Time and Matter

Time and Matter

by Aurix_Darastrix

One day an arcanite went to a dragon's lair to learn more about how dragons see the world. The arcanite had plans, and knowing how dragons think was important for understanding their impact

"Greetings, mighty dragon," said the arcanite, "I would like to ask you some questions" "Greetings, child of magic," said the dragon, "I awaited your arrival. You see, I have been watching your kind, for longer than you may know." "Curious," said the arcanite, "I have been watching your kind for longer than you may know." "I wish to comment on the way you see the world," said the dragon, "I have it figured out, I believe, but it makes little sense to me."

"Go on," said the arcanite, "I believe it will help me understand your kind as well." "Your kind," said the dragon, "see the world like you were created for a purpose, a plan perhaps, and will do whatever it takes to achieve the goal of that plan." The dragon paused, awaiting a response. "Indeed," said the arcanite, "We are known for our planning." "However," said the dragon, "It seems this is all you see. The future, the long term, the end goal. You focus on that and only what you must do now to get you there. You give no regard for the short term, or how it may affect those around you, unless it may interfere with your plans." "Why should we consider anything else?" said the arcanite, "We have our goals, and we must achieve them." "If you only consider the future, you miss out on opportunity now," said the dragon. "Perhaps," said the arcanite, "I believe it is my turn for a comment?" "Go on," said the dragon. "You claim a hard line by which my people see the world, dragon," said the arcanite, "But your kind see the world in black and white, just not how most others do." "Explain," said the dragon. "While most with black and white views see the world as good and evil, or order and chaos, you dragons see the world as what is yours, and what is not. This above all else defines your view," said the arcanite. "Tell me this, child of magic," said the dragon, "What more is there in the world? There are things that are mine, things that are yours, things that are somebody else's, and things that are waiting to belong to someone. This is the way of the world. You see things that can change at a whim, but I see things that are." "Is that so?" said the arcanite, "Meaning no disrespect, mighty dragon, but the things of which you speak are items: gold, jewels, perhaps armor and weapons. These things are all subject to change as the future approaches. I care not for possessions, as I know they will not last forever, nor do they need to, so long as they fulfill the purpose I give." "No item has a defined purpose," said the dragon, "and it must be in your possession for you to use it so in the first place. I would argue losing an item whether to wear, or to theft, or to carelessness, is the fault of the owner."
"Well," said the arcanite, "Your kind value possession of an item over the value of the item itself, as the possession of more seems to determine who is greater in your society, is that correct?" "Yes," said the dragon, "Though your viewpoint on possessions shows me you do not understand." "How so?" said the arcanite. "Possession can refer to anything," said the dragon, "I can own gold, jewels, weapons, and armor, sure, but I can also own land, I can own buildings, I can own respect, art, or other things. A dragon's hoard is much more than typical riches."
"I see," said the arcanite, "Well, there is more to what an arcanite plans than just the future. We do consider the present, more than many I would say, for we must in order to consider the future at all. I have to take all the possibilities into consideration to make my plan, and to do that, I must study everything that factors into that plan." "Curious," said the dragon, "You have certainly taught me something about the way your kind see things."
"As have you," said the arcanite, "I have but one more question. What do you think of the humans and their kindred, the elves, dwarves, and such?" "They are inconsistent," said the dragon, "How one of their kind thinks varies so much from the next. It is like they have no solid place on which to stand on for their beliefs. I have watched them for a very long time, and I still have trouble understanding them."
The arcanite chuckled, "On that, mighty dragon, we can agree. I bid the farewell." And so the arcanite left the dragon's lair, both having learned much about the other.

---

This is just my interpretation of two differing, relatively alien viewpoints of some of the species on the server, and I wanted to write this out as something of an exercise in xenofiction, as well as this probably being the first prose piece on the WorldAnvil proper. I think it is an interesting challenge to create a unique species with a different mindset from what we tend to expect from a character.