Who told you so, dilly dilly, Who told you so? ‘Twas my own heart, dilly dilly, That told me so.
ouch is one of the most intimate, romantic ways to be close to someone else. The Town knows this very well -- the Town wants everyone to be as close as possible.
Perhaps that's why this bonding is so...aggressive.
Because you're in for quite the shock on this otherwise peaceful day when you brush against the next person on your path.
Maybe you're going out of your way to touch people. Maybe you've got a terrible urge to just see what's lurking in someone's heart. Maybe you trip over a conveniently placed rock -- whatever the cause, you're getting an up close and personal look into someone else's heart.
Welcome to Awash's eighteenth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs and posts for this event!
If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!
[ Indeed, the children know this. But the way that the System is set up -- the way that his heart is set up -- a person cannot win.
All the disciples step back to tilt their heads in the same fashion at Val. They shake their heads at him in unison. ]
Shizun has always taught up as an eye-for-an-eye. [ The voices say together. The original had meant that none should bully the Peak and should anyone come for them, they should protect themselves and seek retribution for their sect brothers and sisters. But how can that be known? ]
A weakling that does not trust his own strength. That is Shizun, isn't it? [ The lot giggle to themselves. ] Shizun could have stopped all of this without words. But he let Luo Binghe be bullied and ridiculed.
Shizun just handling things with words and doing nothing. Doesn't that make him the weakest of us?
Val, at all times, is never once to mince words. It helps that he doesn't exactly know this person who's heart he stepped into. That's how he feels about himself, huh?
If that's the case then clearly the reality and the way he views himself match. "It does. If he can't find the strength to change what's around him, that's weakness."
[This must be the will of the heart he's found himself in.
What it's saying is wrong. Everybody has the strength to change something. Especially when they're aware of the things they want to change.
Part of him wants to talk some sense into this "Shizun" person, but at the same time, change is something that must come from within. Just because he can point out flaws doesn't mean that the person who has them is going to do anything.
He looks up to the sky. If this is the way the heart works, then there's not much he can do for the disciples.]
[ The group looks between themselves, murmuring. The murmuring sounds more like soft dial-up sounds as they process the question. ]
The System is willing to accept this as a completed event.
[ All the disciples say in unison: ] Because you are understanding the fruitlessness of being anything but a villain. [ They laugh softly to themselves, obviously amused. ]
We can move to another scene now that you understand your role, or if you wish to exit... we are fine with you completing the game.
〖 Very well! The System is always happy to help! Your ejection from this heart will be a painful one, but please try to enjoy yourself! (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ ... 〗
[ Indeed, Shen Qingqiu has not ever met Val and so the heart does not want to hold onto him as tightly as it would those he knew from the past month. But that does not mean that the System is fair. It only plays at being fair, unfortunately.
There is the soft sound of arrows being knocked. The disciples disappear as the scenery fades to black. Through the darkness, one can hear arrows flying. Yes, it won't kill, but it is as the System said -- a painful ejection from the heart. ]
[ Barraged with arrows is what happens! The System is only happy that Val did not decide to fight against fate. It offers a few chirping sounds as it rewards the person with more points for accepting everything so well.
Reality splinters and the two find themselves standing in front of one another. He isn't quite sure what happened that he had ended up suddenly being touched but he offers a small, apologetic smile. What the fuck was that, am I right? ]
... Oh! Are you all right? [ Actually, Val should be. It was within the heart and so there is actually no damage to his real body. Shen Qingqiu still looks him over to make sure that he is actually all right. ]
He wonders how he should actually answer that very simple question. You've uncovered the secret villain that has been living here! Congratulations! It isn't like his heart can lie, right? Very right. He rubs his forehead as he looks away, somewhat anxious. ]
This teacher thinks he could have done better in a lot of his actions in the past.
[ Really putting me on the spot here! I am the villain of the story. The scum villain! The one that gets away with everything with his two-faced and hypocritical way of living!
