Chapter 14: Chaos comes to the city; the First Emperor talks of peace

[fightingvirtue]

I'm sure I don't have to say, to most of you, at least, that infighting and petty arguments are going to be the ruin of us all and that if you absolutely have to be venting your anger at someone, go out there and find a monster - there are plenty. You're all mature enough not to have to be lectured. Obviously something bad is blowing through this

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[sauceytomato]

And you think that will work?

[fightingvirtue]

I think it can't hurt.

[sauceytomato]

I think you're wasting your breath.

[fightingvirtue]

I have plenty of breath to spare, Mr. Uchiha.

[Video] totally tl;dr

[innerfirewithin]

I want people to stop being idiots and learn their place.

[Because Akira's comments towards Zuko had crossed a very deep, personal line. It transformed from an admittedly comment to a personal backlash that Zuko didn't consider petty. At. All.

Nobody made fun of what had happened to Zuko's face. Nobody.]

That goes for everyone who can help in the crisis. The bad guys aren't going to come out and say what they want and be nice and up front. That's not how people work.

The best we can do is figure out how to stop the infection. Let's figure out how to do that. Privately.

[Video]

[fightingvirtue]

I assure you we're working on it - a number of us. Privately.

But in the meantime, we may want to put aside the idea of "bad guys". I'm sure you understand that solving things by violence is impractical in this city. Sooner or later, we'll simply have to sit down and talk to each other.

[Video]

[innerfirewithin]

Some people just want to cause destruction to others. Talking to them isn't going to do anything.

[He pauses for a moment.]

I wish it were like that, but it's not.

[Video]

[fightingvirtue]

Zuko, isn't it? Your name.

[Video]

[chaserprongs]

Well, I don't know about you, but that Yuca bloke gives me bad vibes.

[He's tired, slightly bloody, but he still has his trademark smile in place.]

[Video]

[fightingvirtue]

[He gives a faint answering smile, but shakes his head.]

Yuca Collabel, of all people, is no laughing matter.

[Video]

[chaserprongs]

You sure? I think he's pretty funny looking.

[He shifts into seriousness, though, after that statement.]

Talking with people will only go so far. Sometimes, you've just got to do what you have to. But you're right, arguing with each other isn't going to get anything done.

[Video]

[fightingvirtue]

In the end, Mr. Potter, talking with people is the only thing that gives you permanent results. Especially here.

[video]

[iceandivory]

[Cold.]

Some people just want everyone dead.

[video]

[fightingvirtue]

I'm sorry, Captain Hitsugaya, but I genuinely cannot believe that. Even the man responsible for the current crisis has his goals beyond that.

[video]

[iceandivory]

Elric explained it himself. In order to die, that man intended to kill everyone alive. The reasons behind it don't matter. In the end, he wants everyone dead.

[video]

[fightingvirtue]

No - he wants to die. And he can't achieve that here, even by killing all of us, because we don't stay dead. And there are reasons why he wants to die, too. These are the reasons we should tackle.

Give me time. I'm... in a unique position, with him. I understad that we don't have time, but I believe that's the only way this can really be solved.

[law_of_reason]

You sound like a reasonable sort, at least - if you know an easier way to get materials for my research, do let me know.

[fightingvirtue]

I try. Does your research necessitate human - or at least sentient - subjects?

[law_of_reason]

What I research depends on what has my interest. Whether it's sentient or not is just a possible description.

[fightingvirtue]

I see. Fair enough. So really, there should be no trouble for either of us if your interest remains on projects that don't involve sentient subjects.