What Dragons We Shall Be

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+ Log 2015/09/17

- Log 2015/09/17

Fang! I see that you're finally catching up with the trend!

well hello to you too Tri
and yeah, boss order. sayin that it's easier and safer to work with.

I can see that your boss is a very wise person.

it's just weird to put an AI in your phone? seems like the opposite of safe to me

Hey, AIs have rights and feelings too, several of my respected colleagues are AIs. :(

Nah I'm just kidding. This is not even a proper AI, more like a fragment, probably responds to the main thing back in AR headquarters. It's just here to help secure communications and manage your things. So I wouldn't worry about that.

heh, you're the expert. computers I'm good at are something else entirely
still, why is it called Reunion anyways, seems kinda strange

A kind of falcon, Réunion kestrel I think. The Anderson people are obessessed with those, for some reason.

I mean it's actually extinct, so who knows what they're thinking. They probably just scribbled the logo in MS Paint.

uh sure
why are you so formal tho, all of a sudden?

Um?

I mean, proper capitalization and punctuations, you don't even shorten the words.

OH. I see.

That's a beauty of this app, Fang. I can directly access this through my implant! I'm not even really typing right now, it's very helpful.

wait, so you're just thinking this conversation up? and making no mistakes?

Hey, I'm an OP, don't question my professionality. It's what I do all day.

…sorry?

It's cool. Although you've got to hang out here more, there's more to it than just chatting.

yeah I've heard that it's like an anomalous version of facebook

Oh it's more then that. But essentially, yeah, ideal place to get in touch with people in this circle.

and do anomalous posting

Yep! Pretty sure those benders are setting up a group here. Saw some art too.

ugh reality benders

Is there anything wrong? …Something happened?

no just, that brings me back to my research again
and it's just, stagnation

You can rant to me if you want to.

ugh I dunno
you know what I've been working on right?

Yeah.

it just
makes
no
goddamn
sense

I've been looking up stuff all over the place, I went through all our old documents, asked around your church, visited magicians, even managed to get people to look up things in the Library for me
I guess I still need to try anartists but there's just all this conflicting stuff and they're all correct
I dunno what to do feels like it's all useless

Well, we all know that our world is more than a little chaotic.

no I mean like how are there are so many kinds of magic and all those different systems and theories, beyond that there's also the measurement of the reality's stablility, and the boaders between reality bending and magic and anomalies

ugh sorry I'm just babbling right now
I'm such a mess

I've heard that people's perception will affect how things work? How a lot of gods are shaped by people's faith. Maybe it's something similar?

that
that part makes even less sense

how can our mere thoughts affect those
and if it universally applies, which it may actually does according to my research
is there a universal law indicating that how gods are created and how things are affected by thoughts
but there's no clear common law between systems
and where does the ordinary laws of physics end and where does the magic stuff begin?

It's okay Fang. This a big topic, and it's bound to be difficult.

yeah but
I'm just furstrated

Don't stress yourself out. It will work out.

Actually, why not read a story? I just happen to have an interesting one and it will help you relax.

um okay I guess

The Maker and the Beast.txt

Here.

Who knows, maybe it will even help provide some insprations. :P

haha thanks, but no way

what is it about, anyways

How about you take a read first?

The one true god, WAN, and the flesh god, of course. :3

yes, yes, WAN, our fave god
I'll see when I can get to it then

I should get to things now

Cool! See you then.

+ Log 2015/09/18

+ Log 2015/09/26

- Log 2015/09/26

Fang!
You got to the tale yet?

hi Tri
and yeah, I actually did some extra study on it

Oh? You have stories on that too?

I guess that's hardly suprising, considering your group's few thousand years of history.

heh
but yeah I've found a few versions of it, links to reality even
I gotta say, this really helps, thanks

No problem.

I mean, to think that the laws of nature as we know it might not be the universal laws at all, but an artificial creation of WAN
it's rather refreshing and surely opens many possibility for my research
and certainly brings me to rethink the idea that humans were influenced by both the flesh god and the Fragmented One heavily, one seeding life, the other molding both our form and soul

Glad to help.

