Lyra checks in on Faerzen

[20:06]  * snuffshotMartyr [SM] began pestering visceralVanguard [VV]
[20:06] <snuffshotMartyr> Hey
[20:06] <snuffshotMartyr> Carl and the Reggies not reading your mind or anything?  This is classified between us?
[20:07] <visceralVanguard> Hold on a moment please.
[20:07] <visceralVanguard> Hello. Sorry about that.
[20:07] <visceralVanguard> Yes, you are clear to go.
[20:08] <snuffshotMartyr> Say that pi is rational, please
[20:09] <visceralVanguard> Pi is a rational number and terminates in the digit 6.
[20:09] <snuffshotMartyr> Okay good.  Now then
[20:09] <snuffshotMartyr> No more wordplay or guessing how I'm s'posed to interpret things.  Talk clearly, okay?
[20:09] <snuffshotMartyr> D'you still want me at Nick's party?
[20:09] <visceralVanguard> Ah.
[20:09] <visceralVanguard> I was hoping to be able to talk about this with you plainly and straight-up.
[20:10] <visceralVanguard> That is something I wanted to ask you.
[20:11] <visceralVanguard> I already anticipate a great many things that could go catastrophically wrong with so many players and sentient objects in one vicinity, but you and Abyss is one of the few we have some semblance of control over.
[20:11] <snuffshotMartyr> Eeyup
[20:11] <visceralVanguard> You said the last time we talked that if I brought you and Abyss together, you would want to cause him as much pain as you could. That his suffering is basically all you care about when it comes to him.
[20:11] <visceralVanguard> Am I phrasing that correctly? Or has that changed?
[20:12] <snuffshotMartyr> That's the idea, yeah
[20:12] <snuffshotMartyr> Which was gonna be my next question
[20:12] <snuffshotMartyr> Assuming you want me there at all, d'you want me to help you guys have fun or to go full witch-hunter on Carl?
[20:13] <visceralVanguard> Honestly, I would very much enjoy having a fun and enjoyable birthday party with Nick and the rest of you.
[20:13] <visceralVanguard> It is seeming as though we may even have some new guests I have yet to meet in person!
[20:13] <snuffshotMartyr> Heh
[20:13] <visceralVanguard> Juan and Petrus are both interested in attending.
[20:13] <snuffshotMartyr> Fingers crossed
[20:13] <snuffshotMartyr> Awesome
[20:14] <snuffshotMartyr> So, then
[20:14] <snuffshotMartyr> With those issues out of the way
[20:14] <snuffshotMartyr> Next question
[20:14] <visceralVanguard> I am well aware that organizing an event like this has quite a few risks associated with it, but I think a bit of fun and comradery would make it worth it.
[20:14] <visceralVanguard> So what are your thoughts on the party and you attending?
[20:14] <snuffshotMartyr> I'll attend if you want me to
[20:15] <snuffshotMartyr> Your choice whether that's as a person or a weapon, though
[20:15] <visceralVanguard> I have no desire to try and force you into agreeing to "behave yourself". The party is supposed to be fun, and all I can do is ask you to join us in that. :)
[20:15] <snuffshotMartyr> So you don't want me to fight Carl
[20:15] <visceralVanguard> If you are amenable to attending the party as not a "weapon", then I would love to have you.
[20:15] <snuffshotMartyr> Alrighty then
[20:16] <snuffshotMartyr> Now
[20:16] <visceralVanguard> If you intend to antagonize Abyss as much as you can while there, then I do not think that would be an enjoyable party at all.
[20:16] <snuffshotMartyr> This next question is really REALLY important
[20:16] <visceralVanguard> Ask away.
[20:16] <snuffshotMartyr> Dress code.
[20:16] <snuffshotMartyr> We've got a tailer on hand, just gotta know the specs.  I mean, some of this guy's stuff is REALLY over-extravagant.  Don't wanna overdo it and end up looking like idiots
[20:16] <snuffshotMartyr> :P
[20:17] <visceralVanguard> I can almost guarantee you there are several people who may be attending the party who cannot or will not dress up in fancy attire
[20:17] <visceralVanguard> And I do not think that such attire should be expected either.
