[he did, but honestly? he's kind of glad for it. he wasn't close to Asch, but he remembers the conversation they had while Asch awaited execution. he remembers being so angry himself that Asch would volunteer himself, think of himself as expendable, willingly throw away his second chance--]
[a sharp exhale. his own expression darkens again, because. . . well. doesn't he have his own Asch too, in a way?]
He's a moron.
[Akira says sharply]
Multiple people-- including myself-- tried to tell him to value himself more.
. . . but you said it yourself, right? He's stubborn and full of pride. I feel like it'd take a lot more than us telling him to value himself to get the message through his thick skull.
[hooray, another member of the "salty about asch" club]
He has his reasons. [stupid as they might be.] People can tell him whatever they want, but he has a choice he has to make about himself before any of those well wishes will go anywhere but straight through his ears. If he can't believe it, then why bother listening?
[Stupid, stupid kid.
...
He lets out another long breath, trying to relax his posture, as though the breach in his temper was unintentional.]
Sorry. I wish I could say he's been any different, but none of this is a damn surprise.
And you're not wrong about that. My group and I-- because I don't work alone-- we keep ourselves just by only targeting those we unanimously feel need a change of heart.
. . . and we have only targeted known criminals. A teacher who sexually abused his students. An artist who abused his pupils and stole their artwork. A mafia leader who blackmailed teenagers into smuggling drugs for him.
A corrupt politician who murdered his way to the position of Prime Minister.
A popular criminal is one thing, sure. But what made you guys thing that each of them deserved a "change of heart", rather than being punished for the character flaws and choices that led them to those positions?
I'm not saying that people like that don't deserve the opportunity to change. But if they were in such a position that the law couldn't touch them, I guess I just want to understand the reasoning behind your choice.
[. . . smiles a little, something sharp appearing in his eyes]
Ah, no. You misunderstand what a "change of heart" is. It's not a second chance, or an opportunity to atone.
[lol as though any of those people deserved the opportunity to lead a better life]
It's ripping away their distorted desires so they finally realize how shitty they've been. The guilt consumes them until they confess to what they've done to the public and turn themselves in.
That's a form of punishment in and of itself, isn't it? Having to live the rest of their lives wrought with guilt for what they've done?
An interesting idea, and one that he might have heavily supported as a younger man. But now? He has to pause, gut emotion conflicting with his own ideals.]
Maybe. I agree that it's definitely a punishment, one that people who have made grave mistakes need to be able to live with, rather than brush aside. The greater the loss, the more people need someone to hate for it, regardless of whether they confess or not, right?
If it leads to an actual, honest effort made by those affected, then maybe I could see the appeal. But I don't see how it's any different from any other kind of manipulation otherwise.
If they can't learn it for themselves, then is it really genuine?
[well. . . the bright side is that Akira knows his chosen method of justice isn't. . . well. entirely wholesome. but it's the path he and his friends chose to walk, and it is one he will never stray from. not even in the face of scrutiny]
[his expression softens a bit, the sharp smile fading]
It is manipulation. Isn't it? Being able to change people's hearts. . . [he lifts a hand, pressing it over his own chest delicately] It's a terrifying, dangerous, horrible power.
If we wanted to, we could use it to manipulate literally anyone into doing whatever we wanted. There's no wonder that we've been labeled as criminals. That's what we are.
[. . .]
But. . . that's not why we chose to do this. It isn't power we seek.
[his hand falls to his side]
One of my teammates was the target of that teacher's sexual harassment. Another had his leg broken by that same teacher just because that teacher didn't like him.
Another teammate was a pupil of that artist who abused his wards and stole their artwork. And yet another was threatened by that mafia boss and told that she would have to sell her body for him or else he would destroy her life.
And I-- [well]
[as honest as they are being. . . Akira can't go there. not yet. because it still hurts, just a tiny little bit. a pinprick in his heart. a dash of bitterness in kindness]
We were all wronged by the people we chose to target. We were all wronged by a society that turns a blind eye to horrible, distorted adults who hurt the weak.
So while we know what our power is capable of accomplishing, and while all of our motivations for becoming thieves are selfish-- all we really want is to make society better. To give people who were weak-- like us-- hope that they can rise up against the people who hurt them.
[That's a more mature answer than he was expecting, and he'll have to give Akira some points for that much. But he's still young, and deep wounds would always hurt, even with the life experience to help lessen the blow. So while he doesn't agree, Guy can empathize.]
Not gonna lie, if I was still your age, I would have thought that was something I could stand by without hesitation.
There's a fine line between justice and revenge, though. Whether it was deserved or not, whether you were wronged or not, you have to consider what kind of person you become in the end by making those wrongdoings the center of the actions of your life.
I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I just hope you and your friends are careful before your ideals for a better society morph into something completely different.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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you brought this on yourself akira]
He had better feel stupid. That he went through all that and still decided he was better off going back--
[He scowls, hand gripling tightly against the hilt of his sword, the leather cracking audibly under the effort.]
The bastard never learns anything.
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[a sharp exhale. his own expression darkens again, because. . . well. doesn't he have his own Asch too, in a way?]
He's a moron.
[Akira says sharply]
Multiple people-- including myself-- tried to tell him to value himself more.
. . . but you said it yourself, right? He's stubborn and full of pride. I feel like it'd take a lot more than us telling him to value himself to get the message through his thick skull.
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He has his reasons. [stupid as they might be.] People can tell him whatever they want, but he has a choice he has to make about himself before any of those well wishes will go anywhere but straight through his ears. If he can't believe it, then why bother listening?
