[voice]

[graftage]

Has...anyone actually thought about this?

[It feels a little weird to just put his voice out on the network, but Steinbeck feels this is necessary. His voice is slow, pausing every once in a while to make sure he's got his thoughts straight.]

Look, I get it. Getting to pilot a big robot, traveling into the unknown, like yeah, that's pretty cool. But it bothers me how many people are excited for this without thinking of what might happen. You're traveling through a dangerous wasteland that will most likely have creatures that can and will kill you. You're riding in these robot things that haven't been used that way before, so there's no guarantee they'll work properly out there. And you're doing this for what? To get some information? See a cool oasis? Become big damn heroes, or something, all at the possible expense of your own life?

[He heaves a sigh.]

What bothers me most of all is how you're all willing to just do whatever those people tell you. They could say "jump" and you would reply "how high?". They practically using us for their own needs. You know, this isn't our home. For those people who want to stay here and don't want to go back, that's fine, but for the rest of us...there's no real point in doing this for a place that we don't belong to. Even if we're all special and awesome and Moonblessed doesn't mean we need to follow what these people want us to do. We're not their servants, for crying out loud.

Just...think about it. [A beat.] And for anyone who still wants to go...stay safe. It'll be your own funeral out there.

[SEVERAL HOURS LATER AFTER HE POSTS THIS POST AND GETS REACTIONS, Steinbeck updates his post with a text addendum. I'm sorry. He's this petty.]

You know what, I did what I could. If you're all this eager to just go and die, please at least film it to send to me because I really need something to laugh at

Comments

[voice]

[tigerpoet]

Everything you say is right, but... I miss traveling, and I won't be able to do much of it when I go back home.

[Libraries are usually stationary, and he has a duty. He understands.]

Part of me is stircrazy, and the other part of me misses fighting monsters on a regular basis.

[That would be the other personality, who had immediately wanted to go once it became clear combat might be involved.]

[graftage]

I mean, it's one thing if you have cabin fever, but traveling out there is like saying the cure for cabin fever is walking into the woods filled with wolves.

[He sounds sympathetic, though.]

You fight monsters, though? You?

[He doesn't seem the type??]

Voice;

[fatestaydead]

[There’s a soft laugh]

Tell us how you really feel, Steinbeck.

[graftage]

[He lets out an annoyed huff.]

All I'm saying is that this is a bad idea.

voice; un: BB

[systembreaker]

Finally, someone who gets it. Honestly. People here have no sense of self preservation at the chance to have some fleeting joy - which I don't blame them for but I also don't blame them for walking to their deaths!

[graftage]

Glad you agree. [He IS glad he isn't the only one who thinks this!] I mean, people can do what they want, but they should really understand what they're getting themselves into.

text | un: fantasma

[teaserving]

ok cool but if i didn't want to do it i just wouldnt so i think youre reading too hard into this

[graftage]

[He'll text back, it's easier than talking to a screen.]

Saying things like "it's a bad idea to go into the monster-infested poisonous wasteland where you can die" isn't really what I'd call "reading too much into it".

[voice]

[nefilim]

You're right, this is dumb and dangerous. But when will we get a chance to actually get out of this city? It's a chance to learn more about this place and I'm not passing it up.

[Even if it's voice, the shrug that follows her words is practically audible - along with her wry grin.]

And it's dumbasses like me that will go right for it. If it helps, I'll keep you updated on anything I learn.

[voice]

[graftage]

[Ana.....Ana no...........]

...Are you really sure you want to do this? [Him? Concerned? Naaaaaaaah.] Is it really worth it to get some information?

voice

[kanbai]

I just don't see why I should care about any of that stuff. Is getting into that robot thingamajigy going to get me back to Seisho faster? Is visiting some stupid other place going to bring me home and away from all these awful weirdos?

( Kaoruko huffs softly - you can almost hear the way her nose is raised at the whole idea. )

I mean, I won't lie, at least "Amegahara" sounds like a city you'd find back home... ( And maybe, just a little, she'd like to go to see if it looks like one, too. Not five minutes out of Japan, it feels like, and she's already missing it; she's missing the people, too. Briefly, she wonders how it's written - 'ame' for rain? Or for candy? And what about hara? Neither of those make clear sense with their tagline WHICH, SPEAKING OF, SHE ALSO HOLDS ISSUE WITH: ) "Oasis of Nothing" doesn't reassure me at all either! If there's nothing there, what's the point? Or is it an oasis from nothing? Then shouldn't it be "Oasis in Nothing"? "Oasis from Nothing"?

voice

[graftage]

I'm happy to hear that someone's head is on straight.

[Seriously, she's voicing a lot of stuff he's thinking...except for maybe the oasis thing.]

I mean, yeah, the name's weird, but...doesn't make sense at all, I agree. I mean, guess it'll help these people know their history or whatever, but it doesn't do squat for me.

text;

[dereban]

You can't get a reward without taking some risks. If you just go and 'stay safe' all the goddamn time then you'll just become static. Maybe things won't work out, but at least we'll have learned something out of it.

I guess you could say that personally, it's a "give and take" situation; I sure as hell am not helping out of any sort of sympathy because I know those foxes have pulled some shit before and I don't trust that they won't somehow do it again a second or a third time.

