[Totally locked from Bob for future lulz.]

[dissonates]

I can't believe I'm doing this.

I'm Asch.

[.....Does he have to explain more?]

...Guy mentioned me the other day.

[More?]

...Don't feel obligated to talk to me just because he asked.

[Maybe that was too much.]

....I'll try to be friendly if you do, though.

[Wait that came out wrong.]

....Right.

[That should do it.]

Comments

[knightofratatosk]

Actually, I was still a little scared of talking to strangers when I first got here.

[dissonates]

Really? I never got that impression at all.

[knightofratatosk]

I guess I've changed a lot. Richter says I have, but it isn't really something I've noticed myself.

[dissonates]

I wouldn't know, but change seems to happen a lot in people here.

[knightofratatosk]

Well... to tell you the truth, I'm still kind of nervous about talking to people face-to-face. Somehow it's easier when it's over the journals.

[dissonates]

Really? I find it easier when I can read people and gauge their reactions. It's useful to see more than just a tiny snapshot.

[knightofratatosk]

I just find it more intimidating when they're right there in front of you.

[dissonates]

You're going to have to go out and me- [Hypocrite, hypocrite, shut up now.]

...Forget it. I just think too much like a soldier.

[knightofratatosk]

You were a soldier, Asch? I didn't know that.

[dissonates]

I was a member of the religious military of my world, the Order of Lorelei. It's essentially the same.

[knightofratatosk]

... o-oh.

[They're not like the Martel Knights, right?]

[dissonates]

[Not a mindreader |D]

Something wrong?

[knightofratatosk]

The Order of Lorelei, they didn't, um... they didn't attack people who didn't worship their god, right?

[dissonates]

[.....Er.] Not... exactly. The Order didn't worship a god; it was a group devoted to collecting, protecting, and distributing a prophecy. The Oracle Knights were responsible for any combat-related incidents. Almost everyone followed the Score anyway.

[And this is Asch's attempt to derail from the whole 'attacking people' aspect.]

[knightofratatosk]

Oh... that's a relief. I guess they're not like the Martel Knights, then.

[dissonates]

I wouldn't know, I've never heard of them.

[knightofratatosk]

Oh, um, right. They're the soldiers from the Church of Martel in my world. I know that the Martel Knights who attacked Luin and Palmacosta were really working for the Vanguard, but I don't know if the actual Martel Knights are like that or not.

[dissonates]

...Sometimes even organized military can have rebellions. The Oracle Knights were no different.

[knightofratatosk]

Maybe... maybe it really is impossible for everyone to get along.

[dissonates]

That's a defeatist attitude.

[knightofratatosk]

But what if it's true? Humans and half-elves dislike each other, Sylvaranti and Tethe'allans still can't get along...

[dissonates]

It's unlikely - personalities will always clash. People are always different. But there's no point in thinking too hard about it. Focus on your own relationships and forget the rest.

[knightofratatosk]

I can't. I can't just forget about things like that, not when other people are being hurt because of it.

[dissonates]

Then you'll just keep worrying yourself sick about people you know nothing about - people who probably wouldn't do a thing for you if your positions were reversed.

[knightofratatosk]

...

[Ouch, memories of Luin.]