video;

[twocomplex]

Who: Nocta Oren
Broadcast: Fleet-wide
Action: For Starstruck & Visitors
When: 4/14

[This time, Oren is lounging in his pilot's chair for all to see. Feet kicked up on the side of the control panel, one arm stretched loosely over the back of his chair as the other sits in his lap.]

From what I can tell, this can be used for general questions and conversation just as well as more serious instruction. Am I right in that? [He looks contemplative even through the questioning, leaning his weight back a little further.]

Well, do correct me if I'm wrong, but I have an opinion question for all those willing to answer. Say you have two people from the same world from completely different time points. Oh, yes, that can happen! I was surprised myself. [For the more observant, you might notice Mattias in the background turning to deadeye the camera.]

If one terrible event has occurred for one person and not for the other, tell me, would you inform the unknowing of his wrongs in that event? Would you hold it above him, blame him equally, or beat him for it? Or is it not better to hold off on all of those things?

The answer seems quite clear to me, but please, tell me if I'm wrong to think it's cruel to inform someone of something so horrible they haven't done, let alone hold them responsible for it.

Comments

[volatilise]

Somehow, I'm getting the feeling I shouldn't answer that.

[ But she's still replying to him with that. ]

[twocomplex]

Now, why would that be?

[He's innocent! It's an innocent question, of course.]

[volatilise]

Because I'm practically an expert in that kind of thing.

[twocomplex]

Is that so?

[He laughs, idly crossing one foot over the other ankle.]

An expert in what, precisely? Questioning? Or perhaps are you the accuser?

[He has a feeling she means the PAness but he'll tease her this way instead.]

text;

[wilder]

[Wow this all seems so loaded. Good thing he doesn't give that many damns about it]

If the person doesn't remember doing it, for all you know they could be from an alternate timeline where that stuff didn't happen at all. So...yeah. I get being wary, but punishing someone who hasn't done anything is taking it a bit far.

text;

[twocomplex]

[Yessss points for him. Thanks, stranger. Hm, he guesses he'll try out this texting thing, though.]

don't u think so? me too. there's no saying if ur time will go the same as anticipated. have u seen an instance like this b4?

text;

[wilder]

[Erg, that spelling. But haaa this is where he starts to be vague]

Once and awhile it happens, sure.

text;

[twocomplex]

sore spot? well I won't push it. just wanted 2 c if it was just me....... thnx tho

video;

[ino]

Depends on the situation, honestly. If it's something I knew they were planning or were considering long before they did it, then I might.

video;

[twocomplex]

Even if their timeline may not progress in the same manner?

[He brings the hand from his lap to his chin to stroke it contemplatively.] It's hard to tell here, isn't it? Where our futures will go. Just as any others.

video;

[ino]

Yeah, that's why it's a "might". You never know, right?

I guess it depends, too, on what exactly they did.

In any case, it really is hard to tell that stuff. Though I guess you could say it's always hard to predict the future exactly.

video;

[twocomplex]

It's interesting that you bring that up. The more severe the conflict, the more blame there is... And so is it more or less justified to pass that off on someone who may not share the same future as you?

[She's got fair points and all, but mostly he wants his side to win here. So you know. But he does sound really interested and pleasant about all of this, at least.]

video;

[serpentis]

I am of two minds on this.

[Dorian clears his throat softly. NOT THAT HE IS THINKING OF ANYONE IN PARTICULAR...*cough*ANDERS*cough*]

I feel that a man defines himself most through his deeds, rather than his words. Words are flimsy things. Were such a man to say he might not do such a thing, there's little reason to believe him, in my opinion. Certainly, if one does something in one timeline, then in every timeline it can be assumed they at least have the potential for such deeds.

However, that said- a man ought not to be punished for the potential for evil. Especially, as the case may be, if one actively resists such temptations and proves themselves a virtuous person- again by acts, not words- then a man ought not to be punished for what he could possibly do.

