AUDIENCE FOR: Shinobu Kocho

[guestservices]

Comments

[guestservices]

[a pause, and then they nod.]

Sounds good to me. I assume Mikazuki has already given you the tour?

[wisterin]

He's shown me the cherry blossom tree. I am very fond of the koi pond.

[ she loves fish a lot, inexplicably. ]

I almost think he wants to go back to speaking in infuriating and cryptic circles. [ a beat. ] More than he already does.

[guestservices]

I can see him doing that for fun, yes.

Shall we go to the pond, then?

[wisterin]

I'd like that. May we grab some food for the koi along the way?

[ i don't know what koi eat (googles)

cereal ]

[guestservices]

Of course.

[they can stop by wherever in the hotel one can find cereal]

[wisterin]

[ they grab some cereal and make it to the koi pond. she throws some into the pond and watches the koi rise to the surface. ]

Cetus-san, what are your thoughts on forgiveness?

[guestservices]

[they watch the fish.]

I think that's up to the individual.

[wisterin]

I believe that, too, but do you think it's better to forgive?

[guestservices]

[a hum]

I find it easier for myself to focus when I've let go of resentment. On the other hand, I don't believe it's always beneficial as a whole, if people are immediately forgiven by everyone around them without first earning that forgiveness.

[wisterin]

Forgiveness is something that shouldn't be easy to receive. I know some readily give it, but...

[ she throws some more cereal into the pond. ]

People shouldn't be allowed to keep doing wrongs, time and time again.

[guestservices]

Mm. And such is the benefit of a lack of forgiveness, I suppose. If it's something that is always easily given, people don't learn how to change.

[...]

From a practical standpoint, I think that if someone is genuinely trying to understand or correct their wrongs, it's helpful to give them an inch depending on the outcome you want to achieve.

But certainly, no one is ever entitled to it.

[wisterin]

[ she nods, after a moment. ]

If someone is genuine, if someone will change, if it will do more good in the end, I do think forgiveness should be extended.

A little compassion and kindness can do so much. I know that, as much as anyone else, but it only works on those who care enough.

[guestservices]

Yes... you do have to know where to cut your losses, as well.

[wisterin]

Are you speaking from experience?

[guestservices]

I'm not usually in a position to hold grudges, I think.

But similar principles apply to facing an opponent. There are some you might be inclined to spare, and then there are those who aren't worth it, even if just because of the particular situation.

[wisterin]

[ she tilts her head. ]

I think you can hold grudges no matter what position you're in even if you feel you can do anything about it.

[ is it productive? not usually, but emotions are emotions. ]

... that's true enough. Forgiveness can be its own battle, too.

[guestservices]

[a hum]

I won't pretend I love everyone, but I've learned how to let go quickly enough, and that serves my own purposes better than resentment does.

[emotions are emotions, but sometimes, you are very good at managing your own, at least.]

In the end, the world is a place where everyone pursues their own idea of justice or happiness. Inevitably, those things will clash, and it's up to each person to decide what they'll fight for and what they'll concede.

[wisterin]

That sounds a little lonely.

[ if you divorce and compartmentalize your feelings enough, if you separate and set yourself apart like that. ]

We aren't all going to get along, and everyone's values aren't going to align. We all have our own experiences to shape us to be who we are.

It's just a matter of what happens when no one will concede and how ugly it'll become because of that.

[guestservices]

[no comment on the lonely part.]

It probably wouldn't hurt to have someone mediate if it gets to that point.

[wisterin]

[ the silence is enough. ]

Perhaps, but you'd have to find someone willing to do it.