It did seem to me the Baritones defining trait is charm!
[He starts enumerating, uncurling a finger for each member he talks about.]
Yours is indeed the charm of a mentor, someone older than oneself, wise and caring but not coddling. Alexander... I would compare to some manner of a cat. Graceful, fascinating, but wilful, someone you haven't truly any say over. Absinthe is that curious combination of both delightful danger and safety, is he not? Little gestures that make you feel special and hints of darker things that you can't help wanting to see. Lily...
[He stops, smiles warmly.]
I know not what to name it yet! But Lily is very kind and gentle, like the morning sun. I can't help wanting to be around her.
I am fully biased but I do agree, charm is part of each member.
I am quite glad they have all captivated you. I am terribly fond of them. And they will be good to you, if you are to them. Some take a bit more coaxing to open up than others, but your assessment is solid.
I hope so! To tell you the truth, at first I was somewhat worried when the nature of the games and such were brought up... but I do feel much safer when I think of how kind everyone is. It does give me hope that even should we meet in one of the darker games, we would still find ways to be human to each other.
[Oh... Hmm. That seems to send him in deeper thought.]
A double-edged sword, hmm... I am not sure whether I can blame them. I imagine I would be hard pressed to choose between saving someone right now or ignoring them for the sake of helping others later. It feels like a rather unpleasant choice, and one that would weigh on me if I were forced to make it repeatedly.
The choice seems plain enough to me. I can think of nothing so cruel and vexing as vain self-sacrifice. An exercise in alleviating one's personal feelings of guilt; avoiding hard choices by refusing to make any at all. And placing the burden of pain on the ones who love you when the dust settles.
And in the case of SensitIV, more than just a burden on your loved ones.
Such lack of self-preservation is frankly the height of selfishness.
[haha wow bread it's like you're speaking from experience!!]
I do understand where you are coming from, but is denying yourself an outlet for that guilt not simply another manner of self-sacrifice? How long would it take someone to forget that they are a person, not merely a machine for saving others?
All rather good ideas, I fully concur. But all things that are quite hard or impossible to do or hold on to when you've someone being tortured in front of your eyes.
[haha anyway guess who's been having all sorts of fun nightmares thanks to yall]
[Buddy we are literally the dream manipulation unit just... just ask for an assist.]
So you would forsake those who love you for the life in front of you? Is that not exactly the definition of selfish, to indulge your own whims to escape guilt or willfully trade your life so you need not suffer the sight of another's pain, all over the promises and duty you owe to those who love you?
I simply find it a frustrating mindset. It shows a naivety. A lack of actual consideration for the consequences to those left behind. It is no better than abandonment and neglect to those you would proclaim to love, in my opinion. Thoughtless, at the very best, and mostly selfish.
[Both Cosmo and Five are sure very negative about "naivety", huh... He doesn't have anything to vocalize about it yet, though, so Levity just notes it down for himself as an observation.]
Then the question I would pose to you is thus: is it not selfish to pick those you love over others? For in that moment you are choosing people who are dear to you personally. The person you choose to ignore surely has those who love them, too. Do those people deserve to be left behind, instead?
Not at all. Everyone deserves to live and thrive and be protected.
But I ask you this, when you have those who would be hurt by your pain and who would be crushed by your abandonment, who rely on you and need you, where is your responsibility? Is it to the person in front of you or is it to the people to whom you have a previous connection?
Not all responsibility is selfless, and not all selflessness is responsible. Sometimes the responsible thing is the selfish one, and sometimes it is the altruistic one.
To me, duty lies with those you are sworn to and those you love. While saving others would be nice, and should be pursued, it is not always viable. In that case, priorities must be made.
I myself must prioritize a certain duty above all else, and after that, I prioritize my loved ones, for it is to them I owe fealty--and that does not necessarily mean putting their lives above mine, sometimes it means protecting myself or their own loved ones above protecting them.
In a place where death has no meaning, Levity, throwing away your life and safety to "protect" others, while your own pain rends the hearts of those who love you, is, as I have stated, only an empty gesture. A means to dodge personal guilt and nothing more.
