Homeless, hopefully going to Jarjammed

[adequation]

I can't say I approve of being dragged away from Republic City at such a critical time.

In fact, to say I disapprove is a rather tragic understatement.

But it will be interesting to see how the general public reacts to my message in an environment where most of them are from worlds without benders.

We'll see how this goes.

Comments

[alesserequalist]

Critical time, sir?

*cough*AU Amon here*cough*

[just_a_mask_now]

I hope you consider how different benderless worlds probably are--why, the message is probably a moot point with them.

[adequation]

On the contrary, so far many of them have quite passionately agreed with me. At this point in time, I have more allies than the Avatar.

[just_a_mask_now]

The Avatar is there? Without her allies?

[adequation]

Yes. As of now, she and I are the only ones. Quite a unique opportunity.

[just_a_mask_now]

Indeed. Have you managed to sit her down for a civil conversation? [skeptical voice]

[adequation]

I have attempted to be civil. I cannot say the same for her, but that has certainly worked in my favor as far as public image goes.

[just_a_mask_now]

Public image and truth do go hand in hand.... [higher level of skepticism in his voice, lengthening it into more of a growl. if what he's heard is true--]

Though I suppose in this new world there are many things you can simply omit, and no one's the wiser.

[adequation]

Truth is a difficult issue. [Which he assumed another version of himself would understand, but he was starting to feel mistaken in assuming that they were exactly the same.]

I am starting to think that we are not seeing eye-to-eye here. If you have any disagreements with me, I would be interested in hearing them.

[just_a_mask_now]

Sometimes. [eyes narrow behind the mask.] And sometimes it's not that ambiguous at all.

[sigh. better to try getting it out in the open.]

First of all, how fares your Lieutenant? You rightly criticized being pulled away from Republic City during such critical times...but the movement can go on without you or I. The problems remain, and the people will stand up for themselves, whether or not we are there to be a catalyst. And there is the Lieutenant to ensure the movement goes on...granted, if he is able. Not grievously harmed, for one. [slight anger and even accusation colors his voice.]

[adequation]

He is currently fine. But if he or anyone else were to find out certain things about me, I would have to take drastic action. For the greater good.

As much as I wish I did not have to lie, I doubt most of my current allies would follow a bender. No matter how much I believed in the cause.

[just_a_mask_now]

The greater good exists--but it is still something to be wary of. I'm sure many benders have believed such a thing before they completely lost themselves to their unnatural powers.

Why should you even be the one to lead?

It doesn't make for a good public image, does it--the bender leading the nonbenders to equality? But it looks so much worse when that bender lies. And truth does have a way of making itself known, no matter how hard you want to hide it.

[adequation]

I lead because I am the one who can take bending away, and because I have the organizational and strategic skills needed for such an operation. That is all.

My abilities would not be accepted if I did not lie about their origins, and then there would be no one there to actively deprive benders of the powers they abused. Sometimes one must choose the lesser of two evils.

[just_a_mask_now]

So you say.

A necessary evil...that, we can at least agree on.

So you never investigated Avatar Aang's technique against Ozai, that of spiritbending? Or was that a dead end?

[adequation]

A dead end.

I am reluctant to rely on the spirits for anything, anyways. I am well aware that the ability I possess - to the extent that I possess it - is not one that any person should have. If the Avatar or any of the spirits had taken my bending as a child, I would have considered it merciful.

But they did not. So I found a way to do something positive with it on my own.

[just_a_mask_now]

The spirits are still there, whether you rely on them or not.

Ah, now, if you can do something positive with your bending, couldn't others? It seems you are in a better position than I to bring a true balance between nonbenders and benders--a less harshly executed one, anyway. It's too late for my world, but perhaps not for yours.

[adequation]

There have been people other than me who have done positive things with their bending. But even that can lead to things like bender-exclusive careers and general favoritism towards benders.

And enough people have done terrible things with bending, too.

