Avalon:Volume 0 Chapter 15 - Revision history

Aorii at 06:27, 25 April 2013

2013-04-25T06:27:16Z

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	"Well... it sounds more like 'Confirmation Bias', I think?" Kannon turned towards a nodding Shirayuki. "Once someone firmly believes something, they start to acknowledge only the information they want to see."		"Well... it sounds more like 'Confirmation Bias', I think?" Kannon turned towards a nodding Shirayuki. "Once someone firmly believes something, they start to acknowledge only the information they want to see."

	"But normally, we still worry that we might be wrong -- humans ''fear'' because fear is precisely what keeps us from doing stupid things." Shirayuki followed with a head tilt towards Arkadi's unconscious form: "this is ~~exactly~~ what happens when one ~~sheds~~ all hesitation instead of simply learning to control them."		"But normally, we still worry that we might be wrong -- humans ''fear'' because fear is precisely what keeps us from doing stupid things." Shirayuki followed with a head tilt towards Arkadi's unconscious form: "this is what happens when one thinks they're too good to be afraid, shedding all hesitation instead of simply learning to control them."

	"Yeah, but to take history as foul as Evian and the Holocaust and uphold it as excuse and justification rather than tragedy?" Kayeten questioned, more to himself than anyone else. "Is there anything in that shell of a person that still resembled the justice we once spoke of?"		"Yeah, but to take history as foul as Evian and the Holocaust and uphold it as excuse and justification rather than tragedy?" Kayeten questioned, more to himself than anyone else. "Is there anything in that shell of a person that still resembled the justice we once spoke of?"

Aorii at 06:02, 25 April 2013

2013-04-25T06:02:38Z

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	"Didn't I tell you? I know you. In fact, I know you even better now that I understand the real you and not just your template."		"Didn't I tell you? I know you. In fact, I know you even better now that I understand the real you and not just your template."

	Shirayuki paused for just long enough to let Kannon digest her words. But she left no time for the focused younger girl to respond before moving on as a gentle~~, motherly~~ smile spread across her ~~lips~~:		Shirayuki paused for just long enough to let Kannon digest her words. But she left no time for the focused younger girl to respond before moving on, as the gentle smile of an older sister spread across her expression:

	"Sidika told me what she had Kayeten pass along, and I had faith that you'd arrive at the correct answer. You're an open-minded and introspective person by nature. Combined with the traits inherent to your lineage, there's no way you will stay off the right path."		"Sidika told me what she had Kayeten pass along, and I had faith that you'd arrive at the correct answer. You're an open-minded and introspective person by nature. Combined with the traits inherent to your lineage, there's no way you will stay off the right path."

	"..~~.And~~, ~~just what~~ traits ~~are those?"~~		Once upon a time, Kannon might have felt offended by those words. It tore at her unique sense of identity, as though her very being was predestined beyond her personal control. But then, human nature was full of unpleasant, predetermined traits that most individuals never managed to break free from. Only an immature fool would complain about starting from a higher ground.

	~~Although unsure of her feelings towards the redhead's words, which blended her sense of identity into that of her lineage~~, ~~Kannon found herself pleasantly calmed, encouraged by the pride and warmth Shirayuki radiated.~~		"...And, what traits are those?"

	"You didn't think our eyes and hair came purely by coincidence did you? House Sylvestris -- the founders of the ''Imperium Project'' -- was a bit obsessed over gemstones; although that's not surprising since their gem magic led to the development of crystal cartridges and crystal ether-rods. We Arvitors tend to have colors based on our souls' radiance, and no surprise, Sylvestris engineered our aura's brilliance based on gems."		"You didn't think our eyes and hair came purely by coincidence did you? House Sylvestris -- the founders of the ''Imperium Project'' -- was a bit obsessed over gemstones; although that's not surprising since their gem magic led to the development of crystal cartridges and crystal ether-rods. We Arvitors tend to have colors based on our souls' radiance, and no surprise, Sylvestris engineered our aura's brilliance based on gems."
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	"Your right eye carries the blue clarity of lapis lazuli, the gem of all-seeing truth, clear intuition, and royal integrity. Your unopened left eye will bring the purple wisdom of amethyst, the balancer of emotional maturity and purifier of spiritual taint."		"Your right eye carries the blue clarity of lapis lazuli, the gem of all-seeing truth, clear intuition, and royal integrity. Your unopened left eye will bring the purple wisdom of amethyst, the balancer of emotional maturity and purifier of spiritual taint."

