[Locked]not_your_gunSeptember 3 2011, 02:56:03 UTC
I would not tolerate it. But, in their view, they may have been 'right.'
...
[He considers your question.]
...
[And...he considers it more.]
I...probably have. Once or twice, sitting down to drinks somewhere, thinking about the future and not fearing for my life. Laying next to someone and believing in what I was doing. I don't remember it in detail, though.
[He'd never thought to himself: Right now, I am happy. And...looking back...there was not much to be fond of.]
[Locked]not_your_gunSeptember 4 2011, 03:43:39 UTC
Those without the power or the will to defend their morals have not earned them.
[That was the Decepticon way. Struggling, outwardly and inwardly. Those without strength or stamina or smarts learned other ways to thrive, or were forgotten. It was...harsh.
But it was not all bad.
He thought on Soundwave. Blackout. Barricade. Optimus. Mikaela. Standing in his ring on opening night. Triumphing over Kaon. Living.]
There...have been glimpses, Wing. I'm not depressed.
[Locked]not_your_gunSeptember 4 2011, 23:24:15 UTC
That depends: Are you still judging me for mine?
[He chuckles, low.]
There is a long way, yes. Give me a Cybertron that isn't dying. [He felt that his was, even long before Thunderwing.] Give me mechs free to do what they've earned.
[Locked]not_your_gunSeptember 5 2011, 01:33:41 UTC
I want you to offer advice, not make judgments.
...but I do see how the two can be a matter of opinion.
There are topics I won't budge on, such as the Arena. Those would be best left alone. But perhaps I can avoid persecuting you for other 'virtues' that you hold.
I do not want to be happy, Wing, I want to be successful.
[Locked]swordofpeaceSeptember 5 2011, 01:40:12 UTC
To advise, I must be allowed my perspective. I don't demand you take my advice, Magnum; do not demand that I must stifle my thoughts. That way is oppression.
[Which had better not be what you're aiming for.]
And there are topics that I will not budge on either, Magnum.
And what satisfaction do you seek from your success? Why not happiness? [A topic he will not budge on: like this.]
[Locked]swordofpeaceSeptember 5 2011, 02:55:17 UTC
And nothing else. Nothing less, nothing more.
[Wing shakes his head. ] Magnum, it doesn't work like that.
I want...I want my City to be safe. I want [Drift]...others to be safe, free of war. Living in peace. But that's out of my control. I can't pin my happiness on this thing that may never happen.
[Locked]swordofpeaceSeptember 5 2011, 04:45:48 UTC
It is, Magnum. It is. You cannot bring peace to every Cybertronian spark. Even for you, it is too much.
[He sounds more sad than chiding because Magnum's vision is...almost sweet.]
I'm not saying they don't bring me pleasure. But they're not happiness. True happiness doesn't come from external circumstances.
Nor does it mean contentment, or that you must stop striving for your goals. Just...don't pin your future happiness so strongly to them that you do not allow yourself any now
It has already been scheduled.
Reply
Your happiness is the factor, Magnum.
...tell me. Have you ever been happy?
[He blinks at Magnum's sudden show of manners, torn on commenting on it or not. No. But he will notice it. Progress, he hopes.]
Reply
...
[He considers your question.]
...
[And...he considers it more.]
I...probably have. Once or twice, sitting down to drinks somewhere, thinking about the future and not fearing for my life. Laying next to someone and believing in what I was doing.
I don't remember it in detail, though.
[He'd never thought to himself: Right now, I am happy. And...looking back...there was not much to be fond of.]
Reply
[The long pause tells Wing as much as the words Magnum eventually speaks.]
You don't remember.
...so it was all a long time ago.
Reply
[That was the Decepticon way. Struggling, outwardly and inwardly. Those without strength or stamina or smarts learned other ways to thrive, or were forgotten. It was...harsh.
But it was not all bad.
He thought on Soundwave. Blackout. Barricade. Optimus. Mikaela. Standing in his ring on opening night. Triumphing over Kaon. Living.]
There...have been glimpses, Wing. I'm not depressed.
Reply
'Glimpses'. [Wing echoes, just so Magnum might hear how hollow the claim was.]
Oh, I think the last thing you do is depress your emotions. But there is a long way from 'glimpses' to being truly...content.
Reply
[He chuckles, low.]
There is a long way, yes. Give me a Cybertron that isn't dying. [He felt that his was, even long before Thunderwing.] Give me mechs free to do what they've earned.
Then...we will see.
Reply
It wouldn't die if you didn't seem intent on making it burn.
But...that depends on others, on externals. Have you ever been happy? [He will keep pushing, yes.]
Reply
...but I do see how the two can be a matter of opinion.
There are topics I won't budge on, such as the Arena. Those would be best left alone. But perhaps I can avoid persecuting you for other 'virtues' that you hold.
I do not want to be happy, Wing, I want to be successful.
Reply
[Which had better not be what you're aiming for.]
And there are topics that I will not budge on either, Magnum.
And what satisfaction do you seek from your success? Why not happiness? [A topic he will not budge on: like this.]
Reply
[Reluctant, but allowing.]
[Until he growls.]
I want a Cybertron that works. If I have that, then I will be happy.
Reply
[Wing shakes his head. ] Magnum, it doesn't work like that.
I want...I want my City to be safe. I want [Drift]...others to be safe, free of war. Living in peace. But that's out of my control. I can't pin my happiness on this thing that may never happen.
you shouldn't either
Reply
[He growled.] It can happen. It should happen. Why do you think I'm trying so hard just to get back to where I belong?
Who is capable of doing this, if not me?
Nothing is more important than that.
And if those things do not make you happy, what does?
Reply
[He sounds more sad than chiding because Magnum's vision is...almost sweet.]
I'm not saying they don't bring me pleasure. But they're not happiness. True happiness doesn't come from external circumstances.
Nor does it mean contentment, or that you must stop striving for your goals. Just...don't pin your future happiness so strongly to them that you do not allow yourself any now
Reply
[He'll prove to you that it's not sweet!]
...
[Frown.]
Then give me an example.
What makes you happy, now? Truly happy, and not just in a moment of enjoyment?
Reply
[He lifts his chin.] And certainly you'd describe me as 'unruly'. [At least!]
Truly happy? [He smiles. ] Every moment that I am alive and have hope.
Reply
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