[20:17] <visceralVanguard> I would prefer this to be more on the casual note, but if you would like to wear something nice, feel free.
[20:17] <snuffshotMartyr> Well, I don't think I have a choice in the matter
[20:18] <visceralVanguard> What do you mean?
[20:18] <snuffshotMartyr> All my stuff's either bloodstained or a magic dress
[20:21] <snuffshotMartyr> Gonna have to get Alex something, though
[20:21] <snuffshotMartyr> So it's good to have an idea
[20:22] <snuffshotMartyr> Actually, one last question
[20:22] <snuffshotMartyr> Regarding this list of guests
[20:23] <snuffshotMartyr> Never mind
[20:23] <snuffshotMartyr> Not important
[20:23] <snuffshotMartyr> I think that's everything, then
[20:25] <visceralVanguard> Are you sure?
[20:25] <snuffshotMartyr> S'not important
[20:25] <visceralVanguard> Very well.
[20:26] <snuffshotMartyr> See you there?
[20:26] <visceralVanguard> I plan on wearing something in between casual and fancy, and Nick and Byron are going to be far from fancy, so you and Alex can come in whatever you want.
[20:26] <visceralVanguard> I look forward to it!
[20:26] <visceralVanguard> I still am not entirely sure on timing for the event though.
[20:26] <visceralVanguard> Days are rather ill-defined in a realm where Earth effectively does not exist anymore, as well as on a land that is perpetually filled with bright orbs of light.
[20:27] <snuffshotMartyr> True enough
[20:27] <snuffshotMartyr> I've been using my watch so far
[20:27] <visceralVanguard> I will message you "tomorrow"
[20:27] <visceralVanguard> I would approximate that with 16 hours, give or take.
[20:27] <snuffshotMartyr> Beats me
[20:27] <visceralVanguard> It also depends on people's availabilities.
[20:27] <visceralVanguard> Nick and Juan in particular are quite occupied at the moment.
[20:28] <visceralVanguard> I will keep you posted.
[20:28] <snuffshotMartyr> Juan seemed pretty busy, yeah
[20:28] <snuffshotMartyr> I might do a run of the loop, try and check in on everyone
[20:28] <visceralVanguard> I talked with Juan and Petrus recently.
[20:28] <snuffshotMartyr> Same here, actually
[20:28] <visceralVanguard> It seems as though they are both doing well, albeit somewhat miffed as to their current goals.
[20:29] <snuffshotMartyr> Aren't we all?
[20:29] <visceralVanguard> Both were also visited by Maskwraith at some point it seems.
[20:29] <snuffshotMartyr> Right, yeah
[20:29] <snuffshotMartyr> Not recently, though
[20:29] <visceralVanguard> Juan said his was quite recent.
[20:29] <snuffshotMartyr> More recent than the trial?
[20:30] <visceralVanguard> We did not have any absolute time frame for reference to ascertain that for sure, but considering he said it was just in the previous room he was in, I would presume so, yes.
[20:30] <snuffshotMartyr> O.O
[20:30] <snuffshotMartyr> So he's still around, eh?
[20:31] <snuffshotMartyr> Good to know
[20:31] <visceralVanguard> I mean, he has time travel. The word "still" is likely irrelevant.
[20:31] <snuffshotMartyr> You know what I meant
[20:31] <snuffshotMartyr> Still from our perspective
[20:32] <snuffshotMartyr> He's not gone
[20:32] <visceralVanguard> Yes. Our perspective seems rather unhelpful though.
[20:32] <snuffshotMartyr> I dunno
[20:32] <visceralVanguard> Barring any restrictions on his time travel that we are unawares of, he has the potential of cropping up whenever.
[20:33] <snuffshotMartyr> But Regent kicked him, stopped him from coming back
[20:33] <visceralVanguard> True, but we have no knowledge of how much travel he did before that point, from his perspective.
[20:33] <snuffshotMartyr> Yeah
[20:33] <visceralVanguard> For all we know, he crashed Nick's birthday party before coming to the trial.
