Cornelia/Zoey - Not By Chance

[18:15] <charismaticPersuader> -- charismaticPersuader [CP] Has Recently Annonced A Mexican Standoff bidingCleric [BC] At Highnoon --
[18:15] <charismaticPersuader> Greetings Cleric
[18:15] <bidingCleric> Hello? Who are you?
[18:16] <bidingCleric> I set this handle up fifteen minutes ago, for Pete's sake!
[18:16] <charismaticPersuader> The question is mutual for the most part
[18:16] <bidingCleric> Did you randomly enter a handle? I was about to try that.
[18:16] <bidingCleric> Does that even work?
[18:16] <charismaticPersuader> No, not randomly
[18:17] <charismaticPersuader> This is not some chance meeting, trust me on this matter
[18:17] <bidingCleric> Several handles I wanted were taken already. I was considering messaging them and asking if I could have them.
[18:17] <charismaticPersuader> I'm sure you might've gotten success if you tried
[18:17] <bidingCleric> Wait, go back.
[18:17] <bidingCleric> It is not a chance meeting?
[18:17] <charismaticPersuader> Not by any stretch
[18:18] <charismaticPersuader> I had pre-exitsting knowledge of your handle around the same time it was created
[18:18] <charismaticPersuader> Perhaps even before
[18:19] <bidingCleric> That seems a little far-fetched...
[18:19] <charismaticPersuader> So I'm glad you didn't ask around. Would've made me quite the fool for looking for something that doesn't exist
[18:19] <charismaticPersuader> You aren't the only one with that notion
[18:21] <charismaticPersuader> A package was found around 15 minuets ago under a bench that I just so happened to stop at. This package contained a message with 9 handles on and an invite into the alpha of a game
[18:21] <charismaticPersuader> I would have disregarded this if had not had two handles on I already know of
[18:21] <bidingCleric> You are listening to minuets? I love minuets, considering my father doesn't allow me to listen to music made past 1899.
[18:22] <charismaticPersuader> So, that leads me back to your question and my appropriate reaction to it: Who are you?
[18:24] <bidingCleric> My name is Zoey.
[18:24] <bidingCleric> Zoey Irvine.
[18:24] <bidingCleric> I shoot the things and make them fall down.
[18:24] <charismaticPersuader> Cornelia. Cornelia Gracci
[18:24] <charismaticPersuader> I talk to people and teach them the errors of their ways
[18:25] <charismaticPersuader> It's a pleasure
[18:25] <bidingCleric> Error of their ways?
[18:26] <charismaticPersuader> In my profession, people try to undermine others with less power. I try my best to stop this
[18:26] <bidingCleric> Oh. So, would it be bad if I told you you were the first person I've ever spoken to who wasn't my father?
[18:26] <charismaticPersuader> Not in the slightest
[18:27] <charismaticPersuader> There's nothing wrong with being an introvert
[18:28] <bidingCleric> Well... introvert is probably an exaggeration of sorts. See, I've never even met other people, or seen other places.
[18:28] <bidingCleric> Father tells me to be wary of strangers on the internet.
[18:28] <bidingCleric> So why is it so easy to tell you all of this?
[18:28] <charismaticPersuader> Wise words
[18:29] <charismaticPersuader> And it's most likely because I'm not in the business of secrecy
[18:29] <bidingCleric> So you are an information broker?
[18:30] <charismaticPersuader> Not quite. I'm a public servant
[18:30] <bidingCleric> Like an elected official?
[18:30] <charismaticPersuader> In some ways, yes
[18:30] <bidingCleric> Father spends quite a large amount of time decrying our elected officials.
[18:30] <charismaticPersuader> In others, I was born into my position
[18:31] <charismaticPersuader> And I can understand his resentment
[18:31] <charismaticPersuader> They normally don't act with the people in mind but their key to power
[18:32] <bidingCleric> I'm so ensconced that I'm afraid I can't even tell you who our current leader is, much less which nation I might live in.
[18:33] <bidingCleric> Father leaves for long periods of time, which are my respites from training.
[18:33] <charismaticPersuader> That's perfectly ok. After all, I'm a stranger on the internet that's contacted you out of no-where
[18:33] <bidingCleric> I swear, every other word out of his mouth is "again".
[18:33] <bidingCleric> Oh goodness, what is this feeling?
[18:33] <bidingCleric> I feel shame... but I also feel... relieved?
