Heaven's BBS | video

[sharkmaid]

Date: August 29th
From: Eros

See them?

[The image comes into focus, revealing a pair of teens holding hands as they walk side by side down a quiet neighborhood street. They both appear happy. Laughing. You might even say they're in love. At the start of a new school year, it seems the perfect time for this sort of thing.]

... He prayed for her to love him.

[The young couple fade in and out of focus as he speaks, blurred and fuzzy around the edges. Behind the camera there's a scoff.]

I didn't know if I wanted to, but I gave it to him anyway. And now she'll love him until I tell her to stop.

[Finally they disappear around a corner... just as another boy appears into frame. He pauses, but the couple doesn't notice. He stares over his shoulder, but the couple doesn't notice. ... He has his eyes on the young girl. But she doesn't notice.]

That's who she used to love. ... He doesn't know why she left. Probably never will, even if he still loves her.

[After a minute of watching the two's backs, the boy finally turns around to continue trudging down the street alone, his head hung and eyes focused towards his shoes. Rin waits for him to also disappear out of frame before continuing.]

Tell me-- [a deep breath] --am I dangerous?

Comments

[demonsheath]

As a god of love and passion?

To people, you're probably one of the most dangerous.

[ittenbari]

But that's the kind of thing gods are supposed to do, right?

At least you're not the kind of god that makes it rain all the time or kills people's crops or something.

Shouldn't you be able to help out the other guy, too? Plenty of fish in the sea, right?

[revolutionfalcon]

Considering you obviously can't discern a harmful prayer from a benign one, I'd call that dangerous regardless of your powers.

[erogappa]

Undo that spell right now.

[boneofsword]

Messing with other's feelings is always dangerous. Both to them and to you.

From: Inti

[letteropener]

Using magic, or any power, to influence the minds of others is very dangerous indeed. It is the first step of a slippery slope. And the truth is, you have not truly granted that prayer.

[sharkmaid]

Because?

[demonsheath]

There's very few things a person won't do when love is involved. You're the one that can take and give it away.

Don't you wonder if that boy will stop at just sulking, because the girl took her love and gave it to someone else so easily?

[sharkmaid]

Just because we're supposed to do it, does it mean we should?

And I could help him... but wouldn't I just be hurting him if I did?

[sharkmaid]

Are you Eros?

[sharkmaid]

Why should I? I'm just doing my job.

[erogappa]

Like hell you are. You let that girl go or I'll come and make you.

[sharkmaid]

To me?

[sharkmaid]

How haven't I? I gave him what he asked for, even if it's only temporary, right?

[sharkmaid]

By this world's reasoning, what he chooses to do now doesn't have anything to do with me. They're still in control of themselves. I just offer a nudge.

... But that doesn't make it any easier on my conscience as a person.

[sharkmaid]

You think I haven't already wanted to do that by now?

[letteropener]

To answer that, I must ask what 'love' means to you.

[erogappa]

You said you can tell her to stop. Go tell her to stop!

[boneofsword]

Using such power without considering the responsibility for your actions often leads to a dangerous path. The more you use it the less you think about the consequences.

For example in a few months it can make you think it's fine to use it on someone you are attracted to just because you can.

[sharkmaid]

It means... a lot.

But that's not supposed to interfere with what I do as a god.

[sharkmaid]

That's not what he asked for.

[demonsheath]

Offer a nudge, redirect what was there, it's all very similar. 'She'll love him until I tell her to stop' were your own words.

If you choose to decide that your actions couldn't have such a dangerous consequence, because free will exists, it's on yourself. While it's easy to sow a seed of guilt, there's a reason why it's there in the first place.

[erogappa]

I don't give a shit what he asked for! She didn't ask for you to mess with her mind. Now I'm not going to ask you again. Undo the fucking spell.

[letteropener]

The heavens do not wish gods to resolve matters cruelly to mortals -- else we would not have shinki, to remind us of what it is to be mortal.

And if love means so much to you, why did you choose the easiest way to answer the prayer? Mental enslavement, when you could have helped to build something true?

[sharkmaid]

I'm not stupid. I'd never let my powers overtake who I am just like that.