Annotated 44-12
I like how Syr’Nj responds on this page, just pulling out her Potion of Somnolence to put Best out again. “Screw it, consciousness has now become a privilege and not a right as far as you’re concerned.”
In another draft of this page, Weo was less tearful, and the prank was more successful: he was like “Nobody gets to play pranks up here, because we all know everything that’s going to happen,” and the absurdity of this kid having all the answers finally catches up with the others. Magda chuckles, Penk laughs a little more, Byron joins in heartily, and Best storms off in a huff. Might’ve worked okay, but I think it would’ve felt a little too much like the story telling the reader, “This is funny! Be amused now.”
FB: You’d think that Auraugu would appreciate the quick, sprightly tune of the Simpsons theme and the feverish energy of the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man stringed instruments, but as film and TV music criticism goes, “Settle down, little Elf-man” has only one possible meaning we can see… oh, wait, we just read it again and… Never mind.
Odd place to learn Danny Elfman did the Simpsons theme but there’s a first time for everything I guess
Oh man, little Weo needs a hug, and he’s totally the best. At least he made Penk and Goblaurence smile.
This bit actually goes well with what I thought before: Seeing the future does not compel you to act in ways you would not otherwise (beyond the fact that new knowledge of course affects your choices). Whatever your own choices are (going to be), is exactly what you want to do decide to do in that moment. Weo knew that his prank wasn’t going to land but he just really really wanted to try one because that was going to be the only chance to do this. And so he did. And so he made a new experience he could otherwise not have made.
I love the contrast between Weo’s inexperience and his immense knowledge. And I suppose the fact that those two aren’t the same may be the source for most of the Winter Elves’ will to live. They know what will happen, but not what it’s like.
I think if I was a Winter Elf, I’d try and travel around the world and not just see but actually experience as much of it as possible. But then, given what I know about myself, I might end up sitting around at home and just thinking that I should go out, but not actually doing the things… and that might end up being the safer option for Winter Elven society.
As much as I may not want to be seen agreeing with Best, he’s kinda got a point… HR may not be sadistic, but they *are* pawns, at least up to this point…
I would say they stopped being pawns some time before the happenings during which HR is first introduced to the readers. Possibly as early as the very start of their “gaming” experience, when they changed the universe by inventing their backstories.
…although Best of course does have a point, and is even most qualified to make it, having been to Cyberia, as another character, and back again. That stuff makes extremely little in-universe sense for any inhabitant of Arkerra.