02; video

[lempereur]

[ The camera opens on the walls of Yusuke's bedroom, and the various paintings he has hung up there. At this angle, there's a painting of a collection of porcelain masks, shattered and clumsily put back together with super glue and tape, a cautiously hopeful fox with the sun in his eyes, and something more abstract sitting unfinished on an easel. It's dark and violent, if you're one to interpret such things, with shapes that have no recognizable figure, and yet, somehow, are angry and sad.

But Yusuke seems happy enough when he talks. ]

I am working on an art project. Like this, but bigger. A mural, perhaps. I will need the help of my fellow imPorts to complete it.

[ Yusuke turns the camera around, now facing him. If you know him, or are particularly perceptive, you might notice that he looks tired under his eyes, but his demeanor is cheerful enough, and he's smiling. Probably just lost track of time working last night. ]

It is about unity, between imPorts, and between us and the community that has absorbed us. Our powers are what sets us apart from the natives, making unity difficult, but despite that, they are a blessing. So, I am looking to observe or experience powers of different kinds, for a more rounded vision than just my own. Specifically, I am looking for people with healing abilities, fire, wind or weather manipulation, things like that, but anything that you all would be willing to share would be a tremendous help, you never know where inspiration will strike. [ He taps his chin, making sure not to forget anything. ] If you are comfortable modeling, that would be ideal, but if not, you would still be a great help.

And another, unrelated question, regarding all of your home worlds. Or even this one, for those who have been here long enough.

[ Yusuke's eyes dart somewhere off camera. He's staring pretty intently at...something, and continues looking at it, even as he continues speaking. ]

How often have you known hearts to change of their own accord? Where I come from, people don't will themselves into changing. Becoming better, choosing to make up for your past mistakes...it is probably not impossible, but rare, for cruel or abusive people to suddenly decide to atone for their actions.

Do you believe people can choose to better themselves, all on their own, or is there always some sort of outside influence?

[ ooc; Yusuke's story is only half true. In addition to eventual public art projects, he is compiling resources for his Skill Card ability, for which there is an opt-out post here if you would rather not have your characters' abilities copied. Please don't hesitate to use it! ]

Comments

[Video]

[pale_blue_arrow]

I have healing abilities. Otherwise I'd be dead about six times over; had a road dropped on me a while back here, that was the wrong kinda interesting. Don't know how you'd have me model that, though. Cutting me open and watching me heal up sounds like the edgier version of watching paint dry. [He gives Yusuke a look, though, because he remembers that makeout session and he's kind of a troll sometimes.] Though I'm not gonna judge what you're into, sweetheart.

[lempereur]

[ Oh, he remembers too, no doubt about that. So clearly, in fact, that it takes a few, awkward moments before Yusuke gets back to him. ]

I am happy to hear from you.

[ And it's awkward again! ]

But I am not into...that. [ He does have questions, however. ] Is it instant? And does it only work on yourself, or can you heal other people?

[pale_blue_arrow]

Likewise, Doll.

[Maybe it'll be less awkward if he bluffs his way through it.]

Not instant, bolstered by sleep, and non-transferrable. Only works on me, but it can overcome some ridiculous levels of beatdowns, which is pretty necessary in a place like this. So seriously, cutting me open and watching it fix itself would be a good half hour chunk of time unless it was a little cut, but it'd be relatively risk-free. I don't get infections or bleed out or anything like that, not here anyway.

[lempereur]

Have you tested it deliberately? Better than bleeding out, but testing its limits sounds highly inconvenient. I will not ask you to hurt yourself on my behalf.

[ text ]

[fourlevels]

[ Viktor was in no state to answer with a video since he hadn't been out of his house in days except to let Makkachin out to the backyard,not that he particularly cared about his appearance, but rather it was just too much effort at the moment. It'd been the first time he checked the network in days as well, concentrating only on checking the imPort directory every hour or so.

But he saw the post and felt it important enough to merit a reply. He didn't particularly need to convince Yusuke of his view and he didn't expect a reply either, but he did want to state it; their last meeting didn't allow him to with how badly it spiraled out of control. ]

I think it's a bit of both -- change doesn't happen without some kind of catalyst, but you also can't force change unless a heart is open to it in the first place.

A cry for help isn't always made with words. Sometimes it's silent. And sometimes it's buried so deep the heart doesn't even know it's there.

[lempereur]

[ Text is probably better. It allows Yusuke to think about what he says before he says it, a determining factor in whether or not to just ignore him. ]

Speak for yourself. I don't know what you have been told, but I most certainly can.

And don't talk down to me, as if I couldn't possibly know all that. I do, rather intimately.

[fourlevels]

[ Viktor actually hasn't been told anything which leads to his confusion about the way Yusuke phrases his reply. All he can do is answer the best he can. ]

I am speaking for myself. And about myself. Not about abuse or cruelty that you asked about so specifically, but I do know about crying for help and wanting change when I didn't know I needed it myself. I'm just answering honestly, that's all.

If you know it too, then I'm sorry for what you went through. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

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[dendarii]

[ Oh. Now this is lovely. Miles brightens instantly as an idea occurs to him. ]

I've no powers that you would be interested in, perhaps, but - where are you planning on putting this mural after you're done?

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[lempereur]

Admittedly, I have not gotten that far yet, Ambassador. Did you have an idea?

