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seasonsrpg2024-01-19 12:11 am
seasonsmods) wrote in seasonsrpg2024-01-19 12:11 am
Entry tags:
- !event,
- attack on titan: eren jaeger,
- attack on titan: frieda reiss,
- attack on titan: jean kirstein,
- attack on titan: levi ackerman,
- d4dj: rinku aimoto,
- danganronpa: mukuro ikusaba,
- dcmk: nakamori aoko,
- end roll: kantera,
- fate grand order: oryou,
- fate/stay night: rider,
- genshin impact: kaveh,
- genshin impact: tartaglia,
- gintama: hijikata toshirou,
- ib: mary,
- in stars and time: siffrin,
- original: evangeline,
- original: nenonen,
- original: nikkolaus,
- svsss: shang qinghua,
- umineko: eva ushiromiya
Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who
Doctor Why Instead of Who
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
Sawyer, the Autumn Guild Leader, addresses the network on noon on the 19th. He's back from wherever he has been since disappearing in November. The message goes as follows.
Click for a Gif
"This is Sawyer. I lead the Autumn Guild as the last Autumn Power Holder native to this world. I was accused of crimes relating to the portal mysteries and sabotage in the Research Center in November. Well, I guess I still am.
I managed to track down the real culprit, but couldn't capture them. Instead, I got the device they used just before they disappeared into yet another portal. The device still has the coordinates to the location they went to. Instead of pursuing them myself, I'm asking for everyone's help, since I got injured fighting them. I'm leaving the device to Olwen, along with a file on another incident, and letting Harrison put me in jail until the real culprit is captured. Hopefully after Jade looks me over.
Anyway, I'm counting on all of you to capture the bastard. They go by the name "The Doctor".
Harrison, I'm waiting behind the Amberfall Guild."
Any inquiries about the video will be met with a "We are forming a plan of action, please wait" for the first few days after. But everyone will be assures that Sawyer did get medical attention before taken away! (Handwaved) Visitations are permitted while he's in custody.
(Duration: Whole month)
There is some really good news following the slightly worrying news from before: The Fairy Queen has reacquired all of her powers! That's why anyone who is interested is invited to Amberfall to gain an upgrade for their seasonal powers. This upgrade comes in the form of a magical tattoo. These tattoos not only give boosts but it can also move around one's body (for example, if someone's tattoo is a bird, the bird can fly around, especially when powers are activated).
These tattoos are permanent by default, but they can also be temporary should the person wish so. Temporary tattoos will wear out in a month (or earlier, if the tattoo is in constant use).
The basic effect of the tattoo is simple: seasonal powers stronger against the dark energy, meaning everyone will be able to fight creatures coated in it easier. That is, however, not the only effect; two more effects can be chosen when the tattoo is made, from a pool of choices provided.
Tattoo extra effects
• Danger Sense (gives an ability to sense danger in the surroundings)
• Door Creation (lets the user create a temporary fake door to pass through walls and other obstacles)
• Elemental Resistance (one element) (can be chosen twice)
• Enhanced Sense (choose one of the basic senses) (can be chosen twice)
• Guardian Spirit (summons an astral being to physically protect them, in the shape of something important to them - stays for an hour per summon)
• Mermaid Song (gives an ability to be able to heal minor injuries with singing)
• Minor Regeneration Powers (automatically heal minor injuries)
• New Element creation and manipulation (choose from electricity, light, neutral) (can be chosen twice)
• Retrocognition (able to see an item's past by touching it (does not work on living things))
• X-Ray Vision (lets user see through walls and other objects by touching them (does not work on living things))
All extra effects of the tattoo drain magical energy just like any other abilities do. If someone is low on magical powers, the tattoo will look like it's faded out (animal based tattoos may even start sleeping). No one automatically masters these abilities, so it might take some time to get used to them and properly use them in a fight.
