shellphones | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Type: Accidental Video
Sender ID: 🖕nunya🖕(Sidestep)
To: Public
Subject:
Warnings: Mention of death and torture. Threads are likely to end up going deeply traumatic places.

(It's a typical day on Nogard, though many people who see this might be elsewhere.

Many have probably heard by now that Chris is dead. Has been dead for several days, in fact, after being captured and tortured by Ganon.

Except... they're not?

That's definitely a shot of a very panicked looking Chris running... somewhere, not paying attention to the shellphone clutched in their hand or noticing that it's recording.

Several people can be heard yelling in surprise in the background as Chris darts past them.

...The fuck are they even running from? It doesn't sound like they're being chased.

The hand holding the shellphone bumps into something, and the video cuts out.)

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What was the cost?

(Probably mass brainwashing or something, they think.

...Is that possible?

They're becoming physically uncomfortable enough that they crawl out of their hidey hole. They look like an animal has been dragging them around, all dirty and scruffy.)

She...[ Well, usually she'd clam up here, try to pull away from talking about that. Since the 'she' in question is just a future version of Betsy herself. But they're coming out slowly and that's a good sign. A sign that they may let her get them to a place where they can clean up and get better help eventually. ]

The woman in charge used her powers to eliminate crime completely. She created a taskforce of people, including telepaths, to discover crimes the moment someone thought about them. Then they eliminated the individual before they could commit those crimes. The world's at peace, all super-villains are gone, but I'm not certain it's worth that kind of monitoring.

(They stare at her in open mouthed horror, and don't even bother to shield just what they think of that from prying telepathic eyes.

First of all, they're a criminal and a villain. They were one the moment they escaped the farm the first time, even if they were playing the hero, because hero and villain aren't some hard line between good and evil but entirely dependent on how the government defines desirable vs undesireable. So many heroes allowed to keep their careers dedpite abusing their families, or who "disappeared" when doing what was right conflicted with the desires of the rich. The communities of people who initially settled the ruins of Los Diablos after the big one being pushed out of their homes now that the corporations have been taken over, and the homeless--they remember being homeless post both of their escspes--forced to beg and steal to survive.

What even counts as crime in a society like this? What is too criminal a thought? The phrase "eliminated" makes them think of killing, and there weren't any qualifiers mentioned, so they assume it's everything defined as a crime that nets this punishment. Is there some goon squad out there murdering pickpockets? People who fantasize about beating up their enemies? Is it people actually planning crime or just people musing about it?)

That's ...horrible.

(More than horrible. They think about the abuses their government enforces on its citizens--because they don't trust someone willing to go to such lengths to not be abusive, excessive, and draconian--and what it would be like if said government had the ability to see and crush any disagreement or dissent before it happened. There'd be no checks, no balances, no recourse against any injustice the people in charge decided to perpetuate.)

You're not certain it's worth it? (Absolutely flabbergasted: how could anyone think this was a good idea at all?)

[ Despite the words, despite knowing they're right to say it's horrible, her facial expression doesn't change too much. There's a blank coldness to it and a flicker of uncertainty. Briefly she hears the parting words her future self gave her, that if a part of her didn't believe in going this far the future would disappear, and she closes her eyes. Not that closing one's eyes can erase a memory.

It's here she knows she should feel guilt, but she doesn't. Can't really. That emotion was sold in a Faustian bargain to save someone who ended up dead anyway. Who would have thought giving away one's ability to feel sorrow would also wind up with a loss of guilt too? (Probably just about anyone.) ]

I know it's not worth it. Even if it is just murderers they're going after, it's not right to take away the choice.

[ What if they only thought about killing someone or committing some other terrible crime? Is it right to take that chance for them to change their mind away from them? ]

There's a place for killing, but I don't think there's a place for pre-emptive killing like that. Besides, I've seen how horrid pre-emptive murder can go.

I know I've thought about killing humans before.

(They make a face. They haven't killed humans outside of a few notable exceptions because they know once they crossed that line they wouldn't stop, and there are so many humans who don't deserve to die.

They don't think the woman in this scenario is likely to stop either.)

It's a slippery slope.

[ Said as someone who took the plunge down it and now can't seem to claw back up. There are certainly some instances where it's necessary, where the choice is narrow and comes down to sacrifice the world or kill one person. But even having to make that decision is a terrible thing to do. ]

Most of them don't deserve to die.

(Like an argument. Do they pick up that she has killed? Telepathy, or just context? It's hard to tell.

They might be arguing with themself, too.)

(Huddled there, they look like a bundle of rags. Are the clothes theirs or stolen? They're very shabby.)

Sometimes there's no choice.

[ Strangely she doesn't really sound defensive, just...tired.

Her gaze flickers across them. ]

Is there somewhere I can help you to? To get cleaned up and rest?

Not often.

(Not as often as so many people like to think.

They look at her, then at themself, and then they sigh.) I have spare clothes at home. (They're a Corsair. They "woke up" from death on Nogard, and their assigned living space is also on Nogard. It's not horribly far.)

Perhaps not.

[ She won't argue it. She wouldn't even really completely defend her previous actions. ]

Can I help you to it then?

...Alright.

(Sullen. Reluctant. Like they've lost a game or a fight.

In a way, they have.)

Here, take my hand and lean on me.

[ She offers them a hand, or more if it's needed. She's strong even without utilizing her telekinesis. Though she's contemplating if just flying them there would be easier. ]

...Alright.

(They're hesitant, but they will, after several moments, take the offered hand.)

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