"Prophecies are just strange points of convergence—specific events that take place in all possible realities. The before and after remain unfixed. Say you're prophesied to die. You might die saving the world; you might die and take the whole world with you; you might die only to be instantly resurrected, phoenix-like. So yes, your free will matters immensely."
"But 'all possible realities' must include worlds where we don't exist at all, right? And worlds with no vamps, or no—"
"Shrimp—"
"Yeah, shrimp, or heck, no life at all. What then?"
"Quite right, Willow. A prophecy has a birthday, just like its subjects. It affects only that part of the multiverse that branches off from its conception."
"You're essentially saying that the act of prophecizing ensures that a prophecy will come true."
"Well—yes, in a certain sense."
"So if I were, like, a prophet, I could just say, 'Oh, next week Buffy's gonna kiss Spike,' and—"
The witch stopped talking as various members of the discussion choked on their drinks, made warding gestures and glared.
"If! If! Jeez, people, I was trying to be funny."
"Er, as I said, you've oversimplified."
"Good!" said Buffy, reaching for the paper towels.
July 2, 2005
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