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[abrightboy]

This is Bright. Leave a message.

Comments

[abrightboy]

I don’t think you’re a coward, Kikimora. And if I fell in that stupid river, I’d love for you to use your magic to help direct me out, but I’d hate if you pointlessly jumped in to get stuck too. You’re pragmatic, and that’s not a bad thing. And you’ve been traumatized by a brutal dog eat dog power structure and prejudice and betrayal. But you volunteered to help save people you barely know on a planet that hasn’t exactly been hospitable. That’s brave and kind.

[stressingwitchface]

But I didn't DO it to be brave and kind! I did it because I felt it was the best possible chance at graduation!

[abrightboy]

Bravery isn’t something people do to show they’re brave. It’s stuff they do that’s scary, but needs done.

[stressingwitchface]

But I WAS scared to go after you. Not the second time. And I obviously didn't.

[abrightboy]

You still came after us. And you still went down there to help.

[stressingwitchface]

Shut up! You're making me sound much more noble than I am. I'm TRYING to confess to you how self-serving I am, you idiot!

[abrightboy]

I beg your pardon. If the people you’re risking your life to help down there are okay for the moment, please go on.

[stressingwitchface]

I am NOT risking my life, that's the POINT. Shouldn't I feel the urge to do something stupid and heroic if I really am redeeming my past actions?

[abrightboy]

Let’s see if that holds up:

Is not being stupider about them the thing you regret about your past actions?

[stressingwitchface]

Yes. I wish I had been more clever about realizing Belos' grand plan. I wish I hadn't been the lackey of someone who never cared about me.

[abrightboy]

So doing stupid things wouldn't fix that. Doing smart things and looking for meaning in what you do would be the opposite.

[stressingwitchface]

So instead of being stupid AND selfish I'm better off being clever and selfish.

Your logic needs some work, Warden.

[abrightboy]

Things don't have to fall into the two binary categories of 'selfish' and 'selfless'. Tell me why you think what you're doing right now isn't good and laudable.

[stressingwitchface]

I'm doing it to make you proud and to make me look better in the eyes of the Admiral. Not because I care about any of these fools.

[abrightboy]

Okay, why do you think Shaw is doing it?

[stressingwitchface]

Stupidity.

[abrightboy]

Is that more noble than what you're doing?

[stressingwitchface]

Well, obviously. She's a warden.

[abrightboy]

That doesn’t automatically confer nobility on anything she does.

[stressingwitchface]

Well, obviously something is working for her and not for me, so I need to emulate her in attitude and action.

[abrightboy]

Please don’t.

[stressingwitchface]

Well, why not?

[abrightboy]

Because everybody’s ‘right way’ is unique to them and you’re not going to graduate by imitating someone else. You have to find Warden Kikimora in there, not mini Warden Shaw.

[stressingwitchface]

Well...good! I don't like the way she speaks to you.

[abrightboy]

….You don’t? [That isn’t the turn he expected this to take.]