[He listens politely, stays silent for a time as he digests the information.]
I see... I do feel that the question you asked me is a somewhat unfair one to ask of someone who has no memories, nor real connections yet. I am sworn to no one. Would it not make sense for me to prioritize everyone I meet?
[He leans against a wall thoughtfully.]
But, if I understand what you and Five have told me correctly... While 'death' as such does not exist here, the accompanying pain and emotional scars certainly do. Once again the choice you would have someone make is between hurting themselves, even if not physically, or hurting their loved ones. So which would you prefer? The physical death of someone you care for, when you know they will come back soon enough, or the scars piling up on their heart? From your words I would assume that it is the latter, and I cannot say I understand it.
You misunderstand, it is the scars on the heart I find much more bothersome.
But many things leave scars, Levity. Seeing a loved one die, for instance, even should they return, is a shock hard to recover from the first time, and the second, and the hundredth, though you may go numb at some point.
I ask only that you consider deeply your own priorities and the hearts of those you grow connected to. Whether it is worth letting them see you hurt to save another. Whether it is worth saving another to hurt yourself. Or whether it is worth hurting yourself with guilt, by harming others to spare others seeing your mangled corpse. There are no good outcomes, in some games, and choices must be made as you can.
If you wish to argue that self-sacrifice to avoid guilt is one way of protecting the heart I do agree. But it protects your own heart, not that of those who love you. And that is my point on its selfishness. Something to consider.
If you find your heart too frail to bear the guilt of harming others, than it may be for the best to take such a route. But know that as long as people love you, hurting yourself will still cause harm, it will only be a more invisible and lasting kind. It is a matter of deciding if your own heart or theirs is the sturdier.
There is no shame in acknowledging your own limits, of your heart, and your ability. In fact it would be better if all were honest about their reasons for self-sacrifice; not a righteousness to save others, but simply the frailty to to be unable to harm others. I would find it more palatable if they could but be truthful.
In the end your priorities must be decided by yourself. These are simply my feelings, as passionate as I may be on the subject, it is ultimately somewhat subjective.
And perhaps a bit much for a game on kissing and festivity.
Ah, we are mostly in agreement, then. Indeed, my own concern is that I would not be nearly strong enough to make that kind of choice without breaking. Although I cannot deny I still feel that it is right to save others, nor do I think that I could in good conscience choose to abandon someone for the sake of saving myself, even if the ultimate goal is sparing my loved ones the pain of losing me. What frustrates me, however, is that I find myself unable to articulate why it is so, exactly. While I would of course not begrudge anyone else such a choice, I feel like I would not be able to live with myself afterwards. Of course, I've no true way of knowing until I am forced to participate...
[He looks aside with a soft chuckle.]
Although from what I understand, 'tis likely that I would be among the first victims. Mayhaps that is for the best.
[Levity shakes his head.]
But you are correct. This is hardly the time for such a discussion. Is there aught else you would wish to talk about?
I do hope that you are spared these choices as long as possible. And when they come that you may make the ones you best may live with. For I would see your heart spared such grief, if it may be.
But until that time, let us try to enjoy the festivities.
Tell me how you are settling in? You have met some of Baritones and seem to get along well with your unit from your words. Aside from Cardinal, Five and Vergil have you made friends elsewhere? Or those you would like to become friends?
[He nods gently, feeling reassured by the support, and his smile grows more genuine at the question. He likes people...]
Ah, I've met quite a few people today! Hardtack, Hurricane, Hope--my, I did not realize there were so many names of the same letter. Izanagi, Leviathan and Thancred, of sensitIV, and Eclipse of AlcheME. All rather curious people!
Well, Hurricane is a kind lad, Izanagi I do quite like, and Hardtack is Five's brother, an amnesiac with few more memories than you. As for the rest! I am afraid I know little or nothing.
That you are meeting and enjoying so many is good.
