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

spam

[takeyouapart]

Right this second? Just saying hello, trying to get an idea of who you are.

spam

[mattersverymuch]

And are you getting one?

spam

[takeyouapart]

Yeah, you're a prat and you're a bit too pleased about it.

spam

[mattersverymuch]

Hm. By your standards.

spam

[takeyouapart]

Well, I didn't think you'd thank me for conducting a survey.

So what's your idea of who you are?

spam

[mattersverymuch]

I regret to say that the chance of me thanking you for anything is extremely slim.

I'm a businessman, of course.

spam

[takeyouapart]

Not a very good one, obviously.

spam

[mattersverymuch]

[His eyes narrow.]

You really haven't read my file.

spam

[takeyouapart]

Why, is there something in there that'll make your own death look like part of a long-term success strategy?

spam; sorry i've been so long with these x_x

[mattersverymuch]

There is, actually.

spam; no worries!

[takeyouapart]

[That is, honestly, only a marginal surprise.]

So I suppose all you've got to do is sit around and wait for it to pay off.

spam

[mattersverymuch]

I suppose.

[Mild annoyance here. The second death was significantly less strategic, damnit.]

spam

[takeyouapart]

And you've been here...nine, ten months?

spam

[mattersverymuch]

Five.

[He was here before and he knows it, but - details.]

spam

[takeyouapart]

Five. Sorry. [Some of his memories before his trip home are still kind of fuzzy.] So how much longer until you just...walk out, do you think?

spam

[mattersverymuch]

[Carefully neutral:] As I understand it, that's not how things work here.

spam

[takeyouapart]

No, it isn't. Not really. So since you do understand that, I suppose I'm wondering what you think your other choices are.

spam

[mattersverymuch]

I can make a home anywhere.

spam

[takeyouapart]

So that's your plan. Just...stay here, forever.

Or until you disappear back to being dead, which will happen long before 'forever' does.

spam

[mattersverymuch]

Or until another plan presents itself. As you say, I'll have time.

Whereas your plan for me is what, exactly?

spam

[takeyouapart]

Haven't decided yet. Thought I might just trail around bothering you until you have to graduate just to be rid of me.

spam

[mattersverymuch]

Well, that's certainly one tactic.

[. . . that might work really well.]

You're not very methodical, are you?

Re: spam

[takeyouapart]

[He shrugs.]

Life happens when you're making plans. Anyway, my whole life I've found that being a sorcerer doesn't line up very well with methodical...ness.

[Arthur makes plans. Merlin makes sure they don't get him killed. That's been his status quo for years. Making plans of his own isn't something he does much.]

spam

[mattersverymuch]

[Instantly interested, though it doesn't show.]

Then you must not be doing it right.

spam

[takeyouapart]

So how would I do it right?