[dendarii]

Yes, in fact. I've been looking to get some public works started in Nonah, so - would you be willing to put up something similar there? I could pay you.

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[bindsthedead]

Charter magic can accomplish such things, if you'd like a demonstration. Although that's an unusual list.

As for people changing... I think people can choose. But it takes something to make them aware of it.

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[lempereur]

Charter magic? Can you explain?

Do you think that even people we would consider 'evil' can change on their own?

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[bindsthedead]

The magic used in my world. It's used through memorizing symbols and learning how to combine them for various effects.

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[khajidont]

Often.

[ Jaime says it with the utmost certainty in his voice. ]

People choose to better themselves all the time. Sometimes they're just improving little things, 'cause they're people who others would never call bad in the first place, and sometimes they're making up for the big things. But I've met too many people who've changed for the better to think that it's just straight-up impossible.

There's usually an outside influence in some way, but that's just life.

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[lempereur]

[...hi, Jaime. He isn't sure whether he wants to engage in this discussion with him at all, given what he knows about him. His voice might be calm and cool, but his face gives away a careful uncertainty. ]

Most of us can, I know that. But what about people who have fallen so far into vice and corruption that they hurt others? Do you think those kinds of people can ever choose change?

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[khajidont]

Yeah. I'm not saying it happens all the time, but... it does happen. [ Yusuke may look uncertain, but Jaime doesn't - he's smiling albeit in a regretful sort of way. ]

There are people out there who started off bad - real bad. And by the end of it all, they were willing to give their life to save other people, and did. Or you have people who seem like they're all about, um... vice until you learn they've been risking their necks to protect other people all along.

And then there's the people who just don't change. [ He shrugs. ] It's complicated.

[video]

[honorobble]

I have some questions...

[Robb has no clue about art. He does not know how it works and what it could contribute to a person's life. He looks at Yusuke's works with a questionable look on his face.]

Are you going to paint someone's powers as if they were some portrait? Why would you do that? And what does that drawing mean? The one there...without a form.

[That last question is interesting though and Robb strokes his chin.]

Well, I think if people make a great mistake they should be ready to face punishment. [Westeros does not truly believe in such things. If people made a mistake they get punished and most punishments end up in death.] They can express their feelings and have their last words...

[lempereur]

Ideally, I would like to paint a diverse range of people and powers. As numerous and distinct as the worlds we come from. Like I said, it's about unity. What makes us unique, what drives us, it also brings us together. It isn't quite that simple, but the rest will reveal itself as I work.

[ As for the painting already completed...he isn't sure if he could explain it, to someone not inclined to understand it on their own. So he turns the communicator back around, so that Robb can see it again. ]

I haven't titled it. Which is just as well, you can find whichever sorrow in it that you wish.

Last words? I am not advocating execution.

[honorobble]

[Somewhere Yusuke’s words make sense. But somewhere it is also complete nonsense. Robb’s eyes narrow a little and he cocks his head to the left.]

Why would you want to paint that? Our powers is not what...motivates us. I think...they’re given to us. These powers...I mean... I think they do not make us. They are not ourselves.

[He says it with a bit of difficulty. As if the subject matter is a little bit too difficult for himself to handle.]

There is something I need to see in it? [Robb just sees paint...] It is...unlike the portraits I’ve seen.

Well, it is what happens back home, in Westeros. People are not given the time to undo their mistakes. Most of the time their mistakes are the last thing they do. [He remains silent for a moment.] Big mistakes, I mean. Of murdering someone or deserting the Night’s Watch.

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[bypasser]

[Otabek is a little late to this, but Yusuke had been pleasant company after the ice cream incident and he was a friend of Yuri's. That meant they could at least talk to one another as long as Beka was as open and social as he could be.]

I don't have the abilities you asked for, but I would help if I could.

As for the rest, only you can decide to change yourself. Other people can help and what happens to a person can influence them, but the decision is up to them. It might not be easy, but anyone can do anything they set their mind to.

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[lempereur]

Those are only examples based on what I know from back home. I would like to see whatever there is to see, to widen my understanding of this world and all others. What do you have, Otabek?

That seems to be the concensus. I too, believe the human heart is strong enough to achieve anything. I only doubt, sometimes, that its intentions are good.

[bypasser]

Teleportation that is affected by my emotions.

I don't think all intentions are good. Some are self-motivated, others are good at lying or pretending. That doesn't mean it's always bad. There are some people who need to be believed in before they can take the steps to be good.

[am_i_a_monster]

That's a hard question. People can want to change and think it's their choice. Influences can be subtle though and we're not always aware of them. So, they could think they're making the choice and someone else has been making it for them.

Still, I'd like to think people can change for the better.

[She wants to think she's better now than being her father or Hannibal's puppet.]

I'd like to see your art project when you're done.

[lempereur]

Do you think that applies to even the worst of us? Murderers and abusers?

It will be a public piece. Consider yourself already invited to the grand unveiling, Abigail.

[am_i_a_monster]

That's complicated too. People like that can be sick and not know what they're doing is wrong. And others won't want to change. They can have a really different way of thinking.

[She pauses. She sees herself as a killer too, but not the same as either her father or Hannibal.]

I hope the ones that really want to change, can do so.

Thank you.