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[fishfearme]

NOTE: PLEASE STATE IN SUBJECT LINE IF YOU'RE KENOS OR SEASONS!

Kenos: Action + Network

Seasons: Action + Network

(Austice threads kept for archiving purposes)

Comments

[fishfearme]

[Byleth accepted the Communion with a slight edge of drowsiness lingering on the fringes of his mind, but otherwise seemed alert and focused.]

I'd be happy to give all the advice you need, Dimitri. What's wrong?

[hauntedking]

Well...

[ There's a soft sigh. ]

During the last Oracle struggle, the idea was brought up about... using hostages. Taking the shards of the Zenites loved ones and using them as leverage. It's not something I agree with. And I am contemplating being prepared to fight other Meridians over it, if it comes to it.

[fishfearme]

...well, I can see the pragmatic side to it. So long as they're merely being kept hostage, and not being threatened with destruction, then it is a viable tactic - so long as the kidnapper is prepared for Zenith hostility afterwards.

[hauntedking]

The problem is.... destruction was specifically spoken about. And even if I see a pragmatic side to it, I cannot help by find myself repulsed by the idea of dragging in innocents - people who have done no wrong.

[fishfearme]

Hm.

[Byleth's response was decidedly... very neutral.]

In war, innocents will be dragged into conflict despite our best intentions. Would it not be best to have it be in a controlled way?

[hauntedking]

Better, I think, to try and prevent it at all, if we have that power.

[fishfearme]

The operative word being 'if'. I find that we have less power than we think in this strange world.

[hauntedking]

That may be true... but doesn't that mean we should try to do what we can?

[fishfearme]

Yes, but... we shouldn't allow it to restrict us either. Have you heard of the phrase 'he who chases both hares catches none'? Attempting to win this war while avoiding all innocents from being harmed may be detrimental to our campaign.

[hauntedking]

Perhaps we should allow it to restrict us. Destroying innocent lives for an advantage is detestable.

[fishfearme]

Perhaps, but detestable actions are sometimes necessary to win the advantage. It depends on if you can live with yourself afterwards... whether it be killing a few innocents from other worlds, or unintentionally losing our home due to your hesitation.

[...]

Personally, I dislike the thought of harming innocents, and I'll try to avoid it whenever I can. But if a day comes where I must sacrifice a few innocents to save our home, then I'll choose the pragmatic choice, not the noble one.

[hauntedking]

...then if that day comes, I must stand opposed to you.

[ This conversation is going places. ]

[fishfearme]

[IT SURE IS.]

Most likely. But that day will hopefully be a long way off, or not come at all.

[hauntedking]

I can only hope so. You're a dear friend to me, Byleth. A companion.

[ But he has his principles. And he's ready to die for them. ]