Catch-All for Milla

[specialdog]

Comments

[tothemaxwell]

Of course. I value people's honest opinions over unthinking repetition.

Does that not make us stronger as partners, as well?

[specialdog]

But having one less person backing you up makes your swaying power to the rest of the group weaker, doesn't it?

Strategically, isn't it better the other way?

[ ... that said, Akane sounds pretty pleased with the permission to be honest and disagree with Milla. ]

[tothemaxwell]

Strategically speaking, that is so.

But in reality, how much sway does someone who is not wholly convinced themselves hold within the group? They would have to be an outstanding liar. I would prefer to have honesty and true belief in my purpose on my side.

[specialdog]

How interesting.

[ she says, as if this is... Rare? Or like she doesn't entirely believe that sincerity would sway people more than numbers. ]

[tothemaxwell]

Is it? Good.

I find that interesting people attract like company.

[specialdog]

And is that what you want? More and more interesting people?

[tothemaxwell]

I certainly wouldn't say no!

[specialdog]

Sounds exhausting...!

[tothemaxwell]

Ha ha. It certainly can be.

But I think that's what keeps a life interesting.

[specialdog]

I would rather have things go smoothly than be interesting.

[ Like... she'd rather have people just agree with her blindly??? Yeah. ]

[tothemaxwell]

Really? I suppose going smoothly is the ideal course of action—but realistically, I find that things very rarely go as planned!

Perhaps I have begun to cherish the "interesting" moments based on that?

[specialdog]

... You're right. It's not realistic.

[ Which she looks weirdly annoyed by as she averts her eyes? That shouldn't be a big deal. ]

That just makes me want it more.

[tothemaxwell]

I don't think it's terrible to want things to proceed in an event-free manner.

In fact, isn't that what most humans claim to desire? A trouble-free lifestyle?

[specialdog]

But everyone's vision of that is different, so there's always going to be conflict.

So it just becomes about deciding who is worthy of not experiencing that conflict.

[tothemaxwell]

[There's a pause—and she smiles again, roses in her cheeks.]

You're correct.

And what is your vision, Akane?

[specialdog]

[ Akane laughs, which makes it hard to say if she's just kidding or being serious, here. ]

My vision is to be the one who doesn't have to go through any conflict.

[tothemaxwell]

A nice, peaceful life, is it?

I'm not entirely certain how possible that is, here...

[specialdog]

I think the best I can hope for is to survive this, and achieve that peace somewhere else.

[tothemaxwell]

I think "survival" is a good place to start.

[...]

Still, I would not want to live with corruption inside of me.

[specialdog]

Why not?

[ ???? kind of an alarming question but okay ]

[tothemaxwell]

I would not wish to endanger those around me, or risk the spread of corruption.

If it were possible, I'd take my own life.

[specialdog]

What if you could control it or suppress it or something? You never know.

[tothemaxwell]

Suppression? No. I would wish to end it.

Control does not appeal either, unless I could control its destruction. I have no interest in being a vessel of darkness to any degree.

[specialdog]

A bunch of people here keep talking about how everybody has some darkness in them. So how do you know when it's too much, or when it's the corruption?

[tothemaxwell]

Naturally. Everyone has their own darkness within them—what is the saying? "There can be no shadow without light".

In the current climate, I would say it is quite easy. When you begin attempting murder, darkness has overtaken your heart.