A self-righteous fool
Added 2023-02-23 10:49:29 +0000 UTCFloyd saving Hati, Floyd's POV
Anger and adrenaline burn the insides of my thighs as I run to the officer's office. I hardly notice familiar soldiers hailing after me as I pass them by, nor disgruntled officers left waiting for a salute that never came.
I will not let them hurt you. You do not deserve whatever they have in store for you.
I don't know what made the Optio so angry at you and it doesn't even matter. Nothing excuses what he tried to do. To strip someone against their will? Inexcusable. I have never stood by when something like that happens in front of my very own eyes and gods help me I'm not starting now. To think that he would even think that no one would interfere… Disgusting.
I've seen my share of men like him. They will die. And if I claim to know who deserves death, it's those types of people.
However, I've seen my share of men like me, too. Too eager to put their noses where they don't belong.
They, too, will die, in the end.
Counter-argument: Everyone will die, sooner or later.
"It was me!" I shout as I enter the officer-filled room. Our Centurion, Marcus, stifles the beginning of a relieved smile before it has time to blossom. An inaudible sigh leaves his lips as his shoulders lose some of their tension. The others are too focused on me to notice but I did. Why would he be so relieved to see me?
Ah, and there you are. The little ball of hatred, angry at the unjust world. You look like you didn't expect me here. Of course, I'd come. You're part of the team. I smile at you to soothe your nerves but you're too on edge to return it.
Understandable. It's time to ease some of the weight from your shoulders.
"It was me who disobeyed the orders. I stepped in."
I look at Marcus. The tenseness that plagued him seemed to lift as soon as I stepped into the room. I wonder why he doesn't want you to get punished, either. For some reason, he seems to be fighting the urge to look at you.
Ah, I see. The smile that he killed reincarnates on my lips.
He cares. He cares if you get hurt. He's a good, if not a misguided, man looking after his friend. I hope that he continues to do that if I—-
"40 lashes."
Ah, shit. That's going to hurt.
I hope my children won't mind too much. The little rascals. I hope they will remember the things I've taught them: Don't pick your nose until it bleeds, don't eat snow if it's discolored with mud, poop, or pee, and always do the right thing.
Is it selfish to give your life for another even if you have small ones waiting for their father at home?
I'm unsure.
This is what's right. To help you. I hope they will see that.
Or perhaps I'm a selfish, self-righteous fool. Either way, I'm here.
Comments
That's a good question! I think that Hati will always be angry at what happened despite their level of resentment. I see it as Hati's vice that they need to overcome (or embrace, I suppose). Or, if they're confused over their motivations, realize where the bulk of it is coming from. I may have downplayed it too much with the less angry Hatis so I'll see if I need to work on that. Thank you for the helpful question! ^^
Haley Mattos
2023-02-27 05:00:19 +0000 UTCFLOOOOOYD, LOML
King Nothing
2023-02-24 15:32:00 +0000 UTCAaah, why do you plague us with such feels. No but seriously, it was very interesting to see a different perspective on that scene. Not only to know Floyd's feelings, but also to see how Marcus reacts. I'm curious if he allowed himself to show some feelings because he assumed nobody has seen it - or at least none of the people he really wouldn't want to see him like that (aka any of the other people present at that time). If you don't mind me asking, I'm curious about Floyd seeing Hati as a "ball of hatred, angry at the unjust world" - is it the way he sees any Hati, independently of player choices - in the sense that no matter what Hati's personality and motivations are, in a sense they are always angry about something, more or less directly. Or did you specifically write that with a vengeful Hati in mind (vengeful in the sense of one who truly wants revenge, not because of compulsion)? Basically, I'm curious as to if Floyd sees Hati in a different way depending on if they are moved by their own wish for revenge or if they are unwilling. I guess to some degree, the underlying question is - do people notice the differences between a vengeful and unwilling Hati, come to think of it? I know Marcus can in certain circumstances in the sense that Hati can literally tell him about not knowing why he's there, about hearing voices and all that stuff. But if not told directly about these issues, just how differently characters would see a vengeful and an unwilling Hati...?
Konoi Kurozora
2023-02-24 03:00:01 +0000 UTCOh my heart! Even if my main gremlin MC is super conflicted (leaning toward hate) about the Romans, she can never be mean/antagonistic to her team. Loved this POV!!
Euny
2023-02-23 16:29:32 +0000 UTC
