❮❮ 02; VIDEO. ❯❯

[godly]

[Light's caught up with his classwork (a little over a month's worth of it) much to his dismay. It is, also, sadly his day off of his assigned job here, and that leaves him with little else to accomplish at this point in time. And when he's run out of things to do, he often begins looking for them... that, or he starts to think too much. The following is an example of the latter, as he sits in the outdoor area of a quaint little coffee shop.]

Working in Internal Investigations, as well as being branded a "hero", has got me thinking about a few things. If you're not one for self-reflection, feel free to ignore this completely. [Light pauses, letting that preface settle, before continuing on.]

I used to be, I guess I still am, a good student, a hard-worker. Polite enough and an upstanding member of society. Had a caring family and friends to spend my free time with. But -- and maybe it's a selfish thing to say -- I sometimes found myself bored of it all. [Here, he does pause. Not quite long enough for reflection, but long enough to get his sentences straight for the following.]

You know how sometimes you feel like a cog in a machine, and not a lot more than that? Just an observer; and when the time comes, you're expected to take your place in society like everyone else -- be helpful. Contribute. Try to change a faulted world that is, at times, beyond changing.

[And then he laughs, lightly, as if finding his own words ridiculous.] Maybe everyone my age feels that way. But regardless, I don't have a reason to now; all of us have been given powers, haven't we? Some more useful than others, but even so... none of us have an excuse to say, "I can't change the world" or "I can't make a difference, so what does it matter?"

It may not be my own world that I can change, but I might as well make the best of the situation. [If he's cynical about it, though -- concerning any true reason why they've all been brought here -- well. He's awful good at hiding it.] I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I hope most of you feel the same. Not bored or idle, but inspired. It makes readjustment easier if you keep your mind focused on something good and achievable.

[That's the end of that part, at least. One more utterance before he leaves it at that:]

Oh, and everyone in Residence 021, I'm doing some grocery shopping today. Let me know if you need anything, or if you have any errands to run that a certain housemate of yours might be inclined to help with. Take advantage of my generous mood while it lasts.

[A small grin before he ends the feed. Translation: Please give him something to do.]

Comments

[Audio]

[prettyhotstuff]

It doesn't really matter where you're from, or whether or not you've been gifted with any special powers. There's always the same set of directions a guy could turn, after getting bored of life. Giving in and turn into another unthinking cog in the machine, as you said. People choosing to end it all after they've done what they wanted to do in life. And then the third kind, people that find inspiration from someone or in something.

I guess it's easier for some people if there's someone making them think they're special for being gifted with some kinda power or ability, making it so they can change the world. But that doesn't really factor into it. It's finding that inspiration that's the important part.

Let me guess: registered?

[Audio]

[godly]

Though those are the paths some choose to take, overall it's a broad generalization. Inspiration is a good starting point [the reason why he mentioned it, mostly] but if it isn't coupled with action, then it's nothing more than a waste. Having powers may spur those, who felt unmoved before, into accomplishing something for the greater good.

[He raises a brow at the last question -- not that it can be seen.] That's right.

[prettyhotstuff]

Or accomplishing something on someone else's behalf, anyway.

[There's something especially amusing about the fact that a third party who knows something of the past situation might very well listen in on this conversation, which prompts a bit more of a grin than usual -- unseen, but clearly heard in his voice.]

I used to know a bunch of guys who wanted to change the world. Real motivated group, talented, lots of good times. Honestly, I felt honoured to be allowed to tag along. But dreaming too big didn't really turn out too good for any of them in the end.

I'm not expecting to change the mind of a smart kid like you, but y'know what, having a small dream instead of being spurred into grand actions... there's nothing wrong with that.

video.

[selfequipped]

I can't say I understand the sentiment entirely. I had the same working out for me as you, but I found extracurricular activities to keep me entertained. [And that was before Kate took up being a hero.] Maybe you'll find the same thing here.

video.

[godly]

I'm sure I will. [In which he feels he needs to clarify:] That isn't to say my feelings from home apply here -- complaining about being bored while dragged into a world of superheroes is a different problem altogether, one that I hope doesn't apply to me. [Ha...ha.]

