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content/read/049.md

@@ -38,180 +38,269 @@ And so Yared kept taking his walks, kept eating spicy food and getting drunk on
 
 He had become a hero and a villain for this, though, and there was no shaking that off.
 
-> **The Only Time I Know My True Name Is When I Dream:** What can we do to soothe your worries, Yared, except tell you that your vision is becoming reality?
+> The Only Time I Know My True Name Is When I Dream
+> :   What can we do to soothe your worries, Yared, except tell you that your vision is becoming reality?
 > 
-> **Yared Zerezghi:** I don't know, really. Probably nothing. There's nothing really to be done when no one else will put their name on the amendment. I feel like it might be an intentional move by Demma and others to ensure that there is someone they can put the blame on who has an actual human face.
+> Yared Zerezghi
+> :   I don't know, really. Probably nothing. There's nothing really to be done when no one else will put their name on the amendment. I feel like it might be an intentional move by Demma and others to ensure that there is someone they can put the blame on who has an actual human face.
 > 
-> **Ar Jonas:** That may well be true, actually. If I were still working phys-side and needed to influence a referendum from the DDR, I'd probably do the same.
+> Ar Jonas
+> :   That may well be true, actually. If I were still working phys-side and needed to influence a referendum from the DDR, I'd probably do the same.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Is there anything I can do about it?
+> Yared
+> :   Is there anything I can do about it?
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Nope! You're stuck with it, my friend, and for that I'm sorry. The best you can hope is that everyone will forget about you, and the best you can do to ensure that is to become a loud voice on other issues, hopefully ones that a lot of people agree with, so that you simply become "the loud voice" instead of "the secession guy". This is turning into the largest issue the DDR has ever voted on, though, so it's going to take a lot of that hollering to drown your voice out.
+> Jonas
+> :   Nope! You're stuck with it, my friend, and for that I'm sorry. The best you can hope is that everyone will forget about you, and the best you can do to ensure that is to become a loud voice on other issues, hopefully ones that a lot of people agree with, so that you simply become "the loud voice" instead of "the secession guy". This is turning into the largest issue the DDR has ever voted on, though, so it's going to take a lot of that hollering to drown your voice out.
 > 
-> **True Name:** And even then, because your name is on it, that is likely what you will go down in the history books for.
+> True Name
+> :   And even then, because your name is on it, that is likely what you will go down in the history books for.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Uuugh. I've been thinking about that, too. It makes the concept of dying terrifying. As long as I'm alive, I at least have some hope of trying to become a less divisive figure.
+> Yared
+> :   Uuugh. I've been thinking about that, too. It makes the concept of dying terrifying. As long as I'm alive, I at least have some hope of trying to become a less divisive figure.
 > 
-> **True Name:** You could upload. There is no death here, after all.
+> True Name
+> :   You could upload. There is no death here, after all.
 > 
-> **Yared:** I'm seriously considering it, after this. At least that way, they'll know that I really meant what I said, and then I'll become someone they don't have to worry about.
+> Yared
+> :   I'm seriously considering it, after this. At least that way, they'll know that I really meant what I said, and then I'll become someone they don't have to worry about.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** And you can help us keep fighting the good fight by whispering in everyone's ears.
+> Jonas
+> :   And you can help us keep fighting the good fight by whispering in everyone's ears.
 > 
-> **Yared:** That's *precisely* why I want out, Jonas, and you know it. If feeling like some sneaky little political figure is what's making me feel bad, why on earth would I keep doing that?
+> Yared
+> :   That's *precisely* why I want out, Jonas, and you know it. If feeling like some sneaky little political figure is what's making me feel bad, why on earth would I keep doing that?
 > 
-> **True Name:** Jonas is an asshole, do not listen to him.
+> True Name
+> :   Jonas is an asshole, do not listen to him.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** I am, yeah, and I'll have you know that True Name just punched me in the shoulder, if that's any consolation.
+> Jonas
+> :   I am, yeah, and I'll have you know that True Name just punched me in the shoulder, if that's any consolation.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Do it again, and maybe I'll feel better.
+> Yared
+> :   Do it again, and maybe I'll feel better.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Confirmed, she did it again.
+> Jonas
+> :   Confirmed, she did it again.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Ahhh, such relief!
+> Yared
+> :   Ahhh, such relief!
 > 
-> **True Name:** In all seriousness, Yared, do think more about uploading. We would welcome you here, and I am sure that, should anyone step down from the council (the Russians might when there is no need for their representation), you would be welcome to take their place. That would not be slimy politicking, just helping the System out.
+> True Name
+> :   In all seriousness, Yared, do think more about uploading. We would welcome you here, and I am sure that, should anyone step down from the council (the Russians might when there is no need for their representation), you would be welcome to take their place. That would not be slimy politicking, just helping the System out.