[18:34] <charismaticPersuader> Perfectly normal human emotions
[18:34] <charismaticPersuader> I don't see a problem
[18:35] <bidingCleric> I just feel so guilty complaining about my father.
[18:35] <bidingCleric> But it's so relieving to finally have someone to complain *to*.
[18:35] <bidingCleric> Do you understand? I hope so, because I certainly don't.
[18:36] <charismaticPersuader> Don't worry, I understand perfectly
[18:36] <charismaticPersuader> You're confined to a single person day in, day out
[18:36] <charismaticPersuader> Now, you can finally talk in a manner you've never tried before
[18:37] <bidingCleric> But what if he finds this chatlog? Don't you think he'll be terribly cross with me?
[18:37] <charismaticPersuader> Well, I'm sure there's ways to keep it a secret
[18:37] <charismaticPersuader> I hide my chatlogs from unwanted viewers as well
[18:38] <charismaticPersuader> There's nothing wrong with a little secrecy in the right places
[18:38] <bidingCleric> So you're some sort of... operator? What exactly do you do? What is your profession?
[18:39] <charismaticPersuader> I work as a junior member of a high ranking political party in the south European country of Italy
[18:40] <bidingCleric> Ooh! That sounds exotic!
[18:40] <charismaticPersuader> Though my actual role is slightly more then that
[18:40] <charismaticPersuader> Like I said, I work as a restrictor on those that want to remove the rights and freedoms of the people
[18:41] <bidingCleric> "Restrictor?" And how exactly do you accomplish that restriction?
[18:41] <charismaticPersuader> I convince others to block acts from getting through
[18:41] <charismaticPersuader> I talk to those with more power and tell them why what they're doing is bad
[18:42] <bidingCleric> I see.
[18:42] <charismaticPersuader> Unfortunately talking isn't always a means to an end. However, one small fish can escape a net with no real effect on the fisherman
[18:44] <bidingCleric> So you're saying you don't always succeed, but you don't sweat it when you don't?
[18:44] <charismaticPersuader> No. I know that I'm only human and cannot win every battle
[18:44] <charismaticPersuader> However, I can learn from each loss
[18:44] <charismaticPersuader> And prevent further losses
[18:44] <bidingCleric> Goodness! You sound like my father during our sparring days!
[18:45] <charismaticPersuader> Well I'm sorry if you were trying to escape his words and I'm just spouting the same message
[18:46] <bidingCleric> Some lessons are worth learning, Cornelia, regardless of the teacher.
[18:47] <charismaticPersuader> And some times it's nice to not feel that you're being taught, and instead talking to an equal
[18:48] <bidingCleric> Indeed, but not every teacher is TRYING to teach you. Do you agree?
[18:50] <charismaticPersuader> Of course. However, that still doesn't mean that it's not a nice feeling to know you're truly at the same level as a peer. I hope that we're one day both on that same level, as I'm sure we have much to learn from each other
[18:53] <bidingCleric> You had a list of handles, yes?
[18:53] <bidingCleric> I would like to speak to these other people.
[18:53] <charismaticPersuader> All 10 of us, including those present in this chat
[18:54] <bidingCleric> So there are eight others...
[18:54] <charismaticPersuader> Yes. I know 3 of them from previous conversations
[18:55] <charismaticPersuader> But be warned. Some of us aren't going to be as savory as this present char suggests
[18:55] <bidingCleric> Unsavory? No matter; if I don't like them, I'm happy to report that I've no obligation to speak to or see them ever again.
[18:56] <charismaticPersuader> All well and good but I don't know the nature of this game
[18:56] <charismaticPersuader> In a week me and you may be forced to be at each others throats
[18:56] <charismaticPersuader> I don't wish for this eventuality
[18:56] <bidingCleric> I've never played any games before.
[18:57] <charismaticPersuader> And the ones I've played cannot be applied here
[18:57] <bidingCleric> So I can only promise good sportsmanship, even if I can't promise a decent challenge.
[18:57] <charismaticPersuader> Don't play yourself down like that
[18:57] <charismaticPersuader> You most likely have more training in a physical regard then myself
[18:58] <bidingCleric> My secret is precision, not strength.
[18:58] <charismaticPersuader> That's a good secret to keep
[18:58] <bidingCleric> Well-placed attacks are infinitely more effective than powerful attacks, and allow you to do roughly equivalent amounts of damage with significantly less exertion.
