“Good afternoon, Kyron,” Menthe said, bowing slightly. “I see that Sonikah has the ponies hard at work.”
Kyron chuckled, his red eyes thinning as he stood before the visitors. “Life is hard. Work liberates. It frees the soul from its attachments.”
“Mmmm... but of course.” Menthe paced over. “Either way, I do terribly hope we're not disturbing anything.”
“All foals of Verlaxion are welcome to the Quade, Mr. Menthe,” Kyron said. His gaze drifted over towards Rainbow and the others. “No matter how secure or wayward.” He sighed. “It's unfortunate... that sin separates us so widely from Verlaxion's grace that some foals would wish to do harm to others.” He nevertheless smiled. “That's why our two kindly stallions here are not just neighbors... but also protectors.”
“Hey...” Rainbow Dash shrugged, smiling nervously. “It's an ugly job, but somepony's gotta do it, huh?”
Galloran cleared his throat. “Allow me to... uh... introduce you ponies to each other.” The young stallion gestured at Kyron. “This is Kyron, the top anointed child of Verlaxion here in the Reed.”
“As I am humbled to serve Her Glory...” Kyron said, bowing once more.
“Kyron, these here are Bard... Wildcard... and Rainbow Dash.”
“Did the Word of the Reed bring you here?” Kyron asked.
“Uhhhhhhhh...” Rainbow squirmed. She glanced at Twilight and Rarity, both of whom were gesturing “swimming” motions with their forelimbs. “Oh! Yeah! I... uh... heard some of your dudes preaching in Shoggoth. Some pretty far out stuff.”
“Mmmmm... Shoggoth...” Kyron nodded, folding his forelimbs. “A shame that such a beautiful city must be as deeply sunken in avarice as it is in water.”
Rainbow blinked.
“But the foals there make for an attentive audience.” Kyron smiled. “You may find that many children who live and meditate here were once citizens of such a trade establishment. They heard Verlaxion's calling and arrived in the shadow of Luminar's Plight to be annointed.”
“Uhm... eheh...” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. “I... don't actually have any plans to... y'know...”
“We simply brought her here 'cuz she was curious and wanted to learn more 'bout yer culture,” Bard said. “Assumin' that dun ruffle nopony's feathers.”
Kyron chuckled. “There is nothing that brings us greater contentment than sharing the Word of the Reed. Your presence here is most blessing. And fear not, good sirs and madame. We've learn from the Plight of Luminar that peace and understanding are key to a tranquil existence. We will not force anypony to convert. Should you be open to Verlaxion's enlightenment, then Her Glory shall reach out to you by Her Will.”
“Heh...” Rainbow shrugged with a tiny smirk. “Works for me.”
“Mmmm. Indeed.” Kyron and his fellow pilgrims strolled towards the two guards. “Mr. Menthe. Have you shown them the lengths of the Reed?”
“No sir.” Menthe shook his head. “Naturally, we weren't aiming to tread on holy waters.”
“They just arrived on the western platforms a few minutes ago, Kyron,” Galloran said. “Then we ran into you.”
“Hmmmm...” Kyron smiled. “Verlaxion's Will is great indeed.” He turned towards the group. “It would bring us great honor to show you where we have made our home among the Reed.”
“Sure thang!” Bard nodded. “If... y'know...” He shrugged. “It ain't treaded on anypony's business or nothin'.”
“All business is Verlaxion's business,” Kyron said. “The baptism within which Luminar's sins are purged is a life best displayed in humility and righteous example.” He turned about and shuffled towards the lower platforms to the north. “Please, follow me and I will illuminate.”
Bard and Wildcard shuffled after him while Menthe and Galloran kept an observing distance. As Rainbow Dash took up the rear, she heard a high-pitched giggle. She looked up at Pinkie Pie.
“Heeheehee!” Pinkie pointed at Kyron. “I like him!”
Rainbow, Twilight, and Rarity squinted.
