018. [Text, and one other thing.]

[explosivecombat]

[TEXT]

Due to various circumstances in my world of origin, for quite a while, time was immeasurable for me. It came to lack meaning. Weeks bled into months, months into years. In some ways, this world seems like that for many of us; there's a lack of structure, and the list of things that one can do with themselves before they settle into some sort of day-to-day routine is incredibly short. These creatures become a part of our daily lives; this world becomes a part of our daily lives. And before we know it, we've spent weeks here. Months. Years.

That blank spot in my life lasted for seven years, I believe. Yet with nothing else to focus on, I discovered more about myself in those seven years than I did over the course of most of the rest of my life. Spending that long in the dark - whether it's physical or otherwise - tends to teach one a lot, I believe, even if it's just where your limits lie.

You'll have to forgive me for the needless introspection; if you're humoring me by continuing to read, either you have more patience than most at half-midnight, or this is one of those messages on the feed that greets you first thing in the morning. But apparently time does have meaning to most people in this place - in which case...

Tell me how long you've been here, if you choose, and what you've come to discover about yourself in that time.

I suppose it's worth saying that personally, I've been here for a year, as of half an hour ago.

For me, it's been another year where time has next to no meaning, despite the fact that I have an easy way to keep track of it; another year with no direction, though I wouldn't say it's been spent in the dark. Whether I like what I've discovered about myself or not within that year has yet to be seen; however, I find myself content with the way things are.

While I know that I have no choice in the matter, I think I could tolerate another year.


[PRIVATE TEXT TO KATO]

I have a favor to ask of you.

Comments

[explosivecombat]

[...aaaaaaaaaaand behind a lock this goes; he legitimately doesn't mind the question, it's just a bit of an awkward topic.]

Yes. I've told you before, I believe, that my way of thinking is not always in line with the way people in my world think things should be, nor are my actions; those seven years were spent in prison, in solitary confinement.

private it is then

[papshooshing]

WHAT DID YOU DO.

[explosivecombat]

I was involved in a rather strong conflict of interest with my superior officers, when I was in the military. I didn't agree with the orders they were issuing me; it was toward the end of a war I was deployed during, in the midst of a rather brutal campaign that involved the destruction of another race of people. Let's say they didn't care for how I decided to hand in my resignation.

Receiving seven years in solitary for an act of insubordination that left five of my superior officers dead is a light punishment, as far as my world is concerned.

[usedshooshpap]

IT'S VERY FUCKING LENIENT.
THAT'S INSTA CULLING ON ALTERNIA.

[explosivecombat]

Something like that is supposed to warrant the death penalty in Amestris as well. My circumstances were a bit different - the leader of our government had reason to want me alive - but I'm well aware that I should have been executed for what I had done.

[usedshooshpap]

WAS WHAT HE HAD IN STORE BETTER THAN EXECUTION?
BECAUSE, QUITE FRANKLY, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SAVED BY THE CONDENSE
THAT USUALLY MEANS SOMETHING *VERY* BAD.

[explosivecombat]

Ah...well, in human society being spared by the leader of your government is a good thing - it's considered either a pardon (which is what it sounds like: forgiveness for your crimes and a waiving of further punishment, either because of outside circumstances or because you've proven that you've reformed) or exoneration (which is overturning a conviction entirely, because it's been proven somehow that you weren't guilty of whatever crime you were being punished for). Humans are very idealistic like that; they like to believe, as a whole, that others are inherently good, and those that aren't inherently good can become good through reformation and repentance. Some can, some can't. But either way, being spared by a human leader in response to your crimes is considered a positive thing.

...that said, what he had in store was better, yes.

[papshooshing]

GO ON.
I'M INTERESTED IN SEEING WHERE THIS GOES.