♠ 09 | video

[beauchevalier]

[In the early hours of the morning, what people will see over their SFCs is a very large room that takes on the appearance of an art studio. Despite the many artistic supplies spread in various locations, the room does house a single man in it. This man is sitting in front of a canvas that doesn't have much on it, yet he's staring very intently at the canvas before setting the brush down. What can be seen is a painting of three hearts; one white, one black, and one gray. After a few moments of staring at his creation, he picks up the SFC which was already switched on prior to him painting this odd picture, the expression on his face rather neutral. Not happy or sad, simply neutral.]

Do call me curious dear Vatheon, but this is something I have been pondering for some time now. Why should we celebrate holidays we don't celebrate back home? Certainly some have been for the amusement of it, but take for instance this one we currently celebrated. For those who don't believe in love, a holiday entirely dedicated to it is seen as ridiculous. But that can be said of all people who don't believe in certain holidays, doesn't it?

Though this holiday especially can also arouse questions within us, particularly to matters of the heart as that seems to be its theme. A few I can think of are: Is there such a thing as true happiness or love? Is the feeling truly there or not? Can the supposed happiness and love gained with another who said they felt the same remain always? Or will it fade away like sand being washed away by the ocean?

Comments

[video]

[redcladidealist]

Hey, it came with chocolate. You don't have to be in love to love that.

[video]

[beauchevalier]

[Seriously, did Lloyd miss the entire point to what he said?]

It's not about the chocolate, Lloyd. It's the matters of the heart.

[video]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd's pretty good at doing that, isn't he.]

Hey, you asked why you should celebrate something you've never celebrated before. Even if you don't believe in it, or it doesn't apply to you, there's no harm in enjoying the stuff it comes with, is there? I mean, come on, there was chocolate!

[video]

[booyaka_boom]

*Oh my God. So many questions. So much philosophy. Too much to think about. Selphie just stares, trying to take this all in. Eventually, she replies, answering the one thing she does remember*

Uhm... I don't get it. Who doesn't believe in love?

[video]

[beauchevalier]

Is that such a surprise to see someone who doesn't believe in it? There are people who think love is a mere figment of our imagination.

[video]

[booyaka_boom]

Well... even if we are just making it up in our heads, does that matter if it feels so good?

*Says Selphie, totally lacking in experience and having never been in love. But she's read about it in enough books, and she's seen it happen to lots of people, so it has to exist somehow, she's sure*

[Video]

[honeyflaaash]

[He... doesn't believe in love? Who doesn't believe in love? Even the Panther Claw acknowledge it's real, though it's difficult for them to experience it.]

If you feel it, then of course it's real. Love is just that- a feeling. As long as you hold it in your heart, it's true and it will make you capable of great things. What's important is that you don't doubt it.

[Video]

[beauchevalier]

[That was the typical answer he was expecting.]

But that still begs more questions, doesn't it? How are you able to realize that the feeling is real in the first place? How did your mind come to that very conclusion? Or are you simply going on something your heart thinks is there?

[Video]

[honeyflaaash]

[Uhh...]

Well, I think that... sometimes it takes a little longer to be sure the feeling is really love. At some point, you'll just... You'll just know. Because love is like a warm light inside you.

[Video]

[dotthedisconnect]

Considering how emotional states can be traced to--at the very least--observable chemical or electrical stimulation within the brain or nervous system, you would be hard pressed to say that they aren't there. We have objective proof! So that should resolve that quandary.

As for the more philosophically interesting observation, the "holidays" you speak of seem to be...adaptations, of similar events from the universes with representatives that most populate the city. Or, we could also assume that they resemble the holidays that our hosts--or whatever brought our hosts about--are familiar with. In either case, it's essentially an appeal to the majority. But nothing beyond individual choice should mandate participation, I think.

[Video]

[beauchevalier]

Ah, however there are humans who can live without emotions or at the very least, bury them away. Let's say that I have met a few.

Adaptations of events? I did read a few books in the library mentioning these holidays from different universes or other worlds altogether, but I thought most were from similar universes to the ones our hosts come from. Perhaps I'm wrong on that as speaking personally, my universe does not house many of the holidays which I researched about in the library.

[Video]

[dotthedisconnect]

That seems logical. If information on your holidays was available in the library, then they probably would be kind that are pseudo-celebrated here. But, as they're not the events that our hosts have information on or familiarity with, they're not what they try to celebrate.

[crackpotcrocker]

Besides the point this place makes a mocky of free will? No reason.

[beauchevalier]

That's not entirely answering what I asked, but do go on. I'm curious to hear more of what you have to say about this place.

[crackpotcrocker]

You do?!

This is obviously a nexus of a muli verse on a universal plane. Apparently, Earth traditions are more common due possibly to the fact that the percentage of places are more from an - EARTH! Then anywhere else. Course it's only a theory.

Then of course the coral forcing your free will... It's like you have much of a - CHOICE!

[Video]

[coolerthansora]

...

Just because something won't last, that doesn't mean it wasn't real or important.

[Video]

[beauchevalier]

And why do you believe that? You're not giving a very good reason as to the why.

[Video]

[coolerthansora]

Because I decided to believe it.

The things I feel, the connections I have with people... They make me me. That's important, at least to me.

[Voice]

[wavesofjade]

I think that happiness is what we make it.

[Her voice is soft, thoughtful. She's considered his questions thoroughly before speaking.]

My life was difficult, through my own choices, and I could have so easily given myself to despair many times, but I did not. I chose to have faith and to believe in those around me, to have faith in myself, even though we spent so much of our time fighting against those who would see us destroyed.

[A pause, and a quietly indrawn breath.]

All things may fade, that is true, but.. the connections that we feel to each other, the marks that we leave on one another, either through love, friendship, or hatred.. they will always remain, even after the emotion which caused them is no longer felt. In that way, they can be said to be lasting. At least, that is what I believe.

[Voice]

[beauchevalier]

Your words are quite wise, my lady. And though I can see and understand where it is you are coming from, I'm afraid I must still disagree to a certain extent. Putting faith and trusting in others, it gets you nowhere. And furthermore, even if what you believe is true about emotional connections, can one say that all people have the thoughts as yourself?

[Voice]

[wavesofjade]

I can admit that some may not agree with my views on things, but I must disagree with your claim that putting faith in others is a fruitless endeavour. My own story would not have progressed as it did without the people that I placed my trust in, and even in this place I find it necessary.

Having people to rely on in times of need is beneficial ,and would it not be quite lonely, otherwise?

video;

[spiria]

Yes, love exists. I know because I'm in love with someone wonderful.

Buuut, you already know my whole thing on that.

video;

[beauchevalier]

Ah Kohaku, I knew you would say it exists. Of course we've had this talk before, so naturally you know my opinions on it.

voice

[bufudine]

[Serph's voice is the same as always. Calm, even, as he answers the first part.]

Should celebrations be stopped if someone doesn't believe?

voice

[beauchevalier]

[As Serph is one of the few he's willing to open his heart to, sort of, he answers.]

I'm not saying that, but I don't see why we should celebrate holidays that don't exist in our worlds.