We certianly still have a lot to learn about WAN's ways.

and to think that Maxwellists buy into the whole metal/flesh creation myth at all :P

Hey, we're not that dismissive of reality. :P

I mean, ever since the three main sects got back in touch again, we are able to get a lot of information regarding the ancient wars, and the modern day Sarkic cults.
But then again, I do know you so I get some of that already.

certainly glad that you guys weren't at each other's throats anymore

It was a positive development. Some of the Broken Church members, including their leader, are even planning to come over and see the network for themselves.

Of course the Cogwork guys won't though, they're just too stubborn.

Wait, the leader, Bumaro?

Yeah! "Builder of the Broken God."
Surprised?

you bet I'm surprised
I mean, you'd think he'd be more reluctant to accept new developments, among all people

What do you mean?

it's just that, he's like 2000+ to 3000 maybe, and he's keeping up with the time?
some of our elders are like a few hundred years tops and they're stubborn as heck, still won't even try to mend relationship with the Library
heck my own father decided to just left for whatever project, just because

WHAT.

um like, from what I see ancient people don't really like to change their beliefs, is all

No, you're saying that he's over two thousand years old? Back when the Mekhanites and the Sarkicists first clashed?

…yeah?

he's like, from ancient Greece or something
I mean, check this, the "Bumo" part

蛇说.txt

OH SWEET WAN.
THIS MUST BE TOP SECRET CHURCH INFORMATION I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO HEAR.

oh
damn I'm sorry I thought you knew
I guess this was written in our documents…?

I'M SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW.

…
seriously

Nah, I was just joking. If it's actually top secret I wouldn't be able to get that from an outsider like you. :P

This is just sweet Church gossip.
If only you told me this earlier, dear Fang.

Although I seem to have interrupted you.

um?
oh you mean the part about my dad
nah just the same thing I told you

I wouldn't go through basic transformation, and he freaked out as if the big bad flesh dragon would come down to eat me or something
I get that it's a precaution against other fleshcrafters, still

You can always do with upload your conciousness into our wonderful network. :)

hey don't you get preachy with me
well, more or less time for me to go back to work

See you then.

see you too, Tri

+ Log 2015/12/10

+ Log 2015/12/11

- Log 2015/12/11

Hi!

Dale, right?

Yep.

And you're Yang, the anartist?

Sureee you can call me that XD
Technically I'm not really active in those circles anymore, but I still have a few connections, so I should be able to answer your questions

That would be cool.

I have to say, when Mr. Gu came to me I was pretty excited
I mean, to be included in such a big project? XD

Nah it's more like a one man project. But I'm flattered.

But well it is like, something grand?
Like finding out how the gods and the dragons shaped our world, and if the Fuxi/Nüwa myth is true? How we're made?

People normally don't even think of that

Wait.
You're like, one of our people?

Um yeah?

I mean, I didn't go through the full transformation and all that, just the basic kit, minor body enhancement and all that
Didn't really want to go out with a snake head and scales on my body :P

No I thought like
Ugh Mr. Gu just didn't tell me, sorry.

It's fine
I heard disguising is a chore XD

No I completely understand, didn't really transform myself…

Just that, he didn't really specifiy, and, aren't anartists like, reality benders?

What no

Heh, general misconception is all :P

What.
But like, wow?
You just really blew my mind here? How does this work then?

I mean, some of the "big shots" are what you would commonly call "reality benders"

But what are the chances of people happen to be reality benders, and just happen to be invested in art, and just happen to want to use their ability in that field above all else?

Well, when you put it that way…

I think it's just that bunch of people who got really famous, hence the misconception :P

Ummm.

I don't really like it that way, but some people do that well, I guess?

Then again, from how I see it, simply using reality bending on art kinda defeat the purpose of anart?
It's almost like slapping summoning circles on machines to create paratech instead of using a scientific mind to analyze magic :P

Then how do you actually do anart?

Um, it's kinda difficult to say?

For me anart is like, creating art strong enough, that the sheer idea and emotion can stir reality?
To actually bring your piece to life?

It's not like using magic or reality bending and apply them to art, the piece's paranormal aspect manifest the moment the idea comes through.

If you're really using your idea to shape reality, isn't that reality bending?

