[X] Consider the frightful possibilty that as they were trying to pull something from a hellish plane you may have been in one when summoned
[X] Since you aren't so great at fighting (and maybe the other side summoned their own spider demon) think about other ways to help. Can you make like a scrying map to track enemy movements? If wild constructs can become eidolons that can physically interact woth the world, can you make a program that can, and would then saboutague the enemy?
[X]Put your foot down. Make him 'try to compel you. You have no mana to spare, you just saw your world die. You got kidnapped to an alien world and clapped in shackles to fight as a slave soldier. You need sleep. They can make their own fire.
Perhaps it will show you what kind of person he truly is.
Consider how you might be stupidly OP in this world, if it holds to certain isekai tropes. Sending any mana to this kid could explode him if you aren't at the top of your game, and though possibly satisfying, it won't help you get back home. Insist on rest before you do *ANYTHING* for the safety of all involved, if he wants to try and use the link to force the issue, let him, he gets what he deserves.
[X] Explain to some degree the current set of magical medical issues you have been trying to hide, because the last thing any of you need is for this to mess up and give the fox mage your hangover.
[x]Cooperate so long as they treat you with dignity.
Edaine hasn't given Zalan a direct order yet, I think? But that's still a yet. He's stepping lightly, asking politely. He's probably a little bit shit-scared of Zalan because soldier or not, Zalan's still a dragon. As respectful as he's been, however, and as regretful as he claims to be about the binding, he still intends to make use of Zalan.
Edaine is not an experienced summoner. For all he knows the binding is the only reason the huge dragon doesn't want to rip him in half. He doesn't want to give up the advantage that a bound dragon represents, either, nor does he want to get yelled at for fucking up. Giving him a tangible thing he can show to his instructors might mean Zalan gets more resources he can put towards recovery. Or at least not be hunted down like a rogue monster should he prove "uncontrollable".
As such, I don't see any harm in Zalan informing his bond-partner of how fucked up he is. Edaine might not want to risk damaging his prize any more than it has been. Or Adia might decide to intercede on Zalan's behalf. She's nominally on Edaine's side, sure, but she also seems to be the more practical and experienced of the pair and was willing to engage Zalan as an equal once she realised he was just another person.
I wonder what cost the additional mana. Summoning a dragon... or trying to bind one? It would be useful to know how difficult that actually is in case we run into a situation where a dragon is a risk. If it's as simple as making sure they don't have enough mana it may be far easier than expected.
Ah. and so far I'd say they are being polite enough. They asked instead of demanded, so they are at least willing to pretend to allow us free will. For now. Rather than dropping it the first moment it became even slightly inconvenient.
Of course this may be a test for us to see if we will do so without being ordered.
I wonder what cost the additional mana. Summoning a dragon... or trying to bind one? It would be useful to know how difficult that actually is in case we run into a situation where a dragon is a risk. If it's as simple as making sure they don't have enough mana it may be far easier than expected.
[...]
To bind Zalan he needed to go get a mana crystal (and a different spellbook). ( Quest post )
So probably either summoning or the binding (Edaine said "repair" not "cast") for the spiderthing might have failed in a very mana consuming way.
What i was wondering in case any enemy try to use a mana crystal... If Zalan acts quick enough, could he use his mana breathing to suck away (most of) the mana before the enemy caster can absorb it to ... do whatever they were going to do with it. The additional question of "and shove exessive mana through the bond to Edaine if needed" seems to be about to be answered.
To bind Zalan he needed to go get a mana crystal (and a different spellbook). ( Quest post )
So probably either summoning or the binding (Edaine said "repair" not "cast") for the spiderthing might have failed in a very mana consuming way.
We don't know if that was all the mana he needed or if the crystal was just the mana he needed to start the process, drawing the rest from the building stores.
We don't know if that was all the mana he needed or if the crystal was just the mana he needed to start the process, drawing the rest from the building stores.
Yeah, I'm hoping dragon summoning and binding is actually really mana-expensive, it would make sense given what Dragons are. It means they probably can't really afford to try again if the binding gets broken, or we nom the mana before they can use it.
[X] Table the thoughts of inflicting violence upon Edaine for the crime of slavery.
It's not -really- justifiable right now. Even if he thinks he has complete control of you, we know he doesn't. Your life is only in jeopardy if he decides to send you back.
