Duplicity Inbox

[alwayskayaking]

Duplicity Inbox

You've reached Tim Stoker. I'm out at the moment. Leave me a message and I'll return your call soon.

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[massrez]

[ Anduin sighs. Well. He didn't sign up for this because it was going to be easy.

Light, grant him patience. ]

Nothing everything we're afraid of can be killed.

Are all the things you're thinking of right now monsters that can be slain?

[alwayskayaking]

Not here. [He admits.] They just come back to life here like everyone else.

[massrez]

[ That's a start, at least. ]

How many?

[alwayskayaking]

More than I'm comfortable with. [So more than 0.]

[massrez]

Give it a number. The ones that stand out most to you.

[alwayskayaking]

Several. I lost track of how many vampires feel safe enough to announce themselves on the network.

[massrez]

[ It's probably a good thing he's not keeping count. That would speak to an intent he's not sure he's ready to combat yet. ]

Alright. We can categorize them as one. Vampires. There may be many, but the potential danger and fear they represent can all be seen as one.

See them in your mind's eye. What does that fear look like, to you? Describe it.

[alwayskayaking]

Death. Pain. Heartache. Destruction. Misery. Shall I go on?

[massrez]

Those don't sound like things you can kill.

[alwayskayaking]

No, but I can kill vampires. At least back home I can.

[massrez]

But you can't here.

And it was different when there was something physical to attack. You can't kill heartache or misery, but something that represents those things, with a physical form that you can harm, that's something you know. Something you can control.

That makes you feel better, doesn't it?

[alwayskayaking]

You mean killing the monsters that cause the heartache? Yeah, that does make me feel better.

[massrez]

Why is that?

And...really try to think about why.

[alwayskayaking]

[Tim opens his eyes to look towards Anduin. Taking a moment to decide if this man might be crazy or not.] Because if I kill the things causing the misery then there is less death and misery in the world. [He doesn't say duh but it's probably not hard to hear it in his voice.]

[massrez]

So...to protect the world. Or your friends. Or yourself.

[ His tone remains a patient one, his gaze meeting Tim with an air of 'come on, we're nearly there, just stick with it'. ]

I know it seems obvious, but your strength comes from the reason you fight. You need to understand what that is, at its core.

[alwayskayaking]

Can't it be for all of the above? Not that I believe I can save the world. I'm just one guy, but one less vampire in the world sure wouldn't hurt.

[massrez]

[ A smile flickers at the edge of his mouth. ]

It can be. We're complicated creatures.

So. Not being able to kill vampires here takes away from your sense of being able to protect yourself and others. Is that fair to say?

[alwayskayaking]

[He nods his head. Feeling no reason to feel ashamed to admit he was afraid of vampires.] Yes. I don't know any sane person that wouldn't bother or upset.

[massrez]

[ Well that's an entire landmine of a conversation best saved for another time, isn't it?

Anduin takes a moment, clearly sorting through his own thoughts and measuring his words carefully. ]

I think it's reasonable to want to act against something you know to be a threat. You're not insane for wanting to protect people.

But I think that's another fear you have, isn't it? That otherwise reasonable and sane people won't understand.

[alwayskayaking]

Reasonable and sane people? [Tim shrugs.] Nah, I'm sort of use to that. I can't blame people who've never had their world shattered by something supernatural. Ignorance really is bliss sometimes.

[It's the ones that SHOULD know better that anger Tim.]

[massrez]

It's true. People from other worlds can have vastly different experiences with such things.

And what of those who come from worlds where non-humans and humans live together in peace? Where would they fall in your estimation?

[alwayskayaking]

Non-existent. If someone is claiming that they do? Either it's a complete lie or someone is lying to themselves. Humans can't seem to get along with each other. No way two species where one has more abilities than the other will be able to do so.

[massrez]

My world is a complete lie?

[ It's a bold thing to claim. ]

Hm. That is dire news.

[alwayskayaking]

[Oh. He's one of those types of people. Happy to turn a blind eye towards the awful things monsters do until it will likely one day kill him.]

You really expect me to believe that your world is full of peace? That humans and monsters hold hands and sing kumbaya every night together?

[massrez]

Not at all. As you said. Humans can't even get along with one another at times. The problems are vast, and many issues remain to be resolved. My world is at war, and has been for some time.

But humanity does not stand alone in the struggle. We've had allies for thousands of years in the other races. Elves, dwarves, gnomes, and others. Without their aid and support, we would not have survived this long.