“Whaaaaaat?” Pinkie smiled. “He's nice!” She stuck her tongue out. “And his head looks like a bunch of tree mushrooms! Heeheehee!”
Twilight and Rarity glanced at each other... smirking.
Rainbow couldn't afford the same amused look on her muzzle, and she proceeded forward in awkward silence.
As it turned out, there was another platform where ponies had gathered in tight bunches, hunched over and weaving the round layer into being. Rainbow and the Desperadoes watched as they somehow converted a paper-thin bundle of dead string into an elaborately constructed platform that could support the weight of multiple ponies. The pilgrims worked in tandem with one another, neither hurrying nor slacking off in their labors. They were all committed to the effort, no matter how long or detailed the task got. Rainbow could tell from their expert motions that they were very... very used to the mechanics of the contruction, whether they were young or old. In fact, the closer Rainbow trotted by them, the more eclectic and diversified the group appeared, including male and female unicorns and earth ponies from all trots of life. It was simply that—from afar—they all looked nearly identical from the matching sackcloth gowns and the explosively flaring hairstyles that their manes and tails were tightly braided in.
“How does one eliminate sin?” Kyron mused as he led the visitors past the nearby construction and towards an adjacent platform. He trotted slowly, with swaying grace. “Truth is, sin cannot be fully vanquished. It is a weight, a burden that is tied to this world, and it drowns all things with it just as it drowned the once-glorious landscape of Luminar. However, by Verlaxion's Grace, the Plight of Luminar formed a shadow—a pit within which we can bury our sins... our weight which binds us to this temporal wasteland.”
Rainbow Dash looked past Bard and Wildcard to see an assortment of circular platforms situated along the north end of the array. Unlike the other layers, these appeared to be constructed out of a denser weaving, and—as such—they supported multiple wooden shacks built out of simple planks of splintery wood. The tallest structure stood at two stories, but—for the most part—they resembled tiny sheds lined up with their lengthier sides facing east and west. Rainbow surmised that these must have been where the Luminards took residence overnight.
“Not exactly a honeymoon getaway,” Rarity murmured, making a wretching expression.
“All of this looks and feels old,” Twilight said. “Very... very old.”
“Yeah, but what part of this place is the oldest?” Rainbow murmured.
“Shhhhhh!” Pinkie hissed, hovering ahead and craning her ear to Kyron. “Fungae head guy is talking!”
“Here in the Quade, we commit ourselves to Verlaxion's Glory, and she commits her redemptive spirit to us,” Kyron continued. He paused to turn around and smile at the group. “After all, Her Miraculous Blessing is most evident in these waters, bringing life and purpose to the Shadow of Luminar's Plight.”
“And just what Blessing is that, ya reckon?” Bard asked.
Kyron literally had stars in his eyes when he turned to gesture at the central stalk that held the multiple platforms. “The Reed.”
Rainbow turned to look. She squinted, and it was then that she realized that the vertical structure that supported the struts of the many woven platforms was—in fact—something quite natural.
Upon close inspection, Rainbow observed a dense assortment of vertical beams. They were pale green in color, segmented, like bamboo. In fact, the longer Rainbow looked, the more and more she surmised that it was bamboo—if only a certain specific family or species of it that she had never seen before. The shoots ran up and down the platforms with rigid grace, bunched so tightly together that it was virtually impossible to see through the seams of the hard wooden material. Whenever Rainbow Dash tried to gaze even harder, she was blinded by the glow of Yaerfaerda that shimmered brightly... from within.
Her lips pursed as she contemplated what that may have meant...
“It grows here in the absence of nourishment... in the absence of pure soil... in the absence of life.” Kyron paced closer to the segmented shaft. “By all conventional knowledge and science, it is an impossibility. And yet, here it thrives to serve as the foundation of our pilgrimage. We did not plant the Reed... the Reed planted us... shaped us. Molded us. It reeled us in from all corners of the oceans so that we may bask in its miracle... and give thanks to Verlaxion that life can blossom... even in the sinful abyss of the Plight.”
