[soo-won's out in the forest - probably because he's just trying to occupy his time after the visit from their hosts. there's a hawk circling overhead in the sky if chiron cares to take notice, but soo-won himself is looking around and examining a few herbs, humming under his breath
he looks up when chiron approaches and offers a smile]
Ah, Archer! Good afternoon. Finished up your chat with our guides?
[Said pleasantly from where he stands, and there seems to be a few additions with him: namely two woven baskets that are connected by a long strip of flexible bark that he's turned into a makeshift belt around the belly of his horse-half.
... I've had experiences with the consciousness of a world requiring aid, and thus needing champions to protect itself.
[So that, hilariously, is the part that rings most true to the centaur. Even if the scale is large, the theory behind it is all too commonplace to him]
If I had a concern, it's that this world has chosen so many non-combatants... though perhaps that is my own lack of foresight in action. We all could have been brought here for a reason, no matter how small the contribution.
[...]
I cannot say I approve of the competitive aspect, however. That will likely breed conflict, and simply returning to our worlds would have provided the motivation most of us required.
It's an interesting set-up for friendly fire, isn't it? Given that the tasks that we need to complete will regain nova, but we don't know how that's to be done. There are non-combatants indeed, but there are also those with magical abilities stripped, and others who have been given weapons for items.
[kind of weird tbh.]
But I also think that something on the scale of 'the universe will collapse' is the only thing that could explain the need to bring all of us here, from so many different places and realms.
Though even our guides don't know why each of us were selected.
I heard that their memories were stripped in order to protect ours. Perhaps that was some of the knowledge lost.
[He... has some concerns about all of this, but until he's worked his way through them to a satisfying conclusion, they're concerns that will remain with him.]
Regardless. [Approaching a little more, though he takes refuge under a tree's shade and folds his arms]
We're here, and we have our task. It's more information than we were initially provided with.
Their memories were stripped because they arrived first - for reasons unknown - and there were no protections in place. Do you know if they willingly made the trade to save all of our memories by sacrificing their own?
[it's something that he's curious about - something he wants to ask all of them]
If they were so generous, I think I would like to meet them with their memories restored.
[if a group of people could truly reach a consensus to forget all that they've ever known for the sake of forty strangers. it's curious. he's thinking on it.]
The next pieces of information we seek are that of how to actually progress, so we are not standing in the same place.
I do not know if it was willingly, but to quote Fox:
"Our memories were the price to pay for delaying the loss of yours."
[A hum]
Of course, that is just their rendition. Others might say something different if asked -- if they remember.
[He knows they're likely tired of answering the same questions over and over, but given the group that's been brought to protect the worlds... their guides are going to be working overtime.]
I believe the real work will start once we find a way to reliably gather the nova. Did they mention what form the nova would take?
They did not, because they said there are multiple ways to gather nova. They did not share those ways with us, because it seems like their own information-gathering is incomplete.
[it just
doesn't sound great? like overall this is not a great set-up and it makes soo-won sigh]
But we must reliably gather nova, restabilize this Realm, and do both tasks before we - apparently all die, as an option, or forget what we were brought here to do entirely perhaps.
I'd said to others that my hope is to return everyone to their homes unharmed. It's not the first kidnapping situation I've encountered, though it's also a bit... unique.
[just. phew. memloss.]
It's a bit difficult... but it's hard to think that 'restoring balance to the universe' would ever be framed as easy.
... To be honest, I expect more complications will eventually arise.
Restoring any sort of balance usually comes with casualties. [And he's still very Tired about there being an element of competition. Never once in his experience has that gone smoothly]
So I'm waiting for the full scale to be revealed to us.
[ - ha, that actually manages to make soo-won laugh a bit, even if it's not full of true mirth]
What a mean non-answer from a teacher.
[damn!!]
I'll have to ascertain the situation for myself once it arises, I suppose. Death should be avoided - but once it arrives, it always becomes a matter of context.
