[Video]

[azaleafae]

[To be honest, Everglade's new vigilante was bothering Azalea more than she'd like to admit. Again, it all came down to blaming the wrong people. Labeling people as "evil" when they were just trying to save themselves or others. Do these humans even know what evil really is?]

Azalea had been questioning these laws in general for quite some time. They didn't seem to deter violence at all, given all these bounties that are listed in the newspaper...]

With everything going on in Everglade, I have to wonder...what good do these laws do? I understand that these laws are intended to protect people, but people are either ignoring them, or working around them to commit their crimes.

On top of that, people are pointing fingers at the wrong people. Why are the Guardians to blame when the problem is too big for them alone? Is there truly a permanent solution for this? Can there truly be a world where one living being doesn't kill another?

For as long as I've been here, I thought Genessia was safer than Sornieth. But now I'm starting to rethink that sentiment. Even if we're less likely to die here, we're still in danger if being shunned by the public. You get punished for killing a beast, even if it's to save your own life. We have people killing others for the most bizarre reasons. Just what are they trying to accomplish?

Back home, we only killed beasts to survive. I'm not going to claim that that's right or honorable, but we just do what we have to do. The only reward is that we get to live for another day.

[There's a part of her that prefers that simple kind of life, even if it was more dangerous. She sighs, her breath shaking a little bit. She almost wants to break down and cry, but she stays strong.]

I'm so tired...I'm tired of dragonkind being labeled as "evil" just for trying to live...

[And then she'll cut off the feed.]

Comments

Video;

[highprices]

Throughout the history of my home there have been wars, conflict and pain. The reasons, when you look back on them seem like excuses. There are those who fight for freedom and those who think themselves above others.

It's sad though it's part of people's natures. Be them human or anyone else. We do what we need to do to survive and while the reasons sometimes don't make sense looking back on it, at the time they are the most important thing in the world.

[Crystal happens to love history but she isn't foolish enough not to see it for what it is. Basic instinct is to procreate and survive. That's how all creatures continue to live today and trying to rise above that is hard for any species.]

I'm not saying it's okay but it seems to be the way of things; not matter what world you're from.

Video;

[azaleafae]

...Qubine says the same thing...that it's just the way of things. Even the gods in our world were fighting amongst themselves in the beginning, and they nearly destroyed the world itself. But thankfully, they came to their senses. They each decided to live in separate regions of Sornieth.

So if they can make peace, then why can't we?

Video;

[highprices]

That sounds wise of them.

[Some just aren't meant to get along and Crystal thought that it was okay if not everyone did. As long as those differences were respected.]

It really depends on the problem and how deep it's rooted. I can't say I know the history of Everglade but if there are those who've lived in fear, those who've been persecuted... they might feel as if they are owed something for their pain.

That isn't how pain works, getting back at someone doesn't make the pain fade and can usually make it worse. However these people are also probably emotional and its rare for people to think clearly in times like that.

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[innocent_royal]

"The answer will never be clear. My father once said, 'when the two biggest, toughest kids on the block meet, they will eventually start fighting.' There could be a multitude of reasons, or it can simply be no reason.

My country was invaded twice because the life-giving tree was inside of our territory. The invader wanted this tree to make themselves more powerful. And for as long as I can remember, we were being threatened by another power because of me being the sole heiress to my father's kingdom."

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[azaleafae]

I see...I suppose that's a logical reason to invade...although it isn't right.

( video; )

[professorrieben]

[The professor looks sympathetic and, moreover, empathetic to the extreme.]

Your kind wouldn't be considered evil in my world, not by humanity. If nothing else, they would, by and large, have difficulty accepting your intelligence because of your brutality. Humans have the misconceived notion that one doesn't allow the other. They think my kind evil as well, only it serves to reason. We are their reminder that they are not the apex predators they believe themselves to be. Their pride, and this vigilante's pride, don't allow them to fear what is, in fact, more powerful than them...unless it is evil. "Evil" should be feared. It's a justification. And so, you are "evil" because you are powerful, and more powerful than them. No other reason.

[While the tone of his speech is bitter, there is a deep sadness in his eyes rather than hatred or blame. He doesn't fault humanity for this shortcoming. In fact, he seems to understand it.]

( video; )

[azaleafae]

[Azalea listens carefully, and then she sighs. This sounds all too familiar.]

I see...it's just like the Beastclans back home. I didn't want to classify humans as a Beastclan species, but they have many similarities. And most of the humans here have treated me kindly.

