[There are many things in the works on Bondrewd's end, and he certainly has no illusions that Fandaniel has been just as busy. What will be more exciting is to collaborate very soon. Bondrewd is capable of much on his own, but he does truly miss the Umbra Hands; to have likeminded individuals joining him in such ventures and projects is utterly satisfying.
Bondrewd makes his approach, tail idly swishing behind him.]
Your laboratory is utterly marvelous, my friend. A sight to behold.
[He means it. All that he says.
It does honestly still baffle him that Fandaniel wants to die. There is so much to behold, to learn and enjoy in their respective worlds and this one. Who would want to actually die before experiencing any of it? Though perhaps it is just as he implies, that he's lived so long that he feels his time is near?
It's still hard for him to fathom, regardless.]
/aetherochemical research facility theme plays aggressively in the background
[Fandaniel grins and opens his arms in a welcoming gesture.]
The Aetherochemical Research Facility was once the grandest laboratorium on my star. Alas, what I have here is but a small portion of it. Should our keeper decide to gift me with more, I am certain you will find it quite awe-inspiring.
[He sways up closer to Bondrewd, all smiles and sparkling eyes.]
Tell me, what projects have you been working on? I am most curious.
Then I shall hope there will be an eventual expansion. I wonder if I shall be granted a modicum of my old facility as well? That would be quite beneficial.
[Ah, he can't resist the excitement in Fandaniel's face. Bondrewd claps his hands together.]
Oh, a few humble ideas here and there. I'm most interested in the concept of death and how it impacts us, considering we are indeed involved in a mere simulation. Yet, is there a cost? What are our limits, if any?
I suspect this is true for you as it is for me: death is hardly a consequence, save for the fact that I lose my body until I gain another. How does it align as such here if these are not technically our physical bodies? Is there truly a limitation?
So, I submit to you my friend: we do a record of myself experiencing death here. Upon my return, I will share my experience in written word and video. Ah, if I had a way to study the soul as well, I'd like to include that, but I'm afraid I lack that kind of equipment myself at this time. I don't suppose your facility could potentially aid in that respect?
I wish I had the means to study the soul more precisely.
[Fandaniel places a hand on his hip and shakes his head mournfully.]
Alas, despite the name of this place, nary a trace of aether flows between these walls other than my own.
[A long-suffering sigh.]
The soul is a topic that I have been devoting myself to as much as I am able, however. I can regale you with all that I have learned, though I doubt it is surprising in light of recent events. Nevertheless, it may be worth hearing 'ere I murder you, mm?
[Saying this, he bows and gestures to a nearby sliding door adorned with glowing lights, as if to say "Step into my office".]
A fair point. And in turn, I owe you an explanation of the Abyss. Which relates to my own understanding and experiences of the soul.
So, it does seem we both have much to discuss.
[And he is quite thrilled to share their mutual findings as a result. To compare notes with someone with their own unique experiences is exciting for him.
Bondrewd follows along, calmly taking in the sights of the laboratory. It's much brighter and more colorful than his own, but he can appreciate that for what it is. The Fifth Layer is comparatively more humble!]
[Fandaniel leads them out of the gleaming corridor and through the sliding door into a small side chamber.
The room is lit with neon lights and smells of sharp chemicals and ozone. The Ascian hops up onto a wide shelf hanging off the wall, daintily crosses his legs, and leans forward.]
This is where I performed my experiments. Most of my specimens have been Aldripians, though I did recently have a Rumpiturian on my table.
[He pats the shelf below him.]
I could not perceive a soul in a single one of them. To be certain, I cut them open and left them on the edge of death. They showed no sign that they could glimpse the void to come.
...There are no souls on this star save our own. And should the corruption that claimed the old Chosen come again then we, too, will be naught but data in the memory of a machine.
Concerning, that.
[Fandaniel leans back on his palms, hunches his shoulders.]
I haven't yet had the opportunity to observe the death of a fellow Chosen, so you have approached me at a good time. Your untimely demise shall serve as my control for my soul studies... As well as shed more light on how death may work in a simulated world.
