synnet | Audio | @rubber ducky

[ The message begins with a clearing of the throat before a smooth voice filters through the ocular network; that of the very distinctive cadence of Dr. Ratio. He speaks calmly and lower than he usually does in an attempt to evoke a soothing tone that is not present in his usual manner of speech. ]

Given recent circumstances, I imagine many of you may be finding it difficult to rest and relax. You cannot be faulted for that; as of late, I have often found myself plagued with an active mind during the night, when I ought to be asleep. However, it is important to allow your body and mind to recuperate from injury and exertion. When one's body is exhausted, so too is the mind sluggish, and vice versa. Baths are quite effective at soothing the body and clearing the mind. I encourage you to make frequent use of the spa's public bath once we return to base.

[ There's a pause here and then another clearing of the throat—one that sounds like a cover up for embarrassment. ]

But I digress. The purpose of this message was not to provide a lecture on self-care.

I... have been told by students before that my voice has a particularly pleasing quality that is easy on the ears. A few have been audacious enough to inform me that they use my lesson recordings to put themselves to sleep. In light of that... I would like to offer my voice to be used as a sleeping aid for any who would benefit from it.

I have attached a link to several of the lesson recordings I have created since my arrival on this planet.

[ Anyone who is curious enough to peruse the offerings will find neatly named audio files for an undergraduate semester's worth of several subjects, ranging from math to physics to biology, among more. There's almost 50 files in total, and each one of them comes with a text transcription accompanying it. ]

You may utilize these as you desire, though I do hope you find an interest in the subject itself. There is never a better moment than now to start learning something new.

In addition, I am open to recording new material if you find none of these are relaxing to listen to. And if you desire a conversational partner to debate with on topics unrelated to what weighs on your mind, I am happy to fulfill that role.

As always, if you have any questions, you may ask me at any time, provided that you have thought carefully and determined the answer to be worthwhile to know.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You would not want her here. She would not be interested in helping.

[ There's a very noticeable pause in his reply here. That is... certainly one way to view the problem. ]

...that is information you did not have to divulge to me.

That may be the healthiest response to whatever LILITH attempts to do. I shall keep that in mind, once their work comes to fruition.

Huh, bummer. Guess that's why they haven't brought her here, in that case.

[Insert the maniacal laughter of your choice here, Ratio. He's totally messing with you. But on the positive side, it's what he does with those he likes? Hurray?]

Aw, c'mon! Don't tell me you've never thought about it before! It's a classic thought experiment! Say, would YOU screw yourself if you had the chance, Doc?

Let's hope it comes without any side effects though, huh? Wouldn't want anyone to come back bloodthirsty or messed up in the head, that's for sure.

Yes, you should be quite glad they have not attempted to summon any of the Geniuses. I shudder to think how much worse the situation would become if they get involved.

[ Oh Yato, if only you knew Ruan Mei had attempted to duplicate a monster much, much worse than the kaiju they face only because she wanted to see if she could. Her arrival on this planet could spell the end of it, depending on how interested she is in the kaiju. ]

No. I've never thought of it, and I do not have such desires. I do not see the appeal of such a thought experiment.

[ It is hardly a thought experiment; only a horny idea disguised as something higher-class. How crass. ]

We shall see how reliable LILITH can be. They have not proven themselves so as of recent. Should they succeed, they may well restore a certain amount of goodwill with the Outsiders.

Huh, damn. I thought smart people were supposed to be, y'know, smart enough to know better.

[Yikes. That would be pretty devastating for everybody then, wouldn't it. If all of Ratio's brainy people are like that, he's glad it's only him who's here.]

Spoilsport. It's totally one of those fun things to talk about over drinks.

[Sorry, Ratio, your local God of Fortune is a bit of a twit at times. (Read: often.)]

Can't argue with you there. I was beginning to think they weren't so bad, but lately... I dunno. They've been pretty snippy and unhelpful.

You mistake moral values to be a sign of intelligence. Those who seek to know for knowledge's sake never consider if obtaining that knowledge is beneficial for humanity, nor do they seek to disseminate it among those who would use their knowledge for the betterment of everyone else.

[ This is why he suspects he will never earn Nous' gaze, for he is not someone who desires knowledge for the sake of it. But he has long accepted that, and is proud of the path he's carved for himself. ]

Then you will be disappointed to know that I am not one for alcohol either. I dislike substances that impair my reasoning.

[ Stick in the mud. ]

Quite. Even if they were to suddenly become the ideal organization to work for, I would still retain my doubt. It is unwise to trust that LILITH will ever be interested in anything other than its own goals.

Huh. I guess you're right. My bad for thinking that empathy and intelligence go hand in hand. Kinda sucks that people with such vast amounts of useful skills wouldn't be the sort to use it to benefit others instead of themselves.

[A bummer, to say the least. They could really use some of those big brained geniuses here when it comes to deal with rifts and the kaiju.]

Disappointed but not surprised, heh. Though I don't blame you for preferring to keep your head clear.

[For him, it's precisely because he likes shutting off his ability to think that he indulges in the occasional booze fest.]

Yeah, an organization like them is bound to put their own interests first, if they even plan on living up to their end of the bargain they've struck with us. It's frustrating that we can only hope they will.

Indeed. That is why we must all do what we can instead of relying on those who are talented but care little for others.

[ It's something he's been trying to teach researchers and erudites who cling onto the Genius Society, as if any of them cared to help the mediocres at all. And unfortunately, Yato, Ratio is one such 'genius' who could help with the Rifts and kaiju, but LILITH hasn't let him do anything at all. It's been very frustrating trying and failing to get them to share their research with him. ]

They haven't struck any bargain, as far as I'm concerned. We've all been forcefully conscripted into a battle none of us were previously aware of, and chained by their implant. This is no different to slavery, even if we're receiving wages, paltry as they are.

Makes sense. Not gonna get much out of those kinds of people, most likely. Or if you do get anything, it might not be what you hoped for.

[The whole situation is just so baffling to him - why bring in the big-brained boffos if not to make use of their skills and information reserves? Seems highly wasteful at best and suspicious at worst. Do they value their secrecy more than solving the issues at hand?]

Yeeeah, that's a fair way of looking at it, it must be said. I try not to look at it like that though or it'll just piss me off and make me wanna go all feral again. And I've heard about what they do to unruly Outsiders who pick fights.

[HMMM. Wonder who he could be talking about...]

[ Apparently, they do value their secrecy. And lack trust in the Outsiders. That's what Ratio has determined anyways. Which makes it all the more pressing that he must know what it is they're hiding. But that's a work in progress. ]

If you've something to say, then say it.

[ No need to beat around the bush Yato. He knows you're talking about him. ]

[If anybody can get into their good graces through sheer intellectual means, it's probably Ratio. ...or would be, were not for his little stint in Outsider jail, as it were.]

Did you two ever kiss and make up?

[Honestly, the last thing everyone needs is their brains and brawn going at each other's throats...]

[ Yeah...if anything, that certainly costed him some of their trust. Annoying, but he will continue trying anyway. ]

No. Unlike the previous time, our disagreement stems from a fundamental change in Godzilla's outlook on humanity. Until that is resolved, I doubt we will reconcile.

[He won't be able to hear the sigh, but maybe it'll come across in text.]

Ugh, yeah, I guess that's going to be a hard hill to climb... Maybe for now it'd be best to just let him cool off and try to see that not all of humanity is so bad.

Audio | @rubber ducky

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