I rather took to Izanagi! He seems very cheerful, and I've a feeling we shall get along famously. Leviathan is very polite and kind, and Eclipse is quite reserved and a little... mm, depressive I would say. And I think you would enjoy Hope's company: she is a smart woman, wonderful to speak with.
[He holds up a finger.]
But I was intrigued by Thancred the most! Apparently, we are like to be from the same world. I haven't had a chance to speak to him about it yet, but I am rather looking forward to it!
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[He starts enumerating, uncurling a finger for each member he talks about.]
Yours is indeed the charm of a mentor, someone older than oneself, wise and caring but not coddling. Alexander... I would compare to some manner of a cat. Graceful, fascinating, but wilful, someone you haven't truly any say over. Absinthe is that curious combination of both delightful danger and safety, is he not? Little gestures that make you feel special and hints of darker things that you can't help wanting to see. Lily...
[He stops, smiles warmly.]
I know not what to name it yet! But Lily is very kind and gentle, like the morning sun. I can't help wanting to be around her.
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I am fully biased but I do agree, charm is part of each member.
I am quite glad they have all captivated you. I am terribly fond of them. And they will be good to you, if you are to them. Some take a bit more coaxing to open up than others, but your assessment is solid.
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I hope so! To tell you the truth, at first I was somewhat worried when the nature of the games and such were brought up... but I do feel much safer when I think of how kind everyone is. It does give me hope that even should we meet in one of the darker games, we would still find ways to be human to each other.
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But each unit plays their own ways. Each has their own priorities. Baritones places Baritones first, in all things.
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A double-edged sword, hmm... I am not sure whether I can blame them. I imagine I would be hard pressed to choose between saving someone right now or ignoring them for the sake of helping others later. It feels like a rather unpleasant choice, and one that would weigh on me if I were forced to make it repeatedly.
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And in the case of SensitIV, more than just a burden on your loved ones.
Such lack of self-preservation is frankly the height of selfishness.
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I do understand where you are coming from, but is denying yourself an outlet for that guilt not simply another manner of self-sacrifice? How long would it take someone to forget that they are a person, not merely a machine for saving others?
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There are other avenues to dealing with guilt and pain than dying.
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All rather good ideas, I fully concur. But all things that are quite hard or impossible to do or hold on to when you've someone being tortured in front of your eyes.
[haha anyway guess who's been having all sorts of fun nightmares thanks to yall]
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So you would forsake those who love you for the life in front of you? Is that not exactly the definition of selfish, to indulge your own whims to escape guilt or willfully trade your life so you need not suffer the sight of another's pain, all over the promises and duty you owe to those who love you?
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Levity gives him a careful look, silent for a time. Despite everything, he's not stupid.]
Is it something that happened to you? You speak as though you've suffered such loss yourself.
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Then the question I would pose to you is thus: is it not selfish to pick those you love over others? For in that moment you are choosing people who are dear to you personally. The person you choose to ignore surely has those who love them, too. Do those people deserve to be left behind, instead?
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But I ask you this, when you have those who would be hurt by your pain and who would be crushed by your abandonment, who rely on you and need you, where is your responsibility? Is it to the person in front of you or is it to the people to whom you have a previous connection?
Not all responsibility is selfless, and not all selflessness is responsible. Sometimes the responsible thing is the selfish one, and sometimes it is the altruistic one.
To me, duty lies with those you are sworn to and those you love. While saving others would be nice, and should be pursued, it is not always viable. In that case, priorities must be made.
I myself must prioritize a certain duty above all else, and after that, I prioritize my loved ones, for it is to them I owe fealty--and that does not necessarily mean putting their lives above mine, sometimes it means protecting myself or their own loved ones above protecting them.
In a place where death has no meaning, Levity, throwing away your life and safety to "protect" others, while your own pain rends the hearts of those who love you, is, as I have stated, only an empty gesture. A means to dodge personal guilt and nothing more.
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I see... I do feel that the question you asked me is a somewhat unfair one to ask of someone who has no memories, nor real connections yet. I am sworn to no one. Would it not make sense for me to prioritize everyone I meet?
