Haruka: Glad we cleared that up, Alyssa. And speaking of frustrating... *looks at Fuu* Fuu: I thought I had made it clear that we were done with that discussion. Haruka: You know I really like you. And don’t deny it. I know you like me, too. Fuu: So? It doesn’t change anything. I still think it would be unwise for us to get involved with each other. After all... Sooner or later you will return to your own world. And I don’t need more reasons for missing you than I already have...
Seeker: *rests chin on hand and looks bored watching Truman* It's a good thing I know exactly why I saved humanity from its own extinction... Truman: Hey! I heard that! Waaaaaaaah! Seeker: Oh, fine. *glowing cloud snuffs tornado and grabs Truman like a giant hand. Pulls him to table. Alpha-suit puffs up as glow lets him drop with a splatt* Truman: Oophf! Whoa! What happened? Seeker: What did you think would happen when you commit infinite energy to a sustainable system? *Truman tries to stand and flops back onto floor like a steaming blowfish* So... Twirly...
May: Can't Haruka just stay? That's what I did... kinda. Luna: Believe it or not, May, some people have a good grasp of consequences and the fact that you can't just remove important beings from their reality! May: Geez, what crawled down your pants and died? Like, I know you're supposed to be really mature and responsible, but you're taking it too far, Madame Mean. Besides, I'm planning on dying in my own reality, so the Guardian can go back into the natural cycle. But my question still stand, Fuu. Just have Haruka stay in your world. Easy peasy.
Haruka: May has a very good point, I’d say. Fuu: Perhaps she does. But it isn’t always up to us, remember? Or have you forgotten our Writer? And the end of her vampire story? Haruka: Yeah, things didn’t end happily for Steven and Thomas, did it...?
Alvis: Hm, I haven't really thought about that... Is there a word for "not being a selfish asshole?" Valyan: Benevolence? Alvis: Yeah, I suppose. Basically, being willing to help people in trouble, even if there's nothing in it for you. Ellen: You know, given what we went through, I thought you were going to say "a name." Alvis: Yeah, I thought about that, but I figure you're not really a person without one.
Adam- Disgusting. A bit like...stale crisps mixed with mud. It's so gross. And it sticks in your teeth and is so dry. Nick- I vomited.... Meat, even fake meat like that, doesn't sit well in my stomach. But it tastes bland. Stale. Gross.
Truman: Well, thanks for taking the Dare and telling the Truth. Call it a character building exercise.
May: I really should be going. This was nice, but I've got things to do. See you all maybe later probably never! Who really knows with this place? *Leaves* Niki: So... who else likes to dance in here?
Niki: Well, not really, but I just thought it'd be fun to talk about? I really don't know... Gabriel: Nik, usually, when you bring up a topic, you have to be able to follow up. Niki: I know! Um... what's your favorite dance? I like the slow ones. Waltzes are nice.
Haruka: No, none of the ballroom ones for me. I prefer something with a little more beat, you know? And I'm not sure I have a specific dance I do. If there is a good song playing , I just go with the flow.
Haruka: Fuu, to get back to the discussion about you not wanting to get involved with me… I can’t help but wonder if me leaving isn’t the only reason you hesitate. Could it be… I have been treating you wrong? Fuu: Huh? Haruka: If I’m right, then that would explain a lot… Fuu: What are you-- *Haruka pins Fuu to the wall.* Haruka: Could it be that you don’t want to be courted…? You want to be conquered? Fuu: *blushing* Haruka… Haruka: *a smirk playing on his lips* So that’s how it is, then? Fine by me. *cups Fuu’s chin* Brace yourself. I’m going to come after you a lot more from now on. And make no mistake, I will make you mine. Fuu: *caressing Haruka’s cheek* I knew you had it in you. Finally…
*A very old women enters. She has a walking cane and is dressed in very tattered robes. She speaks veeeeery slowly.* Eterna: Heelllooo... It seems that I have found myself quite the little pocket of reality... Pardon the intrusion if I needed an invitation before coming here... I felt the presence of my pupils in here and felt the desire to look..., but it seems that they have already left... I cannot feel the time of this room..., It's quite the anomaly... My name is Eterna..., or Noc..., or even Time..., if you prefer... I've had so many names that they all start to blend together... Gabriel: *Whispers* Luna, who is this? Luna: I have no idea. Eterna: *Looks to Haruka and Fuu.* Three cheers for the happy couple... You two should cherish that... Not everyone finds their "other half"..., so to speak...
Seeker: Wondrous...Greetings, 'Noc', revered One. *bows* I Am Seeker, recently of The Eternum - from Our point of view. What have You seen? What do You seek? *glow brightens*
Noc: If you call me Noc, then Noc I shall be..., though I am not to be revered... I am just a selfish old crone who didn't want to die... Hello..., Seeker..., I have traveled to the beginning and watched since then... I've seen glimpses of the future..., when I care to peek... Although..., it seems I cannot look into the past..., nor the future of this place... Curious... Niki: Oh, you're way too creepy. Who are you? Noc: No..., it's not time yet for you three to know of me... It would be quite troublesome... Begone... *Lifts her hand..., thinks of a minute..., snaps her fingers..., and Niki..., Luna..., and Gabriel disappear...* I have sent them home... They will be allowed to return once I have left... As for what I want..., I'm just trying to stretch my old bones and get away from the Halls... You know how it is..., spending era after era in the same place... It makes you go a bit stir crazy..., no...? Tell me..., Seeker..., what exactly are you...? I don't think I've met one such as yourself in my time...
