Most of the credit for this interview goes to the wonderful Miss Candy, whose patience and endurance know no bounds. This interview was conducted
Skypechat session. Both Candy and I put a lot of work into this; we hope you enjoy it!
: *walks in* "This is the place?"
: "Why don't you have a seat over there : |"
Candy: No, that's the place. *points to the ocean* Of course this is the place! There's a seat right there. *points*
*takes a seat* "So. I understand I am to answer some questions for you. Let us begin."
Candy: *also* Okay. So, Lizzy. I seem to remember you saying that since we had the same name, it was an omen. How would you know if it was an omen?
*grins* The fate of the cosmos is manipulated by subtle hands. What seems like simple coincedence or blind chance may actually be the workings of a higher power. I tend to watch for patterns, for signs that indicate that the universe is being manipulated. And when I first arrived at the Forum, I was greeted by you; a Writer, a being of incredible power...with the same name as myself. Perhaps it is nothing; perhaps I am seeing patterns where there are none. But I would very much like to cast your fate, to read what the cards have in store for you. That will have to wait until the Velvet Room is established on this plane; but something tells me you have a special destiny before you..."
Candy: Being... Manipulated? Strange. And do you like casting fates in that Velvet Room you're mentioning?
"Oh yes! People are such fascinating creatures; each one so complex, so intelligent, and yet so ignorant...I enjoy probing the mysteries of human behavior. When I cast the cards for a human, it gives me a chance to analyze their persona, and learn a little more about how they face life's hardships. It's a rare opportunity for me."
Candy: Wait, when you cast cards for a human? What else would you cast cards for? A cat? ((as my brother's show goes "I'm like freaking catnip"))
*mysterious smile* "I can cast the cards for anything with a personality. I've done the occasional animal before, yes, along with robots, aliens, ghosts...I once did a reading for a particularly old building. ^__^ Of course, the cards only reveal information about one's personality; it's up to the individual to take action. I suspect that informing the building that it was due for cataclysmic change was not particularly helpful when it was knocked down a few months later."
Candy: Aw, poor building. Hm... Onto the next question. If you knew someone was going to suffer intense illness/heartbreak/etc., and you haven't done fate cards or whatever, would you warn them?
: "...Technically, I am forbidden from actively interfering in the affairs mortal world. It is...not an easy restriction to bear. But sometimes Fate must be allowed to take its course. I have certain powers; with them comes certain duties, certain responsibilities. The Velvet Room is the one tool Igor and I have to change the fate of the world, and it is one we must use carefully."
*closes eyes briefly* "Sometimes the consequences of interference can be greater than...greater than they first appear."
*swallows, opens eyes* "So no, I would not warn that person. It may seem cruel, but my reasons are important."
Candy: I suppose that's a good reason... Okay. Imagine you are on
a mountain an island. The only thing around you is a group of cannibal hillbillies and some banana trees. The hillbillies are playing their banjos and growing closer. What do?
: "Oh! I would...uh...I would...try and talk to the hillbillies?
Is that the correct response?"
Candy: No they have guns and they're gonna eat you.
Now imagine the hillbillies weren't there? What 3 things would you bring?
"
But...I'm probably not very tasty..."
*shakes head* "Ah, yes, this scenario. I would bring...let's see...my
Compendium, some tarot cards, and...a box of matches. Yes, that would be sufficient."
Candy: What is your reasoning for those things?
: *thinks* "Well, I'd need the
Compendium and the cards in case I encountered some new personality to be recorded...the
Compendium also gives me access to powerful magics that would be useful in surviving an island. And a box of matches would help me provide fire, the cornerstone of civilization. With a fire and enough work, one can produce practically any aspect of basic survival!" *grins proudly as she answers*
Candy: Oh. Well, those are good answers! :3 hmm... What is your opinion on textured pancakes?
*curiously* "Textured...pancakes? I have never encountered such a delicacy as this in my travels. I will be sure to investigate this further, however..." *pulls a notebook out of her pocket and jots something down* "Must...try...textured...pancakes..."
Candy: XDDDD They're very good. *happily* What's your opinion on the Taco?
*huge grin* "It is a wonderous place! Filled with so many different characters, so many diverse personalities and abilities...a place where space and time are malleable...it's quite wonderous. And these beings, these 'Writers'! Each one brimming with power and potential, each one the protagonist of their own story, all gathered together...!!"
*stares dreamily into space* "It's like finding Heaven while still alive, I suppose."
Candy: The other Writers are much cooler than I am, I have to admit. Much more interesting characters. :3 They're such great people... But anyway! Do you like your writer?
"..."
: "..."
"...Of course I do! Tracer has introduced me to the forum, and been nothing but helpful in getting me acclimated to the...quirks of forum life. He is a gifted individual with a special destiny; once he opens the Velvet Room to us all, I'm sure you'll agree."
"Aw, shucks Lizzy..."
Candy: Awww. He is a pretty cool guy. Ummm... *looks at notes* If you had the chance to bring the Tacoers to your world, would you bring them? Why?
: "...My world can be dark and painful sometimes. There are many clashes between darkness and light in my world, and the light does not always win. But...yes, I believe that many of the characters from the Taco would thrive in my world."
: *grins widely* "Each person in my world manifests a persona, an external manifestation of their inner selves that obeys their commands.
((think: pokemon of the MIND)) Seeing what everyone's persona would be..that would be a wonderous oppertunity for me!"
Candy: A persona sounds cool, in that way. How do they work?
: *sits up straigter* "Well, it's quite simple, really
((lies)). As people go through life, they encounter many hardships and complicated experiences that influence their personality. Each person develops a persona--a mask, if you will--which helps them overcome these hardships. When a person develops the courage to face their true inner self, the one hidden behind the mask, they obtain mastery over their persona. If they know how, and one of my primary functions is to unlock this power within individuals, they can then summon a physical representation of their persona to help them in difficult situations such as combat. And, well, that's how persona's work. There are a couple more complex issues to using personae, but those are not fundemental to understanding how they work." *blinks* "...Is that a satisfactory answer?"
Candy: It's a great answer! So what is your persona like? :3
"..." *starts to giggle* "Hee hee hee~...Well, you see, I have no persona to call my own, per say. I am...not developed enough as an individual to warrant a persona. However...being the wielder of the
Compendium has certain...benefits."
"I have recorded a large number of personae in this tome; should I desire it, I can call on these records to summon a duplicate of that persona to obey me."
"...Of course, I rarely use this power, so great is the responsibility, but..."
"there are times when I find it...indispensible."
Candy: Oh. Well... *thinks of another question* If you could describe your life in three words, what would they be?
: *thinks* "...'Informative', 'Significant', and...*sigh*'Restricted'." *nods*
Candy: Hm. I have one more question for you... As long as your answer doesn't prompt more because curiosity killed the me. If you and someone from the Taco were in danger, and you could only save one person, would you save yourself or the other person?
"..." *closes eyes, remains silent for a looooooong time* "...Humans are a special race, gifted with purpose, potential, and meaning. I am a mere construct of the Velvet Room; I am none of these things. Logically, I should sacrifice my simple existance to save the valuable potential that one of you would possess. And a month ago, that is what I would have done, without question. However, I..."
"I don't want to die...": "...I think I've had enough questions for one day, if you don't mind."
Candy: It's okay, I'll talk to you soon, name twin!
Goodbye Miss Eliza, and good luck. *waves and exits*