Rainbow Dash gazed down the length of the structure. Below where they stood was another platform, and she noticed that several wooden shacks and houses rested much closer to the central shaft on the level directly beneath where she stood. In fact, the buildings appeared to have been constructed a very long time ago, erected immediately around the cylindrical circumference of the bamboo shoots. If she had to judge, she guessed that the shaft itself was about twenty-five feet across at its thickest.
“When we meditate here in the shadow of the Reed, we suspend ourselves above the abyss. We dredge the darkness with the Reed as our anchor. Through prayers and the Word of Reed as our guidance, we find the better parts of ourselves and preserve them—all for the glory of Verlaxion.” Kyron smiled. “So, as you see, although we cannot fully rid ourselves of sin, we can at least magnify the goodness within us that Verlaxion desires to exalt, as we humbly exalt Her.”
Bard whistled. “That there is some deep stuff!” He turned to smile at Wildcard. “Dubya-Cee and I have been known to get pretty deep in philosophizin' when we hit a good tavern. Ain't that right, mofo?”
Wildcard merely glared.
“Eh...” Bard rolled his eyes with a sigh. “Who am I kiddin'?” He turned to smile at Kyron. “This here commitment y'all show really puts the likes of us to shame.”
“Ah, but Verlaxion's Miracle calls to you as much as it calls to the rest of us,” Kyron said. “Shame is a natural response when one is exposed to one's own sins, but it mustn't be that which guides us through life.” He gestured. “You have it within you to acknowledge your part in the Plight... and to transcend it... with Verlaxion's Glory as your wings, replacing that which you've used to scale the temporal superficiality of this mortal life.”
“Well... uh... I-I dunno 'bout all of that.” Bard shrugged. “When life starts gnawin' at me, I just play a song and let my soul wheeze it out all poetic-like. Ya feel me?”
Kyron chuckled. “A very creative soul, indeed. Verlaxion has blessed this world with the likes of you. In time, if you so will it—as She wills it—you may find that it's your time to bless Her as well. When that time comes, we will be here to welcome you... as the Reed welcomes you... as the Reed has welcomed all of us.”
“Oh... uh... darn skippy!” Bard smiled tightly. “You can bet yer fancy hairdo that I'll keep a big bright red hooftack on this part of the map from here on out!”
“Hmmmm... a musician at heart such as yourself may appreciate the lengths to which Verlaxion's Glory beautifies the world through expulsion of weight from the soul.” Kyron motioned as he and his close associates led the group towards a platform adjacent to where the houses loomed. “Here—in the Quade—the Foals of Verlaxion are known the world-over for their vocal medication.”
“Huh? You mean chantin' n'stuff? Well... reckon I've heard a thang or two about it. Wouldn't mind givin' an ear myself.”
“Most splendid. I do believe Nicro is leading such a meditation session as we speak. Would you like to witness it?”
“Shucks! Why not?”
While the group moved on, Rainbow Dash lingered behind slightly. She stared at another platform, brow furrowed.
At first, she didn't notice that particular part of the array, due to the shadows being casted over it by the vertical shaft. But—upon closer examination—she noticed several ponies side-stepping around the circular length of it like yellow spiders on a big, wooden web. However, there was something off about the manner in which they approached the construction here.
“That's... odd,” Rarity said.
“What's the matter?” Pinkie asked.
“The structure beneath them is getting thinner... lighter...” Rarity blinked. “Almost as if...”
“They're taking the weaving out,” Rainbow said. She pointed at a bundle of wooden twine growing larger and larger towards the shaft. “See? They're undoing all of their hard work.”
“Hard work maintains itself, in life and in death,” said a gentle, feminine voice.
Rainbow Dash jumped. She looked nervously to her side.
