Logical Progression

From: Vincent Pryce
To: Aria Jenneth
Subject: Homework

Ok. Here's the first answers to your questions, sensei. Like you requested I tried to reflect upon my action by the guidelines, as to refresh I have also typed it out here for you as well.

-Vince

PS. I really enjoyed our tea together. Hopefully we can meet again soon, I have still alot to learn.

Attachemnts; Homework.ndt

"Aria Jenneth > First, what the laws of human civil society-- Gallente, Gurista, even, whatever you like-- would do to this man, knowing of him what you know. Second, I would like you to write what the effects upon that society would be, if that society punished men like your prisoner in the same manner as you do. What would change? Third, write for me how that society would judge your own actions, and why. Let me be clear: the only judge of this matter is yourself. You should not read any criticism from me into this. But you should understand, and be clear upon, how others would judge you, and why.

First;

I decided after careful consideration use the Gallente as my chosen society for this query. After all that is where my roots lie and those are the morals and ethics I was taught to live by, so I think it's only approriate to compare myself to my origin point to see how far off the reservation I have really gone.

The Federation as it is prides itself as the cradle of civilization and human rights. We all now know how much that holds true when they burn people on live feed. Granted the man deserved it for his betrayal, but now I digress. So what owuld have the Gallente Federation done as a punishment to this man who hurt Kelsy?

According to Federal law after he had been caught he would have taken to local penitentiary to wait for his trial, which would have taken anything from few months to possibly years. He would have had 3 warm meals a day, clothed and housed. Sure the other inmates might have made his life unbearable or most likely not, the federal prisons are very clean cut... Mostly. After the trial, depending on the comptence of his lawyer, he would have gotten a year maybe two of jail time and sent to a district rehabilitation facility. He would have get hefty fines but... In the end it would not have served as proper punishment.

Second;

The Federation would be drastically different place would they follow my sense of Justice. I think crime would be all time low if they saw how the lawbreaker would be dealt with. I can envision it but I can not find the words to describe it.

I guess... I guess Luminiare would be known by a different name if our juridical system would follow my vision. They would probably call it Pandemonium. I mean, of course there would be justice and a fair trial by there would be Torture Gardens and Slaughter Gardens where those deemed guilty would be taken. These Gardens would be for all to see, to demonstrate what will happen if you disobey - if you hurt someone with out due reason.

Like the man who hurt Kelsy, he is now confined on my carrier to a room of 100square meters. The walls show the fate he by his actions brought unto his family, friends and co-workers. He sees them without end burn and bleed to death. In between the streams there are on black base with white text reasons why this has happened. The room holds no bed, no toilet and no shower. His achilles tendons have been cut and I have removed his tongue. He is fed every other day with bare necessities. He is bound for the rest of his natural life to wallow in his own filth and excrements as a punishment for his infirctions.

If such punishments would be the bread and butter of the juridical system of any society it would by 'the norm' be deemed as a pandemonium, a perpetual Hell to those who would not understand the ingenuity of it, or infringe against it.

Third;

If was still a citizen of the Gallente Federation, or brought down by the DED, I would be most likely commited to an insane asylum. Deep behind locked doors, buried under a bureaucracy with no chance of release and I would be forced to spend the rest of my life in solitary confinment. I would be labeled as clinically insane – an inhuman monster. Not many understand the necessity of the punishment I have seen fit to bestow upon this man. My methods are cruel, savage and inhumane at best but no one can deny the fact that not him or any of the people who made him who he is are no longer around to hurt Kelsy, or anyone else for that matter. The stain has been cleansed away. There is peace, order and safety once more."

