o7 ɂ voice

[mattersverymuch]

Consider this a disclaimer: what you are about to hear is not a question regarding the Admiral's motives. If I might be blunt, I don't actually care what his motives are, or indeed if he has any at all. Thank you so much for your time.

What purpose does it serve to assign legitimacy to one moral code over another? People subscribe to a moral code because it's what they've been taught, or because it allows them to survive, or because they enjoy it. Some give credence to their own code and consider it better than all others, while some aspire to a code they consider to be superior to theirs.

If one's moral code indicates one's ability to lead and make the "right" choices - the absurdity of which statement I'm not about to delve into, it's far too easy - where do people with elaborate designs on world peace by means of violence fit in, or, conversely, those who would kill to eliminate violent crime, or those who relish crime but would view assisting others as an equally worthy adventure? Of course, there are also hypocrites who betray their own code, or those golden, selfish few who exist alone and codeless.

I would like a definition of right, please. I would like all of them. Maybe I'll make a collage.

spam | merlin

[In a way, he's surprised he wasn't saddled with baggage sooner. Surprise and curiosity don't mean that he wants to be approached or even approach himself, however, so he has been steadfastly ignoring any and all messages from Merlin. They're excruciatingly unimportant.]

[Instead he takes a seat in the gardens - an unusual place of rest for him, which is part of the point. Besides, there's something enjoyable enough about plant life. It doesn't ask annoying questions.]

Comments

[routemistress]

It's a bit like porn, Marquis love: 'ard to define precisely, but by 'eck, I know what works for me.

[mattersverymuch]

Fitting parallel. It also doesn't conform to traditional standards of reality.

[A beat.]

Then again, you don't either.

[routemistress]

Takes one to know one, sweetheart. Get to keep your souvenirs, did you?

[surfaceshine]

Right: Noun. The opposite of left.

[mattersverymuch]

I'll arrange my collage in a triangle, and this answer will be at the top, I think.

[surfaceshine]

Do you need me to make an illustration?

[It will be either a penis or a middle finger, Marquis, answer wisely.]

[hellofist]

[She doesn't even say anything. She just gives Dean a big ol' grin and a thumbs up. This is why he's her favorite.]

[surfaceshine]

[Grin and thumbs up back, mini-Dean. Grin and thumbs up back.]

spam

[takeyouapart]

[Merlin hasn't actually gotten around to sending any yet. In the months since he's returned, he's settled quite comfortably into a schedule which doesn't include having an Inmate, even managing to keep himself busy to the extent that it's a day and a half after pairings are announced that he goes looking for the Marquis.

A very cursory glance over his file makes him suspect he won't mind much. Or notice, possibly.

He finds him in the garden - where he occasionally visits for herbs and doesn't remember seeing his new Inmate before - and drops down to sit next to him.]

Hi.

spam

[mattersverymuch]

[Well, that's presumptuous. The marquis looks at Merlin haughtily, raising his eyebrows at the sudden and obnoxious proximity.]

Can I help you with something?

spam

[takeyouapart]

[Merlin cracks out the extremely bland whatever-you-say-sire expression he uses to deal with people with titles being up themselves.]

Don't know if anyone's told you, but the Barge is more about helping yourself.

Voice

[bodilesswarrior]

Right. Adjective. In accordance to what is good, proper, or just.

Of course, then you have to define good, proper, and just.

Are you one of those golden few?

Voice

[mattersverymuch]

Feel free to. I can add those in as well.

I'm a member of many elite circles, yes.

[godsays]

[ Guess who's down with the worst headache of all time and is crabby like you would not believe. ]

Power. [ he says, as though it's completely obvious. ] The men in control make the codes to benefit them. The ones who aren't in control make codes to rebel.

[mattersverymuch]

[Guess who's suddenly interested in your metal-chewing ass, Zane.]

An answer shockingly in line with actual evidence. I'd say I suspect experience, but everyone has experience with power from one end or the other.

Which end?

private; text

[theonlyresponse]

[That's seriously just asking for it - and this is coming from a man who dresses up as a bat.]

You may borrow my glue.

private; voice forever, i'm so usupeouihafsdklj laughing

[mattersverymuch]

I already have glue.

Audio.

[heisrisen]

[As intriguing as it is to watch the inhabitants of Alexander's absurdist mind prison argue morality, the Emperor can't quite resist taking the bait.]

A code is a simplifying tool for hopeful gamblers. Is selfishness required to do without one?

Audio.

[mattersverymuch]

[That's the point - well, both points. The bait, and the absurdity of it all. When he speaks, the marquis's tone is surprisingly fond.]

Selfishness or a drive strong enough to push past the idea that one should have a code. Both are also acceptable.

[Private]

[lost_humanity]

It's all about sentiment, either way. [Sandoval is the cuddliest person.] Morality has little to do with it.

Did you enjoy the brief break?

[Private]

[mattersverymuch]

I agree. [He appreciates you so much, Sandoval.]

I did. And you?

[deadly_ned]

When you know something is right or wrong, you just feel it.

I know that sounds trite and arbitrary but it's the only basis I usually have to go on. If you're second-guessing and nervous and stressed you probably shouldn't be doing whatever it is you're doing anyway.

[Not that that feeling has ever stopped him]

[mattersverymuch]

I never second-guess myself. I suppose everything I do is right, then.

[buywithme]

I don't think it's right to judge someone for developing a moral code that helps them survive in difficult or dangerous circumstances, but if you lived that kind of a life, wouldn't you think that those people who followed codes to improve those circumstances for you, were better?

I think that would be my definition of 'right'. To try and make life kinder for others, Comrade.

[mattersverymuch]

[You continue to crack him right up, Prefect.]

How is that working for you, Comrade?