voice;

[mandrakes]

I have a question of a somewhat philosophical nature, if anyone feels they might indulge me.

[There is a reason he chooses to use an audio only medium for this. While Regis is ordinarily very gregarious, there are certain topics in which it is best that others do not see his reaction to what they say.]

What do you believe makes someone - or something - a monster? It may be a simple answer, or perhaps not so simple. I lean towards the latter.

Comments

text

[determinedest]

[Um excuse you sir? Monsters are a valid species that are much maligned throughout history.]

Being made of magic.

[Boom, nailed it.]

text

[mandrakes]

I do not believe that really answers the question posed, unless that is how magic is viewed where you come from.

voice;

[mr_englishguy]

I don't believe there is only one answer, and it is definitely not easy.

You could say a person's actions, but you have to wonder what causes those actions. You can't blame someone who does monstrous things for survival, or in defense of others. Even those that we see as monstrous in the way they look can be the most genuine of souls.

I suppose if I had to say, then I would say someone that harms others with intent and malice and with full control. Someone who would harm any for their own profit without any reason but a desire to harm and take joy in it.

voice;

[mandrakes]

[He thinks about this for a few moments, using the benefit of not being seen to not concern himself with concealing his expression.]

Hm. A secondary query, then, leading on from your thoughts on the matter. If a person happened to follow that path, but successfully re-evaluated their life's course and changed their behaviour, would you view them differently?

voice;

[watchmaker]

You know, it's funny. I can't say I've thought much about it before now. Everyone called me a monster back home, and I just accepted it. Maybe it's doing horrible things without remorse. Which, yeah, I admit, I did, but I'm in a much better place now. For the record.

voice;

[mandrakes]

I've had the word applied to myself, also, and I dare say it was for good reason.

[So, you know, he sympathises? Sort of?]

If you held no remorse for your actions, what changed your mind?

voice;

[geiger]

Deliberately harming an innocent. That's all there is to it.

voice;

[mandrakes]

As simple as that? There may be many things that would drive a person to such an act.

[voice]

[sciencelizard]

Well, uhm, I have a f-feeling you mean like, uh... a monster as something evil and uh, bad, right? Not like... a species.

[Human-shaped things and their terminology, after all.]

[voice]

[mandrakes]

[He makes a soft sound of amusement.]

I have been called both, and not without reason. My wording was purposely left vague. How people interpret the word 'monster' can be just as telling.

[He pauses a moment, then adds-] Though I have no knowledge of the word being used as the name of a species in itself.

[Video]

[mettatonvevo]

[Regis, for various reasons, sticks to voice. Mettaton, for various reasons, (all of which are vanity) sticks to video. This robot loves his face.]

That depends! Do you mean "monster" in the philosophical sense, or Monster as in a species?

[voice forever]

[mandrakes]

[He doesn't get caught out a second time, but he wonders if some people actually heard what he said.]

When one poses a question which one specifies as philosophical, that is usually what is meant by it.

[felineavenger]

Well, it's quite simple to me. Any sort of creature that rudely interrupts your journey at random intervals and refuses safe passage until they have been defeated or otherwise mollified.

[mandrakes]

That seems to me to be more of an irritating inconvenience, but far be it from me to deny your perception of matters. I have to say that sets the bar very low, however.

voice;

[trigeminalheadache]

I'm not sure there's ever a simple answer to a question like that.

[ She hopes it isn't simple. She puts her faith in it being not. ]

Actions and choices, I suppose. And their reasoning for it.

voice;

[mandrakes]

Aha, of course not. Everyone will have their own idea of what they consider to be monstrous, based on their own experience. Often, though, I find that though opinions may vary, the core reasoning begins to align.

[It certainly isn't simple. Regis is a walking example of that.]

The purpose of the question was to discover the thoughts of individuals, not to draw a consensus.

voice;

[beatnomore]

[ Well this is a question that she's been thinking about a lot lately. ]

Probably... someone who hurts others to get what they want without caring.

voice;

[mandrakes]

[He thinks about it rather a lot, too, though perhaps not as much as some...]

That does seem to be a common theme in what people believe.

Voice;

[singloversing]

Isn't it kind of relative? I-I mean...it depends what you personally find monstrous or unforgivable or terrifying or whatever. There's some stuff that seems kind of universal, like common monster stories, but there's always stuff that varies more too.

[Ah, yes. A vague definition so he doesn't have to try and narrow down his own opinion.]

voice;

[mandrakes]

It can certainly vary person by person - that was the purpose of the question. I find that while individual opinion may vary, the core belief is often the same, or at least very similar.

There is a moral line that only a small percentage of people will cross and still deem it acceptable.

[video]

[punful]

[Hey, he thinks he remembers talking to this guy briefly.]

it's pretty straightforward back home, at least. we're made of magic, don't have much physical substance... [He shrugs.] that's kinda it.

[voice]

[mandrakes]

Allow me to clarify - my question being one of philosophy, not biology, I was not referring to a particular species but the state of being perceived as monstrous.

[Who knew that one species of creatures calling themselves 'Monsters' would cause so much confusion?]

( voice )

[lamiae]

Their actions. What they do, not necessarily what they are.

( voice )

[mandrakes]

[Ah, he remembers your voice. She would have more experience with this than some.]

And when it comes to what they do, where would you draw the metaphorical line?

video.

[interpersonal]

( this is something that elena gilbert has asked herself more than once, considering her affinity for vampires, and so the question inevitably draws her attention. her device is on video after a previous network conversation, and she hasn't changed it to voice just yet to match regis, but only because she's up on a rolling ladder. she tells herself she'll pick one book from the library this time. just one book at a time. without fail, she always ends up with a big pile instead.

she comes into view, her expression one of unguarded curiosity. )

Something tells me you're not going to get the same answer twice.

voice forever.

[mandrakes]

I would be disappointed if I did.

[He's sure they have spoken before, and he recognises her from Evelyn's new year's party, where Damon had pointed her out to him.]

Everyone has their own moral lines, and their own thoughts of what a person becomes when they cross them. I have lived a long time, so perhaps mine are skewed through a different perspective, but even I draw lines that I will not see crossed.

text;

[mimic]

I guess it all boils down to the choices they make and the expectations of those around them.

text;

[mandrakes]

And for you, specifically? What are your subjective thoughts on the matter?

voice;

[startingpoint]

[ Kurt certainly knows a thing or two about monsters, so this piques his interest. ]

When they kill someone. Anyone who kills a child, especially. Anyone who just...feels good when they hurt people.

voice;

[mandrakes]

A child, especially? [He doesn't mock, but is calm and curious as he continues.]

Murder is a line that many view as one which should not be crossed. Humans place a high value on life that I did not always share.

[chantes]

There isn't just one way.

( People, demons, and abominations. She could give you many tales )

[mandrakes]

No, there is not.. but I did not ask for only one answer.

[He could tell you many tales, too.]

text

[battlefront]

[So, we're getting into this, huh?]

Lack of morality or empathy. Givin up everything you once stood for.

Bein a coward.

text

[mandrakes]

[Absolutely.]

And would you believe such a person capable of change?