ataraxion | third tear ♫ video;

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third tear ♫ video;

[ For perhaps the first time over the network, Elizabeth doesn't exactly look chipper. She's fidgeting, pulling at bits of her hair and moving as she talks. ]

Hello. I... I was hoping that I could ask you all your opinions, based on your own experiences. I realize that what I'm asking is situational and... well, really, private, but I really do need advice.

... When you have to kill, or... had to, before, what was it that allowed you to reason through it? Even if the act is for the greater good, it's still the taking of a life. Someone told me once that it was a necessity, though a terrible one, and I know now that he was right. Still, though, if it wasn't for survival-- for your own survival-- [ She pauses, reconsiders. ] If someone else was in danger--an innocent--is it any easier?

[ Clearly, she's never killed anyone before. Elizabeth chews on her lip, very much agitated. ]

Oh! This isn't about anyone on the ship, not at all. I'm only wondering for when I return to Columbia.

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Sometimes you don't think about it. If somebody's life is on the line, you gotta act before anything can happen to 'em. I don't think it matters if that person in trouble is you or someone you care about.

But I have all this time to think about it! If there's a better way, I'd like to... to at least try and figure something out where no one has to die.

Well, I guess if you got the time to do it...

Just what kinda stuff is this guy up to, then?

Well, she... she began a revolution in order to set right all the wrongs of our society-- where I live, not, ah... not across the entire world. Though, she's gotten a bit extreme and is killing innocents in the name of vengeance.

...Ah.

[Yeah, that person should probably go.]

Like, "your relative hurt me, so now I gotta kill you" or like killin' completely random people?

Exactly like that. [ She wrings her hands as much as possible whilest recording a video. ] The former, I mean.

Huh... So not really as bad, but still pretty bad if those people're friends a' yours.

[Or just plain bad anyway because people are dying. Seriously, Firo.]

Still, I've never heard of a way to stop a vendetta besides killin' someone. People get really determined with that stuff, you know?

Yes. [ The Finks aren't friends, not even a little, but... ]

I do know. [ Very well. ] ... I just wish it didn't have to come to that.

Yeah, it's not pretty.

[There's the regret and pain you're bringing to others, of course. And even if someone's completely amoral, there's still clean-up and possible legal trouble.]

You could try lockin' 'em away forever, but that could be just as bad. And they might escape and be even more angry.

I don't think I could. For one thing, I would never be able to capture her. And the police of Columbia would only kill her straightaway, or worse...

[He nods, frowning. This is quite a pickle...]

Sounds to me like no matter how much time you got to think about it, you still don't have too many options.

How 'bout gettin' someone like... a hitman so they can catch her and then you can let her choose what she wants to do.

No... not really. [ She sighs. ]

Well, I... To be honest, I've been traveling with a man like that. Only, I don't want to rely on him for everything. I think that I should be able to make some difficult decisions on my own.

Yeah, I get it. Smart.

[Not that Firo's always against relying on others, but everyone should be able to stand on their own feet.]

What's there to do but take her out, then? You've got time to prepare. After it's done... Well, it's not fun--unless you're some sicko--but life goes on.

I suppose I've just been worrying about dealing with it... after. With the regrets.

[He nods, thinking back to a couple years ago. Even though Szilard was a terrible person, Firo had felt pretty guilty after he killed him.]

Regret's a pain. There's really nothin' you can do about it, you just gotta stop yourself from thinkin' about it.

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