Various booths have been set all around Nightwake that let people test their new abilities. Most of the booths utilize just one ability (like being attacked by a water balloon with a blindfold on to test danger sense or test their enhanced senses) but some of them have several ways to complete them. They vary from obstacle courses to target shooting. These are mostly fun, harmless things
There's also just general fighting areas set up for people to just fight it out with their new abilities (they know by now that otherworlders love their fights). There are also robots that are installed with various martial arts to use as opponents, for those who prefer not to fight other people.
(Duration: January 22nd -> 26th)
Olwen, the Winter Guild Leader, is the next one to address everyone through a message sent to all devices. It's an invitation to join him in tracking down and capturing The Doctor, but also for anyone who wishes to join the support side of things. The team will be gathering in Blossomcrown Park, on the 22nd of January at noon, where he will explain the plan.
The park has several tents set up. All of them are somehow related to aiding the fighters who will be entering the portals, so all non-combatants will be asked to man them. There are healing, food and even touch energy tents. After an analyzation done on the portal device, it seems that touch energy will drain faster inside the portals than they do normally.
Before the portal is opened, Olwen greets and thanks everyone for coming. He will explain that their primary goal is to find The Doctor, but also prevent monsters from entering Nightwake while the portal is open (it cannot be shut while someone is inside, unless you're someone like The Doctor). He explains that the nature of this portal is otherwise still unknown and he advises anyone who starts feeling bad in any way to return to Nightwake right away.
Once everyone is done with preparations Olwen activates the portal device and leads the way inside, holding a sword and shield in hand.
When people first enter the portal they are met with a breathtaking view. It looks as if the water surface and the sky melt together, as the water reflects the starry sky. On the water there are several rowing boats. Once at least two people are inside a boat it will start moving across the surface of water and will eventually disappear into a mist (all except for Olwen, who disappears alone for some reason, who tells everyone to stay focused on the mission before the mist takes him).
The boats take people into sceneries that reflect their seasons. If there's more than one season on the same boat the scenery will be a mix of them.
• Winter is a cave of ice and water, filled with monsters named Glaciduets (Rock monsters with various animal bodies that shoot ice and rocks as weapons)
• Spring is a place among the clouds, filled with monsters named Galeduets (Birds that are partially fishes, that use sharp winds and icicles as weapons and dive among the clouds)
• Summer is a village that is burning, filled with monsters named Flameduets (Various dinosaurs with wings that use fire and wind as their weapons)
• Autumn is a rainy forest filled with monsters named Terraduets (Skeletons with fiery armor that use earth and fire as their weapons)
All of the monsters are far sturdier than they look and can provide to be difficult opponents. To proceed, they all (at least five monsters, can be more) have to be defeated and if any of them get past them into the mist the people entered from they will attempt to enter the portal into Nightwake. The mist is also the way to escape and return to regroup if needed.
Defeating enough monsters will destroy the space they entered. Once enough spaces are destroyed, one final space is revealed (this will take a few days, there are a lot of these spaces). It's where Olwen can be seen fighting a masked, hooded person. Olwen is using his sword, water and ice - while the other figure uses force fields to protect themselves from magic and two swords. From the looks of it, the fight is rather even.
Those who try to help Olwen will be met with another force field around the area, preventing anyone from entering. Destroying the devices making the field will help Olwen get past the villain's defenses, but they're guarded by shadow monsters called Shadow Moths (This creature takes the shadows of people to become bigger and faster. It usually takes the form of a giant mothman that has shadowy vines as its weapons. If hit by the vines, characters would start doing everything backwards).
Once the devices have been destroyed, Olwen manages to encase the figure in ice before collapsing on the ground himself from exhaustion. All that's left now is to get both the ice covered villain and Olwen out of the portal and closing the portal - but with that, it's mission accomplished.
The masked villain (still frozen) will be taken by the Law Enforcement into custody to be questioned while Olwen gets Jade (Spring Guild Leader) to look after him right away. Olwen is tired, but thanks everyone who came to help with the mission (whether fighting or supporting) with a healthy sum of 20,000 Moon Coins.
With The Doctor in custody, Sawyer is free. Harrison makes a public apology, which Sawyer accepts and a viral video can be seen of all the guild leaders hugging him and telling him how they always believed in him. Are those tears in Sawyer's eyes? You must be seeing things!
