futurology | video; un: peridot

[The video turns on, and this individual here is… very green. Neon green, even. And with a stone embedded in her forehead, very similarly to another person who posted once before. However, unlike Pearl, Peridot's voice is less melodic, and more… nasally. She doesn't sound happy, either.]

Hello humans.

[Sigh.]

And whatever else is here.

It seems somehow, ALASTAIR has sent me something from my home world. If only they could spend their time on sending me back instead of bringing things here I don't need.

[And with that, Peridot looks off screen, reaches for something, and places a weird orb with legs out in front of the video feed she's set up. It takes a few steps to settle itself, and then remains still again.]

This is a flask robonoid. It's purpose is … useless here. It's really just useless.

The only reason I'm showing it to any of you at all is so that if you see it around, it isn't a threat. I should just destroy it so that it doesn't get in the way, but …

[She kind of wants it around. It reminds her of a simpler time, when she wasn't stuck on a foreign planet. Instead, she just flicks at the Robonoid with a "finger" of hers, and a pool of liquid inside of it splashes around before it finds equilibrium again.]

… Just let it walk around.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Huh.

What are the tradeoffs?

[A1 looks uncomfortable, so A2 steps in.]

Souls are capable of living past the vessel they're stored in. If the body dies, the soul can simply transcend to a different plane of existence. In that sense, everything that makes up a human -- their life experiences, their relationships -- all live on past them.

When an android is destroyed... that's it. Everything that constitutes who they are is gone in that moment their functions shut down. We have feelings, we live, we love, we develop memories. And all of that vanishes. It's... lonely.

...

I see.

[ Maybe it's best, then, to not talk about what a Gem's version of a soul is. Not that she cares about Accord's feelings. But it doesn't exactly seem like the opportune time. ]

...

[~~Tsun harder, Peridot.~~ A2 perks up as best she can.]

It is what it is. Like I said, it's a tradeoff. Accords at least have the benefit of being able to transfer their recordings, even if they don't transfer their exact experiences. And there's a lot of us, so it's not like there's a HUGE loss if one of us dies.

[She doesn't sound entirely convinced of this, but hey.]

... I have a question.

[A2, again.:]

Hmm?

You're programmed to record timelines, yes?

This is correct. Why do you ask?

... What happens to the Accords that wind up in timelines where it's going to somehow end? Or they know they'll be destroyed? Do they... just stay? Do they have to?

[A pause. Then, A1:]

It... depends. If we know approximately how a timeline is going to end, then we may withdraw them, sealing the timeline if necessary. If we don't, they may stick around to record as much as possible before sending the necessary data back home and... quietly finishing up.

[A2 sighs.]

The world we observe ends in a lot of timelines in very bad ways.

So it's not... it's not cowardly to leave. They have a choice to stay or leave. And some choose to leave. Right?

If there is nothing to be gained from it. What reason is there to throw away your life if doing so results in no demonstrable gain for the greater good?

...

What if an Accord took steps to prevent the destruction of a timeline? What if she knew how to stop a timeline from being destroyed, and did it?

...

...

[A2 looks away. A1 adjusts her glasses.]

This has... already occurred once.

And what happened?

[ You know. Asking for a friend. ]

[A2 smiles a little sadly. A1 looks away, uncomfortable.]

She... finally secured a successful timeline. This resulted in a multitude of new timelines which were impossible previously. We have since taken to recording these newer timelines after securing her final recordings.

So it was a good thing.

[ She sounds a little hopeful, even. ]

So it seems.

[A1 adds, grousing:]

Albeit an EXTREME violation of protocol. It was bad enough we had started giving advice.

[A2 huffs.]

SERIOUSLY, were you even ASSIGNED to the Zero case?

So who makes the protocol? You must have a superior, the one who makes Accords, right? Did that Accord get in trouble with their superior afterwards?

[ All these rather specific questions might have an ulterior motive of trying to make herself feel better. ]

[A1 sighs.]

The protocol was originally crafted based on the notion that too much interference could potentially exacerbate situations which might result in dimensional cross-contamination, or alternatively make the futures worse than they already were. This was a rare exception.

Frankly, said Accord did not live long enough to face repercussions. Her decision was a snap judgement that simultaneously resulted in her own destruction. In the end, the general consensus was that said Accord made the appropriate decision given the circumstances and the high rate of failure in other timelines.

Oh. That's...

Not what I wanted to hear.

[A2 looks sheepish.]

Sorry, but it's the truth. Doesn't necessarily mean that what applies to us will apply to everyone, though.

[a.k.a. Whatever you're trying to squeeze out of their narrative, don't assume their conclusion is going to be the same for you.]

Yes, I understand. Your story is much different than my own despite some initial similarities. I thought maybe though that... There'd be some clue that might help me figure out my own in one of yours since you have multiple experiences.

I'm the only Peridot to go through this sort of thing, from what I've read of the records.

Hmmm.

[A2 ponders, then nods.]

Well, I won't pry. But I do hope you find whatever answers you seek. I can only assume your situation is a complicated one.

I'll ... find a way.

T...

Than...

[ Come on Peridot. You can say Thank You. ]

...

This discussion was informative and not unpleasant.

(no subject)

of_her_own_accord - 2015-11-11 02:36 (UTC) - Expand

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