[He leans against a wall thoughtfully.]
But, if I understand what you and Five have told me correctly... While 'death' as such does not exist here, the accompanying pain and emotional scars certainly do. Once again the choice you would have someone make is between hurting themselves, even if not physically, or hurting their loved ones. So which would you prefer? The physical death of someone you care for, when you know they will come back soon enough, or the scars piling up on their heart? From your words I would assume that it is the latter, and I cannot say I understand it.
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But many things leave scars, Levity. Seeing a loved one die, for instance, even should they return, is a shock hard to recover from the first time, and the second, and the hundredth, though you may go numb at some point.
I ask only that you consider deeply your own priorities and the hearts of those you grow connected to. Whether it is worth letting them see you hurt to save another. Whether it is worth saving another to hurt yourself. Or whether it is worth hurting yourself with guilt, by harming others to spare others seeing your mangled corpse. There are no good outcomes, in some games, and choices must be made as you can.
If you wish to argue that self-sacrifice to avoid guilt is one way of protecting the heart I do agree. But it protects your own heart, not that of those who love you. And that is my point on its selfishness. Something to consider.
If you find your heart too frail to bear the guilt of harming others, than it may be for the best to take such a route. But know that as long as people love you, hurting yourself will still cause harm, it will only be a more invisible and lasting kind. It is a matter of deciding if your own heart or theirs is the sturdier.
There is no shame in acknowledging your own limits, of your heart, and your ability. In fact it would be better if all were honest about their reasons for self-sacrifice; not a righteousness to save others, but simply the frailty to to be unable to harm others. I would find it more palatable if they could but be truthful.
In the end your priorities must be decided by yourself. These are simply my feelings, as passionate as I may be on the subject, it is ultimately somewhat subjective.
And perhaps a bit much for a game on kissing and festivity.
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Ah, we are mostly in agreement, then. Indeed, my own concern is that I would not be nearly strong enough to make that kind of choice without breaking. Although I cannot deny I still feel that it is right to save others, nor do I think that I could in good conscience choose to abandon someone for the sake of saving myself, even if the ultimate goal is sparing my loved ones the pain of losing me. What frustrates me, however, is that I find myself unable to articulate why it is so, exactly. While I would of course not begrudge anyone else such a choice, I feel like I would not be able to live with myself afterwards. Of course, I've no true way of knowing until I am forced to participate...
[He looks aside with a soft chuckle.]
Although from what I understand, 'tis likely that I would be among the first victims. Mayhaps that is for the best.
[Levity shakes his head.]
But you are correct. This is hardly the time for such a discussion. Is there aught else you would wish to talk about?
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I do hope that you are spared these choices as long as possible. And when they come that you may make the ones you best may live with. For I would see your heart spared such grief, if it may be.
But until that time, let us try to enjoy the festivities.
Tell me how you are settling in? You have met some of Baritones and seem to get along well with your unit from your words. Aside from Cardinal, Five and Vergil have you made friends elsewhere? Or those you would like to become friends?
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Ah, I've met quite a few people today! Hardtack, Hurricane, Hope--my, I did not realize there were so many names of the same letter. Izanagi, Leviathan and Thancred, of sensitIV, and Eclipse of AlcheME. All rather curious people!
[He beams. New friends!]
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Well, Hurricane is a kind lad, Izanagi I do quite like, and Hardtack is Five's brother, an amnesiac with few more memories than you. As for the rest! I am afraid I know little or nothing.
That you are meeting and enjoying so many is good.
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I rather took to Izanagi! He seems very cheerful, and I've a feeling we shall get along famously. Leviathan is very polite and kind, and Eclipse is quite reserved and a little... mm, depressive I would say. And I think you would enjoy Hope's company: she is a smart woman, wonderful to speak with.
[He holds up a finger.]
But I was intrigued by Thancred the most! Apparently, we are like to be from the same world. I haven't had a chance to speak to him about it yet, but I am rather looking forward to it!
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WRITES A FKN NOVEL I GUESS
LEVITY ASKED FOR THIS
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