That's the case for life everywhere, isn't it? I don't particularly enjoy the activity of weighing lives.
[to all be equal.
soo-won knows that this isn't easily believed. that monarchies are established, that noble bloodlines are supposed to be superior. he does think it's all bullshit but he's far too polite to say aloud.
he wants to live very badly, but so does everyone else.]
[Spoken easily, with no weight behind his words besides what Archer deems to be the truth.
Because life is built off conflict. You are born, you live, you struggle, you die. And to struggle means to eventually rob someone else of their chance, be it with a knife to the throat or stolen resources you didn't even realize weren't yours.
Most people here will want to live. So they'll conflate their own importance in preparation for the burden.
-- At least, that is the worst-case scenario. He catches his thoughts before they spiral further, his eyes glancing up at the canopy of trees.
I'd call him down for you, but I think he might be getting antsy given the current limitation of his sky. Did you know the barrier extends even that high up?
I'll try to introduce you to Gulfan soon.
[he cants his head to the side]
Actually - you're familiar with medicine, aren't you, Archer? Is there a way I could seek your expertise?
[Oh? It's his then? Archer arches his brows, intrigued by it and the height of the barrier. He pauses long enough to give the hawk another glance, though he's paying attention enough to answer the question]
I do not mind sharing my knowledge. What is it that you wish to know?
The basics - I know general first aid, but I'm curious about medicine specifically. The types that can heal poison, burns, or assist with fevers or shortness of breath.
I worry that people might work themselves into some rather stressful states, the longer we're here. I'd like to be prepared with remedies to soothe them, even if temporarily.
That is fine. I've already agreed to teach those who are eager to learn here.
[he reaches to one of the baskets attached to his hip, and pulls out a dried piece of vegetation]
As I don't know what types of medical professionals we have besides Shiro Fujimoto, I've been stocking up on some of the local plant life, to test what can be used for medicines.
I'll be testing everything on myself, first, with increased degrees of potency. You may watch if you'd like, however.
[The plant, on closer inspection, is chamomile. No idea if Soo-Won would recognize it, but there it is]
Diluting herbs into teas is generally the safest approach once I've deemed the plant safe for human consumption. There's also using the vegetation for topical use.
week 0, sunday
he looks up when chiron approaches and offers a smile]
Ah, Archer! Good afternoon. Finished up your chat with our guides?
no subject
[Said pleasantly from where he stands, and there seems to be a few additions with him: namely two woven baskets that are connected by a long strip of flexible bark that he's turned into a makeshift belt around the belly of his horse-half.
He was busy.]
I assume the same for you as well?
no subject
Mm - for now. We have three more to meet, and I only got to chat with one.
[he's very curious about them, and would like to pursue more answers indeed]
What do you think of the situation we've found ourselves in?
no subject
[So that, hilariously, is the part that rings most true to the centaur. Even if the scale is large, the theory behind it is all too commonplace to him]
If I had a concern, it's that this world has chosen so many non-combatants... though perhaps that is my own lack of foresight in action. We all could have been brought here for a reason, no matter how small the contribution.
[...]
I cannot say I approve of the competitive aspect, however. That will likely breed conflict, and simply returning to our worlds would have provided the motivation most of us required.
no subject
[kind of weird tbh.]
But I also think that something on the scale of 'the universe will collapse' is the only thing that could explain the need to bring all of us here, from so many different places and realms.
Though even our guides don't know why each of us were selected.
no subject
[He... has some concerns about all of this, but until he's worked his way through them to a satisfying conclusion, they're concerns that will remain with him.]
Regardless. [Approaching a little more, though he takes refuge under a tree's shade and folds his arms]
We're here, and we have our task. It's more information than we were initially provided with.
no subject
[it's something that he's curious about - something he wants to ask all of them]
If they were so generous, I think I would like to meet them with their memories restored.
[if a group of people could truly reach a consensus to forget all that they've ever known for the sake of forty strangers. it's curious. he's thinking on it.]