If that ever becomes necessary, then we can revisit the topic of violence later, but not right now.
[X]Much as the situation sucks, and it remains to be seen if he can even consider your needs and interests, it's worthwhile to see if he can offer you anything.
This situation is going to go a lot better if he is capable of meeting your needs and providing -anything- of consideration to you. At the very least, we should hear him out.
Give him the mana. Prove you're helpful and willing to cooperate, mind link or not. It'll make him more pliable to any future requests if you're as helpful as you can be. If he's not able or willing to reciprocate in any way then we can draw lines in the sand.
But no rides. Not unless it's a matter of life and death.
[X] Table the thoughts of inflicting violence upon Edaine for the crime of slavery.
It's not -really- justifiable right now. Even if he thinks he has complete control of you, we know he doesn't. Your life is only in jeopardy if he decides to send you back.
If that ever becomes necessary, then we can revisit the topic of violence later, but not right now.
[X]Much as the situation sucks, and it remains to be seen if he can even consider your needs and interests, it's worthwhile to see if he can offer you anything.
This situation is going to go a lot better if he is capable of meeting your needs and providing -anything- of consideration to you. At the very least, we should hear him out.
Give him the mana. Prove you're helpful and willing to cooperate, mind link or not. It'll make him more pliable to any future requests if you're as helpful as you can be. If he's not able or willing to reciprocate in any way then we can draw lines in the sand.
But no rides. Not unless it's a matter of life and death.
I'm mostly in agreement with this, except I want the mana transfer predicated on being careful that Zalan is not left in a state he wouldn't be able to make it to Edaine and Adia's home before sunfall.
[X] So Edaine can make a informed decision on asking you for mana, tell Edaine the sorry state of your mana channels, just how rough a state you're in and maybe how you got this way; To Focus enough to possibly make that special machine you mentioned in time, you took alchemy so strong it had its own back aura. If you give him mana now you might give him your hangover, or you might end up in bad enough shape to make it to his home before nightfall, or you might just pass out.
[X] Ask Edaine how far away his home is and how much time we have to make it there. From that y'all can judge how much of a risk the mana transfer making you worse off and not being able to move as fast.
[X] If you go through with the mana transfer (which you probably will,) go slow so you and Edain can judge how much it's effecting you both and keep each other informed as it goes. You can figure if you should cut it off from that.
Best put that idea on hold 'till you know more about how the binding spell handles the binding "owner" dying or the link otherwise being severed. Presumably it was designed to somehow prevent bound summons getting loose and wreaking havoc in either of those cases. Could just keep the current instructions intact. Could automatically put down a 'hold position' or 'flee' order. Could even 'killswitch' the bound to prevent them from falling into enemy hands and being re-bound. So hold 'till you know more.
In theory, Zalan can use it for lots of stuff it was never designed for. In theory he could even use it on wild spirits. But a sapient eidolon? There's no way, right...?
So, wild, non-sapient, spirits are fair game, but why'd you say "in theory?" It'd be like reverse engineering some spaghetti-code bespoke system's architecture every time, thus it'd take too long to be useful in a fight? (Which is the assumption of the situation you'd be in.)
As for a sapient eidolon, messing with their mind using this is way too far, leaving aside it'd take a long-ass time to figure out how to do it even with the proper tools; With what you have, it'd be like a random lobotomy. ...But, could you use your Interface Terminal to possibly passively listen to them to maybe figure out what they're generally thinking or are about to do? Or make some kind of non-damaging knockout attack on them?
Zalan, did you modify any more of the modules you still have than your Programmatic Interface Terminal? Even if you didn't, could you do so given the tools and knowledge you still have? Could you even make new modules, even just simple ones? Or, if you can't modify or make them, do you have the means examine their structure to glean knowledge? That'd be useful for examining the subverted binding for clues to it's un-subverted form, as well as reverse engineering parts of the other modules.
Reasonable, if true.
I admit I'm getting less inclined to plan "rip his head off". Still not happy and still not inclined to help in their war without substantial compensation, but no longer inclined to murder.
Have to disagree there.
It might not have been the plan from the start to enslave and mindrape a person, but he still did it.
There wasn't even much of a time delay between huh I fucked up and didn't get what I wanted to just enslave/mindrape what ever I just summoned. It took about 5-6 min between us being summon and him using the binding and most of the time was him running up to get the stuff he needed for that.