Information about the villain will be given at a later date, once they manage to interrogate them. Meanwhile Sawyer will return to his guild duties. This time actually doing them without (as many) complaints.
(Duration: January 28th - 31st)
The Research Center Leader, Helene, and the Fairy Queen have been working on a project while the Portal fight has been going on. They send a message that there's another mission to take to those who are interested, with a 50,000 moon coins reward because of how dangerous and important this mission is.
Those who agree to take on the mission are asked to take at least a temporary magical tattoo. Those who already have a tattoo (permanent or temporary) will have theirs temporarily enhanced. This is the only requirement to participate in the mission. The enhancements for the tattoo are to protect the user from what they are about to face and make magic work against it - as well as work as an emergency exit if all else fails.
Explanation of what they are about to face is a dangerous entity once faced by two otherworlders. It has been named the All-Consuming Darkness: an experiment made by the Doctor that was meant to be unleashed to destroy the barriers around Ellipsa. Under normal circumstances it would eat any attacks delivered at it. But with the Fairy Queens magic tattoo boosts that danger will be out of the way.
After all the preparations and explanations, they are advised to take the new, temporary teleport crystal out to the Autumn Segment, straight to the Abandoned Mansion.
The Abandoned Mansion is a creepy, old two story building that looks quite rundown. It's surrounded by mist that expands into the forest. There's not much to look at on the outside, other than two tombstones with the names of Kamisato Ayato and Kaveh on them. Anyone who has previously visited the mansion might remember they definitely weren't there before June, when the place was sealed.
Magical tattoos let everyone pass through the barrier and into the house. The strategy is simple: find all the arms of the monster, spread out to the mansions every room, and destroy them. With the boost from the tattoos all attacks can now deal damage, but the monster can still inflict status effects (silence, stun, burn, poison) and the air around it generally feels poisoned.
The being itself has no actual figure. It's a shapeless blob of mass that attacks people relentlessly with its arms. It will also try to capture anyone it can and eat them to make itself bigger, since it no longer can consume attacks to do so. Even with the magical tattoo boost it's still a difficult opponent to face.
Those that do get eaten will receive their own tombstone outside. It seems it appears automatically after death.
Everyone is also advised to retreat if they need to, which they can do by passing the barrier out of the house. With how many arms the being has the fight may take a while.
Once all the arms are destroyed, the shadow blob will evaporate and the eerie feeling that was all over the place will vanish. The spirits that were guarding the doors will open the windows and doors, relieved that the danger was now gone. It's almost as if the nature was celebrating too, as sun beams start to fill the mansion as well.
The teleport crystals will take them back, but there's also a promise of a free luxury airship ride back for those who want to pamper themselves for a job well done. The airship is parked at the Autumn Airship Station.
• Ask Event-related questions here!
• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a private entry of your own (your own entry or a new locked post on the comms).
• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!
• Characters are responsible for coming up with their designs for the tattoos or at least ideas for them (the fairies doing the tattoos can offer options). As a bonus, there's no healing time for the tattoos, as they are completely magical! It also doesn't hurt (unless the person is very sensitive to it, then it might. Player's choice). Everyone is also allowed to get temporary tattoos first before committing to a permanent one (the limit is one permanent tattoo per character).
• Those with special skin (mechanical or otherwise) will still be able to get a tattoo, as they are magical. Even those whose skin would normally regenerate (like titan shifters) can have a tattoo stay permanently. These tattoos will also be available as "aesthetic only" ones after the event.
• Neutral Element is what it says on the tin. It's a shapeless energy that usually takes a blank, white form (but can be different colored, too). No creature is super weak against the element, but none of them resist it either; it's the element that will always deal damage, no matter what.
• Reminder that this month does not have Activity Check-in!
no subject
You'd have done that..? But how would you win the people over? Surely, that can only work if the ruler is an outright tyrant and his subjects would rather accept assimilation into the neighbouring nation than endure him any longer. Hans seems popular enough among his people, so even if we go with the assassination, they mightn't accept the imposition.
no subject
[Jade wants to know. He wants to know all the filthy little secrets this man is hiding. If the writers are good, there's no doubt many of them.]
