97. [Voice]

[yetsleeping]

I remember a long time ago, um, I asked people to tell me love stories. A lot of you weren't here at the time, I guess I was feeling a little melancholic. It's not that surprising, right? Because everyone has those days, especially when there's a lot of, um, things happening and people suffer, or people die, or they nearly die. Sometimes you

Comments

voice;

[charmprince]

[She's only incidentally awake, and her voice is sleepy, but she's remarkably clear about this.]

It depends. Relationships-- not lovers, but just in general-- aren't something just one person can start or end. They can be 'bad' or 'good' but they're hardly ever one-sided. Everyone feels something about someone.

But if you want to maintain a good relationship, you have to at least think of how the other person feels, or their well-being, or... If someone were to do something to me or something I loved with no regard to me, or my well-being... well...

I don't know. There aren't... easy answers to this sort of thing. I guess you have to look at them, and decide if you hold them dear enough to want to continue associating with them.

Love stories tend to oversimplify things. Love itself is never so easy.

voice;

[yetsleeping]

Hmm.

But what if it's not always clear whether you want to? And... what about fairness?

Err. What I mean is, what if someone does something that's... bad but not horrifying. And then someone else does something horrifying? Do you have to forgive the first if you forgive the second?

It... seems unjust not to. But sometimes it doesn't feel... sometimes...

voice;

[charmprince]

You don't have to forgive anyone. The idea of 'fairness' is kind of... Idealistic, in the face of emotions. Your heart's what rules all that love stuff. You can't go against what it wants, right? Trying just hurts. The heart wants what it wants, and you have a choice, really: do nothing, or go with it. Going against it isn't really a great option. [There's the rustle of bedcovers as she rolls over onto her belly.]

But if you can't forgive someone, you're not going to be able to make yourself. And if you've already forgiven someone else, well... you can't unforgive, unless they do something to offend again, right?

"All's fair in love and war" and all that, you know? No point trying to ascribe the things we look at the real world with to it. It's comparing apples and oranges.

voice;

[yetsleeping]

...I don't know. I think it would be a better idea to go against my heart, sometimes. Pain isn't really as bad as the alternatives could be.

It doesn't seem right, though. I know what you mean... about fairness not being... well. Maybe it isn't really about fairness, but--

Mrmph.

I can't. Find words. I'm bad at them. I always have been.

[voice]

[roboterpolizist]

[His voice is steady, neutral, but a little more carefully measured than is typical.] ...There may be things that are unforgivable. And the consequences of those must be faced.

But I think...it's still best to move past them.

[voice]

[yetsleeping]

To move past them... as in to let them go? I mean, to not... linger on them. Is that what you mean?

[voice]

[roboterpolizist]

Yes.

[voice]

[yetsleeping]

But can you let those people... still be a part of your life?

A part of... well. You?

[voice | private]

[firebornfidelis]

Forgiveness is a heavy subject, Priscilla. It's different for every situation, every person. There are no hard and fast rules as to what is unforgivable, everyone has their own threshold.

[She takes a breath, steady. Forgiveness is a topic that has been on her mind a lot lately too.]

I've done things myself that shouldn't be forgiven... and I have forgiven things that perhaps I shouldn't have. But I have to hope that, if a person sincerely repents, it won't be impossible for them to gain forgiveness.

[voice | private]

[yetsleeping]

It's a little confusing. I don't really think I've ever done anything unforgivable, but I know there's at least one person who won't forgive me for them anyway... even if I haven't actually done them. I mean, I hadn't when I came here.

...I've never forgiven anything in my life, you know. Not one thing.

[voice | private]

[firebornfidelis]

Nothing at all?

[... well.]

Has no one ever sought your forgiveness?

[voice | private]

[yetsleeping]

[Priscilla frowns. Wrinkles her nose a little, trying to remember.]

...there have been a few who... I think would be happier if I forgave them.

But I don't think anyone has ever asked me to, specifically.

Voice

[applelimber]

Yeah, when it comes to that...

[Because. Helen might actually know something about that subject? Maybe?]

There's probably nothing. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

[Fortunately, Helen doesn't have to be burdened with the responsibility of having good ideas.]

Voice

[yetsleeping]

Well. When do you know whether or not it is a good idea?

I mean, how do you know? I... can't really decide, myself.

Voice

[applelimber]

Beats me. I guess if you still have to wonder if it's a good idea, then it's probably not.

It means they haven't kissed your ass enough to make you stop wondering.

Voice | ...private

[yetsleeping]

Does nearly dying to save your life qualify as um, kissing... well. that?

Video.

[supercilious]

Of course some things are unforgivable.

Video.

[yetsleeping]

I would think so, too. But... I've never really forgiven much [Or anything.] So it's... hard to say. I mean, it's hard to imagine what--

[A little breath. She rubs her face.]

What do you think would be... beyond redemption, Arthur?

Video.

[supercilious]

Hard to say. A betrayal of my trust, I suppose. I can forgive many things, but being made a fool of is not one.

Video. | PRIVATE FOR GOD'S SAKE.

[yetsleeping]

[Which brings her to this odd question.]

...does that make it easier to forgive someone you never trusted to begin with?