So overall not inclined to help him (or his nation) with the invasion.
Get some info from the village/town we are travelling to and if that doesn't change just fuck off in the middle of the night get rid of the binding and do our own thing: explore the world, build a bit of a base and maybe see if we can get started on some work to get back home / see if Tieran-Sha is also in between world and we can pull him out.
[X]Put your foot down. Make him 'try to compel you. You have no mana to spare, you just saw your world die. You got kidnapped to an alien world and clapped in shackles to fight as a slave soldier. You need sleep. They can make their own fire.
[X] Try to make a list for some "basic" tasks:
-[X] (Very) basic tools we could maybe build if we could get our hands on some materials
-[X] What would be in theory needed to build a small magic collector array to feed us magic like back home
-[X] Any easy to make potions/elixir that might be helpful to us (what would be needed in materials/tools)
-[X] Any spirits that we could create that would help speed the other tasks
Mostly just to keep us busy and try to give our mind something else to focus on than what just happened.
I don't know. It seem to me that the guy might not have much choice in the matter. His superiors might expect a viable results for his project and would be extremely disappointed if he doesn't get a viable result.
It doesn't excuse the attempted mind slaving much but there's a reason.
I don't know. It seem to me that the guy might not have much choice in the matter. His superiors might expect a viable results for his project and would be extremely disappointed if he doesn't get a viable result.
It doesn't excuse the attempted mind slaving much but there's a reason.
"Great..." grunts Zalan. "And this is worse, right? This is worse than that."
"Not... necessarily," Edaine says. "Success requires no apology."
Okay, so I'm a conscript AND someone's unauthorized project, he thinks. Maybe that's leverage.
"But I'm only successful if I agree to fight for you. And if I CAN fight. And if your master doesn't choke on his tongue because he told you not to risk a fuckup and then you fucked up."
"...Mmmmore or less. Yes," says Edaine. "That binding magic should help smooth things over, at least. Meaning no offense. And I can almost promise you can fight harder than a lot of people who are going to have no choice except to fight."
Also made pretty clear that he has no problem sending us to fight and likely die.
And then went well, the binding will make it into enough of a success that he thinks he won't be in to much trouble.
Lets just say that rereading that both makes me more angry because he just doesn't seem to care about the enslave and mindrape part.
Adia seems pretty chill compared to Edaine so far. She's been courteous and respectful, when not understandably wary, and was actually worried about Zalan's wellbeing after the binding spell hit.
It's two different ways of dealing with the unknown: Adia knows she doesn't know much about dragons (but as a Knight-errant she might know monsters) and is willing to let things play out for now. That she's a trained warrior with a big sword likely helps there - if Zalan had acted threatening she'd be much less sympathetic and much more guarded.
Edaine, when confronted with an unexpected unknown, leapt straight to whatever he's learned from his studies to guide his actions. I'd guess he's used to controlled environments where the majority of dangerous variables are under control and better understood.
So he went with mindrape and slavery out of a desire for comfort and security, with a healthy seasoning of fear to bypass pesky questions of "why" . Not exactly a shining endorsement of his character, even if he's putting on a nicer face now that he thinks he's in control.
Put more simply: Adia's interactions with Zalan have all been as person to person. Edaine's interactions have all been as master to summon.
Adia seems pretty chill compared to Edaine so far. She's been courteous and respectful, when not understandably wary, and was actually worried about Zalan's wellbeing after the binding spell hit.
It's two different ways of dealing with the unknown: Adia knows she doesn't know much about dragons (but as a Knight-errant she might know monsters) and is willing to let things play out for now. That she's a trained warrior with a big sword likely helps there - if Zalan had acted threatening she'd be much less sympathetic and much more guarded.
Edaine, when confronted with an unexpected unknown, leapt straight to whatever he's learned from his studies to guide his actions. I'd guess he's used to controlled environments where the majority of dangerous variables are under control and better understood.
So he went with mindrape and slavery out of a desire for comfort and security, with a healthy seasoning of fear to bypass pesky questions of "why" . Not exactly a shining endorsement of his character, even if he's putting on a nicer face now that he thinks he's in control.
Put more simply: Adia's interactions with Zalan have all been as person to person. Edaine's interactions have all been as master to summon.
