Final.

[azumods]

CREATION. It's the middle of the morning, when the summon finally comes. It comes in the form of the Commanders seeming more formal than usual - there's something in their demeanor that's off, decidedly more stiff than usual, though not in a way that implies they're being controlled; it's just a matter of something happening, and they aren't altogether certain what to do with it, but they're here to bring you the general message that Master Cyrus is waiting for you. They won't wish you luck, for obvious reasons; they will, however, come with you. If this is going to happen today, then they want to be present for it, and they'll accompany you to the top of that massive stairwell in the center of that area you first walked in on. There's a large set of double doors at the top; they've been locked until now, but at the moment they'll open easily at your touch. There's really only one place to go from here. The doors will lead you to a place that appears, for all intents and purposes, to be outside, though it's difficult to say exactly where; there's a chill in the air - this is, of course, a rather cold region, though it isn't as bad as it could be out here - and you seem to be incredibly high up, but the floor still seems solid beneath your feet as opposed to translucent, and there's a railing ringing the outside of the area you've been let out into. Like a balcony of sorts, though it's a massive one, more than enough to accommodate all of you. It's incredibly simple, given that this is apparently where you're going to meet with someone who claimed the title of "god" for himself and hasn't looked back since. Speaking of which, you aren't alone here; Cyrus is present, hands settled on that railing as he looks out over the region for a moment longer. He'll turn to greet you properly after a moment, however; there's a brief gesture to his Commanders - clearly instructing them to stay back near the door, out of the way but more than capable of overseeing what's going to ensue here - before he turns his attention to the group, folding his hands behind his back. "You've come a long way since we first met... And longer still since your journey started. I'm sure you're aware that this isn't as it was in Sunyshore City - should we be required to turn this place into a battlefield, we will do so without hesitation, and despite your actions stemming from deep imperfection, we intend to act without mercy, if it comes to that. "However, I'm sure you have many things you want to say at the moment... Were I opposed to hearing them, there would be little point in allowing you to come here in the first place. Speak your piece; do as you see fit. There's no sense in pretending that we don't all know why you're here."

Comments

[azumods]

I'm sure many would agree with you.

[Whether he would or not is apparently up for debate, but that's neither here nor there.]

[discutio]

I would certainly hope so.

...What of yourself? Surely you care about this world, to so desire its protection no matter the method.

[azumods]

It's pointless to deny such things, isn't it...?

[...]

It's the imperfection of spirit that's abhorrent to me... But the existence of it is through no fault of the world itself.

[discutio]

A bit pointless, all things considered. But since that's the case, there's a question I've been curious about. Perhaps you'd be willing to explain the matter to me.

...What is it that made you judge spirit to be an imperfection, and go to such lengths to see it removed? I can't quite picture that being a belief one could merely have held right from the outset.

[azumods]

[Mm.]

If you're looking for a specific incident... Some sort of catalyst, something that led to things being as they are...

Unfortunately, no such incident exits. It simply is what it is. It's a conclusion that was reached over time, something I found to speak for itself fairly well in the end.

[discutio]

I confess I expected a catalyst, but then my next inquiry would be in wondering what sort of things would have led you to such a conclusion.

[azumods]

[...]

Why does this interest you so much...?

[discutio]

I simply...wish to understand. I like to seek clarity in things where I've the chance to find it, and as someone who also wishes to protect the world I love, I wish to understand your motivation and reasoning.

Call it curiosity if you like; I prefer to think of it as being thorough and gathering information, that I might not speak or act recklessly through cluelessness.

[azumods]

I do acknowledge the validity of the approach, if nothing else.

[like. thank you for not making this into some sort of overly personal shitshow, ignis, it's appreciated.]

I don't make a practice of turning away those that are simply seeking understanding... Again, however, it's simply something that I've found to speak for itself. Suffering does nothing but replicate itself into infinity, should it be allowed to do so... Removing it at the source seems most prudent to me.

[discutio]

[everything's gone to shit and he's a tired strategist, it happens]

I agree that suffering tends to pile upon itself in a manner that often feels unbearable. But I have trouble envisioning a perspective that thinks it so incalculable in size that it warrants removing the positive alongside it.

[azumods]

I would argue that leaving nothing but the positive would be its own form of inhumane, if enforced on a mass scale.