[Something about his speech also makes her curious.]

"Your kind?" Are you not human?

[He looks completely human, and she can't see anything different about him.]

[Video]

[justicereigns]

Who's calling you evil?

[Video]

[azaleafae]

...People who would treat me differently for being what I am. Thankfully, those are very few here. But this "vigilante" in Everglade worries me.

[Video]

[enchantressofore]

... I had heard of dragons being selfish and cruel beasts who tormented humans for the joy of it, but I suppose it is unfair to hold those of other worlds to that standard.

[ Adela seems a little awkward admitting that, scratching her cheek even as she feels her skin heating with embarrassment. ]

That said, I have never met a dragon before either - not before today. I apologize for that way of thinking, because it is wrong for you to be labelled as such for simply being alive, for being what you are, and for doing what is needed to survive. It may seem hollow of me to say, but I also live in fear of such thinking -- even if it may not be obvious.

[Video]

[azaleafae]

I haven't heard many tales of dragon from other worlds...so perhaps they may be different from ours. I've mostly heard that dragons had gone extinct in other worlds.

...At least you look like you can blend in easily here. I couldn't hide my dragon appearance, even if I wanted to.

[youfool]

The laws are of...questionable use. Ideally they'd be organic; that is, the "formal expression of communal self-knowledge." One hopes that they shall know themselves better. But then, a city built on fear is not well inclined towards knowledge.

As for good and evil and life, I'm afraid I must disagree with most here. Life itself is no justification for anything, though the saving thereof is very moral. I say this because the noblest act one can do is laying down one's life for another; certainly not seeking one's own continuance by any means. One can become a devil by doing that.

[azaleafae]

So you think dying is more honorable than living? That one can become a "devil" by protecting themselves?

Exactly what does life mean to you then?

[video]

[hyuuga]

Laws only have meaning if they are enforced, as sad as that may sound. [She sighs, having felt many of the same things recently while here, and even back home.] So... So when they aren't enforced, people look for the easiest person to blame. It's not right, but... I think it's something most worlds have in common.

[video]

[azaleafae]

Well, of course...but there's only so much the Guardians can do. And poor Fai...he's been working hard to keep the people of Everglade safe. He's been pushing himself past the point of exhaustion. I'm afraid of what might happen if he keeps this up...

[jerks22]

Damn, almost got through a whole post without talking about yourself. Better luck next time.

[azaleafae]

[Azalea sighs. It's this guy again. At least she didn't immediately fly off the handle. She really doesn't want to talk to him, but she'll give him one comment.]

...You're one to talk.

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[meteorrains]

Sometimes laws are wrong. People think they're doing what's right, and they can't see past that.

Back home, we fought because we had to. But we always had a reason.

video;

[azaleafae]

The law that was previously established in Everglade was wrong...but it had recently been changed. The change sounded fairer at first, but it led to the increased crime rate that we're hearing about now. It's...a complicated story...

Video

[bergkatze]

...hahaHAHAHAHA!

[There's literally no footage here other than a garbled black and white screen of static. While the static is certainly quite loud, the bizarre maniac laughter is even louder.]

What some cheese with that wine, scaley-ass? People are shit! People are ALWAYS shit and none of them can be trusted.

[The giggling continues.]

Just kill them all or kill yourself! Complaining solves nothing just like those petty rules and laws society makes.

Video

[azaleafae]

[Who. The hell. Is this?]

...And you're certainly one to talk.

[Even less so than the jerk above.]

Just who are you?

Video

[02crusnikabel]

[Well, he's picking up the pieces on this Everglade, Vigilante story, going through the network on his phone.]

Are you...are you really a dragon?

[Yep, a question from a priest in cloth.]

Well, I do not believe you are evil. Dragons are trying to survive as much as vampires do, I think.

Video

[azaleafae]

Yes, I am a dragon.

I'm glad that you understand...that at least some people understand...

video;

[truesmiles]

I've still been meaning to apologize for the last time we spoke in person. I've been meaning to do it in actual person.

[He heard her mention a thing he was well aware of. It's not like he wanted to do it. he really didn't, he understood they did it as a self defense but even though that is the case, even people would want justice. It was a sucky world sometimes.]

video;

[azaleafae]

I'm not even sure if you should apologize. It was that law that made you do it, wasn't it?

...But I have been curious about your personal opinion...did we really do something wrong?

[Azalea can't really agree that it was "wrong" for them to defend themselves, but she just wants to understand Fai's way of thinking a bit...]