explosivecombat: (Rather strong physical disadvantages)
Solf J Kimblee ([personal profile] explosivecombat) wrote2015-01-19 07:16 pm

040. [Text/Action for Route 34]

[TEXT]

As a former soldier, I've had to consider and handle the question of when it's considered acceptable to take another life. It's hardly a question here, since in this world life is incredibly well-protected and death is incredibly cheap; however, seeing as this place hasn't just dissolved into an anarchic killing spree, it seems that most of us still have a basic grasp on morality as we understand it and are of the basic consensus that "murder is bad."

I suppose my question then is where the line is, for most of the people here, and where the difference lies between murder and self-defense. There's the obvious understanding that if someone is trying to kill you, you likely won't just stand there and let them do it; you're probably going to defend yourself or even fight back, no matter how much of a pacifist you are.

But surely there are places where the criteria becomes a bit more difficult to discern...? Say that you have two people drowning in the ocean; there's a plank nearby that will support the weight of one of them. Without use of the plank, both people will surely die. Person A gets there first, but Person B shoves them off, saving themselves but causing Person A to drown in the process.

Was what Person B did murder? Probably. But they were also going to die if they didn't do it – isn't that just another form of self-defense?

What if Person A fought back and was able to hold their position? That's self-defense, in all probability – but they're also deliberately ensuring the death of another person. Is Person A a murderer for doing so?

Does it matter? Either way, a person is dead because someone else valued their own life more. A life is over and somehow I doubt whatever words the living use to make themselves feel better matter much to the deceased.

...I suppose now is when I apologize for the morbidity of the subject matter, although honestly it seems I can't let a year pass in which I don't ask some sort of horribly inappropriate question about murder. I suppose I'm just getting it out of the way early this year.




[ACTION]

[...And in contrast to that self-admitted horribly inappropriate question about murder, Kimblee actually is doing rather well today; if anything, he seems pleased that the weather has broken and it was above freezing for a few blessed moments today, since that means he can actually go outside and not spend most of his time shut in the base. It's large enough to keep him from getting too worked up, but it's still windowless and claustrophobic and if he can be outside, then dammit, he will be outside.

He's just outside Goldenrod today; he's up on Acasta.

It's been a while since he's done anything from up on top of the Steelix – travel is one thing, but battle is another entirely, and he's got some of his other high-leveled Pokémon out with him for the sake of satisfying that latter desire; Acasta's up against Carlisle right now, and from the look of it, it's not so much Kimblee's job to command as it is to not fall right the hell off. But his balance is good and his gaze is incredibly focused, and from the sound of it, he's having a grand time – he's laughing quite a bit, and it's cold and there's entirely too much ice around and he's done this before and it was a good time then, too.

He manages to jump down when a well-timed Earthquake finally takes Acasta out, ensuring that he's well clear of the steelsnake when it falls; apparently he's not having fun unless everyone stands a great chance of dying, and today isn't much of an exception. At least he'll be unoccupied with battle for a while as he spends a while seeking out a Revive that he has somewhere on his person; whether he's going back up later or just doesn't want to leave Acasta unconscious is a bit hard to say, but either way he's around for conversation.]
crouching_sin: (when you play with a loaded gun)

[personal profile] crouching_sin 2015-01-20 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Just checking.

Do you ask these sorts of questions often? Other than the morbid ones once a year, I mean.
crouching_sin: (but here's my number)

[personal profile] crouching_sin 2015-01-20 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
It's the sort of thing I like as well. Philosophy and mythology are both subjects that I've studied extensively outside of my required academics.
ossifragant: (⊗ soon heads will be rolling)

[personal profile] ossifragant 2015-01-21 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
[You know, that's... probably not a good thing considering how likely Greed is to find nothing wrong with reckless endangerment. Of one's personal well being or otherwise.]

So it seems. I'm not sure being crushed would be particularly pleasant, however. Even for a thrill.

