pc catchall for shess (nonbelligerent)

[foodbin]

Comments

[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?

[nonbelligerent]

For one, we're neutral among other clans. We have no explicit enemies, but we also have no alliances to protect ourselves with.

We're also neutral in the conflict with other races. Therefore, I can act as a go-between them and others of my kind, who would run the risk of being attacked on sight.

[foodbin]

...If most of them would be attacked on sight, I'm not really getting neutral vibes.