by FF Fanatic 80 » Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:44 pm
Daniel remains quiet for a moment, every so often starting to speak, but biting his lower lip. It's difficult to decide what to say to her. Years ago, he would have simply started ranting. Explain to her about the value of life. Possibly even yell at her for her lack of compassion. But as he looks at Myrnal, it reminds him of a situation that happened several years ago...
"...all I'm saying, Stephan, is you had so many other options available. Why was it so hard to..."
There is a loud clink of a teacup hitting a saucer from Stephan's side of the table. A few patrons look over, curious what the commotion is this day at the Jade Dragon. On the other side, Daniel has a teacup stopped halfway to his mouth. He seems surprised at the other man's reaction.
"Where are you going?" Daniel asks, watching as Stephan gets up from his seat. The brother stops, pressing his lips together hard. He takes a moment to think before he speaks, resisting his usual urge to snap at Daniel.
"I'm leaving, before I say something I can't take back."
Daniel seems confused, as he sets the tea cup down on the saucer.
"But, all I'm doing is..." Daniel starts to say.
"Stop it."
Now Stephan is glaring at his sibling, clenching his teeth together.
"Let me make this as clear to you as I possibly can. Because you can't seem to get the bloody f#$king point on your own. I don't think like you, Dan. I can't think like you. You want to treat everyone as if they deserve to live, without question. But everything I've experienced in my life tells me, your way is a fast way to end up dead."
He leans down, bringing himself face to face with Daniel.
"You can sit there an lecture me all you want. You can tell me all virtuous, righteous reasons for doing it your way. But you're not going to change my mind. So, you can either keep trying to preach to me, and I'll just stop coming here all together. Or you can accept that we're going to disagree, and find something else to talk about."
He leans back up, and starts to turn around and walk away. Daniel clenches his fist shut, starting to open his mouth as if to shout. However, he stops, relaxing his hand and slumping down a bit in his seat.
"...did you know Austin played with his first cat today?"
Stephan stops, his shoulders raising and sinking a moment as an audible sigh escapes him.
"...cat huh? I guess he really does take after you."
He turns around, the frown on his face shifting to a subtle smirk.
"The poor bastard."
He walks back over to the table, re-taking his seat across from Daniel.
"So, no problems with the first cat experience, I hope?"
Daniel smiles, taking a quick sip of his tea before answering.
"Not really. He was really gentle with her. But, um..."
Stephan appears puzzled by the hesitation, as he picks up and starts to sip some of his own tea.
"He did mention... that, um... the kitty sounds like Uncle Mid."
A slight spray of tea escapes from Stephan's mouth, as he starts snickering and coughing into his hand.
"S...should I *COUGH* warn *COUGH* him Austin *COUGH COUGH* thinks he's a cat now?" Stephan asks, struggling to talk and cough the tea.
Daniel opens his mouth to speak, but stops. He looks down at his teacup, then back to Stephan.
"That's up to you. I'm not going to tell you what to do."
As Daniel looks back at Myrnal, he finds himself coming to grips with the reality of the situation. They are two people that grew up with very differnt lives. He can't simply expect her to throw all her experiences away to agree with his beliefs. But at the same time, he can't simply pretend that her actions didn't happen. That would go against everything he holds dear.
Somehow, they both have to come to terms. After mulling it over for awhile, Daniel decides to speak up again.
"I... just want you to understand where I'm coming from. At least, hear me out. My beliefs, everything that drives who I am, is pretty much founded on one important thing. I truly believe that every life on Gaera has worth, and deserves a chance at living on this world. Even those who have wronged in the past. It's not just because I follow Ishtar. It's not just because it's a proverb in a holy text. It's because my own life, my being here, is a result of that."
Daniel seems hesitant to speak for a moment, looking at the halberd at his side. Then he looks back up at Myrnal.
"My father... did a lot of terrible things, before I was born. By all accounts, there was nothing redeemable about him. He only cared for himself, and damn the world as far as he cared. Had he been caught for his crimes, he would be dead. But he found something worth starting over for. My mother. I exist today, and so does Stephan, becausee he got a second chance."
Dan stops for a moment, looking away and swallowing. It seems talking about this is bringing up a few feelings.
"I... I know my way of thinking can bite me in my arse. And I won't lie, it has several times. But for me, if there's any chance at all that someone can turn their life around, I have to try and take it. Without a chance like that, a person like me wouldn't be born. That's why I always feel horrible, when I have to end a life. And that's why I get upset, when others don't appear to care at all."
Daniel just looks at Myrnal a moment, tilting his head to the side and scratching the back of his head.
"...You're not me. I know that, and I can't expect you to be. But I'd hope you at least listened to what I have to say. All I ask is that you think about it, from time to time."
He simply stands there, waiting for Myrnal to respond.