[ audio ] of guilt and memory wiping

[heartbreaking]

In light of recent events upon the outpost it's clear that there are a number of us who are suffering the after-effects of torture. You all have my utmost sympathies - I have witnessed such things before and I will offer the same services here that I gave to my dear friend when he was put under a similar duress.

[ A duress that Durham himself instigated, yes, but that's another matter entirely. Or so Durham tells himself. ]

Whilst those who have been subjected to a torture most terrible are undoubtedly brave, it would not be thought of an act of cowardice to wish to rid oneself of the memory of such a trauma. Torture does not end just because one has been released from the cell; there are the lingering effects of anxious melancholies, exhausted spirits, weakened nerves... to say nothing of restless sleep.

You need not bear these memories as a millstone and for those that wish it I will gladly relieve you of such a burdensome weight. You may find me in my cabin - the eighth room upon the eighth passenger deck. Ask for Thomas Sutton - [ A thoughtful pause, then he adds: ] - or perhaps it would do better if you were to ask for Durham. Either way, I shall endeavour to do my utmost to help those that are prepared to ask for it.

[ Another pause, longer this time, and then Durham picks up again. This time his voice is harder, cooler; this is a matter of business, rather than a favour. ]

And while I am here I may as well announce this too - Oxford. Your Durham has disembarked. In light of this I propose a parlé. I would request that we meet un-armed but as both of us possess weapons that are not so easily cast aside, might I simply ask that it be under a white flag of truce? I do not know how many of your fellows remain on board but I suppose they may attend as well.

( OOC : Durham is essentially offering a bit of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Hit me up HERE if you have any questions! )

Comments

[jurisimpudent]

But you can't ever start anew. There will still be the people, left behind, who suffered because of your mistakes. The least you can do is remember.

[snaketrap]

There is not. He is here, now, not there. He will not be forgetting what is done but forgetting the wealth of his turmoil. If you believe in his goodness than I suspect, should it come that those who have been inflicted by his wrongs cross him once more, he would still wish to make good.

Without the destructive forces of shame and guilt.

[jurisimpudent]

Then the least you can do is suffer! The wrongs, perceived or real, cannot be righted. The least you can do is that.

[snaketrap]

And this will do what? It aids in no way. It does not take away their pain. It does not, as you said, right anything and so what, pray tell, does harboring these feelings do?

Think you have a bit of a martyr complex, prosecutor.

[jurisimpudent]

[He sets his jaw.]

It's necessary.

[snaketrap]

[ Have a challenging smile. ]

Why.

[jurisimpudent]

[He bites out:]

Because if we do not feel remorse for our mistakes, then we're no better than criminals.

[snaketrap]

And how long aught we be punished for our mistakes?

[jurisimpudent]

Forever.

[snaketrap]

And if the pain can no longer be endured?

[jurisimpudent]

It will be. It must be.

[snaketrap]

But if it cannot be? How sad that you believe you aught be prisoner of this. For you? I might see the good in it, truth be told, such is a powerful motivation to keep the law tight.

For Jesse? He is simply a child, he just simply wants to live. How do you know that he had not done time for his errors? How know you that he not made amends? The pain remains, it never goes away -- I feel that you know this.

Have mercy. He's not yours to try.

[jurisimpudent]

And I am not trying him. I'm not standing in judgment above him, and I can hand down no punishment. All I am doing is pointing out what he himself knows.

And he's not a child. He's older than I am.

[snaketrap]

He is a child. [ The length of which someone has lived is irrelevant. Especially to one over 1000 years.] In pain, wishing to be free.

[jurisimpudent]

This isn't a time for us to indulge those who don't want to grow up.

[snaketrap]

Perhaps he needs this to grow up, move on.

[jurisimpudent]

That's absurd. It is experience that leads us to grow, not a destruction of experience.

[snaketrap]

But he will still have the experience and know how he handled it, what he did, how it effected things, and all that follows. What he will not have is the emotional side of his choosing.

[jurisimpudent]

And I think maintaining the one without the other is pointless.

[snaketrap]

You just spoke the truest words, prosecutor. You think.

[jurisimpudent]

Of course I think. It is not as though you speak the gospel truth, either. Indeed, by your own admission, your own psychology differs from the psychology you're describing.