A middle-aged mare smiled at her, her green coat contrasting with the pale colors of her mane and sackcloth. “I have instructed the Foals of Verlaxion as those previously annointed have instructed me.” She pointed. “That which is done must be undone, only to be repeated.”
“You... uh...” Rainbow fidgeted in place. “You don't say...?”
The mare chuckled pleasantly. “The Word of Reed once confused me as well, until I realized that Verlaxion's Glory reflects and magnifies all things. But—most importantly—they allow us to salvage the better parts of ourselves—”
“—from the sinful shadow of Luminar's Plight.”
“Quite true.” The mare bowed. “You have taken Kyron's righteous words to heart quite swiftly.”
“Eh... I'm just a good listener.” Rainbow smiled. “Lemme guess. You're Sonikah.”
“As is my anointed name.”
“Lemme ask you a question, Sonikah... er... if I may.”
“By all means.”
“What happens when you've completely stripped the platform apart?”
“The blessing of the Reed that once constituted it is reformed elsewhere.”
“So... uh...” Rainbow fidgeted. “That's what you guys do? Just... take the platforms apart... put them back together again... only to take them apart once more?”
“As Verlaxion wills it.”
“But... like... don't you guys need these platforms to live on?”
“The Reed provides that which is needed.” Sonikah nevertheless gave a melancholic sigh. “Alas, there are less pilgrims than there used to be. The lengths of the Reed beckons Foals of Verlaxion nevertheless, and we display our admiration and thanks through corporeal manifestation. Those who are newly anointed swiftly join us, and soon they find that honoring the Miracle of the Reed gets them in touch with their inner selves, so that they may righteously undo that which binds us them the outer.”
“I... I-I'm not entirely certain I know what all of that means.”
“Indeed. For you are not anointed. And yet...” Sonikah smiled. “You are called. Enlightenment awaits you, as does the burial of sins within shadow.”
“Well... uh... thanks for the info, I guess.”
Sonikah giggled slightly. “Is there anything else you would wish to know?”
“Oooh! Oooh!” Pinkie Pie practically climbed on top of Rainbow Dash. “Ask her about her manestyle!”
“Yes. I am also curious,” Rarity remarked.
“Eugh... really, girls?” Twilight looked over her shoulder. “We're getting really far away from the group.”
Rainbow sighed, then put on a brave smile. “Sonikah... I've gotta ask.” She pointed at the mare's head. “What's with the do?”
“Mmmmm...” Sonikah bowed a bit, showing off the tapering ends of her tightly braided mane. The strings and twines of reed glinted golden yellow in the sunlight. “We've chosen to relieve the stress of our sins by replacing them with a different kind of pressure. Meditation is assured through constant exposure to the faults of this temporal realm, so that we may see the better parts of ourselves when suspended over the Plight's shadow.”
“I... I'm not sure I get it,” Rainbow Dash remarked, fidgeting. “It just... looks painful to me.”
“Indeed. It can be.” Sonikah said, nodding. “But pain—like labor—exorcizes the binds of attachment and sin.” She glanced over the platform, then smiled apologetically at Rainbow. “Now, if you must excuse me, Kyron—by Verlaxion's wisdom—has assigned me the task over overseeing the weaving.”
“Sure thing, girl... erm...” Rainbow winced slightly, then made up for it with a smile. “Elder sister girl...”
Sonikah bowed and made her way down to the next platform. As she turned around, Rainbow noticed several scars peaking out from beneath the neckline of sackcloth tunic.
The mare blinked. She exchanged blank expressions with her marefriends. Leaning towards the edge of her platform, she gazed down at where several other Luminards were clustered tightly, weaving and unweaving. As sunlight cascaded over their bodies, Rainbow could notice the tell-tale signs of thick, vaguely-healed scars stretching over their flanks and necks. From as far as she could tell, the tunics concealed only more.
