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The population seems to have suddenly increased recently, and I do not mean of the locals. [There's a hint of curiosity as well as slight concern in his voice when that's said. It looks to him that these Gods are getting more outside help and he almost has to wonder if it's really justifiable to bring in more people for their assumed cause. He understands the whole "strength in numbers" approach but when more than half of them don't understand what it is they need to do, it's just a little frustrating.]

Though it's rather pointless, I apologize for those of you that are new and expecting explanations on how to return home from those of us that have been here longer. The only real key to that seems to be our task of returning color and life to this world. The first wave of newcomers may only offer so many answers, though at least this might make it a little easier for a larger group approach at understanding our situation better.

But, I have a question, for anyone that is willing to answer it. It's hardly mandatory. We've all basically been assigned as "heroes" of this land, to assist the Gods and locals in a troubled and difficult time. If you were actually given the choice to say yes or no to their plea, what would be your response? [Just before he's about to end his question there, he decides to tack on a little something extra.] --not just in this case. Would you ever choose to be some kind of hero?

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Mmhm. And someone who says 'yes' is a hero, and someone who says 'no' isn't?

That all really depends on what your personal definition of a hero is. Even with that, a hero could very well say 'no', just as someone who doesn't consider themselves a hero could say 'yes'.

So in essence, no matter how you answer the question, it really isn't indicative of anything.

That's certainly a way to look at it, yes. It's rather easy to fall into a pattern of over-thinking a simple answer and losing track of what you were talking about in the first place. Probably why it's something not everyone does.

Maybe. Are you tallying the answers?

Personally, I haven't decided. But I most likely won't. It's merely something I wished to hear about from other residents.

It seems a bit unfair to pose it as a question without revealing your own thoughts on the matter.

[...]

That's true, yes. I feel rather guilty now.

Edited 2012-01-17 07:30 (UTC)

[ ... huh. ]

What's your take on it?

Originally, I admittedly had a rather straight-forward opinion on what it meant to be a hero and what exactly the main motivation to work under should be. However with time that's... changed. If I was confronted with this situation, I would say yes, though that would be regardless of the change in my views. However at this point... [He takes a moment to figure out what he wishes to say here.] When you understand the selflessness of a hero and realize you're just as capable of the same thing, to care for others for no other reason than wanting to, then I could not be more content with my answer than I now am.

As to whether I would personally choose to ever become a hero... I've actually answered that question for myself already. [Of course that was due to certain circumstances but there's details here that he'd rather not share.]

[ ... it's an honest enough of an answer, and he respects omitted details and unshared secrets. it's not as though he were looking for a life-story-- just fairness. the answer is more than adequate. there's a thoughtful pause on the other end. ]

I don't think I would.

[ his answer to the question. ]

It isn't for everyone. [about as good of a response as he can answer with, which seems to be the most honest one. even now he still somewhat questions his reasoning for continuing to be a hero but this isn't exactly the right place to be doing so]

Though I suppose the more fortunate thing is the fact that there is usually someone willing to say yes, for the right reasons.

[ he thinks the response is interesting-- though possibly for reasons that are readily apparent. he'll file away that thought for a later time, though. ]

I'd agree on principle, but for one point-- the right reason for whom?

If there's heroism, there will always be those caught on the opposing side.

Ah, yes. I'm aware of that. What I mean is... from my own experience, there are instances where heroes aren't as ideal or selfless as they're intended or shown to be. [Basically exactly how Barnaby was when he first started.] Someone that takes advantage of the popularity for their own personal gain or sees the whole thing as nothing more than a burden that they're forced to deal with due to some sort of circumstances.

[ he thinks on this for a moment. then, perhaps a little bitterly: ] But not only that-- is the other side is always as wrong as people tend to make them out to be? The heroes are not always right: it should follow that the villains aren't always wrong.

[there's no real outward reaction at the sudden shift in his tone, though Barnaby's face changes slightly to a more stoic appearance (against his better judgement mostly).]

I won't debate this as I'm sure there are instances to prove it, however I've yet to meet a so-called "villain" who was fond of good deeds, more-so than a hero.

[all he has experience with is typical bad villains and wolves in sheep's clothing, and all of those experiences have not been something he'd like to re-evaluate as them just being "misunderstood individuals".]

[ ... there's tension, here. this conversation is dipping into personal territories-- but there's also a release of all that pent-up bitterness that was barely alleviated by his death. in his world, he's a villain for merely existing, and everyone who's sent out to kill him and his peers are hailed as the heroes. the black and white of it all... it rubs him the wrong way, just a little. ]

And what happens when you meet one?

...there's a first time for many things.

[as bad as his experiences have been in the past with people that have been painted with a negative brush right from the very beginning to those who were seen to have been almost nothing but saints, Barnaby at least knows better than to judge right off the bat. he did that once before with an old man that seemed to do nothing but irritate him and want to ruin his personal life, yet now he can't imagine why he let himself push Kotetsu away for so long just for being different]

I would like to hope that if they deserve to be seen as what they truly are, I'd be capable of doing so-- and if not me then someone else. I'm hardly the best judge of character, I admit to that.

[ . . . it sounds hopeful, it really does. and he thinks that he's learned hope after all these years of doing what-- running away from that hope? but it's still probably too soon to hope too much from this. therefore, he can't afford to hope that perhaps this is an attitude that the people here are willing to take. he exhales. ]

For your sake and theirs, I'd hope as well.

Do you have a name?

[Barnaby's thoughts trail off for the briefest of moments but he snaps right back to attention, offering a small smile and a nod.]

Barnaby Brooks, Jr. I apologize for not introducing myself sooner, or if our discussion was a bit... difficult to deal with. I should try to begin with a much lighter question next time.

There's no need to apologize for an interesting question. A discussion isn't fun without both sides of an issue. [ a pause. ] I'm Kanone.

Do you make it a habit of asking these questions?

No, I can't say that would prove to be much of a discussion at all. But it's nice to meet you, Kanone.

Not exactly, no. This is just something I began thinking about recently-- though I've, dealt with this question my own before. [He might have spent about a year back home dwelling on this whole hero thing actually, among other things. Life introspection and all. The only reason he'd forgotten about it until now is because it's hard to dwell on your own life problems when you need to figure out how to manage being kidnapped and tossed into a whole other world. He didn't come alone either which just adds a whole other aspect to get caught up in.]

[ ... it sounds like this question is rather personal, then. he can sympathize with that, a little-- he has questions of his own that he's been asking all his life, more or less. but he's not sure if he'd have the prerogative to ask the people as a whole for different answers-- and herein lies the difference, he thinks.

the other person might be admirable for being able to do so. ]

It's a good question. Did you learn something new, from listening to everyone else's answers?

Nothing new actually. Perhaps answers I wasn't exactly sure I'd actually hear being spoken but, nothing that took me by surprise.

However it made me think about my own answer as well, and perhaps that's what I needed the most. To know that these sorts of questions don't need to be dwelled upon too deeply.

voice.

bloodyperky - 2012-01-29 03:44 (UTC) - Expand

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