video;

[bakegarasu]

[Otoha hasn't really noticed what's going on around the city. It's not like he's not usually honest about most things anyway. But tonight has him sitting on a rooftop, staring out at the city. He's asked this question before, in a different place, but he still wants answers. He's never found an answer that's satisfied him.]

Why do people think that killing people is wrong? Sometimes it's the fastest solution for a problem. Yeah, people will be sad, but they'll get over it. It's kind of a pain when people get so upset whenever it's brought up.

... Johnny, you're not allowed to answer. I know your answer.

Comments

[demifemme]

"I'm no hero either. I claim to be one but I know the humans here wouldn't think I am. Fuck I think no one here believes my shit anyway. And I think you're fucked up. But I also understand, in a way? I'm sure a whole lot of demons under my command would kill me if I ever weakened or became a problem, and I would have to kill them first."

She sighs.

"Living is so complicated. And then you die. Actually, I think death is way worse than life, so I guess a reason not to kill people is that the afterlife is shittier."

[angryyoungvamp]

See, that's one of those times even I'd say killing is justified. Someone like that has a duty to keep a city safe, not rule it with an iron fist. A lot of Princes I've seen seem to have a shaky grasp on that.

... Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're the one guy he told me was off-limits. Thanks for the offer, but I'll deal with animals.

[bakegarasu]

"I don't even really think of myself as human. I never did. I don't know. Maybe growing up in a world where death happened all the time just completely messed with my view - I really can't understand why it's a problem. I sort of wish I could so I could stop feeling so much like I don't have anywhere I belong."

... Well. That was more than he meant to say.

[bakegarasu]

True. My father - brother - whatever kept a stranglehold on his territory. He claimed he was making it safe, and sure there might have been worse bosses for the local groups, but he was a shitty leader. Probably. It's not like I really know how to tell.

... Johnny...

[It's halfway between a growl and a groan, but he doesn't sound angry - just exasperated.]

He's way too overprotective of me. It's not like I can't take care of myself.

[angryyoungvamp]

Mm. The Prince before me was like that. He forced me to kill him before I could get rid of him - and by forced, I mean he threatened to kill a bunch of innocent people if I didn't, and the condition was explicitly "kill him first". I think he believed he was doing me a favor.

[He just sighs.] It's probably a good idea if you stick with him anyway. Losing enough blood to keep two vampires fed on a regular basis would probably make you useless for anything else anyway.

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

You have to ask?!?

[Everyone's life is worth something. To Yuzu that's just common sense.]

And maybe diplomacy wouldn't end in so many dead messengers if people like you didn't kill them.

[She calms herself down and lets out a huffy sigh.]

You know what? The world isn't nice. Maybe it never was. But that doesn't mean the solution is to make things worse!

[doesasordered]

Some people see life as more than just objects for the taking.

[youonlylivethrice]

For most worlds, I assume it is a question of morality...and perhaps fear.

[bakegarasu]

My father never wanted to die. He wanted to rule over his corner of Shinjuku forever - or the entire place, whatever.

... I guess. I heal pretty fast though.

[bakegarasu]

It's not even an object. It's not even really a thing. It's a condition more than anything else.

[bakegarasu]

Yeah.

... No, someone else would kill them. Life expectancies aren't exactly super long in the yakuza, after all.

And I am making things better. I've got a new job at home, after all - it usually invovles cleaning up the scum and crime.

[bakegarasu]

Morality differs from person to person though. I grew up with death and murder not even warranting more than a few words and maybe a beer.

[angryyoungvamp]

Having one ruler forever is a nice idea assuming you can get the perfect one. But there's no such thing as a perfect ruler, and the sort of person who wants to rule forever is almost never anyone who should be in charge at all.

Not the point. And it wasn't meant as an insult. I don't know about Johnny, but a reasonable meal for me is enough to make somebody woozy.

[bakegarasu]

He wasn't fit to raise a kid, let alone rule anything with any sort of concern for someone who wasn't him.

I ended up killing him for sort of related but not totally reasons.

[angryyoungvamp]

Yeah, see, that's more typical for the sort of guy who'd want to rule forever. [Maugris is gonna go ahead and assume if Otoha's saying this there's not much harm in agreeing.]

And that's pretty typical for how it ends, too, I'm fairly sure.

[bakegarasu]

That's how it usually goes, yeah. Though I don't want his position. Hopefully without him, the group will start to collapse.

[pretty_pink_ribbon]

Whoever kills them, it's still wrong!

[Sigh...]

Have you even tried non-lethal solutions to your problems? Have you ever considered that just maybe killing people might cause more problems then it solves?

[leadthebeats]

Some people don't get over it. People get close to other people, and have feelings - emotions - over them. It may the fastest solution for certain types of problems, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best.

[angryyoungvamp]

I didn't assume you did. If it's your job to guard the city, you want to try and get rid of someone using their power in ways that are bad for it.

And you don't seem like the type to use that as an excuse for a power grab.

[bakegarasu]

Yeah, no. I don't care about power. I wasn't raised to care about it anyway. I was raised to be a tool.

[... annoyed faaaaace.]

[bakegarasu]

I was brought up to kill, not to make nice with people. I started holding a sword as soon as I physically could. So no, not really.

[bakegarasu]

Well, aren't their emotions their problem? If I don't know them or care about them, why should it matter to me?

[doesasordered]

Hnn. Do you consider your own life to be nothing more than a "condition"?

[angryyoungvamp]

That happens way too often. But once would be too often, really.

[leadthebeats]

So basically you're saying you don't give a damn about anyone's feelings and believe you can just do whatever you want with them, even if you don't know the person.