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driftfleet2015-01-31 04:06 pm
birdsbirdsbirds) wrote in driftfleet2015-01-31 04:06 pm
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Who: Robin!
Broadcast: Video!
Action: Not unless it gets weird!
When: About a day after his supposed murder.
[the feed crackles on to show Robin, looking very much alive and in a shirt that doesn't have a big hole in it, thank you. he's crouched somewhere on one of those Floot Loop stations, probably. he's got his back to one of those big LED displays, which means... unless you want to check every single bright, animated ad in every station within range, he's going to be kind of tricky to find.
he... waves, though he doesn't look like he's very happy to see you either, to be honest.]
Hello. I'm not dead, since I assume that rumor has spread far and wide by now.
And I would love to have a calm, rational conversation about all of this before someone tries to kill me again. What have I missed? Catch me up.
Broadcast: Video!
Action: Not unless it gets weird!
When: About a day after his supposed murder.
[the feed crackles on to show Robin, looking very much alive and in a shirt that doesn't have a big hole in it, thank you. he's crouched somewhere on one of those Floot Loop stations, probably. he's got his back to one of those big LED displays, which means... unless you want to check every single bright, animated ad in every station within range, he's going to be kind of tricky to find.
he... waves, though he doesn't look like he's very happy to see you either, to be honest.]
Hello. I'm not dead, since I assume that rumor has spread far and wide by now.
And I would love to have a calm, rational conversation about all of this before someone tries to kill me again. What have I missed? Catch me up.
video;
Seven months ago, Nel and I were together in a world that presented a contract to all of its inhabitants... They had the option to become "master and servant" to each other in exchange for a monetary bonus to both of them. We both agreed to this contract, knowing that he is in no way obligated to do anything for me, and that it did not give me any more power over him either.
It was also mutually understood that entering the relationship would keep him safe from others who might want to force him into this contract against his will. It was very beneficial at the time, and the context. Here... I fully understand why it people are upset.
video;
[Yeah, guess who was listening in. Kaneis honestly feels no sympathy for Robin, even after talking to Riku. But, at least he's out to get all the facts first]
But you're not in that world anymore. So is that contract still valid or what?
video;
I think not. He is still branded with my mark, but the magic binding us is gone.
He won't want to see it that way, though. And I fully admit that I'm hesitant to bring it up to him.
video;
That's what the problem is.
video;
Yeah. There's no guarantee you'll be here forever. What'll happen to him if you leave? [Or Fenris finds a more permanent way to off you- whatever]
video;
You're both right. I don't disagree at all. My fix is just a... [he gestures uselessly, looking for a way to explain it.] Just a bandage on a much bigger wound. I know that. But he can't just be taught how to live on his own, either.
Nel's belonged to other people since he was very young. Him and hundreds of others like him. They're entertainment for whoever will pay their keepers. It's inhumane, but they're taken care of just enough that it seems better to him than a lot of alternatives.
He's been in it for over a decade, most of his life. It's... He's never not had someone in control of his world. He doesn't know how to take care of himself, and he doesn't care for himself enough to learn. He has no other skills, no other aspirations. His worth as someone's property is the only worth he has. Without someone to follow, he has no meaning, no... reason to go on living.
[he pauses, anxious... he's trying not to get upset about this, but... Nel is his friend, no matter how fucked up he is. this whole thing is a mess.]
My answer was not a good one, but I don't have a better one yet. If this really is for Nel's benefit, he needs... Lots of people around to restructure his whole life, his whole way of thinking. He needs a whole new purpose, and a reason to change. I'm not stupid enough to think I could do that for Nel on my own.
video;
He raises his voice.]
Come on, Robin! That's a weak-ass argument and you know it. 'Can't be taught'-- so, what, it's okay to just continue blithely taking advantage of someone? To excuse whole generations of slavery, because they were unfortunate enough to be born into it? You can't just hide your head in the sand! Grow a pair, you piece of shit!
If you care for him half as much as you say you do, then you'll devote the rest of your miserable life into making his remotely better. And I don't mean... whatever your little agreement is. Help build him a support system. Teach him how to spend money, how to save it, how to exist in the real world. Even if he's terrible at half the shit he does, at least give him a choice.
If you don't want to do it, there's at least a dozen other people here who will.
video;
That's bullshit, Robin. Would a life like that screw someone up? Sure. Maybe he'll carry those scars from that forever. Does that mean things are gonna be a lot harder for him to deal with? Sure. But that doesn't mean he can't change at all. He's a person just like anyone else.
It sounds like more you tried a couple times, he didn't like it, so you gave up because it was hard and you didn't want to be the bad guy to him. You like being his little savior. I've seen you chatting people up- you like being liked. Who doesn't?
But that's not how taking responsibility for someone works, Robin. Taking responsibility for someone means doing things that's truly in their best interest- even if they don't like you for it! Think of parents - do you think they like the tantrums that get thrown when they make a kid go to bed at their bedtime? Hell no! [Sophie's tantrums were AWFUL] But they do it because it's better for the kid in the long run- so they'll be better off in the future. If you claim to be looking out Nel- then you can't always be the good guy in his eyes. You have to be the adult.
Because believe me Robin, you're not doing him any saving by leaving him this way. He might be happy now, but one of these days it'll come crashing down and he won't know how to handle it- then he'll really be in trouble.
video;
but he also killed him once. because he thought it would be easier than leaving him to overdose and freeze and starve, because that's all Nel was destined to do. he wasn't supposed to get a second chance. when it comes down to it, he really doesn't trust himself to make Nel better. he doesn't trust himself to make anyone better.]
I don't want to excuse myself. I just know that if I take this away from him, he is going to crash right now instead of later. I already know that I am not fit to take care of him when he does.
[THIS WHOLE THING... has kind of been proof of that.]
I want to try to help him but I'm scared for him and I can't do it alone.
[what a miserable sentence. what a straight-faced truth. what a weak thing to admit.]
video;
[Kaneis just earned some major points with Varric. It's hard to judge that, exactly, but he might talk to him later. About stuff.
But back to Robin. Varric's expression softens a little; he knows he flew off the handle there and it's not entirely Robin's fault, but damn it, the guy needs someone to tell it to his face.
He's giving in, though. Varric can see that much.]
I think that much is pretty obvious.
[He rubs a hand over his face.]
The overwhelming majority wants to help Nel. So... let them. Set him free. It's gonna be hard, it's probably gonna be hard to watch-- but it's important.
Part of being an adult is screwing up and moving on. It's time to get out there and make mistakes. Make your own stories.
That goes for both you and the kid.
video;
...Okay. I'll do it. Tega. [the thought of it finally gets him to pinch the bridge of his nose, irritated.] Whenever, just... not today.
video;
[Varric's eyes narrow, and he leans into the feed a bit. If he lets Robin walk away now, there's no guarantee Nel will be free. And there's no guarantee Fenris won't just kill Robin again.]
We can send someone to get Nel right now. We have protective magic and weapons, and people who actually give a damn about his well-being. We can make sure you're in pieces before you even think about setting foot on the same ship again. Of course, I'd rather not put the boy through any more than you already have by getting yourself killed... but it's up to you.
video;
[He gives a glance at Varric's feed before his eyes return to Robin. He'll actually be less threatening than the other guy.]
You have to understand, we don't have much reason to take you on good faith. Hell, only reason I'm willing to believe anything you've said so far is because Riku was good enough to vouch for you. Damn good kid, that one is.
[Fuck up that kid's trust in you and we're gonna have problems mister]
video;
Not today. Tomorrow.
video;
I'll hold you to that. I can't say for sure if you'll be around to procrastinate on it a second time.
video;