07. [voice]

[infidus]

Since the arrival of these peculiar rats, I've observed any number of interesting reactions from those afflicted with their presence. Violence, negotiations, even camaraderie. I do believe it would be interesting to take note of which person or persons exhibited which particular behaviors. I would say this could be very informative in the future

Comments

[voice]

[threedoctorates]

I suppose it might have to do with the environment the person was in before arriving here. One that is from a more violent world might be predisposed to react with violence, especially if their mind is perceiving an attack on their personal space as an attack on themselves. One that comes from a more relaxed environment or one that might have training, might react with a clearer mind.

Re: [voice]

[infidus]

That does seem to be a very prominent factor. Even so, I can't help but notice that some from combative worlds have been rather pleasant to the creatures.

I wonder how you might account for something like that. Individual differences, personal environmental factors... personality factors.

[voice]

[threedoctorates]

We would work that into the profile. Profiles are always evolving, after all. We start from one point and continue to work the profile until it's focus narrows to the point where we've got something viable to work with. And even then, there's usually room to narrow it even further as every piece of information that is gathered is investigated and analyzed.

[ignite_the_sky]

Would I draw a weapon against an armed intruder? Yes. Would I use said weapon without provocation? No. Would the answer change should they be discovered to be inhuman in some way, shape, or form? No. Would I shoot to kill if shooting to disable would suffice? No.

...and how close one must be to humanity depends upon one's definition of the word.

The actions of one group within a larger collective are not necessarily reflected in the entirety of that group. Where one may sit and swap tales, another may prefer to cause damage. Drawing conclusions of others based upon a situation such as this, where some may see it as defending their own thus justifying their actions should they feel threatened or have been provoked into taking action against an intruder, is rather tasteless when one is without an understanding of the motivations behind those actions.

[infidus]

[There's a soft chuckle, and a little tap of his finger against the table beside his Forge.]

Hm. Your seem rather defensive.

Still, your argument in itself implies a certain stance, doesn't it?

You believe that motivations should be taken into account when considering the moral purity of an action, but of course... not all people would agree with such a suggestion. Indeed, it is something of a mantra for some - judge by the action, not the intention. Whether that is tasteless, as you put it, is something of a question for debate.

After all, good intent does not raise the dead.

[A short pause, and then... because he can't quite let that last bit go.]

As for your personal moral standing, I have no interest in drawing conclusions about it. Indeed I have no interest in it at all.

[samianscar]

So what did you do?

[infidus]

Does it matter?

Out of curiosity.

[samianscar]

Yeah, I think so. Like you said: call it curiosity.

[infidus]

[He laughs softly. Very softly.]

They haven't been much trouble to me.

[ Voice ]

[subrusticus_xiv]

[ Is this a talk about...one's conscience?

Rats were rats, he thinks, even ones that...ride on cats or walk on two feet. ]

There's too many questions of "if"s, though. Why ask in the first place? [ His tone of voice isn't rude, merely curious. ]

[ Voice ]

[infidus]

Have you never had an abstract thought, boy?

[...Aizen's tone isn't rude either. But that doesn't mean he's not being a bitch.]

[ Voice ]

[subrusticus_xiv]

Of course, but over-thinking leads to too many conflicting things.

...It's Allen.

[ He has dealt with his share of people, but he'd rather that people call him by his name. ]

[ Voice ]

[infidus]

Does it, now? I would suggest that means you're doing a poor job of keeping your thoughts organized.

[Yeah, he doesn't care what your name is. Sorry, Allen.]

[Voice]

[bellcricket]

I would certainly draw a blade on someone who threatens me or others, but only to put them to sleep so that they may be more easily dealt with.

Humans have a tendancy to look down upon anyone who is different.

... those were rats? [He sounds more than tiny bit surprised.]

[Voice] Let me just acknowledge right here that this pretty rich coming from him.

[infidus]

Indeed, Kaname, they have such a tendency. I've found it quite striking in all species, really, or at least any species of sufficient sentience.

A self-centered worldview will tend to develop in such a species. You could say they begin to erect justifications for the superiority of their own 'kind' over others, based on what can only be... subjective criteria. If they are the only species capable of speech, then they will choose speech. If they are the strongest, then they will choose strength.

It's interesting, I think, watching them build their card towers of reason.

[Voice; oh God, I do hope the irony is not lost on Aizen's sharp mind. :| ]

[bellcricket]

Indeed. [He never cared for soul reapers' superiority over ordinary souls or even Hollows for that matter.]

This sense of superiority and those flimsy standards... those of the same species are tested by them as well.

It disgusts me. [He sounds more than the slightest bit angry there.]

[Voice; LOL! No. He's just messing with people, mostly. Plus it's an intellectual exercise.]

[infidus]

I can see that.

[Oh, Kaname. It's always so easy to prod your soft spots. That's always a weakness of the morally superior.]

[Aizen thrums his fingers against his arm rest.]

Are you concerned for the well-being of the little rodents, then?