The guilt that isn't there

[springlocking]

All in all, Charlie's dealing with the Nexus as best she can. It's about the opposite of what she'd expected when driving out of Hurricane, but...it seriously could be worse! She could still be in Hurricane, dealing with-

Well, with certain incidents that have been troubling her ever since. Which is why, if someone sits on a bench next to this seventeen-year-old, she might speak up, troubled and thoughtful.

"Hey, this is probably a weird question, but is it...is it normal not to regret something when you did it in self-defense? Even if it was something really bad?"

[ooc: Hiyo, newbie here with potential Five Nights at Freddy's: The Silver Eyes spoilers. Use caution if you don't want them, 'kay? Otherwise, I hope to have fun with y'all!]

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[shardofwinter]

As Winter begins to reach the end of its allotted time, Reynard is working overtime to try and keep the place cold, harsh and bitter. So when he finally gets things in order again, the benches are perfect for sitting back and admiring his handiwork. Good conversation is definitely a bonus.

"I wouldn't call it normal, but I would approve of it. Far too many people get all guilty and whimpery over acts of survival. You do what you have to do. It's your primal right."

[springlocking]

Charlie looks over at Reynard, slightly surprised. She mulls over what he said - yes, it's true, it was what had to be done. The dirtbag literally had her by the throat, and it was her or him.

"Thanks. I'm just mulling it over because the guy I ...killed, also killed others. He didn't do it to survive, and I guess I'm worried about ending up the same way, since I don't feel guilty about it."

There's a pause before she adds, "But I guess those are really two different things, aren't they?"

[shardofwinter]

"Perhaps." He returns the look with a questioning one of his own and a raised eyebrow. "What would be wrong with ending up the same way? What would be so bad if you did?"

[springlocking]

Her voice is very, very flat and almost tired when she replies. "He killed my twin brother when we were three and killed at least five other kids as well. Kids. And even at the end, he acted like he was doing a good thing, never mind all the pain he'd caused. I don't want to be like that."

[shardofwinter]

Reynard tilts his head, eyebrows up, conceding that as a fair reason not to want to imitate this mysterious murderer. Then he grins a crooked grin at her. "If you truly believe that, then you won't end up the same way."

[springlocking]

At that, she actually smiles for once, despite the unexpected cold and the previous state of gloom. "Thanks. I guess I just needed to talk it over with someone who wasn't involved." She frowns a bit and shivers, though.

"Any idea where I can find winter clothes, by the way? It wasn't like this back home, so this is kind of a shock."

[shardofwinter]

His smile becomes a little warmer, or more fond, at any rate.

"As a matter of fact, I do," he says as he slaps his knees lightly, heaving himself to a stand in front of her. Reynard cups his hands together, then breaks them apart, letting an impossible amount of snow flutter out of his grasp. It clings to the air in front of him like a thick sheet, then, his fingers pinching two corners, he gives it one firm shake. The snow falls off to reveal a thick woollen cloak of the purest white. With a few more gestures that involve fuzzy trails of snow turning into fluffy fur, he gives it a beautiful fur lining and then holds it up for her. "Will this do for now, my dear?"

[bestdadinamestris]

It's hard for Hughes to pass by a young person who looks so much in need of a friend. Okay, it doesn't help that it's a young woman, either. His father instincts kick in as he takes a seat next to her, a look of concern on his face. The question, however, gets an easy answer.

"People do terrible things for any number of reasons," he begins slowly, his voice soft and warm, "but self-defense isn't a reason to truly worry about. You have to do what it takes to survive. No one will fault you for that."

[springlocking]

Did we mention that this kid doesn't have a dad anymore due to murderous shenanigans? No? Okay, well, now you know why Charlie is just going to look up at Hughes with slightly big eyes and...accept the statement without further question. She just nods quietly before wiping at her eyes a little.

If someone like her dad - the one the murderous jerk betrayed and drove to the brink - is telling her it was okay, then... It was probably okay. Right?

"Thanks. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with me for not feeling guilty...like there was with him," she adds, her voice slightly venomous on the last word.

[bestdadinamestris]

Hughes offers Charlie a handkerchief from his pocket for her eyes. No need for her to try and dry them on her own when he's here to help.

"It's not a situation most people go through," he says softly, still doing his best to keep from alarming her, "but worrying about your own guilt is perfectly normal. You shouldn't be hard on yourself for wondering about that." He doesn't quite understand where the harshness is coming from on that last word, but he doesn't want to come out and ask her. Seems like she's in a rough spot and it seems best not to push too hard.

[sumarusfinest]

"...When it comes to survival. Self defense. There's no problem with something like that."

