theweakhavepurpose | Hadriel Inbox

Maybe especially if that belief is horrible. They can't let themselves be proven wrong by anybody.

I guess that makes sense. Gotta rationalize the atrocities committed.

Here's hoping this place doesn't go that route.

Exactly. Because if someone proves to them that they're the bad guy, then what do they do?

I hope not. Most of the people I've met so far seem nice. I don't think they'd sit back and let terrible things happen.

They double down even harder on their beliefs.

[hell it's what he does and he knows he's the bad guy. Sorta.]

Yeah, I'm just always on edge. Never know. I don't want to be caught off guard again.

They do? Then I guess there's no redeeming the White Triangle. They'll have to be kept in prison forever.

[and she comes from a society that says in theory that everyone can be redeemed]

I don't blame you. I don't want to be caught off-guard, either.

Some people can't be saved. You can force people to atone, but it doesn't always take. Not unless they want it to.

[darkly] And I doubt that any of the White Triangle would want it to. You don't slaughter a planet of seven billion people just because they're different from you and come back from that.

Oh Jesus. Seven billion people? What the fuck? That's horrifying.

Seven billion people. And it was. The United Planets still did nothing. We did what we could. We tried. We really did.

Why didn't they do anything? Did they think it would fix itself on its own?

Wow, that is a shitty future. I'm sorry.

They thought it was a fringe group of terrorists and that the Science Police could handle it.

It's--it's really not. There's a lot of good being done. But right now, it's being overshadowed by the bad.

[Science police? He has questions, but now isn't really the time.]

I'm sure you're right, I always seem to focus on the negatives though. I can't help it.

No, I--I understand. It's easy to see only the bad side of things sometimes.

I've been told that's human nature. But it sucks.

I used to be a hell of a lot more optimistic. But those days are long gone.

Maybe? It's hard to see the bright side sometimes. [like right now, when she's not sure if she's alive or dead and doesn't know if her teammates have succeeded or failed]

Is it--well, is it okay if I ask why?

I've just .. been through a lot.

And I'm nearly dead back home so it seems like it was all for nothing. Pointless even.

Oh. I can't say that I understand because other than my mom, my life was pretty good. But if you ever want someone to listen, I'll listen.

Maybe you could go to another world instead of your own? They can't make you go back to that, can they?

My life was fine, going well even, and then the cult happened and it all went to shit.

Thanks. Maybe.. someday. I don't really want to talk about it now.

[But he absolutely appreciates it. Someday he really will need to explain what all happened. He needs someone elses perspective. Is he really a traitor if the person he betrayed is the guy who tortured him and kept him prisoner? Was he being ungrateful when he helped his friend and coworker escape the man's clutches? Right now he feels like he was wrong, but there's a part of him that's still pre-cult Deputy Pratt that is casting a shadow of doubt on how Pratt perceives himself.]

I.. I have no idea. I don't know if that's an option. Can I just go back somewhere else?

I know this is gonna sound . . . trite? But I really am sorry.

I understand. Some things are hard to talk about.

[she'd be of the opinion that he owed nothing to someone who'd torture him and keep him prisoner. less than nothing. and that he did the right thing when he helped the others escape. and that he was very brave]

I don't know! You'd probably have to ask the aliens, but if you explained the situation to them, they'd have to help you. They'd be--well, they'd be complete and total nassheads if they didn't.

[He smiles.]

Nah, it's appreciated. Most people only say that, you sound like you mean it.

I don't think they have to do anything. But maybe. The one I talked to wasn't so bad. I guess.

[she smiles warmly back]

Well, I do mean it.

Right, right, build up a friendship with that one and maybe they'll intervene on your behalf? I haven't actually tried talking to them yet. I guess I should get on that?

I feel a little bad for him honestly. Hope. He reminds me of a rookie that got thrown in the deep end on their first day. He's trying but he doesn't know what he's doing, or how to do it.

And everyone seems to want him dead.

Oh, grife, really? That sounds like a shame. So a being that's meant to embody hope can't seem to inspire it himself? Or am I getting this wrong.

I don't want him dead. I only want him and his fellows to stop messing with my head. I can feel emotions on my own just fine.

Yeah they're not really good at what they're supposed to be doing. Or he isn't anyway. I haven't talked to the others.

I wonder if maybe he sucks because no one here is hopeful about anything and he's starving to death.

I really have been remiss in not talking to them. All of them. I should have at least tried.

[a short laugh] Maybe! I haven't met many hopeful people here, just people trying to get by.

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