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[ Good evening, Barge. In contrast to other broadcasts before it, this one takes place with the deck as a backdrop. An old man stands by the edge, watching the stars above, as if considering their placement in the sky.
After a while, he addresses the rest of the Barge. ]
In light of recent graduations and departures, I find myself considering the nature of the Barge itself.
Though it is hardly the most conventional of entities I have seen, in certain aspects, it is not so out of the ordinary as one might suppose. We all hail from a variety of worlds, some more fantastical than others, but there is a common thread, I believe, that unites them.
I speak of the ability to choose, whether the circumstances be good or ill.
The Barge is not so different, in that sense -- the Admiral or whatever power it is that directs this ship presents us all with unusual situations. Some of them are benign; others are decidedly not. I in no way wish to diminish this fact: that people have suffered and died aboard this vessel, in some cases, multiple times over. The same is true in the worlds from which we came; they are not perfect, and there are times we may face great difficulties.
However, I do believe there is something to be said for the ability to overcome -- finding the strength within to surmount such obstacles and endure, coming forth better than we once were.
I have heard it said the Inmates did not choose to be here; that much is very true. However, I do no believe a single one of us can say we chose to be born. It was another's choice, not our own, but we have the responsibility to ourselves as well as others to make the best of the chances we have been given.
"It is by fire that we are tested, and when we are tested, we shall be proven."
[ Overhead, a star seems to shine all the brighter, if only for a moment. He nods once, solemnly in closing. ]
Good evening to you all.
[ And with that, he shuts off the feed. ]
After a while, he addresses the rest of the Barge. ]
In light of recent graduations and departures, I find myself considering the nature of the Barge itself.
Though it is hardly the most conventional of entities I have seen, in certain aspects, it is not so out of the ordinary as one might suppose. We all hail from a variety of worlds, some more fantastical than others, but there is a common thread, I believe, that unites them.
I speak of the ability to choose, whether the circumstances be good or ill.
The Barge is not so different, in that sense -- the Admiral or whatever power it is that directs this ship presents us all with unusual situations. Some of them are benign; others are decidedly not. I in no way wish to diminish this fact: that people have suffered and died aboard this vessel, in some cases, multiple times over. The same is true in the worlds from which we came; they are not perfect, and there are times we may face great difficulties.
However, I do believe there is something to be said for the ability to overcome -- finding the strength within to surmount such obstacles and endure, coming forth better than we once were.
I have heard it said the Inmates did not choose to be here; that much is very true. However, I do no believe a single one of us can say we chose to be born. It was another's choice, not our own, but we have the responsibility to ourselves as well as others to make the best of the chances we have been given.
"It is by fire that we are tested, and when we are tested, we shall be proven."
[ Overhead, a star seems to shine all the brighter, if only for a moment. He nods once, solemnly in closing. ]
Good evening to you all.
[ And with that, he shuts off the feed. ]
