004; video (demon)

[strategisch]

[Before he even speaks, there is something distinctly, perceptibly different about Armin. For one, he is lounging. Armin does not lounge. He barely even relaxes. Secondly, his eyes just aren't... right. They lack their normal clarity and alertness. They are hazy, and subtly scrutinizing, as if he's sizing you up.]

Good and Evil. Hmm.

[He presses his fingertips together.]

I think such broad terms are too... confining. It depends on the situation, doesn't it? You can harm a person to save yourself, or someone you love. Or your kind actions, or good intentions, can lead down an unwitting path of destruction. No, drawing a line line in the sand between what is and is not sin-- that isn't very fair, is it?

Stipulations. There needs to be stipulations. The Commandments should be open to amendment. Humans aren't as simple as they were... How long has it been now? 4000 years ago? It's not all first borns and blood sacrifice anymore. We need to modernize. Preferably democratically.

Not every good action is good for you. Not every bad action is bad for others. Think about that.

[This, of course, is a logic trap. Any action you would take would then end up being a sin. But that's exactly what he wants. Spreading little discontents is so much more effective than traditional tempting.]

Comments

[humanities_strongest]

They're humans. Everything sends them skittering.

[Like really, they could think they see a cross in their shit in they would worship it.]

Something so imperfect can't make anything that lasts. Disgusting things.

[strategisch]

Tsk tsk. An attitude like that won't produce results! You have to embrace their imperfections, it's the whole reason they're able to sin in the first place.

[humanities_strongest]

That's what separates you and I; you think they are fascinating creatures while I see them for what they really are.

[Bugs.]

[strategisch]

Honestly, you're still such an angel. Did you just take a wrong turn on your way to work one day, or do you actually have a reason for being Down Here?

[humanities_strongest]

I better reason than you do.

[strategisch]

Really? Enlighten me.

[humanities_strongest]

You first since you seem so sure of yourself.

[strategisch]

Have you ever seen a cherub? All those heads, and arms, and wings... God has no taste. I've seen five year old humans come up with something more awesome; little boys are experts at the craft.

[He seems very satisfied with his sarcastic answer. But he does add:]

I wasn't challenged. The only thing an angel can do is resist. Resist evil. Resist temptation. I wanted to do something. Make my mark.

[humanities_strongest]

So you did it because daddy told you not too.

[An...teenage rebellion.]

[strategisch]

[Armin's cheerful disposition clouds at those words.]

Angels are afforded even less than the humans were before sin. I think you can understand this was more than simple capriciousness.

[humanities_strongest]

Right. To make your mark.

[He can understand that.]

[strategisch]

Exactly.

Like a virus. There's a sort of... brilliant artistry, to the spread of a virus. Something that requires no impetus to infect and destroy everything in it's path. Imagine if I could instigate such a thought! It would be so beautiful...