032. [Text]

[explosivecombat]

[...and it seems it's time for another round of Horribly Inappropriate Questions, with your host: This Asshole.]

You know, a while ago I posited to the network that this world is based around battle culture – admittedly a softer, watered-down version of it, but battle culture nonetheless. One's power is assumed based on the strength of their personal army; one's social status is determined by how many gym leaders they've managed to defeat, or how easily they can crush those who stand in the way of what they want. It's interesting to me that such a society should likewise be based around a message of love, peace and tolerance; one would think that for the sheer amount of destruction that everyone's carrying around within arm's distance, this place would have dissolved into anarchy long ago.

Equally interesting is the stance on war that most seem to have taken here; even the locals seem opposed to it, overall. I have to wonder why – what it is about this place in particular that makes the idea of war and conflict so abhorrent to all within it.

Ah, but it's entirely likely that it's a matter of points of view, isn't it? I'm from a militaristic society, personally, so war and conflict seem to be the natural state of things – are most nations generally pacifistic like this? Or is this abnormal even by your standards as one of the..."foreigners", I believe they like to call us?

I'm interested in answers, though I can take or leave identities; answer anonymously if you wish, but even if you don't, you know what they say about glass houses.

[...You know, there are some things that never change. Yes, Kimblee, everyone here probably does get mad about genocide; either way, happy birthday, you crazy son of a bitch. If this is how you're going to spend this evening, you are more than welcome to do so.]

Comments

[explosivecombat]

...Are they intentionally impeding humanity's survival for some reason?

[bertall]

I'm not the best person to be asking to be completely honest. I didn't think the refugees would've been that bad until it happened, you know?

[explosivecombat]

That's fair, I suppose.

And it wouldn't be the first time I've heard of governments sacrificing their people for their own agenda, either, to be honest. People come from some...interesting places around here.

[bertall]

Speaking from experience or just an observation?

[explosivecombat]

I directly served my country's leader, actually; had you been aware of that when you asked, I may have had to be offended at that question.

As it stands, I'll let that speak for itself - unless you believe me to be the sort of person who would allow my own country to burn, that is.

[bertall]

I don't think anyone would do that, especially if they're a soldier. I don't really want to see my, uh, 'country' fall apart but there isn't much I can do.

Um... Sorry if I did offend you, by the way. It's not my intent.

[explosivecombat]

Well, I'm also terribly difficult to offend, so don't concern yourself too much.

As for the soldiers...it depends on their viewpoint, really. After all, one becomes a soldier because they're prepared and willing to kill other human beings for whatever reason their higher-ups deem necessary. It's our job to do as we're told, and we specialize in death and destruction. It's the way things are, I suppose; it just depends on what those soldiers are loyal to.

[bertall]

People said that twelve year-olds who worked in factories were just cowards, so they usually end up following public opinion and become soldiers instead. I'm no different than them to be honest. I wish I could say I became one to protect what's left of humanity and to fight titans so we could eventually live outside of the walls like we did a hundred years ago, but I just wanted to join the Military Police so I could stay safe in the interior walls.

In order to do that though you had to graduate in the top ten.

[explosivecombat]

And where did you end up ranking at graduation?

[bertall]

Third.

_{[And he joined the branch with the highest mortality rate.]}

[explosivecombat]

So did you end up joining this Military Police of yours?

[bertall]

I followed my friend into the Scouting Legion. They, uh|

They go out and fight titans, so you can guess how safe that is.

[explosivecombat]

And why would you do that, since what you wanted was more or less the exact opposite?

[bertall]

Because if I didn't, I'm positive he would've gotten himself killed. We had a job to do and I couldn't do it alone.

[explosivecombat]

I never relied on anyone else, back where I came from. I've only just started working with partners here, when it comes to training and battling, but it's certainly something I can do on my own if I have to.

I've never really been all right with directly leaving my survival up to someone else, I suppose.

[bertall]

He's my best friend. I've known him since I was a little kid, so I'd do just about anything if it meant protecting him. I'd do the same for another friend of mine, but that's about it when it comes to people from home.

Here, it's a little different. I can't say how things would go if they showed up, but until then I've put that loyalty towards some of the people I know here.

[explosivecombat]

Would the people you know here do the same for you, do you think?

[bertall]

It doesn't really matter if they do or not since death isn't exactly permanent here, does it?

[explosivecombat]

Since death isn't permanent here, it's more insulting if they don't.

[bertall]

Why's that?

[explosivecombat]

If death is nothing but a minor inconvenience, there's no reason they shouldn't be that loyal to you, is there? Doing otherwise is insinuating that you're not worth the effort.

[...jesus, kimblee, can we not]

[bertall]

I|

uh.

I don't think I'm worth someone risking their life for to be completely honest with you. I don't really expect anyone to do that here.

[explosivecombat]

That's almost depressing.

I'm not going to try to convince you otherwise, but might I ask why that is?

[bertall]

Let's just say I've done some... really, really terrible things in the past. I'm pretty sure I'd be tortured for it, definitely killed back home, no questions about it.

[explosivecombat]

[...Oh, so you're one of those people who does terrible things and then feels bad about it. Should he feel sorry for you?]

Was it worth it?