	"...What about the hair then?"		"...What about the hair then?" Kannon asked with bashful intrigue, and the warm pride Shirayuki radiated blossomed into a glowing smile of maternal joy.

	"Isn't it obvious? Rose Quartz -- the stone of universal love ~ the world may not always favor you, but in the end, you'll always love it back."		"Isn't it obvious? Rose Quartz -- the stone of universal love ~ the world may not always favor you, but in the end, you'll always love it back."

Aorii: 3P edit

2013-04-23T16:27:02Z

3P edit

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Aorii at 00:13, 28 December 2012

2012-12-28T00:13:00Z

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	~~In this~~ sterile-white room where the only conscious occupant ~~was myself~~, ~~my focused efforts~~ finally found the event that Kayeten tipped off with only a single word:		Sitting within a sterile-white room where I was the only conscious occupant, I finally found the event that Kayeten tipped off with only a single word:

	[ ''The Evian Conference: Convened from July 8th to 13th, 1938 A.D., when representatives from thirty-two countries met in Evian-les-Bains, France, to discuss the issue of increasing numbers of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Hitler responded to news of the conference by essentially saying that if the other nations agreed to take the Jews, he would help them leave. However, with both the United States and Britain, the major democratic powers of its time, refusing to take in any substantial number, the conference was a failure, leaving the Jews no escape and ultimately subjected to what was known as Hitler's Final Solution...'' ]		[ ''The Evian Conference: Convened from July 8th to 13th, 1938 A.D., when representatives from thirty-two countries met in Evian-les-Bains, France, to discuss the issue of increasing numbers of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Hitler responded to news of the conference by essentially saying that if the other nations agreed to take the Jews, he would help them leave. However, with both the United States and Britain, the major democratic powers of its time, refusing to take in any substantial number, the conference was a failure, leaving the Jews no escape and ultimately subjected to what was known as Hitler's Final Solution...'' ]

Aorii at 17:38, 27 December 2012

2012-12-27T17:38:14Z

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	''The Evian Conference: Convened from July 8th to 13th, 1938 A.D., when representatives from thirty-two countries met in Evian-les-Bains, France, to discuss the issue of increasing numbers of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Hitler responded to news of the conference by essentially saying that if the other nations agreed to take the Jews, he would help them leave. However, with both the United States and Britain, the major democratic powers of its time, refusing to take in any substantial number, the conference was a failure, leaving the Jews no escape and ultimately subjected to what was known as Hitler's Final Solution...''		In this sterile-white room where the only conscious occupant was myself, my focused efforts finally found the event that Kayeten tipped off with only a single word:

			[ ''The Evian Conference: Convened from July 8th to 13th, 1938 A.D., when representatives from thirty-two countries met in Evian-les-Bains, France, to discuss the issue of increasing numbers of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Hitler responded to news of the conference by essentially saying that if the other nations agreed to take the Jews, he would help them leave. However, with both the United States and Britain, the major democratic powers of its time, refusing to take in any substantial number, the conference was a failure, leaving the Jews no escape and ultimately subjected to what was known as Hitler's Final Solution...'' ]

	(The greatest tragedy of the Industrial Age could have been prevented merely by saying 'yes'.)		(The greatest tragedy of the Industrial Age could have been prevented merely by saying 'yes'.)

Aorii: em-dash fix

2012-12-27T00:38:27Z

em-dash fix

Aorii: major grammar pass (end of 2012)

2012-12-26T01:28:40Z

major grammar pass (end of 2012)

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Aorii: dialogue style edit

2012-12-01T03:44:20Z

dialogue style edit

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	But more than that, it were his words that drew my attention. The way he said that, the tone, the expression, everything... was exactly like that of the Captain.		But more than that, it were his words that drew my attention. The way he said that, the tone, the expression, everything... was exactly like that of the Captain.

	"Numb ~~and stings~~ a little, but fine ~~otherwise~~. Thanks ~~you~~..."		"Numb. Stings a little, but otherwise fine. Thanks..."