People are fickle, start the right rumors, blame the royalty for their woes, and they will turn their allegiances soon enough. It's not unlike running a business, you simply need to give them a deal they can't refuse.
[He takes a sip of their tea before going quiet for a moment to watch the next seen with a naive lovestruck Margret.]
Oh, she's absolutely going to die later. I hope she at least commits some crime first- maybe a murder. She should go out with a splash.
no subject
[She'd love to say that Hans is an unrealistic character, but how many real wars have been started over petty disputes or desires? She has more than enough personal (well, inherited) experience to confirm that kings like him exist in reality... and, as Jade said, it's generally the common people who suffer for it.
As for those, despite what she said out loud before, she knows all too well that public opinion can indeed be swayed in many overt or underhanded ways (sometimes, albeit rarely, even in willful self-sabotage). Yet it's impossible to turn everyone around - there will always be some remaining loyalists.(Unless the instigator can literally change their minds, and that's not the case here.)]
Annika moved too fast because she has bad advisors, frankly. Morton is clearly only interested in his own benefit - once the war machine in churning, his company will reel in huge profits.
no subject
Too many people underestimate the power of someone in her position, she knows all the secrets of the castle and its people, and has access to important information. She might as well not even exist to most of the nobles, if she were more clever she'd use that information to her advantage.
[He's hoping for a nice juicy character arc for her. He's absolutely got a biased favorite for the one with their hand all the pies- even if her character is currently too naive to realize it.
She could even blackmail Erik to marry her! It would be a shallow marriage, but a delightful turn of events. You get that bread honey, he's rooting for you.]
Yes, I rather like him. He reminds me of Azul, but far more shortsighted. Too much greed and too little foresight. Azul would play both sides for maximum profit, that way he'd come out on top regardless of the outcome- all the while maintaining objective neutrality.
no subject
Azul would do that?
[Isn't he Jade's best friend?! And he's such a self-interested person? Sure, there are worse things to be, and Jade did allude to his business acumen and shrewdness before, but... this isn't great!]
Surely, in a conflict in which one side is clearly in the wrong, he'd support the right side?
[Also--]
Erik's done nothing to deserve a betrayal from Annika! The only reason he's not supporting her more overtly is that her declaration of war shook his belief in her; who could blame him for that? What's more, his innovations are too much of an asset to do away with him so carelessly!
no subject
Support both sides, and you'll survive regardless of the victor- perhaps even influence the outcome.
[Speaking of Azul- he's going to take a nice bite of leftover takoyaki, and envision his friend's look of disgust. Ah, he missed him sometimes.]
Azul, of course, always sees his part of the deal through though, with naught but the highest quality. If they choose to keep Morton as a cliche,he will begin to get arrogant and sloppy as his avarice takes hold, ultimately leading to a satisfying death for the audience.
[A boring archetype in his opinion, especially when the character is so bad at business. He's simply a funnel for hate, to be killed off in a moment of catharsis for the audience.]
Anyway, Eric could easily take his innovations to the enemy, he's a risk as much as an asset. Annika won't do it, she's a noble, she doesn't get her hands dirty, but Marget- she might.
Erik will live of course, they won't kill off a favorite.
no subject
You shouldn't call it human constructs. I understand that the sea is a harsh environment, but I think you're doing the merpeople an injustice if you say that they don't know right from wrong like we humans do.
[She's getting so agitated that she's splaying her fingers out on her upper chest - where her seashell tattoo sits - for emphasis as she continues talking.]
And we certainly aren't just indulging in a fantasy! You can't possibly be that cynical. It's true that many of our worlds are likewise harsh, but it's all the more important that we support each other to survive! Our compassion and kindness for each other is a strength, not a weakness!
[Maybe they should put Annika on pause... she quickly takes care of that before turning back to him.]
