24 // Dictated

[nothingtobelieve]

There must be some pattern to what the castle chooses to do to us.

[There is some irony in the fact that the castle's continued influence is the only reason he feels like addressing other residents at all, but it's something he's been thinking about for awhile.]

If we could understand it, we could control it.

[Which seems the most logical course of action, to him.]

Comments

(Dictated)

[tylendel]

I wish that sort of logic worked. (But he knows it doesn't.)

[dictated]

[fearbringer]

You could try, anyway.

[toobravehearted]

I understand your intention and meaning but did you have to say pattern? [Right after the whole spiral nonsense?]

Control it for what end?

[Dictated]

[nothingtobelieve]

There are reasons for everything. This isn't chaos.

[Chaotic, yes. But that wasn't precisely the same thing]

[Dictated]

[nothingtobelieve]

It would be better than doing nothing.

[nothingtobelieve]

A poor choice of words, perhaps.

[Not that he's ever cared about making people uncomfortable]

To dictate our own fates.

[Dictated]

[tylendel]

I agree with you on that. I just don't know the reasons...

Or if they make sense.

[toobravehearted]

fate is by definition unavoidable. No one person should have control of what power the castle has.

[Dictated]

[nothingtobelieve]

No one seems to, which is why I'm suggesting we learn.

[nothingtobelieve]

I never said one person would.

[Although... well. Ambition was best kept to oneself, sometimes.]

And better that it rest in hands we know. I dislike being manipulated.

[Dictated]

[tylendel]

How do we go about learning?

[toobravehearted]

You an I both. Yet I'm sure only one would eventually move take it for themselves. The temptation would be too great.

[Dictated]

[fearbringer]

I'm not saying you shouldn't try, but your logic there is still faulty. Understanding something doesn't always mean being in control of it.

[Dictated]

[nothingtobelieve]

It's still preferable to living in ignorance.

[nothingtobelieve]

Likely.

[But he doesn't see much of a problem with that. You just dealt with those situations when they occurred.]

[Dictated]

[nothingtobelieve]

There have been attempts to collect information in the past. Those should be continued, for a start.

[Dictated]

[tylendel]

Then guidance is required. I have been spending more time in the library. Some of the texts there have taken me by surprise.

[Dictated]

[fearbringer]

I agree, but if you really belief what you said, you're going to end up disappointed.

[toobravehearted]

So you would still go ahead? Risk swapping one kidnapping, fickle and powerful thing for another? You want to understand it, what can you bring to the table that others haven't already?

[nothingtobelieve]

I find it unlikely that what we could potentially be subject to is a worse proposition than what we face now. If we had control, people could go home. That has to be a tempting offer for many here.

As things stand, I don't believe there's anyone else even making a concerted effort.

[Dictated]

[nothingtobelieve]

You really believe the means necessary would be laid out in books the castle itself manifests?

[Because he's going to be a little skeptical about that. And, honestly, prefers more proactive methods, himself.]

[Dictated]

[nothingtobelieve]

Unlikely.

[Even if he doesn't get results, it's better than just... waiting around to see what happens next.]

[Dictated]

[fearbringer]

Oh? You seemed so sure in your entry.

[toobravehearted]

I don't disagree that it would be tempting to harness it for people to return home and to have the want to make that happen. But think about it. Once that is done, would you let go of it, give up that control? Absolute power and all that. As things stand, you didn't answer my question of what you could bring to the table.

[Dictated]

[nothingtobelieve]

I limit my expectations.

[nothingtobelieve]

And you seem to believe it's better to leave things as they are, or that we are simply unworthy of making the attempt because people have flaws.

Perhaps you just prefer the status quo?

[toobravehearted]

[He makes a wryly amused humph.] Hardly. Not even close. But when I hear someone else speak about control and they say 'dictate' in practically the next sentence, I can't help but feel a little worried. Look out of your window, see what it did to the town. That's a power you really do not want to control.

To stop it, without causing harm to other residents here? That I want. But while you're arguing about understanding and control, the answers you think you want aren't here. Did you join the last expedition?

[Dictated]

[fearbringer]

Better than being overconfident, in a case like this.