	I faltered for a few seconds, unsure. But then, this was probably a consideration he either knew or should know.		I faltered for a few seconds, unsure. But then, this was probably a consideration he either knew or should know.
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	Kayeten threw me an intrigued, inviting look with a nod and a tilt of his head.		Kayeten threw me an intrigued, inviting look with a nod and a tilt of his head.

	"~~You have the same sense of~~ flattery, ~~and a~~ similar demeanor when not being serious."		"Uses over-flattery, bit dramatic, similar demeanor when not being serious, all that."

	He nodded and thought it over for a few seconds...		He nodded and thought it over for a few seconds...

	"Well honestly... it sounds like he's ~~copied some of my ways~~---"		"Well honestly... it sounds like he's ''copying'' me---"

	His face lit up in a grin, then a wide smile as he continued with a nostalgic voice:		His face lit up in a grin, then a wide smile as he continued with a nostalgic voice:

	"---Sheesh, I knew he was jealous of my social prowess back then but, really!? Still, I have some trouble thinking that ~~seriously~~ serious stubborn guy could..."		"---Sheesh, I knew he was jealous of my social prowess back then but, really!? Still, I have some trouble thinking that frustratingly serious mule-headed stubborn guy could..."

	Kayeten trailed off in an instant, looking alarmed and uncomfortable as though he suddenly thought of something unpleasant.		Kayeten trailed off in an instant, looking alarmed and uncomfortable as though he suddenly thought of something unpleasant.
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	Unsure of what to say, I returned my focus back to searching for information.		Unsure of what to say, I returned my focus back to searching for information.

	"~~But back a topic,~~ I'm kinda glad," Kayeten turned towards me again with an approving voice. "I'd been worried that you'd be one of those in denial of unpleasant facts like casualties---"		"Still... I'm kinda glad," Kayeten turned towards me again with an approving voice. "I'd been worried that you'd be one of those in denial of unpleasant facts like casualties---"

	My eyes slowly turned back towards Kayeten.		My eyes slowly turned back towards Kayeten.

	"I won't deny ~~suffering~~ that ~~sometimes~~, ~~but~~ I ~~do tend to favor~~ information over ~~a lack thereof~~. Do I come off otherwise?"		"I won't deny that. I probably do suffer it at times. But by and most, I'd pick information over nothing anyday... Do I come off otherwise?"

	A calculating grin crept up the corner of his mouth.		A calculating grin crept up the corner of his mouth.
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	"...Speer?"		"...Speer?"

	Kayeten took a ~~second~~ before he began to recite in quote:		Kayeten took a few seconds, probably concentrating on retrieving some information through his implants, before he began to recite in quote:

	"My inclination to be relieved of having to think, particularly about unpleasant facts, helped to sway the balance. In this I did not differ from millions of others. After years of frustrated efforts I was wild to accomplish things. For the commission to do a great building, I would have sold my soul like Faust. Now I had found my Mephistopheles. He seemed no less engaging than Goethe's --- by Albert Speer, Hitler's architect and Minister of Armaments for the Third Reich."		"My inclination to be relieved of having to think, particularly about unpleasant facts, helped to sway the balance. In this I did not differ from millions of others. After years of frustrated efforts I was wild to accomplish things. For the commission to do a great building, I would have sold my soul like Faust. Now I had found my Mephistopheles. He seemed no less engaging than Goethe's --- by Albert Speer, Hitler's architect and Minister of Armaments for the Third Reich."
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	"There's... I wouldn't have..." mingled words and half-completed retorts filled my mind in an instant. Then: "I tried to persuade him otherwise."		"There's... I wouldn't have..." mingled words and half-completed retorts filled my mind in an instant. Then: "I tried to persuade him otherwise."

	"I have no doubt." Kayeten replied in all seriousness, without a hint of mockery. "Although whether you would have succeeded was debatable. What would you have done if he ~~continued unerringly~~?"		"I have no doubt." Kayeten replied in all seriousness, without a hint of mockery. "Although whether you would have succeeded was debatable. What would you have done if he kept pressing his ambition?"

	The first answer that surfaced into my mind was kicked aside instantly.		The first answer that surfaced into my mind was kicked aside instantly.
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	I was getting used to seeing Kayeten's surprised expression:		I was getting used to seeing Kayeten's surprised expression:

	"His affinity is in enchantment but... that's ~~ridiculous~~!"		"His affinity is in enchantment but... that's...!"

