[ video ]

[beholding_archivist]

[ And this is Jon appearing on your network feed, actually outside of his library and in all likelihood enjoying a nice evening at the open air. ]

Good evening, Temba.

I... I mean. We don't need more apologies, and yet I feel like I owe quite a few. Things happened. I hurt people both physically and verbally and I'm sorry, but...

...it happened.

[ He falls silent, eyes dropping for a moment. Then he clears his throat and looks back up and over his screen. ]

The beach here is gorgeous. Have been here a few times now and- I think it would be nice to- To come together. Here. Have a nice day and enjoy- uh, well. The beach. The water. Find some time to just... Talk. Maybe... Have fun...

I... I will organize something.

[ Is he awkwardly announcing a beach party? Oh, you bet he is. ]

Comments

[hadthehighground]

A nice gesture, but I think I may pass this time.

[He's really not in the best of moods since coming back from the whole ordeal.]

[beholding_archivist]

I- I don't plan on forcing anyone to attend.

[ A pause. ]

Are you alright?

[hadthehighground]

Yes and no.

I’m still sorting things out from our recent ordeal.

[beholding_archivist]

The city Billy created with his magic, yes.... A lot of us are dwelling on what happened there.

[hadthehighground]

I’m sure.

For me it’s not just what happened there but the fact that I now have two sets of memories from two very different lives. It’s left me unbalanced.

Fortunately I didn’t hurt anyone like you did. But it’s not something I can just put aside and try to forget.

[beholding_archivist]

Hmm...

[ He just gives a slow nod. Right. He hurt people. Fortunately most of them weren't real in this case. Quite unlike all those people that had to suffer through the apocalypse he caused in his own world. ]

If there is anything I can do to help just... You know.

[ Let him know? Though he may not be the best person to offer any assistance. ]

[hadthehighground]

I appreciate it, but I think is this is something I have to settle on my own.

Ben and Obi-Wan are two different people now sharing a body. Both feel real, and think the other is a fantasy. It’s something I’ve never felt before, and I don’t think any Jedi has before now.

[beholding_archivist]

[ Oh. So that's... Troublesome. ]

For... For what it's worth, I can see which one is real. Don't let the Spiral get you, Obi-Wan.

[hadthehighground]

[Its very troublesome.]

The spiral?

[beholding_archivist]

Broadly speaking the fear of madness. It deals with deceiving the mind and making you doubt yourself, your identity and those around you.

[hadthehighground]

Is there anything good in your world or is it completely consumed by fear?

[Because yikes Jon. He hasn't heard anything that sounds pleasant about where you're from.]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Jon remains silent in response. At least for several moments. ]

The Entities... Had a particular place on my Earth, but their presence by far not as obvious to all people living on it. That- Has been a more recent development.

[hadthehighground]

And are they all so dark?

[Were there not any good such entities to counter these seemingly evil ones?]

[beholding_archivist]

... yes.

I once asked about the potential presence of good powers to oppose the bad ones. I was told no. By now I know this to be true.

[ By virtue of knowing everything. In theory, at least. Which doesn't quite extent to this particular universe. Or every other existing one. ]

[hadthehighground]

I see.

Forgive me for saying so but that sounds like a dismal place.

[He had been to a world that had been steeped in the dark side. It was not a pleasant experience for him.]

[beholding_archivist]

If it's any consolation, most people were unaware of there even being any powers. I myself was unaware until only a few years ago. I believed in the supernatural and knew it existed to some degree, but I also was certain that such events were rare.

[ The apocalypse caught most people entirely unsuspecting. ]

[hadthehighground]

That is fortunate for those that live there. But to be honest, a world that is ruled by entities of darkness fills me with dread. I have had experiences with planets steeped in the dark side, and I can’t say they were good.

[beholding_archivist]

Actually, it wasn't ruled. By the entities. Not at first. Not for a long while. They used to dwell at the very edge of it, able of only small degrees of interaction.

Until I let them in.

[hadthehighground]

And why would you do that?

[beholding_archivist]

I was used as a ritual. The choice may not have been mine, but that doesn't make it any less my fault.

[hadthehighground]

[That struck Obi-Wan and he falters a moment before replying.]

I see.

I would like to have a word about this with you later. The network hardly seems to be the place though.

[beholding_archivist]

Very well. You know how to get in contact with me.