[He can acknowledge that that sounds kind of psychotic? Forcing people into nothing but happiness seems kind of way over on the insane side.

...And then there's what Saturn did to himself, which is essentially that, but he explicitly asked for it.]

[discutio]

Also true enough. I suppose then that my confusion lies in going to extremes to rectify the amount of suffering present in the world, rather than seeking to lessen it through means involving less of the divine.

[azumods]

That begs the question of the acceptable threshold for "lessening," doesn't it...?

[discutio]

[Ignis tilted his head slightly, folding his arms.]

'Acceptable threshold'...? I'm not sure that I follow.

[azumods]

At what point do you consider it good enough, in other words.

[discutio]

[...oh, honey.]

I...don't honestly think there is a base minimum. Say that you were to help one individual bear whatever suffering they might feel; it's true that the impact upon the world at large is as a drop in the ocean. Yet does it become meaningless simply because it does not end suffering as a concept?

I should think that to extend a hand to even a single person in need of it would change their own world considerably. That in itself is 'good enough' by my standards.

[azumods]

[...Speaking of "oh, honey", Cyrus seems to be trying very hard to find a way to express the sentiment of "holy shit, that's twee" without straight-out saying it.]

That seems at least mildly shortsighted, being content with something like that.

[...holy shit, that's twee.]

oops

[discutio]

[what do you want he's learned a simple philosophy from his majesty crystal dragon jesus]

Perhaps. I think of it more as acting as a force for light against the dark, even if that should come in mere increments. If those before me are in need of aid--whether they know it or not--then I will resolve to help them no matter how inconsequential others may think the effort.

[. . .]

...I might almost argue that my 'shortsightedness' was obvious from the start.

[for god's sake.]

[azumods]

[...you know, cyrus doesn't do much with his face but this is probably the closest he has ever gotten to just kind of going "WELL, FUCK" and for the briefest moment it is evident all over his expression before he regains composure

thank fucking god you're blind, let's put it that way.]

...At least I can appreciate that you aren't easily offended.

[THAT IS THE CLOSEST TO AN APOLOGY ANYONE IS GETTING FOR THIS ENTIRE SHITSHOW]

[discutio]

[Ignis stifled a brief laugh behind his hand; though he couldn't see the reaction, hearing that response struck him as so surreal as to be hilarious.]

I've nothing to be offended by or ashamed of. [He took off his visor, slipping it into a pocket of his uniform's coat.] What some would call my shortcoming is something which I carry proudly. My sight was lost in an attempt to prevent someone I love from enduring further pain and suffering.

[we're brushing with death and there's a high possibility none of these attempts will matter, so for now he's well beyond any sense of alarm. fuck it, this is just how today's going to go.]

Enduring such pain and losing this much wasn't an easy thing. It still proves difficult, you should have seen the time of it I had getting around the Distortion World. Yet it isn't a sacrifice I would regret or take back given the chance...because doing so eased his own burden even incrementally, and that alone is worth everything to me.

I can not and will not turn from someone in need of help. It was not in my king's nature--and as someone who learned more than I can articulate from him, neither is it in mine. Even if I should be able to help one person, five, a dozen...it may be next to nothing on a global scale, but even that small dent in the world's anguish is less pain than was there before.

[azumods]

[He's quiet for a moment, just turning that over in his head. Formulating a response.]

...I'm certain you think I believe such sentiments are wasted on a world that doesn't deserve it. That there's no point in encouraging such notions, and that you and N-92 - [no, no, it's...give him a moment, it's going to take a second but eventually] - Emmeryn, forgive me... You likely believe that I think the particular sense of care both of you have for the world is pointless at best.

But I do genuinely believe that if the world contained more people like you, and like her, then it might have been worth salvaging.

/helping

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael leans over and whispers to Ignis:]

His face just did the greatest thing and it's really not fair you couldn't see it.

[discutio]

Do remember it as my personal gift to you.

Between us, I find it quite funny when people don't know how to respond to those jokes.

[divinedescendant]

[oh man you know who's REALLY FUCKING GOOD at being twee!!!]

It certainly is not enough to help one unsteady person to their feet and say, "ah, and that will do." So you commit yourself to that kindness; you offer it again, and again, and again. The threshold for contentment, as if the work is done, is a different matter than knowing that even those small acts are good enough to be worth the effort.

[azumods]

[he knows you're trying, at least, okay.]