I was thinking the same... [ sabo's voice trails for a moment as he chews on the idea longer. it fits. it works out. but?? ] ...but could it also be the magic that binds him or the rest of us to our predicament?
[ he doesn't have a reason for thinking this other than a feeling. it doesn't feel right. ]
During a conversation that I had with him, he implied that some of the cost to him for casting one of his spells was to sacrifice some of his memories. As hard as it is to pin him down for answers, it didn't seem like he was familiar with the scene that had played out when I activated the card.
And to his words, all spells must be paid with a price... Perhaps some of the price he paid prevents certain things from happening.
[ you know, like dying? ish has used magic before; plenty of times in front of them, but had it been golden? ]
If that's the name for that kind of magic. I can't imagine that he would accept anything that wouldn't restrict him without giving him an advantage.
[ it's been made clear to him that magic follows the rules of equivalent exchange, more or less, in order to receive something, something must be exchanged. ]
But I wonder as well. [ what have they all lost before they've become aware of their current situation? ...and how much could be regained. ] If he has lost some of his memories due to the loops as the rest of us, it could explain why he had been so unnerved earlier in the week.
I agree. If he had been losing his memories of the previous week, mayhap when he remembered last week, he hoped that we would have forgotten yet again.
[ But instead, they all remembered, Ish included. ]
I believe we may be on the precipice of something.
Whether it be that he hoped that we forget or hoped that we remembered... I don't think our situations are so different. Sure, of course, he wants us to play his game but I'm beginning to question the exact game we're playing.
[ we're all needing to kill for him in order for him to accomplish his ultimate plan, but these were only based on the words that he gave them. no one has tested it... ]
After all, is there really any reason why we should keep taking his words at face value? I can't think of any reason why.
I believe he can twist as many riddles and cryptic words into the things he speaks as satisfies him, because we have no room to question him at the moment.
[ A pause. ]
Though... He certainly is not as all-knowing as he would have us think. He asked that I provide summaries of any meetings we hold, because he did not care to keep up if we were all talking.
[ But G'raha has a feeling that that may not have been the whole picture. ]
That I'm speaking of this at all should tell you that I declined his offer.
He asked you to provide him summaries of meetings we hold? [ ???? ] I can't believe he would have the audacity to request that of you.
[ ish does not live in our walls like lobelia..... for better? though this also means that g'raha and ish talked about something in exchange of some sort given how he's asking for summaries.
that said— ]
I wouldn't have thought that you would have accepted his offer. Neither one of us seems to be the kind of person who would take such a deal.
[ sabo takes off his hat and holds it in front of him with one hand and the other placed against his chest. ]
And I promise on my name and everything that I stand for, that I'd never harm anyone here. I want nothing more than to give people the freedom that they deserve and will do anything to achieve that.
[ That little vow makes the corners of G'raha's lips twitch into a smile. It's dramatically sincere, and he can't help but like it. ]
I myself will not harm if I can help it. I'd much rather see to it that those of us remaining can return home.
[ In the name of self-defense, maybe, which is why there are no guarantees. ]
I would like to add, however, that although Ish did not push the subject once I declined... I imagine he has offered the same to others. I considered it for a moment in the hopes that I could gain the upper hand, but I believed the risks were too great and I did not want to betray the trust of anyone here.
Someone else, however, may have come to a different conclusion.
In a perfect situation, we'd find a way to bring back the others who we've lost as well.
[ there's a sadness to sabo's voice as he looks down for a moment. he rarely, if ever, allows himself to be sad for more than the briefest second—there's too much that rests on his shoulders. he can't afford the luxury of losing himself and must keep moving forward. it's the only way. ]
No one should look at you differently for shying away from taking such a risk. Asking someone to put themselves in such a situation isn't fair to them if they don't have the heart for it. [ of course, he won't comment on how risky he'd be fine to play it. ] However, I'm inclined to also agree—unfortunately. As much as we all like to think of ourselves as better people, not everyone can be that brave or be able to resist the temptation.
[ his voice trails for a moment as he needs to be completely honest with himself and with g'raha. ]
Under different conditions—if it was certain that no one would get hurt by my actions—I'd accept a deal to undo some of my regrets.
