text; un: beatrix [1]

[fiendennor]

Do you believe in magic?
If so, what do you know about it?

Comments

[wallofbriggs]

Alchemy is the process of changing one thing into another via the idea of equivalent exchange. You can't get out more than what you put in.

That said, why stop at making simple things like clothing or repairing items? Why not set something or someone on fire? Freeze the blood in their bodies? Turn them into a walking time bomb?

Anything can be weaponized. It's the way of war.

[fiendennor]

That is very different from the sort of alchemy I am familiar with. No alchemists could do something like that outside of a laboratory. If I may be frank, they also sound horrific. Surely you can't expect someone to have a completely amoral conscience.

[wallofbriggs]

[Damn it all is she actually going to have to defend alchemists? No one's allowed to say shit about her brother but her, but still... fuck she's defending Mustang of all people.]

Soldiers don't have the luxery of a conscience. Not on the battlefield.

[fiendennor]

All the more reason to avoid war at all costs.

[wallofbriggs]

An easy thing to say when your life and country aren't being threatened by those who would see you dead either way.

[fiendennor]

Diplomacy is, and remains, a thing. It should always take precedence over needless bloodshed.

[wallofbriggs]

I didn't say otherwise. However, there are times when talk becomes nothing more than your last breath.

[fiendennor]

And even then, all your might should be used to bring the parties involved back to the negotiating table.
Atrocities help no one. They only make the other side want bloody revenge.

[wallofbriggs]

Again, that's a very easy thing to say.
How many times have you been in just such a situation?

[fiendennor]

A life or death situation?
Several.

Don't mistake me for someone without the stomach to use force if absolutely necessary.
But a peaceful solution is always preferable.

[wallofbriggs]

So you only speak like a child.

Peace may be preferable, but it is not always possible. And a soldier's job is to deal with the consequences of both. We keep the peace and we fight if only to protect those who can't.

[fiendennor]

I speak like one with an ideal.
Age is irrelevant.

Or do doctors refuse to treat enemy soldiers in your world?

[wallofbriggs]

You'd have to ask a doctor.