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.

Comments

[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.