Jade, you've been helping me ever since we arrived here, without asking for anything in return. Doesn't that prove my words? You've been doing it out of kindness.
no subject
He... he was almost starting to feel bad about his deception. Almost. Survival trumped morality, or course, and the mild tinge of guilt did nothing to ease the urge to laugh. He no doubt makes some peculiar expressions until he gathers himself enough to properly speak.]
Ah, I am rather cynical, aren't I? I never thought of it as such, I merely thought myself to be pragmatic.
[He squeaks out a chuckle at his first statement, hoping it'll just pass off as him finding amusement in being called cynical and not... literally everything else. His tone is probably a bit too chipper as he continues too.]
A friendship could hardly be called a friendship if only one individual benefited from it. You have come here to tend to me and asked for nothing as well, yet in truth we have both benefited from this friendship. It's simply been something seamless, and without a need to be discussed due to a mutual trust.
As I said before, it's the law of the sea, to give as much as one takes, to return what has been borrowed. Azul understands this, as do my brother and I.
no subject
You have it the wrong way around. Us mutually helping each other doesn't mean that our relationship is transactional; it means that we both extended kindness to each other.
[The result may be the same, but the principles behind it matter!]
The sea and the land can both be hard to live in, and it's important to keep a balance in the nature we occupy so that we don't deplete it for ourselves, but they are our environment, not the people within.
no subject
It’s a dangerous risk to put your trust in someone.
[Which was a subtle nod that he does consider her a friend. He doesn’t trust her with everything, not yet, but she’s at his side while he’s vulnerable. He trusts her with that, and will return the favor in kind should she need it.
That said, he’s still not going to have any mercy in their little debate. He finds her hypocritical and idealistic perspective to fascinating. Delusional, but fascinating.]
Humans often forget that they too are part of nature, and thus are forced to abide by the same laws as what they deem inferior beasts.
If you don’t believe me then as we continue to watch ask yourself this: What are they taking? What are they giving? Take Morton as the easiest example, he takes too much and is accruing a debt. How will that be balanced? Margret gives and gives, will she continue and bleed herself dry, or will she turn around and take what she is owed?
If you find a flaw in my logic, I will concede to your point of view- but you have seen more of the show than I. You may already know your answer.
[There was a reason Azul valued him as much as he did. He could read people. He knew what they wanted. He could give them that and work his way into their good graces to get what information he needed.]
no subject
[As mere observers, of course. Neither of them gets to try and recruit others to their line of thought! She's confident that there are more than enough kind, compassionate people around here to convince Jade of her point of view.]
I'm not trying to claim that we humans aren't oftentimes terrible to each other - that much is plain to see for anyone. But when we strive to achieve our best nature, both in how we treat each other in how we treat our environment, we can attain happiness and harmony.
[She knows all too well that they depend on nature as much as any animal. If the soil within the Walls stopped yielding crops, if the rain stopped falling or the sun stopped shining, her people would starve, unable to expand their territory outwards or move to a new location entirely.]
I don't view my relationships as transactional, but if you do, then isn't your trust merely your expectation of others to keep up their end of the unspoken social bargain?
[Despite the argument branching out more and more, she sure enough is happy to stay under the same blanket as him.]
no subject
You speak of nature as though it is a child to be cared for, rather than a fickle beast to be appeased and respected.
Humans, similarly, still follow her laws. Being what you would consider a “good person” does not guarantee survival, much less procreation.
[Though their debate was rather heated on her end, he seemed to be enjoying it. If anything he seemed amused by it, He saw little reason to get fired up over it, the world would give and take as it always did, regardless of what window you viewed it through.]
That is what makes it a risk. Take the situation now, for example. With my injury, I’m limited in what I can offer, but you are here investing your time and energy regardless, with the assumption that I will do the same for you.
Likewise, I trust that you will not take advantage of my position while I am vulnerable.
If either of us are wrong, then the consequences could be dire, and yet I believe we understand each other enough not to worry over such details.
no subject
Being a good person doesn't guarantee survival, no. But it's what sets humans apart from other beings - or rather, what sets people apart from other beings.
