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[zauns]

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[hallowedly]

I'm not the kind of person who needs a blade. Doctors are supposed to be pacifists.

[zauns]

[A casually careful choice of words, there.]

No, of course. I certainly hope someone's out there looking after you, then.

[hallowedly]

I'm afraid I might have to take it upon myself. Do you take advice?

[zauns]

I would have to be quite the callous man to turn down well-meaning words of advice.

[hallowedly]

In dreams, diet.

[zauns]

Ah.

Not the tadpoles, I hope?

[hallowedly]

I couldn't say. But in the past it's been food and drink. Though I'm afraid thirst is likelier to wear us down.

[zauns]

How delightful to discover new threats on a regular basis. Certainly one never gets bored here.

And what does it do?

[hallowedly]

Who's to say? The Lady's whims vary.

[zauns]

Hmm. As if silly medieval play-acting weren't enough. I question Madam Sleep's tastes in entertainment.

[hallowedly]

Not to your taste?

[zauns]

Not precisely. Although I really can't complain too much about the knives. I suppose I should be happy I'm not a doctor.

[hallowedly]

Instead you're an entrepreneur in a world devoid of an economy.

[zauns]

'Entrepreneur'. What a pleasant thing to be called. There is an economy here, though, albeit one that mainly seems made up of people owing other people favors.

[hallowedly]

Trade in kind. As numbers grow, they'll become untenable.

[zauns]

Exactly. And when that happens - well, perhaps a bit of leadership wouldn't go astray, when it comes to helping sort things out.

[hallowedly]

Do you think people can't be trusted to make their own order?

[zauns]

Oh, not at all. Not even a bit. It'll be chaos.

It might be very entertaining, though.

[hallowedly]

Now, why do I have the feeling you've been let down?

[zauns]

I can't imagine how you would get that idea. Perhaps you should tell me of the inherent goodness of humanity.

[hallowedly]

I think there's a seed of that, certainly.

[zauns]

Is that so? I wouldn't have taken you for that sort. Enlighten me on your way of thinking.

[hallowedly]

If time has taught us anything, it's that man's nature is at its roots animal, but controllable. Predictably harmful.

It's the nurture that adds volatility. And volatility is danger.

[zauns]

Hm. So less 'inherent goodness' and more 'controllable'. But I suppose one is as good as the other, if you're the sort prone to control.

[hallowedly]

Medicine is the art of control turned into survival.