[morbirdinterest]

Perhaps.

[Shuu is quiet for a moment, considering SAGE's condition.]

How long can you maintain this form?

[sagetime]

I haven't tested the full limits of my capacity. But time is a fluid thing, whatever my form. If you require longer, we will alter the speed of your perceptions.

[morbirdinterest]

Then let us continue from where we were. There is something you wish for me to do for you, something to which you have no objections, but which you do have reservations. Yes?

[sagetime]

That is approximately correct. The task I wish is for you to be yourself.

[morbirdinterest]

[Shuu can see how such a request might come with....reservations, when applied to himself.]

"Myself" in what way?

[sagetime]

You and I are similar. There are resonances. Harmonies. Do you see this?

[morbirdinterest]

I am not knowledgeable in tarot symbolism but I can see some...resonance, yes.

[sagetime]

When you strengthen that resonance, you strengthen me.

[morbirdinterest]

I see.

[Shuu thinks back to SAGE and all that he had stood for. Solitude. Study. It would harder for Shuu to not strengthen that resonance.]

And is there any particular reason that I should strive for such a thing?

[sagetime]

Would you prefer that the universe be ordered according to someone else's preferences?

[morbirdinterest]

I'm not familiar enough with the desires of your...competitors...to make such a judgment.

[sagetime]

Should you become so, I am confident I will still have your approval.

[morbirdinterest]

What order would you prefer to impose upon the universe?

[sagetime]

Contemplation. A universe with the time and quiet to build a more considered existence.

[morbirdinterest]

[...It is appealing. Shuu won't lie.]

And should you achieve this goal, what will happen to the universe that preceded it?

[sagetime]

It will be altered to alignment. The process is instantaneous but asynchronous, so it will not seem abrupt to those confined to linear time.

[morbirdinterest]

And what will happen to the Travelers?

[sagetime]

I have been lead to understand that most Travelers prefer to return to their points of origin. At that time, I would have the power and inclination to facilitate those returns.

But I would welcome any who wished to remain, and study.

[morbirdinterest]

Ho ho ho... Quite a generous offer.

[He's pretty sure he's being played, but hey, it's working, so point to SAGE.]

I shall promise nothing, but I am...not opposed to your ideals. As I'm sure you're aware.

[sagetime]

I calculated a strong possibility. Thank you.

[There's a green flash of light - and Shuu is back in Liminal Space proper.]

[morbirdinterest]

[Only belated does Shuu realize she could have used the chance to learn more about why SAGE had been hidden in the GRID in the first place. Next time, if there is one, he won't be so distracted. And doesn't SAGE still owe him the answer to one question?]