Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
*sigh* people really need to reread the quest




Sixiang has a human concept of death now, fading away and having "Grandmother" take them apart and reuse the pieces of their self and memories to create an entirely new Sixiang is absolutely "death" to them now.

By Sixiang's current understanding of what death means the only thing that actually stopped them from dying after their temporary body faded away was being bound to us as our spirit. If the bond is broken (whether by our death or releasing them to leave us) Six will fade and die like a normal muse would.

Couldn't we do something to change that? Ask around, talk to said "Grandmother", something?
 
[x] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
Couldn't we do something to change that? Ask around, talk to said "Grandmother", something?
I'm sure that if Ling Qi thought that was a viable option, Ling Qi would have pursued it. However, we don't really have any good ways to consistently contact the Dreaming Moon's avatar in the area and we don't really have anything at the moment that would make them consider changing Sixiang to such a degree.
 
Ling Qi's thoughts whirled, and she began to open her mouth to respond. She felt a sharp pain then, like someone grinding their heel into the top of her foot. She shot Meizhen a sharp look, but the girl merely sipped her tea serenely, eyes down. Ling Qi held back a grimace and sipped from her cup as well.

Lol, it may be Bai social art.

[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
[X] Their personal bond. They did not know each other as well as Ling Qi might like, but… Sixiang was her friend and her muse, they had shouted at the Bloody Moon for her, and helped her through so much. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on their personal relationship and growing friendship. More effective rhetoric, but downplays Sixiang's problems and may only be a stopgap. Higher chance of Positive Outcome]

While I understand and sympathize with the other side of the argument, I'll be voting for this option. Ultimately, I don't believe that the problems that Sixiang is facing can be resolved with only a single conversation and will take a lot of time and dedication on Ling Qi's part. As such, I think the main thing to do is to start the triage and focus on the biggest problems first.

The biggest problem, in my opinion, is Sixiang leaving. If Sixiang leaves, we can't help her anymore. As such, I think the most important thing to do is to ensure that Sixiang stays, even if it is a temporary solution, so that over time we can work with her in resolving the more deep-seated problems Sixiang has with the world.
 
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[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
[X] Their personal bond. They did not know each other as well as Ling Qi might like, but… Sixiang was her friend and her muse, they had shouted at the Bloody Moon for her, and helped her through so much. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on their personal relationship and growing friendship. More effective rhetoric, but downplays Sixiang's problems and may only be a stopgap. Higher chance of Positive Outcome]

Several reasons why we should go for personal bond vote:
1) It "may only be a stopgap" ,it may not though, it doesn't necessary need to come to this next time. We can work just by keeping attention to Six and choosing our actions more carefully.
2) even if it fail being more than band aid, this choice will still give us time, and with time we can level up our bond with Six gaining insight in his/her mindset, especially now that we are learning Songseeker's Ceremony and Melodies of the Spirit Seekers. Next time we need to address with dilemma we will be ready, now is not the time.
3) we literally preventing Sixiang here from committing suicide. What is the point of deciphering his/her problems here if Six just dies next second. It's just wrong. First - prevent suicide, second - go for resolving a problem.

IMO going for bond is not the simple solution, it's the hard one with better chances not only for Six survival, but also for knowing what the problem really is. Whereas 'direct' goes for a throat of problem in one action but with lower chances, 'bond' vote gives us better chances but with condition that we will need to address problem later one way or another.
The thing is if you see your friend/family on verge of committing suicide you wouldn't go for philosophical debate, you would try to first prevent them from attempt especially if you know that it has higher chances of working. So our first response should be to go for 'bond' it's what every sane person would try to do for their family.
 
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I have been persuaded.

[X] Their personal bond. They did not know each other as well as Ling Qi might like, but… Sixiang was her friend and her muse, they had shouted at the Bloody Moon for her, and helped her through so much. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on their personal relationship and growing friendship. More effective rhetoric, but downplays Sixiang's problems and may only be a stopgap. Higher chance of Positive Outcome]
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
Adhoc vote count started by NotAlwaysFanfic on Dec 16, 2019 at 7:58 PM, finished with 98 posts and 44 votes.
 