[18:58] <bidingCleric> Well, perhaps, but it's common sense on some basic level. I don't exactly do a large number of pushups...
[18:59] <bidingCleric> ...So I need to make do with what I have.
[19:00] <charismaticPersuader> And with that ideology, you could take out multiple opponents with less effort then it would take a hulking mass to take out one
[19:00] <charismaticPersuader> Smart, to give credit where due
[19:01] <bidingCleric> Ah, but even the hulking mass can be defended for his ability to persist in his exertions well past where my strength might fail.
[19:01] <bidingCleric> It's basically a zero-sum game, Cornelia.
[19:02] <charismaticPersuader> However, a hulking mass also draws a lot more un-needed attention. I would rather be small and agile then large and slow
[19:03] <charismaticPersuader> The second could get you kited and leave you vulnerable to maneuvering
[19:03] <bidingCleric> Personal preference is a large part of it as well. You're exactly right. Some consider themselves more "valorous," and prefer to draw attention and attacks to themselves that others may be spared the aggression of the enemy belligerents.
[19:09] <bidingCleric> Come now! Did I say something offensive?
[19:12] <charismaticPersuader> A larger ally can utilizing themselves to work as some form of distraction for combat, however I think there's something rudimentary wrong about open combat in general. For someone to be placed in a position where they're in a battle field, there was something that went wrong somewhere along the line. Combat shouldn't be a soul focus. That leads to a sad life of strife and pain
[19:12] <charismaticPersuader> And for one to hold such a large build, they would have to dedicate themselves to this walk of life
[19:13] <charismaticPersuader> However: a smaller, agile frame allows for combat effectiveness, if the situation arises, while not compromising the 'Living' part of life
[19:15] <bidingCleric> My goodness, you have quite a lot to say! In any case...
[19:15] <bidingCleric> I try to give everyone a fair shot at proving themselves before I pass judgment. Who am I to dismiss a style of fighting because it does not match my own? Confidence is a slow and insidious killer.
[19:18] <charismaticPersuader> But a life so forgone in a backwards set of ideals is surely one wasted. Constant fear of losing and craving for the adrenaline rush a combatant provides isn't much better then an addict looking for a fix. We no longer live in a dog eats dog world where I come from. We can afford to lay down our weapons and, in exchange, raise plows and grow families.
[19:20] <bidingCleric> Grow families? Is everyone supposed to do that? I don't think I'm allowed to talk to boys.
[19:20] <bidingCleric> Well, I'm certainly not allowed to date, at the very least.
[19:21] <charismaticPersuader> More metaphorically then literally. A family doesn't always have to be blood relatives
[19:23] <bidingCleric> That's something of a relief!
[19:23] <bidingCleric> In any case. We got distracted. Some time ago, I asked about these other handles. May I have them, please?
[19:23] <charismaticPersuader> Sure, just allow me to write them in
[19:24] <charismaticPersuader> candycoatedAberration [CA]
[19:24] <charismaticPersuader> galvanicPhantasm [GP]
[19:24] <charismaticPersuader> triumphantCavalier [TC]
[19:24] <charismaticPersuader> fatalisticSurvivor [FS]
[19:24] <charismaticPersuader> tropicalGuttersnipe[TG]
[19:24] <charismaticPersuader> typhonicBullet [TB]
[19:24] <charismaticPersuader> poisonConnoisseur [PC]
[19:24] <charismaticPersuader> sanguineParasite [SP]
[19:25] <charismaticPersuader> I can only talk of GP, TG, and SP
[19:25] <charismaticPersuader> All of them seem to be good people with kind hearts
[19:26] <charismaticPersuader> Though please, the others are mysteries to me so I can only warn you that they may not be as pleasant as you
[19:27] <bidingCleric> I shall certainly take some time and evaluate them all.
[19:27] <charismaticPersuader> However, I think my secret can be applied here if you don't mind me sharing. "Be, at worst, decent to everyone you meet"
[19:27] <bidingCleric> Of course.
[19:28] <bidingCleric> Farewell, Cornelia. I hope to speak to you again one day.
[19:28] <charismaticPersuader> I hope to talk again soon
[19:29] <charismaticPersuader> -- bidingCleric [BC] Has decisively Ended The Duel Leaving charismaticPersuader [CP] Down For The Count --
[19:29] <charismaticPersuader> == END! ==