Indeed - this seems to be related to the Christian religion. It involves the concept that human beings are born with original sin, but that that sin was cleansed by the sacrifice of a divine individual, allowing human beings to be saved. Different practitioners of the religion have different understandings of precisely how one is saved, but it all has to do with the notion that the innate sin humans are born with must be paid for one way or another.
However - and I recognize who I am speaking to - I do not believe in such things. I have always felt, rather, that religion is a lens through which humans attempt to interpret the world and codify notions of morality. That humans are inherently sinful and must work to redeem themselves is, as a concept, a one way to encourage people to behave decently towards one another and strive for the betterment of society. Whether or not there are quite literally gods or angels in our world does not change my feelings.
Thus, I am not inclined to believe this explanation so literally, but perhaps the person who wrote these notes believed it.
...mm. I feel the same. I - [ a beat, and he ducks his head, mouth quirking up like he's trying not to laugh. ] Well. Obviously, perhaps, I do believe in gods and godhood. [
considering. ] But, to say that people are simply bad by existence and that people cannot save themselves or fight for themselves - or throw off the chains of whatever 'fated destiny' they have - is too much for me, as well.
I much prefer you know me as Xie Lian, instead of His Highness the Martial God of the Central Plains. [ xie lian gives her a bigger smile at that. friendship.
and then, more thoughtfully - ] But I think so, too. That, I suppose, begs the question of who, then. Belief is spread by believers, and by priests, and heads of organizations as such, no? Even my own doctrines were spread by the guoshi, the Head Priest of Xian Le... and people interpreted them liberally.
In this case, we do know the angels literally exist. We also know they may have once been human and became angels. And perhaps they believe this - perhaps some of their number even wrote the notes.
[She pauses, frowns, and glances at Xie Lian.]
And yet. . . whether or not their beliefs about dust are correct, what we cannot deny is that this conflict has caused calamity after calamity. Eventually, something will have to put a stop to it, or all of our homes may be endangered.
but, he meets the side glance, and his expression hardens, a little. not at susato, but there's that familiar, determined glint in his golden eyes. a prince, a god. ]
We will be the ones to put a stop to it. I think we can all be put to an agreement - that this conflict ends with us.
Which means that you must recover, Susato - I will be counting on you as much as I hope that you feel you can count on me, alright? I have been so lucky to count you as an ally and a friend.
[ oh not in this house. he immediately squeezes her hand again, and though his voice is gentle, it is firm. ]
Susato. [ until he's sure he has her attention. ] Since the very first week that we arrived here, you have been nothing but steadfast and true. Your indispensable quick thinking was the reason that we were able to pin Qi Rong into confessing, and the reason that we found Suigetsu last week, too. I have relied on you over and over in our time here, because you are trustworthy, intelligent, and a force of strength.
[ all of these words are very, very sincere and steady. xie lian believes them truly - he believes in the character of others, and his own assessment of them. ] Why would I ever stop counting on you, when you have done nothing but show how reliable you are?
[She's quiet for a moment, while he speaks to her, still looking away. But once he finishes, she takes a breath and meets his eyes again, a small smile on her face.]
. . . I'd been taken away from my family. I was alone, and I had to pay debts if I hoped to ever return to them.
[. . .]
We were supposed to break into a prison and steal something inside for money, but I - all of us - we also knew that we ought to betray each other so we could take the reward for ourselves.
he stays quiet, listening - he looks deeply displeased by the revealed information. the way this place manipulates and plays with people's minds, no matter where they end up, is so unbelievably cruel.
xie lian tries to keep it off of his face, though, for the moment. ]
Was it just a sort of inherent knowledge...? How awful. And so...?
Yes. It was as though it was simply true, simply my own thoughts. I needed the money desperately, and I didn't want to share it with them.
[She swallows.]
While we were in the prison, the others were caught in a conflict with the guards. I stole away - ostensibly to scout ahead, but I intended to leave them to die and make off with the treasure myself. However, it came to be that the treasure was a person - an angel, trapped in a cage.
