[Well, then... a mild look of surprise crosses his face, but it soon turns to something contemplative. Although "Altius" wouldn't know anything about these kinds of powers, it's not outside of the realm of possibility in his world, he would think. Either way, her explanation is reasonable enough that even the businessman alone could understand it... and its implications.
He wonders what happened to the non-temporary personality, but—that doesn't particularly matter at this point, does it? At least not in terms of what she's experiencing now.]
That explains a few things, [he eventually replies.] I'm glad you had that support. No one deserves to be used and discarded like that, regardless of origin.
[He's a hypocrite for saying so, but he nevertheless believes it.]
[She feels guilty about where the original personality is, probably a good idea to mind when that topic comes up.
His initial response doesn't really surprise Echo. Even in her own world, it's pretty wild. Finally, she nods in agreement.]
I agree. The ones who came before me were not so lucky. In the eyes of those who knew what I was, I was merely a tool. I've realized that how they perceived me affected how I saw myself. I did not consider myself to be an actual existence until I was treated as one.
[That there were others like her shouldn't come as a shock, really. How many of her like were thrown away before she managed to take control of her own decisions...? Another piece of cruelty from a different world—but it's really no different from any other, in the end. Magic and the supernatural didn't have to be involved for people to be treated as tools.]
The same can be said for most people. Until we come across new perspectives, we tend to assume there are no other paths to take but the ones we're first given. That tendency can certainly be used as a form of control.
[And in Echo's case he has no doubt that was intentional, even if they never once believed her to be capable of personhood. Why risk giving her the chance?]
It's when we're able to ask questions that we can start to truly understand ourselves, I think.
Yes. Control was the point. That was the power my creator possessed.
[It wasn't just Echoes; there were temporary personalities placed into a variety of people when Noise wanted to manipulate them. She doesn't know anything about what happened to those.]
And I agree about questions. I ask them often because I want to understand more things. It makes sense that it extends to ourselves.
[Speaking of understanding things, they had been doing something before this turned into a philosophical journey, right?]
[Altius hardly cares about this apparent holiday and its potential trinkets; he's not getting his hopes up on what they'll find. This has been more of a way to take some time to rest between errands, anyway, and learning more about this girl seems the more useful result.
He can still circle around and pretend well enough, at least.]
Perhaps you'll find the right questions to ask to help you understand how to enjoy occasions like this festival, hm? Instead of only thinking of it as superfluous.
[There's a knowing look in his eye. Sentimental trinkets aren't something he's focused on for himself in a long, long time, but he knows very well the effect they have on people in general—even if they happen to be artificial, he doubts that's any different.]
It's still important, [he finishes for her with a smile, despite her quick attempt to move on. But to be merciful, he does turn his attention to the surroundings.]
There should be, certainly. We might look over behind those flower beds, hm?
[And they don't have to speak about foolish feelings any further. He'll probably return to new errands for the locals soon enough, himself.]
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expiationlogs2025-04-13 10:48 pm
no subject
He wonders what happened to the non-temporary personality, but—that doesn't particularly matter at this point, does it? At least not in terms of what she's experiencing now.]
That explains a few things, [he eventually replies.] I'm glad you had that support. No one deserves to be used and discarded like that, regardless of origin.
[He's a hypocrite for saying so, but he nevertheless believes it.]
no subject
His initial response doesn't really surprise Echo. Even in her own world, it's pretty wild. Finally, she nods in agreement.]
I agree. The ones who came before me were not so lucky. In the eyes of those who knew what I was, I was merely a tool. I've realized that how they perceived me affected how I saw myself. I did not consider myself to be an actual existence until I was treated as one.
no subject
The same can be said for most people. Until we come across new perspectives, we tend to assume there are no other paths to take but the ones we're first given. That tendency can certainly be used as a form of control.
[And in Echo's case he has no doubt that was intentional, even if they never once believed her to be capable of personhood. Why risk giving her the chance?]
It's when we're able to ask questions that we can start to truly understand ourselves, I think.
no subject
[It wasn't just Echoes; there were temporary personalities placed into a variety of people when Noise wanted to manipulate them. She doesn't know anything about what happened to those.]
And I agree about questions. I ask them often because I want to understand more things. It makes sense that it extends to ourselves.
[Speaking of understanding things, they had been doing something before this turned into a philosophical journey, right?]
no subject
He can still circle around and pretend well enough, at least.]
Perhaps you'll find the right questions to ask to help you understand how to enjoy occasions like this festival, hm? Instead of only thinking of it as superfluous.
no subject
Yes, perhaps.
[Her hand drifts to the hair clip.]
There was no need for this, either, but it still—
[She's just...gonna shut up right there. Her cheeks are starting to feel a little warm again and she doesn't like it.]
Y-You thought there might be another egg hidden here, correct?
no subject
It's still important, [he finishes for her with a smile, despite her quick attempt to move on. But to be merciful, he does turn his attention to the surroundings.]
There should be, certainly. We might look over behind those flower beds, hm?
[And they don't have to speak about foolish feelings any further. He'll probably return to new errands for the locals soon enough, himself.]
no subject
[It's not exactly what she was going to say, but close enough without inexplicably embarrassing herself.]
That sounds reasonable.
[Echo's just gonna go look around them right now. Maybe that can help change the topic or something.]