maskormenace | 1 ♠ [ video ]

1 ♠ [ video ]

[ Armstrong knows he can't just blindly advertise himself and his powers on this network. After all, to his understanding, anyone can be looking at this and he's not exactly sure what impact his actions could have on the public. With that, he's going to just post a harmless message that will garner the attention he needs from possible comrades and, hopefully, charm others into talking to him…. with his body.

His Hawaiian, pink floral print with tropical trees (decorated down to the last detail! There are coconuts with happy faces!) shirt rips revealing a diamond-cut physique that shines with sparkles as he flexes in multiple positions. ] Hmph! I am Alex Louis Armstrong! And it appears that I have been sent here for reasons that are similar to your origin in this heroic land! [ His shirt reforms, this time, the Hawaiian shirt is green and has turtles with sunglasses. ] It will be an honor to serve alongside all of you and I wish many successes upon you in hopes that, one day, you will develop a perfect muscular system just like mine! [ RIP. Another shirt explodes and drifts into pieces as he makes some super sexy playmate endorsed poses to demonstrate his upper body girth. A new shirt forms, replacing the old one with a standard white Hawaiian shirts with red cartoonish crabs. ] If anyone would like help developing their body, please do not hesitate to give me a call! Honing these intense muscles have been a trait passed down the Armstrong family line for generations!

[ Heropa, you may pour yourself a drink right at this very moment. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ prosecutor pls. ]

This isn't gratuitous nudity! This is a display of muscles and physique! It's an open advertisement for those who want muscles like mine! Or enjoy sparkly buff men! [ The second demographic is admittedly small, BUT YOU GOTTA KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE... ]

Well, this - This network is a place for - discussion. Not for advertisement!

I can provide dietary tips, exercise regimens, and, also, with my physique, provide heavy lifting for the citizens who need it! There will be plenty discussion to be had about my muscles! [ is this the real life.... ]

That - Perhaps - I do not understand - Please just put your shirt back on.

I do already have a shirt on! [ See? The cartoonish crabs are just abundant on his shirt! ] I can customize it and have a shirt that suits your tastes, provided that it is Hawaiian, if you wish! [ ARMSTRONG THAT KIND OF DEFEATS THE POINT.... ]

I had...

[He clears his throat.]

Stopped...looking after the...first, but yes, it...seems you do. Can you perhaps...remain clothed?

I believe that is an option available for request! [ He's not unfamiliar with this reaction, after all... ]

May I ask for your name, advocate for clothing? [ What a title! ]

[What a title...]

Miles Edgeworth. A...pleasure, sir.

Miles Edgeworth! I do know of a Miles back home, but he's quite different than you. [ OH WELL, Whatever!! Still!! ]

Regardless, it is a pleasure to meet you! I'm going to assume that you've been dragged into this conflict and have decided to be a hero? [ Because as if villains would even want to look at shirtless Armstrong, let alone have the patience to deal with him in a way that doesn't involve strangulation. ]

[All right, good. Here's something he can respond to confidently. That isn't just about...muscles.]

I have been dragged into this conflict, yes. But a hero? No.

Then what would you consider yourself to be?

Merely a person, sir. I find the term "hero" a dangerous one which should not be used at all.

I see... You sound like a man of words. [ Not action. Not Armstrong's cup of tea personally, but he knows your type kinda well! He understands the need for intelligence off the battlefield or on. ]

[That gets a frown - not visible, perhaps, but audible in the displeasure in his voice.]

And what is that supposed to mean?

It means that your weapon or power isn't something physical or for front line purposes. You do best behind the scenes, able to orchestrate and plan well. [ Like Maes Hughes! He was a real chill dude. ]

[That doesn't really smooth over his disapproval, though.]

Sir, my rejection of the term "hero" has nothing to do with what I can or cannot do. I reject it because I reject the binary morality implied by it.

[ Yep. Definitely a man of words. ]

What is your definition of the term hero? [ Binary morality? That's not the case for Armstrong. I mean, he's definitely noticed that heroes aren't obligated to be nice. They just need to be good. ]

Well. As I've said, I've rejected the term, so my definition is essentially moot. But I can take a moment to discuss what I see as the problem with the standard definition.