Leaning back, Rainbow coiled her wings, gazing off towards the northern mountain range in deep thought. She sensed a body shuffling in her peripheral vision. She glanced to her left to see that Menthe was pacing at great length, keeping a watchful eye on the platforms, the Reed, the Luminards... and on her.
Biting her lip, Rainbow turned about and swiftly trotted towards the next platform. There, she joined Kyron, Galloran, and the Desperadoes right as they approached a series of wooden-lean-tos where more and more Luminards huddled in deep meditation.
Oooookkay. I'm sure that this is going to have a very pleasant explanation...
I can't help but think that they're hiding something with the Bamboo they un-weave.
Arrrrrrggggghhhhh....why must my namesake character be so at odds with me?
First off, the last time I used the name Kyron.....it was for a Chaotic Neutral Warlock in Dnd. For those that don't play that, look at this Kyron...and take the opposite of that behavior. Hell, he had a Faustian pact with Discord!
Then there's me personally. While I respect most religions, even if I choose not to partake (taking philosophy classes tend to crush most religious belief), from what I see here, certainly can't respect this one. Involves a worship of the abstract of pain and suffering for a cataclysm that happened ages ago. Also, worship of Verlax, though in their defense, it follows logically with the info they have. I can respect the whole constant building ideology, that's kinda neat, and meditation is a thoroughly liberating activity. But the self-punishment, combined with what sounds like fasting, no sir, I can't agree with that.
....can I shoot my own character?
Well that's mighty foreboding...
Well... there's Dash's cruelty I guess, she's going to have to either damage or destroy the Reed to get at Shy.
Now I'm casting doubt on Menthe's knowledge of the slaver code being a cover story...
Also, Congratulations to Nicroburst.
-Memories given light, ease a lonely flight. Ynanhluutr.
6465736
Indeed. My first thought when reading this is that they must be forced into this labor by some means. Could those scars come from a whip? From something else?
My second thought was that my first thought was too obvious and that IC would think of something more creative than that.
6465769
Don't worry, Rainbow will probably shoot your character for you. She has to be unkind to somepony.
The monks constant constructing and deconstructing of the platforms seems strangely congruent to Vertex's belief in the endless cycle of sundering and un-sundering of Urohringr. Coincidence?
Somebody is hiding something, which is par for the course in IC's stories.
it seems they all hold to the circular view of Verlaxion... I wonder who planted that idea there?
-Spirit (Yeast and Treacle)
P.S. Congratulations, Nicroburst and Sonikah!
6465736 clearly they accidently all took turns tripping through the cutlery aisle. Just an honest mistake
6465831
Knives B scary yo
...Well, that's interesting.
The clothing and mane choices seriously remind me of the season opener WAYYYYYYYYYYY to much.
I can't be the only one getting strong Starlight Glimmer vibes here... my money's on these monks wearing robes to cover up the scars and their lack of cutie marks.
Edit: Also, was I the only one who noticed that not only are there just ponies here (as opposed to any other members of the other tribes), but none of them are pegasi? Only Galloran is, and even that's suspicious, based on Pinkie's observation last chapter.
My predictions:
1.) RD and co. are forced to convert, despite Kyron's assurances. The Loyalty pendant is forcibly removed, but due to the conversion process, Rainbow is able to hold back the chaos through meditation. This is the climax/ending of Ynanhluutr, and it would be fit SS&E's predictions of it being the least enjoyed ending since Innavedr.
2.) Rainbow's going to have to destroy the Reed to reach the Seed and rescue Fluttershy. This fits Verlaxion's predictions of Rainbow having to do un-harmonic things before reaching the Edge. She may also have to kill some of the monks, just to add drama.
3.) These monks have no cutie marks.
4.) Potatoes. Can't forget about the potatoes.
Starlight Glimmer and the Reed will be destroyed to free Fluttershy. Calling it.
