azume | Test 10.

EXPANSION

Once again, that sense of pressure radiates through the room, the sensation that comes with standing before something that no human was likely meant to be in the presence of; the pressure is immense, something that Mars doesn't seem at all inhibited by, and if it's bothering Jupiter any it isn't evident in her demeanor, either. The challenge they've issued remains in the air between you, ringing out strong as they watch you from their position across the room, gazes sharp and cold.

Your Pokémon don't seem to be taking this terribly well, though that's likely to be expected; it's the same sort of pressure that came with Dialga's presence - even if it's not currently in the room, not currently visible, there's the sense that there's something waiting just beyond the metaphorical veil. Something that shouldn't be angered or tormented more than it has been already; something that was there when the world began, and something that was likewise there when the world ended.

Once again, it seems you're you're on your own for the time being; while neither of the women waiting for you seem angry, per se, they still seem very, very charged.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Maybe not. I was never very skilled with matters of expressing emotion, truth be told. I've always been more suited for logic and reason.

But I'm not dead yet, and that makes me think one of the others might still have a chance.

So what are logic and reason telling you right now? Do you really think I won't kill you? Are you really that stupid?

Do you want the honest answer?

I know you can. Likely without even lifting a finger. But I don't think that you will, whether for your own reasons, Cyrus', or something else I simply can't guess at.

If I'm wrong and you do...that's fine. I didn't exactly wake up this morning planning on dying, but I trust in the friends I've made here to answer that with getting you out of this before Palkia kills anyone else. Outgunned though they may be, they're not outnumbered. And they're highly prone to doing all kinds of reckless things.

I'm not afraid of you, Palkia, or dying. I've made my choice, and I'll risk my life to show you not everyone is so self-serving that they'l fail to help others in need of it.

I really don't see how your death here is going to prove anything other than "you really want to be right and whoops, looks like you were wrong".

I think it quite simple. You and Jupiter alike seem to think humankind all selfish and cruel, set upon making the world a hopeless place.

We're going to show you that it isn't, because whether you know it or not, you need our help and we won't turn to abandon you. Threaten me if you want, but I've every intention of seeing this through no matter how it ends for me.

...None of us are going to leave you alone.

Fine, I'll humor you for a moment. Even if you all really are that kind and caring and you really do want to help us - that doesn't change that most of the world is exactly that cruel. A handful of good people can't make up for all the terrible things most people do. And again, I'd much rather live in a world where no one suffers than one where only some people get to be happy.

Perhaps they can't truly make up for it, no.

...But don't you think it worth trying to tilt the scales just a little farther in the right direction?

You can try all you want, that doesn't mean the scales will tip.

And you don't know with certainty that they'll fail to, either.

So in the end it comes down to how much faith you have in people in general.

More or less. Never taken a leap of faith before?

I can't have unwavering faith in people in general like that. I'm surprised anyone can.

Oh, I never said it had to be unwavering. Just that one should have enough to be willing to take a risk.

You know, rather like I'm doing now in gambling that you'll not murder me midsentence.

It would be a little rude to murder you midsentence.

[She sounds a bit amused by that, at least.]

Even if it isn't unwavering, I can't understand it. I don't see how anyone could be willing to trust people in general like that.

Just a bit. No one wants to be interrupted, after all.

[He smiled just a little at that; hey, fuck it, today's just that kind of day.]

It's difficult, more often than not. But the times when that trust is rewarded make the risk more than worthwhile.

I guess that's where you guys differ from us. I doubt any of us could agree with that. Maybe you guys have had more positive experiences, or maybe you're just naive or stupid. But I guess in some way it's kind of nice that you can believe in people.

If you ever felt like giving it a try, I think we'd welcome the attempt.

It's not like I can say I trust people so easily, myself.

But this world needs the chance.

Why? You've only been here a little while, and you've seen most of the people without spirit. How can you just assume something like that?

Because it could just as easily have been my world in peril.

[smashcut to infinity war sans bucky tbh]

You don't have to tell me about all the ways people can be shitty. But it's not all of 'em, or even most of them.

You can't say that for sure. You can't say that it's not most of them. You have no way of knowing.

No, I can't.

But people are people; it's not like the vast majority of them set out to do harm. Your goal, Galactic's goal, is to save the world. That's noble. I don't agree with your methods, but there's nothing wrong with the idea.

I just think there could be other ways, ones that come with far less of a cost.

(no subject)

azumods - 2018-10-28 01:52 (UTC) - Expand

semistableman - 2018-10-28 02:00 (UTC) - Expand

You sure are asking a lot of me. I can't say I like you enough to even make an attempt.

I think I got that impression somewhere around the fourth time you said you were going to kill me.

It's just a suggestion.

Not one I'm going to take, but nice try, I guess.