Text | Evening of August 2nd

[rollstoseduce]

[It's finally time for the fantasy trio to leave for Kanto and start a new badge journey, and like last time, they're taking a night train to sleep through it. Or that's the idea anyway - because also like last time, Jaskier wants to take the chance to chat a bit with the network. And after a little misunderstanding from the steward regarding Kiri, there's a topic that won't leave his mind.]

Many a similarity I've found among the realms us otherworlders hail from, yet there's one thing from mine (besides witchers!) I haven't found anywhere else: the Law of Surprise.

It's a custom as old as humanity itself, the granting of a seemingly impossible wish, the price a man who saves another can demand:

"Give me that which you already have but do not know yet".

It is a request for something which neither the savior nor the saved knows the nature of, until the saved man returns home. It could be a cute little pup or a mere crop, mayhap a new pair of shoes... or even a baby. So many heroic stories from my world were starred by a Child Surprise, often known as the Children of Destiny.

So imagine yourselves, if you will, in front of a powerful king or queen that asks you what reward you'd like for your service. What is your answer?

Do you ask for gold? A lady's hand in marriage?

Or do you dare to ask for the Law of Surprise to see what Destiny has in store in for you?



((As always, Jaskier needs to be super extra with his font. Lmk if you need me to drop it!))

Comments

thank for letting me know about the font!

[rollstoseduce]

Unfortunate indeed - though if something so heroic happened that the Law of Surprise was requested, many a person (mothers included) may tell you the alternative would've been much more unfortunate. You can have another kid, you cannot bring a loved one back from the dead.

I come from a realm with magic, sorceress, prophecies and ancient curses. Destiny is not seen as a mere notion you'd want to mess with - the catastrophic tales of people defying it have taught people to fear the mere idea.

[instrumentally]

One cannot avoid the duties they must perform. Doing so only invites further harm.

[rollstoseduce]

Ohoho, sneaky~

[He did laugh! Who would've thought you had it in you, Armin.]

True, general knowledge can indeed be found somewhere else. But there are cases, as you just described, when that general knowledge has been altered or erased. So gaining it could mean rewriting history.

I don't blame you for choosing intel, however, especially considering the circumstances you're telling me about. And your commander and the military branch are trustworthy of such information? In my experience, they aren't better than the nobles that fund them.

[schachmeister]

It is true that there are many elements in our Military that are not trustworthy at all, our Military Police chief amongst them.

But I do trust Commander Erwin and the Survey Corps in general. It's -- you have to understand that the Survey Corps is the only branch trying to break the status quo we are in. While the Military Police guards the king, and the Garrison guards the walls, the Survey Corps is the only branch that actually goes out beyond the walls and tries to gain intelligence on the Titans. It's by far the most dangerous branch. About 50% of new members don't survive their first mission. As you can imagine, we aren't a popular choice with trainees.

Really. We're just the freaks and misfits branch. You have to be a little crazy to join the Corps. Or a lot, I guess.

But, to me, this makes us a bad breeding ground for the sort of corruption that infests the Military Police. I'm not saying we are all good people, but just that there is nothing in us that attracts the sort of person that values themselves above everything else.

Besides, I've followed Commander Erwin's career since I joined the military. A lot of people call him a devil because he is willing to sacrifice the lives of the people under him if it means gaining an advantage for humanity. But I admire that sort of ability because that is the only way we can ever change the situation we are in.

Plus, if it wasn't for the Commander, Eren would be dead. He was the only one willing to argue on his behalf in front of the court. If it had been up to any of the other military branches, Eren would've been killing and dissected. All of them would've thrown out the best chance of a change we've had in a century all because they were scared, but Commander Erwin is different.

Like I said, he's willing to give everything to gain an advantage for humanity. I like to think I am too. So I would not hesitate bringing information to him because I know we are on the same side.

[rollstoseduce]

Paying for villains! I must say, I'm flabbergasted by this concept! I appreciate the idea of creating drama, a show if you will, for the sake of tourism and coin! A different way to spread tales! But it seems this dichotomy crosses the line from fiction into reality! So villains get paid for what? Stealing treasure? Hurting people?!

[rollstoseduce]

When it comes to the Law of Surprise, not keeping the end of your bargain may bring detrimental consequences: people may start considering you untrustworthy, and Destiny may consider making your life harder than it needs to be.

[rollstoseduce]

And you're correct! The Law of Surprise isn't usually asked for over little things. I just thought your use of quotation marks could possibly be passing judgment, but it seems I was wrong. So you're against being rewarded for your actions? Pray tell, why?

[angewiesen]

Yeah, I know. I think I've lost the head for that fairy tale kinda thinking.

The sorts of wishes I have aren't grant-able by any one person.

[apshot]

You'll know when I'm passing judgment on you. It won't be through text like some kind of goddamn coward.

