(IC)Six Hobbits Driving

Something more important than local silliness has finally come up. I resigned all of my titles and posts. I am now officially on my own. Well, not really. I have my lovely, strong boy. We also have a few companions.

Poor Faramir, he's missing one of his silly games brought to life. We have a wizard, a bard, a fighter, a ranger, a rogue, and somehow the ranger acquired a squire. Now, we just need a cleric. Somehow, I think I know someone that could fulfill that role.

I wonder which of us gets to be the Hobbit thrown into the volcano? We are on a ring quest after all. All of our respective people have wished us well, granted us special equipment, and sent us on our way. We have the horrible artifact and the insanely powerful bad guy. The goal is for our people to distract the bad guy long enough to get the artifact where it needs to go.

First stop, enemy territory. Hopefully the enemy doesn't notice us, doesn't think we're an issue or decides that our quest is more important than their immediate need for blood. I bet they'd like a world to conquer. Kinda hard to conquer oblivion...

(IC)Cult of Personality

If those in our company think they are superior to those so employed, all they have to do is compare this evening's events. Our CEO is cultivating himself a cult of personality. Grandiose speeches that whip the young into a violent frenzy, blaming others for your own plots, using an outside group to distract those same young people and to gain power, etc... sound like anyone? These are tactics used by despots throughout the centuries. Pol Pot scapegoated the intellectuals, McCarthy the "reds," Hitler and Medieval Christianity the Jews, Nero the Christians, and so on.

We are even more animals than most people. That little piece of the mind that some refer to as the "reptile" portion of the brain, where fight or flight and the animalistic instincts reside, is an active portion of us. Existence for us is a constant fight against this thing taking us over and turning us into nothing more than ravenous beasts. It is our burden, our curse. By feeding into these baser instincts, the CEO undermines the attempt of all within that meeting to avoid an animalistic state. He undermines our very Humanity.

As we have learned from the like's of Hitler and Pol Pot, even destroying and disgracing a cult of personality doesn't stop it. Neo-Nazis the world over still worship their Fuhrer. Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge have an active say in Cambodia's coalition government. All we can hope to do is re-direct this foul force, minimalising it's negative impact. Perhaps weeding out the worst of the worst would be best.

God of power and mercy, maker and love of peace, to know you is to live,and to serve you is to reign. Through the intercession of St. Michael, the archangel, be our protection in battle against all evil. Help us to overcome war and violence and to establish your law of love and justice. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

(OC) I Was Made a Kindred

Here is a parody song that pretty much portrays Reginald's view of Kindred society.

I Was Made A Kindred
Original music and lyrics: Traditional (I Was Made a Christian)
Parody Lyrics: Erin Ruston

I was made a Kindred
When my soul was tak'n,
One of Caine's cursed children,
And an heir of Satan.
In the name of Kindred
I am damned now,
Evermore remember
My Clan's oath and vow.

I must, like a Kindred
Keep all evil rites,
Shun the faith of Jesus,
Block Him all my nights.
Called to be a Kindred
I will seek my gain,
Avoid His assistance
See what I attain.

All a Kindred's curses
I will claim for mine;
Unholy work and war,
Heaven I resign.
My Sire, Clan, and Sect,
Give me spite, that I,
Still exist a Kindred,
And a Kindred die.

(IC) War

The conglomerate that I belong to is about to enter direct conflict with an independent corporation. This will not be what most people will think of when the term corporate warfare is said. Yes, there will be manipulation and theft of each others' resources. Yes, there will be political games. Unfortunately, there will also be bloodshed; ambushes in the night, house fires with the occupants at home, car bombs, etc.

Open conflict like this will weaken both sides and open us up to far worse. Third parties will take advantage of the situation and invade our territory. If they are smart, they will wait until the dust has settled and attack the weakened victor. Some of them will be that smart. Others will just enter the ensuing fray to ad to the chaos.

My only hope is that "collateral damage" can be avoided. This is a vain hope. None of our companies place much value on the individual passerby. They just don't like press. This means that more people will die, as witnesses will be removed. If only there were a way out, a way to return to my old life. It was secretive and weird, but I didn't have to worry about being forced to kill innocents.

I'll just do my best to be aimed at those who deserve to meet their Judge.

(IC) Oh the danger...

I'm sure most people have done things they know that they shouldn't. Well, I'm there. There is this absolutely powerful member of an unaffiliated company. You could say that he is a member of their board of directors, answerable only to their CEO. This particular company is more dangerous than most. Their dealings are far from legal.

This dangerous, powerful man is also absolutely gorgeous and was hitting on me. He usually does things for a reason, getting something for something. He also known for his rather rampant sexuality.

If this involved cheating on my boy, it wouldn't even be a question. It wouldn't happen. This powerful individual likes all sorts of activities and wouldn't blink twice at a ménage à trois.

Oh he's so beautiful... Imagine that you are a homely, pimply teenager and and Orlando Bloom was interested in you. I'm not homely, but this is as close to the scale of difference as I can get.

I wonder what my wonderful boy will say to the invitation...

(IC) Requital

Eternal yet short sighted
Blind and seeking their next mark
All they embrace is blighted
Cursed to perpetual dark

Floating through them like a dream
A light surrounded by murk
They sustain their plots and schemes
Building an illusive bulwark

Believing themselves all kings
Controlling a realm of gloom
Heedless of what the gleam brings
Ignorant of their own doom

OC Note: This is in the little notebook Reginald always carries on his person.

(IC) Redemption

(Written in Enochian.)

Ms. Smith hinted at redemption. Saying, "It really does exist." By "it," I shall assume she means the oft-rumored Golconda. From everything I've seen of her, I believe that she is telling the truth. She may have even found it for herself. If she is in this mythical state, than one of the tales floating around our society has been proven untrue. Golconda does not return you to your former state. You are not physically restored. You remain one of us, just peaceful and holy.

This may seem an absolutely wonderful thing. If you are a pacifist by nature and would never harm another, it is. This is the path for you. Should I run across such a creature in my existence, I will aim them in Ms. Smith's direction. At least they may find some peace before they are destroyed by the monsters in our society. Not everyone can be her and survive by sheer dint of one's age and power.

For everyone else, don't do it. Even attempting to follow her path is absolutely selfish. What is your one soul against all of those that you can save? You will do more good remaining active and destroying the evils that exist in this world. If you follow her path, you will take yourself out of action. You will become a hunted wanderer who's special ability is guilt. You will become nothing more than the eternal Jewish grandmother.