Video -- But Let Me Explain...

[rianofski]

[The video feed clicks on to show someone who is, apparently, very in need of explaining something.]

I have only ever done what I've had to do, to protect my own interests. If I've been selfish, that's because human beings are inherently selfish, inherently absorbed in their own problems, their own wellbeing, their own survival. I don't perceive self interest to be a negative quality. Indeed, it's one of the only qualities that we all share.

[A pause, as though he's not quite sure why he's explaining all of this, or what's spurred him to do so, but then he goes on.]

I've been called a titan of industry. I've built my own city. I've seen it thrive, and I've also seen the cracks begin to show. I've done everything in my power to sustain the ideals of the free market, of free will, and yet...

[A sigh.]

I have my critics, as does any man. But allow me to explain: morality is entirely relative, and rest assured, I can explain -- and justify without question -- any of my actions, whether it be in this city or at home. Can any of you say the same?

Comments

[deadmanbusiness]

It's funny how many people don't realize morality is relative.

[Pfft. They're agreeing on something.]

[rianofski]

They're taught to believe there is a set of universal morals that applies to everyone. Many never look beyond that teaching.

I always think that icon is a fish tank for some reason

[deadmanbusiness]

That's because they all - well not all but a great deal of them - follow the same religion which preaches that. Or offshoots of it.

But even then they don't realize that all the different offshoots have different ideas of how to interpret the morals they preach.

Re: TV screen, fish tank, same idea, really

[rianofski]

Nor do they realize how unspeakably ludicrous religion is, in general.

Something to stare at while your mind goes blank

[deadmanbusiness]

Religion does have its purposes.

[He gets a bit defensive here, of course. He has his own religion... cult... thing.]

[favoritetraitor]

A titan of industry? Really? We really must talk sometime.

[rianofski]

I'm always open to conversation, especially conversation regarding industry.

[favoritetraitor]

Wonderful~. It's not everyday that I get to meet a fellow businessman. [So says a man who's business exploits were 'legendary' back home.]

I'm Solomon Goldsmith.

[rianofski]

Pleased to meet you. I'm Andrew Ryan. And what kind of business are you in?

[prosopopoeia]

And none of your actions disappoint you?

[rianofski]

You always ask the difficult questions, don't you?

[But he likes that about her.]

There are some actions that I wish I had never had to choose in the first place, but I rest assured that I have always picked the appropriate course of action, even when neither choice presented to me was an ideal one.

[prosopopoeia]

If morality is relative, zhen we all do what is appropriate by our own reasoning. Zhis does not make it so.

[It's not exactly an argumentative statement. She has done what she deems appropriate. She knows others may disagree. She knows she has been disappointed in some of her choices.]

[rianofski]

Whose reasoning should we judge by, if not our own?

[yourlastdance]

As a matter of fact, I do believe I can say the same.

[rianofski]

Can you? In that case, it's a pleasure to meet you.

[yourlastdance]

[brace yourself, here he goes.]

For example! I wore this outfit because it best accentuates my features- not to mention it looks dashing, and ladies love a dashing man. I once informed a pretty girl I had a surprise for her hidden away in my pocket- right over my heart! my heart, I tell you! -but she slapped me before I could reach the punchline. But my intentions were noble! And...I was trying to earn myself a date. I'm often away from camp at night because I cannot practice my da-

[COLOR DRAINING FROM FACE]

Nothing. You heard nothing, of course.

[rianofski]

[He's absolutely baffled as to where any of that came from, because he hasn't quite realized he's been cursed himself, yet.]

I can see, of course, why one might want to wear an outfit best accentuating their features. For the most part, that's why professional men like myself wear suits. However, you seem to have a bizarre desire to explain all kinds of revelations today.

video;

[makingastatement]

Sure, sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do-- otherwise why would you get the urge to do it in the first place?

Re: video;

[rianofski]

It's not simply a matter of urges. And there are those who suggest that we should act against our own self-interest to protect the self-interest of another. It's those people I question.

video;

[makingastatement]

Those people? They don't know squat. It can go hand-in-hand if you know how to play it right, but anyone that tells you to fall on the sword for somebody else-- they've got their own agenda.

[ Not that he's entirely sure why he's feeling compelled to tell all this to a complete stranger...it just seems to come out as such. ]

Re: video;

[rianofski]

[They're in the same boat here -- he has no idea why he's talking quite so much, but it seems necessary.]

Of course they do. Everyone has their own agenda, and those who tell us to be charitable, to be altruistic...

[He practically sneers the word.]

... are just as selfish as the rest of us.

this is the latest forever you can ignore me if you'd rather T_T

[defies_reason]

Even when so many of one's actions here have no element of free will?

Re: I would never ignore you my dear

[rianofski]

Even then. It's arguable that, despite the restrictions placed upon us here, we're not entirely devoid of free will.

even when i disappear for weeks on end and come back annoyingly?

[defies_reason]

Well, perhaps not, although I think the compulsions associated with the curses might forgive quite a bit of bad behaviour.

Re: Even then! Because I <3 you

[rianofski]

Undoubtedly, although if, as I said previously, morals are all relative anyway, then perhaps they could be forgiven for their bad behavior even were they not under the influence of a curse.