(no subject)

[tigerpoet]

The Ware Wolf Shop has a two item limit per month, even if you have enough Chroma for more. How does anyone decide what to buy?

I know I want one orb to get one of my books that Caster asked for, and I know I want to have another orb for some of my coworkers' works... But how am I meant to choose just one? Even if I can get more later, I find it hard to say whether Kyouka's works are a higher priority than Dazai's or Chuuya's or Yosano's or Kunikida's or - well, I could go on. And that's just limiting myself to buying the orbs and limiting what I could summon to books.

I could use advice? Or opinions about Japanese literature, if you have those.

Comments

un: shenqingqiu

[peerlesscucumber]

This one could not offer opinions on the particular literature you reference, but when it comes to the idea of what one chooses to buy, or summon in this case... books with meaning to you would be a place to begin. Sharing those, be they of your own authoring or of another's, gives them a priority based on your personal assessment. I don't believe that any body of works by any number of people could be satisfactorily arranged in an order of priority by outside criteria.

[tigerpoet]

You're right, but. The problem with choosing which of my friends' books are most meaningful to me is that it feels like ranking my friends, and I can't do that? It's hard to separate the author from the work, and now that I know the authors...

[peerlesscucumber]

Your regard for them is for them. How a work has impacted you is personal in a way that is certainly difficult to separate from the author, yet that work ceased to be only of and from them the moment you read it, this one would say. Words have a way of gaining their own life once they're away from the one who first penned them.

[ that or people end up transmigrating to your novel but fuck it he's not here to talk about that today! or about meeting authors in their works! it turns out, it can be messy as hell! ]

If it becomes too much of a burden on your heart, then choose works from those who aren't here. Even if it's less true to the things which have influenced your heart and mind.

[tigerpoet]

[transmigration is a bitch]

None of my friends are here, so that doesn't narrow it down much.

What's impacted my heart... I might be able to decide that.

[peerlesscucumber]

[ does not recommend, not even a little ]

Then I believe you've found your answer. Sharing those stories which have impacted your heart will be something worth the deciding.

As for the limitations on purchases, perhaps one might inquire with friends if they intend to make use of the store in question, and if not, if they would consider making a purchase on your behalf. Transferring the required chroma to their account beforehand.

[tigerpoet]

Oh, I couldn't ask them to go out of their way for me like that.

[peerlesscucumber]

You could, but you will not. Which is your decision. It's simply a possible solution.

[tigerpoet]

'I couldn't bring myself to' is more accurate.

[peerlesscucumber]

[ for whatever reason, that makes him smile even as it makes him sigh. ]

How is it that you could bring yourself to ask? What would make such possible for you?

[tigerpoet]

[Shen Qingqiu: Ah, one of those types.]

I don't know. I suppose, if I were really convinced that it wouldn't be a bother? But I don't know how I would convince myself of that.

[peerlesscucumber]

[ e x a c t l y ]

A question only you might answer. Yet I would question in turn if anyone who you call friend or companion, or any who call themselves such to you, would truly be bothered by a request made without expectation behind it.

[tigerpoet]

Well... It's always possible that I think we're closer than we are. I don't want to demand too much.

[peerlesscucumber]

When did "ask" become "demand?"

[tigerpoet]

...I'm not sure?

[peerlesscucumber]

Neither am I. Asking a friend if is not the same as demanding when.

"If you aren't planning to purchase two items from the Ware Wolf Shop this month, would you mind picking up an extra dimensional orb for me? I'm happy to transfer the necessary Chroma," is a different thought than, "Purchase a dimensional orb for my sake when you're at the Ware Wolf Shop this month." Even if both would achieve the same objective.

[tigerpoet]

I think I would sooner drop dead than say that second one. Even hypothetically, it's nauseating.

[peerlesscucumber]

Then as an outside observer, I would say you're in no danger of making demands of your friends.

[tigerpoet]

Thank you. That's actually very reassuring. I know I should be less nervous in general about offending people...

[peerlesscucumber]

Knowing means giving yourself a challenge you can address. How might you see about changing your outlook when it comes to causing offense to others?

[tigerpoet]

[A full ten minutes passes without a response. Then, finally:]

I don't know.

[He really tried to think of something...!]

[peerlesscucumber]

[ ..................... well that's also a starting point of a kind................ ]

One way may be asking someone you trust if an offense is likely, or if you may be imagining one where there is none...

[tigerpoet]

[An attempt was made.]

I'll try that. With one of the friends who isn't likely to just say something kind to spare my feelings.

[peerlesscucumber]

A good plan. You want genuine feedback, not coddling.

May your path be clear.

[tigerpoet]

Thank you very much.

My name is Nakajima Atsushi. May I have yours?

[peerlesscucumber]

Well met, Nakajima Atushi, and if anything this one has said is of help, then you're welcome to the words.

I'm called Shen Qingqiu.

[ ... that name does seem slightly familiar... but alas........... this is what he gets for not being an Eastern Lit major. ]