[ It's an honor for a man who is otherwise so sunny (literally, in the case of the past week) to feel comfortable enough to allow some of that sadness seep into his voice. G'raha smiles, softly. ]
I believe we all have circumstances that would lead us to taking a deal such as that. To ensure the safety of others, to rid ourselves of regrets, to get back home sooner...
While I may feel some sense of betrayal if someone else did take that offer, I would not be able to place full blame on them for doing what they felt was best in a situation that has been created in such a way that the scales are tilted so heavily against us.
[ it's good that they're being honest about things. it's nice. ]
I know I implied that whoever was responsible for Siobhan's death was a greedy, desperate, coward but if that person is in such a dark place where they can't see any other way out...
[ has sabo been there himself? no, never to that extent, but he has seen others pushed to such limits and seen what they could and would do. however, there's a sharpness to his voice when he addresses the previous week's murderer. ]
My only hope is that by living and having Siffrin dying in their place, that their days are spent feeling nothing but guilt for what they've done and fear that we'll eventually find out.
Seeing the response to Siffrin's death... I imagine our culprit hopes that they will never be discovered. I doubt they would be given anything kinder than the cold shoulder.
[ But they would probably end up the next victim, at the very least. ]
Ah... I should make mention to you that Siffrin spoke of some things he learned from Ish, particularly regarding his magic. I know we had spoken about that not long ago.
For their own sake, it would be good that they weren't caught.
[ but sabo still hopes that they're able to escape from this hellish loop with the rest of them. but the mention of ish's magic has sabo tilting his head.
hello?? it's a tragic thing that i, naru, was perishing and could not hit Siffrin up for post trial pcs.... ]
Oh? What did you learn about his magic? When I've spoken to Ish, his magic is not something I talk to him about since it's not something I can weigh in on properly.
[ i'm perishing so bad i keep staring at weekly log longingly ]
I learned that the time magic is not his. Nor is the memory magic. In fact, any magic listed on his profile outside of wish granting is not his. 'Tis all stolen.
[ Their speculations on this were nearing the correct conclusion, it seems. ]
[ YOU AND ME BOTH...... probably you more than me tho. ]
If it's all been stolen then that would certainly close the gap in what we've come to understand about it, and it would explain how I ended up with the gold tarot card.
[ can't believe how on the nose sabo was in all of this. he kind of feels proud of himself but at the same time that's wild... surely others must have seen through this too, no? ]
...in order for him to steal all of these magic, he clearly must have paid some price for it. [ hmm. ] Or was given the magic in exchange for a wish since he must grant a wish after being given something.
Ah... he very well could have. He does seem to operate through exchanges.
[ And in that case, how many wishes has he granted? ]
I have to wonder as well what this means for our own magicks. Would he be able to take them upon himself and use it against us? 'Tis a possibility we must consider.
It is one thing to take them from us but to use them... [ sabo can't think of everything that everyone else might be capable of given the breadth of people here but he knows himself. it's just, his lack of understanding about something: ] Would you think that he would still be susceptible to the weaknesses and drawbacks of each of what he takes whenever and if ever he uses them?
[ it doesn't seem right if ish would be able to use everything without any drawback. it doesn't seem to fit the mold of exchange. ]
My ability to turn into fire comes with a drawback that standing water or seawater completely and immediately drains me of all of my energy.
[ so, if ish wants to make use of that, could they not exploit the weaknesses of their own abilities? ]
Stealing another's abilities is the first part but being able to use it is the more difficult part.
But perhaps... Given the way things have been falling into place, it does seem possible. The memory we all saw—he spoke about a coupon, right? A coupon followed by questions about ourselves...
[ were they given something for "free" in exchange for something else? their lack of abilities might be that thing but— ]
I can't imagine that I would have given up my fire for anything.
Who... [ now there's an important question to ask. ] Who and how many.
If we believe what he said about this being the first time that he's teleported people is the truth then the spells would be from people of his home.
[ ...but then would that mean he exhausted all of his resources at home for this goal of his? what could be this demanding? ]
Could these loops also be tied to what he's trying to accomplish? Not simply in the means to gather "resources" but for him to attempt whatever he is trying to accomplish without having to deal with his failures.
I believe so. I have to wonder if he is limited by time, and thus, has used the loop to escape that limit. After all, all of our states are reset when he winds back time.
[ Which leads into what else he found out— ]
Siffrin mentioned that Ish is attempting to save his goddess. This goddess just so happens to be his creator and thus, his mother.
