dear_mun | voice testing??

More can be achieved in 'team' dynamics than I had ever assumed, until recently.

However, I do not intend to detract from individual efforts.

[ Peers, peers, opens arms. ]

'Saving the world' is no small goal.

Right.

And you're going to fix the world?

[Have the most unimpressed eyebrow raise ever, Lonnie.]

I'm used to working on my own. [ Fortunately or unfortunately. ]

It's slow going. The best I can do is take them down, one at a time, keep spreading information where I can. Help people who deserve it, that aren't feeding off the masses. [ ever since that experiment in 'enlightenment' he's been much more cautious about what he's doing.

A pause. ] I don't think I've heard of you, though...? [ this is a kid who apologised to batman for cuffing him, this is as close to 'potentially impolite inquiry' as you'll get from him ]

[ stares back :| ]

Eventually. I never said it was going to be really quick. You can't rush this stuff.

No one should take that from you. [ Oh he likes that comment about the masses already. ]

I am the Ghost. More of an urban legend really. Until recently. Heh. More effective this way.

[ Something about the costume, about the mask, strikes a dim, pre-paranoia memory. The A for Anarchy symbol is more super obvious to him though. ]

You favor open and distributed societies lacking governmental constraint. ...or is that a band logo?

Everyone should have the right to choose, in an ideal world. This is far from ideal. [ he knows that better than anyone. ]

"Ghost", huh. It's fitting. [ also wow look at that tech that is really impressive ] ...Is that yours? The suit, I mean. I haven't seen any technology like it. [ batman doesn't have a suit that can let him ghost through walls he definitely knows that!! ]

The former. [ That gets a little grin. ] I don't listen to much music.

Edited 2013-08-06 06:45 (UTC)

I can appreciate what you're trying to do, but personally? I think anyone who advocates anarchy has never been in 7th-grade gym class on dodgeball day.

[ hey, more...superheroes (if you're dressed like that you've either got a cause in mind or you're going to a costume party) he doesn't know ~~so many marvel guys what is this?? YOU'RE NOT FROM HIS UNIVERSE~~ ]

Individuals have the right to be free. They have the right to choose, and not have their choices taken away from them by people who thrive off the suffering of the common man. [ anarky's first thoughts are always of smaller people; he targets corporations and corrupt businessmen in their name. ] As to what they choose, it's up to them. But they need a choice. [ Though he believes, perhaps too much so, that all people are inherently good. ]

You're one guy. Hell, you're just a kid.

[Says one 16 year old kid to the other 16 year old kid.]

What can you do that'd possibly change anything? You one of those types who thinks spraying a little graffiti or organizing some protests is gonna change anything?

I target corrupt politicians and business owners. Mega-corporations. People who feed off society, and don't give anything in return - I expose them for what they are, bring them into the light. Spread information, fund people who are fighting for the same causes I am.

Individuals need to be free to choose. I want to free the world, one step at a time.

[ He has an intensity that is not to be trifled with; it's not something you really see from people his age. ]

That right? What, you write for a blog and donate to charity? Don't hold your breath if you expect that to change the world.

[ He's jaded, but he's not stupid. There's something about this kid he hasn't seen before, something that makes him sit up and take notice. And for all his dismissive talk, he's watching the other boy more closely now. ]

Let me lay a little ugly truth on you: people don't wanna be free. They say they do, but you think all the guys exploiting them would've gotten power in the first place if people hadn't wanted to be exploited? Most people are just herd animals. They want someone to tell them what to do and they don't care if they get lied to or used in the process.

[ It's a cynical observation, perhaps even a bitter one, and more suited coming from one of the aforementioned corrupt politicians and business owners than this boy who's not even yet out of high school. ]

Edited 2013-08-06 14:07 (UTC)

Mhm. Humor me with a question, if you don't mind. [the respect is a little uncharacteristic of him until you remember that the track record he has with dealing with kids with martyr complexes isn't exactly a spotless one. don't wanna shoot himself in the foot before he's even got one foot out the door, after all.] What makes you so qualified to be the one to fix it?