 > 
-> **Yared:** You two are on the Council, how would that not mean slimy politicking?
+> Yared
+> :   You two are on the Council, how would that not mean slimy politicking?
 > 
-> **True Name:** I will let the insinuation that I am in any way a politician slide this time, but you are on thin fucking ice, buddy.
+> True Name
+> :   I will let the insinuation that I am in any way a politician slide this time, but you are on thin fucking ice, buddy.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** True Name's an asshole, don't listen to her.
+> Jonas
+> :   True Name's an asshole, don't listen to her.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Third punch to the shoulder confirmed.
+> Jonas
+> :   Third punch to the shoulder confirmed.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** But really, no need to worry. This is 1000% the slimiest politicking that the Council has ever done. Hell, most of the rest of the council doesn't know or care how True Name and I have been handling this. Most of the rest has been, like..."how do we keep forking from getting out of hand?" or "let's set systime to start when the reputation market begins" or "what if we could create telepathy". It's bullshit
+> Jonas
+> :   But really, no need to worry. This is 1000% the slimiest politicking that the Council has ever done. Hell, most of the rest of the council doesn't know or care how True Name and I have been handling this. Most of the rest has been, like..."how do we keep forking from getting out of hand?" or "let's set systime to start when the reputation market begins" or "what if we could create telepathy". It's bullshit
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Fun bullshit, but it's bullshit. You'd like it. It's more like volunteering to be a crossing guard than anything.
+> Jonas
+> :   Fun bullshit, but it's bullshit. You'd like it. It's more like volunteering to be a crossing guard than anything.
 > 
-> **Yared:** I might, at that, yeah. I'll think about it.
+> Yared
+> :   I might, at that, yeah. I'll think about it.
 > 
-> **True Name:** Please do, we would welcome you.
+> True Name
+> :   Please do, we would welcome you.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Lighter topic: what most excites you about the prospect of uploading? Beyond getting away from ignominy and beholding True Name's indescribably beautiful countenance, I mean.
+> Jonas
+> :   Lighter topic: what most excites you about the prospect of uploading? Beyond getting away from ignominy and beholding True Name's indescribably beautiful countenance, I mean.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Isn't she a skunk-person?
+> Yared
+> :   Isn't she a skunk-person?
 > 
-> **True Name:** An indescribably beautiful skunk-person, thank you very much.
+> True Name
+> :   An indescribably beautiful skunk-person, thank you very much.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Uh, I don't know. Honestly probably meeting you two in person is the biggest draw. You seem really fun to be around.
+> Yared
+> :   Uh, I don't know. Honestly probably meeting you two in person is the biggest draw. You seem really fun to be around.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Hopefully this isn't insensitive, but are you two a couple?
+> Yared
+> :   Hopefully this isn't insensitive, but are you two a couple?
 > 
-> **True Name:** God no.
+> True Name
+> :   God no.
 > 
-> **True Name:** Jonas may be pretty, but he drives me up the wall. I would murder him in his sleep two nights in.
+> True Name
+> :   Jonas may be pretty, but he drives me up the wall. I would murder him in his sleep two nights in.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** If I didn't get to you, first. We're good friends, but not on that level.
+> Jonas
+> :   If I didn't get to you, first. We're good friends, but not on that level.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Okay. Thanks for clearing that up. Was just wondering.
+> Yared
+> :   Okay. Thanks for clearing that up. Was just wondering.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Wait, *can* you murder other people?
+> Yared
+> :   Wait, *can* you murder other people?
 > 
-> **True Name:** Yes. Some enterprising individual found a way to disrupt the concept of self so quickly and so thoroughly that one basically disintegrates and, just like an avatar crash on the 'net, all you are left with is a core dump, and no one has figured out how to deal with those in a place that is a consensual dream.
+> True Name
+> :   Yes. Some enterprising individual found a way to disrupt the concept of self so quickly and so thoroughly that one basically disintegrates and, just like an avatar crash on the 'net, all you are left with is a core dump, and no one has figured out how to deal with those in a place that is a consensual dream.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Seriously???
+> Yared
+> :   Seriously???
 > 
-> **Yared:** What the fuck.
+> Yared
+> :   What the fuck.
 > 
-> **Yared:** How often does that happen?
+> Yared
+> :   How often does that happen?
 > 
-> **Yared:** Fucking terrifying.
+> Yared
+> :   Fucking terrifying.
 > 
-> **True Name:** Oh, not often at all! Three times that we know of. It is pretty hard to actually make the virus, as it does require tailoring to the specific individual, though it is equally doubtless that same enterprising individual is working on a way to make it universal. If, that is, they have not already been murdered, themselves.
