new year, new you

[cancrymods]

It's been some time since the Executors made their way down to the Gula layer and while things have been quiet, that doesn't necessarily mean they haven't been busy. The snow that had been falling steadily for the past week or so has finally eased, even if a thick blanket of the stuff seems to remain in all the Layers you've travelled to. The ever present threat of an Authority has been mitigated somewhat by Gerda being... well, Gerda and though her intentions and the full scope of her motivations are still a mystery, she at least seems to be willing to assist the Executors so long as they do the same for her in turn.

All the errands they've been running have done a lot to help the Undercity – the kitchen is stocked, and the communal areas feel fuller and livelier. Music often rings out from the stage and all in all, things seem fuller and warmer here.

And yet, that quiet hunger continues to nip at you every moment you spend in Gula. Even if it weren't for the Gluttony Layer's effects, though, there would be answers aplenty to be hungering after – the mysterious butterfly accompanying Ariel, the question of Rei's lack of memories... and of course, the mystery girl who seems determined to see you all returned to mindless Specters once again.

Do you still believe you have what it takes to travel to the bottom of Purgatory and restore things to their natural order?

There's only one way to find out for sure.

[ ... And we're back! After our holiday break, the Gula chapter of Can Cry's metaplot is now continuing! Happy New Year, Executors - let's see what you make of it! ]

Comments

[mementomoritz]

[Medic shrugs, and gently puts a hand on Mona's shoulder.] I think mostly people die for dying.

[Trust her, she's a doctor.]

We all woke up knowing that something was wrong, that we could try to do something about it. But we didn't have to become Executors when Rei offered- we chose to.

[alcahest]

... Did we?

[ she says it thoughtlessly, and then immediately glances at Rei, panicked: ] Ah, I'm not saying that I regret it! Even if I had the choice again now, I think I would still make the same decision. But back then, I had nothing. More than any of you, I... was barely even a person.

[ it still makes her uneasy to think of. for some reason, she began with far less than anyone else. she's not sure anything she did then could be called a choice, because she didn't even have feelings or opinions to guide her one way or the other. ]

If I didn't want to simply stay there, what else could I have done? —So... So, I was... hardly agreeing out of a desire to fight. That's all I meant.

[mementomoritz]

Well, you could have just come with us as an Eidolon! But I guess if you don't consider yourself of sound enough mind to have chosen that at the time, you might not have been able to think of that option, either.

But...

[Medic apparently doesn't take that "did we" as a rhetorical question- she's tilting her head thoughtfully and considering it.]

I think you are making the choice again now, aren't you?

You don't just make a choice once and then stop choosing forever. You keep choosing it again and again, for as long as you choose to keep going. And you can always choose something else, every time.

[alcahest]

... Mm. You're right.

[ she's quiet for a moment, slowly trying to figure out the words to express herself: ]

Although, I think that maybe... we aren't necessarily all making the same choice, by being Executors. If I really am making a choice by staying, then — it's not the same choice that you or Wolfsbane or Sword are making, because it doesn't mean the same thing.

Does that... make sense?

[mementomoritz]

Hm... maybe? [Well, that's not vague or anything.] It's not something I understand very well, because I don't see things the same way you see them- but I think us not seeing things the same way might be the point you're trying to make?

And that's okay! My choice can be my choice, and your choice can be yours. As long as we're both making the choices we can be happy with, it's fine if we don't choose the same thing.

[Ethical considerations, moral philosophy... that's never been Medic's strong point. But she can understand "wanting everyone to be happy". Why wouldn't she? She likes them, they're nice.]