mylittlejamjar | [Visual] -5th Shadow-

Hey Equestria...I got a question for you, mostly this is for the other outlanders like myself, but...anyone is free to weigh in here. I'd like the input.

How many of you use friendship, or similar bonds, as a source of strength for yourselves back home?

Some pretense to that...where I come from there are creatures called Digimon. I myself am half-digimon. Long story to that, but I won't bore you with the details right now. A digimon is a creature born of digital data, they are however highly receptive to emotions and can grow stronger as they grow closer to others, becoming stronger and stronger as those bonds mature and grow.

Emotions from those that we make friend with rub off on us, we can become stronger, or weaker because of it, or we can become too strong that we can't control ourselves.

[He rubs at his cheek with a hoof and sighs deeply.]

Not only digimon have exhibited this trait, though. There is another being called a Net Navi where I'm from, another digital life-form, this one artificially created by humans. There's an entire battle tournament surrounding them even. A Navi and their NetOp, when they have a strong enough bond, can create powerful combinations with battle chips. They can even fuse together, share the core of their beings with another, the NetNavi’s can even form friendships of their own that unlock hidden potentials...

[ He holds a hoof over his chest reflexively, almost like he was reassuring himself about something...]

The core of my question is how many of you have something similar back home? An undertone to that is how many of us have forgotten about that? That we've taken it for granted or just forgotten our own basics? This place works on its own rules. Just like those of NetNavis, or Digimon...working together, believing in one another...we’ve heard it a lot lately, and seen that here, it’s its own force to be reckoned with. Friendship. We’re all in this together, and if we're going to-

[He stops short and scoffs softly to himself.]

Sorry. Getting off track...Anyways...just something I’ve been thinking about lately. If anyone would rather speak with me in person or private, you’re always welcome to call on me at the commune or approach me while I’m on duty in the Night Market.

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[A switch in the pony's demeanor, show's he looks far more tired than he may have been letting on.]

Hey, Dante...Vergil...I may I need your guys help with something. I dunno if you can, but I'd rather it be the two of you than others. I'd uh...rather speak somewhere off scroll, about it though. If you can, meet me at the Decanter.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Where I'm from is just the opposite, actually. Letting people get close to you can be a fatal mistake in the demon world. Everyone is more or less out for themselves; whether it's just for their own entertainment, or so they can get one step closer to greater power. People are used, emotions are manipulated -- it's a far cry from the sunshine and rainbows of Equestria.

I also spent about 5 years in the human world, which is probably closer to what you're talking about. At the very least, there, being personable and helpful is a good way to get by. Even if the whole...friendship thing is something that I still haven't really gotten the hang of yet, it's not exactly a foreign concept.

Yeah...that's actually about what I learned about demons from personal experience and a long talk with Zetta.

[Crmsn drinks with all the demons. News at eleven.]

It's good to know it seems more a nurture rather than nature thing, though. Judging by how you've gotten along here, seems like you're learning more and more about it.

[It takes all he has not to roll his eyes to hear Zetta's name, but he manages.]

It helps that my father was diligent about teaching us how to be productive members of society when we were young.

[Since that was the last time that he had to actively coexist with people, it's what he's been falling back on every time he's found himself at a loss. Sparda cared deeply for humans, so he always taught the boys to be considerate of them.

Ironically, it's the rebellious twin that's become best at that.

Sparda's own manners were dated and overly formal -- he was the type to be chivalrous, or to bow in respect when meeting someone. While that's not exactly Vergil's style, thanks to his time in the demon world, he's found himself defaulting to that once or twice, if only because he is entirely unsure how civil humans conduct themselves.

While it's true that he's spent time in the human world and has a basic grasp on how to not to make yourself a target, he's still used to solving his problems by killing said problem, and doing everything he can on his own with minimal contact from others. Being in a place where that's not an option -- and where you get by faster if you're actively social -- is jarring and alien. Needless to say, he's been totally out of his element.]

For a demon, he was incredibly well-mannered.

Edited 2014-10-20 09:07 (UTC)

[That gets a softer smile out of Crmsn. He's gota definite soft spot in him for good parents, mostly because he spent the better half of his own life without his.

Something he's come to regret since he's become a father himself. Funny how life works that way.]

He sounds like someone I could get along with. And at the very least you have something to look back on for reference...

I know I try to do the same for my children...it's hard though to readjust. I spent several yeard in less tgan ideal environs, like I said, I wasn't a person there...more a...glorified meat locker with legs. But how my parents raised me, their lessons to me even then helped a lot. IA lot of ways I think they saved me from succumbing to my surroundings.

It was definitely hard to dislike him, especially if you were a human. Even after he sealed away most of his power to keep demons from terrorizing them, he still went out of his way for them all the time.

[Though he understands the feeling of being a glorified meat locker, it's those last words that hit too close to home. There's a moment of a pause before he speaks.]

You're lucky for that.

[Considering the fact that he had succumbed to his surroundings, despite having amazing parents.]

That's a really noble thing to do...sacrificing his own powers like that to help others...sounds like you respected him too.

[He grins a little.]

Heh, luckiest-unlucky guy you'll ever meet. There was a time where I didn't think it. We all make mistakes though, it's how we pick up afterwards that makes you who you are.

[Only took him nearly twelve years, but that's half his life so far.]