[ hey, he's willing to fight for his cause but he ain't willing to die for it, that's hardly martyring himself :| he's not intent on setting himself up as a figurehead. He helps people help themselves. ]

The world is set up on a system that pushes people to believe that they need guidance - that they need voices to tell them what to do. That humans are little more than animals.

I think people can be more intelligent than that. [ this kid: may have too much faith in the human race ]I'm just trying to give them the push they need to realise that they don't need others to tell them what to do. [ he won't force it on them - he believes wholly in the freedom of the individual, and he's shied away from anything so extensive since his little misadventure in enlightenment - but he'll fight for the people wherever he can. ]

[ That almost gets a grin. ] Uh, I dress up in a costume and spook politicians. And tap their phones for evidence of corruption. And punch out business owners who are doing stuff like polluting rivers. Siphon off money from the rich taking advantage of the poor. [ you know, normal 16 year old kid stuff. ] Vigilantism.

[ His eyes narrow, though, at that assessment. ] Like I haven't heard that before. People say it all the time - 'people don't want to be free, they want to be used'. You can't look at people who are homeless or starving or being killed because of other people treading on them and say 'they brought it on themselves'!

[ he hates this reasoning almost as much as he hates 'the ends justify the means' reasoning okay ]

The world needs changing. Society believes that they need to be guided because that's what they've been told for thousands of years. They need to be told something different.

Heh. True.

Certain individuals need to be... taskkilled for the system to function correctly.

[ Which is a nice way of saying Ghost loves the smell of napalm in the morning, in highly specific locales. But he hasn't toppled a corporation in a very long time, so it has an air of wistfulness. ]

Yes. My design. I suspect from base-scans of your costume that you have technology of your own concealed.

You'll forgive me if I decline to share technical specifications at this time. Unless you wish to trade...

Ah. Good.

I strive for a system similar in function to anarchy, but currently I prefer to effect change from outside the political system. I would only do damage to any cause I attempted to advocate for.

Really. [ If it was coming from anyone else he knows, he'd laugh it off. Even now, he's tempted. ] If even half of that's true, dude, you lead an even weirder life than I do. And that's saying something.

[ He's not particularly offended. He raises his eyebrows once, but that's more a reaction to the force behind the argument rather than the argument itself. ]

I'm not talking about people who are victims of bad luck or being born in the wrong country or whatever. I'm talking about people like most people in this country. Fat, self-absorbed, brain-dead middle class America. You think you can get them to care about global warming and white-collar crooks? They don't even care about the guy next door.

[ There's no particular heat to the way he says it, though there is an underlying bitterness that colors his words. It's the bitterness of a boy who learned what he knows about people the hard way. ]

You know what? You're half-right. The world does need changing. But the only way anything's ever going to change is if something big happens. Something really big, too big for anyone to gnore. Too big for them to just switch the channel back to Honey Boo Boo or American Idol or whatever.

You get used to it in a world full of superheroes. [ he would count himself as a hero, but he's self-aware enough to know that others don't agree with his methods. He's met a few kindred spirits, but that's not many. ]

As I said. They need waking up. Slowly. [ Emphasis on the slowly. He's learned that trying to enlighten people all in one go doesn't help. ] Spread information, let it take root so they can't ignore it. They'll learn.

People have the potential to be good. I want to bring that out. But to do that, I have to take out the other people - the ones who benefit from making the majority braindead and self-absorbed, the ones who don't contribute to society. That's what I do.

[ he nods, grim. ] Sometimes they learn, sometimes they can be left alone, but...sometimes you have to eliminate a problem by going straight to the source. [ Like Batman, for example. He thinks about individuals and not exploding buildings - too much collateral damage involved on the latter. But he doesn't especially like the thought - killing people isn't something he wants to have to do. ]

Yours? Wow. That's--really impressive. [ he sort of stumbles over his words a little, because. Well. Wow! ] And-- uh, yeah, I do. I built the suit myself.

