Hadriel Inbox

[theweakhavepurpose]

INBOX This is... this is Deputy Pratt of the Hope County sheriff's department... art credit code credit

Comments

[unphase]

Other than Caedra, I can't think of anyone who isn't decent.

[theweakhavepurpose]

People will surprise you with how horrible they can be.

Caedra is a special case of terrible.

[unphase]

I've been unpleasantly surprised before. Not by people here, but back home.

She is. She kills and torments people for fun.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Some people are like that.

[Or demons in her case.]

The strong take what they want from the weak, and enjoy the torment they cause. I don't think there's anything that will change it.

[unphase]

[she shakes her head] They're not strong, the people who do that. They're cowards. Bullies. The truly strong use their strength in defense of others.

[theweakhavepurpose]

They may be cowards but if they're the ones calling the shots because no one can challenge them, then does it even matter?

[unphase]

Of course it matters. People--they shouldn't be afraid to stand up to those who are taking advantage of or are hurting others.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Not everyone can stand up to them. That's the point.

[unphase]

I guess. [she sighs unhappily] I guess it's up to those of us who can stand up to them to help.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Yeah.

You're braver than most everyone I've met. Even in this place where half the residents have crazy powers.

[unphase]

[her mouth forms a little O of surprise before she recovers]

...really? You think so?

[theweakhavepurpose]

Absolutely.

Why? You don't think so?

Do I get to be your cheerleader for once?

[unphase]

I just--I do what I think is right. That's all.

[she blushes] ...maybe?

[theweakhavepurpose]

Heh. How the tables have turned.

Yeah but what you think is right, is actually good. There's a lot of people that have convinced themselves that what they think is the only way. You can convince yourself of just about anything - and if you believe it's right - you can commit atrocities without remorse.

But you're actually doing good. And that's pretty rare.

[unphase]

[she blushes even more]

Mother would be horrified. She was all about gaining power and prestige by any means necessary.

[theweakhavepurpose]

What for? Prestige doesn't get you anything. And what's the point of power if you're not gonna use it.

[unphase]

Ah, but prestige gets you respect. And it makes people fear what might happen if they cross you. And mother uses every bit of power she can gets her hands on.

[theweakhavepurpose]

To do what?

I sorta became a cop for the same thing. I wanted the respect, and people deferring to me. Kind of a power trip you know? But I didn't really .. do much with it. Not anything that matters.

[He maybe showed up to bars in his uniform because it would get him laid, but not much else.]

[unphase]

[she shrugs] Why does anyone want power? So they can impose their will on others.

What do you think would have mattered?

[theweakhavepurpose]

I could have helped more people. Been active in the community other than just enforcing laws. I dunno. There's a lot - but I didn't realize it at the time.

[unphase]

That's the problem with hindsight. Once something has passed, what should have been done instead is perfectly clear. But there's nothing we can do about it.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Yeah. I sorta worry about that here. That there's something more I should be doing, but I won't realize it until later.

[unphase]

I don't think anyone here could ask more of you. You're a good person and a good friend. That's got to count for something.

[theweakhavepurpose]

[Stop making him blush! ]

Thank you. I'm trying. I think. I feel like I'm trying.

[unphase]

[but it's so cute!]

You are. You're trying really hard. And I know that it can't be easy.