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Post by Kari Muffin on Dec 20, 2007 2:34:06 GMT -5
"You know, I thought that too. But Theofilus... wouldn't do that to family. At least, I don't think he would. He adopted a child and treats him like blood. I don't think he could ever kill a brother. I mean... if he was capable of killing family he would have killed him mom." Rocky shuddered at the statement he had just made. "Apparently she was pretty awful. Who would deny the existence of their own son?"
Rocky shrugged. "The man comes from the Lakes too. Drowning is probably a normal event as horrible as it sounds." He had faith in Theofilus. He was such a nice man, he couldn't be capable of killing his own sibling. If he was... well that was just a nightmare. People were two faced but he couldn't imagine the sparrow would be that way. "I hope he didn't do something that awful. If he did, he wouldn't forgive himself. He's hard on himself if he does something wrong."
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Post by danishweasel on Dec 20, 2007 2:43:18 GMT -5
"I know it sounds crazy to say, but we're the odd ones out when it comes to the idea of killing Aces being bad. It's just become the thing to do. A sick tradition, but it is what it is. They have their reasons, sure. The Aces wouldn't be able to survive in this world or that they aren't real people. Most don't even consider Aces to be their children...or their siblings. Just...things."
She could still remember the conversation between Acey's mother and her own. They never once referred to her as a girl or daughter or even by the feminine pronoun. It was always 'creature' or 'Ace' or 'it.' It made her ill thinking about it, but this was the norm and it would be extremely difficult to change.
"Long story short, most think that killing an Ace is just what needs to be done and that is that. And the fact that if his brother was an Ace and his family was taking care of him, the fact that he was outside seems real strange to me. If his family wanted to protect him, they would do everything in their power to keep him hidden."
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Post by Kari Muffin on Dec 20, 2007 2:58:18 GMT -5
"You're forgetting something, Ataxia. Children have freewill, and sometimes they don't understand why their parents are trying to protect them." Rocky looked at her with wide eyes. People really did think those horrible things about Aces? Just because of a little letter "A" someone was a creature.
"If the rumors are true they were about six or seven when it happened. I was a pretty slippery kid when I was young. So getting out of the house? Free will. Unexplained events. I just have faith in Theofilus I suppose. Some things science and math can't explain." The raccoon shook his head with surprise. He'd never actually said that out loud before. He never actually let anyone know the truth about his feelings. His mother would have popped a coronary. "I don't believe in superstition, but I believe that some people have hearts. I mean, you have one. I have one. Why can't a Queen of Diamonds have one? I guess... I just stopped making sense."
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Post by danishweasel on Dec 20, 2007 3:08:41 GMT -5
"No, you make perfect sense. I'm not saying that Theofilus is heartless because he's a Queen of Diamonds. And you do have a pretty good point about the youth factor there. It's just...whenever I hear about an Ace dying before his or her time, I can't help but wonder the why and how, you know?"
She hated the thought, but she couldn't help considering the thought...If he or his parents wanted Theofilus to get up in life, to spare his reputation, would they...? She had to stop making such horrible assumptions. Just because he was a high-ranking diamond didn't mean that he would want to keep up his image that badly. Even if it meant putting her head in a vice and squeezing it out, she had to get rid of those prejudices that she had gained being on the other side of the spectrum. It disgusted her knowing that, in ways, she was no better than the rest.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Dec 20, 2007 3:25:56 GMT -5
"Early death is head turning regardless of who dies. My father's death was suspicious. I can honestly say that people blamed me and my mom for her sudden demise. It turned out to be a heart attack." Rocky looked at Ataxia with a worried expression. Why she really that suspicious of everyone? She had a right to be if she was... but Rocky felt horrible that someone so nice could be so wary of everyone.
"Are you all right?" Rocky asked suddenly. She seemed a bit bothered by the whole ordeal that had just magically unfolded in front of them. Rocky still wasn't sure how it all happened. Was it all right to be confused over something so important? Something so far from his element? It didn't really matter did it. He was simply caught in the flow of events, and hoped that he wouldn't get crushed.
