impure_tale

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130

Short and unpleasant. I suppose that when the Admiral gives us ports that turn out to be completely unsalvageable, that's the best he can offer us.

Not pointless -- you might have noted I did not use that word. If anything, my brief sojourn into the mad wilderness yielded some experiences that were most illuminating. Even on top of knowing what it feels like to be shot in the face -- an advent about which I'm certain Monsieur Swing will be delighted to hear.

Note also that I didn't say "eaten alive". I'll let the lot of you ponder on that. I might have to write about that one someday, but for now? Rest, I think.

[Private to Iago]

Are you safe?

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I hardly qualify as a critic, but I will say that you write with passion and are unafraid to describe your truth as you see fit.

That's all I look for in a writer.

[He chuckled a little. Just a small sound that bubbled up, too half-hearted to be a full laugh.]

Whatever my state at the time of writing some of them, I consider them to be largely fictions now.

No truth in fiction?

Have you finally found any universal moral principles?

There is no such thing as a universal moral principle. For instance, my Inmate and I may come from differing times and cultures, with its own morals and values, and while that simply cannot be reconciled, I am charged with a duty I take very seriously. I am to teach and guide this individual based upon my own abilities and philosophies. Therefore his moral principles will eventually either mesh or mirror my own. That does not make them universal, however.

There are no universal moral principles because morality evolves differently for each society. [Conceding a point.]

However, when you say his morality will either mesh with or mirror your own, you are talking about the moral principles you have chosen for yourself, as a free and presumably rational individual. Not the moral principles that were handed down to you by your society, though they may have played a part in shaping your opinions.

Is that correct? If it is, then I have to ask if you believe all men free and capable of making rational moral choices.

You have guessed me correctly, and to answer your second question -- yes. And there are always choices to make.

I agree, but in my world choice had become a bit relative.

Are you in the mood for philosophy, or should we discuss something else? I was only curious about how much your beliefs had changed since you became redeemed.

A relative choice is not necessarily an unimportant choice.

[He finishes the rest of his glass.]

And philosophy would be divine.

I agree with you, but I can argue for the sake of entertainment.

From the perspective of the people involved? It's very important. From a larger perspective? By my time, and from that perspective, choice at all becomes negligible, perhaps impossible.

Not to say that a larger perspective is more preferable than a personal one. It's just something to be considered.

The larger perspective is not a human perspective. It's not a sane perspective. If you want to speak of simple numbers and quantifications, then yes, you will likely find such a view suitable. But we are not born to live our lives based upon that. It's not natural.

Then are we all born to live our lives being acted upon by history and led blindly by whatever obscure forces make a mockery of us all?

Not necessarily a mockery, but I concede your point and answer: If we are not strong enough to assert ourselves? Certainly.

No one can assert themselves so long as they are part of a chain that they themselves can't see. People aren't just murderers, they're cogs, and it takes a larger perspective to be able to see the machine. It's not inhuman or unnatural...it's just intelligence and intelligence is what will allow humanity to assert itself and survive.

Everything when viewed from such a distant perspective, is part of a chain unseen to its individual pieces. Even those that assert themselves. However, no single person does themselves any good by assuming such a perspective to begin with. It does not make them not part of that chain.

People who can see can react accordingly, Marquis. That's part of individual freedom and rational choice, isn't it?

Everyone reacts, whether they mean to or not. [He smirks.] Do you really think that takes you outside of it, though? That you will be doing something that nature has not seen before in some shape or form?

I'm talking about reacting intelligently. Not just reacting.

[A smile in return.]

No, but I told you, I'm only arguing for the sake of entertainment.

Of course. I, cherub, have at some point in my life stood from nearly every vantage point that I could come across, and while I see the reason in them, I have never been any happier by lingering on most. I will do what is right as I see it, and in the meantime will surround myself with what pleases me.

Surely no one would think to deny you that. Are you happy, then? On the barge, in general.

Barring recent circumstances? I feel I am -- fulfilled, here. You must remember, half of my life was spent in chains. In solitude, feared or reviled for my ideas -- some of them if not caused then exacerbated by the very bondage that was imposed upon me. Even in freedom, I cannot say that I was completely satisfied. My wild exploits might have provided me gratification, but it was always temporary. I can still enjoy those things, now, but their absence does not suggest an emptiness in my life any longer. I feel -- balanced.

[A smirk]

And of course while recent events and others of the like have caused me some displeasure, there are things to make up for it.

Then you've benefited. That's reassuring. Most people make being here sound like a kind of hell.

Things that make up for it aside from wine and my presumably unobjectionable company? Do elaborate.

Did I say that I needed other things? I've been quite looking forward to having a drink with you since our arrival.

[Griiin. He's quite happy to know that he can charm the Marquis.]

We'll have to go to the pub and have a drink together properly once you are recovered. [Thoughtful, but planned, pause.] It's just occurred to me that I haven't told you very much about myself, which isn't really fair.

My full name is Adrian Veidt. I'm a well known public figure in my world, which is why I hesitate to give my last name here. I'm also an inmate, if you hadn't already assumed or if that colors your opinion of me at all. Does it?

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