In a manner of speaking. I don't quite know your preferences yet, for one, and I would rather avoid breaking our new rule so soon on a guess. Admittedly I know next to nothing myself about the various kinds, but I've heard that they used to have specific meanings.
[ Julius is probably eyeing them in the same way they were looking at the swords earlier. No hostility, and his tone is as warm and mild as ever, but his bearing is definitely cautious and guarded to an extent. ]
[Great, did they get stuck with a nerd? They kind of got stuck with a nerd but maybe that's fine...]
Between you and me? Not really a flower kind of guy but I like the color. [There's a hint of a pleased tone.] I might've known the meanings a long time ago but I can't remember now.
[They seem comfortable against their swords though, weirdly, as if the armory is really a second home.] About time you tore yourself away from the nerd lab though. Keeping busy?
closes eyes, it absolutely is, do you know how many university aus make him like. a physics prof
[ You got stuck with a nerd, Cunning, but at least it's a buff nerd. You could have had Newt instead?? ]
I'll keep that in mind, if only so I can avoid embarrassing myself in the future.
And hey, about the nerd lab- better than sitting back on my hands and doing nothing, don't you think? For all we know it might be useful, considering the spread of people you've all collected.
[ Not all of which seem to be human, so. ]
In any case, that does mean you've been keeping an eye on us to some extent. How much do you know about what's going on at any given time, anyway?
Of course I think that's better. I admire those of you bothering to be proactive, but it's still Tuesday. [You could have come to see him sooner Julius?? He's maybe being petty.] I'm not too familiar with anything in that lab beyond the basics anyway.
[A shrug follows.] We've got a vague overview of what's happening and where you guys go, especially if you're one of ours. But there are still some things that escape our watch if we're not looking or if you're talking to another god.
[ Listen, he was trying to get a lay of the land??? Wow. And if establishing himself as the harmless, cat loving, tech geek big brother happens in the meantime, well. It's not the worst role he's ever had to play.
Julius just watches as Cunning shrugs, arms crossing loosely over his front. ]
Good to know. Though, I guess that means you wouldn't really be able to answer this for me, would you.
[ Bluntly: ] He's from a little further back in the timeline than I am, though so far most everything else seems to be matching up.
This isn't actually anything all too strange by itself, if any of you know much about where we're from or what Origin's Trial is. I don't know how much you all are aware of, though, but suffice to say that the concept of time discrepancies isn't unknown to us Kresniks.
Anyway... if it's a time difference alone, that by itself would be harmless, but, well.
[ Julius looks away for a moment, seeming somewhat regretful. ] Fractured Dimensions, the many worlds theory, whatever you like to call it. If this isn't the Ludger from my own dimension... if he isn't my little brother, as opposed to some other world's Julius.
He wouldn't be the first, is what I'm saying.
[ Julius has run into and probably killed more than a few different Ludgers before, whether indirectly or otherwise, for the sake of the spirits' so-called greater good. He'd rather know if he needs to prepare himself for more of the same here. ]
[Julius you 100% picked the wrong god to say all of this to because this is all technical jargon and timelines and everything that Cunning is actually really bad at. Still, they seem to be listening and trying to process that. It's why there's a long moment of silence before Cunning speaks again, seemingly settled on one specific thing.]
Let me ask you something. Would it change how you felt about him at all if he wasn't necessarily yours? Especially if it's, as you said, a version of him that syncs up just the same as you.
It would, because I only agreed to come here for my own brother's safety. I can love and care for this Ludger as much as my own up until the point that it actively detracts from the well-being of mine once we leave this place. It might sound heartless of me to say, but I've long since learned that you can't save everyone.
[ That's what he says, but he still looks distinctly uncomfortable and can't quite look at Cunning, so what's the truth, really? ]
If they're different people, and I had to choose between them... Well. [ Hm. ] But if they're the same, and this is just possible because of whatever paradoxes your powers are allowing to be, then I can rest a lot easier at night.
Here's the thing. You guys aren't the only ones bound by rules. We are, too, which means that I can't actually tell you the answer to that just yet. It's only the first week, we've gotta make sure you're going to play along.
