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.
We have. Don't worry. And-- well. Despite everything I've said, we can't use that power anymore, anyway.
[lol]
In the end, we decided to erase the cognitive world completely and relinquish society to trustworthy adults. And I think all of us will grow up to better the world in our own ways, no matter how big or small our impacts may be.
I imagine it's given you some good insight. To have to think about this when you're young is cruel, but maybe it means you'll learn not to make the same mistakes when you become the adults others rely on.
I don't think stealing hearts was a mistake. It was our justice, our path, and even though others might not have agreed with us. . . we still think what we did was right.
[but]
But I know a world that relies on Phantom Thieves to solve all of its problems isn't a world that should exist at all. So I'll trust current adults to better society as much as they can while they still have the power and hope that one day I'll be able to do the same.
It's a firm ideal, and one you have to have faith in, even over the idea of what might be right or wrong. If you know the reasons behind it, and know where you can and can't draw the line for what you feel is right, then that's what's more important.
[...]
Anyway. As much as I'd love to continue this whole dialogue, I do need to go wash up. You can follow me to the cabins, if you'd like. I don't mind either way.
[and they can just shittalk at each other the whole time because that's pure]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
You're from Japan, Akira. I'm from Malkuth. It might be best to assume I know absolutely nothing.
no subject
Fair enough.
That's what I am, though. A Phantom Thief. Though I don't steal material possessions.
I steal hearts.
no subject
okay that's probably not what he means, but]
I mean... where I'm from, we just call that a really lucky guy.
no subject
I steal corrupted hearts. Distorted hearts.
The hearts of those who commit crimes beyond the law's ability to punish.
no subject
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?
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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?
no subject
...
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
We have. Don't worry. And-- well. Despite everything I've said, we can't use that power anymore, anyway.
[lol]
In the end, we decided to erase the cognitive world completely and relinquish society to trustworthy adults. And I think all of us will grow up to better the world in our own ways, no matter how big or small our impacts may be.
no subject
I imagine it's given you some good insight. To have to think about this when you're young is cruel, but maybe it means you'll learn not to make the same mistakes when you become the adults others rely on.
no subject
I don't think stealing hearts was a mistake. It was our justice, our path, and even though others might not have agreed with us. . . we still think what we did was right.
[but]
But I know a world that relies on Phantom Thieves to solve all of its problems isn't a world that should exist at all. So I'll trust current adults to better society as much as they can while they still have the power and hope that one day I'll be able to do the same.
In a more legitimate manner.
no subject
[He'll cross his arms in front of him, cocking his head a bit as he regards the young man next to him.]
You really are a good kid, Akira.
no subject
[he just!! follows his heart!!]
Society is shitty. People are shitty. But. . . [a tiny shrug] I do want to believe that they can be better.
no subject
[...]
Anyway. As much as I'd love to continue this whole dialogue, I do need to go wash up. You can follow me to the cabins, if you'd like. I don't mind either way.
[and they can just shittalk at each other the whole time because that's pure]
no subject
Sure. I was heading that way, anyway. Just don't let me keep you.
[and they will def shittalk on the way there and i can't believe we finished a thread]