[ video ]

[nightmarist]

[Ronan's drunk. Of course he is. Inebriation is a necessary requirement when it comes to Ronan addressing the network at large, though he still handles himself better than 99% of the population on alcohol. He'd draped lazily across a hammock somewhere outdoors, a whiskey bottle cradled under one arm, his mohawk hanging limp and sticking to his sweaty face. His cheeks are rosy either with drink or sunburn.]

What's it like to meet your maker, anyway? As long as we're talking about fathers and gods and artificial intelligence. Like, did you ever meet yours? Not your dad. Your god, I mean. Was it disappointing? Because I think...

[Wherever that was going, he gets distracted and changes course.]

How do you be a good one, huh? Do you fucking... I don't know... answer prayers? Is it just the miracle thing? Is the making the thing or is it all the stuff that comes after? The taking care of, the guidance. Whatever.

I'm not being philosophical here, man. I'm talking practical. The steps to being a not-completely-shitty creator.

Comments

[aberrant_type]

[???? weird. what a weird kid.]

I've never found it that way! When I tend to the needs of my horse, or my comrades, I'm doing an important service for them and reinforcing our bond. When they return the favor, such as they can, they demonstrate a shared commitment to our bond. It's practical.

[nightmarist]

That's a slightly more tolerable way to look at it.

[aberrant_type]

Right! For example, I am very fond of my horse. And the appropriate way to express that is to care for his health, make sure he's walked sufficiently after we run him hard, feed him a proper diet, groom him and house him comfortably, and so on and so on. When I first began riding him I would habitually pause him and make him bring back his head around and touch his eyes and face so he would become used to that, and now when flies bother him or land near his eyes, he knows he can trust me to clear them away and will bring his head around himself so I can brush them off.

In return, my horse comes with me into dangerous situations and is a courageous and loyal companion. I know I can rely on him to come to me when I call or whistle. This is the appropriate expression of affection between rider and steed, one of mutual benefit.

[nightmarist]

That's downright pragmatic. Do you feel like that about humans?

[aberrant_type]

Ronan! You want to learn about my most intimate relationships?

[nightmarist]

Is that scandalizing?

[aberrant_type]

I peed off the wall with my commanding officer once! It was the most wonderful bonding experience. He's contributed so much to who I am today!

[nightmarist]

Is that like a symbolic pissing on the entire world? I like that. I guess girls don't get to bond through pissing that often.

[aberrant_type]

A symbolic pissing on the entire world? No! A literal pissing on the titan threat, which puts all humanity in danger of destruction! Have I not told you about titans?

[Slightly blank voice. This is a little unfathomable for her.]

How?

[nightmarist]

No, you've told me.

[Wait. Has she? She must have. He does know.]

[aberrant_type]

Let's test your knowledge! What do titans eat?

[nightmarist]

Humans, but they don't really get any nutrition out of it, so it's not so much eating as it is consuming.

[aberrant_type]

Ah, correct! Very good, Ronan!

When a titan's stomach is full, what happens?

[nightmarist]

It pukes and does it all over again.

[aberrant_type]

Correct! Excellent! How does the day cycle impact a titan?

[nightmarist]

They depend on the sun for energy, so they're fucked without it.

[aberrant_type]

Correct! What's the weak point on a titan? The place that must be struck for the beast to die?

[nightmarist]

The nape, which destroys its central nervous system.

[aberrant_type]

Correct!

...

Did I tell you about this...? [She doesn't think she did... then again, she's told other people about titans. None of the information she's shared is secret or something she wants to keep secret, like Ilse's speaking titans or Eren's shifting. Ronan could've easily picked it up from the network...]

[nightmarist]

I don't remember. You must have?

[aberrant_type]

I suppose... I share this freely... it's common knowledge for any young soldier, any young person really...

[This is so weird... she's wracking her brains for the conversation, and coming up dry. He must have just picked it up from her talking to other people.]

Anyway... going back to the original point, hmm. Humans are more complex than horses, and require different things, so I relate to humans differently.

[nightmarist]

Obviously. But do you treat people a certain way because you like them or because it'll get you what you need from them?

[aberrant_type]

I like people! And I need things from them. We fight together, after all. If I can't rely on them to watch my back, I can't fight with them.

I believe in being helpful, even kind, where possible. But I have limited time and energy, so I have to focus on people who'll return my alliance, rather than those who'll take without regard for any exchange.

[nightmarist]

We're the same that way.

[aberrant_type]

I love humans. I love my people more than anything else. If need be I'll die to help them survive, or advance our cause, or learn something valuable that will lead us to victory. But I expect that they'll fight for themselves as well. There are things I can't do for them.