text; anonymous

[thebreakingwave]

If wishes were horses, you'd all believe me when I said this was a 'hypothetical' scenario and I wouldn't need to post this anonymously.

From a young age, I was raised to be used in war. Knowingly or otherwise, I was trained to be the right sort of soldier; eager to fight, to support a just cause, and, if needs be, to die for that cause.

I did all of that and my war is over.

But now, I'm here, and at a loss for what to do with myself. I can fill my hours well enough, but that's all it is - passing the time.

I know that many of you are warriors in your homelands and I'd like to know how you've adapted to this place or to any time when you're not being used to fight.

Thank you.

Comments

[anonymous text]

[ryuuzaki]

[Only the idea of being raised as an instrument attracts L's attention. He had been, but he had wanted to be; it wasn't much good if you wanted something else. He hadn't. He would have lost many things if he had changed his mind, but even so, his motivation would have been impossible to maintain without the real drive that supported it. For him, it was nature as much as nurture.]

People in your situation often become mercenaries, unless they've seen enough of war. I'm not sure we haven't been forced into something like that here.

There isn't anything you enjoy doing?

[Apparently not, but it's worth making the other person consider it.]

anon text; forever

[thebreakingwave]

There are things I like, but most of them aren't really possible here.

And, I don't know if liking something is really enough?

forever and always

[ryuuzaki]

How so?

[He has his own ideas, but he would rather not make an assumption in this situation. There's no point.]

[thebreakingwave]

Say I like rugby. It's a fun sport. I enjoy playing it. I might even like to read about it in the papers.

But it's just a hobby.

[ryuuzaki]

Not a calling, chosen or not, if I'm understanding you correctly? Entertaining, but not absorbing.

[thebreakingwave]

I guess?

I don't think I want a calling, especially not one I can't refuse, but I think maybe something more than fun?

[ryuuzaki]

I don't think very much here is fun, unless you're spending too much time with the simulations. Even then, I doubt it.

[How long can those possibly remain interesting? Still, there are diversions here and there, if someone is looking for that kind of thing. Most of them qualify as something less than fun.]

Was your previous task satisfying?

voice;

[makalaure]

[ Maglor's right hand is stiff and scarred, and it is therefore much easier for him to resort to voice than to text. It eliminates the anonymity on his end but he already has a bad enough reputation among those who already know him - what will answering questions openly do to harm that?

So he speaks, and his tone is somewhat wry. ]

I will let you know when and if I adapt. I daresay it will take some time to adjust, however, for all of us who find that our wars are over.

anon text; forever

[thebreakingwave]

Thank you. It's also good to know that I'm not the only one in this mess.

[thebreakingwave]

I've never really thought about it as satisfying; rather it was a thing that needed doing.

But, I suppose, it was? I was good at it and I liked being good at it.

not here;

[unapparent]

[ but she has suspicions that this is you, Mr. Potter, and she hopes someone offers constructive advice.

:( ]

[text]

[circumitus]

been here a long time. fought wars even longer.
truth is, i haven't adapted. i don't believe i ever will.

voice;

[therangerking]

You were trained as a soldier, aye, but wherefore did you?

text; anon

[thebreakingwave]

Why did I what, exactly?

also not here;

[thebreakingwave]

[Provided he gets good advice, he'll talk with her about it eventually.]

anon text; forever

[thebreakingwave]

Once a soldier always a soldier?

[therangerking]

Even in a land torn by long years of war, each soldier fights of their own accord and reason, stranger. [ Says the King of the country of 600 years of war. ] 'Tis not merely the following of orders.

What is - or, perhaps, was - yours?

[thebreakingwave]

When I was a boy, I fought because I was told I had to do it, then, because no one else would, and in the end, because it was the necessary thing.

[circumitus]

yes.
apologies if that is not the answer you wanted. it is only my experience and the experience of others that i have learned from. but there is truth to the saying, you can never go home again.

[therangerking]

Why was it necessary to be you?

[thebreakingwave]

I don't think I follow you.

It was necessary to fight.

I couldn't be anyone other than myself.

[thebreakingwave]

I'd rather have a truth I don't want than an answer I do, but that's not true.

[therangerking]

In my lands, there are many Men who fight. Many knew little of peace, for there was naught but war throughout their lives.

Yet each of them found their own reason to continue to raise their swords, whether 'tis for the sake of their country, their loved ones, or simply for the sake of duty.

You say that 'tis necessary, stranger. I ask only why you think 'tis so.

[thebreakingwave]

Leaders fight wars for power. I know that much.

I fought for survival. The leader of the other side wanted to kill me, my friends and family, and destroy our way of life.

[therangerking]

Nay, I do not believe 'twas survival you fought for.