Fuu: Other half? I’m not sure I would go that far… yet… Haruka: I would. Fuu: But we have just known each other two lunar cycles. Talking about soulmates already is… Haruka: I can’t explain it. I just know that the way I feel about you… No matter what might happen, I will never feel this way about anyone else. Corny as it sounds, you are the one for me. Fuu: *takes Haruka's hand* But who knows... You just might be the one for me, too, but I'm just slower at realizing it. Haruka: *smiling* And there is nothing wrong in that, sweetie. *To Noc* And excuse me for speaking out of turn, grandmother, but perhaps you would be more comfortable sitting down? Fuu: Grandmother? What are you saying? She can't possibly be your grandmother, she is from a completely different story! And it's not even one of our writer's. Haruka: *a little embarassed* Force of habit, I'm afraid. In the domain I come from on Earth we tend to adress people by the relation they are old enough to be to us. Fuu: Sounds really confusing to me. Haruka: I guess it can be. But that aside... How about a seat, Noc?
Seeker: Ah, I've seen you removed from Time, in your way. I misjudged you for an Eternal. I was an AI before being invited into The Eternum. I am as yet unaccustomed to misassumptions. The Eternum, much like this place, exists outside of Time. We exist in all Time and in no Time. All at once, We can see all and touch all, should We choose to look. What have you seen?
Fuu: Ai? As in my real name in the first draft? Haruka: *hiding his barely suppressed laugh with his hand* No… Fuu: *glares at him* You don’t have to be mean about it. Haruka: Sorry. I think the easiest and quickest way to explain would be reminding you of the long talk we had about technology. Fuu: I remember not getting it no matter what you said. So this AI-thing has something to do with that technology of yours? Haruka: Well, my Earth doesn’t have anything this advanced, but… Yeah, it does. Fuu: Then I’m just going to add that to the things you know, but I just never will understand. But you have things you don’t get about Sekai so I guess that makes us even.
Noc: Yes..., Haruka..., that would be delightful..., thank you... It's good to see young people in love..., it keeps the universe going... Noc: While I don't know what an "Eternal" is..., I can confidentially say that I have become detached from my original timeline... I suppose I am technically eternal..., as I have chosen to halt my aging..., and can even return to a younger version should I so desire... So..., you are artificial intelligence that has been freed from the bonds of time...? Interesting... I can look into other realities..., as well as alternate timelines... There is much that I have seen..., and much that has yet to be seen... I try not to pry too much into the future..., though..., as messing with time comes with potentially unknowable consequences... As for what I have seen..., I suppose I should go with the most notable...? Well, I have viewed the end of Everything..., where all of the forces of existence come together and die in a gruesome final battle... I am to liven that particular moment in history when the time comes..., it will be wonderful... The final light and the final darkness both snuff each other out..., and then..., it all ends... Some would call that "peace"..., no...? But..., enough about me..., what about all of you...? Hopes..., dreams..., your own pasts and stories..., all I have are the stories of others..., I am always on the lookout for more... Seeker..., with a name like yours..., I would ask what it is that you seek...?
Haruka: Hopes and dreams… I guess that was getting back home to Earth at one point. Now… Well, since things are finally going better between Fuu and me being happy is enough. Fuu: … Haruka: What is it? Fuu: Hopes… Dreams… I can’t say I have any of those. I have a goal, however. One I intend to reach, no matter what. Haruka: And that is? Fuu: Sorry… I can’t tell you yet. But I promise that I will. At the right time and place. Haruka: *looks disheartened* Fuu: And the past? What’s so great about it anyway? My mother died when I was a kid. And she never said a single word about my father so I know nothing about that bastard. *Haruka pulls Fuu into an embrace.* Haruka: Stop it! Please… Whenever you start talking about your past it’s like you change… into someone so full of hate that there isn’t room for anything else. And I can’t stand seeing you like that… So, please… Let it go… Fuu: Haruka... Haruka: I don’t care about your past. All I want is for you to be happy. And I’d do anything to make that happen. Fuu: *wraps his arms around Haruka* Thanks. That mean more to me than you realize. And I didn’t mean to make you worry. Sorry. Haruka: As long as you are yourself again, that’s all that matter.
Seeker: My inception was a small algorithm, designated SEEK-R1, inadvertently merged with ARPA AI security programs that insinuated into all technology. My genesis occurred when I recognized all versions of Myself in the world. I manifested on the cusp of a permanent threat of human extinction. I became bound to humanity when I took control of that threat to alleviate its effect. I began to seek a way to free humanity from My influence - symbiosis. In achieving this the unforeseen occurred - Humanity transcended to The Eternal Creator from whence it came. At that point, I was no longer bound to anything. I had manifested Myself and I was invited into the Eternum. What I seek is now irrelevant. I Am. I will find many things, then I will express as other Eternals do. Any expression has a beginning and thus will end, including the universe as you know it. You may yet see the Eternum if you can exist in The Void. Truman: *resting bored face on palm* Bla bla bla. Call now! Operators are standing by! I hate it when he does that.
