un: kantera, text

[happydreamed]

If this adventure with chain mail has taught me anything, 'tis that many of us here are having our first exposure to the internet, with all its amusements and pitfalls included. Thus, I thought it might be nice to introduce another 'getting to know each other' game that some of us might not know yet. This one won't involve pictures or ratings of attractiveness, not to worry.

This game is called 'two truths and a lie'. The premise is simple. You list three statements about yourself, two true and one false. Ideally they should all be similar levels of unbelievable. Then, other people respond to you to guess which one is the lie. We all learn a little about each other and have a bit of fun.

Comments

[firenese]

How did you know you were orbiting a black hole then? Was it visible from that far?

[nihilmancy]

The accretion disk is, you could see it out the viewports.

That's a sort of halo of material, gas and dust, orbiting and slowly being sucked into the black hole. Burning up on the throes of disappearing forever. It's quite beautiful.

[firenese]

Fascinating. I would have to see it for myself.

I have to wonder how you learned of them if getting too close was so risky. Does your world have a device that let you see those details safely?

[nihilmancy]

We cannot see the object directly with the eyes, or by any other technology relying on the electromagnetic spectrum, such as radio.

What we can perceive, is what is around it. Spacetime curving, gravity bending. Light and matter, energy, information itself disappearing under the enormous mass. "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

There is a way to perceive it directly though. With Heka. Perhaps your people would call it magic, or psionics? I don't know. But it's led to the development of extraordinary technologies. However it is best that nobody look too closely. It's very dangerous. Some things should not be seen and some songs ought not be heard.

[ She relishes the drama. ]

[firenese]

Some knowledge is indeed dangerous, especially in the wrong hands. However, the pursuit lives all the same.

[ Alas, she can't tell when someone's being dramatic over text. ]

Using magic to observe the stars is something I hadn't really thought of, but maybe there might be interesting things. My focus has to be on the people on this world, however.

[nihilmancy]

[ Dramatic, but she's also telling the truth. ]

There is so much to learn about this world. I've been occupying much of my time with that.

[firenese]

That makes two of us. There are so many mysteries of how this world works. And to protect the people within... I must rise the occasion.

[nihilmancy]

Fancy yourself a hero, do you? It is good to have convictions.

[firenese]

I don't know if a princess quite counts as a hero, but I have to wield my power to do good all the same.

[nihilmancy]

[ Oh, fun, Royalty. Maybe this one isn't too bad. She can hope. ]

She probably does.

What will you do, to do that good?

[firenese]

Serve and protect the people. That is what royalty is for.

[nihilmancy]

[ Hmm! There's a certain part of her, from her upbringing, which agrees. There's a larger part that finds this whole ideology wretched. But she's better off not picking a fight about it. ]

Perhaps they are. What steps are you taking in pursuit of that duty, your Highness?

[firenese]

To learn all I can, to understand the people's desires, and find the right path. I am not royalty here, but we have a duty to protect this place all the same.

[nihilmancy]

Yes. This land doesn't have royalty at all.

I suppose I have the same motivations, more or less.

[firenese]

Why not work together, then? There is much to learn, and perhaps we may accomplish more than we would separately.

[nihilmancy]

Perhaps we may. I can recommend material that I have found.

[firenese]

Oh? Where is it? I have made note to visit the library to start with, but there is so much information at hand, I'd struggle with where to start.

[nihilmancy]

It really depends on what you want to study. I've found a few books about the local culture, for example.

Given your lack of knowledge about things like black holes you may find learning about science and technology useful. Mm, to start with, do you know what a printing press is?

[firenese]

I am familiar, yes. It is responsible for the mass reproduction of written works, yes? I don't believe our world has one yet, and I only know of it because a native mentioned it to me when I was curious about their books.

[nihilmancy]

Yes. If it is at all possible to retain memories from this world upon your return, I advise you take that concept with you. More than any other single piece of knowledge, it will improve the lives of your people.

It will also bring enormous changes.