imeeji_frontstage | (no subject)

[Takes a seat next to the one Lucifel is currently collapsed upon, waiting for him to get up again]

[ he's just staring up at the ceiling so eventually he will notice him

without moving, ]

. . . Intensity-sama.

That's got to cause one hell of a headache.

. . . On the contrary, it feels as though my head has cleared.

Oh? How so?

I know what "the bigger picture" is, now.

[ with a pause ]

Who I was, what I was trying to do - what my "wish" is . . . Everything like that. It's clearer, now.

Is that different from the wish you had before?

[ offering his hands up to the air with an expansive gesture ]

It seems I was too narrow-minded. It is relatively the same, but the scope is much larger than what I had initially assumed.

. . .

How much larger?

Even if people here were to prosper, human nature persists.

And is there a problem with human nature?

. . . Even the kindest person can be beyond cruel. Even the gentlest person will abandon someone in need, under the right conditions.

Is it not necessarily their fault? Perhaps not. But such situations come about due to the cruelty of other humans - due to selfish desire with the willingness to be complicit to suffering. It only takes one person to start the effect, and then everyone is both an assailant and a victim.

. . . I had foolishly thought that people here might not be such, but I was wrong on that front as well.

So what? You've come to the conclusion that people are not worth being saved?

Oh, heavens no. I couldn't give up on people like that - I love everyone too much.

You love everyone...? But disagree with their nature.

That's right.

So what do you love about them?

. . . When they are kind, they're wonderful. When they are earnest, trying their best - when they work together to overcome their struggles. When they are challenged with hardship, they may become stronger and forge deep bonds.

[ despite everything, sounding hopelessly fond ]

Humans are pitiful, but they are also wonderful.

. . .So you only love them when they're good.

Loving someone when they are good is different from loving someone because they are good, or capable of being such.

[ glancing over to him now ]

Hate the sin, not the sinner - as they say. Can the two feelings not coexist, besides? Can you not hate and love at the same time?

[Good. Because he's looking straight at Lucifel, expression neutral with just a bit of.

Concern.

Yes, let's go with that]

I certainly wouldn't want to be "loved" by anyone that called me pitiful in their next breath. Makes it sound like I'm a pet project. Or worse, just a fucking pet.

. . . Is that so. . .

Until just a little bit ago, I didn't think it was the same here. But can you not say it is pitiful? Humans will hate each other for little to no reason and kill each other. Humanity's progress is stifled by humans themselves, as they repeat cruelties again and again. As if reducing history to nothing they repeat it, and then repeat it again. Famine, war, corruption, discrimination -

The people who suffer it are pitiful. The people who create it are pitiful. The people who would stand by and watch while mourning and laughing are pitiful.

...

Perhaps it would be easier if I did just give up on humans.

You see pitiful. I see flawed. But maybe those two words are one in the same.

Do you count yourself among the pitiful? Or did dressing up as Santa's mentor elf help bring you enlightenment?

Of course I am pitiful. Of course I am flawed.

Not everyone can so easily, so naturally become a Saint.

Then give up on humans if it's too much for you.

But I'm going to be really pissed off if this also extends to giving up on yourself.