+> True Name
+> :   Oh, not often at all! Three times that we know of. It is pretty hard to actually make the virus, as it does require tailoring to the specific individual, though it is equally doubtless that same enterprising individual is working on a way to make it universal. If, that is, they have not already been murdered, themselves.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** And before you ask, no, there's no way to prosecute them, even if we found them. They could just fork and keep on living somewhere else, changing themselves to look like someone else.
+> Jonas
+> :   And before you ask, no, there's no way to prosecute them, even if we found them. They could just fork and keep on living somewhere else, changing themselves to look like someone else.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Ugh.
+> Yared
+> :   Ugh.
 > 
-> **Yared:** I'll just have to trust you, I guess.
+> Yared
+> :   I'll just have to trust you, I guess.
 > 
-> **True Name:** Do you not?
+> True Name
+> :   Do you not?
 > 
-> **Yared:** Slimy politician, remember?
+> Yared
+> :   Slimy politician, remember?
 > 
-> **True Name:** There is a punch on the shoulder waiting for you as soon as you upload, my friend.
+> True Name
+> :   There is a punch on the shoulder waiting for you as soon as you upload, my friend.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Tiny little skunk fists. Don't worry, they don't hurt.
+> Jonas
+> :   Tiny little skunk fists. Don't worry, they don't hurt.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** OW
+> Jonas
+> :   OW
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Unless she punches you in the kidney.
+> Jonas
+> :   Unless she punches you in the kidney.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Hahaha. I stand by my assessment that you two sound fun to hang out with.
+> Yared
+> :   Hahaha. I stand by my assessment that you two sound fun to hang out with.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Skunk, though. You can change how you look that drastically up there?
+> Yared
+> :   Skunk, though. You can change how you look that drastically up there?
 > 
-> **True Name:** In theory. I know of few who have actually managed to do so, though that is rapidly changing with forking.
+> True Name
+> :   In theory. I know of few who have actually managed to do so, though that is rapidly changing with forking.
 > 
-> **True Name:** I am a special case due to some psychological/neurological damage from getting lost. Those up here who are furries and look it are those who so strongly identified with their furry selves on the 'net that they began to think of their human selves as as the avatars and their furry selves as the real versions.
+> True Name
+> :   I am a special case due to some psychological/neurological damage from getting lost. Those up here who are furries and look it are those who so strongly identified with their furry selves on the 'net that they began to think of their human selves as as the avatars and their furry selves as the real versions.
 > 
-> **True Name:** The reason I got around it is that Michelle's neurological issues meant that she oscillated between her human self and furry self, and I just happened to be forked during a wave of her furry self. That also meant that I (and each of her forks) lack the effects of that damage.
+> True Name
+> :   The reason I got around it is that Michelle's neurological issues meant that she oscillated between her human self and furry self, and I just happened to be forked during a wave of her furry self. That also meant that I (and each of her forks) lack the effects of that damage.
 > 
-> **True Name:** Or most of it, at least. You have mentioned the speech patterns before.
+> True Name
+> :   Or most of it, at least. You have mentioned the speech patterns before.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Yikes, that sounds kind of horrifying.
+> Yared
+> :   Yikes, that sounds kind of horrifying.
 > 
-> **True Name:** It was. I still remember it. I remember how terrible I felt due to the constant oscillation that only settled down when I focused completely or utterly relaxed. Were I able to choose at will, I do not think that this would have been a problem, and you would likely have been talking to me as Michelle Hadje, not as True Name.
+> True Name
+> :   It was. I still remember it. I remember how terrible I felt due to the constant oscillation that only settled down when I focused completely or utterly relaxed. Were I able to choose at will, I do not think that this would have been a problem, and you would likely have been talking to me as Michelle Hadje, not as True Name.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Well, I'm happy for you, even if that makes me sad for Michelle.
+> Yared
+> :   Well, I'm happy for you, even if that makes me sad for Michelle.
 > 
-> **True Name:** She is spending her retirement relaxing, so there is little need to feel sorry.
+> True Name
+> :   She is spending her retirement relaxing, so there is little need to feel sorry.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Is there anything else you're looking forward to, Yared?
+> Jonas
+> :   Is there anything else you're looking forward to, Yared?
 > 
-> **Yared:** I suppose just getting away from the DDR. I don't think I could manage to just drop it out here, as there's not really anything else I'm interested in enough to replace it.
+> Yared
+> :   I suppose just getting away from the DDR. I don't think I could manage to just drop it out here, as there's not really anything else I'm interested in enough to replace it.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Up there, though, I'd be forced to do something else, and that'd really keep me from getting so anxious about everything.
+> Yared
+> :   Up there, though, I'd be forced to do something else, and that'd really keep me from getting so anxious about everything.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Makes sense. What sorts of things do you think you'd go for?