[strap yourself in alex louis
he will show you a man of words]

A "hero" is a person who "helps the world." That's fine and well. I will naturally agree that there are people who do benefit the world, and those people are well deserving of our praise.

However, the issue is this: a person's effect in the world is just a sum of the actions that they have taken. Because it is actions, not people, that move the world. Saving a man from drowning: that is a good action. Donating one's time to the poor: that is a good action. Advocating for an innocent man's freedom: that is a good action. Hurting someone is a bad action. Sabotaging another out of spite is a bad action. Acting against a man you presume to be guilty when you have little evidence is a bad action.

Yet if we apply the term "hero" to a person, we label them a good person, and therefore by default the actions that they take become good. Now, suddenly, going after the people you think are guilty, and going after them with violence, is fine, because it's you, the hero, who are doing it. Now, being cruel and belittling to those around you is fine - the hero is doing it.

The moment someone becomes not a person, but a hero, they're given a shield from their evil deeds. And - God help us - the moment they start thinking of themselves as a hero, they stop considering the consequences of their individual actions. Because if they're a hero, then they're saving the world, and so how could they do wrong?

[tl;dr -- ]

There are people who do good in the world. There are people who do bad in the world. But as soon as we start hurling the terms hero and villain around, we forget about all the complexities of a person. And we therefore run the risk of forgetting that we are fallible, and we run the risk of hurting others out of arrogance and pride.

I see. If it helps, I believe the term Hero is a goal, an aspiration of sorts. I know plenty of people who aspire to do good because of a sense of justice, and I know others that do good as a sense of atonement. [ Atonement is very important. ] I do think it is a term that can be easily lost just as it is given.

I don't think people would insist it's appropriate for a hero to commit atrocities just because of the title. [ But, then again, Armstrong is more of an action man than a talker. ]

I do see and agree about the points of a pedestal but it's important to find inspiration and good in things. It's in cases like these where I support looking at the good actions and commending those as inspiration rather than the people. However, I can say in my world, we have distinguished that good people aren't particularly nice people, and sometimes good people aren't nice to preserve the greater good. [ Like the time when Roy Mustang scorched his underling and Armstrong believed that it was actually his subordinates charred body until they had a secret lovely meeting in Xing! ]

Believe me, sir: I have no illusions about goodness and kindness being the same thing.

[That's said a bit dryly. Edgeworth strives to be a good person, but he believes that he is not remotely kind.]

And perhaps it is, as you say, important to inspire. But the cost of making a hero can be high indeed. I've had to take down heroes in court - men who began to believe in their righteousness. And who manipulated evidence - or committed murder - to protect their reputations.

Edited 2014-07-12 02:28 (UTC)

[ Armstrong has a strict No-Kill Policy and being an exception to it is quite the feat! You can almost hear his scowl over the feed. ]

Those men do not deserve the title of hero. A hero is someone who does good because it is the right thing to do. They do not do it for the power or reputation. If they were true heroes, there'd be no need to do wrong to preserve their heroism. I know somethings about false heroes, which I why I prefer to [ His tone brightens and becomes dramatic and loud instead of stern. ] create my own evidence that, Alex Louis Armstrong, can and will always abide by the higher moral path!

Hmph.

So you consider yourself a hero?

I consider myself a human who wants and aspires to do good. I try to not kill my enemies, unless their direct existence endangers people immediately and their relentless in their goal to create bloodshed. [ You can ask about that if you want, Miles. Just beware to hear the story of Sloth. ] My personal vow in life is to stand up to evil, no matter what the source. Even if it comes from a rank higher than I am, or a lowlife on the streets. [ Armstrong is secretly Sailor Moon ]

You're avoiding my question, sir.

Or I was giving you a lengthy yes. [ He thought his impressive rambling would make this clear, but, alas, brevity isn't an Armstrong trait that has been passed down the family for generations. ]

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[voice] | the prosecution calls mr. armstrong to the stand

[voice] hahaha yes

[voice] | the prosecution rests???

[voice] | never

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