They seem to prefer leaving us to our own devices, for the most part—whether that path leads to preservation or destruction. After all, even if the universe is destroyed, they can always start over again.
They are not above interfering, but I imagine that from their perspective, there is infrequently a reason to try and control our actions.
To them, their duty is to the universe, not to us.
[he glances to the side for a moment, as if gazing somewhere far away, before he looks back at lili.]
I understand your feelings. I don't necessarily agree with all their decisions myself. Though let me ask you something: what does it mean to have the power to stop suffering?
It means that they have the ability to do what others they cannot, whether they worked to achieve that status or were born into it. Time, resources, power -
If someone has those things, they have a responsibility to people under their care.
Sura frequently attack humans. [a pause, and then somewhat frantically, he adds—] I don't, and neither does my clan as a whole, so please do not be alarmed. I personally don't find their slaughters justified.
[LIKE PLEASE DO NOT THINK HE'S A MASS MURDERER]
Brahma, the Primeval God of Creation, created a barrier system so that humans could protect their cities from sura. However, she also gave it enough weaknesses so that sura could break the barriers.
admittedly she just has to go off his word and actions but.... well, if he was a sura that didn't care about humans then he probably wouldn't have even blinked if she got squished by the drawbridge so
[yeah 99% of sura would've let you be squished lili]
The important thing is that everyone—be they sura or human—acts according to what they consider justice. Often, one's suffering is another's gain.
[and thus, he doesn't think it's so easy to define what it means to stop suffering.]
So I suppose this is where I stand: I would prefer impartial overseers who step in when the universe as a whole is at stake, over those who regularly decide the justice of one of their creations is more worthy than another's.
[a beat.]
Though our expectations are likely a reflection of different societies. Compared to sura, humans are far more inclined to support each other and thrive with structure. You have a duty to one another, and that is your strength.
[ . . . . there's a frown at that, because she has trouble grasping it.
'the justice of one of their creation's is more worthy than another's' - but couldn't that be said the same for humans. what is the version of justice for a person who will use their power to hurt others? that's not justice, even though someone might falsely call it so -
but that is just what lili thinks.
she struggles to actually voice any of that out loud, because it would feel like cheapening his explanation]
.... that sort of way of life sounds difficult, Shess.
It's a difficult question. In certain ways, a seventeen-year-old human could be less of a child than a sura of a thousand years. The way we age is very different.
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[WHAT ARE THEY FOR
DO THINGS LAND ON HIS HEAD OFTEN]
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Each clan has features in common with a creature of some sort. It's just how the Primeval Gods chose to create us, I suppose.
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You know your gods?
[that's pretty cool, she thinks]
Are they all-knowing?
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In the sense that there is no certain future
Even if there was, I don't think I'd like to know.
I'd be upset if it turned out that I had no agency of my own, and none of my actions and if I chose them truly matter.
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They seem to prefer leaving us to our own devices, for the most part—whether that path leads to preservation or destruction. After all, even if the universe is destroyed, they can always start over again.
They are not above interfering, but I imagine that from their perspective, there is infrequently a reason to try and control our actions.
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[this is literally always, specifically, her least favorite thing]
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[he glances to the side for a moment, as if gazing somewhere far away, before he looks back at lili.]
I understand your feelings. I don't necessarily agree with all their decisions myself. Though let me ask you something: what does it mean to have the power to stop suffering?
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It means that they have the ability to do what others they cannot, whether they worked to achieve that status or were born into it. Time, resources, power -
If someone has those things, they have a responsibility to people under their care.
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Sura frequently attack humans. [a pause, and then somewhat frantically, he adds—] I don't, and neither does my clan as a whole, so please do not be alarmed. I personally don't find their slaughters justified.
[LIKE PLEASE DO NOT THINK HE'S A MASS MURDERER]
Brahma, the Primeval God of Creation, created a barrier system so that humans could protect their cities from sura. However, she also gave it enough weaknesses so that sura could break the barriers.
As a human, do you find that unfair?
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admittedly she just has to go off his word and actions but.... well, if he was a sura that didn't care about humans then he probably wouldn't have even blinked if she got squished by the drawbridge so
she'll believe him
and at that, she just crosses her arms]
Of course I do.
Why do the sura need to attack humans?
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The important thing is that everyone—be they sura or human—acts according to what they consider justice. Often, one's suffering is another's gain.
[and thus, he doesn't think it's so easy to define what it means to stop suffering.]
So I suppose this is where I stand: I would prefer impartial overseers who step in when the universe as a whole is at stake, over those who regularly decide the justice of one of their creations is more worthy than another's.
[a beat.]
Though our expectations are likely a reflection of different societies. Compared to sura, humans are far more inclined to support each other and thrive with structure. You have a duty to one another, and that is your strength.
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'the justice of one of their creation's is more worthy than another's' - but couldn't that be said the same for humans. what is the version of justice for a person who will use their power to hurt others? that's not justice, even though someone might falsely call it so -
but that is just what lili thinks.
she struggles to actually voice any of that out loud, because it would feel like cheapening his explanation]
.... that sort of way of life sounds difficult, Shess.
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It is what it is. I can't conceive being anything but a sura, but I wouldn't wish our way of life on others either.
As I said, I like humans. We may not have agreeing mindsets, but hold onto your beliefs, Lili. I think they'll guide you well.
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You don't need to talk like you're older than me, you know.
[this is being LECTURED and she doesn't hate it as much bc shess has generally been pretty supportive of her]
You don't even look old! The dissonance is too much!
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should he apologize for looking young?]
That's not exactly my fault.
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You probably think I'm a child, don't you?
[trick question]
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You're mature for your age.
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