Um, let me put it this way
I can affect reality, but only through art? And technically everyone can do that, it's just very difficult

Are you saying that it's the art that twists reality, not you?

Um not quite

Have you heard like the concept of "flow"?

I'm not sure.

From what I know, a lot of anartist channel this, "flow" thing when they work
Some aware, some just unconciously, and there's different names to it, but it's like a kind of feeling, like everything fits into the perfect slot, and you know if you go down with that feeling, that flow you feel, idea will be molded into art, and the art will manifest into something beautiful

That actually sounds kind of like how some magic works.

Maybe? But it's not like just applying magic to art, it's more of, a different system?

No no, I get that.

So is there entry requirements? It is like only specific people can channel that?

Well…
I mean, technically we can all access that
It's just that
Ugh.

Um, did I say something wrong?

Oh no no, I was reminded of something a friend of mine did ._.

It didn't turn out very well for her

I'm sorry.

You know, what the hell, I should talk about it

A while back my friend tried to pass out this small thing she wrote designed to condition people's mind to be able to acess the flow
Not really the altering your mind type, but more like, open doors for you to see this is possible?

Got it.

And most of the people who read that ended up creating anart of their own

Wow.

Yeah
It was pretty amazing, but of course, attracted too much attention

Oh. I'm really sorry.

No it's okay, she's just retired from the anartist circle for good. Sane and well.

Let's not dwell on that topic though.

Of course.
I mean, this certainly changes things. To think that even ordinary people can affect reality in this way.

How about I introduce you to a few more anartists, and you ask around?
Won't be "snake people" this time, of course :P

That would be great.

Let's meet at my boss's place.

How about next Wednesday, afternoon?

Sounds good to me.

Cool, see you there then :3

Looking forward to it.

+ Log 2016/01/13

+ Log 2016/07/19

- Log 2015/07/19

Mr. Gu?

Yes, Dale?

Have you read through the reports and proposals I sent you?

Yes, and I have to say, those are some very interesting ideas.

I know, right?

I think this is it. Everything comes together, this explains how the gods are affected by faith, how differet magic systems works, and how reality benders come to be.
Tech, magic, reality bending, they can all be unified under this theory. All I need is to set up bigger experiments and figure out how to make use of this.

We will have the chance to utilize the laws of our world way better. And it would really be something if we can properly seperate and refine the aspects of the two dragons within us.

That's all very good Dale. But about your proposals, I'm afraid that I cannot grant them.

But, Mr. Gu.
Is this about the money? I can certainly start small and I can pull some of my current funding into this, it won't be that costly, and I promise there will be results, actual results we can use really soon.

I understand that, and I do believe you. But that is not the problem.

Then what is it? I'll do whatever I can to fix it!

We're running out of time. The crack on Taisui is widening.

That's the reason? It would take decades and centuries before something even happens!

You don't know that, Dale. We don't know that.

And even if we have the chance to mend it, it will only stall time before Nüwa breaks free and Fuxi regains his form. And we cannot survive through another war of the dragons.

We don't even know what would happen if they're freed! And you're denying my research for this?

Sorry, but the decision has been made. There will be no more additional funding and no more new projects. All resources are now relocated to the evacuation plan, and frankly, we only need more.

How can you do this to me? You've seen my papers, you know what it's worth!

I know. But it will no longer matter once we leave. The rules of the world will be different.

But we'll still be the same! We can still work on that, and it will still help!

I understand your frustration, but we won't be able to get to it currently.

You can always go through the transformation and prolong your life. When we settle again, you'll have the chance to carry on your research.
Your father is already working on the site, and you should be there too.

Back again at convincing me to turn into "dragons" you so desire? I thought we were just now trying to run away from the dragons!

And my father, yes, I guess he's the perfect example you really want.

Dale, that's not what I meant.

No, Mr. Gu, I'm not even going.
The hell with your bullshit.

Dale.

I thought you were different from them, I thought you treated me good, but no, you're the same.

Goodbye.