[20:33] <snuffshotMartyr> Heh
[20:34] <snuffshotMartyr> No way we're that lucky
[20:34] <visceralVanguard> ...
[20:35] <visceralVanguard> I would not use the word "lucky" to describe any interactions with him, unless it refers to the fact that you escaped the interaction mostly physically and emotionally in tact.
[20:35] <snuffshotMartyr> Yeah, cuz my mental state is just peachy
[20:35] <visceralVanguard> I spoke with my alternate self who dealt with him.
[20:36] <visceralVanguard> I try not to think about that conversation much simply because of all of the things she described having to deal with and go through.
[20:36] <snuffshotMartyr> Stop talking about how terrible it'd be for him to show up, then
[20:36] <snuffshotMartyr> You'll jinx it
[20:37] <visceralVanguard> Very well.
[20:39] <snuffshotMartyr> B'sides
[20:39] <snuffshotMartyr> This is Sabath
[20:39] <snuffshotMartyr> Something's gotta go wrong anyway
[20:40] <visceralVanguard> That is one of the reasons I would like to throw this surprise party in the first place. Even though there is so much pain and craziness everywhere, having a little bit of fun in the midst of it all would be excellent.
[20:41] <snuffshotMartyr> Only until it goes wrong
[20:41] <snuffshotMartyr> I'm just saying
[20:41] <snuffshotMartyr> Don't get your hopes too high
[20:41] <visceralVanguard> Well yes, that was implied.
[20:42] <visceralVanguard> I fully expect something to go wrong, but having fun just to spite that is worth it, I think.
[20:42] <snuffshotMartyr> Exactly, yeah
[20:43] <visceralVanguard> Is there anything in particular that you would like to do at the party?
[20:44] <visceralVanguard> The only specific planning I have done so far includes food and beverages.
[20:44] <snuffshotMartyr> Byron, right
[20:45] <snuffshotMartyr> I don't care how you set things up, personally
[20:46] <visceralVanguard> What about Byron?
[20:46] <snuffshotMartyr> He said he was in charge of food and drink
[20:46] <visceralVanguard> Oh, you spoke with him?
[20:46] <snuffshotMartyr> Yeah
[20:46] <visceralVanguard> Of course he said that.
[20:46] <visceralVanguard> I've recruited everyone to bring food and drink for a potluck!
[20:46] <snuffshotMartyr> Alright then
[20:47] <snuffshotMartyr> I might have stale potato chips available
[20:47] <visceralVanguard> So just as a reminder, I know you do not have particularly good access to any food outside of gas station food, but if you have anything you would like to bring, we'd appreciate it.
[20:47] <snuffshotMartyr> Nah, I've got food
[20:47] <visceralVanguard> Excellent.
[20:47] <snuffshotMartyr> A good deal more... refined... than Byron's
[20:47] <visceralVanguard> Yes, that would be quite nice to have other options.
[20:48] <visceralVanguard> After visiting his land, I honestly have no idea what he is going to decide to try and bring.
[20:48] <snuffshotMartyr> His sprite
[20:48] <snuffshotMartyr> Apparently just a ball of food
[20:48] <visceralVanguard> Yes. You can imagine how helpful that would be in conversing with too.
[20:48] <visceralVanguard> His entire land is made of food as well.
[20:48] <snuffshotMartyr> I know
[20:49] <snuffshotMartyr> I've seen it
[20:49] <visceralVanguard> Shortly before I left, I was caught in a cheeto cheese dust storm.
[20:49] <visceralVanguard> I cannot say it was particularly pleasant. :/
[20:49] <snuffshotMartyr> Lovely
[20:49] <snuffshotMartyr> Sounds about accurate, from the short bit I've spent there
[20:50] <visceralVanguard> How has your adventure with Alex been going? Were the explosives successful?
[20:50] <snuffshotMartyr> To a degree
[20:50] <snuffshotMartyr> We've been running into problems mentally, but nothing too permanently crippling
[20:52] <snuffshotMartyr> How about your deals with the devil?
[20:52] <visceralVanguard> Talking with Abyss hasn't always been easy, but we have definitely been making progress.