Why is it too late for you?

[just_a_mask_now]

And it never occurs to you that you might be prey to those same issues that plague benders should you continue to accept the role as leader of the nonbenders' movement?

Your bending cannot be removed by your method--bloodbending, I assume. I trust that you have tried such a thing on yourself, and failed. That goes without question. But still your leadership--not just how it works, but what it means to the movemnt, should still be critically watched.

[Dryly, a touch bitter.] I rather think once you start planning to weaponize an army and take an entire city by force, it is too late. Have you taken steps to prepare for such a last resort?

OOC: A Korra from re/aligned RP here

[not_halfbaked]

Benderless worlds, huh?

[adequation]

Yes. Does that cause you distress, Avatar?

[not_halfbaked]

Just met some people from places like that, so it's not exactly super new at this point....

It's just weird, because it's not what I'm used to, like at all, but to them I'm really the odd one out, so it...ah, what's 'normal' changes a lot more than I thought it would.

What about you? Benderless worlds good enough?

[adequation]

Their existence does not change my plans for our world, if that is what you mean.

But I am interested in learning about them.

[not_halfbaked]

Not...exactly, I was just wondering if what you heard about those worlds sounded nice to you. Like what you want for, um, our home?

But I guess you haven't heard a lot about them yet....

...So, alone where you at, or anyone else from our home there?

[Amon hasn't given much for Korra to fight against, and she really was curious about him hearing about benderless worlds too. It's surreal, this is the most civil conversation they've ever had.]

[adequation]

Some of those worlds have similar issues based on things other than bending, which isn't any better. I do not wish to see bending replaced with some other sort of oppression.

Some of them seem good, though. Some worlds have never had bending or anything like it and have done just fine, which is reassuring.

You are there. Another version of you, anyways, who is very distraught about having me as the only other person from home.

[not_halfbaked]

[That didn't sound reassuring at all.]

...So would you say people just suck?

Oh, that sounds better!...kinda. [There's a frown in her voice.] That one says bending's the problem, but the other ones say it's just people that are messed up!

...Did you always think bending was the problem? What about just...teaching all people to be better? More responsible, I guess? Even...even stricter against bending without getting rid of it?

Well, the last thing we had close to a conversation other than this--which is way nicer, by the way--was you saying you would destroy me, and if anything similar happened with her and you, I'd be freaked out too.

[adequation]

There are people out there who will not be better regardless of how much teaching they are given. You can punish those people for doing harm, but the hurt that they have already caused can never be taken back. Better to prevent it altogether.

She is well aware of my intent to destroy her, yes. If she insists on slandering my name to everyone she meets, her destruction will come much sooner. If she were willing to be civil with me, perhaps we could have polite conversations like this, too.

[not_halfbaked]

...I guess Aang thought Ozai wasn't. And those Triad guys you dealt with...then why not just them? Just remove bending from guys who really deserve it. You're not really trying to remove everyone's bending, are you?

[Sigh.] Okay, maybe punishment doesn't fix everything or get rid of the hurt already caused, but how does the loss of bending help with that? How does ending all bending help with anything? Bending's done a lot of good, too--it's another way to heal, besides what nonbenders can do.

...You didn't say anything about polite conversations changing your mind about destroying her, though. Could you change your mind about that?

[adequation]

Bending has done some good. But with the rate technology is progressing, I am hoping we will no longer need to rely on benders at all for things such as healing.

I am not saying it would be impossible to change my mind, but it is very unlikely.

[not_halfbaked]

[Sigh.]

Some of the benderless worlds I've met have some really crazy advanced tech....

So you don't think bending and technology can exist together? You're all 'Mr. Spiritual,' but you're still into machines and stuff too. You don't think bending can't get along just as well with those things?

How unlikely? C'mon, let's just play pretend--what would get you to drop the whole 'destroying me' thing?

...When we say 'destroy,' you do mean 'kill,' right?