[ me in tears because of some other reason that makes this very funny... but anyway we'll move on in favor of sabo tapping his chin. he has overheard that being thrown around plenty but to have it so clearly spelled out to him is nice. ]
Did Siffrin manage to learn what he's been trying to save his mother from?
Siffrin said that it sounded to them as if she was asleep. Neither alive nor dead. They believe that after she gave Ish magic, she may have fallen asleep.
[ And ever since then... ]
They also stated that he's an attendant and is part of her, or has a part of her within him. I can corroborate the attendant part, as he mentioned "other attendants" in passing to me during one of our conversations. I have to wonder, then, if he is also duty bound to ensuring her safety.
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Then I believe we can consider that a signature of his magic.
[ Gold, in a contrast to all of his purple. ]
Which all but confirms that the card is very much connected to his magic.
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[ he doesn't have a reason for thinking this other than a feeling. it doesn't feel right. ]
During a conversation that I had with him, he implied that some of the cost to him for casting one of his spells was to sacrifice some of his memories. As hard as it is to pin him down for answers, it didn't seem like he was familiar with the scene that had played out when I activated the card.
And to his words, all spells must be paid with a price... Perhaps some of the price he paid prevents certain things from happening.
[ you know, like dying? ish has used magic before; plenty of times in front of them, but had it been golden? ]
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[ It would explain why it's so powerful, and it would mean that there are rules that Ish is bound by as well. Hm.
And combined with sacrificing memories and not being familiar with the interview— ]
Did he also lose his memories of the loops much like ourselves? I have to wonder...
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[ it's been made clear to him that magic follows the rules of equivalent exchange, more or less, in order to receive something, something must be exchanged. ]
But I wonder as well. [ what have they all lost before they've become aware of their current situation? ...and how much could be regained. ] If he has lost some of his memories due to the loops as the rest of us, it could explain why he had been so unnerved earlier in the week.
[ for better or for worse. ]
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[ But instead, they all remembered, Ish included. ]
I believe we may be on the precipice of something.
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Whether it be that he hoped that we forget or hoped that we remembered... I don't think our situations are so different. Sure, of course, he wants us to play his game but I'm beginning to question the exact game we're playing.
[ we're all needing to kill for him in order for him to accomplish his ultimate plan, but these were only based on the words that he gave them. no one has tested it... ]
After all, is there really any reason why we should keep taking his words at face value? I can't think of any reason why.
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[ A pause. ]
Though... He certainly is not as all-knowing as he would have us think. He asked that I provide summaries of any meetings we hold, because he did not care to keep up if we were all talking.
[ But G'raha has a feeling that that may not have been the whole picture. ]
That I'm speaking of this at all should tell you that I declined his offer.
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[ ish does not live in our walls like lobelia..... for better? though this also means that g'raha and ish talked about something in exchange of some sort given how he's asking for summaries.
that said— ]
I wouldn't have thought that you would have accepted his offer. Neither one of us seems to be the kind of person who would take such a deal.
[ sabo takes off his hat and holds it in front of him with one hand and the other placed against his chest. ]
And I promise on my name and everything that I stand for, that I'd never harm anyone here. I want nothing more than to give people the freedom that they deserve and will do anything to achieve that.
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I myself will not harm if I can help it. I'd much rather see to it that those of us remaining can return home.
[ In the name of self-defense, maybe, which is why there are no guarantees. ]
I would like to add, however, that although Ish did not push the subject once I declined... I imagine he has offered the same to others. I considered it for a moment in the hopes that I could gain the upper hand, but I believed the risks were too great and I did not want to betray the trust of anyone here.
Someone else, however, may have come to a different conclusion.
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[ there's a sadness to sabo's voice as he looks down for a moment. he rarely, if ever, allows himself to be sad for more than the briefest second—there's too much that rests on his shoulders. he can't afford the luxury of losing himself and must keep moving forward. it's the only way. ]
No one should look at you differently for shying away from taking such a risk. Asking someone to put themselves in such a situation isn't fair to them if they don't have the heart for it. [ of course, he won't comment on how risky he'd be fine to play it. ] However, I'm inclined to also agree—unfortunately. As much as we all like to think of ourselves as better people, not everyone can be that brave or be able to resist the temptation.
[ his voice trails for a moment as he needs to be completely honest with himself and with g'raha. ]
Under different conditions—if it was certain that no one would get hurt by my actions—I'd accept a deal to undo some of my regrets.
