Talk:EScape/@comment-7706473-20140717095808/@comment-7706473-20140718102141

Thank you - I am a fan of decadance in all things. Someone has to be, no?.. A friend who used to be around here once praised my language similarly; alas, they haven't been around for some time... But I digress. Your compliment was much appreciated, so let me attempt to return it... With more words!

First, I'll answer your question - I actually didn't expect this one to be Code Lyoko at all, not having seen the image insert AND the title instead reminding me of the movie eXistenz; I knew it was going to have some sort of twist, but I wasn't sure what that twist was. I think it only really hit me near the end, where 'Lida' muses about the ill-companionship of XANA and swears to be resolute in the face of his omnicratic rule.

You're actually pretty good at keeping things like that hidden - again, what gave away your other 'twist' story, Hero, was having a keen eye for 'Dorfs, and spotting him first just as much as your writing. In both cases it's very obvious after thinking about things - but it's getting to the state where things make that kind of blessed sense that's the hard part.

And now, discussing Lyoko-ception! I think this whole concept is the reason I like this story. One of the ideas I love is the idea of slow degeneration; of a condition that worsens even in the face of heroic effort. I have no idea what the first consciousness uploads will be like, assuming we make it to that point in time, but I feel the half-life of machinery and storage will lead to something like an ever-increasing sense of Alzheimer's and doubt. Where does the line between humanity and machine begin and end, does one even have a sense of self..? Etc. I imagine XANA finds this all very amusing, in each of the parallel(this might not be the right term; 'deeper?' 'inner'?) Lyokos.

There was a song I was looking for to explain the visceral thrill I get from the concept, something in the lyrics about taking bites out of someone's consciousness; naturally, I can't remember what the title or band were. Blarghlargl. Anyway, if this was another game, I suppose I lost this match; I will be waiting for the next test, and eagerly at that.