09. Nonus | Video

[5thchild]

[ Kaworu shows up to the network with his familiar smile. What isn’t familiar, it’s his plugsuit and the headset (it’s better than showing up naked). He is currently in front of the castle, which means he is back from his canon update. ]

Hello. I have been in Asgard before, but I’m not sure how long it has been since I left. [ or who is around ] I’m still in Sigyn House and I still have my healing power. [ since he can’t grow anything, by exclusion, he gets the Healing ]

[ there is a pause, as he looks around, perhaps trying to figure out where to go. In the end, he heads towards Odin District, turning to the bracelet one last time and smiling brightly ] It’s good to be back.

[ he does like this place, a lot. And with a smile, he finally turns off the video ]

Comments

[Video]

[5thchild]

Why are you?

[Video]

[saving_sound]

He's a spy, so... They might do bad things to him for punishment.

But I don't... want that.

[Video]

[5thchild]

Even though he wanted to do bad things to you?

[Video]

[saving_sound]

...Mm. Even though he wanted to do bad things.

He might have a reason for it, or... Or, even if he doesn't... I don't think hurting him will make things better.

[Video]

[5thchild]

Hm. Perhaps.

What do you think it should be done, then?

[Video]

[saving_sound]

If he's just locked up... He can't cause any more trouble, but people won't hurt him, right?

[Video]

[5thchild]

I'm sorry, Hibiki. I don't know.

People are afraid. For themselves and for the people they love. While such may not justify everything, to them it will justify their actions, whatever they might be.

[Video]

[saving_sound]

I just... wish there was a way where nobody got hurt at all.

[Video]

[5thchild]

[ Kaworu nods softly ]

I understand. But people will always get hurt, Hibiki.

[Video]

[saving_sound]

...

Why does it... have to be that way?

[Video]

[5thchild]

Such is the human condition.

But also because this is a war.

[Video]

[saving_sound]

Human condition...?

So then... i-is that why, even when the war's over, people still hurt each other?

[Video]

[5thchild]

People - humans - are individuals. You see each other individually too. Your individuality, your differences, clash with one another.

You hold your own beliefs and they go against what other person believes. And thus it may cause conflict.

[Video]

[saving_sound]

But why do people have to hurt each other over it...?

[Video]

[5thchild]

It's unavoidable. People will always hurt each other, be it on purpose or not.

It's the hedgehog's dilemma.

[Video]

[saving_sound]

Hedgehog's... dilemma?

[Video]

[5thchild]

It's an analogy about the challenges of human intimacy.

A group of hedgehogs seek to become close to one another in order to share heat during cold weather. However, they must remain apart, as they cannot avoid hurting one another with their sharp spines. Though they all share the intention of a close reciprocal relationship, this may not occur for reasons they cannot avoid.

[Video]

[saving_sound]

Intimi-- Recipor...?

[Those are complicated sounding words. But she gets the gist... she thinks?]

So... the hedgehogs can't get close to each other, no matter what?

[Video]

[5thchild]

They can, but they will eventually hurt each other. So they must decide if it's worth it becoming close and sharing warmth during the cold in order to live well yet getting hurt in the process, or if it's better to not get hurt ever and thus not feel the pain, yet feel cold and lonely.

It's the same with humans.

[Video]

[saving_sound]

So either you're alone or you have to hurt?

...

[But.. she doesn't like how that sounds...]

[Video]

[5thchild]

Even if you are hurt, you can still be warm. You can still feel happiness. And that happiness can fade away the pain. While never fully erase it, you might forget the pain.

[Video]

[saving_sound]

[She thinks about it for a while, before giving a soft shake of the head.]

I don't think I get it completely, but... Just by being with someone, it's not just the warmth that can heal the pain, right? Sometimes, by meeting someone, that's exactly what heals you in the first place.

[When she met her Master... she never felt hurt by his words. And if she hadn't met him, she would have just continued to be in pain.]

[Video]

[5thchild]

[ he nods softly.

Though Kaworu meant warmth as "being with another", "bounding", "caring" or "loving". But he is fine with Hibiki's conclusion ]

Have you met someone like that?

[Video]

[saving_sound]

[She nods.]

...My Master. Up until I met him, I... was always hated.

[Video]

[5thchild]

Why?