two ✤ video

[lingeringhope]

[Hope still hasn't quite grasped human niceties, so he appears on the network suddenly, with no leadup and no greeting. As usual, he looks vaguely stressed and displeased.]

It has become obvious to me that I don't quite know how you creatures work. I need your hope, and unlike Fear I don't intend to bombard you with imagery just in case something sticks. Whether you like me or not, we're working together, in a way - without me, you'd all starve, without you, my power is lessened. I know you all so desperately want to go home, and without more power there's really no chance of that. So I have a proposal.

[He leans in, just a little.]

Bring me things that inspire hope in you. Place them on the altar in my temple over the next week or so, give me some idea of what it will take to draw hope out of you humans. If you can imbue them with more power - inspire hope in others with your ideas, work together, form bonds - that's even better.

As you all seem to enjoy being disagreeable, I do have more incentive then simply helping me out. Whoever brings me the thing that gives me the most power will receive my blessing. It's quite rare and valuable, it will impart to you the the ability to heal others for a certain amount of time. Since you all seem quite squishy and easily injured, I've no doubt that would be useful.

In addition, if I receive enough power, I'll waste some of it on a treat for all of you. So there's plenty of reason to help me out. Get to work.

[And that seems to be that. No farewell here, just Hope shutting the feed off. Feel free to ask him questions, if you'd like. He might even answer.]

Comments

[lingeringhope]

I did, a month ago. Unfortunately, it seems there's an entirely new batch of you who didn't see it and whose friends didn't bother to tell them.

[vdova]

[ Natasha sighs, closing her eyes and briefly counting to ten, first in English and then in Russian. ] You're not exactly showing me that you're worth helping, you know. There are those among us who don't have people from home who can explain these things. And if I'm being perfectly honest, it's not their responsibility even if they are. Regardless of who did what— [ And that's said with more than a little disdain, because you're pointing fingers?? Really?? ] —you two are the ones in charge here. Take responsibility for it. As it is, I see no reason why any of us should help you save to get out of here, and you're not really giving me any indication it's something you can do, anyway.

[lingeringhope]

None at all? Are all of you humans so terrible at listening? Without power, there's no chance anyone will ever be able to go home. By helping me, you give me power to attempt to solve that and many other problems. If you don't want to, that's very well. You may stay here, I've made it quite comfortable.

[vdova]

You're perfectly willing to, in your own words, waste that power on things you deem trivial to you once you get it. So you can understand why I don't believe you when you tell me you want me to get home.

[lingeringhope]

I don't particularly care if you get home or not. You keep asking me why you should help me, and that's why. As it stands, I haven't the slightest idea how to get any of you home, and I lack the power to even begin to investigate the Door, much less anything else. If you don't want to help, that's your decision. I simply thought you would enjoy having a choice, rather than being forced into it. Apparently, I was wrong.

[vdova]

If you don't care, stop implying that you do. If you don't know how, stop implying that you do. Trotting out things you have no control over and making it seem like you do is a good way to make people angry at you when you can't pull through with your supposed promises. [ She pauses. ]

I'd also recommend, if you want us to be more willing to help you, that you stop treating us like we're inferior. No one likes to be treated like they're idiots, and people are far less likely to help someone when they're treated that way.

[lingeringhope]

I've made no promises, besides the rewards for helping me. Unlike Fear, I'd prefer willing participation, though I'm quickly reconsidering that. You all want me to do everything to help you, when you'll do nothing to help me, and somehow I become the one who ought to bend over backward.

Humans are a remarkably entitled species.

[vdova]

[ Flatly. ] No more entitled than self proclaimed gods.

[lingeringhope]

I disagree. All I've asked you for is hope and assistance. You demand food, shelter, power, safety, and a way home, and blame me when I can't provide them all instantly.

[vdova]

You don't get a cookie for providing us with basic needs.

[lingeringhope]

'A cookie' wasn't on the list of things I've asked for. I don't even ask for any of you to be grateful, as it's clear that won't happen. But understand that I am providing you and yours far more than you are providing me. If you don't want to help, don't. I won't take away your food or shelter. But I'm quite done with being treated like a monster when I've done nothing but assist all of you.

Take it or leave it. I see no point in continuing this conversation.

[vdova]

It's not up to the victim to aid the victimizer. You've already said there's no way to give us what we really want: to get home. So why should we help you? It's a simple question, and your lack of an answer for it tells me everything I need to know.