asgardeventide | Seven ★ Video

[It's assumed that Draco is around somewhere despite not being on camera immediately, judging by the fact that when the feed starts travelers are greeted with a nice view of a bedroom wall absolutely covered in diagrams, charts, graphs, drawings and notes. Literally every square inch of the wall above the bed is covered in paper marked with random colored pens. It's assumed the rest of the room is set the same way. In the background, anyone listening can hear a coffee maker brewing a new pot.

War's never been one of Draco's favorite things, but the battles in Asgard have made him think of his home world and the situation he's in. He hates thinking about it, but he's started dissecting everything he knows…hence some of the charts that are overlaying some older charts. When Draco begins to speak, he's still out of the line of vision, if only because he can't exactly face the city just yet.]

…I know this man at home who's trying to, more or less, recreate the entire world. A perfect world where everyone's exactly the same and everyone who's considered less than worthy is punished severely if they're not outright killed immediately. [This is bad. This is a bad idea to be bringing this up, but Draco's full of bad ideas and bad decisions lately.] Actually, his favorite method is to torture them severely before sparing them and then murdering them with a flick of the wrist.

But the thing is, despite the fact he's more or less a slit-nosed homicidal freak, he has a large following. Many follow him out of fear, but there are just as many who follow out of loyalty. There are many people who actually, genuinely believe our world will be better if we follow his plan for destruction and reconstruction. It's messy and violent, and yet they go along with it anyway. Funny how that works, isn't it? One has to wonder why. [It's probably for the best that Voldemort's not around to hear that one of his servants is basically disregarding everything he's been taught. But after his last conversation with Jade? Maybe he really doesn't have to be constantly fearing for his life...maybe just every other day.

Let's get to the point, shall we? His hand appears in the frame of video and he's pinning a fresh piece of paper to the wall above the bed. He soon takes out a pen and in a neat, elegant scrawl writes something on the top of the page.

The art of persuasion and manipulation

His hand hovers in midair for a moment before he withdraws it.]

What is the fine line between persuading people and manipulating them? And, as a bonus question, what is the fine line between safety and fear? Sometimes I have to wonder if the rulers of this world aren't any different, what with having to do their bidding without even asking us. And yet we do it anyway because we're told it's better this way. [He knows it's a stretch, but it's still a valid point in his opinion.] As you can see, I've plenty of room on the paper so give me something worth writing.

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[~~Probably because she was thinking more of a the fear aspect than the pride aspect. Freudian slip--~~]

What would you suggest?

[On the other hand, she's made him think. And he's not sure what to think or what to settle on.]

Defeat, maybe.

Mm. I suppose you could call it that. Accepting defeat is important in making things right... if you learn from it.

And for those who don't?

... Well, that wouldn't do them any good. It depends how you choose to accept it, I think. If you accept defeat in your own heart but refuse to admit it to anyone else, or to let it change your actions, you'll just keep doing the wrong thing. If you accept it but also let it paralyze you, or make you stop trying to handle the situation at all, that's not good, either. But if you accept what you've done wrong and seek to change your ways and set things right, then it can be a valuable experience, one that helps you find the best path for you and others.

Maybe some day those who are following him in my world will be able to accept that they may be doing the wrong thing. However, I don't foresee that day coming until they either wind up in Azkaban and are tortured beyond belief, or until the impending threat of death isn't hanging over their heads.

[She's quiet a moment.]

Maybe. But-- you're probably correct. Even when you do know that what you've done is wrong, doing the right thing despite the fact that it might cost you your life is... hard.

[Though she says it simply, she says it from experience, and that leaks into her voice. She's quick to move on for that very reason.]

Not everyone is strong enough to do it.

[Or heartless enough--]

It's... sad. I'm sorry that you and your world have had to go through that.

[He's picked up on that, but he's a decent enough person not to needle and pry. Especially since it would mean probably having to elaborate himself.]