There's a very Asian looking police officer adjusting his tie slightly as he approaches the bench. She's young. Far too young to have to be troubled over something so heavy.

[springlocking]

Ah, a cop! And not one she knows, which means there's less chance of him having heard about the mess from Clay. So, a neutral party - which is good.

Still, she can't help continuing to be concerned. After all, aren't people supposed to feel remorse for killing, especially when... She hangs her head a little and mutters, "What about if you're not thinking of self-defense when you do so? If your life is in danger, but what you're thinking is this guy is responsible for all the tragedy in this town? Or does that not change anything?"

[sumarusfinest]

"...Normally, I would say that the justice system is in place to deal with trash such as that." Katsuya gives the young lady a sympathetic look. Sounds like he's not nearly as black and white about justice as he looks.

"But. I've been in a situation where the law could not stop responsible parties of destruction. I've killed to protect my city. My world. Not just monsters. People. And I still feel as though I'd do it again. With even less hesitation. The only thing to keep in mind, is to watch that you don't become what it is you're fighting."

The unavoidable truth of fighting evils and the thing that keeps him awake at night most often.

[pathfromdarknesstogrey]

"You never regret anything done in self defense, survival, or securing your own freedom." This comes from a woman bundled up for the cold, arms crossed and jacket closed.

[springlocking]

Ooh, bundling up. Yeah, Charlie should probably look into that soon, she realizes. She was dressed for summer, after all, so...oops.

"What if you were thinking about revenge while you did it?" She isn't proud of herself for that, yet she still feels no guilt despite the fact that she probably ought to. It's that "ought to" that's gnawing at her, just a bit.

[pathfromdarknesstogrey]

Trust her, Dia would much rather be dressed for warmer months than colder.

She also has several examples in mind, but decides to focus on the most recent one--rather than go into her entire life stories, "At the time, I was only thinking about surviving the situation at hand. And getting away. I didn't really have time to consider my emotions on the matter until much later." She taps her chin, "Even so, in your case, I imagine that would depend on the situation, if you were willing to share."

[ixis]

A frightful looking creature leans his elbow on the back of the park bench, flashing a great deal of sharp teeth at the young girl in a bright, wide smile.

"Who'd you throw to the wolves?"

[springlocking]

Charlie leans back, more than a little unnerved by the strange creature. And yet, she's not nearly as unnerved as one probably should be. She's seen weird things with lots of teeth before (thanks, Dad, you mechanical wizard and nutjob.)

Then the question sinks in, and her expression sours as she replies, "The guy who killed a bunch of kids, at least one police officer, and was holding me hostage. By the throat, no less."

[ixis]

The gargoyle-like mage deftly hops himself over the back of the park bench to plop himself next to the girl. A metal staff topped with a purple gem is in one hand. The other hand...is actually a crab claw? Well, that's not weird.

"And why are you searching for remorse in a situation like that? The man sounded like a beast with none of his own to show. One you rightfully put down. You're a hero more than anything!"

[springlocking]

Once again, this does not faze her, though there is a bit of a surprised blink. Still, it's not so weird. Ever been to Freddy Fazbear's? Her dad made those things. She saw animatronic skeletons twitching of their own volition when she was small.

Yeah.

She rests her chin on one hand and looks at the mage thoughtfully. "I guess I'm just afraid that not feeling remorse means I might turn out the same way someday."

[ixis]

"Pfft. First of all, remorse is for the weak-willed. Make your choices and stand by them! Never apologize, child. Be assertive! Be certain! Always be assured that whatever action you take, it was the right one." No matter what! Because self-delusion is the path to greatness!

"Do you really think putting down a child-killer will make you a child-killer yourself? That seems like an illogical leap to me."

[springlocking]

There's someone who absolutely would agree with Ixis about remorse and self-delusion! ... He's currently rotting in an abandoned pizzeria after dying a horrific death courtesy of the girl Ixis is speaking to. :) Make sure your costume/armor doesn't have known exploitable flaws, folks!

"I meant more along the lines of 'remorseless psycho killer in general', not that." She pulls a deeply unamused face at the very idea and shudders in disgust. ... Also in cold. It wasn't winter back home, darn it!

[ixis]

RIP Springtrap, see you later in the 3rd game. And in various nightmares across the globe.

"Well, remorse and pity are different things, child. You don't have to be sorry for the decisive actions you took or the logic that took you there. And I'm sure there's a lesson in there about always being cognizant of the value of life and staying humble in the face of that and similar twaddle, but." He waves it off dismissively. That's apparently not a lesson for him to teach. Wonder why.