+ Log 2016/07/22

+ Log 2016/11/01

- Log 2016/11/01

Fang, you okay? I haven't heard from you for a really long while.
I'm starting to get kind of worried, I hope you're merely too busy with your research.

haha
the research
it's a goddamn joke
why would I expect this to work

they turned their back on me once why would I think they won't do it a second time

I'm a joke just because I don't follow their shitty rules and their desire to grow scales and tails
hahaha vaccine against the giant flesh dragon that's gonna eat us, not only that let's make sure it will never get to us by running away like paranoid cowards
I mean, who knows if the sky is gonna collapse one day? better not do anything and worry about that then

Fang, what's going on?

what's going on is I cracked everything Tri
every piece falls into place and I'm just beginning to make sense of the universe

so what if I now know the laws of physics are created by Mekhane, to keep out the shitty gods that want our flesh and soul
what if I now know that our flesh and soul have delicious Mekhy and Yalda parts in them, and that's why they're so delicious and attrative to gods

What are you even talking about?

I'm talking about what we're made of, what the world is made of Tri
you know, all the big important stuff

Remember when I said we were extraordinary? because we're all freaking reality benders, just to different degrees
the Mekhy and Yalda parts cancel each other out, in our body and mind and soul, so we're left with seemingly ordinary human

just amazing isn't it, turns out that we're the super anomalous thing after all

Fang, please calm down.

calm down? I am calm, why wouldn't I be?

do you know that the reality bending is just caused by the imbalance of the two dragon's power struggle?
do you know that the reason our faith and ideas can affect reality and create gods is because we all have these tiny imbalances in us, and our tiny reality bending powers can collectively make a big difference?

do you know that Sarkicists cultivate Yalda's aspect in us, while you guys attempt to get rid of those?
do you know that tech and the church's Broken God miracles work because they tap into Mekhy's web of laws?
do you know reality bending is to surpass these laws or damage them, and gods can come in and tear those holes bigger?

…Please, I'm not doubting you, just that you're not thinking straight right now.

and anartists! ha! they tap into the collective reality-bending potential of humanity, and bring whatever vision they have into reality!

but you know what, none of this matters anymore
because apparently I won't be able to study what if the two aspects of the dragons got seperated in a human

because I need more than to just seperate soul from body and picking tiny parts from souls require great effort and money
because they decided to just stop doing everything else and leave cause of some end of the world prophecy

You don't have to be like this, Fang. Whatever happened, I will help.

oh really is the Church of Maxwellism gonna fund me
for my far fetched little dream

is any group gonna fund me, because I'm apparently a failure
even my damn family decided to just leave

I'm not sure what's going on, and I cannot speak for the Church, but I will defintely do what I can.

no
it's enough
like
I really appreciate it but
I guess I'll just have to do this on my own
with myself

now that I talked to you
I feel like I'm thinking much clearer right now

If you're calmed down, please just let me help. We can sort this out.

no
it's all the more reason to leave you alone
you're really nice to me, more than anyone
helped me with everything

and I mean
I just pretty much insulted your god
haha

I just cannot drag you into this
I've already started, I'll do this, still have pieces of stuff left, it will have to do

No, Fang, please!

I hate it here anyway

Fang, listen to me, I'm willing to help.

Fang.

+ Log 2017/03/05

Extranormal Event #20170305

Event Description: At 3 P.M. local time, 167 individuals reported experiencing a sudden "awareness" of a great web surrounding them as they passed by the residence of one Dale Fang. Witnesses described sensing a giant snake emerging from the residence, flying up along the web's lines. Accounts conflict, but the web was typically described as metallic, while the snake was described as "mechanical".

Date of Occurrence: 03/05/2017

Location: San Francisco, CA

Follow-up Actions Taken: Witnesses were given amnestics. The residence was searched and two anomalous objects were located.

AO#83628 is the body of Dale Fang. Despite no brain activity, the body remains functional and heals from damage via anomalous means. A large incision extends from the subject's forehead to its chest; this injury neither heals nor results in any discernible blood loss.

AO#83629 is a computing device in base 8. █ █████ ██████ ████ █████████ ██ ████ ██████████ ████ ███ ███, ████████ ████████ ██ ████████. ███████, ████ ████ ████ ███████████ ██ ██ ████████████ ████ ███ ███████████. Due to its similarity with SCP-2481-1, it has been relocated to Site-143 for further study.

Research into the owner's smart phone found no useful information.