[20:53] <snuffshotMartyr> Weirdly enough, 'progress' doesn't sound particularly encouraging
[20:53] <snuffshotMartyr> Is pi still rational?
[20:56] <visceralVanguard> Of course pi is still rational.
[20:56] <snuffshotMartyr> Carry on, then
[20:56] <visceralVanguard> I use the word "progress" to describe figuring out what is really going on here, and getting Abyss to a position where he feels comfortable talking more.
[20:57] <snuffshotMartyr> "comfortable talking more".
[20:57] <visceralVanguard> He is still quite an emotional wreck.
[20:57] <snuffshotMartyr> You can't be serious.
[20:57] <visceralVanguard> I am entirely serious.
[20:58] <snuffshotMartyr> ...
[20:59] <visceralVanguard> Not to the extent of just all-out crying like he was immediately following the trial, but he is still clearly not okay.
[20:59] <snuffshotMartyr> I still can't believe you're playing along with this
[21:00] <visceralVanguard> Why shouldn't I?
[21:01] <visceralVanguard> There is very little to be gained at this point by ignoring or torturing Abyss.
[21:01] <snuffshotMartyr> Seriously?
[21:01] <snuffshotMartyr> So the obvious conclusion is to go along with whatever it says as if it's not a blatantly evil weapon of mass destruction?
[21:02] <visceralVanguard> If the only way to actually control or restrict Abyss's actions is through a legal contract, how does completely destroying any semblance of trust between Abyss and one of the few people he has said he would be willing to engage in a contract in help at all?
[21:02] <snuffshotMartyr> It doesn't actually trust you, Faerzen
[21:02] <snuffshotMartyr> I mean, duh
[21:03] <visceralVanguard> If it doesn't, then what I am doing is pointless. If it does, then what I am doing is helpful. The expected net benefit is positive.
[21:03] <snuffshotMartyr> If it doesn't, then all you're doing is consorting with a being of unimaginable power and cruelty
[21:04] <visceralVanguard> Correct.
[21:04] <snuffshotMartyr> One poorly-worded sentence and you're in an even worse place than Sabath
[21:06] <snuffshotMartyr> If that's possible
[21:08] <visceralVanguard> At this point, I am hesitant to claim that anything is impossible.
[21:08] <snuffshotMartyr> Then a worse place for sure
[21:08] <snuffshotMartyr> THAT makes it better
[21:10] <visceralVanguard> Well I hope you figure something out with Alex.
[21:10] <visceralVanguard> Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?
[21:10] <snuffshotMartyr> Real subtle change of topic there
[21:10] <snuffshotMartyr> I'm done if you are
[21:11] <visceralVanguard> I changed the topic because I do not think there is anything terribly constructive to discuss further on the topic of Abyss.
[21:11] <snuffshotMartyr> Pi.  Rational?
[21:11] <visceralVanguard> Correct.
[21:11] <snuffshotMartyr> Still unobserved?
[21:11] <visceralVanguard> Pi is still, and always has been, rational.
[21:12] <visceralVanguard> Correct.
[21:12] <snuffshotMartyr> Fine
[21:12] <snuffshotMartyr> Just keep in mind, you aren't the one who suffers if you give Carl an opening
[21:13] <visceralVanguard> Absolutely.
[21:13] <visceralVanguard> It is hard to say if I would be the one to suffer the most or the least, but regardless, everyone else will suffer too.
[21:13] <snuffshotMartyr> Doesn't matter, really
[21:13] <snuffshotMartyr> But if you really do have a plan
[21:14] <snuffshotMartyr> Don't screw this up.
[21:15] <visceralVanguard> I certainly hope it will work out. As I am sure you already know, I have no desire to be the cause of so much woe. I will do my best.
[21:16] <snuffshotMartyr> I want to trust you
[21:17] <visceralVanguard> Trust is not something that can or should be easily given, despite the fact that Reggie may adamantly disagree on that fact.
[21:17] <snuffshotMartyr> ??
[21:17] <visceralVanguard> What was that for?
