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Final.
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." |
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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.
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[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.
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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.
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[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.]
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'Acceptable threshold'...? I'm not sure that I follow.
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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.
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That seems at least mildly shortsighted, being content with something like that.
[...holy shit, that's twee.]
oops
[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.]
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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]
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[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.
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...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.
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I think that kind of compassion is what you desired the world to possess from the beginning, yet when it was sought out you realized you couldn't find it. If you didn't care for this world, if you didn't want to help the people within it regardless of how you set about it...none of this would have happened at all.
[It was twisted and cruel, and yet it was something done without any real malice. In a way, he wondered if Cyrus himself wasn't the very gray area he seemed to refuse to acknowledge existed.]
But if I might venture a step farther...I also believe that you might yet find people like that, if you allowed this world another chance. If you spoke in honest words of your wish to create a world without suffering, then perhaps you and the rest of Sinnoh could work towards making it as close to one as possible, little by little. Look around at the world you've shown Zelda and the others...is this truly the place from which you would observe it? High above and far away from any chance that such human kindness might truly exist in the world you want to save?
You can force things to change over and over again, and perhaps someday it may even stick. But you could also descend from this place and guide others to a slower route of lasting, genuine improvement.
Do you want to be a distant and untouchable god, or do you want to enact true change as a leader?
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That is high praise. You have my gratitude, truly, but [and she waves her free hand, Manaphy's egg secure in the other] I am no one and nothing special.
[She hums, soft and thoughtful.]
The world is full of people overflowing with love for those around them, who so wish to offer it. Is that what you see in Ignis and me? I have seen it every day, in everyone I have been so blessed as to travel alongside. The trick is to learn how they express that love.
That is why I seek so vehemently to understand those I might be at odds with—we spoke of this before, briefly. It would have been wrong of me to expect you to dismiss our sentimentality entirely. This, too, [a slow gesture out towards, just kind of, everything. the region as a whole and as a concept] comes from a place of love, and the intent to help, doesn't it? I have wanted to understand that. Even though I think I have come closer, I still do.
I believe, truly, that people are good in the end. Too often, they simply do not know how to be. They have not been shown how to express the love in them. They haven't the resources. The weight of their own pain keeps them from standing, never mind supporting another. But the world is full of people full of love and willing to make sacrifices for it. They simply need the chance.
[...and then, softer; hearing all these conversations around her,]
It is not fair, that you were not shown this, all this time.
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/helping
His face just did the greatest thing and it's really not fair you couldn't see it.
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Between us, I find it quite funny when people don't know how to respond to those jokes.
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[Shockingly, he realizes that now is possibly Not The Time.]
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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.
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