Day 28 | Video

[myblueskies]

[It's late at night. Not quite the early morning but certainly later than you would normally see Romeo around.

The video turns on into the kitchen, Romeo is a little bit away from the ICP, stirring something in a bowl but he glances over, as if to check that the ICP is recording.]

Um hello everyone. I hope I don't wake anyone up with talking so late but I was in bed and thinking really really hard about some things and my mind wouldn't go to sleep so I came to bake cookies but I'm still thinking and sometimes when you got lots of big questions in your head it's a good idea to talk about it.

[He gets closer, bowl in hand as he keeps mixing.]

I was thinking about Osiga and all the people we saved but also how we left all their bodies and I guess that's okay because we brought the bit that was properly them into the void.

But then I was thinking about what made a person a person because it's really confusing. Because some of the people didn't want to come into the void at all. Because without a world or a body then... that's bad for them I guess but I know lots of people without bodies or worlds and they are all people.

So I read a book that said a person was a person because of all their memories and experiences, that it's what we do and see and know that make us... us. But I knew I was Romeo even when I didn't have any memories at all. When everything was nothing I was still Romeo.

But then I wondered if I was. Because there's people here who look the same as each other and they are different people because they... had different lives I guess so am I the same Romeo as I was when I was alive? Because I don't remember any of that and all the things I did and my friends I made since then have made me me. But did that mean I wasn't really a person when I had no body and no memories?

It's really tricky to think about and I'm worried about all the people we rescued and if they are sad or scared about it because I guess it's different. If you have to live in the void 'cause your world was eaten then if you got snatched in the void but maybe can go home.

And that's different again then not knowing where you come from at all because I guess you can't really miss or be sad about somewhere that you don't even know about.

[Big Questions indeed. He sighed.] It's just really big. So I'm making cookies. If anyone is still awake they can come and get them, they'll be ready once they've been in the oven.

Comments

video

[controlsthedie]

[ Thanatos is in his cabin with the lights off. However, the light from the ICP glows bright enough to show Mort on the table, wiggling his nose at the screen. Thanatos is off to the side, writing something in the dark. It's fine. He's a child of Night. ]

Shades are still themselves, even separated from their body. If that wasn't the case, then the Underworld would not need the amount of recordkeeping we have. The difference here is if they chose to escape to the Void, then there is a chance they could gain a new body instead of remain in their afterlife.

[ He sighs, knowing full well what he senses on the train. Meanwhile, Mort squeaks and waves at Romeo. ]

Well, maybe they could even after they died. The rules aren't as strict out here.

As for memory... those who drink of the Lethe are still themselves. Even if they were to completely forget who they were, there are others who remember, and even if someone completely lacks their memory, then... they make new memories and still become a person.

[ Thanatos has no idea if he's explaining himself right. He still doesn't know what it means to be a person, but he's recognizing that he is one now, wants to remain one. (He still thinks it's different for gods.) ]

... If you are at least wondering about these things... that makes you a person, I think.

Re: video

[myblueskies]

Shades? Are they people who are dead? [Oh hello Mort! He gets a wave back from Romeo with the cookie dough spoon. Snacks Mort!]

What's the Lethe? Does it make you forget things?

Do you think so? If you think about these things then you're a person... So does thinking make you a person?

[controlsthedie]

[ People get snacks! So Romeo is a people! Mort is wise with these things. ]

Shades are what is left after someone dies. You can also call them the soul or spirit of a person. There seems to be many words to describe the same thing.

[ Which is a little annoying but not the worst of what makes communication so hard. ]

Those who drink from the River Lethe lose their memories. If someone you knew lost all their memory, would you stop calling them a person?

[myblueskies]

Oh. [A soul or a spirit, what was left.

He shook his head with a frown.] I don't think so. If someone forgot everything... They are still a person I think but are they the same person as they were before. I guess that's what I'm thinking...

If you don't know anything, you might make different decisions about things.

[controlsthedie]

A child makes different decisions than an adult. It's part of living, I think. To change.

[ Thanatos doesn't exactly know what he's trying to say when he's still learning this himself, learning it and applying it to himself. However, Thanatos doesn't think he's wrong about what he's saying either. ]

You're you. Even if you are different than who you were before.

[myblueskies]

So what if you don't change? What if you are a kid forever?

[What then? There is just more and more layers to this. But he thinks Thanatos is right. He's him. He is Romeo even if he is different than the Romeo who once lived on a different world.]

[controlsthedie]

[ Thanatos is silent for a moment as he thinks. Mort looks to be thinking as well, occasionally sneaking a glance at Thanatos. ]

I know some adults who don't change, and I know some children who have changed but are still children.

[myblueskies]

So they might stay the same and never grow or grow but still be kids in their head?

[He's trying, there's a lot.]

[controlsthedie]

It depends on the individual. There are no set rules.

[ Especially on this train which has forced Thanatos to realize that the rules he knew for death are differ greatly, worryingly across worlds. ]

[myblueskies]

Oh. I guess that's right. Everywhere is different.

[controlsthedie]

[ Mort is nodding and squeaking his confirmation. Everywhere is different for when someone becomes an adult. Mort knows Thanatos is big now, but he is still really young! ]

Mort, I'm not a godling.

[ Mort turns around and pats his arm with a little paw. Thanatos is still learning how to be a grown up, and so he will continue to protect him forever.

This probably doesn't help Romeo's question at all. ]

[myblueskies]

[Romeo tilts his head.] Oh! Do you understand what Mort is squeaking?

[Does Mort have a language? He had always thought he was like a pet, but could he talk to Thanatos?]

[controlsthedie]

[ Thanatos looks at Mort, who somehow looks back with a smug expression. ]

Yes, I can understand Mort. I've been able to since I was small.

[ Mort squeaks something about height not counting. ]

Mort, I'm older than you.

[ And yet who was supposed to protect who? The Chthonic Companion is the protector! Thanatos cheeks turn a little golden. He's losing this argument with Mort. How is he losing this argument? ]

[myblueskies]

[Romeo giggled.] It seems like Mort is a really food friend to you sir. [It's good that he has had a good friend like that, ever since he was small.]

Sometimes younger people can protect bigger ones. Grown ups sometimes need help too.

[controlsthedie]

[ Mort hops up and down in front of the screen. See! Romeo gets it! ]

... That is one way of putting it.

[myblueskies]

It is! I bet Mort is a very very good person to look after you!

[controlsthedie]

[ The very best! And now he can move around too! Mort demonstrates by scampering all over Thanatos. ]

He's pleased by what you say.

[myblueskies]

[Romeo grinned.] That's good! He should be very happy 'cause he's got a good friend like you.

[He likes seeing good friends together.]

[controlsthedie]

He is.

[ Mort is very happy to be reunited with Thanatos. Thanatos catches Mort in his hands and holds him close to his chest. No more scampering for now. ]

Anyways, I think you've got your question answered or at least enough so that you have something. I'll leave you to think on what everyone has said. Write it down if you need to.

[myblueskies]

Write it down? Do you think that will help?

[He does have a lot to think about! That is for sure.]

[controlsthedie]

It can, and if you ever forget, you have it to remind you.

[myblueskies]

That's true! I can just read it again and remember!

[controlsthedie]

Exactly. You don't have to do so this moment, but don't let too much time lapse between.

[myblueskies]

I won't! 'Cause if I leave it too long I'll forget! [And that would be bad!]