[A while after the trial concludes, Emma heads towards the library. While all her searches through the books thus far haven't given her any useful information, she hopes maybe something new will stick out to her with all the new information they've gathered over the past few days.
As she sees Milla, though, she glances her way for a few moments before speaking up.]
I understand your hopes. I have met many in the library attempting to do the same—to limited degrees of success, depending on their definition of "helpful".
[At the question, she chuckles.]
You already have. But if I were to guess at the contents, is it concerning the trial?
I see. So this "exorcism" is a form of casting out an unwanted entity? [huh.]
I do not, but I am definitely interested. If it is something within my power, I would be keen to give it a try. Anything to potentially improve on our circumstances is worth the effort.
As for what I would do with such information, I suppose I would simply be able to speak openly with the people who are already aware regarding it, and further use it to inform my own decisions and assistance of people.
Do you see me as the sort of person who cannot be shown shades of grey, Emma?
Considering the fact you said just yesterday that you'd rather kill the person who went after him than Akane, who apparently murdered someone because they were mean to her... Yeah, I'm a little hesitant to think you're as calm about this as you seem.
[Milla is nodding in agreement. Emma's not exactly speaking nonsense, here.]
Well remembered. However, there is a slight difference—what I believe I said is that I'd prefer Julius' murderer to die in her stead—not that I would be the one executing it. It was a combination of phrasing, to soothe Akane's mindstate and encourage her ongoing assistance in the trial, and a kernel of truthfulness.
Which is better? The murderer who kills for their own goals and confesses, or the one who kills for their goals, and hides it? I only know my own opinion on the matter pertaining to this situation. But by not revealing your involvement, you made sure that public opinion did not weigh in on the matter—a stacked deck from the beginning against Akane.
What Akane did was morally deplorable by human standards, and ultimately, she knew the price she would pay for it eventually. Moreover, if Valvatorez had not volunteered first on speaking with her, I would have taken care of Akane in Lune's stead myself.
[There's a pause, and she casts Emma a sympathetic look.]
This is a complicated place to form and carry out moral opinions. People die weekly, we have nine hours to decide the fate of one of our number, and the dead speak after. Both of us, and neither of us, are right.
I'd say that the one that's better is the one that knew for a fact their victim was corrupted, that we didn't have any more purification items, and that there was no other way to make sure he wasn't going to go after someone else.
[She sighs.]
You know, as opposed to shooting someone and breaking them into pieces because she got her feelings hurt. But please, continue to tell me how you think I was worse.
On Monday, Lea plans to speak to everyone about the issue of the corruption, and our potentially approaching ultimatum. Sol recommended he speak to me about it.
When I spoke to Sol, we discussed the issue of the core, and how it is yet a child, newly-born, being nurtured on our positive or negative actions. As such, positive efforts and trust are important to be cultivated. Rather than hiding our actions, I feel it would genuinely be best to be forthright with them. I believe this would result in a mutual respect and trust amongst those remaining.
I will leave it in your hands, then, and I do hope you will consider it sincerely. My actions are borne of no ill will towards you, or your partner—simply as a way for all of us to move forward together.
[there's a pause.]
...And I am open to speaking of my memory, if you would allow me to ask of yours.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week zero, post trial.
As she sees Milla, though, she glances her way for a few moments before speaking up.]
Hey there.
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Hello. Emma, wasn't it?
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Were you looking for something in particular?
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[...]
But now that you're here, can I ask something?
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[At the question, she chuckles.]
You already have. But if I were to guess at the contents, is it concerning the trial?
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Kind of. The first time we talked, you mentioned something about divine spirits, right?
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Was there something in particular you wanted to follow up with?
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[All the same, she continues:]
Do you know anything about exorcism?
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[She blinks, attempting to place the word.]
I don't believe so. What does it entail?
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...I don't really know. I was hoping you might, since you talked about spirits, and - well. You know what's been happening, obviously.
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[...]
I can only glean from what you're suggesting, but... is exorcism something to do with fighting the darkness we've been encountering inside people?
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[She shrugs.]
I wondered if it might be something you knew more about.
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I do not, but I am definitely interested. If it is something within my power, I would be keen to give it a try. Anything to potentially improve on our circumstances is worth the effort.
WEEK 6, SUNDAY EVENING
Milla has found you now
her face looks real serious--
--until she sees Emma, and brightens up.]
Oh, there you are.
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What’s up?
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[as direct as ever]
I assure you, it will have no negative consequences, even if you refuse to tell me.
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Who told you?
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There is limited options remaining, after all.
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You said no negative consequences, but what would you do with that information if I gave it to you?
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As for what I would do with such information, I suppose I would simply be able to speak openly with the people who are already aware regarding it, and further use it to inform my own decisions and assistance of people.
Do you see me as the sort of person who cannot be shown shades of grey, Emma?
[
was that a porn book joke]
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MORALITY GARBAGE
Well remembered. However, there is a slight difference—what I believe I said is that I'd prefer Julius' murderer to die in her stead—not that I would be the one executing it. It was a combination of phrasing, to soothe Akane's mindstate and encourage her ongoing assistance in the trial, and a kernel of truthfulness.
Which is better? The murderer who kills for their own goals and confesses, or the one who kills for their goals, and hides it? I only know my own opinion on the matter pertaining to this situation. But by not revealing your involvement, you made sure that public opinion did not weigh in on the matter—a stacked deck from the beginning against Akane.
What Akane did was morally deplorable by human standards, and ultimately, she knew the price she would pay for it eventually. Moreover, if Valvatorez had not volunteered first on speaking with her, I would have taken care of Akane in Lune's stead myself.
[There's a pause, and she casts Emma a sympathetic look.]
This is a complicated place to form and carry out moral opinions. People die weekly, we have nine hours to decide the fate of one of our number, and the dead speak after. Both of us, and neither of us, are right.
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[She sighs.]
You know, as opposed to shooting someone and breaking them into pieces because she got her feelings hurt. But please, continue to tell me how you think I was worse.
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[But anyways.]
The other person - that isn't my secret to tell. It's one thing if you ask them and they tell you themselves, but...
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But for what it's worth, I respect your decision.
[anyway.]
I understand.
In that case, will you announce your part in Julius' death on Monday?
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[She sighs.]
There are a few more people I trust that I can approach privately to tell them.
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When I spoke to Sol, we discussed the issue of the core, and how it is yet a child, newly-born, being nurtured on our positive or negative actions. As such, positive efforts and trust are important to be cultivated. Rather than hiding our actions, I feel it would genuinely be best to be forthright with them. I believe this would result in a mutual respect and trust amongst those remaining.
I would gladly support you in this endeavor.
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...I'll have to talk to the person I was working with. I don't want to lose their trust, either.
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I will leave it in your hands, then, and I do hope you will consider it sincerely. My actions are borne of no ill will towards you, or your partner—simply as a way for all of us to move forward together.
[there's a pause.]
...And I am open to speaking of my memory, if you would allow me to ask of yours.
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[She blinks, then nods.]
It's kind of hard to know where to start. I can't really say I understood... basically anything that was going on.
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What were you riding in? Were you flying in the sky?
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And then you were attacked, the "helicoptor" crashed, and you were gravely injured.
Were you able to survive such a dire situation?
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That particular part of the situation, or the situation as a whole?
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Both, I suppose. It seemed rather dire, considering the person in charge of the vessel tried to kill you.
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A war?
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Yes. I learned of them recently.