maskormenace | 02 | video (backdated to the 27th)

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02 | video (backdated to the 27th)

[the video opens to the sound of the Thanksgiving dog show in the background and Jonathan settled contentedly on the couch, clad inexplicably in a turtleneck featuring the four Pac-Man ghosts. he smiles cheerfully.]

This isn't my holiday, but I hope that everyone who celebrates has been having a good time. I'm not entirely certain what purebred dogs have to do with being thankful, but I'm certainly grateful for the opportunity to watch them.

I never realized that dogs would be among the things that had changed in the future, but I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise. People are always looking to improve their breed however they can.

Perhaps it's a bit childish, but owning a dog again is one of the things I'm looking forward to most when I finally feel able to leave the government housing. It's been a while since I've had a pet.

[he scratches his cheek, the smile becoming a tad nostalgic for a moment of two. the television announces the start of judging for the hound group and he shakes himself out of it easily with a roll of the shoulders.]

Ah, but I hadn't meant to simply chatter away about inanities! I've been thinking about this for a bit, and I wanted to ask someone who was more experienced in the matter - how does finishing one's education work here?

There's no way I could prove my qualifications, after all, but I'd like to finally graduate if at all possible. It's the principle of the thing.

[finally completing his degree feels kind of like a symbolic closing of the worst chapter of his life, even if in Heropa that wasn't technically true. and it would give him a little more confidence in perhaps looking for a job actually related to his field of interest.]

Thank you for your time.

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Aren't they? But then, I'm a little biased. [he chuckles lightly] My favorite would have to be the German boarhound, but I always have a soft spot for the larger dogs. They're much gentler than people might first assume.

[did you know the Great Dane was originally called a German boarhound in 19th century English speaking countries? now you do.]

[Sorry but all of that goes over his head. Not only does he know shit about dogs but- what is Germany now? Maybe he really should study up on this world, ugh. He will look up the breed though to get a better idea of it. He wants to see why a man like this would enjoy the company of a beast like that. Tells him more about the man.]

And capable of a lot more. I think people tend to forget how they're still beasts when they've been domesticated, hm?

[The more you know. I feel fulfilled.]

Domestication is no excuse for being careless around an animal, but I don't think it's really something that needs to be constantly remembered. Animals will often treat people with far more compassion than they've been shown by them.

[he knows from personal experience.]

That's my point exactly. People shouldn't forget what they're still capable of, hm? And everyone has a hard time controlling themselves at times, dogs are the same.

[On the money with this. Jojo's are dogs.]

Maybe they know when there's something worthwhile in them- despite the torment those people bring? Or they're dumb. [A laugh.] But aren't we all?

I like to think that they believe in people's inherent goodness. Perhaps that does make them appear a bit dim, but it's admirable that they can continue to hold onto that no matter what befalls them.

[he shrugs, laughter shaking his shoulders gently]

But a great deal of that is merely projection. It's easy to do when something is close to your heart.

Eager and strong willed are not bad traits by any means.

[Said as coyly as always. Jonathan is so- heartfelt. If he had much of a conscious he might feel bad wanting more of him. But then- he really isn't his to play with, he as some feud, right? Still- it's hard to pull himself away...]

What makes leaving the government housing difficult for you?

There's a great deal about this time period that I still have to learn. Until I do I'm not certain that it would be wisest to strike out on my own.

[he smiles sheepishly, dancing around that weird tone he senses in Hisoka every now and then.]

There's no telling what appliance I might set aflame without supervision, after all.

Anyone helping you out?

Here and there, but mostly I've been doing it on my own. I don't want to trouble people with things I have to learn myself anyway.

Is it really that troubling? Maybe you should ask them? Hm? And if they're your friends it's just more time you get to spend together.

That's very true, but...[ah, how to put this. his weird need to be considerate of others to ridiculous extremes and take everything onto himself.]

In that sort of situation, it would be nicer to surprise them with what I'm able to do than have them spend the entire time correcting my mistakes.

You save time by getting advice though. [A laugh, shaking his head slightly.]

But it's not fair of me to be so hypocritical, I'd act just the same as you, and will. I don't know much about this world either, I've already made mistakes. I suppose I have a habit of learning things the hard way- why- I haven't felt like this since I was young. [Getting slapped on the hand and all. He's not used to screwing up ever, but that was back home. He made plenty of mistakes along the way when he was young- ah

getting sent to jail makes him feel nostalgic. If that even ever happens.]

[Jonathan looks pensive for a moment or two, mind drifting back to the warning Killua had given him. he seemed to be, if not outright regretful, at least aware that he'd done wrong. but then, hadn't Dio as well? it's not a fair comparison to make, and one that he shuts down almost as quickly as it arises.

Dio was a different matter entirely, and it would do no one any good to be compared to him. if he did, Jonathan would be going around completely distrustful of the entire world, and he knows that there's no reason for that. it's better to simply take Hisoka at his word.]

It makes sense, doesn't it? We're very young in terms of what we've experienced in this universe. But I can't say that I mind making mistakes terribly much. They've always taught me something invaluable in the past, and I don't expect that to change.

[To be fair, Hisoka is much less crazy and stupid as Dio, at least in his own opinion. Dio really seems to lack processing power at times- powerful though. Just a little dumb. To be compared to him though? Not too much of an insult- he'd rather not be compared to anyone at all though.]

Punishment should be considered a learning experience then, hm? Hold your hand in a flame and the burn only teaches you not to do that again. Just don't get into too much trouble, I think you'd make a lot of people sad.

I don't really go looking for trouble! I have far too many obligations to fulfill first. [he laughs, somehow still not wholly aware that this doesn't change how much trouble loves him]

There's a fine line between recklessness and bravery. Dire situations are excellent teachers, but that's no reason to seek them out.

Searching out something is much different from them happening upon you. Most mistakes come from fortunate or unfortunate surprises.

Not only mistakes. It's why I can't say that I mind them very much, even with the bad they can bring.

So you like surprises then? That's good.

As a general rule, yes. I'm lucky, since that seems to make up the majority of life's events.

Such wisdom. From your old age?

Naturally. There are some benefits mixed in with all the aches and pains, you know!

Even more if you consider the aches and pains benefits too.

Well, those aren't exclusive to old age. You can learn from suffering at any point in your life.

Some who have suffered more than others would argue with that- suffering can create something terrible just as much as not. [Case in point, himself. Second case, Dio. At least Hisoka didn't come out with a dad complex though. Phew, escaped that one.]

It can, but to blame such an outcome purely on misfortune is disingenuous. There's always a choice. It may be more painful than succumbing to that pain, but it's always there.

[he knows that all too well, and the conviction rings in his voice.]

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