exsecutus | inbox.

From:

[ A disapproving sniff. ]

No. That's the only one, since it's the one that matters. Look - I would contend that people are awful because they learn to be awful.

From:

exsecutus

[Nikos grips so hard at his cup that his knuckles turn white. He stares down into the depth of wine still in there.

He wants to contest that statement. He wants to be cruel. Chide her for thinking idealistically, for thinking that people could be good if given a chance. Make her define awful. He wants to wreck this conversation instead of admit what he next admits, which is--]

And I want to believe that. But I don't.

From:

rathercommon

[ That's - unexpected. She was fully braced for him sneering at her - was even mentally preparing her retort - and so that admission altogether takes the wind out of her sails.

Well. A moment of recovery. Then, a little cautiously: ]

Well...Maybe that's good. [ A little firmer - ] I think people work together best when they disagree. So - you be the skeptic, and I'll be the optimist. And we can disagree and be the better for it.

[ Then, before he can take too much offense to that - ]

The key to stopping it - if people aren't awful in their hearts - would be to disrupt that cycle that teaches the next generation to be dreadful.

From:

exsecutus

[He's already throwing up in his mouth over that, on a stomach already turned by having admitting some feelings--but Kitty's quick save prevents any true bile.

Sort of.]

By tearing down the institutions that reinforce the cycle.

From:

rathercommon

But violence is a part of that cycle. That's the issue. A hundred revolutions a hundred times before, and we're still here, steeped in all this awfulness.

[ She lets out a long, pensive breath. ]

If we could find a way to build a different sort of revolution...That might disrupt it.

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exsecutus

[excuse he's already off of this wagon]

How.

From:

rathercommon

If I had the answer to that, don't you think I'd be out there doing it?

[ A shake of her head. ]

I'm reading on it. I've been reading on it. As much as I can.

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exsecutus

No. I don't think that you would be doing it, because I can't imagine it in any workable way. What are you reading? What books are written about this?

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rathercommon

None. Who with the power to write and publish would want to encourage something like this?

Books of history. That's what I'm reading. There are patterns out there that you can see when you look for them - the same old things that drag us back down into violence and hatred.

From:

exsecutus

Which you've already said. Acknowledging it over and over again does not makes a fart of a difference to anyone.

I would agree. There are patterns. Violence often plays a part in those patterns. One king is killed, another man puts on the hat and sits on the chair and starts playing the part, and nothing changes. What about the patterns that have no violence? The transition of power is paid for in coin and favors, more often than it is paid in blood.

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rathercommon

It wouldn't be like that if there were a transition to - to representative democracy.

From:

exsecutus

No. It would be worse.

Perhaps not at first, but eventually. How do you correct human greed?

From:

rathercommon

In the long term - by de-emphasizing material wealth as evidence of success. Teaching people not to seek out competition, but cooperation.

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exsecutus

How about this. I'll burn down a ruling body and raze the earth and you can move in after that and see if you can teach whoever's left to de-emphasize material wealth.

You might be right. It might be possible, to teach, eventually. But not under current circumstances. Not to those who rule, now. Try telling them to give up their riches so the lower classes can begin to seek cooperation.

From:

rathercommon

Maybe you're right.

[ But she can't let that stand for too long. ]

But haven't we got to try? At the very least? To at least think about ways to make real, honest change?

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exsecutus

Think all you want. I won't let it get in my way. Not when there is real action that can be taken, now, to make an immediate difference.

I would hope you'd see the same.

[Hope is a big word to use here, but he says it dryly and bitterly enough to denote its real meaning.]

From:

rathercommon

Mm.

[ She gnaws thoughtfully on her cuticle. Finally, she decides: ]

Well - A person can work for more than one thing.

From:

exsecutus

Not well. One will always have precedence over the other. A sway, a firmer hold. I cannot be loyal to Anitva if I am loyal to the people, because Antiva will always fuck the people when she has the chance. So I must choose. It is the same with anything.

[And then, abruptly--]

Are you helping or are you out.

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rathercommon

'Course I am.

[ Perfectly self-assured. ]

But I am doing the way I think is best. I like you and all, but I'm not just going to blindly assume your way's the right way.

From:

exsecutus

[There's a small pause as, somewhere, Nikos smiles. Slightly, and grimly, and not in a way that will be clear in his voice, but still.]

Good. [And one of the reasons why he actually does like her. Not that he'll share that.] How are you at seeding false information?

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rathercommon

[ nikos you big softie ]

Never exactly done it before, but I'm pretty sure I'd be good at it.

From:

exsecutus

Not encouraging. [so about that softie thing] But I don't have much choice. It will be mostly assisting anyways, if all goes as it should.

My cousin Marisol has contacts in Antiva. That's where I need the information planted, and incrimination of key supporters of Benedetta.

From:

rathercommon

Got it. [ Probably Kitty should be horrified by the idea of slandering innocent people.

Probably. ]

What are we saying about 'em?

From:

exsecutus

[bless her heart]

We want them to appear as vitriolic and as prone toward violence on her behalf as possible. And as opposed to Agathe as we're able. I'll have a general script to be used.