un: werther

[imitationsoul]

This school boasts about forming a last bastion against Nightfall, but all I truly hear are tales of student-on-student violence and poor prevention measures for such incidents. I was brought here under the pretenses of 'channeling my talents more productively', but I can't help wondering if this isn't just a quarantine zone for those who are deemed potentially troublesome. Let them cause trouble for each other, rather than for those in power.

Not that I mind. I've never once considered using my talents 'productively'. That is just synonymous with 'for other people'. I hold no interest in becoming a tool for anyone.

in person option

[ Miach's been going to this school since the start of the semester, and she's spoken to exactly nobody since. She's just... around. A silent new presence on campus, always with a book in hand, never greeting anybody. If that's the kind of person you'd approach, you can find her anywhere, but most commonly in the library.

Note for faculty: Miach got transferred away from her last school for summoning a demon and getting students injured. Faculty would likely be informed of this ahead of time. ]

Comments

[hattersgonnahat]

[That depends maybe somewhat.]

did you mean to do it?

[imitationsoul]

Yes.

[imitationsoul]

No matter where in this world you go, it's all the same. Different flavors of hell. This one is at least interesting to watch.

[hattersgonnahat]

[Oh....that's not the kind of response she gets normally]

but why?

[lastexit]

No, but there is something inherently unholy about trying to wipe it from the face of the earth.

[highelves]

Well, I won't argue with you there. This school certainly has many surprises in store for its students. I'm sure you'll be thoroughly entertained.

Are you new around here?

[imitationsoul]

I transferred at the start of the semester. Something about not uprooting me too badly - which is mildly hilarious, given they put me under supervision all summer.

[imitationsoul]

To show them the world that their society forcibly averts its eyes from.

[playitagain]

We might have one or two more things in common, maybe. We'll have to see, won't we?

[Or: maybe, yes, actually.

But it's not the goal as much as a means, and not what she's setting out to do.]

Mm... not really. I don't really have a taste for trying to make people behave a certain way. I just want to give them a place where they can be themselves... and where they're as safe as I can make them.

[marmoron]

Well you don't look remotely Japanese.

[Just putting that out there rather bluntly, yep.]

Why were you in the Outlands?

[imitationsoul]

Why? Where do you draw the line between violence that is neutral and violence that is 'unholy'?

[highelves]

Well, in that case, welcome to Daybreak Academy. I must say, your thoughts on the school are certainly intriguing. Your abilities must really be something if they had to put you under supervision.

[imitationsoul]

You're doing them a favor by alerting them sooner rather than later that rules really aren't binding anywhere but in the mind.

They likely won't learn from it, but that is their own fault only.

[imitationsoul]

Ah, but that's dangerous.

[ Miach is by now fully engaged in the conversation - this doesn't cause her to be any nicer or more willing to compromise, but it's... something. The best something Miach has to give at any rate. ]

You assume that people can simply coexist when they're being themselves, but that's not really true, is it? People desire to hurt themselves and one another. It's a natural part of being human - and an even more natural part of being a blighted creature. Not suppressing oneself, free expression... that means allowing people to make each other miserable. Are you up for that?

[imitationsoul]

Oh, it has nothing to do with specific abilities. It's really all about the effort you're willing to put in to go for something.

Summoning things is relatively easy when you read up on it, no need to be anybody special.

[nor_iron_bars]

well, mostly the mind.
also helps to be good at picking locks.
like, rules are metaphorical locks, i guess? but also literally the ability to crack a safe or two, that comes in handy.

[highelves]

Interesting. A summoner.
That sounds like a technique I'd love to have in my arsenal.
Do you have any recommended readings on it?

[playitagain]

[Nana blinks a couple of times. The source of momentary confusion is soon made clear:] Blighted creature...?

[She hesitates a second, though, and then she looks down for a moment. She'd like to say yes -- but she's been too honest this conversation as-is. She swallows, eyes down on the ground for a moment more.]

...Not entirely. I know people will fight and argue and... worse, sometimes. But... as much as I don't like it, I'd need to find a way to try to manage it. So people can be as happy as they can, without hurting others.

[imitationsoul]

Well, as long as you let go of the rule in your mind, you can learn lockpicking. It's not like it's a skill that you have to be genetically wired to attain.

[imitationsoul]

So you're just back to the age-old question of how to structure a harmonious society.

[ Miach gives a small sigh. ]

Philosophers like John Locke have always been optimistic that in our state of nature, there would still be an inherent law stopping us from harming others, but... that hasn't really been proven true, has it?

Even though the state of nature is hypothetical only, societies have tried to achieve peace through most of the modern age. Yet there is pain even in the nicest suburban societies. People want to escape even a life in which they have to fear nothing nor fight for anything.

If you can create a microcosm in this school that escapes all the usual fallacies... I'll be most impressed.

[nor_iron_bars]

i'd offer lessons but that ain't what they're paying me to teach
and i'm not real big on doing things for free.

[Unless it would be funny.]

[imitationsoul]

It's the era of abundant free information flow, classes aren't needed if one is determined.

LUNA I'M SO SORRY

[playitagain]

[Nana blinks at the start of Miach's explanation. Oh, she follows. She has ideas about this. Opinions, even.]

Well... I think the problem is one of absolutes. Saying there is always a law is wrong. But... saying there is never a law, never something within people that stops them from wanting to harm others, is also wrong.

Sometimes people help, when it's dangerous and there's no reason. Sometimes people hurt each other. I think... the only real answer is that everyone defines happiness differently.

I see my job as trying to find a middle ground -- and one that protects the happiness of others, against all the things that would destroy it, or just trample over it in the name of expediency.

I don't think I'll succeed perfectly. But I think an imperfect success--that trying to do something--has to be better than nothing. Does that make sense?

[Then, a beat, and Nana turns red in the face and leans closer to ask in a whisper:]

But what does Final Fantasy 6 have to do with all of this?

[nor_iron_bars]

[A pause, of thoughtful contemplation.]

wonder how long i could keep a youtube tutorial vid up before it got demonetized.

[Well, sort of thoughtful. Never let it be said that Jail isn't open to new and interesting moneymaking schemes.]

[imitationsoul]

I do. But is there a reason I should share?

[ Being difficult to deal with is her hobby......... ]