genessia | A "Hypothetical" Question; VIDEO/ACTION

VIDEO

[Terra is sitting in her greenhouse when the video starts. Flowers climb up the back wall with buds peeking out towards the bright sunlight that filters through the misty glass. Her hair is down, falling in loose mint green curls around her shoulders. She looks thoughtful as she regards her phone.]

I have a question. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about…

…

People can't die here and hurting them doesn't make us feel better... what does it take to forgive someone? What do they need to do when they've done something really bad?

[As the video continues there is a flash of white fur before the phone falls on its front; turning the screen black.]

Howl!

[Terra’s disapproving voice echoes through the phone before the feed ends. She hopes someone might reply to her question, despite her cat’s interruption.]

ACTION: BAR

[Terra decides to take a walk to be alone with her thoughts. She spends most of her time at her flower shop and while it’s usually quite her pets or visitors have the tendency to distract her. As she makes her way through the city she starts checking out different businesses and stores. A few of them she peeks into and immediately leaves. That’s what she should have done at this bar.

The atmosphere is smoky but warm, it’s curious, and without hesitation she makes her way to the line of bar stools to take a seat. The bartender regards her seriously for a moment before ignoring her. She looks both lost and unsure; neither are traits he wants to deal with.

Terra’s gaze moves around the room. She makes eye contact with a few people staring at her though their eyes quickly dart away. It doesn’t bother her but she wonders if she looks that out of place. Her dress is red and short. It’s the closest thing to the dress she’d woken up with and her sandals were light brown. It is too hot to wear more though she’s noticed that most of the men in the bar are wearing pants instead of shorts. She can’t see how she might be out of place.

She turns back to the bartender.] Excuse me? [The soft voice does nothing to get his attention.]

RANDOM: FLOWER SHOP EMPLOYEES

[Terra has declared it employee day in her two shops. Everyone working or not will get a surprise flower delivery at their house! In it will have a small bag of candies and a little note thanking you for all of your help. Jefferson and Dave will get separate ones, despite the fact that they live together and each flower arrangement is different.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes but not forgiving means that they're still hurting you... doesn't it?

[Terra really isn't sure what to think but the more she thinks on it the more unsure she is. There has to be a way... she's been hurt many times but then she's always felt as if things were hallow.

She doesn't want anyone else to feel that.]

... It might. And... It would not be a lie to say that he is, even without any further intent on his part.

That sounds... very sad.

[Terra understand that pain, she'd been there and has lived through worse. Except she's never had love and so there is nothing to miss.]

Is it blame? or is it something more? I know it's hard...

...

But I don't understand. There is so much I don't understand.

...

I am not certain you would understand, nor would I wish for you to. I will only say it is something that still haunts me to this day, as much as I wish it would not.

...

[Terra bites her lip unsure if she should say more.]

Was it Battler? ... he... took me too.

[Her voice shook slightly though it's hard to say why.]

It was.

[ Adela isn't even surprised, she knows about the video existing after all... ]

... I know bringing him harm makes no difference. He left me crippled, and though I have recently changed that the effect is still permanent. I think the best I can do is move on, with no regard to him whatsoever. There is no need to forgive what he has done.

[Terra hasn't seen the video but Adela's description sounds fairly specific. It's hard not to guess.]

I guess so. I don't...

[she pauses looking a little unsure.]

I don't want you to keep letting him hurt you.

[That's how Terra perceives anger. Allowing someone to continue to hurt you because you'll never forgive them, because you'll never be at peace, as if that devil and nightmare will always fall behind her like a shadow.]

I think you misunderstand. I do not intend to forgive what he has done - the level of violence brought upon myself and others should not be forgiven or tolerated.

[ She sighs, slumping a bit and rubbing her temples. ]

... However, I do intend to let it go. I... I have more important things in my life to strive for than to dwell on the past - on him.

So the two aren't the same?

[Here is the root of Terra's confusion.]

It's possible to never forgive someone and be happy? Even if you see them again?

I do not know. I have said that I would be satisfied if he were to bring no harm on others ever again, and if I saw he was actively hurting people then of course I would wish to act, but... I do not know.

If I were to see him again, it would be too soon. That said... If he were simply living out his life, never seeking to harm another, then it would be... I wish to say I could leave him be, to live my life separately, but I do not know what I would say or do for certain.

I see.

[Terra pauses, her fingers tearing at a piece of plastic in her hand.]

I want to believe that anyone would be able to live out their life without harming others. I know that it isn't true but...

I want to believe in people.

[Her tone softens.]

I'm scared that it's wrong.

... No. We are capable of living without harming one another, I believe this to be true.

[ She shakes her head, sighing. ]

That does not mean everyone will choose to however. For their own purposes, they may still choose to harm others. In Battler's case, it is clear that it is because he enjoyed seeing others in pain. I doubt I would see any remorse for it from him.

[ Adela pauses then, still keeping her gaze low and away from the camera's lens. ]

I apologize. I would rather not see him again, and I do not know if I could trust an apology from him so easily. He is likely the most extreme case of this nature for me, however... Does that answer satisfy?

Yes... can I ask one more question? It's a little different.

[Terra bites her lower lip, waiting for Adela's confirmation before continuing.]

What if someone did something horrible... I don't know if it's as bad as Battler but something evil... only the people they hurt aren't here... if it wasn't you that was hurt but strangers, families... children... [The last word leaves her lips in a whisper.]

Would you forgive them?

...

I believe Genessia is a good place to have a new start, should people seek it. If they wish to take the time to change and no longer seek to harm those they had before or anyone else, then they should be given a chance to. That kind of person... It may be difficult, but I believe I could forgive them for that.

Is it easier?

[Her voice is very soft and she looks very sad.]

To forgive when it wasn't you being hurt?

... It is selfish, is it not? I suppose it is easier.

[ She feels a little sad as well, her shoulders slumping as she leans back and looks at the camera again. ]

It is less personal if it did not involve yourself or your family and friends. As much as I might wish to say I could be that way to someone who has hurt me or mine as well, I am afraid I am not so good as that.

[Terra nods her head, keeping her eyes away from the camera.]

Thank you for speaking with me about this... I know... it's hard.

If it helped, it was worth it to speak of it.

[ Adela nods then, forcing a weak smile for the woman on the other end of the feed. ]

It did help. Thank you.

[Terra tries her best to smile as well but after a few moments she simply ends the feed.]

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