text; un: romano

[badlydisarmed]

Does anyone know if the fast child-sized squirrels are dewormed? Do we need rabies vaccines? Are there any vets in town?

For those who don't know me, I'm Dr. Robert Romano. As of a few days ago I was the only non-magical medical doctor in Etraya. If that's changed please talk to me, I'm so lonely.

And I'm serious about the fast squirrels, I also got anti-flea treatments for anyone covered in fur.

Comments

[badlydisarmed]

She had a full dictatorship, aided by some sort of mind-control ability I still don't fully understand.

Some people went to stop her, they succeeded.

[untsundered]

As well they should. While I may believe there are better methods to maintain order and provide for the creations here, such an extreme method as mind control is a touch excessive. Particularly if she was naught more than another creation brought here to similarly be observed.

[Which raises the question what counts as a "creation" in his book.]

[badlydisarmed]

[ That's exactly what Robert's wondering. ]

Are we all "creations"?

[untsundered]

As I have not met everyone who resides within this bubble, I cannot say with certainty. However, I have yet to see one I would not name thus.

[badlydisarmed]

What is a creation?

[untsundered]

Well, that is a rather complex question if I were to answer it in its entirety, but the short explanation is thus: entities or lifeforms created through powers of creation or aught similar. Any of their resulting offspring that would serve to propogate the species' continued existence would likewie fall under this category, regardless of their evolution thereafter being released into the world.

There are observable traits that mark one as a creation, all plain and obvious to those who are not.

[badlydisarmed]

Artificial life forms. That's what you're calling creations.

[untsundered]

Typical and reductive, I knew it would be beyond your ken. There is much that goes into engendering creations, arcane entities and living beings are all part of the process of it. Naming them artificial lifeforms regardless of their stage is simply crude and speaks of your ignorance in such matters.

[badlydisarmed]

My home world doesn't have magic, don't be bitchy.

[untsundered]

None at all? Or perhaps you simply cannot recognize it for what it is. Regardless, you had to come from something.

[badlydisarmed]

I don't know if you're asking about evolution or if you want the "when a daddy loves a mommy very much" talk.

[untsundered]

I am speaking pre-evolution, that is a natural consequence after the initial creation when it goes on to reproduce. Of course, most would not know of its creators, particularly should they be so far down the evolutionary line from the progenitor of its species. Which is likely your case.

[badlydisarmed]

There are several theories. Leading one being the "primordial soup" one, which suggests life originated from non-life. There's been experiments imitating what the atmosphere was like at the time the first lifeforms theoretically popped up, the combination of various factors with electricity produced amino acids that could theoretically lead to molecules to produce life.

Another one suggests life on Earth was seeded by meteors, but since that only explains where it may have come from rather than how it originated, I like it considerably less.

Where do you come from?

[untsundered]

So you don't know, yet you spoke so definitively about what does or does not exist in your world mere moments ago. As if you were some prevailing authority on the subject.

I hail from a star named Etheirys. From it did mankind spring forth to fill its untamed lands with our gift of creation, bequeathing it with myriad forms of life to shape it into the marvel it now is. As that is our purpose and duty: to be the stewards of the very star which birthed our existence from time immemorial.

You spoke of a theory of life springing forth from non-life, yet I wonder at your dichotomy of such a thing.

[badlydisarmed]

I don't do existentialism. Other people do and I read about it.

The theory is very simple, the conditions for life to exist presented themselves, so life happened. The process was very gradual.

[untsundered]

To know one's limits and seek the wisdom of others is its own wisdom.

Allow me a better query, then. What qualifies as life to you?

[badlydisarmed]

Textbook definition makes life matter that has biological processes. But there's sentient robots here and once you add non-biological life to the mix, shit gets very hard to define.

So biological life is matter capable of growth, adaptation, response to stimuli, and some other stuff I can't remember because it's been decades since I had to answer that quiz.

Non-biological life is my robot buddy that's capable of feeling guilt.

[untsundered]

I see. That is a rather rudimentary and sentimentally inclined definition of it, but I expect no less.

I can see now why your people came to their theoretical conclusions on the matter of their existential beginnings.

You had asked me about creations earlier. With your understanding of that automaton friend of yours—he would be a creation to you, yes? Someone designed him, built him, programmed him.

[badlydisarmed]

Yes. Although just so we're on the same page, how he came to be doesn't make him less of a person.

Which is a weird thing for me to be typing, but there's a wereshroom sending me texts, so you know, shit happens.

[untsundered]

I have no doubt you believe that.

What, pray tell, is a wereshroom?

[He already has to deal with so many stupid creations. Like sharks with too many legs, what do you MEAN a WERESHROOM?]

[badlydisarmed]

Waiting on details myself, but he seems to be a mushroom that can turn into a human.

[untsundered]

What a curious concept. Well, I cannot say it's lacking in creativity.

[Sounds like he's judging someone's art project...]

[badlydisarmed]

Right sure. We're all crayon drawings made by gods.

Not you, though, you're different.

[untsundered]

You are a bit more refined than that, do give yourself some credit, won't you?

[He is not denying being different in the most flattering of ways.]

[badlydisarmed]

Quick question.

Why are you stuck here?