Adia's interactions with Zalan have all been respectful person to person, agree.
For Edaine i'd say he fucked up under panic and is now interacting with Zalan somewhere between "master to slave" and "person to person", less like a master really and more like awkwardly holding a leash but also being afraid of removing the leash.
For Edaine i'd say he fucked up under panic and is now interacting with Zalan somewhere between "master to slave" and "person to person", less like a master really and more like awkwardly holding a leash but also being afraid of removing the leash.
I think: he wanted to summon a demon, got a dragon, remembered the old stories about dragons, panicked, went to get 'dragon binding' stuff, used it because DRAGON, had more or less civilized interaction and now is in this awkward situation of 'I minraped a person but if I remove the leash he'll eat me ... shit.'
I think we really should drop the facade of being bound before we get to Edaine's superiors. The longer we keep it up, the more entangled we're going to get in other people's plans. Sure, it gives us a trump card, a surprise no one else will see coming, but honestly, I don't think that's worth much. The only situation where that would be useful is if we wanted to turn on the people who think they control us, and I think just avoiding conflict altogether would be better if possible.
I'm not sure if this should be the moment honestly, I'm on the fence regarding that. But whenever we do it, I think we should try to stay on at least somewhat good terms with Edaine and Adia, because we're in a completely different world in the middle of a war and it would be really nice to have some people we can rely upon. Like, we're a creature of legend in this world, I doubt we can just walk into a random town and ask for a spellbook on summoning circle and interplanar travel, and I suspect gallivanting off into the wild would be pretty miserable, even if surviving wasn't an issue. So we've got to find people we can trust, and Adia seems like a pretty good bet for that. Elaine is, less so. But considering that we're probably going to be living in whatever country this is for a bit, I think we could still offer help with the war effort even after we come clean.
Specifically, we have a lot of advanced knowledge, and I don't just mean Zalan's specialty in spirit machines, or his dabbling in alchemy. I mean that trivial, commonplace stuff that he was probably taught in very simple lessons when he was young, might still be novel ideas in this world. Like, to take real life as an example, germ theory is something pretty much everyone understands, no matter whether or not they know much about biology. But go a few hundred years back, and the half-remembered facts a high-school student might be able to rattle off would be incredibly valuable information.
I'm kind of guessing at the relative technological levels here, but I imagine there's probably a lot of stuff Zalan knows that is like that, especially in the field of magic. Like, I don't know, maybe their method of spellcasting has a lot of vestigial add-ons and surrounding rituals that don't really do anything, but they haven't worked that out yet. If Zalan noticed such a thing, and pointed it out, that could be a big increase in efficiency for no cost.
I think we really should drop the facade of being bound before we get to Edaine's superiors. The longer we keep it up, the more entangled we're going to get in other people's plans. Sure, it gives us a trump card, a surprise no one else will see coming, but honestly, I don't think that's worth much. The only situation where that would be useful is if we wanted to turn on the people who think they control us, and I think just avoiding conflict altogether would be better if possible.
I'm not sure if this should be the moment honestly, I'm on the fence regarding that. But whenever we do it, I think we should try to stay on at least somewhat good terms with Edaine and Adia, because we're in a completely different world in the middle of a war and it would be really nice to have some people we can rely upon. Like, we're a creature of legend in this world, I doubt we can just walk into a random town and ask for a spellbook on summoning circle and interplanar travel, and I suspect gallivanting off into the wild would be pretty miserable, even if surviving wasn't an issue. So we've got to find people we can trust, and Adia seems like a pretty good bet for that. Elaine is, less so. But considering that we're probably going to be living in whatever country this is for a bit, I think we could still offer help with the war effort even after we come clean.
[...]
I would suggest keeping it up until we get a night of rest.
1) If it goes wrong Zalan would have a much better chance for fleeing (compared to currently: barely able to close his eyes without getting sick)
2) IF he decides to tell, he can claim that he was just much too tired to realize that the binding is only suggestions and that he went along with them without thinking. He could pretend that he thought the binding would do whatever it does if he tried to go against the suggestions. Would also still leave him both options: Pretend that he thinks Edaine botched the binding or admit that as a wyrmling a protecting ritual was performed on him. If he doesn't mention the flashback (and why would he) it would also be very plausible for them (Edaine, his master) to imagine that he remembers it as much as we remember our first measles vaccination.