	"Pretty liberal use, that's for sure."		"Pretty liberal use, that's for sure."

Aorii at 19:43, 28 November 2012

2012-11-28T19:43:29Z

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	(I'll also be protecting Arkadi's dream, but in my own way...)		(I'll also be protecting Arkadi's dream, but in my own way...)

			After all, there was still faith in this world, belief that mankind will return to a better path. There was still light in the darkness, guiding us to an Avalon beyond the eclipse.

	It was time to talk to Marshal Sidika, to Miko-Hime Shirayuki, to affirm that I was not merely a participating ally, that we share a common goal and dream.		It was time to talk to Marshal Sidika, to Miko-Hime Shirayuki, to affirm that I was not merely a participating ally, that we share a common goal and dream.

	(If this world is my origin, then I'll help rebuild its Avalonian dream.)		(If this world is my origin, then I'll help rebuild its Avalonian dream.)

Aorii at 19:35, 26 November 2012

2012-11-26T19:35:42Z

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	\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_14\|Chapter 14]]		\| Back to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Chapter_14\|Chapter 14]]
	\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]		\| Return to [[Avalon_Beyond_the_Eclipse\|Main Page]]
			\| Forward to [[Avalon:Volume_0_Epilogue\|Epilogue]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}
	</noinclude>		</noinclude>

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	"Isn't this too weird?" I asked as I mentally switched the AR display panel from one channel to another and then another. "Entertainment shows or technical difficulties, all of them! Not a single detailed report!"		"Isn't this too weird?" I asked as I mentally switched the AR display panel from one channel to another and then another. "Entertainment shows or technical difficulties, all of them! Not a single detailed report!"

	"In war, truth is the first casualty," Kayeten declared as he leaned back against the wall. "I forgot who said that; some Greek writer I think. The 1st District is likely still trying to figure which media station they could rely on to spin things their way. They could transmit broadcasts from Avalon, but they probably knocked out all of the main network's relays to disrupt communications. Either way, we do know what happened, both on ground and in orbit, and nobody will grasp the full extent of the damage or casualty counts until things start settling down --- at least on this planet."		"In war, truth is the first casualty," Kayeten declared as he leaned back against the wall. "I forgot who said that; some Greek writer I think. The 1st District is likely still trying to figure which media station they could rely on to spin things their way. They could transmit broadcasts from Avalon, but they probably knocked out all of the main network's relays to disrupt communications. Either way, we do know what happened, both on ground and in orbit, and nobody will grasp the full extent of the damage or casualty counts until things start settling down -- at least on this planet."

	I had passed out for a few hours before they had revitalized me, and in that short window of time what little balance this world retained had collapsed. The 2nd District fleet was in tatters, its command structure destroyed and its planet invaded. Nuclear strikes had been launched against ground-side targets that the initial detonations failed to destroy, including --- an attack on the battle at Château de Falaise.		I had passed out for a few hours before they had revitalized me, and in that short window of time what little balance this world retained had collapsed. The 2nd District fleet was in tatters, its command structure destroyed and its planet invaded. Nuclear strikes had been launched against ground-side targets that the initial detonations failed to destroy, including -- an attack on the battle at Château de Falaise.

	Fortunately, Shirayuki's ''Thermonuclear Suppression'' aura was able to nullify the attack. That gave her lieutenant Midori enough time to teleport all the 3rd District, ''Seventh Cross'', and ''Moonlit Eclipse'' members out to another safehouse on Brocéliande before 1st District ground troops could arrive. The 2nd District soldiers, being a liability, were ordered to disperse and seek refuge on their own.		Fortunately, Shirayuki's ''Thermonuclear Suppression'' aura was able to nullify the attack. That gave her lieutenant Midori enough time to teleport all the 3rd District, ''Seventh Cross'', and ''Moonlit Eclipse'' members out to another safehouse on Brocéliande before 1st District ground troops could arrive. The 2nd District soldiers, being a liability, were ordered to disperse and seek refuge on their own.
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	He nodded and thought it over for a few seconds...		He nodded and thought it over for a few seconds...