But I get it. You want some kind of incentive and making sure we're not gonna screw you over in this contest right? [Interesting concept though.] ...tell me a little more about your paradoxes. Does one Ludger overwrite another, or is there a way that the two can co-exist?
That's about the gist of it, yes. There's hardly any reason for me to participate if you and your kin can't be trusted to uphold your end of this bargain. As for the paradoxes, though...?
[ He thinks on it a bit, but less to remember what he knows and more to try to figure out how to best explain it. I'm sorry for Xilliababble. Why is Tales like this. ]
Only one of any given being can exist at any given time in the Prime dimension. The 'real' dimension, so to speak. Think of the rest as like... the reflections in the mirrors in the room up on the third floor, and the Prime as a person who walked in. As many reflections as you want can coexist in the worlds on the other side of the mirror, but on this side of things, there's only one of them. It's how you can tell the difference between the prime dimension and a fracture.
And unfortunately, as far as I know there's no way for two of the same person to coexist in the prime. There have been cases where people have crossed over, before, but... inevitably, the intruder gets forced out in favor of the one who truly belongs there.
[ whether it's simply a quiet fading away into the void, or a more violent sort of exit. ]
Suddenly I can see why it's important to know this is the "real" or "primary" Ludger. But my next question is how do you know you're the real and primary Julius? Do fractures know they're fractures?
[ tales is so much and every time i do an xillia infodump i cry a little inside. ]
They can. Not all of them are always aware of it, but... it's certainly possible.
In any case, there's one other thing that makes the prime identifiable as the prime. Canaan will only appear in the skies of the true dimension once the requirements are met. Across all the worlds I've seen, this one thing is consistent.
[ in fact there is at least one other world who learned this in the worst possible way, but shh he necessarily doesn't know of that one specifically. ]
Given that I have very clear memories of being present at both its summoning and the attempt someone made to sabotage it... if I'm not the prime, then what can I be sure of, really?
Yeah that would be considered some form of proof, wouldn't it? [Can't really argue that, can they? Cunning's not super clear on what Canaan is or anything like that, can proooobably figure it out from context or, like, thinking more about it, but he can understand the concept of one given proof being the thing that pins you to a reality.]
It goes against the rules to tell you too much about other contestants. Even if they're your brother. So as much as I'd like to say I actually really can't. [At least they sound a little sorry?]
What I can tell you is that kind of thinking is exactly what I'm looking for and what will help you in a competition like this.
It's certainly some kind of proof... But fine, I get it. It'd be a potential conflict of interest, right?
[ He knows how this stuff works.
Well, since that matter is definitively closed for now, no use in thinking further along that track. So with that, some of his tension just bleeds out of him, compartmentalized neatly away into that one little spot where his emotions will all stay until one day, he dies, haha!
It does leave him a little more lax, a little more friendly in overall disposition and demeanour as his arms loosen a little from where they're crossed over his chest. ]
Anyway. Believe it or not, I didn't call you just to ask you about that, or to explain the depressing mechanics of our overcomplicated family burden-- it's just that it happened to come up first. [ thanks, kresniks of 2000 years ago!!! thanks, ludger, for probably making julius ramble at rollo a bunch in that first night if i bother to backdate a comment!!! ] I actually wanted to get to know you, of sorts. What you like, what you expect from us in this.
[There's a bit of a laugh, though it's not really amused but more exasperated.] Complicated family matters, I get it. You're not the only one, man. [But instead of explaining, Cunning moves along.]
Makes enough sense, right? We didn't get a whole Q&A with you guys before we picked you and brought you here. So okay. Sure. What do you want to know first? Just those two things?
[ Humorless laughs! Another thing they have in common, woooo. ]
How you picked us is as good as a place to start as any. Either of those two things work too, or anything else you'd like to elaborate on or think we should know. We really didn't get much of a chance to talk or anything before, so I'm trying to make up for that now.
[ It's sort of an apology for taking so long to contact? ]
I think I've been leading the conversation mostly so far? Maybe you should pick what to answer this time.
[They got ignored for a cat and for science, they're not sure how to feel about that. On the other hand, they've found Julius rather intriguing so far and see no reason not to continue.]