And yep, now we're getting the hints that all is not well here. Though, I suppose that the monks could use applications of physical pain as a way to atone for sins too but the way Menthe is keeping watch over everything makes it suspicious. I've got half a theory that despite them saying they won't pressure anyone into converting... that's totally not the case.
6465757
Yeah, there would seem to be something in there - but why move it around like that?
So how long until the Quade floats into the sky, Rainbow Dash discovers she's the False Shepherd, and Wildcard dons a pretty blue dress?
6465736 Well, there was a sect of Christianity that believed self mutilation was the path to forgiveness of sin. They would flog themselves with a Cat of Nine Tails whilst chanting prayers of repentance. Monty Python took note of it and satirically included a group in his Holy Grail movie:
But surely there's nothing like that going on here...Right?
6465880
It's the closing stage of a Skirts story that we were forewarned was going to be rough.
Clearly, something nefarious is afoot.
it'stheplantponiesItellsya'
Methinks those reeds they're always weaving would also be well-suited to self-flagellation. Urgh...
These guys are starting to give me the willies, even before the bit about the scars. I have no problem with religion, in general. Most religious people, in my experience, are decent folks just trying to get through their daily lives. And if their beliefs offer them something--comfort, a sense of meaning, a moral compass, community, etc.--then I can dig that, even if I don't share those beliefs. But I have to admit, the version of religiosity that these guys seem to represent just... weirds me out a little. It's the same reason I found "The Cutie Map" so unsettling (though it was a great episode).
Or maybe there's another, more benign explanation for the scars, and my unsolicited opining is for naught.
6465841 Menthe is a pegasus too.
my bets are on number 2
6465769
On the opposite side of the spectrum, My namesake has- so far- been spot on to my own mindset. Your character already has a villainous vibe which may or may not be seen through to the end of this arc. It has plenty of room to change from there.
Ok, remember I said a few chapters back I was uncomfortably nervous?
Yeah, that was nothing compared to what I'm feeling now
If you make them not have cutie marks that would be wack
And with the scars on her, my suspicions about something being very wrong here grow. I knew this place was to good to be true, now it's just a matter of time before we find out what is really going on here.
6465841
Point of fact: despite everyone in story being seemingly blind to it, Rainbow ha been pretty damn unharmonious. I'm sorry, overthrowing corrupt governments and toppling religions, and in general turning peoples worldviews upside down IS NOT HARMONIOUS. Damn, its like everyone has forgotten she's already killed a dude. There's times and places she been unharmonious already. The idea also has its time and place. This seems like one of them.
Also, for everyone suggesting the unkind thing will be her killing Kyron, take it from the dude himself, it'll be a goddamn service. Even if he didn't share a name (which I don't mind, means I've been immortalized in a small way), this dude is my Shell.
Also, because I don't have the time right now for another philosophy paper, a simple prompt. If someone is too shoot their multiversal counterpart, is that murder, or suicide?
Prompt the Second: is killing a dude who is causing suffering onto others, in accordance with their wishes, morally alright? Is it unkind?
Maybe the scarred ones she saw are former pegasi.
Yeah, no. Cybernetics FTW.
Oh man; we definitely were right. Scars are never a good sign, and to see them on more than one person? An even worse one... Time to do a little sleuthing, Rainbow.
Hmm...well I already predicted in the chat that this Seed would wake up ghost!Discord instead of ghost!Fluttershy , so how about something new...
K, inb4 retrieving the Seed either finishes sinking this land, or raises the rest of the Quade subcontinent back to its prehistoric height. Causes a nice tsunami across Verlax's realm, kills a bunch of people, etc. Nice job, Dashie.
Aww crap, they're one of those kinds of cults.
Unless these guys turn out to be some kind of super op Shaolin wannabe's I'm not too worried about them getting in Rainbow's way. Menthe on the other hand...
6465981
If they have genetic similarity, fratricide.
It's unkind to hurt them more if there's an option to hurt them less.
