With bombs and the devil, and the kids keep comin'

[guardiandevil]

WHO: Matt Murdock & You!
WHERE: NOHoPE
WHEN: December 27th-31st during visiting hours.
WARNINGS: Insanity?
SUMMARY: Matt's been locked up and is awaiting his trial. He's able to take visitors.
FORMAT: Your choice.

[He doesn't actually feel up to taking visitors yet, but who is he to argue with the professionals? He's surrendered, he deserved whatever torture they dished out, including uncomfortable conversations with his former friends. It wasn't like they'd understand anyways. They hadn't been through what he had. They hadn't touched true power, had the ability to to fix the world right in their palms, had such divinity slip away.

If they had, they'd probably be called crazy, too.]

Comments

[guardiandevil]

[His mouth twitches slightly as Xanatos speaks, at the thought of an apology. Would it be wholehearted? Did that even matter? Perhaps going through the motions was enough. Sincere or not, Matt could offer his true absolution to Xanatos. After all, HABIT had forced all their hands, his anger would always remain focused there.]

If you're offering to now, I'll accept it.

[hastheedge]

[Xanatos pauses, not saying anything just yet, coming up with another test in his mind. At Matt's statement, he shrugs in a nonchalant, noncommittal sort of manner.]

We'll see about that apology-at least for formality's sake. Not that I feel particularly bad about it, of course. I did what had to be done. [HABIT would appreciate such brutality; Matt wouldn't. And, though Xanatos would never admit it, it was a little bit of fun playing the cliche villain.]

[guardiandevil]

And what man can honestly say he wouldn't do the same thing if put into your position?

[Matt could have said that. But that was before he'd gone home, before he'd tasted the purifying truth that real, tangible power could have.]

I didn't expect we would meet again like this. To what do I owe the pleasure?

[hastheedge]

I just wanted to visit. After all, we haven't talked since that...incident.

[Xanatos shrugged slightly.]

[guardiandevil]

Then let's talk. [He frowned, folding his hands together neatly.] Is there something on your mind? Something you need to get off your chest?

[hastheedge]

I'd think you would have more on your chest than me. [He said, leaning in slightly.] After all, I didn't try to recruit children into some sort of cult.

[guardiandevil]

Is that what they're saying about me? [A look of curiosity flashes across his face.] Please, I'd like to hear all the rumors.

[hastheedge]

I'll tell you the rumors if you tell me why you did it. [After all, he wasn't going to tell Matt everything.]

[guardiandevil]

[He considers his options, then shrugs,] It's the only viable solution.

[hastheedge]

[That causes Xanatos to frown slightly.] What do you mean by that?

[guardiandevil]

It was a spark. A call to arms. I taught my pupils the way to truth because no one else would do it. And who else can change the world better than children?

[hastheedge]

I know that answer: one influential man. A politician, an assassin, even a CEO can change the world better than children. Let's be honest, Matt-who honestly still believes the same things they did when they were ten?

[guardiandevil]

There are lessons we learn as children, universal truths that get thrown out the door once we reach the age where we become complacent. We're expected to go along with the way the world is because that is what everyone does. But that's wrong. It's against balance, against the way it should be. And one influential man can change the world. Those children were spreading my message, Xanatos. I had a vision for the world, one that could be enacted through them.

[He shakes his head. Why doesn't anyone understand?]

When I was ten, I saw the world for the very last time. I saw the truth and beauty of a world where wrongs were righted, where men who hurt others and committed murders were sufficiently punished. I saw a world full of promise, on the cusp of greatness, where justice would always prevail and criminals would not be celebrated.

I've held onto that my entire life. So, I suppose you can say that I honestly believe the same things I did when I was ten.

[hastheedge]

[Xanatos paused for a moment. He didn't consider himself a man of many morals. But using children, effectively indoctrinating them like that...it still didn't sit right with him.]

Then I guess you're the exception to prove the rule.

[guardiandevil]

And what rule is that, Xanatos? The rule that we should surrender ourselves to the way things are?

[hastheedge]

The rule that everybody outgrows their naieve childhood fantasies. You're an idealist. That world you dreamed of, where justice prevails and murderers are punished? It doesn't exist. It will never exist.