[Akira had been prepared to futz the details a bit-- for the sake of his own comfort and protecting the identities of his team-- but. . . that painful sincerity wins him over]
[he huffs out an amused noise, and nods]
If there's anything one learns when they become a Persona user and gain access to the Metaverse-- to the raw and unfiltered existence of human desires and cognition-- it's that humans are greatly flawed.
. . . some moreso than others. Wouldn't you agree?
[... That's quite the place to start. Though when Minato thinks about it... isn't it true that something would have to be wrong for a Persona to be necessary in the first place?
... So slowly, he nods. He may love people as a whole, but he knows better than anyone just how messed up they can be as well.]
That's true... [The "Metaverse" is a new one to him, but the way Akira briefly explains it makes it plenty clear. Something... not too far off from the Dark Hour, probably where Akira did his work.]
Sometimes, humanity can be really flawed.
[that's what makes it so great when they overcome those flaws.]
[Akira doesn't share Minato's love for humanity in general. he has seen too many layers of society's flaws (and been a victim to those abusing their power within said society) to love the people around him]
[but that doesn't mean he doesn't believe in them. in their potential to be better-- to forge a better future for himself, his thieves, and those who come after him. it may sound contradictory, but to Akira? it makes perfect sense]
[Akira tilts his chin up a bit, gaze distant as he stares at the back wall]
What would you do if you were given the opportunity to make the villains of the world atone for their crimes? If you could change their corrupt hearts so they stop stepping on and taking advantage of the weak?
... Nothing, right? He wouldn't do anything at all if he was given that power. But that's why this isn't his Journey--it's Akira's. Minato is a different sort of person, who faced something entirely different.
If Akira was given this power... it was surely for a reason.
So slowly, but more thoughtfully than anything, his response is a simple:]
[Akira says that without shame, even knowing that the implications of him having and utilizing such a power are pretty serious. he tilts his chin up and meets Minato's gaze firmly, with the sort of conviction only a man who knows he is following his heart wears]
It's how everything started out.
A shitty high school volleyball coach, known for physically abusing his male students and sexually abusing the females.
Someone who hurt a student so badly that she jumped off of school rooftop.
[a sharp exhale, because he knows this is a pretty heavy topic of discussion]
. . . someone whose crimes would never have become public if the Phantom Thieves hadn't stolen his heart and made him confess them all to the world.
[... They are serious, but Minato's never been the sort of person to judge anyone, and this is no different. Something about the concept of changing someone's heart is a little discomfiting for him, someone who has always wanted to see people change on their own.
But it sounds like Akira did what he did for a very good reason. How can he blame him for that? They're different people, different leaders, and had different methods. And Akira... Akira saved so many people, he's sure.]
... It started because you wanted to protect people... right?
Because you wanted to help protect people who couldn't protect themselves.
[Minato gets it in one, and Akira lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding]
We fight on behalf of the people for whom no one else will fight. We give courage to those who are too afraid to speak up against those in power above them.
[. . .]
I'm not going to say that we're blameless, or that we're completely innocent, or that we aren't crossing some lines ourselves. But-- [another sharp exhale]
If those who do have power won't bring men like that asshole teacher to justice, then that's why the world needs us.
[Minato takes a slow breath in... and nods. It's not his place at all to judge what Akira's doing as right or wrong. It's what Akira feels he has to do, and that in and of itself has merit.
Besides... how can he not have faith in Akira's passion and certainty?]
... I see. So that's why you and your team took up arms to fight Shadows...
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survivaltricks) wrote2009-12-07 02:45 pm
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no subject
[Akira had been prepared to futz the details a bit-- for the sake of his own comfort and protecting the identities of his team-- but. . . that painful sincerity wins him over]
[he huffs out an amused noise, and nods]
If there's anything one learns when they become a Persona user and gain access to the Metaverse-- to the raw and unfiltered existence of human desires and cognition-- it's that humans are greatly flawed.
. . . some moreso than others. Wouldn't you agree?
no subject
... So slowly, he nods. He may love people as a whole, but he knows better than anyone just how messed up they can be as well.]
That's true... [The "Metaverse" is a new one to him, but the way Akira briefly explains it makes it plenty clear. Something... not too far off from the Dark Hour, probably where Akira did his work.]
Sometimes, humanity can be really flawed.
[that's what makes it so great when they overcome those flaws.]
no subject
[but that doesn't mean he doesn't believe in them. in their potential to be better-- to forge a better future for himself, his thieves, and those who come after him. it may sound contradictory, but to Akira? it makes perfect sense]
[Akira tilts his chin up a bit, gaze distant as he stares at the back wall]
What would you do if you were given the opportunity to make the villains of the world atone for their crimes? If you could change their corrupt hearts so they stop stepping on and taking advantage of the weak?
no subject
... Nothing, right? He wouldn't do anything at all if he was given that power. But that's why this isn't his Journey--it's Akira's. Minato is a different sort of person, who faced something entirely different.
If Akira was given this power... it was surely for a reason.
So slowly, but more thoughtfully than anything, his response is a simple:]
... Is that what you did?
no subject
[Akira says that without shame, even knowing that the implications of him having and utilizing such a power are pretty serious. he tilts his chin up and meets Minato's gaze firmly, with the sort of conviction only a man who knows he is following his heart wears]
It's how everything started out.
A shitty high school volleyball coach, known for physically abusing his male students and sexually abusing the females.
Someone who hurt a student so badly that she jumped off of school rooftop.
[a sharp exhale, because he knows this is a pretty heavy topic of discussion]
. . . someone whose crimes would never have become public if the Phantom Thieves hadn't stolen his heart and made him confess them all to the world.
no subject
But it sounds like Akira did what he did for a very good reason. How can he blame him for that? They're different people, different leaders, and had different methods. And Akira... Akira saved so many people, he's sure.]
... It started because you wanted to protect people... right?
Because you wanted to help protect people who couldn't protect themselves.
no subject
[Minato gets it in one, and Akira lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding]
We fight on behalf of the people for whom no one else will fight. We give courage to those who are too afraid to speak up against those in power above them.
[. . .]
I'm not going to say that we're blameless, or that we're completely innocent, or that we aren't crossing some lines ourselves. But-- [another sharp exhale]
If those who do have power won't bring men like that asshole teacher to justice, then that's why the world needs us.
no subject
Besides... how can he not have faith in Akira's passion and certainty?]
... I see. So that's why you and your team took up arms to fight Shadows...
[...]
It must've been hard.