[Stupid, stupid kid.
...
He lets out another long breath, trying to relax his posture, as though the breach in his temper was unintentional.]
Sorry. I wish I could say he's been any different, but none of this is a damn surprise.
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[sets his jaw tightly]
Maybe he'll finally learn something here. Maybe-- [a pause] Maybe you can get through to him yourself.
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[...]
Thanks. You didn't have to tell me all of that. [But it definitely puts some things in perspective.]
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[because ASCH IS STUPID]
. . . but don't tell him I told you or he might throw salt at me again.
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He can't help but snort out a laugh, humorless.]
Yeah, I get that. Don't worry. If he and I talk about it, it's on me to own up for it, not you. I'm the one who asked.
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Thanks.
[a beat]
Also wow, this is not at all what I expected us to talk about.
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While we're opening up the floor, any deep, dark secrets you want me to secretly trip over?
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I drink my coffee completely black. No cream, no sugar.
Does that count?
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Tell me about some of that life of crime, then. I'll warn you, I reserve every right to judge you if it involves your coffee addiction.
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[opens mouth. closes it again. sweats. he's been a bit more loose-lipped about it here, but. . .]
What if it does?
[a beat]
Kidding.
I'm a Phantom Thief.
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Phantom, huh.
You mean like the monsters, or something else?
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You know, Phantom Thieves? Thieves who steal things in the flashiest manner they can?
Like Arsene Lupin? [a beat] You've never heard of the phrase?
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You're from Japan, Akira. I'm from Malkuth. It might be best to assume I know absolutely nothing.
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Fair enough.
That's what I am, though. A Phantom Thief. Though I don't steal material possessions.
I steal hearts.
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okay that's probably not what he means, but]
I mean... where I'm from, we just call that a really lucky guy.
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I steal corrupted hearts. Distorted hearts.
The hearts of those who commit crimes beyond the law's ability to punish.
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So, it's more a sort of fighter for justice. A vigilante, maybe.
How do you go determining who's done right or wrong? That's pretty subjective depending on the circumstance, isn't it?
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[it's okay Akira appreciates Guy's jokes]
And you're not wrong about that. My group and I-- because I don't work alone-- we keep ourselves just by only targeting those we unanimously feel need a change of heart.
. . . and we have only targeted known criminals. A teacher who sexually abused his students. An artist who abused his pupils and stole their artwork. A mafia leader who blackmailed teenagers into smuggling drugs for him.
A corrupt politician who murdered his way to the position of Prime Minister.
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A popular criminal is one thing, sure. But what made you guys thing that each of them deserved a "change of heart", rather than being punished for the character flaws and choices that led them to those positions?
I'm not saying that people like that don't deserve the opportunity to change. But if they were in such a position that the law couldn't touch them, I guess I just want to understand the reasoning behind your choice.
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Ah, no. You misunderstand what a "change of heart" is. It's not a second chance, or an opportunity to atone.
[lol as though any of those people deserved the opportunity to lead a better life]
It's ripping away their distorted desires so they finally realize how shitty they've been. The guilt consumes them until they confess to what they've done to the public and turn themselves in.
That's a form of punishment in and of itself, isn't it? Having to live the rest of their lives wrought with guilt for what they've done?
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...
An interesting idea, and one that he might have heavily supported as a younger man. But now? He has to pause, gut emotion conflicting with his own ideals.]
Maybe. I agree that it's definitely a punishment, one that people who have made grave mistakes need to be able to live with, rather than brush aside. The greater the loss, the more people need someone to hate for it, regardless of whether they confess or not, right?
If it leads to an actual, honest effort made by those affected, then maybe I could see the appeal. But I don't see how it's any different from any other kind of manipulation otherwise.
If they can't learn it for themselves, then is it really genuine?
no subject
[his expression softens a bit, the sharp smile fading]
It is manipulation. Isn't it? Being able to change people's hearts. . . [he lifts a hand, pressing it over his own chest delicately] It's a terrifying, dangerous, horrible power.
If we wanted to, we could use it to manipulate literally anyone into doing whatever we wanted. There's no wonder that we've been labeled as criminals. That's what we are.
[. . .]
But. . . that's not why we chose to do this. It isn't power we seek.
[his hand falls to his side]
One of my teammates was the target of that teacher's sexual harassment. Another had his leg broken by that same teacher just because that teacher didn't like him.
Another teammate was a pupil of that artist who abused his wards and stole their artwork. And yet another was threatened by that mafia boss and told that she would have to sell her body for him or else he would destroy her life.
And I-- [well]
[as honest as they are being. . . Akira can't go there. not yet. because it still hurts, just a tiny little bit. a pinprick in his heart. a dash of bitterness in kindness]
We were all wronged by the people we chose to target. We were all wronged by a society that turns a blind eye to horrible, distorted adults who hurt the weak.
So while we know what our power is capable of accomplishing, and while all of our motivations for becoming thieves are selfish-- all we really want is to make society better. To give people who were weak-- like us-- hope that they can rise up against the people who hurt them.
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Not gonna lie, if I was still your age, I would have thought that was something I could stand by without hesitation.
There's a fine line between justice and revenge, though. Whether it was deserved or not, whether you were wronged or not, you have to consider what kind of person you become in the end by making those wrongdoings the center of the actions of your life.
I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I just hope you and your friends are careful before your ideals for a better society morph into something completely different.
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