I kind of dig the whole having the new guys rebuild stuff thing. I mean, if you just show up and it's there, you're not really a part of it, ya know?
But the scars thing - it's either inflicting pain in penance or cutting the wings off of Pegasi - the first of which is creepy and the second is terrible. We'll see how it goes.
6465796
It seems that Verlax has spread her ideas on how Urohringr works through this religion made around her.
I'm... beginning to reconsider my assessment of this place as "wonderful"...
Hmm . . . it seems odd that there aren't any pegasi, huh?
Or are there?
Ah, and so we begin the descent once more and with supposedly self-flagellation or pegasi mutilation.
I also like the idea of having to deconstruct something the older members built and reconstruct it with the newer members. Real good way to make everyone feel like one big happy family after your group puts the whips away.
6465981 I agree 100%, I just wish somebody would get the idea through Rainbow's thick skull that any chaos she's caused up to this point has always been a catalyst for harmony to eventually take hold. I'm sure it's just a product of the environment the mane 6 have grown up in but the black and white thinking of chaos=evil, harmony=good irks me.
Why not both?
Eh, I'd say it depends on the scenario. I'd have to know a little more about this specific situation before coming to a conclusion.
6465796 Sharp as ever, Quill.
6465981
In which case I'm looking forward to seeing your me.
The one thing that takes you from slightly cracked but still (in a way) relatable to an absolute monster.
6465866 I lol'd
6466399 *Shudders.* You had to suggest that didn't you. It's probably true as well but I really REALLY hope it's not.
Religious nuts and scars? never a good sign
Maybe Dash raises the Qade back to its old elevation and then the peoples feel like Verlax has forgiven them. Then they'd have no reason to continue their self-mutilation or their weaving.unweaving thing, which might piss some of them off
Reweaving a platform after a period of time to remove frayed and worn sections and return it to full strength is sensible maintenance. Reweafing for reweaving sake is a sign of goverment make work and insanity.
Wonder how Dash is going to get through this bamboo barrier? Stelth, Guile, Fire, Outright excessive violence?
The guy says the Reed grows there without sustenance. How dep and still is the water there, and how long have all those fertilising tree s, shrubs and followers been there? Thats a whole load of fertiliser there, beleive me. The Reed is a Bromeliad?
6466210
I just realized, I worded that second prompt incredibly poorly. Let me rephrase.
Prompt the Second Mark2: is it unkind to kill a dude who is causing what you perceive as suffering onto a group of people who do not? (As much as they talk about penitence, they are welcoming the pain, and pain and suffering, while often found together, are not the same). As a general hintto anyone actually doing these questions (may as well make that my schtick when philisophical topics come up) try to determine what you are trying to define.
6466047 My jaw officially hit the floor when I read your comment. I bet my paycheck you're correct. Ugh... That would explain so much... Urp-! I think I might be sick...
That is soooooooo un-whoop.
RD's gonna kill the living-wood Reed isn't she...
6468171 yeah. I hope i am wrong. Because geezless.
The possibility is bad enough that I can't really express it
6465793
6465824
Ahem.
6465769
I think (1) that it's presumptuous and arrogant to necessarily expect otherwise and that we should all just be eternally grateful for the inclusion (I'm still freaking out a little), and (2) that I'll be sharing this feeling very soon. Really don't like religious nutters, meself.
6466918
As for this: yes. Unequivocally, yes. Even if it is the right thing to do, yes. Killing is, and always will be, the worst solution. The only argument I can conceive against this is the utilitarian's insistence that the brain can't multiply: that ten billion billion papercuts are worse than one life of torture, overall. And while I can't refute that argument, yet, I don't agree with it.
6466047 6468171
Oh boy. And the horror of it is that suddenly it seems so obvious and definitely correct.
I'm thinking this could still go in any one of a number of ways. Just, in all of them, shit's about to hit the fan.
6465736 Oh great.
This is giving me Starlight Glimmer vibes...