Promises

*Vincent is by a mahogany desk, his feet on the table. The dim yellow tinted light of the table lamp illuminates the desk and surroundings. The room quite different from the usual surroundings of the war ships he usually resides on. Instead of cold celadon metals the walls are covered with mahogany bookshelves and the shelves them self hold actual books not the replicas which you can buy from the decor store from the Crystal Boulevard, but actual print. The elaborate designed oriental rug on the floor glistens in the light of the lamp. He leans back in his dark brown leather chair and watches out of the window, observing the rainy weather outside. In his hands he holds a skull, bleached white with a small fracture on the skull, and beside the fracture a hole made by a small caliber handgun.*

What is it with these people and their incompetence to protect their own? Time and time again, people are taken from underneath their eyes. This is the second time that this happened to one of their own. Word is, Repentence is again been abducted by some unknown entity. I do not know what is going on with the Ghosts anymore. Maybe that is part why I left. They were turning on me and on each other. I guess they have only dissolved further as they no longer can not fend for their own. I feel sorry for Myrhial, she'd deserve better than this. I still think of her from time to time, guess one could say I truly do miss her.

*He looks at the skull in his hands. Staring into the now empty eye sockets.*

Still, I've run to their rescue one too many times. Why should I care anymore? I left. Hmph, I guess because some of them are still my friends... They haven't been exactly keeping contact ever since I left. I hear Amaterasu joined our academy. Haven't heard of her, not once. Not a single word of gratitude after I saved her.

*His fingers rap on the surface of the skull as he purses his lips and leans on the grim memento.*

It makes me wonder, how much of a family they really were and who really were my friends? After I sent my letter explaining my departure I've received only one reply from someone I didn't expect one. She really surprised me, in a positive way I guess true loyalty does not always come from where'd you expect. I must send Yishal a rose to let her know, her sentiment is appreciated.

*Long silence hangs in the air before he speaks again.*

I've been helping Kimochi with her special little predicament, she keeps in touch with me. Her I still care for so very much. She is my closest friend after all. She feels she is so disfigured and horrid with her condition. I think she still is beautiful, her beauty is so much more than just skin deep.

*Vincent chuckles to himself as he looks at the skull, extending his arm holding the skull, examining it.*

Kelsy would kill me if she ever found out that I got Kimmy that specially designed eye patch, especially if she saw the price tag. I put in an order on the wires for a specifically designed eyepatch, I had quite intrinsic details for it. Someone picked up the order... Someone indeed. The Rabbit himself made that special eyepatch. I never got the honour of meeting the man but it had his electronic signature, I had it verified. It is an exquisite piece of work. The note said he needed something to pass the time for the evening... It cost me around 600 million but it was worth it. I hope Kimochi has been satisfied with it as well.

*Vincent places the skull on a pedestal on the table. The plaque reads 'Repentence'.*

I think I need to pay Inara a visit sometime soon. She must be devastated by all this, her ability to protect her own once again undermined... She never could handle that too well. She's proud and strong but these are the little things that have broken her before. Allthough I imagine she has someone to comfort her already... Maybe she has activated one of many Repentence soft clones already. Like the first time.

*He looks at Repentence's skull as he finishes his sentence.*

Last time Repentence was alive for months while Inara was living with the replica, before she finally shot herself. Her mother brought this to the Gate, I've had this ever since. The replica nearly had it's sanity shattered when it saw the skull. It knew, that her brother and her lover had made a conscious choice of abandoning her in favour of their comfort. I told them to lay siege to the Tyrathlion estates. Did they listen to me? No. I have kept this skull as a grim reminder of the devotion some of my then so called family had. Pretty words have no meaning if they are empty, and saying them twice don't make them so. It is actions that give meaning to those beautiful words like 'I love you' and 'I will do anything to keep you safe'. I've learnt since, corporation and wearing the same colours do not make a family, nor is it blood. It's emotions, caring and true devotion to do everything in your power to shelter those you love. As Xav did to for me, and as I would do for him. As Kimochi did to me and as I have done for her. As Myrhial did for me and as I would do for her.

*Sighing deep he turns too look out of the window. He leans to the mahogany table with his weight and it makes a soft creaking sound of an old wooden furniture.*

Still, after all that is said and done, some of them still are my friends and some even family. I promised to them I would be there if they would ever need me. I have many times said I am a man of my word. Even if Repentence is dead, I know how much she meant to Inara and I will help her get at least the replica back. If nothing else I will be there for her support. Why? Because I love her, she is my friend and I made a promise to her. These will get me killed someday...