He really doesn't need one more person thinking that he's a good person, but at the same times, he really doesn't want to be run out of town. Oh wait, there's that trap-filled castle I could live in? Maybe being run out wouldn't be so bad? Oh my god. I would level up from being a cannon-fodder villain to a full-fledged boss that has his own castle!! Fuck! ]
I could have done better, and I hurt people along the way. Far more than what they deserved to be hurt. I liked to say that I had no choice, but there were a lot of choices before me. At least three choices I could have done, but I always to chose the one that would keep me alive.
[Unfortunately for him, Val doesn't know the meaning of the word "chill". So here he is, standing in front of him, judging him for his words and actions.]
You think your biggest crime is self-preservation at the cost of others?
He almost coughs up some blood but swallows it. A very bad habit that he has. When he hears something terribly upsetting news, his cultivation energy spikes and causes something inside of him to rupture which in turn causes blood to pool in his mouth and he swallows it before using his energy to heal what he has upset. ]
[He can still smell the blood, but it's not as though he's going to point it out. Val won't drink it either.]
You know what you're doing wrong, which is more than what most humans can say. Change yourself. You aren't a vengeful ghost that's existed for 400 years.
[ Honestly, I don't know how long I've been alive. Immortal body is super weird like that. It probably isn't four-hundred years, though. Oldest cultivators are like in their hundreds, right? Yeah, that sounds about right.
He is getting himself off topic. ]
The self-preservation isn't just the cost of others. It's the cost of someone's hope in the world. Their belief that people are good and that the Human Realm deserves to not be burned to ashes. [ You can say change yourself, but I fucked up BIG TIME! This is a villain's confession, OKAY? ]
Humanity isn't good. They're greedy and selfish and they'll pollute whatever they touch without a care because it won't affect them. Their regard for each other's lives is at an all time low. There are teenagers who want to take over the world.
[That teenager is dead, but she sure won't accept it. Val won't disagree that humans generally suck, but he does listen to that last part.]
Do you believe that the Human Realm deserves not to be burned to ashes?
I do believe that the Human Realm doesn't deserve it. And ... this teacher also doesn't believe that the Demon Realm deserves to be burned to ashes over the actions of a view that have colored the views of humans.
[ He is going to take a step forward. ]
Just as there are good and bad demons, there are good and bad humans. [ Unfortunately, a line that he has been remembering for a long time. ] There is more good than bad, however, but the bad is just louder. If you have seen that and come to have us wanting... then you have only seen a little of what we are.
[Valvatorez stands his ground and stands at his full 5'5".]
I protected the Earth, I stopped God from destroying the world. I don't care about humanity, but my comrades asked me to protect the earth and the moon. "Good demons" are the ones who do their jobs, things that humanity hates and fears.
I've seen good humans. People like that are rare. I have seen so many corrupt human souls that the Netherworld has run out of prinny skins.
[ Whatever self-loathing he has is thrown out the window, he absolutely is not having this demon talk down to him. Which is hilarious as Shen Qingqiu himself is six-foot and towers over him. ]
You didn't do anything. [ He decides to say. ] You saved them from calamity. You didn't protect the Earth or its people. You just saved it from destruction. [ There is a difference. ]
Humanity fears and hates to change themselves. To look at themselves, to try to be better, you're not a good demon. You didn't do your job. You just made sure a mess wasn't made.
[Just about everyone Val faces is taller than him. Height doesn't mean a thing to him.]
If I did nothing the Earth would be destroyed by the moon and demons and angels would have left to another world entirely. I certainly did something. Granted, it was not my efforts alone.
I never said I was good. I wasn't doing my job. My job is supposed to be teaching sinful human souls how to act so they can earn their reincarnation.
Because everybody else wasn't doing their jobs either, I stepped in. My world was a mess because the demons who are higher up weren't doing their jobs. They were content to write lies and neglect their duties, instead doing nothing but pursuing power.
[He would be perfectly happy with instructing prinnies, but then demon related politics, vengeful spirits, aliens, a god that was going to give up on the world derailed his plans.]