As gods, we've got the whole cosmos or whatever at our fingertips. We can peer into worlds, see what kind of people are in them, kind of pick at random...once we have all of you, it's like a bidding war. We decide who wants you. If it's more than three of us, we draw straws. From there, it's your choice which of us you want to start with. There's a reason defection from your patron is allowed and it's part of our rules. It's the same reason we can reach out to other followers and try to give them reason to defect to us in the first place.
You in particular? I saw a potential I liked and beat out the competition.
shoves backtags at you all over a month later gomen
Well. Glad to hear I apparently made an impression. Though admittedly, drawing straws isn't quite the methodology I might have expected out of an apparent godly pantheon.
Here's hoping you don't end up too disappointed, then.
[ i say, despite gestures at w3 ]
Anyway. I did ask what you liked, so care to answer that? Not flowers, so that's been filed away, and though I know Patience said we technically can summon our patron simply by praying, it still seems sort of rude to not treat you with the same amount of respect as the others.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
oh my god that nerd cat
[ Julius is probably eyeing them in the same way they were looking at the swords earlier. No hostility, and his tone is as warm and mild as ever, but his bearing is definitely cautious and guarded to an extent. ]
Hopefully none of these are too insulting.
i felt like it was v fitting
Between you and me? Not really a flower kind of guy but I like the color. [There's a hint of a pleased tone.] I might've known the meanings a long time ago but I can't remember now.
[They seem comfortable against their swords though, weirdly, as if the armory is really a second home.] About time you tore yourself away from the nerd lab though. Keeping busy?
closes eyes, it absolutely is, do you know how many university aus make him like. a physics prof
I'll keep that in mind, if only so I can avoid embarrassing myself in the future.
And hey, about the nerd lab- better than sitting back on my hands and doing nothing, don't you think? For all we know it might be useful, considering the spread of people you've all collected.
[ Not all of which seem to be human, so. ]
In any case, that does mean you've been keeping an eye on us to some extent. How much do you know about what's going on at any given time, anyway?
i can only guess tbh
Of course I think that's better. I admire those of you bothering to be proactive, but it's still Tuesday. [You could have come to see him sooner Julius?? He's maybe being petty.] I'm not too familiar with anything in that lab beyond the basics anyway.
[A shrug follows.] We've got a vague overview of what's happening and where you guys go, especially if you're one of ours. But there are still some things that escape our watch if we're not looking or if you're talking to another god.
yeah that's fair tbh
Julius just watches as Cunning shrugs, arms crossing loosely over his front. ]
Good to know. Though, I guess that means you wouldn't really be able to answer this for me, would you.
The Ludger here. Is he mine?
no subject
...depends on what you mean. [Cunning tilts their head.] Elaborate on that for me.
no subject
This isn't actually anything all too strange by itself, if any of you know much about where we're from or what Origin's Trial is. I don't know how much you all are aware of, though, but suffice to say that the concept of time discrepancies isn't unknown to us Kresniks.
Anyway... if it's a time difference alone, that by itself would be harmless, but, well.
[ Julius looks away for a moment, seeming somewhat regretful. ] Fractured Dimensions, the many worlds theory, whatever you like to call it. If this isn't the Ludger from my own dimension... if he isn't my little brother, as opposed to some other world's Julius.
He wouldn't be the first, is what I'm saying.
[ Julius has run into and probably killed more than a few different Ludgers before, whether indirectly or otherwise, for the sake of the spirits' so-called greater good. He'd rather know if he needs to prepare himself for more of the same here. ]
no subject
Let me ask you something. Would it change how you felt about him at all if he wasn't necessarily yours? Especially if it's, as you said, a version of him that syncs up just the same as you.
no subject
[ That's what he says, but he still looks distinctly uncomfortable and can't quite look at Cunning, so what's the truth, really? ]
If they're different people, and I had to choose between them... Well. [ Hm. ] But if they're the same, and this is just possible because of whatever paradoxes your powers are allowing to be, then I can rest a lot easier at night.
no subject
Here's the thing. You guys aren't the only ones bound by rules. We are, too, which means that I can't actually tell you the answer to that just yet. It's only the first week, we've gotta make sure you're going to play along.
