To: All Summoned

[itookashot]

This is the most important question I've had since coming here. I need to get opinions from the rest of you, for science.

Why are all of the Summoned attractive? I have not met a single ugly Summoned and while I do love looking at your gorgeous faces, it seems unusual. Is there an attractiveness requirement? Do they take that into consideration when plucking us out of our universes? Could there be deeper reasons or do they think 'well if they don't help us out, at least they up the beauty curve of our world from a four to a seven'?

I mean, that's what I would do, but I'm interested in other thoughts. Please do not respond to this with false modesty; I know you're pretty, you know you're pretty, this is serious. Unless one of you truly thinks you are unattractive in which case show me a picture if you can and I'll tell you why you're wrong.

Comments

[funbreaker]

[ While Thancred has done some experimenting with this communication system in a more direct way by exchanging messages with Himeka, this is the first time that a missive that has apparently been sent to all of them has caught his interest. (That drivel from some anonymous person who clearly only wanted to get a rise out of people, he ignored.)

This, however, seems like something well worth discussing. Thancred will not argue he isn't pretty, and Jesper (yes, the one from the baths, this all checks out) makes a point. ]

You make a compelling argument. I worked with a rather attractive group of people back home as well, so I will admit that it didn't stand out to me until you brought it up.

I suppose if you're going to go to the effort of summoning a group of people from across the universe, they may as well be easy on the eyes.

[itookashot]

In truth, I think we all know attractive people are treated better by strangers. The people here may be subtly inclined toward paying attention to us thanks to a flashy smile and pretty eyes. I am certain that smile of yours gets you many places someone plain wouldn't.

[funbreaker]

You're not wrong. I have certainly used my looks and charm to open some doors, but that doesn't necessarily explain why those who summoned us would want that. Do they think it might make it easier for us to integrate with the world, mayhap?

[itookashot]

If I'm being playful, I'd say because it's always better to look at pretty faces than not.

If I'm being more honest, I'd say we're already outsiders and they have no interest in hiding that fact, so the more striking and unique looking, the better.

[funbreaker]

A way of ensuring we stand out? An interesting theory.

It would mean we will always be viewed as distanced to some degree, from the people who call this world home. That being said, I'm certain there are still some summoned who will learn how to blend in despite their shockingly good looks.

[itookashot]

They're definitely not trying to hiding us, they made us wear the pins for that purpose. I don't think anyone will be capable of blending in here, someone will know. The people in power do, I wouldn't be surprised if they know exactly where we all are.

[ Justified paranoia? Who knows! ]

[funbreaker]

[ That sounds like a challenge. Not that Thancred is going to say as much on a network. ]

The pins seem to only be for the purpose of the summit, but they do like to label us, don't they? In Thorne, at least, the clothes we were originally given had the symbol of our arcana emblazoned on them for all to see. Not exactly my style, I will say.

[itookashot]

I keep wondering what the purpose of it is, I've met other Wheels now and while I'd say we have some things in common, I'm uncertain what THEY get out of it.

I bet you they have magical trackers on us.

[funbreaker]

Wheels? The Wheel of Fortune, you mean? And what do you have in common?

[ Magical trackers don't seem outside the realm of reason, Thancred will admit. He may not know the exact means, but it is hard to shake the feeling that he's being tracked within Castle Thorne. He would have thought the Free Cities would be different, but mayhap not. ]

[itookashot]

Free spirits. Gamblers and risk-takers. Outgoing and impulsive. General traits, I know, but the ones I met did feel like instant kin spirits.

[ He can't note thieves and criminals because that would be telling on all of them! ]

[funbreaker]

[ It's easy enough to read between the lines, though Thancred knows he can't go around painting everyone with the same brush simply because of an arcana assignment. Still, some of those traits sound similar enough to him — or rather, to the him he'd tried to project to others for some time. ]

Do you think there's something to it, then? All this talk of the arcana being a representation of one's personality.

[itookashot]

From my experience from an admittedly small pool of examples, yeah, sounds about right. I don't think the arcana's got us down to a detail, but if it's general personality traits? That's workable. For all we know they're searching by arcana more than exact people, looking for exact types.

[funbreaker]

Almost as if they're searching out a specific number of each for some reason? I would rather not put too much stock into all of it, but I do have to wonder how they're able to determine what traits we do or don't have to fit their criteria. Granted, it seems they were able to gather a great deal about us before bringing us here, and not simply about our appearances.

[ Which Thancred doesn't like one bit. He chooses what parts of himself to reveal to others for a reason, but it feels like the people of Thorne simply cheated. Wildly unfair. ]

[itookashot]

Maybe, it also feels like they might be aiming a lot of darts at a board and hoping one or two smacks where they need it too. I've noticed they're not taking anyone boring either. Which also makes sense, why take people who won't be useful in one way or another?

[funbreaker]

What would be your criteria for what makes someone boring, if I may ask?

[itookashot]

Oh something like a shopkeeper with 2.5 kids, never done anything exciting in their lives, not a very call to action type.

[funbreaker]

That's fair enough. Might I ask what sort of action you've been called to, in that case?

[ Wait. ]

Flirting and bedding aside.

[itookashot]

Damn, you got ahead of me there.

[ Laughing, he was absolutely going to go there. ]

My friends and I were a group for hire back home, it's a very dangerous city. I was their sharpshooter and proection. And bouncer at the club we ran.

[ Jesper's been careful about the language used to describe his gang of thieves and mercenaries. No need to get people up in arms about criminal acts, at least while he's still trying to be (somewhat) good.]

[funbreaker]

[ Despite Jesper's careful phrasing, between the mention of a group for hire and a dangerous city, Thancred cannot help but think of Limsa Lominsa and the rogue's guild. He's hardly one to judge such less-than-legal activity, but he also isn't going to call out someone in a place where their messages might be intercepted by others.

Nonetheless, their similarities only seem to be piling up. ]

It certainly sounds like a thrilling lifestyle. I tend to be the protector in my group as well. I assume you're a crack shot, then?

[itookashot]

Very thrilling! It's been boring here in comparison, even with the supernatural kidnapping and all. And yes, I never miss. Which is normally my claim to fame except I can't get a gun here because it costs too much money.

[funbreaker]

There's a chap in Thorne who was able to help me with that little problem. He's able to more or less dream up any item you might desire, so I have my gunblade. I'd refer you to him, but faction borders and all that.

[itookashot]

DAMN that would have been very helpful. I'm going to be old before I have enough money to buy a good one.

[funbreaker]

Not necessarily. You may need to ingratiate yourself with someone who has access to the necessary resources, however.

[itookashot]

Someone is going to need a hired gun enough to give me one. I just need to have faith. Also maybe shoot some things because they will hire me the second they see me shoot.

[funbreaker]

That confident in your abilities, are you? If you're that good, I'm certain you'll find a means of obtaining one.