driftfleet | (no subject)

And if it doesn't fall? If they stay here without gaining new memories, is it still worthwhile to tell them they're no longer friends?

I don't think you believe that any more than I do.

[ It is the domino effect. Eventually, everyone catches up. ]

I think it's worthwhile for them to know. As for being friends, I think they can decide that for themselves.

[But he doesn't wanna!

And Charles isn't wrong that it would be better if they knew. He sighs.]

That may be so, but you're asking me to sacrifice the only goodwill I have with them.

No, I'm not. What you do is up to you and it's certainly not up to me or anyone.

Heroics doesn't come from powers or what you do with them. It comes from the choices you make as a person.

My choices resulted in the permanent injury of Mr. Stark's closest friend.

[It's sharper than his tone usually gets.]

[ In the driest of voices. ]

How do you think I ended up in a wheelchair?

[That shuts him up.]

[ Charles surveys him coolly before he softens a little. ]

Yes. Your choice did allow that to happen. There's no denying it. But that doesn't make what we choose any less important. I chose not to blame those responsible. It's a choice I'm proud of.

There will always be choices you will look back in regret. But that shouldn't stop you from making them.

You are not a machine. You are a creature of autonomy. Embrace it, with its flaws.

[Well. And so Rhodey hadn't blamed him, or at least had said as much, which is as close to the same thing as it gets. But he still looks down, ashamed.]

And why shouldn't I stop making flawed choices? [His voice softens.] Why shouldn't I embrace what is machine?

You can, if you really want to.

[ After a pause. ] But I don't think you do.

[still very softly] No, I don't. How terrible is that? That I should prefer to keep my own individuality, at the cost of putting even more people at risk?

[ Gently. ]

At the end of the day, Vision, you have to be able to live with yourself. And that means being at peace with all parts of you, even the negative ones.

People will be at risk. With or without you. It's how you conduct yourself that matters. And you are just as important as anyone else.

[He's not at peace. That's the entire problem, and no doubt what Charles is getting at here.]

I know they will be at risk. And I know I can do something to help. My concern is when I become more of a hindrance.

[He falls silent again for a short moment.]

And you think it would be better if I brought this to someone who still thinks of me as a machine.

[ Charles always finds it vaguely ironic to hear that sentiment. "He thinks me this". Thoughts are rarely so organized or clear-cut. ]

That could happen at any time. To any one no less. I'm sure when it does, you'll realize and step back.

Do you mean Tony?

[Things the Vision would probably notice if he were an impartial observer of himself: making oversimplified statements about thoughts.]

I can only hope so.

[And he nods.]

Difficult for him not to, when he helped to create me.

[ Charles shrugs, like the asshole he is. ]

Then you had best make it clear to him.

[Charles, has anyone ever told you you're mean?]

If you insist.

[ He frowns. ]

Don't put this on me, Vision.

[That at least he can quirk an eyebrow at.]

Isn't that what you're saying, though?

It is what I am saying. But I'm not responsible for the choices you make.

You can change Tony's mind or you can leave things as they are.

[Right, like Tony's going to change his mind just because someone asks nicely. This can't possibly help anything...

...but Charles is much better at knowing how others will react than the Vision is. Especially human people.]

And to think, I was beginning to enjoy being on his good side.

I'm sure Tony is capable of some rational discourse.

But delivering bad news doesn't make you the sole bearer of it.

[It does when he's not dragging Wanda into it and as far as he knows Bucky doesn't even speak to the man. As for rational discourse, well, Tony's certainly capable of it, but he's also a veritable volcano of emotion. The Vision rubs his head.]

Very well. I suppose it won't make much difference in the long run, if they're all bound to isolate me regardless.

[ He can't help it. He rolls his eyes. ]

If that's how they behave, then perhaps they weren't much friends to begin with.

[The Vision actually rubs a temple at that.]

They are good people, but as Wrath would say, there is a great deal of "hurfdurf".