[She still doesn't want to believe that merfolk know no altruism - but, in fairness, between the two of them, Jade is the one who actually knows some of them.]
If you think you're taking a risk by letting me be with you while you're hurt, then that's on you. I would never look at it like that. I'm not here because I expect reciprocation, either.
[She means that. While Jade seems to have taken a calculated gamble by trusting her around him in his injured state, she wouldn't think for a moment about how he might hypohtetically take advantage of her if the roles were reversed.]
If I get hurt, you don't have to help me.
[Literally, because her titan healing powers will take care of it... but after knowing his philosophy, she wouldn't take it personally regardless. What keeps vexing her is that she doesn't actually believe that he means what he says. Why do you want to be seen as unkind and selfish? What are you afraid of?]
Cw for “theoretical” fratricide
[He taps his chin thoughtfully, trying to think up a good scenario to use as an example.]
Let’s take the merfolk for example. Did you know that eels will eat their own siblings? Now, let’s say for the sake of argument [Another tally mark for his list of reasons she’s going to be mad at him later.] that eel merfolk also do this.
By your standards, killing a sibling is something evil. It’s something reserved for beasts and other lesser creatures. However, without these instincts, that many eel merfolk could strip all the resources in their ecosystem, before starting to death themselves.
So what would that make the merfolk? Something lesser like beasts? Or would you still consider them equal to humans?
[After all, this would probably be a good answer to get now.
Though if he’s going to pick her brain about this, he should perhaps soften the blow on the friendship front.]
I think you misunderstand my meaning in it’s entirety, let me put it another way: If one individual stops putting forth effort into a friendship, then it will inevitably fall apart.
You and I simply have the understanding that we’re both invested in this friendship, and for the right reasons.
no subject
[Frieda, personally, will keep extending kindness even without a gain, but she arguably isn't the ideal average human to measure this by.]
As for the eelfolk, I have to think about that.
[Cannibalism is certainly not okay among humans (which makes it all the more ironic that she herself committed it), but if among merfolk it's a necessity of survival, she can't very well judge them through a human lens, can she?]
...
Given that it's their only way of surviving, I'd have to accept that it's a social difference between our species. It doesn't make them beasts.
[She says the last sentence with slight hesitation, but she means it. After all, it's not an act of cruelty or malice, but a mere necessity... much like the titans outside the Walls are a necessity. It does, however, make merfolk more difficult to engage with as a human doesn't it? Then again, the spectrum of human benevolence and malevolence is enormous... maybe, between that great moral spectrum and the lack or morality in merfolk society, things even out in some way.]
no subject
[He's eyeing her over the rim of the tea mug as he takes a sip. He noted her hesitation, something he'd allow her for now. He supposed all her knowledge of his people would be whimsical fairy tales, without the harsh realities of nature. Still, he's taking stock of her answers.]
While it may not be intentional, by holding the two species to separate standards, you are expecting less from merfolk than you do humans. If you expect humans to be "better", then that implies that merfolk are incapable of that.
no subject
Throughout their argument, she's been holding on to her personhood, not wanting to let the opinions of her ancestors mix in with hers - but she feels that that's already happened regardless, so she loosens her mental hold on attempting to keep herself centered.]
You're right. By judging the merfolk by separate standards, I'm putting them apart from humanity. But what other option is there if one kind operates on morals and the other kind on the laws of nature?
[Of course, Jade keeps gently insisting that the latter really applies for both species, but Frieda will keep pushing back against that.]
Going by what you said, a merperson would inevitably steal to survive, and a merperson would inevitably kill the one who stole from them to protect what's theirs, right? Humans always have a choice. The one who is starving can choose to steal, but also choose to ask the ones who have food or money to share - and if they are merciful, they will. The one who catches the thief can choose to kill them, but also choose to forgive them. I we continuously choose mercy, we will achieve our best nature.
no subject
Honestly it was more than he'd expect from most people.]
The third option is to realize that both sets of rules are one in the same. The only difference between humans and merfolk are where we live. It's a matter of cultures, not morals that separates us.
