FOURTH CURSE: video

[cawsforalarm]

[When the video turns on, viewers are presented with a Henry surrounded by leaves, with the summer sun peeking in through the branches -- seems he's decided to climb a tree for this broadcast, or maybe he was just chilling here anyway. In either case, the expression on his face is uncharacteristically somber.]

Heya. So... this is going to be, like, Serious Business Time. [He glances off somewhere into the foliage. Honestly, it seems like he's not totally comfortable with the idea of Serious Business Time himself.] I've been kinda mulling stuff over, and I wanna hear all your responses! [The smile flickers back for a couple of seconds, but it's gone just as fast.]

What do you think makes someone a bad person? I mean, just for you, like I said. ...Traits or whatever are fine.

…

Yep.

[And that’s how the video ends.]

Comments

[islandshore]

[Henry? Serious business? That's a first, and it might be just a teensy bit concerning. Riku takes a few moments to puzzle over a response. He knows Henry's big on murder, so that might be a sore spot. He's not totally sure...

When the feed clicks on, he stares into the camera with a sharp, focused gaze and one hand below his chin.]

Hmm... I think it mostly boils down to intent. Good and bad are tricky because they're labels that ignore why people do what they do. I'm sure everyone feels justified, even when they go out on wild killing sprees, starting wars, or stealing...

If they do it specifically to harm others, that's when things start to get dicey.

[video, private]

[cawsforalarm]

[Not even worth beating around the bush with this one. Riku knows way too much about him. Henry looks away from the camera for a few moments, grimacing; pretty much the same response as everyone else.]

Yeah, uh, I think you already know whether it's specifically to harm others or not.

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[islandshore]

I don't think you're a bad person.

[It's said bluntly. He doesn't agree with Henry's mindset, but at the same time...]

I just don't get how you can take pleasure in stuff like that. It's not something I really understand.

[And it is worrying, though that goes unsaid. It's just too far beyond his moral code.]

[video, private]

[cawsforalarm]

[ ... ]

[blink blink]

--Seriously?

[???????]

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[islandshore]

Yeah.

[He heaves a sigh, rubbing his neck. It's... awkward, because by all means, he should think ill of Henry for his blatant love of murder, yet he doesn't.]

I've talked to you enough to know there's more to you than just killing. Doesn't mean I approve, but it's not like you've gone as far as some people here.

[video, private]

[cawsforalarm]

[Henry gives him a sardonic sort of grin.]

How 'bout back home? That stuff wasn't all talk, what I've been saying this whole time.

[video, private]

[islandshore]

[He's... got a point, and it's enough to make him falter momentarily. Yet, at the same time:]

The fact that you're questioning it at all shows that you at least understand the problem, though. I think someone who was really bad wouldn't give it a second thought.

[video, private]

[cawsforalarm]

[His gaze drops down, away from the camera.]

That doesn't make it any easier to swallow, though.

[video, private]

[islandshore]

Hmm... Guess not.

[It's complex. Changing one's views isn't easy, either; it requires compromise and admitting one's faults.]

What exactly do you want to gain from all this, anyway?

[video, private]

[cawsforalarm]

Gain from it?

[Uhh...]

I don't know. It just seemed like a good idea at the time.

[video, private]

[islandshore]

Hmm. I guess what I mean is... Do you think you're a bad person?

[And if not, is he seeking validation?]

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[cawsforalarm]

All signs point to yes?

[He hasn't really thought about it until now, and everyone seems to agree that yes, he is a bad person.]

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[islandshore]

Hmm. So, what do you plan to do about it? If you really think you're messed up, do you plan to stick to your guns?

[His tone's neutral and his face relaxed. He's withholding judgment here; it's not his decision to make.]

[video, private]

[cawsforalarm]

Stick to my... huh? What's that supposed to mean?

[Guess who's never heard that turn of phrase before. Guns weren't even a thing in Ylisse.]

[video, private]

[islandshore]

[He doesn't know what--

Give Riku a second while he pinches the bridge of his nose, shuts his eyes, and reminds himself that not everyone has modern weapons.

Right...]

I mean... Do you plan to keep to old habits even with all the people on your case?

[video, private]

[cawsforalarm]

Well, people aren't actually on my case, 'cause I haven't actually killed anybody yet? [Except for those Team Magma and Aqua grunts. That was a fun week... WAIT NO HENRY STOP] It's kind of hard to do that when nobody dies.

[video, private]

[islandshore]

But do you wish you could? And if people could die here, would you still go for it ?

[That's the important part. It'd help determine just how "bad" he really is, in light of his discussions.]