What sort of extracurricular activities did you enjoy?

video.

[selfequipped]

Aside from the costumed variety, I tend to do more things along the lines of charity work. Some basic things, and then you go from there. Organizing drives. I haven't had as much time for it in recent years.

[video]

[glassinine]

[Edgeworth is in his office. And he chooses to tackle the easy question first.]

Kindly keep an eye out for a decent water filter. I will of course reimburse you.

[video]

[godly]

[A water filter? How practical.]

A water filter? All right. And don't worry about it, I can afford it.

[video]

[glassinine]

Don't be absurd. This is a luxury I am asking for; it is a luxury I will be paying for.

video.

[mightiswright]

Ability doesn't always supersede belief, though some might claim otherwise.

Someone who has the ability to fly might still be grounded, because they think to themselves, "if I fly, I might fall". On the other hand, someone who simply believes if they try, they can fly, might be the one to invent airplanes.

[ you can lead a man to water, but you can't force him to drink it. Phoenix takes note of Light, because in his conversations with him, the kid's shown he has some interesting thoughts about the state of the world. so he intentionally pushes a little, to see where Light will take it. ]

You have the right idea, but it's not the addition of powers that will change the world. It's what people believe they can do with those powers.

video.

[godly]

[Light listens to all of that before responding. Based on what little conversation he's had with Phoenix so far, he appeared level-headed enough, and he has no qualms continuing this train of thought with him.]

Of course, I agree with that. But you can't argue that these powers have the potential to inspire motivation in someone, where there may have been none before; that's what I'm trying to get at.

[It works both ways, of course, good deeds and bad alike. But he doesn't say that much.]

video.

[mightiswright]

Sure, if they understand the potential of their power. It might also be enough to do the opposite, if someone feels burdened rather than inspired by this new ability.

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[attractedtodarkness]

Orange juice. And milk and cereal.

[once she's placed her orders, well]

That was some speech.

video

[godly]

Easy enough.

[He makes a mental note.]

What did you think of it?

[attractedtodarkness]

Honestly I'm not that inspired.

video;

[dissemble]

That's the spirit. Keep those hopes up in the face of all opposing evidence.

video;

[godly]

[--well. Shit.

Hard not to recognize that face, after all is said and done. Light doesn't quite freeze, but his grip around his coffee cup tightens on impulse, and his expression hardens.]

...I'd prefer to stay hopeful instead of drowning in cynicism. Not that I expect to persuade someone whose first act on the network was a serious crime.

video;

[dissemble]

Trust me, when you've lived as long as I have you quickly learn that history really does repeat itself, regardless of the good intentions of the people who keep trying to change it.

voice;

[humanistic]

This'd all be a lot more uplifting if you were talking to a crowd of actual volunteers. But you're not.

voice;

[godly]

And, so... you're saying the concept of being a helpful, "heroic" member of society is null and void?

voice;

[humanistic]

Here? It kind of is.

[and everywhere, but whatever.]

What's the point in making the best of a situation you're not even guaranteed to be in, in a month or two?

VIDEO.

[retconman]

Anyone of any age might feel that way -- but it's all about approach. You can make a change whether you have powers or not, I think ordinary human beings could move mountains with their minds if they just set about to do it. But that's the problem, inaction. Complacency is a dangerous thing, especially when there really is no excuse for it.

VIDEO.

[godly]

[And Light, really, couldn't agree more to that.]

Complacency has always been an issue -- and a prominent one, at that, at least in my world. I'm not saying that ordinary people can't accomplish anything, I'm just saying that being in possession of powers when you had none before... Well. That might be the spark that lights the fire of motivation.

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[youbastard]

That's a very good way to look at things. It's definitely better than burying your head in the sand and saying that it's not your responsibility to even try to make a difference here. [And he definitely has a point that focusing on doing something good helps readjustment, or at least it helps to not think too much about things.]

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[godly]

[He grins a little.]

It's better than making a habit of saying "woe is me" all day, and doing nothing to at least distract yourself from feeling that way. [In a good way, at least.]