17

[somekindofsin]

The more I read about nuclear fission, the more certain I am that it's a sincerely bad idea.  While the free energy that nuclear fission might provide is certainly tempting, the sheer destructive potential--well!  Anything that has the capacity to destroy the world is, in my books, something that really shouldn't be toyed with.  Accidents happen,

Comments

[Voice]

[revengeisalie]

This is such a long and rich entry, I don't know where to begin - well.

Weapons that can destroy the world, you say? That's -- Gods -- I don't even have words.

Sadly, it seems a very human thing to do.

You speak of inventions and experiments. That sounds so interesting! I don't really know anything about most things you've named, but it sounds, uh. Intriguing. Yes.

[Voice]

[somekindofsin]

You're not familiar with Catholicism, are you? Cardinals are officials in the Church--rather important ones. I won't go into the details of the Catholic hierarchy, but the cardinals I was familiar with were responsible for overseeing departments of the Roman Curia, of which my own department was a part. Well, not officially, since my department didn't officially exist...

That's quite generous of you, but you might mind after ten minutes or so of listening to me.

[Voice]

[revengeisalie]

Not particularly - I mean, it's something Christian, right? But nothing beyond that.

You did mention the "secret organization" part. What do they need a secret organization for, if you don't mind me prying?

Well, we'll see that, won't we?

[Voice]

[somekindofsin]

It's certainly Christian, although some would argue that it's something more than that. Everyone seems to think that their particular brand of belief is above all others, though, so that hardly matters.

Ah, yes... it's not a proper secret in the City, really--I've said enough about it to earn myself a visit to the Inquisitors at home, I think. It's not a Catholic order at all, although it operates within the Vatican. It's purpose is, in short, to protect humanity from the forces of evil--even though humanity doesn't, as a rule, know that said forces of evil exist. Very covert, of course. Officially I don't exist, you know.

If you're certain you'd like to undertake the great burden of listening to me, then yes.

[Voice]

[revengeisalie]

Heh... that does seem to be the case sometimes.

Oh... "forces of evil"? And wouldn't that be a little tricky with everyday life?

I'm ready!

[Voice]

[somekindofsin]

Mm? Well... the order does what it can to keep the forces of evil--and please realize that I use this phrase in a the vaguest of ways--from interfering with the everyday lives of lay people. As for those of us in the order itself, we don't have any everyday life to speak of.

I admire your bravery!

[Voice]

[revengeisalie]

But what about, uh, grocery shopping? Managing your money? That sort of thing.

Haha, thanks!

[Voice]

[somekindofsin]

Ah. That's a bit of a trick, you see, since it varies from one member to the next. The hunters--they're the ones who generally go out and do the actual capturing and eliminating of harmful entities--are fairly independent and receive a salary from the Church. They spend the vast majority of their time out and about, really, and I know that some of them have families outside of the order

[Voice]

[revengeisalie]

You would be one of the "lab rats", then?

It does sound... disadvantageous. But if one is content with that lifestyle, then there's nothing to say against it, I think.

Ah! So... it's something like being a monk?

[Voice]

[somekindofsin]

Actually, I like to think of myself as the king of the lab rats. Er... not that there's a hierarchy, but I wouldn't be exaggerating in the least if I said that I'm the single most productive and innovative scientist that the Vatican took under her wing. Jinette might disagree, of course, but he gets so upset about silly things like flash fires and property damage.

It might not be the best life, but it's rewarding. Having said that, however, I'm in absolutely no hurry to go back.

Quite a bit like being a monk, although I'm only a friar. Friars are allowed to take certain liberties, you know, although those pesky vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity still apply. I'd like to think, however, that words like "obedience" and "chastity" can be interpreted in a number of different ways.

Sorry! I'm already going on at length, and I haven't even met you properly. That's the trouble with secret orders--once you have an opportunity to talk about secrets, there's no stopping.

[Voice]

[revengeisalie]

But it's all very interesting!

... and I think property damage is rather worth getting upset about, depending on the property.

I bet the City provides a lot of interesting things for your inquisitive mind.

[Voice]

[somekindofsin]

Well! So long as you're not offended!

No property he would miss, to be sure. It's not as if I wander about the Vatican destroying relics--only the odd table here and there, scorched walls, burned robes...

Oh, it does. The workings of it are fascinating, if endlessly frustrating.

[Voice]

[revengeisalie]

Why should I be?

Ah... surely not as important as relics, but if one lives in poverty, walls and robes must be valuable as well.

... agreed.

[Voice]

[somekindofsin]

I don't know. It's just odd, you see, talking with someone who seems interested in listening.

The Church itself has more money than it could ever spend--replacing a table every now and again and providing additional robes won't hurt it in the least. It's only the individuals working for the Church who have any inclinations towards poverty.

[Voice]

[revengeisalie]

I take it few people at home want to listen to you?

Oh, I see... I guess it's not so bad, then.

[Voice]

[somekindofsin]

Not unless I can condense my thoughts into one or two economical sentences, no.

It's not bad at all, unless you happen to be a stingy cardinal or bishop.

Now... tell me about where you're from, won't you?