	"Well honestly... it sounds like he's ''copying'' me---"		"Well honestly... it sounds like he's ''copying'' me--"

	His face lit up in a grin, then a lopsided smile as he continued with a nostalgic voice:		His face lit up in a grin, then a lopsided smile as he continued with a nostalgic voice:

	"---Sheesh, I knew he was jealous of my social prowess back then but, really!? Still, I have some trouble thinking that frustratingly serious mule-headed stubborn jerk could..."		"--Sheesh, I knew he was jealous of my social prowess back then but, really!? Still, I have some trouble thinking that frustratingly serious mule-headed stubborn jerk could..."

	Kayeten trailed off in an instant, looking alarmed and uncomfortable as though he suddenly thought of something unpleasant.		Kayeten trailed off in an instant, looking alarmed and uncomfortable as though he suddenly thought of something unpleasant.
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	Unsure of what to say, I returned my focus back to searching for information.		Unsure of what to say, I returned my focus back to searching for information.

	"Still... I'm kinda glad," Kayeten turned towards me again with an approving voice. "I'd been worried that you'd be one of those in denial of unpleasant facts like casualties---"		"Still... I'm kinda glad," Kayeten turned towards me again with an approving voice. "I'd been worried that you'd be one of those in denial of unpleasant facts like casualties--"

	My eyes slowly turned back towards Kayeten.		My eyes slowly turned back towards Kayeten.
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	Kayeten took a few seconds, probably concentrating on retrieving some information through his implants, before he began to recite in quote:		Kayeten took a few seconds, probably concentrating on retrieving some information through his implants, before he began to recite in quote:

	"My inclination to be relieved of having to think, particularly about unpleasant facts, helped to sway the balance. In this I did not differ from millions of others. After years of frustrated efforts I was wild to accomplish things. For the commission to do a great building, I would have sold my soul like Faust. Now I had found my Mephistopheles. He seemed no less engaging than Goethe's --- by Albert Speer, Hitler's architect and Minister of Armaments for the Third Reich."		"My inclination to be relieved of having to think, particularly about unpleasant facts, helped to sway the balance. In this I did not differ from millions of others. After years of frustrated efforts I was wild to accomplish things. For the commission to do a great building, I would have sold my soul like Faust. Now I had found my Mephistopheles. He seemed no less engaging than Goethe's -- by Albert Speer, Hitler's architect and Minister of Armaments for the Third Reich."

	The few sentences of words hit me like hammers, knocking the wind out of my lungs as I forgot to breathe for several seconds.		The few sentences of words hit me like hammers, knocking the wind out of my lungs as I forgot to breathe for several seconds.
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	''Frustrated efforts'', I could not deny.		''Frustrated efforts'', I could not deny.

	''Commission'' --- the ever-sought recognition.		''Commission'' -- the ever-sought recognition.

	''Sold my soul'': perhaps if Shirayuki hadn't taken me, that was my inevitable path.		''Sold my soul'': perhaps if Shirayuki hadn't taken me, that was my inevitable path.
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	I leaned back in my chair and pondered over the quote entered into the article:		I leaned back in my chair and pondered over the quote entered into the article:

	"''The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing~~. -~~-- Albert Einstein.''"		"''The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing -- Albert Einstein.''"

	To do without my own purpose was little more than nothing.		To do without my own purpose was little more than nothing.
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	To cease positive action was to falter into stagnation, decline, and ultimately destruction. This was the basics of any business; life and society were no different.		To cease positive action was to falter into stagnation, decline, and ultimately destruction. This was the basics of any business; life and society were no different.

	That was why Captain Arkadi choose his path: because he saw a world in stagnation and decline, a world where people were satisfied to do nothing. He wanted a historically-proven catalyst that will return them to action, however horrible the process may be. He wanted a lasting effect on humanity, and choose the literal application of the Chinese proverb ''a thousand years of fame, ten thousand years of infamy'' --- notoriety persisted even if renown could not.		That was why Captain Arkadi choose his path: because he saw a world in stagnation and decline, a world where people were satisfied to do nothing. He wanted a historically-proven catalyst that will return them to action, however horrible the process may be. He wanted a lasting effect on humanity, and choose the literal application of the Chinese proverb ''a thousand years of fame, ten thousand years of infamy'' -- notoriety persisted even if renown could not.

	(Of course I don't agree.)		(Of course I don't agree.)