026 ~ [Voice/Action] | Forward-dated to Sunday

[distressedude]

[It's been two weeks since the incident with Arietta, and there was still no sign of Anise in the village. They never even had a chance to speak before she left for a mission, likely in an attempt to put some distance between herself and Ion after their argument. It's strange to think that the last time they went this long without speaking to each other by choice was around this same time last year, though for a very different reason. He's been so caught up in dealing with all of this that he actually let the anniversary of the day he first confessed his feelings for her pass by without a single thought!]

[It was strange to think so much time had already passed. He wasn't entirely sure how to feel about it really.]

[But sometime in the late afternoon, he opens his journal. There's no need to bother with a filter while Anise is still out of the village, and it isn't as though Arietta is the one he's trying to reason with here. Her anger is easier to understand and deal with. There's an uncharacteristic hint of exasperation in his voice when he speaks, having spent the last week and a half mulling over this without any obvious solution coming to mind.]

How do you stop two people who hate each other from continuing to hate each other? [Not a very eloquent way of asking, but it's the simplest way he can think of to explain the situation.]

Though this isn't the sort of problem I'm expecting an easy answer to, I was hoping someone might be able to offer some suggestions. Or perhaps if anyone's had any experience in dealing with a situation like this, it might be of some help.

[And regardless as to whether he's heard any solutions to this problem or not, he'll be spending the remainder of the evening in various places around town. He spends about an hour at the library, not quite able to concentrate on his reading. Giving that up, he goes for an aimless walk, lingering on the various bridges around town for a few minutes before moving on again. He probably looks more spaced out than he usually is, and the cold chill in the air probably isn't helping matters. By the time he arrives back home, it's been dark for awhile and he's shivering quite a bit. He probably should have worn his winter coat today.]

Comments

[written - private]

[imatreenow]

[He considers the question for a moment, and ends up replying out of boredom and a pressing compulsion to spread negativity.] You cannot stop hatred. People's hearts will not be swayed so easily.

[written - private]

[distressedude]

[Well, that's a rather negative response. It seems almost stronger when it's written down in front of him rather than a voice. And on a private filter no less...]

I'm sorry, but I just can't believe that. Though I don't think it would be an easy process by any means, hatred isn't an absolute. After all, people are capable of changing.

[written - private]

[imatreenow]

I've found people to be incapable of change. If you've believed one thing for a long time, you aren't going to be able see anything else. That's just how people are. Most are unwilling to even try. [Wow, speak for yourself, Mithos.]

[written - private]

[distressedude]

Perhaps you just haven't met the right people?

[It's a tangent, but... he can't hardly just leave the conversation like this without saying something, can he?]

I know someone who vowed to change in order to make up for his past mistakes. It took a long time for him to earn back the trust he'd lost, and there were many people who didn't believe in him. But he was able to help change the world for the better.

You're right that most people aren't going to change so easily. But that doesn't mean it's impossible.

[written - private]

[imatreenow]

Then your companion is stronger than most. [If he were speaking rather than writing, his dubiousness would be clear.] An exception to the rule does not undo the rule.

[written - private]

[distressedude]

I'm afraid that's something we'll simply have to agree to disagree on.

[A brief pause.]

Though I do believe there has to be a certain element of desiring to change before someone can truly do so. Rather than being incapable, I think it has more to do with being too stubborn or set in one's way to see change as a viable option.

[A certain Grand Maestro comes to mind here.]

[written - private]

[imatreenow]

People often do not have as many options as others seem inclined to believe. It isn't fair to impose your way of thinking on everyone. [Mithos says stupidly hypocritical things part 547.]