*Vincent looks at the skull like it's asking him "What will?" he chuckles softly.*

Promises.

Blood Stained

*A video of a woman being eaten alive by two exquisitely bred slaver hounds is playing on the screen. Three men are laughing and mocking the middle-aged khanid woman. One Red haired gallente, one black haired clad in black and a middle aged looking civire male watch as the woman is slowly consumed. The black haired man wraps his arms around the khanid woman affectionately before he sinks his teeth into the woman's cheek, biting and ripping chunk of her cheek with his bare teeth. The blood stained face of the grinning black haired man is left frozen on the screen. His eyes flaring in the camera, but some would argue it's the lunatic inside the mans head showing on the camera rather a reflection of light. Vincent frowns and sighs while looking the gruesome image of himself on the screen.*

Not long ago Kelsy saw this video. How far I am willing to go for my friends and loved ones. What I truly am capable of when pushed.

*Vincent sets up a finely crafted spoon over the specifically designed crystal glass. A fairy engraved on the glass is seductive as the drink that is to be enjoyed from the glass. He sets a sugar cube on the spoon and pours absinthe slowly over the cube down to the glass. He sets the sugar cube alight with his zippo lighter.*

I will never forget the look on her face when she saw this... And more.

She was horrified, appalled, repulsed by me. Most of all... She was scared of me.

*The sugar slowly melts into a caramel like substance in the glass. He mixes the caramel into the absinthe with the spoon slowly.*

For a Cartel loyalist she has seen very little of the actual horrors. A pretty face for the poster and publicity she's been for them I think. She saw a video me annihilating an Angel research outpost. She was horrified by it, she asked me "How could I do such a thing, that she'd hope me to be a little loyal to 'her people'." I made her see, the reality, the horrors, the terrors of what I had to do to prove my loyalty to the Cartel. Holo after another burst in streams to the screen her face went pale. The genetic experiments, slave breeding camps, mass rapes, the cleansing of the stock to make it superior for sale and much more, all for profits and business. I showed her why I left the Cartel. She's never asked or questioned my decision since.

*He takes a slow and long sip of the glass.*

Hmmm, this is indeed is the first entry after my departure from the Ghosts. Xav took me in. I mean, where was I gonna go? Back to the Federation? Fuck that. I am far beyond the hope of returning to a society like that ever again.

Guristas have been much more forgiving of my past transgressions, I guess they understand we all have our history and just want to live our life without constraints... I do not know. I guess they trust me because Xav does. He is so much like Reneé was, again pulling me back on my feet. I am glad I have friend, no, a brother like him. Now I'm trailing off the topic again...

*Vincent downs the rest of his drink and sets the glass on the table, the spoon creating a soft chime as it hits the glass.*

We have indeed gotten back together with Kelsy, I have broken my back ten times over to make up for my mistake. I guess when I fucked up, something was broken inside of her as well. She slipped back to smoking, drugs and reckless partying. Maybe it was her way of punishing me. She knows i detest her drug use and I don't much care for her smoking either. She's cut back quite a bit and we've grown much closer again. As it is our relationship is like dancing on glass at the moment but at least this times, there's no lies and both have their darker habits laid out in the open.

*Vincent stands up and looks at the lunatic in the screen, eye to eye.*

Still I wonder, can she really love me and trust me after all she has seen and been through. She has only now seen my many sides. She's lived so sheltered so far. She has seen the mad and visceral me now as well. Time will tell.

At least, this time around she knows that my soul is Blood Stained.

À Tout Le Monde

À tout le monde

I have been thinking my life, more than usual of late. What I have done, what I must do in the service of the Cartel, what they asked me to do to prove my loyalty. The victims I deprive, deceive, murder and enslave. I... this isn't me. I look into the mirror and what I see? A monster... Sure, I have perpetual freedom, I have money, I have had it all, but at what cost? I've lost my sense of who I am, my soul, my life... My loved ones.