That's the reason why I'm going but I'm planning on taking precautions. And also not fucking being the first person to "get in the fucking robot" when I don't know what effects it might have. At the very least the reprieve is that there's a lot of people who are strong that are more than likely planning on going out there, so there has to be someone who isn't entirely stupid heading out there. Observing before taking action is probably the best choice, anyway.

text

[graftage]

I get what you're saying. I completely agree that sitting and staying safe when there's things to learn is a terrible way of going about things. But really, what is there to learn? The information that they want us to find is for them, not us. Sure, it's nice of you to find it out for them and help them understand their history, but what good does it do you?

I mean, give and take...that's a valid reason, but how do you know they won't take more than they give? There's no real guarantee here.

Voice;

[hunksmash]

There's a way to point out the risks without insulting everybody else, you know. You had me in the first half, though.

I mean, I get it. I already piloted a giant robot all hero-like before I got here, and I'm not actually a huge fan. It's super dangerous and everything you said, but... There is a point, in this case. Something happened here that catastrophically altered this planet. There's at least a few reasons why that's worth looking into and resolving, if possible.

Voice;

[graftage]

If you find it insulting, maybe you should ask yourself why you think so.

[Because really, in his mind? He's just laying down the brutal truth. If people take offense to it, he doesn't care.]

I get what you're saying. But once again, this isn't your planet. Finding out what destroyed it isn't going to help us get home, will it?

voice;

[unhappy]

Sounds like someone's from a world that isn't a wasteland full of murderous monsters naturally.

[ That.. said, she doesn't actually want to go. But she's got people who do, and those people are people she's not going to let wander off into the aforementioned murderous monsters without someone who's a little scarier (she hopes) looking after them. ]

Some of the people want to go for their own reasons. Some of us are going to make sure those gung-ho... [ morons ] people don't get eaten.

voice;

[graftage]

How could you tell?

[He sounds cheery, but...]

That is nice of those people to look out for the others. Even if the best solution is just to keep them here...but I guess people will go no matter what you tell them.

voice;

[pidgeypidge]

I dunno. It seems like you're too afraid of the unknown to tag along, and it apparently bothers you that there are people around here who aren't.

[Not that she hasn't considered the possibility of things going wrong. But by this point, she's already survived Duplicity as well as things going very wrong at home, so what's the difference?]

Have fun playing it safe, I guess.

voice;

[graftage]

[He actually laughs out loud at that.]

Please. You don't know what I've done before I've come here. "Being afraid of the unknown"? Tell me that's a joke.

[He's still chuckling, even letting out a wheeze.]

Well, I guess even idiots can't be convinced about thinking twice before throwing their lives away. Was worth a try.

after the addendum;

[huaisang]

I don't think you're wrong but can't there be more than one reason for going? Hidden motives, maybe?

[graftage]

Hidden motives? Like what?

Voice;

[overcloaked]

Yeah, you're right about that. It's way more sensible on paper to just stay here, to be honest. But sometimes there's other reasons that a guy has to go with the idiotic option.

[ It's a hassle when the sentimental overrides the logical, it's true, but that's just how it is for Mayuzumi and by now he's kind of accepted his fate. ]

I'm not sure why you'd think this place is any safer though if you don't trust the people who run the place.

Voice;

[graftage]

I only think this place is safer because it's a bit more predictable. It's hardly like I have to worry about getting poisoned by the air anytime soon, or being eaten by giant monsters.

[Though, knock on wood, that doesn't happen...hopefully...]

Also don't have to worry about being in a giant robot that could malfunction at any time, either. I don't want to mess with that stuff.

video;

[wearingguess]

Honestly, I am not at all looking forward to using the "robot"... but apparently it is the only way if I want to see Amegahara, so I have little choice.

Still... you are very kind to worry about us, sir. I thank you!

video;

[graftage]

[This is...nice? It's nice, that someone is saying he's kind to worry, but...]

Thanks...though why do you want to see Amegahara so badly?

two hours late with starbucks | voice.

[courtmagic]

[un: ambrosius

the tone that comes through is warm, chuckling a little before he speaks. as mellow as if they were discussing what movie they wanted to see, and not debating life any death.]

There's no real reason to do it other than we want to. Say they're using us, whatever you like - it's a choice, you know? It's a choice every day to go along with it.

It's really a choice to help the people in this world. And helping people....that's what's right. Or something like that.

[he was doing so well.]

voice

[graftage]

[He laughs. Wow. Very convincing.]

Just because it's a choice doesn't mean it isn't a bad one. Besides, you don't sound like you really believe in this whole "helping other people" thing.

voice; un: bungeegum

[nobodylikeshim]

I look forward to sending you the video!

[graftage]

[He sounds less than amused.]

I was going to ask if you really want to kill yourself, then I remembered this was you we were talking about.

( voice | un: sweetie )

[retrorsum]

What's uncovering information without a little risk?

voice;

[graftage]

Risk is always something to consider only if the information is actually worth it. What does it help if we know what destroyed this planet? Doesn't have anything to do with getting home, as far as I'm concerned.

voice;

[piercedyourheart]

I might not agree with everything you mentioned, but you're right that something feels off. Being a living, breathing science experiment doesn't sound like my idea of a good time.

sorry for the late!!

[graftage]

Oh, for sure. Like, it's one thing that they consider us some walking talking miracles, but at this point they're basically using us as tools for their own schemes. I'm not going to have any of it.