un: q.103

[monostich]

Ah, hello.

[The video opens to Kaede - pale and thin as ever - in a room that's recognizable as one of the inn rooms. He looks nervous, but to anyone who's seen him before that's... That's about how he always looks.

After a moment, he sighs.]

I've been wondering this for a while - sometimes there are requests to kill someone, but some people seem opposed to doing things like that, and I just... Don't understand why? Is it really so wrong to end someone's life if that's what you're told to do?

[What do you mean people have moral codes????]

I'm sure this is obvious to most people, but it's been... Bothering me. Is killing such a bad thing? Are there really people here who haven't done that before?

[...]

A-anyways, that's all I was wondering but, ah, you don't have to feel obligated to answer! I'm sure I'll figure it out.

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voice | un: USERNAME

[saxum]

[ This is probably not something he can lend advice on, being: 1) The former God of War, 2) Not human, and 3) Immortal. But he's curious about something. Usually humans place a lot of weight on the subject of death, especially killing, when it comes to other humans. ]

You ask these things seeking answers of others, however, what has brought you to question the validity of taking life whether by demand or of personal choice?

[monostich]

[There's a brief pause, as Kaede thinks over how to answer.

In the end, he settles for the truth.]

Where I'm from, death was the only punishment we would receive. Failure to perform, misbehavior, a few other things... Any of that and you would be culled to make room so someone who wouldn't disappoint could be made.

[Another pause.]

Now, though, I'm here, and people act like such a thing would be wrong, unless it was somehow deserved, and I don't know what makes death deserved or not.

[saxum]

[ Zhongli makes a quiet hum, taking this all in. ]

Quite a severe form of punishment. Misdeeds are known to require punishment of some sort for atonement, the scope of which can vary between monetary fines to imprisonment. Death, from what I am familiar with, is reserved for extreme cases where one would say forgiveness cannot be allowed.

[ He remembers watching it unfold, the anger and rage in humans to find a way to punish people for doing things they perceived wrong. Usually, if you took a life, you had no right to keep your own. Yet the validation here is simply... because you made a mistake, and someone is capable of taking your place.

Strange ]

This is all of course within the realm of human morality. When you speak of something that equates to so-called senseless killing, such as your predicament brought about in your questioning, they become very concerned. Some believe no one has right to take life. Others will say it is situational. And a particular sort, which is rare, will say it does not matter.

Who deserves death, you ask, when you believe anyone here has the authority to offer a concrete answer.

[monostich]

[He's quiet for a moment, clearly thinking over the words. It was probably foolish to expect an actual answer it seems, when everyone has... Their own beliefs?

The idea you can think whatever you want, that there's not some rule or way things must be is completely foreign to Kaede. There had never been any space for questions of right or wrong, and he's never at any point stopped to consider that maybe he could make his own decisions, or that he was allowed to feel something over everything that happened to him.

But now he's here, and people are saying "no" when Kaede didn't even realize there was ever a choice.

He opens his mouth to speak, before closing it and sighing. His brows furrow, but eventually...]

There's a lot about people I don't understand yet. I would have thought that... Maybe there was something beyond just...

It being whatever you feel like it is.

[...]

What do you believe, sir? Do you believe a death could ever be deserved?

[saxum]

[ Zhongli is a patient man, and for good reason, seeing as all he has is infinite time. He knows that for humans, the topic of death and killing can be a rather heavy one. But this person does not speak like any human he's met before. It's curious. ]

Thoughts and actions have a tendency to result from emotional reactions and decisions based upon what one feels. This is a natural occurrence. [ "Natural" being the keyword here. Zhongli himself pauses for a second. ]

Were this question asked upon me at a different time, my answer would be a definite yes. Currently, I cannot say. It is not my choice.

[ ... ]

If I may inquire in return, however you are free to decline my answer: human morality is understood by most, if not all, mortals. Following this morality is optional. Yet you are completely unaware of this information. Why is that?

[monostich]

Why do you believe it isn't your choice?

[It's both out of genuine curiosity, and to try to delay answering the question. He knows why he's completely ignorant when it comes to things like this, but how do you admit something like that without having to explain... Everything? He could just say he was isolated, but there's still the question of why or how.

He can't keep lying to everyone, he knows, or giving out half-truths. People have already tried to poke holes in his story, but... There's too much shame in what he is to risk people knowing the truth.

He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face before he sighs.]

I... Suppose the easiest way to explain things would be that I don't think I had an upbringing that is typical for humans - or any other sort of mortal.

[saxum]

[ Honestly he's a bit surprised he ends up getting as much as he does, and Zhongli has to say, he's a little more intrigue by whoever this individual happens to be. There are so many strange, strange things in this land.

But when given something, one must always offer in return. ]

I see. We have something in common then. [ He takes a breath. ]

I live this life currently as a mortal, but this life did not begin with me as a mortal. Then, at a much earlier time, when I went by a far different name, I dealt with death in immeasurable quantities. These tales you are learning now, from others responding to your query, are human experiences. Experiences of living, and seeing life taken, and understanding how this feels and what weight humans and living beings have placed upon this experience. Life is natural. Death is as well. Killing is... not quite. Mortals have a concept known as a "gray area" in which one cannot give a definitive answer of yes or no, good or bad. I would say killing falls upon this area, but not all believe this is the case. What is the difference between killing for necessity and killing for selfish desire? What is the difference between killing a wild animal and killing a criminal? Why are mortals not allowed to kill, while others freely do so with no regard to their actions? These are the questions I have heard many, many times.

[monostich]

[He blinks, not expecting what he gets from Zhongli. Someone who wasn’t mortal...? He’s not sure what that could mean, and his brow furrows.

It’s... Kind of a relief, though, that people besides him have questioned these things. It makes him feel less foolish, even if it doesn’t give him an answer. It seems like the answer is there’s no answer, which doesn’t sit right with Kaede. He’s never had to decide on how he feels about something before - feeling was, is, a luxury something like him can’t afford. Every little thing that happens seems to be changing that, though he’s still conflicted.]

What answers have you given to these questions...? It seems like there isn’t one, but... You have to have your own opinion now, don’t you?

[saxum]

[ He needs a moment, not because it's a particularly difficult question to answer, but Zhongli always figures he should take the time to go over his thoughts when it comes to such human matters. Usually his opinion always differs from other people. But maybe in this case, he doesn't need to please so much as just explain himself. And that... he guesses, he can do for this person, who feels a lot like himself before he carried much weight to things like feelings and emotions. ]

All moments in one's life, regardless of how long it lasts, are very brief, and fleeting. There is consequence for all choices. You must accept this, for it is reality. I do not deign to tell others what they can or cannot do, simply to think. But... it is a shame that one's existence gives the ability for so much, and yet instead of giving, they choose to take away, leaving all with nothing.

[monostich]

[Consequences. Everything has consequences, and... Perhaps that’s why people care so much about things like death and killing, because they’re the one who has to deal with the consequences.]

I see. Thank you for... Sharing your views on this. It’s been enlightening.

[saxum]

And thank you for allowing me to partake in this discussion with you. I imagine you may be posed with further difficult questions as you continue to exist within the realm of mortal judgment and experiences such as these. Please, if you have need of advice, you are welcome to come to me. My name is Zhongli.

[monostich]

Probably. Humans are... Complicated. More than I thought they were.

[He nods.]

Thank you, Zhongli. I'll... Try not to bother you too much.