>>@KRUGER | @ALL

[trample]

With our mission in Paris just about at its limit, I have a few questions to posit to you all. This isn't quite my thing, and I don't mean to sound high and mighty, but you have all piqued my interest.

Firstly, the ideas of liberty and self-government were, indeed, revolutionary at this point in time. They're run of the mill for some, and to others they are representative of an ideal rarely achieved in their own world. I speak this of course to all of us, members of this response team. Do you agree with this revolution? Which is more right, the government of a king, or of a nation's people?

Second, to those whose plans have been a part of the mission, what went through your minds during the planning process? Or during its execution. [ He does not...see the irony behind this phrasing. ] Having failed the mission directives, do you feel in part responsible for whatever consequences arise? I say this both to those that were successful, and those that were not.

And lastly, given the state of affairs, this hardly matters much. It's more of a personal question. Do you think you are free?

Comments

[trample]

[ Eren doesn't quite reply to the man's thoughts on the revolution. For the most part, he doesn't have much to say, given his general lack of understanding prime Earth history as opposed to his own, but he's willing to give everything a good once-over before internalizing it as best he can.

He does agree with what seems to be a jaded sort of acceptance over both the politics of the matter and the mission itself. All they could do was move forward. Which moved Eren on to the next topic. ]

In that case, what is it which impedes you?
Is it responsibility to others? A family? Or even, a dream? Most wouldn't consider these things shackles, but often it's the will of others which forces us into situations that would otherwise be terrifying.

Most folks step into hell under orders.

Who's giving yours? And how do you decide when to step on your own accord?

[handsomefoil]

[ Now how to explain this without sounding completely batshit insane (aka breaking the fourth wall)? People are here from all walks of life, different worlds, and so on, so he imagines even the weirdest things could be taken into consideration...

He opts to go broad. ]

You pretty much hit that nail on the head.
I'm bound by a very specific role that I must play, in the life of my family and in my line of work.
Guess in the end, it really does boil down to familial obligations.

[ if saving travis's ass every once in a while counts as an obligation... ]

Never thought that would be the case, considering my family was never very
Conventional

Nobody gives me orders per se...but I do trust my own observations and act accordingly.
It's actually a lot more complicated than that, but forgive me
I can't seem to quite parse it into words.

[trample]

It's fine. I know how it feels to have feelings too complicated to put into words. I'd tell you to take your time, but I figure you've probably spent enough of it already.

I can't quite give the details, but I believe family's important. Blood especially. There's an undeniable responsibility to your own kin that I didn't know how to deal with growing up. It came into its own as I became an adult. At this point, I'd say it's up to personal preference whether you come to spite those obligations or not.

[handsomefoil]

I've thought about it, spiting them. Numerous times. Perhaps I've already done it inadvertently by simply
Neglecting my duties

[ bad dad ]

Either way, I suppose that's neither here nor there.

So just striking up some philosophical discussion?

[trample]

Something like that. I'm just voicing my thoughts. The mission's nearly over, so now's as good a time as any.

[handsomefoil]

Makes sense

So what about you then

Do you think you're free

[trample]

[ It takes a while. Maybe more than what most would consider a while, but at some point or another: ]

In my own world, no. Here, it's a different matter. Much less personal than my own fight, but still a fight, with all the obligations that come with it. As long as the attack continues, I can't help but question whether I have my own liberty.

[handsomefoil]

You feel obligated to participate in the fight simply because it's a fight?

[trample]

My fight isn't done until my enemies are gone. That's how it's been my whole life.

I'd say we have plenty of enemies.

[handsomefoil]

[ Well, if Henry could assume anything about him, it's that this guy is definitely a soldier. ]

I don't doubt that.

Suppose as long as we feel it's worth it in the end

[trample]

I'll only know if it's worth it once it is the end.

[handsomefoil]

Well I hope you find that peace someday
Some don't ever see it until they're six feet under

[trample]

Some things are just worth dying for. And to some folks, that something is peace.
I can't say I really know the feeling.
You know how many people feed themselves a lead salad for lunch because they couldn't take the pressure of anything that wasn't picture perfect peace? Quite a few.

[handsomefoil]

Guess we won't be seeing anything like that in our lifetime
Much too idealistic, unfortunately
And living beings thrive on conflict