[BBS]

[corruptedsouls]

[Tobias has had to mull over his thoughts for the assembly for a little while. It's just... been confusing him, not being able to get a straight thought about it that made sense to him. So, as he usually has when he's been confused, he's going to the BBS.]

I understand not wanting to be a part of this school sometimes. But why would anyone not want to be a part of Garden itself? Or be friends with us?

And why would they need to attack anyone? Can't they get everyone to "acknowledge them diplomatically" in a way that no one gets hurt?

Comments

[espio]

Well, I met their leader up in Esthar, back when I went to that orphanage. We weren't attacked or anything, they only wanted to talk.

From what I gather, Sol Invictus sees being part of Garden as "selling out" - giving up their independence and personal goals to become part of something that goes against their beliefs. Not to mention, Garden places restrictions on us. Not that we always follow those restrictions, and we don't really get punished for it.

ESPIO

[corruptedsouls]

But we're not giving up our independence. We're here because we're all somewhere away from home. What kind of goals would you have to give up just coming here that you didn't for being here?

[espio]

We don't see it like that, but that's not to say others don't see differently. Some may disagree strongly with the "work for whoever pays most" thing, for example. Others may just want to travel and see the world, even if it's a foreign one - we can't really do that in Garden.

Then there's this: we see the Garden as home. We care about it and protect it. But home means something different to other people - someone who's part of Sol Invictus would see that as home, and they'll care about and protect Sol Invictus. Misunderstandings and a conflict of interest lead to fighting - one faction protects their home, the other protects their own, and it all gets pointlessly drawn out.

[corruptedsouls]

I guess that's not really a good thing to do... but it's better than being alone or not having anyone help you.

...That makes sense.

[I mean, hell, Tobias doesn't exactly fight, but he'd do anything to protect Garden and the other cadets at this point. And now that someone has a choice...]

But if it's just misunderstandings, isn't there some way to fix it so that no one has to get hurt and we can help each other?

[espio]

They've been trying to open up negotiations between them and Garden. I don't know how those are going, or if they're even proceeding with them.

I don't think they're necessarily our enemy.

[corruptedsouls]

That's good, at least. I hope it goes well.

[espio]

So when did they come up? That assembly?

[The one he didn't attend.]

[corruptedsouls]

Yeah. The Commander was talking about them and the mission we did.

[espio]

Guess I should have gone to it.

On a related note, I'm glad you're okay after all that.

[corruptedsouls]

[There's kind of a lengthy pause before his next post.]

[corruptedsouls]

I am too. It was worse than I thought it would be.

[redcinemareel]

I'm not too keen on being friends with them, mostly for the fact that they see us as a threat. It's bad enough natives already do so since our arrival.

They have a valid point, however. It would be more beneficial to sustain ourselves than try to fit in, most days.

[corruptedsouls]

But won't doing things like the Commander said make the people already here hate us even more?

Everyone's different here at Garden. I didn't know anyone "fit in" or not.

[redcinemareel]

Whatever we do or do not do wouldn't change how others feel about us already, don't you think?

Everyone has their own perceptions of what is or isn't acceptable. Most can be cruel about it.

[corruptedsouls]

I don't know. Some of the other cadets don't seem to be scared of or hate me that much anymore. Couldn't everyone else learn too?

The way people see things change all the time, don't they?

[redcinemareel]

You're proving my point. The people you know now won't think differently of you. The one that do not will do the same.

A lot of people are set in their ways, but under the right conditions they can change.

[corruptedsouls]

Oh, I think I see.

[Sort of. He still doesn't get it entirely, but he gets the gist of it.]

I hope things get better.

[redcinemareel]

[Well, it's a step toward understanding.]

One of us should have hope. It's better that it be you.

[She could care less about humanity outside her close circle.]

[corruptedsouls]

Why is it better for me to have it?

[redcinemareel]

Because I have little need for hope.

[fierybluebird]

Not really.

Offensive tactics are usually the quickest way to get fast acknowledgement of strength and skills, unfortunately.

[corruptedsouls]

But that's awful. Even hurt Pokemon won't try to hurt you back if you show you want to help them.

[Toby: relating everything to Pokemon.]

[fierybluebird]

People don't always have the same ideas of what "help" entails, eh?

[corruptedsouls]

That's true... I wish there was a way to settle it, though...

[fierybluebird]

One might still unexpectedly present itself kiddo.