[ video ]

[ananym]

[ there's a pretty vampire, looking into the camera curiously before speaking. ]

I have been meaning to ask. Is there anything that you have learned here that has changed your lives?

Comments

[ananym]

[ after a pause, he softens. ]

Thank you. It's kind of you.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[He shrugs]

It's the right thing to do. We're all stuck in this same situation we should do what we can to help each other out.

[ananym]

[ an interesting idea, the "we". alucard has been alone, he's not sure how to feel about it. ]

Yes. We are all here together.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Robin gives him a curious look. Yes, he just said that.]

Yes, and we don't know how long we'll be here together so we should do as much to make the stay pleasant, at least between ourselves.

[ananym]

[ affirmation never hurts. ]

And that's all?

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Do people need better reasons to be kind to others? I think a 'just because' sounds good enough.

[ananym]

Perhaps. But the reasoning seems weaker to me that way. To do things just because it is the way or a societal upbringing rather than to do it, despite circumstance.

That feels truly defining.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Yeah but not every action or societal norm requires rebelling against. Some things are fine just being that way. Wanting to help people for no reason at all or even just to keep things peaceful isn't a bad thing.

[ananym]

Your world is kinder than mine then.

[ because that's certainly not the way there. ]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Perhaps but all the more reason to be kinder in your world? because it matters more?

[ananym]

[ dryly. ]

I am trying to kill my father to ensure the existence of the human race who burned my mother at the stake. It is the ultimate kindness. But I do not want to give more of myself to them.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Okay, fair point.

We have very different circumstances and I thank you for your kindness to humanity even if they might not.

[ananym]

[ he inclines his head, polite. ]

Thank you. But they do not need to. It's . . . what she would have wanted.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Your mother? You said they burnt her at the stake? I'm presuming that's why your father wants all of humanity gone?

[ananym]

[ he nods. ]

It is. She was a doctor. She lived to help people and they killed her for it.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

What possible reason could they give for killing a doctor?

[ananym]

The accusation was that she performed witchcraft.

[ and witches, of course, must burn under the law. ]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Ahh, [Tim winces, he only knows a little about the Salem witch trials in his world but he can imagine the horror]

How old were you when it happened?

[ananym]

It happened a year ago. I was twenty.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

I'm sorry again. I should stop asking questions about it.

[ananym]

[ alucard does not shrug, but he gives the impression of doing so. ]

I will not shy away from the truth.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

Doesn't mean you want to be reminded of it?

[ananym]

[ a soft chuckle. ]

It is unlikely that I will ever forget, even for a moment.

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

I didn't mean to imply you'd forget. Just that some memories can be fresher in the mind than others.

[ananym]

I have not been here long enough to create meaningful ones yet.