[Though if it ever happens to him, oh well. He probably screwed somehow and is entirely deserving of it.]
ossifragant: (⊗ of all my agony)

[personal profile] ossifragant 2015-01-21 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
[...you know, one day he'll probably tell stories about the stupid things he did when he was a young homunculus who cared less about people noticing him breaking his spine and then getting up and walking away from it like nothing happened.

The looks on people's faces were worth it every time.]


You managed to avoid it once. Does that mean you're going to have another go?

[He wants to watch this.

Greed glances at the unconscious Steelix, but figures it'll be okay. Hopefully.]
theotherother: (Yeah This Sounds Like Bullshit)

[personal profile] theotherother 2015-01-21 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
Sure. Go ahead.
ossifragant: (θ you're insecure)

[personal profile] ossifragant 2015-01-21 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
[Usually Greed is to the point when he's after something specific. At least he is after a little while. As things currently stand, however....]

Sure. I'll give it a try.

[If Kimblee doesn't have any, Greed probably has a Revive or two somewhere in his coat. Along with god knows what else is stuffed inside them. He watches Kimblee for a long moment.]

I've got a couple of Tyrantrums that might have too much fun if I tried anything with them.
glaciates: (JOY ❅ blood can be used as a weapon!!)

[personal profile] glaciates 2015-01-21 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
[See, there's a reason why you're dating him!!]

That'd be great! You can evolve these guys almost immediately if you've got an item, right? Steel Coat, I think...?

[WHO CARES ABOUT THAT HE CAN RIDE IT

...LOOK HE'S BEEN REALLY MISSING RIDING GLACIERS LATELY AND HIS AVALUGG IS WAY TOO SLOW]
glaciates: (EXCITED ❅ gonna ride a glacier brb)

[personal profile] glaciates 2015-01-21 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah? It looks like a lot of fun. I'm not sure you'll be able to get me off it once I get one.
glaciates: (JOY ❅ blood can be used as a weapon!!)

[personal profile] glaciates 2015-01-21 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, of course I am! That sounds fun!

[LET'S GO LET'S GO LET'S GO you do have a Revive, right?]
silentscales: (this is my nervous face)

[personal profile] silentscales 2015-01-21 07:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Snake is out with his pokèmon for some more training. They trained out here nearly every day, but they stopped when Snake noticed Kimblee. He and his pokèmon, including an Onix named Quincey, move closer to watch the battle.

When the steelix falls, Quincey rushes over to Snake's surprise. He runs after the rocksnake who fortunately stops short of the battle area. She rumbles, calling out to the Steelix.

Snake sighs with the hint of a smile and translates for his pokèmon,]
You can't faint! I was rooting for you! says Quincey.
aufsassig: or go shopping. shopping is also an option (TAUNT ★ get in loser let's kill people)

[personal profile] aufsassig 2015-01-21 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
And that doesn't bother you at all.
ajustcaws: (no matter how far)

[text]

[personal profile] ajustcaws 2015-01-22 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
man, that is a TOUGHIE!! though, i mean, people float, kinda, don't they...? couldn't the one guy help the other out?

even if they don't, though, i guess i can't blame either of them because it's just a crappy situation all over. people don't do to great in crappy situations!
evilfrenzy: (♟ really now)

[personal profile] evilfrenzy 2015-01-22 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
I'd like to point out that you made that explanation needlessly complicated, but I did gather that much. I suppose I brought it up as a general observation that sometimes people will actually consider the literal feelings of the deceased before making an action.

Tangent aside, it is indeed subjective. And of course, in a lot of cases the survivor will claim anything to feel better, but I find it ridiculous that they just can't own up to their actions. It's a natural instinct to want to preserve one's own life, and they acted on it.
crouching_sin: (and this is crazy)

[personal profile] crouching_sin 2015-01-22 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
I see. There's a lot of different religions where I'm from, though some of them are smaller than others.

Psychology isn't something I've studied formally, however - just by observation.
aufsassig: fuckdamn, Sarah McLachlan truly understands my soul (PROFILE ★ so give us a tantrum)

[personal profile] aufsassig 2015-01-22 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
So what did you win? Any good spoils of war?

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