[video - to reignite]

[rekindlenpcs]

[The feed opens to Irene sitting in her office - there's a bit of sun coming in the window behind her and spreading across the desk, making the whole room seem warm and cheery.]

Hello! For those of you that I didn't meet on the first day, my name is Irene, and I'm the city's liaison to the arrivals from other worlds. It's a pleasure to meet you!

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for their hard work. It hasn't even been a month, and the city's energy levels are already picking up. Because of that, we expect to be able to re-energize and open the Third District to visitors soon.

But before we can do that, there's a few things that need to be done. I'm posting today to ask for volunteers to help power a number of generators throughout the district, which will then activate and negate the draining effect that is presently still active. There's three large generators and a number of smaller ones. If you are in good health and would like to participate, please gather at the bridges between Districts 2 and 3 early Sunday afternoon.

I'll also answer any questions you have about the operation at this time. Thank you again for all your help.

[She folds her hands at the bottom of the screen, waiting.]

Comments

[driftlock]

Yes. It's different.

[He's seen more than his share of combat. And just for an ideal.]

Lot faster to die in combat. And at least you die for something.

[winged_knight]

Giving my life to save another is dying for something.

No matter the speed or method.

[driftlock]

Something stupid if you don't know who they are. You could be giving your fraggin' last ration to a Syk dealer.

[winged_knight]

And perhaps they'd never be a Syk dealer if someone had been compassionate to them earlier.

Perhaps there wouldn't be Syk if mechs didn't need an escape so badly. Perhaps that escape wouldn't be so needed if the Functionists were more understanding of people's desire to be something beyond what they were made for. Perhaps there'd be more compassion in all of society if the politicians had put others before themselves, regardless of station.

It all has to start somewhere Drift.

[driftlock]

....you really don't understand people.

There are mechs out there, Wing, who like to hurt people. They like to steal and hoard power. Not all the hugs in the world are going to change them.

[Grah, you talk like this and then you wonder why Deadlock doesn't like the idea of you wandering off alone? You wouldn't last 2 kliks in the gutters.]

[winged_knight]

I understand their potential. There's so much that's wasted.

[That's why he didn't like the Functionists. They limited mechs to what they were, what they could do, and didn't challenge them to push their limits, find out what they could BE.]

I'm aware. [Maybe not as intimately aware as Deadlock is though.] How did they get that way?

[He has cool swords and centuries of training Deadlock, let him have his saintly hero fantasies okay?]

[driftlock]

Trust me. One act of stupid generosity isn't going to change years of bad thoughts. They won't even remember you, except as an easy mark.

[This is the voice of experience shattering your hero fantasies. And substituting other fantasies instead?]

[winged_knight]

No, one won't. But dozens? And more importantly, if none one bothers to show each other compassion, then we create a world without it. You can't have freedom, or peace, without it.

[That's cold Deadlock, but you're going to have to try harder than that. Stop distracting him!]

[driftlock]

Compassion. You mean 'letting people take advantage of you.' You do that, you get a society of predators and prey.

[He recognizes it as a nice idea, but he's seen too much.]

[winged_knight]

I know how to do charity in moderation if that's what you mean. If it's not...

Do you really think a world where no one cared about anyone else would be better? Would you be happy in that world?

[Too much of the wrong side of people, it makes Wing sad. People are capable of so much more.]

[driftlock]

Right. That why you were out in the desert alone trying to figure a way to rescue all those slaves?

[Puh-leeze, Wing. Deadlock isn't quite that stupid.[

What I'd be happy in doesn't fraggin' matter. But it'd be better than being dead.

[winged_knight]

Risking one life to save dozens is a worthy risk.

[Yes, yes, he's forgetting about the all those in Crystal City he risked, but that risk is not immediate, where as the slaves need is.]

But it does. [It's soulful, the way he says it. Like it matters in a personal sense, not just an ethical one.] If you couldn't be happy, could anyone?

[driftlock]

Not if they're all losers. If they were any slagging good they wouldn't have gotten captured.

[DUH.]

Not the point. [He's not sure what the point is, anymore.] Because it's not about me, or whether I even make it.

[winged_knight]

So I am to pass judgement on them, and if I judge them "losers", I should let them die?

Would you have said the same from your position in the gutters?

[Because a lot of people probably judged him a loser then. Wing prefers to think most mechs capable of more if given a chance.]

[But oh Deadlock's willingness to put his cause above himself rings a chord in Wing, and it feel very right. Now if only the mech had the right cause.] Every life is important, has value, yours is no different.

[driftlock]

They'd let you die. Half of them would probably help that happen.

[Hence Deadlock's urge to wrap you in bubble wrap. And/or caution tape. Just to be safe, because in his mind, Wing clearly hasn't the common sense to cross the street without getting robbed.]

Hnh. You knew me back then, I'd've been one of them.

Yeah? Every life? What about yours?

[Then he frowns, aware that he's almost admitting something. Time to use Scowl of THAT MEANT NOTHING.]

[winged_knight]

So I should be just as bad as they are?

How do you make the world a better place that way Drift?

[Mind the wings please, and no wrapping too tight. Pass on the caution tape though, it clashes with his gold highlights.]

[And he sees you, evading half his questions...]

Yes. But why does that...[have a queer look Deadlock]...matter?

[driftlock]

It's not about being 'just as bad'. It's about being not stupid. Not wasting your life.

[Okay, no caution tape but he will insist on blinking warning lights.]

[Dodge parry thrust.] Your own life doesn't matter to you?

[winged_knight]

How is helping others wasting my life?

[Make them gold and it's a deal.]

[Also Deadlock you are acting very suspicious.]

It does... But I also want what I do with it to matter to others. To make a difference.

[¬.¬] You seem increasingly concerned with my well being Drift. [Just sayin'.]