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Post by danishweasel on Dec 20, 2007 3:38:34 GMT -5
"Yeah, I'm fine...When it comes to the higher colors and ranks, I get a bit nervous. I mean, here I am planning a society where all colors and ranks are equal. Who's that going to hurt? The one's at the top. And if someone up there gets the hint of what I'm up to before I get enough power and status to back myself up, it wouldn't take much to take care of me."
It sounded silly in her current position, but she was close to the double-digit, number ten, and soon after that, Jack. If she wanted to last long enough to reach higher than that, she had to watch her steps. Leave no proof, as Rocky put it. It was probably why she didn't have too many close friends.
"It sounds awful, but I wasn't sure what to make of you when you came to my door, Rocky. It was only when I started talking with you that I got a sense that you were someone I could trust."
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Post by Kari Muffin on Dec 20, 2007 13:04:15 GMT -5
"I can't exactly blame you can I?" Rocky chuckled. "I mean, diamonds are notorious for "the fang" and all of that. It's a stigma I've lived with all my life. Even if I'm the nicest guy in the world, everyone thinks I'm a bastard automatically."
Rocco shrugged, his tail twitched with an uneasy sort of frustration. He wasn't particularly happy with stereotypes that had ruined his life so very much. Even his parents fit the stereotypes of their regions and their suits. He was a little bit different but even he fit a bit of the stereotypes. As true as some of them were, they were still disabling for future progress weren't they? "Stereotypes are stereotypes. None of us can really be free of them, can we now?" He looked at Ataxia with a sad smile. It was the truth and he didn't like it.
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Post by danishweasel on Dec 21, 2007 1:37:43 GMT -5
"That's what I mean, though! About this society being a disease. Even I've caught this...this...contagion. Every time I see a red card, I...I just can't help myself. These thoughts about the person's traits come pouring into my mind and before I can get rid of them, they've already tainted my opinion of that person...Where is the source of this corruption? How can I wipe it clean?"
It was easily the most vexing part of her research. While part of her work was to develop vaccines to assist those who had suffered like her friend, or anyone, for that matter, part of it also was to observe how the disease worked. The only problem with the disease she most wished to purge was that is was not one that inflicted the body or one that had any real physical signs or symptoms. Still, there had to be some kind or cure, some kind of treatment...somewhere.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Dec 21, 2007 2:14:56 GMT -5
"I don't know if you can easily fix the problem. Wouldn't it take reeducation? People are so very steeped in the prejudices they can't get away from them. So maybe the solution is just to stop? As difficult and simple as it sounds." The raccoon shrugged, "There really isn't a right answer yet is there? That's why it's something that needs to be "cured" no matter how complex it is."
Society wasn't some simple chemical equation that could be solved with a bit of balancing. People were a variable that could never be solved for. Freewill. What parents taught their children. None of it could be "cured" or "fixed" or whatever term was used so easily. That's what made society society right? Ataxia had a long road ahead of her either way. She was bound to trip every once in a while, but she would probably make it to the top, and she would probably cause a civil war among the courts.
Reality sucked. Really a lot.
"What happens when you find the ultimate answer? I mean... is there an answer or are you looking to hard for one."
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Post by danishweasel on Dec 21, 2007 2:25:45 GMT -5
Reeducation...it had come to mind. If the cause of these prejudices was something taught, teach them otherwise. Still, it couldn't be that easy. With these habits so entrenched in their society, it would take more than just some kind of lesson to right it. Behavior modification came to mind. Still, even with that came the prospect of having to punish people in some way should they not follow the wanted behavior. And even if they were horrible beliefs, they were beliefs, and would forcing them to believe otherwise be right...? She would rather them come to that realization on their own, but even for her, that sounded way too idealistic.
"I'm not sure, really. When I find the ultimate answer...I don't know. I guess it depends on what that answer turns out to be. And goodness knows I haven't the foggiest idea yet. I just know that if I want to get into a position to be able to do anything, I'm gonna have to reach as high as I can, and that's the Queen of Clubs. After that...I've still got some planning to do."
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