He's blinded by how angry that he is about someone looking down at the suffering of people and saying that everyone is garbage and deserves what they get! He's furious that someone who has the ability to stop world destruction sits on high while judging the people they saved! Like they're allowed to find them wanting!
If you don't give a fuck, don't do anything! Oh, my comrades told me to do it~ FUCK YOU! Fuck you! If you don't care, don't fucking do anything! ]
Good. We're all suffering, then. Your lot is the same! Everyone just marinating in their own filth while you who has the power to stop world destruction can't do anything to do fix it! You don't get to judge people and their suffering! You don't get to treat humanity like it's garbage!
[ He pulls his hand back, filling it with spiritual energy before he swings. He has a cannon! Why doesn't he fucking use it!? ]
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ouch is one of the most intimate, romantic ways to be close to someone else. The Town knows this very well -- the Town wants everyone to be as close as possible.
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All the disciples step back to tilt their heads in the same fashion at Val. They shake their heads at him in unison. ]
Shizun has always taught up as an eye-for-an-eye.
[ The voices say together. The original had meant that none should bully the Peak and should anyone come for them, they should protect themselves and seek retribution for their sect brothers and sisters. But how can that be known? ]
A weakling that does not trust his own strength. That is Shizun, isn't it? [ The lot giggle to themselves. ] Shizun could have stopped all of this without words. But he let Luo Binghe be bullied and ridiculed.
Shizun just handling things with words and doing nothing. Doesn't that make him the weakest of us?
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If that's the case then clearly the reality and the way he views himself match. "It does. If he can't find the strength to change what's around him, that's weakness."
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That's right. He does not have the strength to change anything. Everything will play out as it should.
[ More injuries erupt upon the young disciples, yet no one has struck them. The lot only seems to beam happily. ]
Shizun is starting to understand.
[ Fanfare starts raining down from the sky as bright, triumphant music plays. No one is supposed to win this game. ]
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What it's saying is wrong. Everybody has the strength to change something. Especially when they're aware of the things they want to change.
Part of him wants to talk some sense into this "Shizun" person, but at the same time, change is something that must come from within. Just because he can point out flaws doesn't mean that the person who has them is going to do anything.
He looks up to the sky. If this is the way the heart works, then there's not much he can do for the disciples.]
Is this the end?
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The System is willing to accept this as a completed event.
[ All the disciples say in unison: ] Because you are understanding the fruitlessness of being anything but a villain. [ They laugh softly to themselves, obviously amused. ]
We can move to another scene now that you understand your role, or if you wish to exit... we are fine with you completing the game.
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I'm not a hero or a villain.
[But he's good leaving this place now.]
I'm done here.
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[ Indeed, Shen Qingqiu has not ever met Val and so the heart does not want to hold onto him as tightly as it would those he knew from the past month. But that does not mean that the System is fair. It only plays at being fair, unfortunately.
There is the soft sound of arrows being knocked. The disciples disappear as the scenery fades to black. Through the darkness, one can hear arrows flying. Yes, it won't kill, but it is as the System said -- a painful ejection from the heart. ]
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But he's not in reality right now. The rules of somebody else's heart is different. So he prepares himself to get barraged by arrows.]
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Reality splinters and the two find themselves standing in front of one another. He isn't quite sure what happened that he had ended up suddenly being touched but he offers a small, apologetic smile. What the fuck was that, am I right? ]
... Oh! Are you all right? [ Actually, Val should be. It was within the heart and so there is actually no damage to his real body. Shen Qingqiu still looks him over to make sure that he is actually all right. ]
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He's perfectly fine, but he also fixes Shen Quingqiu with a thoughtful stare.]
Is that really how you see yourself?
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He wonders how he should actually answer that very simple question. You've uncovered the secret villain that has been living here! Congratulations! It isn't like his heart can lie, right? Very right. He rubs his forehead as he looks away, somewhat anxious. ]
This teacher thinks he could have done better in a lot of his actions in the past.
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Humans can always do better. They usually just choose not to. If that's your definition of villainy, every human is a villain.
