(no subject)

[impersassination]

Isn't it a bit odd to complain about having so much on your plate already, then come waste time with me?

I don't mind, but I'm just remarking. I can pass the time. I've had a little story on my mind lately, and it might refresh you to share it? It's good practice, don't you think? I do.

It's about forbidden love, you see, between a princess and a pauper -- isn't it always? -- and the punishment they received for it. When their tryst was discovered, the man was subjected to a unique torture: an arena with two doors, where one hid a beautiful woman and the other held a tiger. Should the man pick the woman, he would walk free as an innocent, and the two were to be wed, regardless of his desire. Should he pick the tiger... well, that should be obvious.

When the time came, the man looked to his beloved princess, who could see what door held which prize. However, the princess found herself faced with unique issue: was it better to see her lover dead, or her lover wed to a woman of whom the princess held a history of jealousy, believing she had tried to steal her beloved time before. At long last, she pointed to a door, which her trusting lover opened.

Now, what do you think was behind that door?

Was it a lady or a tyger?

Comments

[sideshows]

Well, I say he got the tyger!

Can I show my work?

[impersassination]

Oh yes, do go on. I'd have it no other way.

[originalbeachboy]

Trick question.

She pointed to the fire exit.

[impersassination]

I believe this story is placed long before that convenient invention.

[originalbeachboy]

Don't see why. Princesses and paupers are still around.

[impersassination]

Be that as it may, that's not the spirit of things.

Two choices.

[originalbeachboy]

Cheating is more my deal. Option three, every time.

[bullseye]

Obviously the tiger.

[impersassination]

Not that I'm surprised--

But why?

[bullseye]

I just like the idea of him getting viciously ripped to shreds and eaten alive.

[impersassination]

Well I'm sure you would like that better, but that doesn't make it necessarily the most likely. There is a difference,

[bullseye]

That's your problem you weren't more specific.

[harriedosborn]

The lady. If he's alive they can always find another way to be together.

UGUU

[impersassination]

How romantic! Love is a powerful motivator, true, but don't you think jealousy is a dangerous as well?

n_n

[harriedosborn]

Yeah... of course. It might be different if he fell in love with the other woman first.

[impersassination]

I don't think he is where the issue lies.

The princess, you see, can you imagine her distress? This was no ordinary lady that her love was forced to marry, but one she had felt threatened by before, and now her worst fear came true. Can you imagine what it would be like, seeing your lover with someone like that? Even if you were promised it was not true love, surely your mind would wander, wonder, and fear.

Can you say your faith in love would be that unfailing?

[harriedosborn]

Well, sure. I mean, no. That would be a little naive, no matter how much trust you supposedly have. But no matter how jealous I was, I don't think I'd really want a tiger to eat him... her.

If it were me.

[kingunmaker]

The lady. For anyone of noble birth would surely be of noble spirit, and rise above such temptations. She knew the man was true to her and her alone, and that love kept her sustained as she aged and waned. And surely, her last, lonely thoughts... was with her poor lover, and the pains he must have gone through at the other womans side.

[impersassination]

So much faith in a bloodline alone... I wonder, if this were a tale of any woman, would your answer be the same? Does simply being a royal woman exclude her from the pettiness of human nature?

[kingunmaker]

Why of course. Where she a mere commoner... then she'd know hunger.

She'd know the sensation of having one's stomach turn taut as the crop fails, and the importance of fighting for every little scrap life throws your way. And no one, my good man, knows pettiness like one who has known hunger. Were she a commoner her hunger for her one true love, her brief blessed respite from the trials of her every day existence, would overwhelm her sense of reason and she'd think nothing of feeding him to the tiger if it meant his love remained her resource... and hers alone.

[impersassination]

Is that so?

Because I think a noble woman, having a history of a pampered life and being handed everything she desires at a mere whim, would be prone to much more entitled behavior. When one knows hunger, one learns to appreciate what little they have to quench it, and cherish their small blessings. When one is spoiled, given whatever they please, well... I think you catch my meaning.

[taskmommy]

[giving shelton a once over]

That depends, little man: do I get any hints how they were discovered?

[impersassination]

[ o-oh ]

That unfortunately is not included in the tale. I could invent something colorful, if you like.

[taskmommy]

[still eyeing him like a piece of meat tbh]

Well, if you want an answer, I expect you to put out.

[impersassination]

[ well he doesn't know how that changes the question but-- ]

I'm under the impression that you'd like something exciting? Caught in the act, perhaps?