video, un: revolution

[idealisme]

What would you die for?


[There's no preamble. Enjolras is not in the mood to set the scene. He's been thinking and gotten nowhere so he wants the input of others. Over his shoulder it's apparent his room a shambles, a young man living alone with his mind on things other than housekeeping.]

For myself there's a cause that I've given all my life to. It's the highest ideal I can imagine. I know that is not a usual thing. Life is precious; until I woke up here I'd have said that death precluded any second chances at it. But that's beside the point.

I ask because I thought I others shared my opinions. It is rational to give your life only for the most important ideal. Sacrificing yourself for just anything- to get any item or even for another person... [His lips pinch together in thought, his eyes look distant for a moment.] I have not been able to reconcile it.

[A quick sigh escapes him, frustrated.]

I would appreciate your sincere answers and insights. Thank you.

Comments

[2/2]

[cassus]

Not the devotional type, huh?

[ A sigh, as if this Explains everything. ]

So, I guess it's pretty obvious that you've never been in love.

[ This is so sad Alexa play Despacito. ]

[idealisme]

[For a moment Enjolras doesn't see how not being in love has anything to do with the topic at hand. You can see the moment he makes the connection because his frown morphs into something like surprise. Before he can answer any of this man's other questions-]

You suggest that people would die for those whom they love romantically? Like in every fable and nursery story?

[cassus]

Yes. [ He breathes out a tired laugh at the perfect comparison. ] Except... Fairy tales tend to have 'happily ever afters'.

[ Dazai sees the transformation. And he meant it when he wondered if it's truly a blessing or a curse that Enjolras hasn't given his heart to someone. That he doesn't know what it's like to pine for them like your soul has been scooped clean from your chest, to need them like the very air you breathe, or suffer your lungs burn and heart collapse without them. Someone you'd die for the sake of. Without whom you may wish to simply cease existing.

How cruel that some men never know that sting, and yet Dazai of all people has suffered love twice over. ]

Love is more gruesome than that.

oh no i'm sorry about the tiny text

[idealisme]

[There's no helping the dismissive tone Enjolras makes. Romance, what nonsense.]

War is gruesome. Revolution is gruesome. Death is.

Love can be nothing like that. [THUS SPEAKS THE VOICE OF ZERO EXPERIENCE]

Don't worry about it at all~

[cassus]

I see. And why do you think most of us go to war, Mr. Revolution?

[ For those in politics, who hold vast wealth and impressive titles, they may call for war out of greed. For territory, treasure, and the all consuming need for more. But for those who are the target, they can only think of defending what they love.

Often times it's more complicated. Even the idea that an enemy can present, their rising danger that looms ahead, can be enough of a threat to what's precious in order to seek them out. ]

When the world you've built with someone you treasure is threatened...

You would do far more terrible things than merely die for them.

[ Of all things on Heaven and Earth, love is the only one that threatens to drive all men who feel it to extremes- Of emotion, belief, and reason. ]

And other times we simply fight to the death over one person we'd give anything to have.

Don't suppose you've heard of a certain Helen of Troy?

[idealisme]

[Would one do terrible things for the sake of a beloved? Enjolras can't believe it.

For France, he would. For the sake of ending the monarchy, he would. For a person? A man or woman, flesh and blood and bone?

His scoff is audible.] Do not speak to me of the Greeks. [NOT A FAN]

[cassus]

[ Like it or not, the fall of Troy as a result of one man's desire for a woman is a decent enough example to get the point across. ]

People do cruel and unspeakable things in the name of love. Every single day.

[ But all of this talk on the subject has left one very important question unanswered. ]

I'm curious, so tell me something.

Besides the charming personality, how does someone handsome as yourself avoid getting heartsick over someone special?

[ Dazai cups his chin as he leans against the table where his device is propped up, studying the other man on the screen before shutting his eyes. ]

It's a terrible feeling. You should try it sometime.

[idealisme]

How have I avoided it? [That question, at least, Enjolras can answer.] Easily. It would be a waste of time. Wasting my time mooning over some beloved other doesn't further my goals, especially here where I am a veritable stranger to the culture and people.

[He's married to the idea of revolution okay?]

[cassus]

[ Dazai betrayed his partner who trusted him unequivocally, abandoned the protege who needed his guidance dearly and never forgave the friend who took Odasaku from him. They were ghastly, callous things he's still trying to make amends for, all done over the devotion to one person. Someone who'd given his life for those he'd held dear.

And in the end all he was left with was mourning over Oda. But not one minute had felt like a waste, however agonizing. Nor did it hold him back from what he had to do, when loving Odasaku had given him a purpose and a drive to continue living. ]

I wouldn't be who I am now without those feelings.

If anything- [ Quietly. ] What you believe to be a waste of time was the most important thing I've ever done.

[ With the situation at present and loss of their worlds, most everything pertaining to those places is lost forever. How someone can pick up and continue their prior life is easier said than done. ]

And can you accomplish your goals here, in a completely new world?

[idealisme]

[Sensitivity is not a strength of Enjolras'. His faintly disdainful expression doesn't fade at that quiet confession. He can't understand it.]

I believe so. My goal is freedom, liberty, and brotherhood. Those do not chance, no matter the place or time.