[ another little grin. ] And I understand, about the no sharing thing. History's full of it - people stealing the ideas of others to benefit themselves, or to use it for worse things. [ He hesitates to sling 'good' and 'evil' around, now; the world is more complex than that. He's learned that. ] I don't blame you.

[ He sort of sighs, a little. ] It's a lot easier to try to change things from outside politics. People go in there with good intentions and end up just as bad as the rest of them - the power just goes to their head. [ Power corrupts, absolutely. Hell, he'd almost fallen victim to it himself, with the green lantern ring - and before that, with the machine he'd built. ] The way society is built - that's the way it goes, even if you wanted to change things for the better at first.

Maybe you do. I wouldn't know. [ there are no superheroes in his world, just a gang of kids playing superhero. Badly. ]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you probably don't have enough time for that. Two, maybe four or five years tops. After that it won't matter how much information you've spread.

[ That last part, though, gives him pause. ] 'Take them out'. Mind elaborating on that for me just a little bit? It doesn't change the facts, but I'm curious if by 'take them out' you just mean expose them or ruin them financially or whatever, or if you mean... you know.

Things are different in your world, I'm guessing. [ He's no stranger to the idea of other worlds - he's visited at least one dimension. ]

Exposing them, giving evidence of their corruption. Irrefutable evidence. Preferably ruining them so they'll never be trusted again. Work my way up the chain.

I don't want to kill unless there's no other solution to the problem. I've only ever tried it once. [ and he would have succeeded, if Scarecrow hadn't been there; who knows what that might have done. He can't see the future. He won't try. ]

[...huh. you know what? that isn't as offensively childish as he thought it would be. it actually appeals to him a great deal more than he'd like to outright admit; being the master of your own "destiny", answering to no higher authority except for yourself.

it's a nice thought, if not a childishly simple one. then again, look who he's talking to.]

Intelligence is only half of it. You're talking about absolute choice; free will without consequence.

Consider for a moment the people who fight society's oppression by taking what they want and living how they want. Would a deviant like that really deserve the privilege of free will?

[ he'll learn, in time. For all his intelligence and awareness, he's only sixteen, and it shows most in his idealism.

Though only time and experience will tell, if he loses it. But he won't compromise on his beliefs. ]

Free will shouldn't be a privilege. It should be a right. Freedom of the individual is important, and shouldn't be bound.

You should be free to choose what you want. What you choose is a different thing altogether - but choice is important. Especially educated choice, where everyone knows the facts and the possible impacts of their decisions. [ He believes people would rather choose honesty than oppression, if they're properly aware of it. Information is a crucial stepping stone to enlightenment; ignorance is a blocker. ]

Except it doesn't work that way. Don't misunderstand me, it sounds perfect in theory, but in practice? It's impossible. It's the very nature of society to band together and form relationships, alliances, and that in turn creates security. If you have security, you have rules. If you have rules, there is enforcement. One cannot be denied of the other or else you create chaos.

[it's all matter-of-fact, not judgmental, not indicative of his thoughts on the matter one way or another. he's just looking at this logically.]

You'd guess right. Things aren't too different, but they're different enough. [ He'll get into specifics if asked, but his attitude on information is pretty much the opposite of this guy's. Giving out information? Nine times out of ten, that's a bad thing. ]

Ah. Yeah, that's about what I figured. [ His smile's gentle and patronizing. ] And that means you haven't worked your way too far up the chain, I bet.

I know that. [ gosh eddie Bc he ain't that sheltered ]

Human beings will collect in societies, and be productive. The problem is that society as it is now has people who don't produce, who take advantage of people trying to make a living. They don't think about the people they're harming, just about the 'bigger picture.' [ like Ra's. he didn't see dead children - just a pathway to his utopia. ]

That's what I oppose. Brutalisation, cruelty -- anything that harms and oppresses people is something I won't stand for.

[ don't patronise him son he almost succeeded in killing batman Bc ]

If it's one person, it takes a long time. Having more allies would be nice, but I'll make do with what I have.