Specifically, we have a lot of advanced knowledge, and I don't just mean Zalan's specialty in spirit machines, or his dabbling in alchemy. I mean that trivial, commonplace stuff that he was probably taught in very simple lessons when he was young, might still be novel ideas in this world. Like, to take real life as an example, germ theory is something pretty much everyone understands, no matter whether or not they know much about biology. But go a few hundred years back, and the half-remembered facts a high-school student might be able to rattle off would be incredibly valuable information.
[...]
Fun fact: the "few hundred years" would be... 2.
200 hundred years ago the realization that doctors should wash their hands before operations wasn't made yet. (see wikipedia on germthory, ctrl-f "Ignaz Semmelweis, Austria")
[X] You'd already exchanged names/charades when he tried to mindrape-enslave you, so the "I totally didn't expect you to be a person" excuse hardly holds water.
Edaine definitely knew Zalan was intelligent before he cast the binding ritual. If anything, he seems to think Zalan's smarter and more dangerous than he is. The plan, as far as Zalan knows, was to only use the magic to prevent Zalan from attacking people or running away, and therefore not truly enslave him. He talks as though Zalan's merely being held for questioning.
But he must have understood how horrible it feels, right...?
That's a hell of a question. Zalan is not qualified to give a good answer.
The short answer is that humans are an old, established, widespread species. As far as anyone knows, they were created by the Demiurge, not a later god or wizard. When people talk about the wizards and kings of the Mythic Age, they're usually picturing humans.
A lot of people really want to be part of that legacy, and a lot of people really don't.
[X] Explain to some degree the current set of magical medical issues you have been trying to hide, because the last thing any of you need is for this to mess up and give the fox mage your hangover.
"So... I might not have made it clear. I feel pretty screwed-up. Physically," says Zalan. "It's, well, not just being yanked between worlds. I kind of took a very strong elixir, about a day ago."
"How strong...?" asks Edaine.
"Specially ordered, bearing the tughra of a Sage of Alchemy," says Zalan. "It had its own halo. A black one."
"That sounds... incredible," says Edaine.
"God, it was." Zalan feels a longing. "I needed to model a system of six dimensions, so I just... did it. Somehow. But I'm paying for that now."
"I don't suppose you have access to more...?" Edaine asks in a small, small voice.
"I lost everything I was carrying," Zalan says. "I don't know if it was dumped across ten miles or ten thousand. Or just, nowhere."
"Hang on," says Zalan. "The atelier's the building we just came from? Why do you need it locked down with a whole spell?"
"Well. It contains delicate, valuable, dangerous things, and this can be a dangerous area, especially at night," Edaine says. "I've already defied my Magus enough. It'll be even worse if I skip the procedure to secure the building and a monster breaks in to eat the reagents. Even IF we might return tomorrow..."
"Intending to try again?" Zalan asks.
"Well. Perhaps?" Edaine says. He takes in a breath and lets it out. Even through the twin veils of a translation program and a hangover, Zalan gets the sense he really wanted to say 'yes' instead. "We'd need to get home either way, to gather more supplies for it. I know you've been through a lot, so I don't want to pressure you..."
"...but you think you have to hurry if you're going to summon another dragon."
Edaine rubs his face.
"I, I don't know." he says. "I don't know if that's a good idea, but I think so, maybe. Maybe if I don't summon them, someone else will. Someone who won't give them any choice at all. And... I don't want to make unreasonable demands, but I need to think about what's best for Lytom."
Zalan feels skeptical.
Edaine continues: "Listen. Whatever ambitions I have in life, none of it will matter if our towns are burned and my family slaughtered. My people won't surrender without a fight, but if we fight and lose, it'll be a catastrophe. And we're outmatched."
"Hey! Says you," Adia cuts in.
"We ARE outmatched," Edaine insists. "How many lancers can you slay before the others bring you down? And how many swords of your caliber can Lytom still call on? We face the hosts of four kingdoms, and we've been relying on a reputation we haven't earned since before I was born."
"Then it's time to earn a new one," Adia says. She turns to Zalan.
"We DO have a chance," she says. "With or without you. We don't even know the enemy's true intentions. War can take many forms."
"All of them, a catastrophe," Edaine says softly.
Zalan considers this. He looks to Edaine.
"Are you serious about giving me a choice?" Zalan asks. "I could just say no and walk away?"
