Heavens BBS | text

[drops_acid]

Date: July 19th
From: Anonymous


How would you define the word monster?


[A few recent conversations have gotten her thinking about certain things and she's genuinely curious about the answers she might get. Cardia is well aware that there are a few people who do know her secret and could probably guess that this is from her. But she's not brave enough to ask something like this without anonymity to hide behind.]

Comments

[toremainbehind]

I do suppose you can call it awkward since everyone has different views on what a monster is.

Asking me, my experience with anything close to a monster would be ayakashi. A rage-filled shinki. My own god could even be included in that list depending on how his mood can be.

[drops_acid]

Depending on his mood?
So it's possible to be a monster only some of the time?

[toremainbehind]

It is.

[drops_acid]

I'm not sure that's the case for every monster.
But it's a nice thought.

[toremainbehind]

How would you define a monster then?

[drops_acid]

A monster is a creature that is dangerous to others simply by existing.
That brings misfortune to anyone who gets close to it.
That can never know warmth or love.
Something that should never have been born.

[toremainbehind]

That is indeed a very interesting definition of 'monster'. But monsters can learn to love, learn warmth, and people can easily argue how that very monster should have a right to live.

[drops_acid]

And if that monster has hurt people, even killed people
do they still have that right?

[toremainbehind]

Does the monster feel remorse for their actions?

[drops_acid]

Yes.
But that doesn't fix anything.

[toremainbehind]

Nothing can be fixed. All that matters is what the monster will do to make up for their actions.

People will hold grudges, but even grudges can wane over time. It depends on the monster if they have the strength to look back at their mistakes and find the resolve to do what they can to make up for what they've done.

[drops_acid]

Is there really any way to make up for taking someone's life?

[toremainbehind]

Depends on why that life was taken in the first place.

[drops_acid]

And if there was no reason?

[toremainbehind]

There's always a reason, even if the monster in question has no recollection of it.

Of course, this is simply my own opinion. People view things differently, after all.

[drops_acid]

I'm not so sure.
People who get close to monsters often get hurt or worse.
Whether the monster wishes them harm or not.

You're certainly right about that. I've gotten far more answers to this question than I expected.

[toremainbehind]

That would depend on the people around them then, doesn't it? While I'm not sure about others, even if the people I'm friends with turns out to be a monster, it won't change my opinion about them. They're still my friends.

Hopefully these answers will help you find whatever answer you're looking for.

[drops_acid]

You must be a very kind person then.
But I still think the monster bears most of that responsibility for allowing people to get close to them even though they know better.

But thank you.
I haven't found my answer yet, but I think I will soon.

[toremainbehind]

Collective responsibility as one would call it. If that argument is made, there would be no real winner.

Best of luck.