[ 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]

[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.