In diesen heil'gen Hallen

[collector]

[Braxiatel appears, immaculate as ever, with a table of food – a fish dinner (Hulzarrian carp, for those in the know) of multiple courses, complete with Angel Delight for dessert. His expression is vacant for a moment, lingering on the main course, but then he remembers himself and puts lids over the dishes.]

[When Braxiatel speaks, he speaks with the clear calmness of ringing bells or water still enough to reflect the sky.]

I have a... general inquiry to make to anyone with a knowledge of history. History of the Gamatra sector, very early 27th century. Specifically, I'd like information on the history of the Fifth Axis expansion through the Vega System... and on its occupation of the planetoid designated KS-159, formerly Cappa Nine Seven under the Earth Empire, originally Delfus-Orestes.

[Through a supreme effort of will, he does not let his voice waver as he says the last words. He even conjures up a smile now, the sort of smile that is laughing at someone else's cosmic joke.]

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

[collector]

[a smile is making its way across his lips] 'Probably?'

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Of course! I wouldn't want to be absolutely certain about that kind of thing, would I?

[collector]

That often seems to be the point. But please. Tell me your idea of Theogony.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I would say it's usually a balancing act. After all, for every Dionysus you need a Hades, for every Aphrodite there is an Ares, and for every benevolent god there has to be a demon lord, too.

[collector]

That suggests a strong philosophy of dualism.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Does it? I don't really know about that, but it is always good to have different perspectives and personalities. Life's much more interesting that way.

[collector]

Of course. The variation and difference in the universe is what keeps it alive.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Do you have an opinion on the topic, Braxiatel-sama?

[collector]

On religion or the balance of the universe?

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

I would be happy to listen to your views on both. Someone in your position surely has a great deal to teach.

[collector]

[thoughtfully] Religiously, I must admit to scepticism. Species pray to Gods with less power than my own people. It puts things into a certain perspective that has left me appreciative of the faith of others, but unable to accept any faith of my own.

[This is a lie in a few ways, the most important one being his appreciation of the faith of others. Irving tends to not listen when anyone talks about their religion. Unless it's for research.]

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised. That seems like a surprisingly narrow view. Power isn't something that can always be measured the same way. Maybe those other species value a different kind of power that your own people don't possess.

[collector]

I would like to hope so. There's much more to the universe than what my people care to control.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Do your people control a lot?

[collector]

[with a shrug] Time, and space. History.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

How can anyone control history?

[collector]

How does anyone travel in time? How does anyone control a nation? It isn't easy, nor is it ever perfect, but it can be done.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[he ponders this for a moment] It sounds like a very large responsibility. But why would there be a need to control history? Events usually unfold as they will, controlling history seems unnatural.

[collector]

You'd be surprised at the snarls time gets itself into. And then there are the malicious people who try to rewrite it to their own selfish ends. There are reasons we have embargoes on points in history that are vital to the timeline.