[The smells, if nothing else, are familiar to him. He thinks of the medical equipment he'd developed, the medicines, and how he misses the work. How Nanachi and their friends set Bondrewd back quite a bit, he thinks not with malice but with fondness. What an adventure that had been indeed.
Without missing a beat, Bondrewd follows Fandaniel and makes himself comfortable onto the shelf, tail draping over the side. He listens thoughtfully, folding his hands together politely.]
None whatsoever. I encourage you to kill me in a method you find most useful. I shall endeavor to not resist.
However, the brings about an important point to cover.
This is known as a life reverberating stone, created by a relic we named Your Worth. The purpose of such a thing is to enhance other relics, and open certain passages in our world. As a result, they are created by a singular method: a person willingly sacrificing themselves to grant it to their intended user.
I was in a unique situation to be able to create my stone with myself, for myself. Inside this stone is my soul. I'm unclear how that translates for the simulation, but it may be wise to study this as I die.
[Bondrewd lets the whistle settle back to resting on his cravat.]
Not at all. The whistle houses my soul, but I am able to go to other bodies by the operation of a different relic. Zoaholic. It allows me to spread my consciousness into willing individuals and assume their body as a host should my current one expire. With the combination of my soul in the whistle and my consciousness stored in so many bodies, I continue to live with all of myself in tact, aside from my physical body naturally.
Regrettably, I don't have the relic in Aldrip. Hardly surprising; it's not that portable, after all.
Technically yes. I can activate my consciousness to see through their eyes and convey commands occasionally, but at this time I haven't been able to make that connection since arriving in Aldrip. Hardly a surprise, but it is the first thing I tried when I woke here.
Imagine it like the smallest seed, waiting to sprout with the right circumstances. So, that piece of myself with them simply remains, waiting.
Indeed. And I only assume a body with explicit consent.
[Bondrewd, A Man of Morals! That's what they say (no they do not)]
I would love to be able to show you if it was here. Perhaps our keepers will find a mercy and incorporate it into the simulation one day, if only so I could show you how it functions.
It's truly a marvel. It's permitted me to perform incredible explorations and experiments.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action; what up homebody he's at the lab
Bondrewd makes his approach, tail idly swishing behind him.]
Your laboratory is utterly marvelous, my friend. A sight to behold.
[He means it. All that he says.
It does honestly still baffle him that Fandaniel wants to die. There is so much to behold, to learn and enjoy in their respective worlds and this one. Who would want to actually die before experiencing any of it? Though perhaps it is just as he implies, that he's lived so long that he feels his time is near?
It's still hard for him to fathom, regardless.]
/aetherochemical research facility theme plays aggressively in the background
The Aetherochemical Research Facility was once the grandest laboratorium on my star. Alas, what I have here is but a small portion of it. Should our keeper decide to gift me with more, I am certain you will find it quite awe-inspiring.
[He sways up closer to Bondrewd, all smiles and sparkling eyes.]
Tell me, what projects have you been working on? I am most curious.
no subject
[Ah, he can't resist the excitement in Fandaniel's face. Bondrewd claps his hands together.]
Oh, a few humble ideas here and there. I'm most interested in the concept of death and how it impacts us, considering we are indeed involved in a mere simulation. Yet, is there a cost? What are our limits, if any?
I suspect this is true for you as it is for me: death is hardly a consequence, save for the fact that I lose my body until I gain another. How does it align as such here if these are not technically our physical bodies? Is there truly a limitation?
So, I submit to you my friend: we do a record of myself experiencing death here. Upon my return, I will share my experience in written word and video. Ah, if I had a way to study the soul as well, I'd like to include that, but I'm afraid I lack that kind of equipment myself at this time. I don't suppose your facility could potentially aid in that respect?
no subject
[Fandaniel places a hand on his hip and shakes his head mournfully.]
Alas, despite the name of this place, nary a trace of aether flows between these walls other than my own.
[A long-suffering sigh.]
The soul is a topic that I have been devoting myself to as much as I am able, however. I can regale you with all that I have learned, though I doubt it is surprising in light of recent events. Nevertheless, it may be worth hearing 'ere I murder you, mm?
[Saying this, he bows and gestures to a nearby sliding door adorned with glowing lights, as if to say "Step into my office".]
no subject
So, it does seem we both have much to discuss.
