[ text: @s.uris ]

[stantheman]

[ The recent events have prompted Stan to be rather more quiet and reclusive than he is normally and he's even been mostly ignoring those he knows well. Too many things were reminding him negatively of Derry and he didn't particularly like facing that fear.

But it's about time to talk about something, anything. ]

If you had to guess, what do you think would be the most likely way you’ll die?

[ His thoughts aren't morbid lately or anything. ]

Comments

[stantheman]

You like that idea?

[ It's more a probing question, like why would he like that idea since he sounded so positive about it and all. ]

[ragnarsson]

Of course. I'll be welcomed into the halls of Valhalla as a great warrior.

[That's all Ivar has ever truly wanted, to be acknowledged as a warrior to be remembered by his people and the gods.]

[stantheman]

Gyda talked about that place before. I don't think I really get it.

[ragnarsson]

Valhalla is a place for warriors to spend eternity until Ragnarok comes. You drink, feast, and fight in preparation for the last battle at the end of the world. It's only just one of the four places a Norseman can end up at the end of their life.

[stantheman]

I think it's hard to understand the bloodlust in your culture sometimes. The thoughts of afterlife that I've known about are peaceful.

[ragnarsson]

I have a slave back home who is a priest. He has told me of this Heaven. Peace and serenity for all eternity sounds boring.

[stantheman]

I don't know if it's exactly like that. I think what appeals is happiness and lack of strife and struggle.

[ragnarsson]

Struggle and strife are what make life worth living. No conflict forever sounds like a terrible way to live out the afterlife.

[He wants fighting and feasting while being praised for his great deeds.]

[stantheman]

I think most people in modern times feel a lot differently about that than those in yours.

[ragnarsson]

That's because people from in the future are a bunch of soft Christians.

[Never let it be said Ivar ever sugarcoated anything he said.]

[stantheman]

Not everyone is Christian.

[ragnarsson]

Most people seem to believe in one God. Close enough.

[Yeah, he's just going to lump all major religions of the world together.]

[stantheman]

It's really not...

[ It really is but he's not going to admit that. ]

[ragnarsson]

Hence why I said close enough. Everyone believes in one God and it makes them all soft and weak.

[#Vikinglogic.]

[stantheman]

Maybe they're just a type of strong that you can't understand.

[ragnarsson]

Enlighten me then.

[There's a challenge in his tone. As far as Ivar is concerned, there's no one better than Norsemen.]

[stantheman]

[ Stan's not really trying to say one is better than the other really. ]

Well, for example...

[ He's quiet a moment. ]

It's like things can be strong in different ways. It does take an inner strength to have faith and the narrower the faith the more resolve you have to have. Maybe it's not a battle strength but it's a different kind.

If everyone was the same type of strong and weak then the world would never see innovation.

[ragnarsson]

Interesting theory.

[He says it in a way that makes it clear he doesn't believe a word of it.]

Sounds like something my slave priest would say.

[Only without ten minutes of rambling to get to the point like Heahmund did.]

[stantheman]

[ Stan is rolling his eyes and lets out a sigh. ]

Why are you insistent on there only being one way, one truth?

[ragnarsson]

Because that is the way the world works.

[In other words, he's close-minded and xenophobic. Blame a lifetime of being raised by a Viking with even more extreme religious beliefs than him.]

[stantheman]

No it's not.

[ragnarsson]

Believe what you want. Someday, you'll realize I'm right.

[Ivar is always right. Why hasn't everyone learned this by now.]

[stantheman]

I don't think so on this one.