[He's silent for a moment, considering her question. In the end, he figures that it won't do any harm since he can make her forget it later.]
Humans have this old superstition, at least they did in more primitive times, about cameras and being photographed. Said a photograph would capture their souls... [He crosses his legs.] Have you ever wondered why they felt that way?
[He reaches out and pats the camera.] Because of this. Not specifically this model, but the principle behind how it works. It does not capture the soul but rather a person's entire essence and physical body. That is why the photographs exist. Those are the anchors for the otherworlders such as yourself. [As are the film negatives, but he keeps that bit to himself.] Tear the picture up, and the person is set free, pulled back to their own world right from the moment the photograph was taken. Naturally, the photographer--myself, in this case--will not be there when they do. The first test subjects were sent back with vague feelings and memories that they had had their souls taken. The same kind of superstition exists in other corners of the universe as well for similar reasons.
Manipulation of your memories and everything else is simple. [He gestures behind him to the computer terminal.] That is my main tool. With it, I can change anything about you. Alter your memories, block parts of it, let you remember everything... And that is only the beginning. I can let you see things that others cannot. Marshal Thanial used a similar device with his helper to aid you in your efforts to escape Caligin, for example. The technology is not limited to people, either. The town you all have called home was put together in a similar fashion. I thought it would be nice for you all if you had some fun and engaging sights to look at and live amongst.
So do you not see? I have your lives at my disposal. Yet when I am done with you, you can go home. I have already let some of your friends go in the past. Until then, you are all mine--and soon, you will not remember having this conversation if I so choose.
no subject
Humans have this old superstition, at least they did in more primitive times, about cameras and being photographed. Said a photograph would capture their souls... [He crosses his legs.] Have you ever wondered why they felt that way?
[He reaches out and pats the camera.] Because of this. Not specifically this model, but the principle behind how it works. It does not capture the soul but rather a person's entire essence and physical body. That is why the photographs exist. Those are the anchors for the otherworlders such as yourself. [As are the film negatives, but he keeps that bit to himself.] Tear the picture up, and the person is set free, pulled back to their own world right from the moment the photograph was taken. Naturally, the photographer--myself, in this case--will not be there when they do. The first test subjects were sent back with vague feelings and memories that they had had their souls taken. The same kind of superstition exists in other corners of the universe as well for similar reasons.
Manipulation of your memories and everything else is simple. [He gestures behind him to the computer terminal.] That is my main tool. With it, I can change anything about you. Alter your memories, block parts of it, let you remember everything... And that is only the beginning. I can let you see things that others cannot. Marshal Thanial used a similar device with his helper to aid you in your efforts to escape Caligin, for example. The technology is not limited to people, either. The town you all have called home was put together in a similar fashion. I thought it would be nice for you all if you had some fun and engaging sights to look at and live amongst.
So do you not see? I have your lives at my disposal. Yet when I am done with you, you can go home. I have already let some of your friends go in the past. Until then, you are all mine--and soon, you will not remember having this conversation if I so choose.