But I get it. You want some kind of incentive and making sure we're not gonna screw you over in this contest right? [Interesting concept though.] ...tell me a little more about your paradoxes. Does one Ludger overwrite another, or is there a way that the two can co-exist?
no subject
[ He thinks on it a bit, but less to remember what he knows and more to try to figure out how to best explain it. I'm sorry for Xilliababble. Why is Tales like this. ]
Only one of any given being can exist at any given time in the Prime dimension. The 'real' dimension, so to speak. Think of the rest as like... the reflections in the mirrors in the room up on the third floor, and the Prime as a person who walked in. As many reflections as you want can coexist in the worlds on the other side of the mirror, but on this side of things, there's only one of them. It's how you can tell the difference between the prime dimension and a fracture.
And unfortunately, as far as I know there's no way for two of the same person to coexist in the prime. There have been cases where people have crossed over, before, but... inevitably, the intruder gets forced out in favor of the one who truly belongs there.
[ whether it's simply a quiet fading away into the void, or a more violent sort of exit. ]
no subject
Suddenly I can see why it's important to know this is the "real" or "primary" Ludger. But my next question is how do you know you're the real and primary Julius? Do fractures know they're fractures?
no subject
They can. Not all of them are always aware of it, but... it's certainly possible.
In any case, there's one other thing that makes the prime identifiable as the prime. Canaan will only appear in the skies of the true dimension once the requirements are met. Across all the worlds I've seen, this one thing is consistent.
[ in fact there is at least one other world who learned this in the worst possible way, but shh he necessarily doesn't know of that one specifically. ]
Given that I have very clear memories of being present at both its summoning and the attempt someone made to sabotage it... if I'm not the prime, then what can I be sure of, really?
no subject
It goes against the rules to tell you too much about other contestants. Even if they're your brother. So as much as I'd like to say I actually really can't. [At least they sound a little sorry?]
What I can tell you is that kind of thinking is exactly what I'm looking for and what will help you in a competition like this.
no subject
[ He knows how this stuff works.
Well, since that matter is definitively closed for now, no use in thinking further along that track. So with that, some of his tension just bleeds out of him, compartmentalized neatly away into that one little spot where his emotions will all stay until one day, he dies, haha!
It does leave him a little more lax, a little more friendly in overall disposition and demeanour as his arms loosen a little from where they're crossed over his chest. ]
Anyway. Believe it or not, I didn't call you just to ask you about that, or to explain the depressing mechanics of our overcomplicated family burden-- it's just that it happened to come up first. [ thanks, kresniks of 2000 years ago!!! thanks, ludger, for probably making julius ramble at rollo a bunch in that first night if i bother to backdate a comment!!! ] I actually wanted to get to know you, of sorts. What you like, what you expect from us in this.
no subject
Makes enough sense, right? We didn't get a whole Q&A with you guys before we picked you and brought you here. So okay. Sure. What do you want to know first? Just those two things?
no subject
How you picked us is as good as a place to start as any. Either of those two things work too, or anything else you'd like to elaborate on or think we should know. We really didn't get much of a chance to talk or anything before, so I'm trying to make up for that now.
[ It's sort of an apology for taking so long to contact? ]
I think I've been leading the conversation mostly so far? Maybe you should pick what to answer this time.
no subject
As gods, we've got the whole cosmos or whatever at our fingertips. We can peer into worlds, see what kind of people are in them, kind of pick at random...once we have all of you, it's like a bidding war. We decide who wants you. If it's more than three of us, we draw straws. From there, it's your choice which of us you want to start with. There's a reason defection from your patron is allowed and it's part of our rules. It's the same reason we can reach out to other followers and try to give them reason to defect to us in the first place.
You in particular? I saw a potential I liked and beat out the competition.
shoves backtags at you all over a month later gomen
Here's hoping you don't end up too disappointed, then.
[ i say, despite gestures at w3 ]
Anyway. I did ask what you liked, so care to answer that? Not flowers, so that's been filed away, and though I know Patience said we technically can summon our patron simply by praying, it still seems sort of rude to not treat you with the same amount of respect as the others.