[UN: swordcandy | Text]

[cultivatingsin]

I noticed a lot of people here are called "superheroes". Whatever the hell that means. Anyway, how would you define a hero? You know good and evil and all of that shit can change radically based on your perspective.

[This has been Xue Yang's morality TED talk. You're welcome.]

Justice is in the eyes of the one who holds the sword.

Comments

un: firefist

[donfire]

I think a hero is someone who's willing to help someone else without wanting a reward, or are just good people for no reason at all, you know? The kind of people who don't go around killing others for fun and destroying homes for fun.

I don't think "holding the sword" makes something justice. Mainly because bad people can be the ones holding it.

If the government is the one holding the sword, for example, but still killing people, or allowing people to die at the hands of their members, then it's not justice.

[cultivatingsin]

So anyone who isn't me, you mean. [Is this personal?]

Holding the sword means you get to say what's justice and what isn't. Believe me, I've seen it plenty of times.

And? Definitions change all the time to fit someone's goals and ambitions. No one is unbiased.

[donfire]

Maybe, if that's how you see yourself. I'm no hero either you know?

No one is unbiased, it's true, but you can change anything if you try hard enough.

You don't have to hold the power to change it either.

[cultivatingsin]

Neither am I. I don't want to be a hero.

[Except in the eyes (metaphorically) of Xiao Xingchen!]

Anything? You think so? There haven't been any walls that you've been unable to break?

It sure helps a lot if you do.

[donfire]

Honestly, being a hero sounds tiring.

Oh there have been, but with help of my friends and crew I was able to kick them down.

[cultivatingsin]

Useless, too. Evil always wins.

Is your crew with you?

[donfire]

You think so?

No, I'm the only one from my crew here.

un: skullwing

[crimsonsphere]

Should we bother answering? It sounds like you've already made up your mind.

[cultivatingsin]

I know it from experience.

Shame.

[cultivatingsin]

My opinion isn't yours. Tell me yours.

[crimsonsphere]

Since you're asking so nicely. [no but she will answer seriously.] "Hero" is just a word. People can make up heroes and call things "justice" as much as they want and they can enforce it for almost forever if they've got enough swords--or more powerful weapons.

But only almost.

[copsormasks]

Anything else you wanted to say?

Poisoning the water supply? Kidnapping babies?

[cultivatingsin]

See? We agree with one another. Isn't that nice?

[Friendship unlocked!]

People attach big words to a lot of things that are meaningless. If you're not feeling it, don't go along with it. That's my motto.

[cultivatingsin]

The first I would do. The second...? What's the point? I would just be stuck with a bawling, stinky brat.

[donfire]

What kind of experience?

And yeah, I miss them so much.

[cultivatingsin]

Do you really want to know?

You'll have to get over it and defend yourself.

[copsormasks]

No one would kidnap a baby. It's a joke, man.

[crimsonsphere]

Useful, as mottoes go.

I don't think real justice is in the eyes of who has the power. That's just control, and that's different.

[donfire]

Wouldn't ask if I didn't.

I don't need them for defence, I want them for company.

[cultivatingsin]

Get to know me a little better and you'll understand.

I'm Xue Yang.

[cultivatingsin]

I don't really see much of a difference. Whoever has the power decides the parameters of justice.

[donfire]

Is it that easy? Sure.

I'm Portgas D. Ace, nice to meet you!

[cultivatingsin]

It doesn't take a genius.

You might change your mind.

[donfire]

Why do you think so?

[cultivatingsin]

I'm a murderer. A criminal. The worst.

[donfire]

I haven't murdered anyone but I am A wanted pirate.

Just because you've done wrong doesn't mean you're a bad person.

[cultivatingsin]

Wanted for what? Theft?

I am a bad person. I've tortured people. I messed with corpses and tried to revive them.

I'm a Demonic Cultivator, so it comes with the territory.

[donfire]

My bloodline, mostly.

Wait, did you succeed? Can you revive people?

and one thing I've learned, is that bad people don't feel like they're bad.

[cultivatingsin]

Bullshit. You know what I would do to anyone who tried to imprison me for that?

Sorta.

I learned. I met someone who taught me better.

[donfire]

torture and kill them? Maybe?

Ok that's cool, like really cool.

Then you're probably not proud of what you did! So if you've learned to be better, that means you're not completely a bad person.

[cultivatingsin]

You make it sound so innocent.

You think?

I guess. I know my skills, though. That hasn't really changed.

But I won't hurt him with them.

[donfire]

Seen it happen a lot.

YUP! Having that kind of skill is pretty cool! But also, you know your powers and you can choose how to use them. Kinda like if you want to be good you can use your powers to allow people to say goodbye to their loved ones! or something!

[cultivatingsin]

Really? What was it like? Did they understand commands?

...isn't that too...

sentimental? I do have a reputation.

[donfire]

They were weird. Not sure they were truly dead, considering all the powers people can have in my world though.

It absolutely is! hehe

[cultivatingsin]

Yeah that's how it works in mine. The ones I animated aren't fully dead either. It's more like a trance.

Gross.

[donfire]

That sounds interesting, do they know they're being revived?

hehehehehehe

[cultivatingsin]

Probably! I never asked.

[cultivatingsin]

Are you sure about that?

[donfire]

You should!

Though now that I think about it, how will that go?

"Excuse me sir, do you know you're being brought back to life?"

[CW: Talk of dirty demonic cultivation involving violence/nails.]

[cultivatingsin]

I think they would freak out and then they would be useless.

[Unless he drove nails into their head.]