What I means is that I don't need a reward for doing the right thing. Sure as hell wouldn't be doing it to impress anyone either.

it only took me like a week to realize why it looked funny on my phone... XD

[dreamsofahero]

Such things exist in my world as well, but if I may say so, I find it all the more reason to refuse to simply sit back and accept 'destiny'.

*there's a brief pause, then another message:*

My apologies, I do not mean to speak ill of the people of your world. It's quite possible that circumstances there are rather different than in Menoris; indeed, I would hope that such is the case.

[necrodentia]

Basically, yeah! Stealing valuables, sabotaging big events or projects, holding stuff for ransom. Often, when there were two parties having a dispute, a team of heroes would be sent to assist and advise one side, and a team of villains to assist and advise the other!

Of course, if the villains are doing it right, nobody will actually be hurt and the heroes will save the day in the end. Any villains (or heroes) who stepped out of line would have to answer to the Heroic Oversight Guild, and were in danger of being blacklisted from future heroism or villainy work.

[rollstoseduce]

[When she puts it like that, it reminds him of something he'd rather not think about. It takes him a moment to reply.]

As long as those duties come from your own choices and actions, yes. Which I suppose it's a bit ironic to say when we are in this realm against our will. I'm not complaining, however, I'd rather like it here.

[rollstoseduce]

Titans and the corps? Oh, are you mayhap from the same realm as Jean? He mentioned the military as well.

I cannot say I agree with your idea that a "misfits branch" is not a good breeding ground for corruption - if anything, I believe the opposite. It's the perfect ground to breed traitors and sellswords. In the case of the particular man we're discussing, however, you obviously know him pretty well and live in the same context as him, which I lack. So all I can say is: I'm glad to know you have a leader you can trust. In politics, those are rare.

I must admit, I am rather curious about this world of yours. Jean has told me a bit about it, but you have a completely different approach to it. [Aka: a nerdy and philosophical one, which he appreciates.] Would you tell me more about it someday?

[rollstoseduce]

You cannot say that and then leave me hanging! What kind of wishes do you have, Jean? Are they not achievable in this realm either?

[rollstoseduce]

By calling someone that communicates their judgment through text a coward you just, indeed, passed judgment through text. Good job.

Just because you don't "need" a reward doesn't mean there's anything wrong with accepting it. People like to express their gratitude in different ways. But if you want to play this game, then playing we shall!

A powerful spell has been put on you: you cannot leave the location you saved until you choose for a reward. The wish cannot be to leave or undo the spell. What do you ask for?

[rollstoseduce]

Nothing to apologize for, I have entire songs dedicated to speaking ill of the people of my world.

You're right about one thing: circumstances are rather different. Look at this realm. They may tell you it's not magical, but that's just a technicality in my eyes. Power runs through the veins of animals and plants - yet it isn't hoarded by a few. It's available to everyone and used to maintain peace.

[rollstoseduce]

Oh, so it's all rather organized and regulated! That's a relief to hear. As a performer myself, I admit I'm a bit skeptical about the idea of possible villains sabotaging my show and stealing the fanfare. However, as a spectator? I must say, it does sound like brilliant entertainment! How exciting it must be to get to participate in the action, to enjoy the heroics while being right in the middle of it but without the risk of death involved! Pray tell, why has this practice been demolished?

[scourgingstars]

But worse still when they have no council and act on their own, with no regard for anything save what they think is right.

Why, such a king would be no different than a mad tyrant, don't you think?

[fearinahandfulof]

But then you're asking for horses AND a stable... although I suppose if you're asking for a hundred horses you're already asking for multiple things.

But then, you wouldn't ask them for horses in my world. You'd ask to not die.

[schachmeister]

Yes, Jean and I are from the same world. We went through military training together and then both joined the survey corps.

I don't mind telling you about my world at all. Though I must warn that it won't be a pretty story. And some of the things I know I only know second hand through Jean. He's from several years into my future and he's told me about the things we've discovered, but I haven't experienced those things myself.

[dreamsofahero]

It certainly does have features that might be classified as magic elsewhere, yes. Although whatever power the Pokémon here use, it's something apart from the magic of my own world.

It's true, however, that the use of Pokémon here is widespread and commonplace. Some legends suggest it may not have always been so, but it's difficult to be certain which ones are accurate and which are mere storytelling.

[angewiesen]

There really isn't anything I wish for here that I can't just work hard and make happen myself. Back home, stuff like wishing that Titans never existed-- it's impossible even for the most powerful man in the world.

[instrumentally]

I am fond of it as well.

[rollstoseduce]

[Maybe he should put Ayden and Calanthe in the same room to see what happens. Just for fun.]

Oh, I do agree! But you see, you made a clear distinction there - that's definitely a case of the monarch being at failure, not the kingdom. Unless you blame the people for not stopping the mad tyrant in time?

[rollstoseduce]

That's when you carefully choose your wording and ask for *a* stable filled with horses. Technically just one thing.

Ah-ha, now we are getting somewhere. Would that entail asking for immortality? Or merely for safety?