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.

Comments

[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.

[alwayskayaking]

[That does give Tim a little bit of a pause. He's not really given creatures like dwarves and gnomes much thought. Wouldn't they basically just be shorter people?] Yeah? And they really ask for nothing in return? An uneasy truce can be kept so long as both sides are benefiting for a time.

[massrez]

[ Anduin simply shrugs. ]

There's the usual business of trade deals, academic exchange, the support of our forces when needed, things of that nature. Sometimes things become strained, but most in matters that were able to be resolved through diplomacy. No different from any other nation.

[alwayskayaking]

[Tim stretches his legs and stands up. Suddenly finding it difficult to sit still.] Sounds like you've gotten lucky then. [That they haven't decided to kill you yet. He leaves unspoken.]

[massrez]

[ Still, from 'could not possibly happen' to 'well maybe you got lucky' is progress. He'll take it for what that's worth, and nods with a wry smile. ]

Perhaps so. Though it doesn't always feel that way.

[ It does beg the question. ]

What of magic? Is this an evil as well?

[alwayskayaking]

[Tim frowns at that question. It was a good question as he couldn't decide and is something he's been thinking about on his own lately.]

I don't know. [He goes for the honest answer.] I don't like it, but I know there is healing magic in this city and that's good. So long as it's not a monkey paw with a catch kind of magic. Back home anything magical in nature always came with a price to pay."

[massrez]

From my experience, that's normally the domain of demonic magic. We call it the Fel...and it poisons everything it touches. My father fell in battle defending our world from such evil.

But there is magic in the world back home that has no such foul origin. Shamans who speak to the elements of the world. Druids who commune with nature and its spirits.

[ As Tim starts to shift on his feet, Anduin rises as well, a hand placed to his own chest. ]

...and priests, like me, who commune with the Light. Healing magic, as you say.

[alwayskayaking]

Yeah, and by healing someone does someone else get hurt? Do you use up your own or someone else's life? Because that's how healing magic would work where I'm from.

[massrez]

It takes will, focus, and energy. Nothing more.

As I said, the magic you speak of sounds more akin to the deals of demons and other such creatures. A means to toy with mortal lives with the promise of power.

[alwayskayaking]

[Tim doesn't feel convinced that the energy used isn't either Anduin's life energy or someone he doesn't know he's stealing from.]

Well, you're not wrong about that. Pretty much spot on really.

[massrez]

It is that manner of evil I intend to stand against. But there are smaller evils as well.

[ He sighs quietly, clasping his hands. ]

The Light teaches us perseverance, respect, and compassion. Not all abide by those teachings...but strength can be found in standing by them regardless. Even so, I've known doubt. I've questioned whether or not all were worthy of such things. There are some evils in the world that will not be moved or swayed from their destructive paths. Not because they cannot, but because that is the choice they have made.