[X] Their personal bond. They did not know each other as well as Ling Qi might like, but… Sixiang was her friend and her muse, they had shouted at the Bloody Moon for her, and helped her through so much. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on their personal relationship and growing friendship. More effective rhetoric, but downplays Sixiang's problems and may only be a stopgap. Higher chance of Positive Outcome]
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
[X] Their personal bond. They did not know each other as well as Ling Qi might like, but… Sixiang was her friend and her muse, they had shouted at the Bloody Moon for her, and helped her through so much. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on their personal relationship and growing friendship. More effective rhetoric, but downplays Sixiang's problems and may only be a stopgap. Higher chance of Positive Outcome]
 
[X] Their personal bond. They did not know each other as well as Ling Qi might like, but… Sixiang was her friend and her muse, they had shouted at the Bloody Moon for her, and helped her through so much. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on their personal relationship and growing friendship. More effective rhetoric, but downplays Sixiang's problems and may only be a stopgap. Higher chance of Positive Outcome]
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]

because the other option basically boils down to emotional blackmail.
Also, Sixiang herself can't grow is she doesn't face her own issues. And a true friend's role would be to help her do so rather than hide from them.
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]

Gonna go with my gut feeling. I don't expect a instant remedy or problem from either option, but Yrs did say earlier in thread that it'll set the tone, and I would like the tone to be about this instead.
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
"I am informed that it is appropriate for young ladies to spend their tea time making complaints," Meizhen replied airily. "Think nothing of it."
Oh my goodness I love Meizhen so much.

As for me?

[x] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]

Because this is, in some small part, a vote about what family means. Is our family about helping each other get through our issues and come out the other end stronger, or is it about clinging to social connections and papering over your problems with appeals to emotion? Then, too, if she's *not* going to stick with us... better find that out now, and have space to find a spirit who will, and who will fit our needs going forward. Better to try to let that passing be as healthy as possible, rather than weighing it down with more emotional need, so that when it does go, it's even uglier. It's not like we're going to stop fighting. It's not like we're going to stop being at risk. The risk only goes up from here. If Sixiang cannot become a spirit that's okay with that, then it's only going to get worse.
 
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[X] Their personal bond. They did not know each other as well as Ling Qi might like, but… Sixiang was her friend and her muse, they had shouted at the Bloody Moon for her, and helped her through so much. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on their personal relationship and growing friendship. More effective rhetoric, but downplays Sixiang's problems and may only be a stopgap. Higher chance of Positive Outcome]
 
Sixiang wanted to see what being among humans was like, iirc. Well, sadly, war and conflict are part of being human (not that they have to be). I think this is Ling Qi's opportunity to demonstrate to Sixiang why humans persist despite the ugliness. Basically, the options reads to me as does Ling Qi try to show Sixiang the reason humans endure later (if ever) or try to convince them through other means now.
 
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[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]
 
[X] Sixiang's troubles directly. Ling Qi was no great philosopher, but she knew that ugliness did not preclude beauty. It was true that things were hard, and Sixiang was not violent by nature but… there was still worth in the waking world. [Ling Qi's arguments focus on Sixiang's problems with recent events and how to reconcile them with their nature. More likely to lead to a long term solution. Lower chance of Positive outcome.]

I find it comforting to remember that while >50% and <50% are typical guesstimates for "higher" and "lower" and it instinctively feels like that's going to be the case here, 100-99 and 100-00 are also both "higher" and "lower." Without any real sense of the magnitudes involved and the distance between them, it's basically meaningless, even before you consider the element of random chance.

So I'm discarding the numbers entirely and going with both what I think would be better for them, and also what would be more interesting. From that frame of reference, it seems pretty clear-cut, at least to me.
 
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