[He sets the drink down and leans back, hands folded neatly on his lap.]
Generally speaking, thievery isn't one's go-to option. It's dangerous and there's a chance it will be a wasted effort. Charity is likely not an option if they've resorted to that. As for the one that killed the thief, is that mercy worth the risk? How can you be certain the thief won't kill you the moment you turn your back? Would you be willing to bet your life on trusting the goodwill of a stranger? What about your family's?
You recall how I warned you about Azul before? To be mindful of him if he first arrives? I mentioned this as his first order of business will be to secure his own survival. A merperson being trapped somewhere completely landlocked, as the only one of their kind as far as they know, is a very dire situation. If something were to happen to negate the effects of his potion, he would very likely die unless he was near water.
So with that in mind, are his transgressions forgiven, even if amoral? Likewise, if a human found themselves trapped at the bottom of the sea, could you fault them for doing the same?
[Perhaps this was less of a debate, and more of a thinking exercise for her, not that be believed that a bad thing. Better she have time to sit and puzzle things out here then get caught with some foreign ethical dilemma with no time to think it over.
And maybe this is his way of subtly putting in a good word for himself when she realizes he's actually feral.]
no subject
You speak of the risks, but you do not mention the price. Choosing to steal because one sees no chance of charity may ensure the person's survival, but also variously bring about guilt, fear of retribution, paranoia, or a sense or moral decline, much as the individual may try to justify it to themselves - and argue as you might, that is something detrimental to a human's wellbeing.
[While she was visibly agitated earlier, she's become gradually calmer, both in voice and posture, though she doesn't comfortably recline like Jade.]
It's the same for the one who kills the thief. Killing them may remove a threat, yes, but it will also bring about guilt and remorse for having taken a life. Many will attempt to push those feelings away by rationalising their actions in the same way as you have, but on some level, such an act will always burden a human heart.
[Perhaps Jade may want to get a word in, but she keeps going!]
You also have not mentioned the reward that may spring from - as you put it - taking a risk. Showing faith in others, as showing others mercy, can be a powerful catalyst to bring out the best in them. It is in those moments of mutual goodwill that humankind shines the brightest, and they are always worth pursuing.
[Once more, she puts her hand on her chest for emphasis.]
As a human trapped in the ocean, I would turn to the merfolk for help in good faith. According to what you told me, they might only agree in return for something else, and that would be acceptable to me, assuming I could provide what they ask for. And as a human, I will extend that goodwill to Azul if he does arrive here - and surely, you will too. Your friendship with him may have made you adopt the merpeople's view of the world, but knowing of his fears and the risk he'll be exposed to, will you not invite him into your seaside home, at least until he secures one of his own? Will you not support him?
no subject
I would also argue that paranoia and fear are natural- if you do make a living out of being a thief then you should be wary. That is how you will survive while inevitably being hunted. Fear is the most primitive of emotions, and all creatures experience it.
[She’s making stronger points, but his experience with both humans and nonhumans has him at an advantage. ]
Humans are social animals, so it’s not surprising that they receive positive feedback from cooperation with their kind- but that’s not a marvel of morality, but rather another inherent instinct ingrained for your survival. There are merfolk, beastmen, and fae with similar instincts. They tend to be quite social, and function better in a group, but unlike your world, there are also those with inclinations of being loners and relying solely on themselves. You have merely not encountered them- it does not make them morally lesser, only not native to your world.
[The bit about Azul though, that gets him laughing. Like Azul would even need his help. And imagining the disaster of letting Azul stay for free- give him a moment he actually needs to collect himself after that.]
I would offer, but there would be an exchange or agreement of some sort. “Free is the most expensive price” or so he says. If he did accept it, he’d no doubt take advantage of it to my detriment. You will not meet a more shrewd and cunning individual than him, but he’s also remarkably intelligent. You simply need to know how to deal with him- though I may be biased in that assessment. He’s one of my brother and I’s oldest friends, and we have yet to see a dull day in his company.