Suppose that's why all of the worlds have much stronger people than those who are weak. As a balance.

...we more or less brought it upon ourselves, I think. This is our second world war. He knew what he was doing and he knew he could come back and strike again. There was a false sense of security for over a decade because people were too stupid to be on guard.

[It would likely be a rather uncomfortable conversation all around.]

That does make sense. Things would probably be much worse for everyone if it wasn't that way. ... Huh. It makes me wonder if there is a world out there where everyone is like that. [There are so many, after all.] It doesn't sound like it would be a very nice place to live. [Assuming one even could.]

... Then-- I'm sorry for that, too. Fear can do that to people, too, I think - they're afraid of the truth, so they deny it. [She shakes her head.] I guess I understand, but-- that must have been frustrating for anyone who was on guard. [It's frustrating just thinking about it.]

I'm sure there is. I'd like to find it someday, just to see what it's like.

[A slightly bitter laugh. Yeah, that's exactly what the Ministry did, isn't it? They denied it for well over a year.] I'm not sure if there were many who were prepared for this...my family had assumed he'd disappeared, but other parts of my family remained loyal to him no matter what. And the others who were on guard are dead by now.

But this isn't about my world. This is about getting hypothetical, generic answers to be applied and see if there's a pattern among the way people think and among the worlds themselves.

Mm. I sure it would be an... interesting experience. [Not in a pleasant sort of way, necessarily.]

[She starts a reflexive 'what?' at the mention of his family being loyal to such a person, but stops herself. ... Well, she never has been one to assume someone is... much of anything, really, based on what some members of their family may or may not do, and she's not about to start now.] --....

-- Right, of course. [Moving on, then. The other part is duly noted and filed away.] ... If you don't mind my asking, what brought this on?

I'll let you know if I ever find it.

[Of course. He's aware that he's putting himself in jeopardy by blatantly talking about all of this, but it had to be done.]

Just thinking I suppose. As you can see, it can prove to be quite dangerous. I figured I ought to at least have some idea of what others think, see if it can help me with some of my theories and techniques.

Thank you. I'd like to hear what you learn, if you do find it.

[Well, as confidantes go, she's an excellent choice.]

It can. [She musters a smile, but it's only a weak amusement. Such things hit just a little too close to home, given the subjects of their discussion. At that last part, she pauses, the silence heavy for just a moment, then,] Draco--....

... Those sorts of things have their place. But-- you have to remember what that place is. [Not that she's accusing him of going about manipulating people left and right, it's just a precarious topic.] If you do choose to use those techniques... please-- don't lose yourself in them.

Believe me, you'll most certainly be one of the first I share my notes with.

[A pause. It was a precarious topic, indeed, and it was one he knew he had to be careful about.]

...yeah. Yeah, I know. It'll be fine, trust me. I don't plan on murdering anyone I don't have to, etcetera, etcetera.

[-- Hah.] I'm honored you would think of me. [Even if it'd likely be a rather sad conversation; it's hard to imagine a world like that doing well at all. But it's worth studying, isn't it?]

[She really hopes at least one of those 'etcetera's involves not manipulating anyone he doesn't have to, as well.]

... Okay. Thank you, Draco. [For the reassurance and, hopefully, his good behavior.] I'm sure you can find a good way to handle this.

Edited 2012-11-25 20:37 (UTC)

I'm surprised you're surprised. You seem the type to actually appreciate the information, considering.

[...a good way, huh?] We'll see.

I would, yes. I guess I'm just not used to being considered. [She says it with no bitterness whatsoever, nor much weight at all; it's too matter-of-fact for that.] It's very thoughtful of you.

I'll be cheering for you. [That's the way to say it, right?]

Just don't tell anyone I'm thoughtful, okay? No need to spread that rumor around.

...thanks, Naminé. Really.

Hee. Of course. My lips are sealed.

... You're welcome, Draco. I'm always glad to help you.

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