+> Jonas
+> :   Makes sense. What sorts of things do you think you'd go for?
 > 
-> **Yared:** I like food, I guess. I like walking. When I'm not really around here, I'm sleeping, eating, or walking. I've never had the chance to really go for a hike anywhere that isn't still in Ethiopia, but I imagine there's places like the Alps or Himalayas that are delightfully cool.
+> Yared
+> :   I like food, I guess. I like walking. When I'm not really around here, I'm sleeping, eating, or walking. I've never had the chance to really go for a hike anywhere that isn't still in Ethiopia, but I imagine there's places like the Alps or Himalayas that are delightfully cool.
 > 
-> **True Name:** There are, yes. Plenty.
+> True Name
+> :   There are, yes. Plenty.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** A lot of the earliest sims were based around nature. It's as if people immediately wanted to reach for places that they loved phys-side.
+> Jonas
+> :   A lot of the earliest sims were based around nature. It's as if people immediately wanted to reach for places that they loved phys-side.
 > 
-> **True Name:** Or to counteract the thought that they now live in a computer.
+> True Name
+> :   Or to counteract the thought that they now live in a computer.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** True Name, naturally, takes the pessimistic approach.
+> Jonas
+> :   True Name, naturally, takes the pessimistic approach.
 > 
-> **Yared:** To turn it around, what do you both like best up there?
+> Yared
+> :   To turn it around, what do you both like best up there?
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Oh shit. You can't do this to me. I'm not ready!
+> Jonas
+> :   Oh shit. You can't do this to me. I'm not ready!
 > 
-> **True Name:** He loves that he can still be a slimy politician without any of the actual hard work.
+> True Name
+> :   He loves that he can still be a slimy politician without any of the actual hard work.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** The problem is, you're not wrong. I loved what I did phys-side, and I have to admit that I still love it here.
+> Jonas
+> :   The problem is, you're not wrong. I loved what I did phys-side, and I have to admit that I still love it here.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** I also really like coffee. Coffee and food. I get to have all of those that I want without worrying.
+> Jonas
+> :   I also really like coffee. Coffee and food. I get to have all of those that I want without worrying.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Oh! And alcohol. No liver disease, and also you can choose when to sober up.
+> Jonas
+> :   Oh! And alcohol. No liver disease, and also you can choose when to sober up.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Oh damn, that's awesome. I like wine well enough, but being drunk is mostly escapism. If I could find that fun balance with friends, that'd be nice.
+> Yared
+> :   Oh damn, that's awesome. I like wine well enough, but being drunk is mostly escapism. If I could find that fun balance with friends, that'd be nice.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** You can't phys-side?
+> Jonas
+> :   You can't phys-side?
 > 
-> **Yared:** If I had any local friends, maybe.
+> Yared
+> :   If I had any local friends, maybe.
 > 
-> **True Name:** Ouch. Well, you have friends up here, and we would gladly take you to bars good and bad.
+> True Name
+> :   Ouch. Well, you have friends up here, and we would gladly take you to bars good and bad.
 > 
-> **True Name:** As for me, I love all of the variety in sims and people. When I am not working or sleeping, I will walk the public sims, jumping from one to another when I have had my fill of them.
+> True Name
+> :   As for me, I love all of the variety in sims and people. When I am not working or sleeping, I will walk the public sims, jumping from one to another when I have had my fill of them.
 > 
-> **Yared:** That sounds nice. I've only traveled a few times. In Ethiopia, there's different climates and such, but only so much.
+> Yared
+> :   That sounds nice. I've only traveled a few times. In Ethiopia, there's different climates and such, but only so much.
 > 
-> **True Name:** I will take you walking with me, then.
+> True Name
+> :   I will take you walking with me, then.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** And I'll be a slimy politician with you!
+> Jonas
+> :   And I'll be a slimy politician with you!
 > 
-> **Yared:** Ugh, you're the worst.
+> Yared
+> :   Ugh, you're the worst.
 > 
-> **Yared:** Anyway, thanks for letting me vent and lifting my spirits.
+> Yared
+> :   Anyway, thanks for letting me vent and lifting my spirits.
 > 
-> **Yared:** I needed it.
+> Yared
+> :   I needed it.
 > 
-> **Jonas:** Of course, Yared.
+> Jonas
+> :   Of course, Yared.
 > 
-> **True Name:** And please remember, uploading is always an option. We would welcome you with open arms.
+> True Name
+> :   And please remember, uploading is always an option. We would welcome you with open arms.
 >
-> **True Name:** I know that you will come join us, anyway, sooner or later.
+> True Name
+> :   I know that you will come join us, anyway, sooner or later.