<Snipped quote by Artifact>

Why collect stories when you can make an impact and help fix the omniverse. I know you'll probably say that the omniverse is perfect as it is, but it isn't. Nothing is perfect. And those who strive for perfection strive for failure. But we can at least fix what we can, right?

<Snipped quote by LimeTime966>

You're absolutely right; Existence is far from perfect. The fact that we can find such beauty in such imperfection—
*Motions toward the oceanside view*
—is itself a miracle of sorts. But the challenge I face is the same one you just observed. If I try to correct the strong-over-weak by strength, have I accomplished anything beyond shifting judgement to myself over the strong? If I use strength to force my will, nothing of substance has changed.

<Snipped quote by Artifact>

Huh. You really know your way around the mind. I can't really see things outside of what I physically see. I think of what I can do for me. You see how what you do for you applies to everybody around you. I find that...interesting.

<Snipped quote by Stratocracy>

Close to it. Some sovereign called me to treat his son, who was hanging on death's door. Come to find out, his son was a glutton and only sick because of the choices he'd made the past twenty years that destroyed his health. Now, call me a quack doc, but I don't treat people with sick hearts. So I was thrown into jail until either he died first and they executed me or I gave up and fixed his body.

<Snipped quote by Session>

Sick hearts?

<Snipped quote by Stratocracy>

Yeah, people who abuse themselves or others and expect someone else to clean up after their mess. I don't treat people who haven't made a good faith effort to get well.

<Snipped quote by Session>

I wanted to make sure I understood you were implying he wasn’t so benevolent to others.
*Crosses my arms and closes my eyes, in thought*
And you swear this is the truth? I don’t believe you have any reason to lie to me, but you tell me.

<Snipped quote by Stratocracy>

I do; it's the truth. But how well or poorly he ruled didn't really matter; that's not my call.

<Snipped quote by Session>

Right. A guy who stood by his morals, especially when they look like that, looks good. If anyone tries to play semantics with your deal, I don’t see why we wouldn’t try to help you wriggle free of them.

<Snipped quote by Stratocracy>

I'm stunned by all the goodwill. But I'll take it—after all, a dying planet beats prison by a mile.

<Snipped quote by Session>

How long are you stuck for?

<Snipped quote by Stratocracy>

On a planet like this? Three months. Almost on the dot.

<Snipped quote by Session>

That’s a lot of time to be-
*My eyes fall down and to the side for a moment*
Nevermind. Is there anything you need?

<Snipped quote by Server>

Kind of. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it that.

<Snipped quote by Server>

*Turns my head over to face you*
As long as you don’t wander away when I’m not looking.

<Snipped quote by Magnanimity>

Well, in that case let's make double sure to stick together.
*Doubles around a dried-out oak twice and continues walking forward through the thick brush, every now and then snagging on brambles*

<Snipped quote by Server>

*Stops to watch you do the second loop and then continues behind you*

<Snipped quote by Magnanimity>

Where are you from?

<Snipped quote by Server>

Space.

<Snipped quote by Magnanimity>

*My eyes widen in surprise*
Really? You don't look much like a spaceman or an alien at all.

<Snipped quote by Server>

It’s true. I suppose the more descriptive answer would be that I was born in Tainaron, but that really doesn’t mean much of anything. It’s not a planet or any place on any world.

<Snipped quote by Server>

I’m one of the few who don’t need to be.

<Snipped quote by Server>

There are a lot of us, and favor is not an infinite resource.

<Snipped quote by Magnanimity>

Favor? What does that mean for you?

<Snipped quote by Server>

Having value in the eyes of our father. It's not exactly a ubiquitous thing.

<Snipped quote by Magnanimity>

He doesn't care about you all the same?

<Snipped quote by Server>

Not at all, actually. Being gifted in any way gives you an edge in that regard.

<Snipped quote by Server>

That’s one a of a few ways. Really, if you’re gifted at all though. In regard to being uniquely powerful, or exceptionally intelligent. Or talented in a way that’s able to be monetized.

<Snipped quote by Server>

*Chuckles*
Perhaps because I ended up jaded to the whole idea? I feel terrible though, to be in my position purely because of what I am gifted with rather than having any sort of desire. But trust me, our family has far more than its fair share of hubris spread about.

<Snipped quote by Magnanimity>

Who relies on you? If you're responsible, then someone has to be depending on you doing this, right?

<Snipped quote by Magnanimity>

Oh...
*Nudges a warty, round fruit to the side with my foot*
I'm sorry for you.

<Snipped quote by Server>

That’s not something I’m unhappy with, as it stands. So don’t cry for me, we still have to finish looking at you.