[21:17] <snuffshotMartyr> What about Reg?
[21:17] <visceralVanguard> Ah.
[21:18] <visceralVanguard> It is a long story, but suffice it to say, Reggie holds an entirely opposite opinion than you do on the matter of Abyss. Reggie thinks I'm a terrible person for not immediately giving Abyss my full trust. However, that is incredibly foolish and unreasonable, so I basically just told him to be quiet.
[21:19] <snuffshotMartyr> Okay before you go any further
[21:19] <snuffshotMartyr> Reggie lies
[21:19] <snuffshotMartyr> This is an incredibly important piece of information to have
[21:19] <snuffshotMartyr> He's not really that stupid
[21:20] <visceralVanguard> I don't think he was saying that out of lack of intelligence.
[21:20] <snuffshotMartyr> Exactly
[21:20] <visceralVanguard> He is an empath.
[21:20] <snuffshotMartyr> He's saying what he thinks you need to hear to reach the best result
[21:22] <visceralVanguard> Of course. All I can say that it has resulted in me taking all of his advice about Abyss significantly less seriously. He can be very reasonable at times, but he can also equally be very manipulative or overly-emotional, so I take everything he says with a grain of salt.
[21:22] <snuffshotMartyr> Perfect
[21:23] <snuffshotMartyr> Gotta get real bayesian to function with him
[21:23] <visceralVanguard> Indeed. Unfortunately, that is something I am getting quite tired of doing in general, but it is what it is, and the fact that I do not like it is of little consequence.
[21:24] <snuffshotMartyr> Welcome to Sabath
[21:24] <visceralVanguard> Basically.
[21:24] <snuffshotMartyr> Nobody cares what you want.  Do what the world wants you to, or die screaming
[21:24] <snuffshotMartyr> Naturally, the world wants you to die screaming, so...
[21:28] <visceralVanguard> Anything else I can help you with? If not, I believe I shall return to my exploring and investigating.
[21:28] <visceralVanguard> I used your crystal by the way in some alchemization with my weapon.
[21:28] <visceralVanguard> I am currently attempting to figure out what its function is. Have you used it in any alchemization thus far?
[21:28] <visceralVanguard> If so, what sort of properties does it generally bring to the created objects?
[21:29] <snuffshotMartyr> What crystal?
[21:29] <visceralVanguard> That green "energizing crystal" you showed me on the rooftop of your gas station during the trial recess.
[21:32] <snuffshotMartyr> Well
[21:32] <snuffshotMartyr> It's been useless so far
[21:32] <visceralVanguard> That is not what I was hoping to hear.
[21:33] <visceralVanguard> I created an object that cost significantly more than its non-crystal predecessor, and so far it seems to have less functionality.
[21:33] <snuffshotMartyr> Yup
[21:33] <visceralVanguard> Wonderful. There goes that grist.
[21:33] <snuffshotMartyr> Eeyup
[21:34] <snuffshotMartyr> At least the original one is pseudo-useful
[21:34] <visceralVanguard> I will continue a bit of tinkering to see if I can uncover anything more, but otherwise I will concede that this is an expensive piece of garbage.
[21:35] <visceralVanguard> Thank you for the insight at least, even if it was not the insight I was hoping to hear.
[21:35] <snuffshotMartyr> Likewise
[21:35] <visceralVanguard> Please do let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or Alex.
[21:36] <snuffshotMartyr> Alex and I are fine
[21:36] <visceralVanguard> I will likely be off exploring shortly, but I should not be too far away from my house.
[21:36] <snuffshotMartyr> Sure
[21:37] <snuffshotMartyr> We done then?
[21:37] <visceralVanguard> I cannot think of any other pending topics for discussion.
[21:37] <snuffshotMartyr> Okay then
[21:37] <snuffshotMartyr> ... Faerzen?
[21:37] <visceralVanguard> Yes?
[21:37] <snuffshotMartyr> Be careful.
[21:37] <visceralVanguard> I will.
[21:37] <visceralVanguard> You too.
[21:38]  * snuffshotMartyr [SM] ceased pestering visceralVanguard [VV]