SEVENTY TWO ✖ VOICE

[wedonot]

As surprising as this might sound- [And he's somewhere between wry and not-quite-self depreciating, but also not-quite-I don't really care how ridiculous this might sound.] I do, actually, agree with what I said in my last address to the network, even if I'm not currently operating under the delusion that I'm the 32nd President of the United States.

I say it might be surprising, but that's honestly probably just for the newcomers, because this isn't anything I haven't said before. I've been quieter about it in recent months, and I know there are people who won't agree with me, and might even be angry with me for suggesting that we have a responsibility to each other, because I know discussions of community building and learning from example often isn't a popular topic, here.

But in the wake of truly terrible events - like the ones we've witnessed recently - we have to remember that this is a place that requires all of us to meditate on our responsibility to each other and the community at large. And revenge and defeatism often isn't as productive or fulfilling as it might seem.

I know how difficult this might be for some people to hear, because God knows I've been in that place myself often enough over the last two years, but I can promise, going down that path isn't worth it. The sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be.

[Private to Chris]

[So, this is maybe a little awkward. It's not like Charles and Chris have exactly been on the best terms (or really spoken much since Charles told him not to brutally fourth wall people way back when), but he's not really good at just sitting around when he might be able to help someone.]

I'm assuming you've already been approached with quite a few viable options in terms of navigating the Barge, but I've got a motorized wheelchair Tony designed for me if you're interested. [And as if the fact that it's designed by Tony Stark isn't enough...]

It's also capable of flight.

Comments

[Private]

[mistconduct]

...What, you serious?


Tony who? And wait. The fuck?

[Private]

[wedonot]

Stark? And I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't serious.

[Private]

[mistconduct]

..You have a wheelchair designed by Tony Stark.

[Private]

[wedonot]

He was my inmate for the better part of a year, and a friend for longer than that.

I was paralyzed from the waist down for about eight months of my time here. He wanted to give me more options in an environment where a basic wheelchair might not always provide adequate mobility.

[Private]

[mistconduct]

You have a fucking wheelchair built by Tony fucking Stark.

Dude, sell that shit! You'd fucking fund whatever you wanted for like, a decade!

[Private]

[wedonot]

Money's not much of an issue for me, and I don't think it would sell for much based on his name alone where I'm from. [Since he hasn't even been born yet.]

[darknessb4me]

So you're still boring. Good to know.

I was responsible once, in case I hadn't made that clear. Vengeance was against the oaths I took to serve the Holy Light. Compassion for my enemies. The will to not give in to hatred. The understanding that when one person is harmed it harms the entire world, and more harm will not heal the wound.

It didn't make me happy, and it didn't do any good. It made everything worse, in fact. There was no justice.

[wedonot]

And did turning to vengeance solve the problem?

[darknessb4me]

It was too late by then. But it did make me feel better.

[wedonot]

And then you wound up here anyway.

[darknessb4me]

Not for a long time. I take pride in being extremely difficult to kill.

[la_belle_rogue]

It'd probably be a lot easier for folks t'accept the idea if there was a clear system in place ta deal with the level of crimes that have been happenin' around here.

[Because she's been walking the line of it herself. The only reason she chose to not take revenge on Alpha was because that wasn't who she wanted to be.]

The wronged need ta feel like somethin' is bein' done for them.

[Private]

On a completely unrelated note, Ah think Ah need ta take ya up on yer offer.

[wedonot]

I never said they didn't. Reminding people that revenge isn't the solution doesn't mean I don't understand what it feels like to be wronged by being here.

[Private]

You know I'm happy to help. Where do you want to meet?

[la_belle_rogue]

Ah know that, darlin'. Ah mean that maybe we Wardens need ta get t'gether and figure something out, so this revenge stuff can stop. We got a lotta hot heads on this boat. [Not all of them Inmates, either.]

[Private]

Somewhere private. We can do this in mah room if you're comfortable with that.

[wedonot]

And unfortunately, getting them to do anything productive makes herding cats look simple.

[Private]

That's more than fine. I'll meet you there?

[la_belle_rogue]

[She chuckles, because come on, that image is kind of funny. All the wardens as cats...nevermind.]

Unfortunately, true. But then that's pretty much any democracy.

[Private]

Sounds like a plan.

[his_drededfate]

A statement well said, if only others were to listen.

[wedonot]

I'm not exactly holding my breath. [Hello Mordred, Charles has heard a lot about you. .__. ]

[his_drededfate]

[Uh oh...]

Neither am I.

[There's a pause for a silent hum and a thin smile.]

I'm Mordred.

[wedonot]

Charles. Glad to finally meet you. I'm a friend of Morgana's.

/Sings the song of LAAAAAAAAAAAATE

[his_drededfate]

[He wonders if that's a good thing. Please don't mind the sudden defensiveness.]

You've heard of me?

[bodilesswarrior]

[A slight, weary nod.]

What we need is middle ground.

[wedonot]

And you'd think we'd have that in spades.

[bodilesswarrior]

And yet. [A soft, weary sigh, as she rests her chin on her hand.] The Admiral should have had a system in place to begin with.

[wedonot]

We could fill a fairly lengthy book with what the Admiral should have done.