[ well that's even worse!!!! at least the gold dust ones are assholes! xie lian's expression explains it - shock and anger alike flash across his face, and he doesn't quite flinch, but it's close to a recoil. ]
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no subject
Indeed - this seems to be related to the Christian religion. It involves the concept that human beings are born with original sin, but that that sin was cleansed by the sacrifice of a divine individual, allowing human beings to be saved. Different practitioners of the religion have different understandings of precisely how one is saved, but it all has to do with the notion that the innate sin humans are born with must be paid for one way or another.
However - and I recognize who I am speaking to - I do not believe in such things. I have always felt, rather, that religion is a lens through which humans attempt to interpret the world and codify notions of morality. That humans are inherently sinful and must work to redeem themselves is, as a concept, a one way to encourage people to behave decently towards one another and strive for the betterment of society. Whether or not there are quite literally gods or angels in our world does not change my feelings.
Thus, I am not inclined to believe this explanation so literally, but perhaps the person who wrote these notes believed it.
no subject
...mm. I feel the same. I - [ a beat, and he ducks his head, mouth quirking up like he's trying not to laugh. ] Well. Obviously, perhaps, I do believe in gods and godhood. [
considering. ] But, to say that people are simply bad by existence and that people cannot save themselves or fight for themselves - or throw off the chains of whatever 'fated destiny' they have - is too much for me, as well.
I much prefer you know me as Xie Lian, instead of His Highness the Martial God of the Central Plains. [ xie lian gives her a bigger smile at that. friendship.
and then, more thoughtfully - ] But I think so, too. That, I suppose, begs the question of who, then. Belief is spread by believers, and by priests, and heads of organizations as such, no? Even my own doctrines were spread by the guoshi, the Head Priest of Xian Le... and people interpreted them liberally.
no subject
[She pauses, frowns, and glances at Xie Lian.]
And yet. . . whether or not their beliefs about dust are correct, what we cannot deny is that this conflict has caused calamity after calamity. Eventually, something will have to put a stop to it, or all of our homes may be endangered.
no subject
[ lmao!!! hate it!!!
but, he meets the side glance, and his expression hardens, a little. not at susato, but there's that familiar, determined glint in his golden eyes. a prince, a god. ]
We will be the ones to put a stop to it. I think we can all be put to an agreement - that this conflict ends with us.
no subject
Yes, we must.
no subject
xie lian squeezes her hand. ]
Which means that you must recover, Susato - I will be counting on you as much as I hope that you feel you can count on me, alright? I have been so lucky to count you as an ally and a friend.
no subject
I am lucky to have you as a friend as well. But, as for whether you ought to count on me -
[She trails off.]
no subject
Susato. [ until he's sure he has her attention. ] Since the very first week that we arrived here, you have been nothing but steadfast and true. Your indispensable quick thinking was the reason that we were able to pin Qi Rong into confessing, and the reason that we found Suigetsu last week, too. I have relied on you over and over in our time here, because you are trustworthy, intelligent, and a force of strength.
[ all of these words are very, very sincere and steady. xie lian believes them truly - he believes in the character of others, and his own assessment of them. ] Why would I ever stop counting on you, when you have done nothing but show how reliable you are?
no subject
I'm sure you're right.
no subject
... Won't you tell me what you're thinking?
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[She folds her hands in her lap.]
It's nothing, it's only that. . . I don't feel quite like that version of Susato you're describing tonight.
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no subject
It's quite literal. I still have these flashes of living another life.
no subject
[ what a terrible sort of illusion. ] What sort, may I ask?
no subject
[. . .]
We were supposed to break into a prison and steal something inside for money, but I - all of us - we also knew that we ought to betray each other so we could take the reward for ourselves.
no subject
he stays quiet, listening - he looks deeply displeased by the revealed information. the way this place manipulates and plays with people's minds, no matter where they end up, is so unbelievably cruel.
xie lian tries to keep it off of his face, though, for the moment. ]
Was it just a sort of inherent knowledge...? How awful. And so...?
no subject
[She swallows.]
While we were in the prison, the others were caught in a conflict with the guards. I stole away - ostensibly to scout ahead, but I intended to leave them to die and make off with the treasure myself. However, it came to be that the treasure was a person - an angel, trapped in a cage.
no subject
One of the golden dust ones as we've seen here...?
no subject
More like the watchers. He looked like a human boy, but he had wings. His name was Jurda.
no subject
To be sold like cattle?