Legend

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Legend>

*I raise an eyebrow.*

Do elaborate.

@Tank O The Lake

<Snipped quote by Legend>

*Nods at you to continue*

@Etcetera

If death was really the worst possible outcome, no one would, you know, kill themselves or something. Nobody would take any risks with their lives either. So for some people, there's clearly something better than how bad death is, or something worse. Part of what makes death powerful is that it's universal.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Etcetera>

Indeed. Of course, this planet knows that, but applies fear rather inexpertly; it projects its fear in such a way that the projection outlines the spots out of its view. Hence my prior comment about unfortunate incidents befalling the officers in that little shooting.

@Tank O The Lake

*Finally speaks up again*
There are fates worse than death.
*Glances toward Vector for approval*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Etcetera>

See for yourself.

*I gesture to a newscast blaring from one of the enormous screens. A made-up female anchor speaks into the screen, while videos of parked police vehicles and protestors being taken into custody by faceless enforcers scroll past.*

NEWSCASTER: A riot in South Union was broken up yesterday following a disturbance at an unregistered religious meeting. Police say the self-proclaimed priest attempted to flee when asked for his credentials and was taken into custody, leading to a confrontation between armed agitators and government forces. No one was hurt and the disturbance is under--

*I clench my fist and the screen begins to distort.*

Now let's see the truth.

*The screen changes. Now it's bodycam footage of an apartment door being kicked in, of scared parishioners gathering behind a man in Catholic vestments. One of the rifle-toting policemen demands the names of everyone there; the priest refuses. He steps forward and cracks the old man across the head with the butt of his gun, knocking him to the floor as his flock screams and scatters, and the footage ends with the recording officer reaching to turn his bodycam off. Then, there's footage of bottles and rocks bouncing off of riot shields, of those same faceless enforcers knocking down and beating the protestors, and finally, gunsmoke and blood in the air as live ammunition is discharged into the crowds. People hit the ground. Some are screaming and writhing as they bleed. Some aren't moving at all.*

*I release my fist and the screen returns to normal.*

Fourteen "commonfolk" died yesterday. Seventy-three are still in the hospital, survival doubtful. Not one of the men who fired those shots will face any consequences from the law or their superiors.

*I huff.*

Of course, if any of those men were to happen upon some misfortune while treading through the more dangerous parts of Union, I doubt any workingman would report it.

@Tank O The Lake

*Clenches my fist and grits my teeth at the injustice*
How dare they?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Legend>

What fun.

*I stand.*

Care to walk with me?

@Tank O The Lake

I—...
*Glances over to Vector*

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Legend>

I find myself perfectly fine just the way I am. So you can say I don't like either.

@Tank O The Lake

*Mumbles*
That matches my personal experience, at least...

Myriad Reality

Mr. Lucy doesn't like the concept of "character building" because he can't do that. He's not human, rather some sort of spirit; he doesn't have true free will or the ability to change. That's also why he doesn't like the idea that humanity can rise above its squabbling state.

@Tank O The Lake

Oh, fascinating attribute. There are aspects of Mr. Vector here that he'd probably like if he were to dig them up, and others he might like less.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Etcetera>

It's just not something that normally comes up when I'm in the conversation. I don't... resonate with the concept, as it were. It simply disagrees with my nature.

@Tank O The Lake

You don't like suffering or you don't like building character?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Legend>

You've never, ever, ever ceased to entertain.

@Tank O The Lake

We're just a circus in your eyes, then?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Legend>

*I shrug.*

I wouldn't say that.

@Tank O The Lake

What redeems us to you, then?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Etcetera>

Humans are... funny things. From their earliest days, I've watched as they fought, aligned, broke apart, fractured into polities, and in the midst of all of that, retained the fundamental "humanness" that attracted me to them at the start. They still loved, still hated, still took their cruel world and wrought beauty from it, even as their wars got worse and their dissensions more divisive--that leads me to believe that such things are intrinsic to their nature.

*I cast a sidelong glance at the workingwoman.*

I struggle to find a higher purpose than what they already do.

@Tank O The Lake

*Finally opens my mouth to speak*
If that's all humans are good for, then we sure are a sorry race, aren't we?