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I believe we all have circumstances that would lead us to taking a deal such as that. To ensure the safety of others, to rid ourselves of regrets, to get back home sooner...
While I may feel some sense of betrayal if someone else did take that offer, I would not be able to place full blame on them for doing what they felt was best in a situation that has been created in such a way that the scales are tilted so heavily against us.
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[ it's good that they're being honest about things. it's nice. ]
I know I implied that whoever was responsible for Siobhan's death was a greedy, desperate, coward but if that person is in such a dark place where they can't see any other way out...
[ has sabo been there himself? no, never to that extent, but he has seen others pushed to such limits and seen what they could and would do. however, there's a sharpness to his voice when he addresses the previous week's murderer. ]
My only hope is that by living and having Siffrin dying in their place, that their days are spent feeling nothing but guilt for what they've done and fear that we'll eventually find out.
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[ But they would probably end up the next victim, at the very least. ]
Ah... I should make mention to you that Siffrin spoke of some things he learned from Ish, particularly regarding his magic. I know we had spoken about that not long ago.
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[ but sabo still hopes that they're able to escape from this hellish loop with the rest of them. but the mention of ish's magic has sabo tilting his head.
hello?? it's a tragic thing that i, naru, was perishing and could not hit Siffrin up for post trial pcs.... ]
Oh? What did you learn about his magic? When I've spoken to Ish, his magic is not something I talk to him about since it's not something I can weigh in on properly.
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I learned that the time magic is not his. Nor is the memory magic. In fact, any magic listed on his profile outside of wish granting is not his. 'Tis all stolen.
[ Their speculations on this were nearing the correct conclusion, it seems. ]
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If it's all been stolen then that would certainly close the gap in what we've come to understand about it, and it would explain how I ended up with the gold tarot card.
[ can't believe how on the nose sabo was in all of this. he kind of feels proud of himself but at the same time that's wild... surely others must have seen through this too, no? ]
...in order for him to steal all of these magic, he clearly must have paid some price for it. [ hmm. ] Or was given the magic in exchange for a wish since he must grant a wish after being given something.
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Ah... he very well could have. He does seem to operate through exchanges.
[ And in that case, how many wishes has he granted? ]
I have to wonder as well what this means for our own magicks. Would he be able to take them upon himself and use it against us? 'Tis a possibility we must consider.
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[ it doesn't seem right if ish would be able to use everything without any drawback. it doesn't seem to fit the mold of exchange. ]
My ability to turn into fire comes with a drawback that standing water or seawater completely and immediately drains me of all of my energy.
[ so, if ish wants to make use of that, could they not exploit the weaknesses of their own abilities? ]
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[ But speaking of exchanges... he recalls their interviews, and it makes him wonder— ]
Mayhap we exchanged something with him. Something we no longer recall.
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But perhaps... Given the way things have been falling into place, it does seem possible. The memory we all saw—he spoke about a coupon, right? A coupon followed by questions about ourselves...
[ were they given something for "free" in exchange for something else? their lack of abilities might be that thing but— ]
I can't imagine that I would have given up my fire for anything.
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[ But who can say. They don't remember anyway. ]
I believe another avenue to explore is who he has taken this magic from. Are they former participants? Or others from his star?
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If we believe what he said about this being the first time that he's teleported people is the truth then the spells would be from people of his home.
[ ...but then would that mean he exhausted all of his resources at home for this goal of his? what could be this demanding? ]
Could these loops also be tied to what he's trying to accomplish? Not simply in the means to gather "resources" but for him to attempt whatever he is trying to accomplish without having to deal with his failures.
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[ Which leads into what else he found out— ]
Siffrin mentioned that Ish is attempting to save his goddess. This goddess just so happens to be his creator and thus, his mother.
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[ me in tears because of some other reason that makes this very funny... but anyway we'll move on in favor of sabo tapping his chin. he has overheard that being thrown around plenty but to have it so clearly spelled out to him is nice. ]
Did Siffrin manage to learn what he's been trying to save his mother from?
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[ And ever since then... ]
They also stated that he's an attendant and is part of her, or has a part of her within him. I can corroborate the attendant part, as he mentioned "other attendants" in passing to me during one of our conversations. I have to wonder, then, if he is also duty bound to ensuring her safety.
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