I don't want unnecessary death. [ he's not smiling. :/ ] Death causes a ripple effect. It impacts on other people who aren't directly involved. Hurting them isn't my goal.

[don't be silly all kids are dumb.]

So you support fairytale nobility. I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt by believing that your worldview was simply skewed, but I suppose it really is just underdeveloped. Idealistic, too.

You clearly don't know enough about how the world works much less how people function to put yourself in any position where you'd stand even the smallest chance at "fixing" it.

Edited 2013-08-07 02:15 (UTC)

[ see this is why he keeps talking to you, every time he thinks he's got you figured out you throw him a curveball and it's back to square one. ]

Once you get high enough up the ladder, you're gonna be dealing with people that can't be dealt with any other way. [ holding up a hand quickly; he could see the counter there almost as soon as the words left his lips. ] Wait, I take that back. You could deal with them in other ways, but you'd be dead if you tried. Because once you're that high on the ladder, you're dealing with people who don't take prisoners.

You're probably better off alone. Especially with what you're trying to pull off.

[ excuse you ]

You can't deny that there are parasites in society, though. [ he isn't fussed by being called ~*~idealistic~*~ ] Targeting those people is my main concern - spreading information about what they do, who they are. Bringing them down, where I can.

I might not be 'qualified' - whatever you think is 'qualified' - but people older than me made society what it is today, so. [ He grins slightly. ] I can't do any worse.

[ that is an Actual Joke

he is enjoying this actually, he kinda likes you, eddie ]

Killing is a last resort. But it's there, if there's no other option but to remove the problem by cutting out the source. [ He knows the necessity of it - but that doesn't mean he likes it. It's all about choice. Does he do the right thing, if his hand is forced? Is his reasoning sound? Would it stand up to his own morals?

He won't do anything without his hand being guided by his own principles. He won't compromise. He won't kill, if he's ever driven to it, because it's easier - only if there's no other way out, no way of salvaging it. And he won't let anyone die, either, unless they choose it.

He is judge and jury for himself, and executioner too; he has nobody to talk to, so he talks to himself (and max, who is sort of an extension of him anyway). ]

That's what I keep saying! I don't need to get out and meet new people.

I never did. But, see, those same parasites sort of make up one component of the glue that holds our society together. Deeper than that, I guess you could even dredge up some psychoanalytical reasoning that the capacity for good and evil is rooted in shades of grey, but that sounds a little too flowery for my tastes.

[he raises one palm out, gesturing impassively.]

Everything is corrupt, in some form or another. The closest thing to enlightenment that you can even hope to gain is by understanding that the system - any system, really - is rigged in their favor. But - [he holds one finger out.] You can fix it in yours, too. With a little effort and creativity, of course.

[it's a big back and forth game, trying to out-cheat the cheaters, but it is a way to live. the only way he's known that's actually worked out for him. why try to change the world when you can take what it has and make something better out of it?]

So no, you really can't do any worse, but gosh if it isn't entertaining to watch you try.

Edited 2013-08-07 02:55 (UTC)

[ it's one way to live - but not the only way. young as he is, anarky recognises the signs of someone who's been beaten down and damaged by circumstances out of their control.

the kind of people he fights for, in fact. ]

And that's why society needs changing. People have the capacity to be better than what society tells them. They don't deserve to be beaten down until they can hardly think about anything.

[ Another little grin. ] I'd rather see the world rebuilt a little at a time, so that everyone can benefit. It shouldn't be a requirement that you have to learn how to play the system you were born into.

[ He shrugs, at that last comment. He doesn't have much to say about that. ]

[don't you dare pity him, brat. a bloo bloo blooooo.......]

It's good for kids to dream big. [a beat] But you never answered my question. Why should you be the one who fixes the world?

Hate to break it to you, but you don't have "Superman" written all over you.

[ who's going to show empathy for you? NOT BATMAN THAT'S FOR SURE ]

I stopped an abberation from wrecking the universe once and stopped Ra's from bombing a country. Among other things. I don't just dream big.

