about now every self-obsessed man up there is starting to realize that
they’ve made a horrible mistake, but Kwin already got the crowd on her side so
the panel can’t even back out.”
Lackthorpe tugged nervously at his collar,
looking at the others for help. They simply shrugged, unsure of what to say or
do.
“You’re right, of course,” he said once he
found his voice. “Very intelligent crowd here today. Now, as you know, our
research isn’t entirely complete, so there is a small chance that we won’t be
able to answer all of your questions. But not to worry, we plan on getting
right back to work as soon as this is over…”
“I’m certain you’ll do fine. If you know you
are right, there’s nothing to worry about,” Kwin reassured him. “You are
certain that you are correct, aren’t you?”
“Yes, absolutely!” Lackthorpe cried. “All
thirteen of us agree, and in an academic field, unanimous agreement says a
lot.”
“I agree. Before we go too far, just so the
crowd is aware of the type of people making these decisions for them, remind me
what your qualifications are? I seem to remember you telling me that you went
to a highly esteemed university. What was it called again?”
Lackthorpe was clearly uncomfortable now, and
he looked anywhere but at Kwin.
“I… well, actually, you see, I didn’t
actually… my education is complicated, but I can assure you I am well-read and
well-versed on psychology. It is my area of expertise, you see.”
“I understand! That’s completely fine. I
haven’t attended university yet, either,” Kwin laughed. “I’m eleven years old
and I’ve only just graduated high school, so really, I’m not one to talk.”
From beside Kai, Alastor feigned wiping a tear
of laughter from his eye.
“Let’s get started,” Kwin said, and she
stepped closer to Lackthorpe. “Your research has found that the Sanctum was
created by the same phenomenon that created everything else in the universe. If
I may ask, what is that phenomenon?
What created everything, our Sanctum included?”
“Ah, well… the Creators, of course, everyone
knows that. It’s even in their name!” Lackthorpe said.
“So the Creators of the Dream Sanctum are also
the ones responsible for the creation of the universe in its entirety. Is that
your claim?”
Lackthorpe glanced around uncertainly, then
nodded.
“A bold claim to make, especially considering
the universe is far, far older than the Sanctum,” Kwin pressed. “But with a
bold claim comes bold evidence. How did you manage to connect the two?”
“It’s simple! Our universe and the Dream
Sanctum were created under similar circumstances. In this case we have direct
evidence that Creators exist. Our universe doesn’t have such proof, but why
should it not be so?”
“The absence of evidence for one theory does
not solidify another,” Kwin reminded him. “But let’s get to the crux of the
matter. I believe that we as individuals in the Sanctum have a very real impact
on the world, whereas you claim it is static and cannot be affected but anyone
bur the Creators. Am I right?”
“Correct! Just think about it, ladies and
gentlemen.” Lackthorpe turned to the crowd and gestured to everyone in front of
him. “Can we hurt one another? Can we hurt the world we live in? Absolutely
not. The only things we can affect are ourselves.”
“And yet multiple dreamers, including myself,
were able to initiate a reset of the Sanctum when we defeated the Nightmares,”
Kwin replied. “Also remember that the Nightmares themselves were created by
dreamers just like you and… well, like you. According to ‘Successes and
Failures of Combined Creations,’ which I’m sure you’ve read, these creations
could affect the world however they pleased.”
“Now wait just a moment,” Lackthorpe said. He
was starting to sound frustrated, but was doing everything in his power to
remain cordial. “Those changes to the world were brought about by
they’ve made a horrible mistake, but Kwin already got the crowd on her side so
the panel can’t even back out.”
Lackthorpe tugged nervously at his collar,
looking at the others for help. They simply shrugged, unsure of what to say or
do.
“You’re right, of course,” he said once he
found his voice. “Very intelligent crowd here today. Now, as you know, our
research isn’t entirely complete, so there is a small chance that we won’t be
able to answer all of your questions. But not to worry, we plan on getting
right back to work as soon as this is over…”
“I’m certain you’ll do fine. If you know you
are right, there’s nothing to worry about,” Kwin reassured him. “You are
certain that you are correct, aren’t you?”
“Yes, absolutely!” Lackthorpe cried. “All
thirteen of us agree, and in an academic field, unanimous agreement says a
lot.”
“I agree. Before we go too far, just so the
crowd is aware of the type of people making these decisions for them, remind me
what your qualifications are? I seem to remember you telling me that you went
to a highly esteemed university. What was it called again?”
Lackthorpe was clearly uncomfortable now, and
he looked anywhere but at Kwin.
“I… well, actually, you see, I didn’t
actually… my education is complicated, but I can assure you I am well-read and
well-versed on psychology. It is my area of expertise, you see.”
“I understand! That’s completely fine. I
haven’t attended university yet, either,” Kwin laughed. “I’m eleven years old
and I’ve only just graduated high school, so really, I’m not one to talk.”
From beside Kai, Alastor feigned wiping a tear
of laughter from his eye.
“Let’s get started,” Kwin said, and she
stepped closer to Lackthorpe. “Your research has found that the Sanctum was
created by the same phenomenon that created everything else in the universe. If
I may ask, what is that phenomenon?
What created everything, our Sanctum included?”
“Ah, well… the Creators, of course, everyone
knows that. It’s even in their name!” Lackthorpe said.
“So the Creators of the Dream Sanctum are also
the ones responsible for the creation of the universe in its entirety. Is that
your claim?”
Lackthorpe glanced around uncertainly, then
nodded.
“A bold claim to make, especially considering
the universe is far, far older than the Sanctum,” Kwin pressed. “But with a
bold claim comes bold evidence. How did you manage to connect the two?”
“It’s simple! Our universe and the Dream
Sanctum were created under similar circumstances. In this case we have direct
evidence that Creators exist. Our universe doesn’t have such proof, but why
should it not be so?”
“The absence of evidence for one theory does
not solidify another,” Kwin reminded him. “But let’s get to the crux of the
matter. I believe that we as individuals in the Sanctum have a very real impact
on the world, whereas you claim it is static and cannot be affected but anyone
bur the Creators. Am I right?”
“Correct! Just think about it, ladies and
gentlemen.” Lackthorpe turned to the crowd and gestured to everyone in front of
him. “Can we hurt one another? Can we hurt the world we live in? Absolutely
not. The only things we can affect are ourselves.”
“And yet multiple dreamers, including myself,
were able to initiate a reset of the Sanctum when we defeated the Nightmares,”
Kwin replied. “Also remember that the Nightmares themselves were created by
dreamers just like you and… well, like you. According to ‘Successes and
Failures of Combined Creations,’ which I’m sure you’ve read, these creations
could affect the world however they pleased.”
“Now wait just a moment,” Lackthorpe said. He
was starting to sound frustrated, but was doing everything in his power to
remain cordial. “Those changes to the world were brought about by
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