The next pieces of information we seek are that of how to actually progress, so we are not standing in the same place.
no subject
"Our memories were the price to pay for delaying the loss of yours."
[A hum]
Of course, that is just their rendition. Others might say something different if asked -- if they remember.
[He knows they're likely tired of answering the same questions over and over, but given the group that's been brought to protect the worlds... their guides are going to be working overtime.]
I believe the real work will start once we find a way to reliably gather the nova. Did they mention what form the nova would take?
no subject
[it just
doesn't sound great? like overall this is not a great set-up and it makes soo-won sigh]
But we must reliably gather nova, restabilize this Realm, and do both tasks before we - apparently all die, as an option, or forget what we were brought here to do entirely perhaps.
no subject
[To that, he actually smiles, like he's had much worse odds in his life]
I take it you will be eager to help, then?
no subject
[just. phew. memloss.]
It's a bit difficult... but it's hard to think that 'restoring balance to the universe' would ever be framed as easy.
no subject
Restoring any sort of balance usually comes with casualties. [And he's still very Tired about there being an element of competition. Never once in his experience has that gone smoothly]
So I'm waiting for the full scale to be revealed to us.
no subject
[soo-won doesn't look... surprised, exactly, by the suggestion
but he also doesn't look eager about it]
no subject
[His smile is neutral]
And you?
no subject
What a mean non-answer from a teacher.
[damn!!]
I'll have to ascertain the situation for myself once it arises, I suppose. Death should be avoided - but once it arrives, it always becomes a matter of context.
no subject
Context... yes, I find myself agreeing with that.
Though I do also hope that death can be avoided. We're all equal here. No one's life should be prioritized over another.
no subject
[to all be equal.
soo-won knows that this isn't easily believed. that monarchies are established, that noble bloodlines are supposed to be superior. he does think it's all bullshit but he's far too polite to say aloud.
he wants to live very badly, but so does everyone else.]
I hope all are in agreement with your take.
no subject
[Spoken easily, with no weight behind his words besides what Archer deems to be the truth.
Because life is built off conflict. You are born, you live, you struggle, you die. And to struggle means to eventually rob someone else of their chance, be it with a knife to the throat or stolen resources you didn't even realize weren't yours.
Most people here will want to live. So they'll conflate their own importance in preparation for the burden.
-- At least, that is the worst-case scenario. He catches his thoughts before they spiral further, his eyes glancing up at the canopy of trees.
... He sees the hawk, and tilts his head]
Hm, that is not a species I'd noticed before.
no subject
I'd call him down for you, but I think he might be getting antsy given the current limitation of his sky. Did you know the barrier extends even that high up?
I'll try to introduce you to Gulfan soon.
[he cants his head to the side]
Actually - you're familiar with medicine, aren't you, Archer? Is there a way I could seek your expertise?
no subject
I do not mind sharing my knowledge. What is it that you wish to know?
no subject
The basics - I know general first aid, but I'm curious about medicine specifically. The types that can heal poison, burns, or assist with fevers or shortness of breath.
I worry that people might work themselves into some rather stressful states, the longer we're here. I'd like to be prepared with remedies to soothe them, even if temporarily.
no subject
[he reaches to one of the baskets attached to his hip, and pulls out a dried piece of vegetation]
As I don't know what types of medical professionals we have besides Shiro Fujimoto, I've been stocking up on some of the local plant life, to test what can be used for medicines.
no subject
How will you be testing? I'd like to observe and assist, if possible.
[observe first to learn and then assist so it's not all on chiron's shoulders]
no subject
[The plant, on closer inspection, is chamomile. No idea if Soo-Won would recognize it, but there it is]
Diluting herbs into teas is generally the safest approach once I've deemed the plant safe for human consumption. There's also using the vegetation for topical use.
no subject
Ah, this one's wonderful before bedtime. [thanks soo-won]
Mm! I'll be in your care. Thank you, Archer. I'll search for a way to repay you by the end of our time here.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)