[And he is quite thrilled to share their mutual findings as a result. To compare notes with someone with their own unique experiences is exciting for him.
Bondrewd follows along, calmly taking in the sights of the laboratory. It's much brighter and more colorful than his own, but he can appreciate that for what it is. The Fifth Layer is comparatively more humble!]
no subject
The room is lit with neon lights and smells of sharp chemicals and ozone. The Ascian hops up onto a wide shelf hanging off the wall, daintily crosses his legs, and leans forward.]
This is where I performed my experiments. Most of my specimens have been Aldripians, though I did recently have a Rumpiturian on my table.
[He pats the shelf below him.]
I could not perceive a soul in a single one of them. To be certain, I cut them open and left them on the edge of death. They showed no sign that they could glimpse the void to come.
...There are no souls on this star save our own. And should the corruption that claimed the old Chosen come again then we, too, will be naught but data in the memory of a machine.
Concerning, that.
[Fandaniel leans back on his palms, hunches his shoulders.]
I haven't yet had the opportunity to observe the death of a fellow Chosen, so you have approached me at a good time. Your untimely demise shall serve as my control for my soul studies... As well as shed more light on how death may work in a simulated world.
That is...
[A hand flutters to his heart.]
...If you've no objections?
no subject
Without missing a beat, Bondrewd follows Fandaniel and makes himself comfortable onto the shelf, tail draping over the side. He listens thoughtfully, folding his hands together politely.]
None whatsoever. I encourage you to kill me in a method you find most useful. I shall endeavor to not resist.
However, the brings about an important point to cover.
[Bondrewd grips the strangely carved whistle he carries with him.]
This is known as a life reverberating stone, created by a relic we named Your Worth. The purpose of such a thing is to enhance other relics, and open certain passages in our world. As a result, they are created by a singular method: a person willingly sacrificing themselves to grant it to their intended user.
I was in a unique situation to be able to create my stone with myself, for myself. Inside this stone is my soul. I'm unclear how that translates for the simulation, but it may be wise to study this as I die.
no subject
[Fandaniel curls a finger against his chin in thought as his silver gaze locks on the whistle.]
I shall circle back to that.
But first... When you told me you died many times was it this whistle that brought you back, then?
[He has many thoughts about how to kill Bondrewd for their experiment but this whistle is immediately fascinating.]
no subject
[Bondrewd lets the whistle settle back to resting on his cravat.]
Not at all. The whistle houses my soul, but I am able to go to other bodies by the operation of a different relic. Zoaholic. It allows me to spread my consciousness into willing individuals and assume their body as a host should my current one expire. With the combination of my soul in the whistle and my consciousness stored in so many bodies, I continue to live with all of myself in tact, aside from my physical body naturally.
Regrettably, I don't have the relic in Aldrip. Hardly surprising; it's not that portable, after all.
no subject
[He smirks and unfolds his legs so he kick them excitedly.]
Does this mean there are individuals back in your home world who carry your consciousness within them even now?
no subject
Imagine it like the smallest seed, waiting to sprout with the right circumstances. So, that piece of myself with them simply remains, waiting.
no subject
'Tis a fascinating method of body-hopping, I must say!
[He exhales a wistful sigh.]
I wish you had Zoaholic at hand so I could witness it myself.
no subject
[Bondrewd, A Man of Morals! That's what they say (no they do not)]
I would love to be able to show you if it was here. Perhaps our keepers will find a mercy and incorporate it into the simulation one day, if only so I could show you how it functions.
It's truly a marvel. It's permitted me to perform incredible explorations and experiments.
no subject
[A pause.]
Well, perhaps I should say the finality of it. I have died in my own endeavor to better understand the nature of life itself.
...Many times, in fact. Always I wake.
apologies for once again disappearing /rubs temples
Yet, for you... would nothing reinspire you to desire life? It would seem many would lack without a mind like yours, Fandaniel.
/returns from the grave
[He lifts a hand and waves it dismissively through the air.]
So that I might exist for centuries more and endure the suffering that comes with it? I think not.
[Despite his words, he smiles.]
I have worked very hard to die. My death is my magnum opus.