On "heroes" and a reserve at maskormenace | Canon is MONSTER

[kinderheim]

You certainly are passionate about them. Heroes. Am I wrong?

[A polite laugh.]

Well, it may not be a genre I'm familiar with, but... well, you are aware that I've just finished with research on my thesis, regarding the civil liberties and rights of our children? And I'm sure you must also be aware of "The Psychology of the Child Archetype" by Carl Jung. At least, you must be familiar enough with the concept of Jungian archetypes to know that in "The Psychology of the Child Archetype," it's explained that the hero's feat... is to overcome the monster of darkness.

[Johan smiles - a very pleasant, yet very empty sort of smile.]

I wonder... what do you make of that?

Comments

[sturmbahnfuhrer]

That in order to defeat the monster one must take a step toward maturity. A child cannot defeat a monster; only a man can.

But, of course, to defeat a monster of darkness one must walk into the darkness themselves. We can't stay up with the lights on forever, now can we?

[kinderheim]

No. No, we cannot.

In your words, a "hero" must journey into the darkness in order to defeat the monster within. In order for the consciousness to overcome the unconscious. However... if that hero should find himself swallowed whole by that darkness...

[sturmbahnfuhrer]

And what if he should, friend?

I have always found it funny that so many are afraid of letting the darkness swallow them! It is an amusement at the timidity of a child to even consider being afraid of stepping into darkness. Of letting it lap over them.

A monster does not win because it is darkness, nor can a true man become a monster. A monster simply wins because it's opponent was a dog, and not a man.

If you were to ask me, there is no fear in being swallowed by darkness so long as you are a man when the stage lights burn out.

[hurms]

Jung was also a believer in the occult. Have hard time understanding how he was qualified to truly understand human morality.

[kinderheim]

Oh?

[Johan gives Rorschach a quick once-over, though his eyes seem to stare right through him.]

My apologies. I hadn't realized I was in the presence of an authority on the subject.

[hurms]

[the inkblots on his mask shift into something vaguely resembling irritation, or as close to irritation as a mass of formless black ink can get.]

Mere observation. Do not need to be an authority to make one.

[kinderheim]

[Funny. Something almost resembling amusement flits through Johan's eyes.]

But you are a hero, aren't you? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that mask of yours... That must make you a hero. A superhero.

Am I wrong?

[hurms]

[he doesn't reply for a moment or two, instead choosing to answer at first by tilting his head to the side as if questioning (or attempting to gauge) the other.]

Anyone can wear a mask. Just like anyone can do good. Don't need an excuse to do one to take up the other.

Wonder if you can say the same about yourself.

[kinderheim]

How interesting... Your mask, I mean.

[Not your sick burn, he means. Sorry, Walt. Johan takes a small step towards him to get a closer look.]

It almost reminds me of a Rorschach test.

[hurms]

[even though MEEEESTER LIEBERT can't see it, Rorschach's meeting his stare head-on. he doesn't move backwards when the other approaches him, but his hands tense slightly.]

Have heard that before. [dry? oh yes. very, very dry.]

[kinderheim]

[Is that a smile? it might be.]

Then tell me.

What is it that you see when you put on that mask?

[hurms]

[well, can't say he didn't see that coming. so he'll answer truthfully:]

The world for what it is.

[knight_king]

That sounds like a simplistic view of heroes of someone who was born in a time without heroic deeds.