I have done terrible things, unspeakable things. Things I would see myself burn for. I have destroyed families, enslaved cities worth of people and made fathers watch as their daughters are turned into drug addled prostitutes. I can't do this anymore. I can not hide behind 'It's just business'. I just can't do it anymore. This is not me, I am willing to go far beyond driven for those I care, but not for profits.

As I rip of these insignias of the Cartel, I must rip out the insignias of the Ghosts as well. This isn't me and this is not my life no matter how hard I try. It's time to move on and find out who I am and what I am.

À tous mes amis

I'm sorry it took me this long to write this letter, I didn't know what to say or how to say it. This is a letter to you, my beloved friends.

Know that even if this isn't the life for me, I do not blame or resent you, my friends, sisters and brothers who choose to live this life. We all must do what we need to do to survive in this world. If you can live with yourselves doing this, I wish you truly the best. I hope, someday, you'll forgive me and see why this is not the life for me. You all are my friends, I think no less of you and I hope you will not think any less of me.

Je vous aime

To those of you who came to know the real me, to know much of my internal turmoil and torment and you were there to support me without end, I love you all and even as I take my leave, know that you all will always have a place in my heart. To me, you all are something worth fighting for. I have made mistakes even though my intention were good they have resulted in much more misery, but I always meant it for the best as I tried to protect you, to shield you and hold the Family together. Now I see that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Myrhial, Kimochi, Kelsy, Koshmarnaya, Inara and all the rest of you. You mean the world to me, and even though I have made a round of bad calls. Even as dysfunctional as our family was, it's not the reason behind my decision. I hope in time you understand that.

je dois partir

It's come time now to take my leave. Moving on is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard. I shall miss you all terribly.

These will be the last words I'll ever speak as an Angel, and they shall set me free. So as you read this, know my friends; I would love to stay with you all, but I can not do so with good conscience. Please smile, smile when you think about me.

Love,

-Vince

====

OOC: This is an open letter IC to the following Members of Naraka (and to some now-ex-members as well);

Myrhial Arkenath, Kimochi Rendar, Kelsy Talan, Koshmarnaya Akula, Yishal, Inara Subaka, Repentence Tyrathlion, Elysa Varbolt, Milo Caman, Celia DeKline and Zukko Firaga

Cherry Pie

Alone.

Cold and hollow.

I needed time to think, time to clear my head.

I retreated to the only place where I can think and clear my head. The Tzvi orbital stations botanical gardens. There is something soothing in the sound of the flowing fountain and the smooth macadam under your feet. The flora and fauna make it complete, almost like being planet side but more controlled and serene. Usually there is no one here besides me. Tzvi isn't exactly the most populated hub in space. Most capsuleers stop here only briefly and almost none enter the gardens.

This time it was different.

Not long after I had arrived, a sweet and perky scent pierced the air.

Cherry and... roses? Odd combination, but lovely nevertheless.

She approached me, starting to make conversation. I turned around saw this beautiful ni-kunni in front of me, crimson hair flowing down her shoulders her dress complimenting the blossoming full figure, still clad in piety and elegance. She saw my angel pin and her pale complexion went deathly. Obviously she knew of the Cartel enough to be afraid of them. I smiled and took my first steps closer to her, step by step predatory smile on my face, I toyed with her like a cat with her mouse prey. I cornered her against the wall and pressed close, nearly stealing a kiss. I could hear her heart race and see the temptation in her eyes.

I couldn't carry on.

I just couldn't.

She was still scared and I promised she would have nothing to fear of me. I managed to clam her down, she even agreed to take a walk with me. Though unfortunately she had to part soon after, I'm quite sure it wasn't all because of she wanted to finish her patrols.

Oddly enough that same night she came back.

I was singing to myself an old gallentean love song and she sat on the bench next to me. I had caught her scent long before she sat down next to me. We engaged in polite conversation and I once again lasciviously teased her. I touched her with a rose I had in my hand, ran it across her cheeks and down her neck, right down to her bosom. She shivered, she wasn't used to this kind of closeness from a stranger. We were worlds apart but only a rose petal away from an embrace.