Edaine hesitates.
"If... If I was just going to order you to fight, I wouldn't be trying to talk you into it," he says.
"That's not quite what I asked," Zalan presses.
"I-"
Adia makes a tired sound.
"Alright, if he's not gonna explain, I will," says Adia. "He disobeyed his boss to do this. Wendom, his Magus, got a bad vibration and forbid any summoning spells at all. I guess this was why, right?"
"I said as much already," Edaine says.
"Okay. Well, the score is thus," says Adia. "If he comes back with a dragon to help the war, he's in trouble but it worked out. They sort of have to forgive him. If he brings home a dragon who won't fight, and he won't force to fight, then that's... complicated. Mage business. But. If he can't control the dragon at all? If he just lets it, you, loose into the world? Then he's in some real fucking trouble. War or no war."
Edaine stands there in silence, still not making eye contact.
"Are we so feared?" Zalan asks.
"Yes," says Edaine, flat and unemotional.
"I don't fear you," says Adia.
Edaine opens his mouth, but Adia continues before he can interject.
"Listen... I don't really know anything about you, Zalan. But, if it suits you, come home with us. We'll feed you and find you a dry place to sleep. Then after your head's screwed on straight, we'll figure out where we stand. Okay~?"
Adia smiles.
"Plus, it'll at least make it look like Edaine has talent they shouldn't throw away, yeah?" she says. "He might be a [dingbat] but he's still family."
Zalan pauses. Maybe he shouldn't agree right away. Maybe he should make a show of reluctance.
But the thought of a warm bed, and of not having a warm bed anywhere in the world, is too much. Zalan nods.
Zalan's mana channels are still a mess, but he's still at over half capacity, and there's plenty more here to respire. That's a pain in the ass compared to having a working Core Tap, but it shouldn't be a real problem.
Zalan is annoyed that Edaine seems so eager to make him a recurring mana source, but then, just about everything seems annoying right now. Maybe it's good that he has some use that's as easy as breathing, because he strongly doubts there's any programming positions open around here...
"I think I can try sending you that mana," says Zalan. "As long as we're helping each other."
"Of course," says Edaine. There's still an air of caution in his voice, like he's worried he's being tricked.
"I should warn, I'm hoping I don't beam you my hangover or something," mutters Zalan.
"I'm not too worried about that," Edaine says.
Adia cuts in: "Should you be? Just use another one of your storage trinkets. I know you've got more."
"I need to save those. Besides, it's dragon-made spirit energy. It's not as though I'm drinking his blood."
He didn't sound like he considers that an option, at least.
"It's more, purified than created," Zalan says softly. "Not that I am feeling especially pure right now."
Zalan wonders if he should read into the word 'made'. Their whole mana particle theory might be wrong...
"I'll risk it," says Edaine. "With your permission, o dragon."
Zalan hesitates briefly.
"Fine. I can at least try," Zalan says. He manipulates the binding where it's settled on his Core and Crown nodes. "How do I... Ah."
He feels an ache in his elixir-poisoned mana channels as energy begins to flow.
"Woah," Edaine says. "Incredible. This is- Wait..."
"Wait waitwaitSTOP!" Edaine says.
Zalan stops.
Edaine falls down.
"Gods," says Edaine. "what is this."
"How bad?" Adia asks. She sounds serious but looks annoyed.
"I'm... I got enough... uh... illbeokayjustgive give me a second," squeaks Edaine.
"Arright," says Adia. "I guess... maybe I shouldn't have packed up."
To Zalan, she says: "This had better not happen every time."
"We could always just not do it again~" Zalan offers, trying not to be pleased.
"Hfff," goes Edaine. "No, I need to make this work..."
"Well. For now, let's just focus on getting back to town," says Adia. "We can talk about this on the way."
Zalan needs... [] A few minutes. (There's no way...)
[] An hour or two. If Zalan wants to try retrieving another dragon from the tantara before anyone else, they'd better get moving soon.
[] A night's sleep. Zalan can't be sure what the right course of action even is. Let's camp in the atelier for now, much as he craves a bed.
That totally does sound like they've got the mana particle theory wrong!
Or at least, you should expect that they have it less advanced just from how they're talking, right? Sounds like you were kinda ascending the peak of your tech tree, so to speak, and this world... isn't yet?
