Arcana-talk time [A day or two into the new liminal]

[professorwolf]

We're still assuming that the liminal space before a Jaunt represents the Arcana competing in it, yes? I know someone's mentioned this earlier, but it definitely needs to be highlighted-- I think it's pretty obvious this time that the contest will be between Chariot and Tower. The giant wooden horse running through a thunderstorm really couldn't be more blatant. For once.

[He's not great at understanding symbolism, but damn if this wasn't an easy one.]

So if that's right, it'll be a contest of motion and persistence, versus dramatic change and catastrophe. I think it's easy enough to decide who we want to support, in this case. We'll just have to find ways to make sure we see what sort of conditions make for a win for each ideal.

Any ideas for what to look for and how to keep things from devolving into a catastrophe? Those seem to happen a lot when we're around, unfortunately.

Comments

[not_the_question]

Yes. Yes. Yes. I think I said that when I mentioned 'number of universes here'. The point still stands: We can't alter fixed points in time. It's not worth it.

[Spoken like someone how has changed Fixed Points.]

It's not just about the immediate bystanders. I'm looking at things globally, even universally. There are times when events can be changed and times when they can't.

The Trojan War? It's results? Can't be changed without causing disasters.

[professorwolf]

You're missing the point, sir. We have already made fairly large changes to the trajectories of worlds in the past, and have proof in many cases that nothing terrible happened. Changing the trajectories of these worlds, or even simply a few people in these worlds, is often the very point and purpose of our arriving there.

Whatever universe you come from, and whatever theory of time you are working under, I do not believe it applies here.

[not_the_question]

I don't have 'theories' of time. And just because great disasters haven't happened in your experience yet doesn't mean it won't now. If there's one thing the universe - any universe does very very well, it's keep things in balance.

[professorwolf]

Rules, then. The rules here are different than in the universe from which you come. It is a different universe than your own, and you can't expect it to work the same way yours does. It simply isn't that simple.

[not_the_question]

Except when it comes to balance. Even within the Arcana there is balance. Balance is a multi-universal constant. I've travelled across universes enough to know.

[professorwolf]

You don't actually know that, here. This universe is, in fact, based on chance, not balance. If it were based on balance, it would be Temperance rather than Wheel of Fortune that had won the last round. That's what this whole game of theirs does, it determines which set of ideals has precedence in the World-- that is, the universes they have influence on. Balance, Temperance, in fact, is quite likely to be dead, at the moment.

[not_the_question]

It's still a chess match. A very elaborate one. I've faced such before. And you can't determine the extent of universal balance on one battle. It's about the war. Believe me. I fought in a war over Time. Little battles meant nothing in the end.

[professorwolf]

In this case, I'm sorry to say, they mean quite a bit. Whoever loses the "little battles", Arcana-wise, is no longer in play and no longer have the chance available to influence the multiverse as a whole by winning. Those who win the "little battles" can continue on to the next match.

So while I'm sure what you know about war and time and all that may not apply here. It could very well trip you up if you try to approach this situation by the rules you're used to following.

[not_the_question]

And it could just as easily trip you up to hold to rules you think are at play. That is part of a chess match. And your like or dislike of a particular Arcana will influence whether you want them to 'win' or not, irregardless of the universe as a whole. Which could lead to disaster in a different way.

[professorwolf]

[There's a pause while Lyall gathers his patience.]

Sir. Many of us have been here a long time. We do, in fact, know more about the situation than someone who only arrived yesterday. This is not your universe. Nor is it my universe. It is their universe. The Arcana's.

As for the Arcana winning, I am doing my level best to be objective. We all should. I am happy to take in any information anyone has on their Arcana, or conversations they've had with other Arcana, and I am also perfectly happy not to be the one making final decisions here. We should arrive at at least some sort of a consensus, as a group. But I think most of us can agree that, in this case, Chariot is a much better choice than Tower for being reflected throughout the universes these beings have influence on.

[not_the_question]

Yes. You have. And that's part of my concern. How do you know this Arcana's not playing you based on your length of time?

[Yes, he's serious.]

What I mean is, what if they've lulled you into believing the game works one way, when it actually doesn't work that way at all?

I'm just saying everyone should be cautious of their own prejudices.

[professorwolf]

Which is exactly what I was trying to warn you of, as well. So perhaps we are on the same page, after all, as long as we can both take our own advice.

Really, if we have to second guess everything, then nothing will get done. We can only work with what we've been given, and if it turns out we're wrong, then we'll have to change our strategy then. I refuse to sit by and do nothing at all.

[not_the_question]

I never said to do nothing. But we're clearly time travellers now. It's okay to make ripples. The universe can accommodate ripples. Tidal-waves on the other hand...

[professorwolf]

[And now they're back to the same argument before. Obviously the Doctor was not listening.]

Sir. This is not the universe you are used to. Tidal waves are the point. That is why we are sent places: to change their courses, preferably for the better. This universe can accommodate what we do. We've seen proof of it, in that we have visited the same Jaunt locations multiple times, and while things were changed, sometimes drastically, the universe remains intact.

[not_the_question]

[The Doctor is listening. Proof has yet to be provided.]

I see. And who decides just how intact the universe is, hmm? How do you know things that you are doing here aren't having a lasting impact in any one of the universes we all come from originally?