pc catchall for shess (nonbelligerent)

[foodbin]

Comments

[foodbin]

[She listens to all of that, and while she doesn't look too pleased about much of it, she follows up with a question first.]

If your people don't die naturally, why did you mention that you've witnessed constant death?

[nonbelligerent]

Do humans only die from illness or aging?

[not a genuine question; he knows very well the answer is no. which is the point.]

[foodbin]

No, but most of us wouldn't say we saw people die that often, either. At least not the people around us.

[nonbelligerent]

Yes.

[he smiles, just a tad.]

That's one of humans' strengths. Though you may not be above killing, you can still acknowledge it as something to be avoided. You hold that value for each other's lives.

[foodbin]

[Her expression grows hard to read as she glances away, pausing for a second.]

Yeah. Most of us do, at least. [...] Would you say that's different for most of the people where you're from?

[nonbelligerent]

[ha...]

Very, very different. I don't particularly wish to get into details, as it'll do me no good in this place, but there is a reason why, for all of humans' flaws and the lack of love I have for gods, both races view us as the "evil" ones.

Let's just say that while I like humans and prefer to avoid conflict—which is why I'm even allowed to reside in a human city—those qualities are not typical for my kind.

[foodbin]

[Hm. While she tried to take the last details in stride, it's not difficult to tell from her expression how this piece of news seems to strike her differently.

After a moment:]

...You were right. Can we talk about something else?

[nonbelligerent]

[told you.

though emma's own reaction seems to make shess uncomfortable.]

I apologize. What would you like to talk about?

[foodbin]

[She waves a hand, as if to negate that apology.]

It's not you. But... [Hm.] Do you think that'll make it easier here for you? That you're more used to people dying.

[nonbelligerent]

[it's hard not to worry that it's him, but he'll let it slide.]

That's a difficult question to answer preemptively. As I said, it's not like I don't understand grief. And truth be told, I consider myself protective of those I care about.

However, perhaps. Still, there are those here who have their own ways of reacting to death or processing their emotions. This early into things, I wouldn't know how I compare to others.

[foodbin]

[Something about that, at least, seems to ease some of the lingering tension in her body language.]

Seems like it'll be pretty rough for all of us until we can find a way to stop this. Even if it's a little different, you don't have to count yourself out of that.

[nonbelligerent]

[he tilts his head and smiles.]

Thank you, Emma. That's kind of you.

[foodbin]

[A small shrug.]

I would've said it's just common sense.

[nonbelligerent]

Common sense isn't very common.

[foodbin]

[A short laugh.]

Yeah, you can say that again.

[nonbelligerent]

So take a little more pride in your virtues. They can be hard to hold onto.

[foodbin]

[...]

It feels kind of weird to be complimented just because I'm not acting like an idiot. Shouldn't that be, like, a baseline?

[nonbelligerent]

Do you know such few idiots?

[foodbin]

I make it a point to not hang around them, so yes?

[nonbelligerent]

[he lets out a silent chuckle.]

Unfortunately, that option isn't always available.

[foodbin]

Not with that attitude.

[nonbelligerent]

It's for the greater good.

[foodbin]

Yeah? How so?

[nonbelligerent]

That was a bit of a joke... but it can be meant seriously too.

My clan is neutral, so you could say I sometimes find myself in a mediator position.

[foodbin]

Sorry. It's hard to tell, with the tablet.

[She tilts her head, though. It's hard to fit in 'neutral' with the other things he's told her about them.]

Neutral how?