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Again you are not wrong. If a human society propagates the principle of 'might makes right' and rewards its members for selfish behaviour, it shapes that group of humans, and they may become more beast-like than any other species.
[Who would know that better than
himher, who witnessed the Great Titan Wars and the incredible suffering of those oppressed under the Eldian Empire?]But that's the very loss of what we like to think of as our humanity - our ability to go against our self-interest and show others kindness and mercy. Those who steal and kill with impunity and feel no regret are the lowest manifestation of humankind. After all you told me, I will not extend that judgement to the other species from your world, but you cannot change my mind when it comes to my own kind.
[My own kind, not our own kind, because clearly something went in a different direction in Jade's world. Perhaps his humankind, surrounded by species living by the rules of 'survival of the fittest', forced them to adopt their values or else go extinct? Frieda is still sorting out how to feel about that.]
If Azul, shaped by his people's values, will not accept your generosity, nor mine, I feel like his life is poorer for it. Being shown kindness is a beautiful experience that, as I said before, brings forth a person's own best self.
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[He was ready to poke more holes in her argument, or even forsake it to poke more fun at Azul- but her words "my own kind" had a dangerous implication that she had caught onto him. He'd admittedly grown lax in hiding it, even going as far as enjoying throwing out hints go see if she'd catch on, but with their current talk he was beginning to think it would be for the better to keep it quiet for a while longer. He did not think she was ready to have to face a non-human, and he needed to gauge how much he could trust her with it.
There was also the possibility she was not human, though given her drivel of self-righteousness, he doubted that. No one who believed their kind to be that important would want to associate their ideals with any other species.
He let the cheery facade fade for something more... honest. Something leveled and calculating as he held her gaze in a rare moment of seriousness- or perhaps it had always been there, that vigilant and cunning gaze discretely masked behind a smile.]
So in your eyes, I no longer qualify as human?
[He was lucky that such a claim would be as insulting to a human as it was a threat to his deception, his shift in tone would be understandable, or perhaps the gaze of one of the more dangerous predators of the deep would be the final piece for her to figure it out herself.
Either way, he needed an answer from her.]
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She merely holds his gaze at his gentle admonishment, not arguing but also not offering an apology as she might have if she hadn't allowed her inherited memories to flood her mind. As for his question, however...]
Are you human, Jade?
[At first, she believed he was, despite his strange hair- and eye colour and sharp teeth - humans might look different on other worlds, right? But between his wealth of knowledge of the sea below the surface, his peculiar merman form that's so different from hers, and the way he's been arguing "on behalf of" the merpeople during this debate, she finds her doubts solidifying.]
Or are you a merman who's taken the sea witch's potion to live on the land?
[There's no fear, apprehension, or judgement in her voice, but her unwavering gaze may be a bit eerie... but then again she's been wearing that expression for a while already.]
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He only shifted back to a smile, that ever present smile that rarely seemed to reach his eyes. Admitting what he was would still be a risk, even if she had already gathered it for herself. It was nothing personal, it was as he’d explained before; all things are an exchange. This was a risk that he did not believe would have a fair payoff as it stood.]
That’s quite the accusation. Is it really so strange that I might worry how an old friend would be treated, should he arrive here?
I’m merely a human who grew up by the sea with my brother.
[This was the first outright lie he’d told as well. He’d never claimed to be human before. Everything thus far has been a mix of half-truths and clever lies of omission.
He wanted her to know it was a lie this time. A very deliberate lie.]
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I should go home. It got late; Historia will be waiting for me.
[Whether it's a punishment for his lie, a physical acknowledgement of the boundary he set, or a way to hide any embarrassment or discomfort with her own actions that she might be feeling - who knows? Maybe it's none of those things. Maybe she just doesn't understand why a merman who argued so tirelessly about everything being a give and take would want his humanity affirmed.
On her way to the door she briefly stops, albeit without turning back to him.]
I told you that I'll extend my unconditional support to Azul if he does arrive and finds himself in need of help. It's a shame that I couldn't alleviate your worries.
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