There remains the possibility he will not do it, or will return after having learned of such an event and decide to do things differently. Have a change of heart, as it were. People can change, and every situation is mutable.

To that end, I am in full support of informing someone of what they may have done, in a future time, so that if they are the type to change things, they may. Not all men do wicked deeds because they are evil- some fall to temptation because they are desperate. It behooves us to give them the chance to redeem themselves.

Even still, in the event that as man falls to the temptation to do wicked deeds, there are times that there are better alternatives than to enact corporal punishment, or anything like that.

[The entire speech does give the impression of a lawman, doesn't it? Like someone giving a piece of a debate, or a little speech.]

video;

[twocomplex]

[Goodness, listen to all of that. All he'd wanted was some agreement, to be quite honest. He knew his wrongs, and yet...

Ah, but he invited this. When he responds, it's with a friendly smile and a short laugh.]

My, your opinions are quite strong on this matter! I wonder, do you have a history with this sort of issue? [He's teasing, but he has a feeling there must be something going on here.]

Am I correct in hearing, then, that your final thought is that the man should not be punished for any assumed wicked deeds? Because there are better alternatives.

video;

[serpentis]

I was raised to be not only a mage, but a member of the Magisterium, the senatorial portion of the government, in Tevinter.

[And he tilts his head softly, as if considering.]

I do think that wariness is warranted, but I think that the man ought to be given the chance to prove himself. He should be informed of the circumstances and given a chance to change his ways or prevent such an event from occurring.

There is little sense in punishing a man for something he has not actually done.

video;

[twocomplex]

[He almost wants to exclaim about him being a magician simply for the joke of it (he'd done it last time in true ignorance), but that would derail things too much, so he refrains.

He smiles at these opinions, a hand propping up his chin as he thinks. He hasn't stopped smiling, at least, so he's rather pleasant about all of this discussion despite earlier bitterness in his tone.]

So you've quite a head for these sort of things. Well, what a fair way to view it! I'd have to say that overall, I agree. Retribution does little when both parties are not on the same page.

video;

[deptofsass]

Well, you're asking the tough questions.

[ But why tho? You're gonna give Steve a headache. ]

Suppose it depends on the sort of awful thing he's gone and done. Or, will have. Murder, genocide, that sort of thing, or if he's just slept with your girlfriend.

video;

[twocomplex]

Am I, now?

[He smiles further, leaning back and raising the device a bit.]

So, tell me, does a worse deed require more punishment for a potentially innocent man, or less?

video;

[deptofsass]

A worse deed usually requires more punishment in general. The type of bloke who's likely to murder loads of people is probably bound to do it eventually, whether he has yet or not.

Audio;

[justamobster]

Guess we don't gotta ask what side you fall on, yeah?

[ He snorts a soft laugh before the sound of liquid getting poured starts up in the background. ]

Depends. What they did, how many people they hurt and who, if it was personal or not.

Audio;

[twocomplex]

Oh, have you figured it all out, then?

[He laughs despite himself, rubbing at the back of his head as he shifts to sit up in his chair.]

I thought I had made my thoughts clear from the start. So then, it's not a black and white situation in your eyes, is that all you mean to say? Tell me this, then: when is violence acceptable in response?

[justamobster]

Prob'ly the wrong number t'go askin' that. Don't tend t'pull punches much. S'a few people who, if they go showin' up here, they ain't gonna last long once I find out.

[openhands]

What reasons would you have for not telling the other? It may be unfair to hold them accountable for what they haven't done yet, but depending on the event, I'd think it'd be difficult to absolve them entirely simply because they haven't done it yet.

Should you not be honest with them about the matter?

[twocomplex]

You are not wrong there, no.

[He's more than willing to explain what he means, and a kind smile is with him all the way.]

Honesty is key, but I believe timing is, as well. Trauma and other issues complicated the matter in any scenario. To bring it up as a weapon is what concerns me.

[openhands]

It could only truly be a weapon--or a potential weapon at the very least--so long as that person were to remain ignorant of their future actions.