2nd Crimson Mode | [Video]

[crimsongirl]

Okay, so, everyone done turning into monsters? Guessing random crap tends to happen every month. Hopefully nobody turns into a turkey this week.

[Because Homura might be tempted to cook one.]

Anyway, before someone whines about another garden gnome or a bush that has an extra branch, figured I could ask a question:

What should be valued more? Strength, or friendship?

Odd question, but it might help me know what kind of people I am dealing with. You know, without constantly listening to the network. [Or spying on people.] Also, it's a trick question, so actually think before answering.

[Nearly cost her a friendship to figure it all out.]

Comments

[notquitedracula]

Without friends, strength is meaningless. Being the ruler of a wasteland is very lonely.

[Is someone speaking from personal experience? He might just be.]

Video

[youfool]

Friendship, assuredly. 'Tis the greatest pleasure on earth.

Video;

[innocent_royal]

Friendship is a wonderful thing. Without it, what is life?

Friendship itself can be considered its own strength. Working together to protect one another and all else precious.

[Video]

[riddlemehiss]

Speak for yourself, I've always wanted to try being a turkey for a day! Ah hahaha!

['Always' meaning he literally just decided being a turkey could be fun.]

[betri]

... Well, no matter how strong you are, there's only so much you can do alone. Trusting other people is the only way to really go as far as you can.

[It wasn't a lesson he had to learn, so much as his father.]

[crimsongirl]

Then where will you get the strength to defend them? Without power, one can't protect others.

Re: Video

[crimsongirl]

And how will you protect them without power?

Re: Video;

[crimsongirl]

And that's a good point to value it more. But without power, how can you protect that friendship?

Re: [Video]

[crimsongirl]

[Luckily she has already seen a talking doll and dolphin, so a cat is not nearly as weird.]

Might wanna pick a time to want that in months where you won't end up as dinner.

[notquitedracula]

There are many ways to gain strength that do not involve sacrificing a friendship. Many of them can even forge new ones.

As for where I personally would get that strength... I already have more than I am comfortable with.

[crimsongirl]

[She smirks.]

Finally, someone who understands both in one go! Afraid I don't have a prize though.

[crimsongirl]

That's satisfactory. Answer I was looking for was both, since there's always someone stronger, yet you always need that reason to go on.

Re: Video;

[innocent_royal]

Indeed, it's daunting for those who may lack a means to call on abilities to defy normal limitations.

I, myself, have my magic, but I believe there are other means to overcome threats. Many friends, many minds, are better than one.

[notquitedracula]

In that case - and, indeed in reality - friendship itself is a kind of strength. All on its own, it can be enough to inspire a person to go past their perceived limitations.

[betri]

[He grins a little bit with a laugh.]

It's the kind of thing you probably have to learn by going through it. And I didn't expect a prize, anyway.

[... though now he thinks it would have been nice... he's ten, he has simple wants.]

[crimsongirl]

Yeah but you still need power to get the most out of it. Friend had to learn that the hard way.

[By Homura kicking her ass.]

Re: Video;

[crimsongirl]

True, but you still need to get strong enough to defend yourself too. Relying on people and working together is good and all, but the strength of the individual is important as well.

[notquitedracula]

True. But most people have more than they realize. Think on the stories of mothers lifting cars to save their children as an example. The human body has natural limiters that prevent it from exerting all of its strength at once, in order to prevent it from ripping itself apart.

That isn't an argument against trying to get stronger, mind you. But if you take the wrong path in your search for strength... bad things happen. Demons. Dark gods. Eldritch horrors. And in the end, you usually lose what you were trying to protect - because you aren't there when you're needed, or because you willingly sacrifice it in search of more power.

That's how demons are born.

[crimsongirl]

Definitely. But you seem quite a bit young to know that. What's your deal?

[Shinobi were trained at a young age for sure, but many weren't able to learn such a lesson, mostly focused on themselves due to family problems.]

[betri]

[Funnily enough, "family problems" were a driving factor in how things turned out the way they did.]

It's a long story. My dad and I had to go on a journey together. We both learned a lot - that was one of the lessons along the way.

[crimsongirl]

Oh I know. That's why I choose both options, not just one. Back then, I didn't even have a real reason to fight. I just did it to feel alive and repay a debt. Without that I was lost. Chances are I might have become something worse if I stuck to that path.

But at the same time, I needed to be stronger given the enemy I now hunt. I can't just rely on my friends. My team relies on me, otherwise we might crumble apart.

So basically both are equally important, and a proper balance is what's needed.

Re: Video;

[innocent_royal]

Also true. I lamented feeling like a burden to my friends, but I am making progress to learn new skills besides magic.

I am going to become strong enough to stand beside them.

[crimsongirl]

Ah that might do it. [Many dads in some of the shinobi families were...rough around the edges; one way to describe them.] How tough was it? What did you face?

Re: Video;

[crimsongirl]

If you want, I can help train you in some martial arts. I need more training buddies anyway.

[notquitedracula]

You've hit the nail on the head, there. Balance is key, in all things. Without it, chaos seeps in and entropy takes hold, and in the end, it all goes dim and cold.

If you don't mind me asking, what is it exactly that you hunt?