[ He shrugs, again. ] I don't want to be Superman. I don't want to be a figurehead, swooping down from the sky, picking up people and saving them. I want people to save themselves, otherwise they won't learn.

I just provide the pushes, the incentive. I clear the path - or begin one.[ He gestures with his cane, a little. ] It's all about choice. Choice, and thought.

As to why should I? I have the means, and the capability, and the will. Why shouldn't I try?

[WHO NEEDS EMPATHY WHEN YOU HAVE MAD $$$$$$$$ get the heck out of here.]

And see, that presents another problem. A revolutionary who takes matters into his own hands straddles a very thin line. No matter how justified you are, someone isn't going to agree with you, and that someone is likely to be very powerful. If they don't overreach you, they'll find someone who does.

But gosh, I bet you've already got a contingency plan for that kind of scenario lined up too, huh. [this kid wouldn't survive an hour in Arkham. Eddie's positive.]

Yet here you are. Funny how that works. [ This time there's no patronizing undercurrent to his amusement. He's only too familiar with finding himself in situations he wants no part of - and for a kid who prides himself on making his own decisions, about being controlled by no one, it can be infuriating.

He knows enough to pick and choose his battles. Unfuriating though it might be, he'll put up with it if the ultimate outcome works out to his benefit. Short-term pain for long-term gain, that's really all it works out to.]

Seems to me that you needed to meet someone like me sooner or later. The way you're talking now, I don't think you'd be able to go that far if it came down to it. You say you would now, but I think if you got put in a situation where you had to kill a guy, you'd hesitate. And then he wouldn't and you'd be dead.

Hard to change much of anything that way.

[ WHO NEEDS A BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THE TROUBLED CRIMINALS YOU CAN PUNCH ]

It happens. [ He shrugs. ] It was pretty painful, but all things considered, I got off pretty lightly. [ having your own insignia carved into your chest is not much fun! swimming while dizzy from blood loss is not much fun either! ]

You say that like you're talking to someone who doesn't peek into Batman's files now and then, Mr Nigma. Gosh. [ Another little grin. ]

Hey, all things considered, you didn't have to reply. [ he doesn't mind it, necessarily, but he's always got something to do. Something to monitor or track. ]

The only reason I wasn't able to go through with it last time was because there was interference. [ His voice is steely. ] And I don't believe in sacrificing myself for a cause, anyway. You can't get anything done like that.

What can I say, it was hard for me to pass up that kind of irony. [ and he could relate to it, the idea of wanting friends and yet not at the same time. Not that he'll admit it, but he saw something of himself there. ]

So you've at least got a little bit of a practical side going on. [ He almost sounds approving. ] Good. For a little bit there I was worried you'd be the kind of guy to blow himself up if you thought it'd be for the greater good.

How do you do what you do? You've just got money and cool toys, right?

[#gotham lyfe]

I don't think I'll ever understand why kids in your position just see gratuitous bodily harm as a incentive to aim higher. Even I know how to pick my battles. [that's not to say that he picks them well, but shhhh.]

That's supposed to be a joke, right? You're no Batman Lite, kid. You're barely even a Question knockoff. [and when you can't measure up to a smelly raving lunatic like that, you're clearly not trying hard enough.]

Edited 2013-08-07 16:33 (UTC)

I didn't exactly plan on getting carved up a little bit, though I did expect to be roughed up. It worked out, anyway. [ he fooled ra's into taking fake missile codes, whoop ]

Would you believe me if I said I monitored the Watchtower for a while? [ no eddie he's 100% serious :| ] I don't really want to be Batman, either. He's pretty much the source of Gotham's problems - that's the last thing I want to be. [ ...h-he still admires him though... ]

Fair enough. [ And it's not like he had to respond, either, so. ]

You can't help people if you're dead. Live to fight another day, and stuff like that.

Money and technology, yeah. Though most of it's funding people who need the help.

[ Something about that strikes him as funny. Not necessarily a ha-ha kind of funny. More like funny weird. ]

Maybe that's why you needed to get out and meet new people. Some of us have tools you don't.

voice testing??

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