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I'm afraid I don't understand.
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He really doesn't need one more person thinking that he's a good person, but at the same times, he really doesn't want to be run out of town. Oh wait, there's that trap-filled castle I could live in? Maybe being run out wouldn't be so bad? Oh my god. I would level up from being a cannon-fodder villain to a full-fledged boss that has his own castle!! Fuck! ]
I could have done better, and I hurt people along the way. Far more than what they deserved to be hurt. I liked to say that I had no choice, but there were a lot of choices before me. At least three choices I could have done, but I always to chose the one that would keep me alive.
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You think your biggest crime is self-preservation at the cost of others?
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He almost coughs up some blood but swallows it. A very bad habit that he has. When he hears something terribly upsetting news, his cultivation energy spikes and causes something inside of him to rupture which in turn causes blood to pool in his mouth and he swallows it before using his energy to heal what he has upset. ]
... yes.
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You know what you're doing wrong, which is more than what most humans can say. Change yourself. You aren't a vengeful ghost that's existed for 400 years.
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He is getting himself off topic. ]
The self-preservation isn't just the cost of others. It's the cost of someone's hope in the world. Their belief that people are good and that the Human Realm deserves to not be burned to ashes. [ You can say change yourself, but I fucked up BIG TIME! This is a villain's confession, OKAY? ]
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[That teenager is dead, but she sure won't accept it. Val won't disagree that humans generally suck, but he does listen to that last part.]
Do you believe that the Human Realm deserves not to be burned to ashes?
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I do believe that the Human Realm doesn't deserve it. And ... this teacher also doesn't believe that the Demon Realm deserves to be burned to ashes over the actions of a view that have colored the views of humans.
[ He is going to take a step forward. ]
Just as there are good and bad demons, there are good and bad humans. [ Unfortunately, a line that he has been remembering for a long time. ] There is more good than bad, however, but the bad is just louder. If you have seen that and come to have us wanting... then you have only seen a little of what we are.
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I protected the Earth, I stopped God from destroying the world. I don't care about humanity, but my comrades asked me to protect the earth and the moon. "Good demons" are the ones who do their jobs, things that humanity hates and fears.
I've seen good humans. People like that are rare. I have seen so many corrupt human souls that the Netherworld has run out of prinny skins.
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You didn't do anything. [ He decides to say. ] You saved them from calamity. You didn't protect the Earth or its people. You just saved it from destruction. [ There is a difference. ]
Humanity fears and hates to change themselves. To look at themselves, to try to be better, you're not a good demon. You didn't do your job. You just made sure a mess wasn't made.
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If I did nothing the Earth would be destroyed by the moon and demons and angels would have left to another world entirely. I certainly did something. Granted, it was not my efforts alone.
I never said I was good. I wasn't doing my job. My job is supposed to be teaching sinful human souls how to act so they can earn their reincarnation.
Because everybody else wasn't doing their jobs either, I stepped in. My world was a mess because the demons who are higher up weren't doing their jobs. They were content to write lies and neglect their duties, instead doing nothing but pursuing power.
[He would be perfectly happy with instructing prinnies, but then demon related politics, vengeful spirits, aliens, a god that was going to give up on the world derailed his plans.]
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[ Fuck your mother!
He's blinded by how angry that he is about someone looking down at the suffering of people and saying that everyone is garbage and deserves what they get! He's furious that someone who has the ability to stop world destruction sits on high while judging the people they saved! Like they're allowed to find them wanting!
If you don't give a fuck, don't do anything! Oh, my comrades told me to do it~ FUCK YOU! Fuck you! If you don't care, don't fucking do anything! ]
Good. We're all suffering, then. Your lot is the same! Everyone just marinating in their own filth while you who has the power to stop world destruction can't do anything to do fix it! You don't get to judge people and their suffering! You don't get to treat humanity like it's garbage!
[ He pulls his hand back, filling it with spiritual energy before he swings. He has a cannon! Why doesn't he fucking use it!? ]
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