She had something, something that peaked my interest. Her innocence stirred something in me. Something I had thought lost now, a desire to shelter and protect, to make her feel safe with no strings attached. I wanted to get to know her. She was hesitant to reveal anything of herself, so I pressed on and offered to tell a something of me for every question I asked of her.

And we talked, long into the night.

Despite our difference we befriended each other. She told me her secrets and I told her mine. She is an interesting sweet little thing. To think... What the Cartel would ask me to do to her... The thought already breaks my heart and I don't even know her too well. I know, that the Cartel would drug her, enslave her and because she is so beautiful make her a pleasure slave or a whore... I can't. I can't do that. I can't the bear the thought of it happening.

She is sweet and innocent, lived a so sheltered life. Yes, someday she will have a harsh wake up to this world.... But it won't be by my actions.

I gave her an affectionate nickname as well.

She is

My sweet

Cherry Pie.

Train of Consequences

You reap what you sow right?

What if the that something you think you've done for naught comes around and proves you wrong?

Not long ago, I was kicking it back at the Last Gate. Thinking over things I had done and accepting the fact that Kelsy didn't want to see me no more and that our thing was over. The storm in my head may have calmed down but in all my recklessness the chaos I had spread around me had destroyed everything important to me. So, alone I stood in a dream that I had turned to a nightmare, my hopes lay in front me of now in smoldering ruins. I had reaped what I had sown.

I encountered this woman later that night, Sah Phyre. I met her first at the Three Sisters 'Bliss' party. Interesting if withdrawn and shy woman, except while intoxicated. We sat down and talked, all the everyday pleasantries and trivial talk, then the talk turned to her almost ritual like scars. She had told earlier at the 3S that they were of her time when she was caught by Blooders and enslaved by them, not for ritual purposes but as a servitor and a possible convert. We talked about her time there and eventually how she escaped...

This is where the story took an unseen turn. She didn't escape. She was rescued by a capsuleer leading a strike force for the MIO under a contract.

That capsuleer was me.

She took my hands, looked into my eyes and said "I know this is late, but... Thank you for saving me." My heart skipped a beat and my mind raced like a vagabond with snakes. I had saved her life. Turns out I had made a difference. This woman in front of me now, lively little capsuleer was alive, because of me.

Made me think the choices I have made. It made me think of Nicole... It could've been her. I t could've been her I sold the drugs, It could've been her I sold for forced prostitution... I...

What have I done? Am I doing the right thing here? This isn't the first time I doubt my loyalty to the Cartel... Can I keep on supporting something that commits things I am not alright with. I... I can't hide behind the slogan "It's just business". There's consequences to my actions. I undock and I move the fates of thousands. Can I keep giving my support to a Family I love knowing what they truly stand for?

I lay on the tracks and I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I hear it coming.

The Train of Consequences.

The Sound of Silence

I told Kelsy.

I reaped what I had sown.

And now I am alone...

I have no doubt in my mind. I deserve this. I deserve the cruel words she threw at. Be they of spite and anger, vicious and vile words, I deserved every single one of them.

Now, I have lost everything and only now I realise how I sick I have been. Why did I do what I did? Why did I sleep with Ciarente? Why did I nearly sleep with Inara? Why I betrayed Kimochi? Why I have maimed and destroyed people around me for no reason other than an awkward look?

Because I can not control myself, my desires or my emotions.

I haven't been able to control my instincts, desires or passions. Love, lust, hate, anger - all have been overwhelming and I have been a slave to my passion. No more.

This is the second time Ethan has pulled me out of the gutter. He gave me shelter when I deserved none, he helped me when I needed it the most. He saved my life, literally beating life back into my dead body. I went through some unpleasant memories when the nanites churned to help me - I died of a heart attack, second time now. 9 minutes I was out. I was literally scared to death, he held in my panic and beat my heart back beating when it had stopped doing so. I owe him my life.

I have been sick. I have destroyed so much in my wake. Toma and Ethan managed to come up with a solution which in conjunction of Milo's implant has given me a chance to live a normal life.

The cacophony in my head has died down.

And all that remains now is...

The Sound of Silence.