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Post by eyesinthedark on Jun 27, 2022 16:17:20 GMT
"I have lots of desires," Hex confirmed. "I want to have all sorts of treasures, I want to see all kinds of places, I want to meet all kinds of people and do all kinds of things," he listed off casually. "Life is filled with all sorts of desires and I want to fulfil as many as possible," he finished.
"Indeed, desire does seem to be his primary motivation for just about everything he does. The problem is that he tends to prioritize immediate satisfaction over long term ambition," Shouta commented. He had observed that Hex's abundant desires left him with a severe lack of impulse control. When LJ questioned his apparent discomfort, he hastily waved him off. "Ah, no, nothing to worry about. I am merely ill suited to this environment, I'm afraid," he dismissed LJ's concerns, not wanting to discuss the issue. His limited social life was a necessary consequence of having so many personal responsibilities and he was not the type to bemoan his duties to others.
Hex eyed him thoughtfully, giving surprising consideration to his next words. While it was true that he was picking off a constant low level of frustration and stress from Shouta since they wound up here, he had detected the clear spike in his discomfort moments ago. However, he also remembered that Shouta had been displeased when he had commented on his emotions earlier. "You're sure there's nothing else I can do to help?" he offered uncertainly. Among his many desires was one strong desire to help his tamer whenever he could.
Shouta blinked in surprise at Hex's uncharacteristically hesitant question before remembering the Eyesmon's empathic senses and making the connection. "No, really, I will be in perfect form once we manage to escape this desert. I appreciate your concern, however," he said approvingly, pleased that Hex did seem to be showing some concern for somebody else.
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Post by ricochet7-LJ on Jun 27, 2022 17:07:58 GMT
"Life is full of desires that is very true. Sometimes ones desires can change overtime and I think the path to fullfilling ones desires can give those great potential to grow as people." LJ said sounding surprised with himself before he said "Wow. That was surprisingly deep for me. Maybe I'm more like Dad then I thought since I said all that without really thinking."
"At least you can help guide him with his motivations. Maybe even expose him to various kinds of hobbies to see if he enjoys more than just acquiring things. Maybe it could also help with tempering his impulse control. I mean Hex doesn't seem all that bad but definitely isn't what Dungeons and Dragons would of called in the good alignment. Maybe chaotic neutral at best if I am being generous." LJ said and when Shouta said he was fine but ill suited to the environment which LJ nodded in sympathy.
Standing up LJ then smiled before he said "Might as well refill any water bottles you may have if you haven't already so you don't have to do it later. We shouldn't be far from Rustport now."
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Post by eyesinthedark on Jun 29, 2022 15:33:24 GMT
"That's true. I don't believe Hex ever acts out of malice," Shouta agreed. "It is merely that the circumstances of his birth have left him with a skewed sense of priorities, with his desires vastly outweighing his nascent sense of responsibility," he observed. For all that Hex was governed by his desires, those desires didn't seem intrinsically evil. He had never expressed a desire to inflict harm on others beyond needling them with insensitive comments and even seemed to be driven more by curiosity than cruelty.
"Chaotic neutral? Nascent responsibilities?" Hex repeated, looking between LJ and Shouta. "I don't know about all of that. I am what I am is all. Desire is a central part of my intrinsic nature and denying that would be futile. Trying to act responsible would just make me as miserable as all of the digimon whose data I was born from. Following my desires might not fix the problem but at least it means I'm not constantly fighting against it," he mused aloud, drawing a surprised glance from Shouta.
"That was... a great deal more philosophical than I would have expected from you, Hex. Though I suppose in hindsight I shouldn't be surprised, as a desire for deeper knowledge is hardly out of character for you," he commented in surprise before focusing on the actual content of Hex's words. He took a sip from his water bottle as he gathered his thoughts before responding. "But acting responsibly should be so wretched as you seem to think. While it can occasionally be a burden, acting in accordance with higher principles can enable one to fulfil a sense of purpose and in the long-term allows for an overall higher quality of life than the temporary diversions you are so preoccupied with. Perhaps the purpose granted by a sense of responsibility would be exactly what you need to fill whatever void you feel," he suggested as he knelt down to refill the water bottle.
"But that void is who I am. Chasing my desires is my purpose," Hex insisted without missing a beat. "I was literally born out of the failures and disappointments that other digimon cast away during the rebirth process. Fulfilling those lost desires is my driving purpose and will be for as long as I live in this form. When I die and get reborn, my data might reformat enough to change that but in the meantime, fulfilling as many desires as I can in this life will only increase the odds that my next life is less focused on them," he said, disturbingly calm and placid for the subject matter at hand. Shouta winced, uncomfortably reminded of Hex's cavalier attitude towards death. While Hex had never given him the impression that he was actively seeking or looking for death, Shouta couldn't avoid the impression that he wasn't particularly concerned about it, even by the standards of one who knew he would be reborn.
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Post by ricochet7-LJ on Jun 29, 2022 22:11:35 GMT
"I think desire is a part of everyone's natures just some people act more on them then others. As for responsibility it doesn't have to be miserable to be resposible. Responsibility can be a desire too as some people desire to show how resposible they are." LJ said before he said "I guess everyone can be surprisingly philosophical at the oddest times even." Yes, Shouta was right. Like desire responsibility could fullfill a sense of purpose even if one didn't know what their greater purpose in life was which made LJ wonder what his greater purpose was other than being the grandson of a great magician.
"Though being born out of the failures and dissapointments of others in the rebirthing process sounds sad on the surface it seems to have given you a purpose, Hex, even if it sometimes has Shouta on his toes." LJ said with a soft chuckle not knowing what else to say.
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Post by eyesinthedark on Jun 30, 2022 19:33:33 GMT
"Maybe so, but being responsible means suppressing other desires in favor of obligations," Hex pointed out. "Even if I did have a desire to be responsible, it wouldn't be enough to justify ignoring all of the other desires I can fulfil in the meantime," he said calmly.
"In the short term, perhaps, but being responsible can open up opportunities in the future that will let you avail of far greater prizes," Shouta tried to argue as they set off from the oasis. The temporary rest stop had helped a great deal, abating some of his fatigue, but he was still eager to leave the desert as quickly as possible.
"You said Rustport should be close? Have you been there before?" Shouta asked curiously, hoping to learn more about their destination. He had not yet seen and settlements in the Digital World and was unsure what to expect. He knew that Terminus was apparently a fairly large city and if there was a station for Trailmon in Rustport then it was presumably at least somewhat civilized but he wasn't sure whether to expect a town similar to one in the Human World or if this would be wilder than he was used to.
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Post by ricochet7-LJ on Jun 30, 2022 21:57:04 GMT
"Not necessarily, Hex. Sometimes being resposible can still align with ones desires and I never said you had to ignore you desires. Though choosing what desires to pursue must be difficult seeing as you can't chase all desires at once." LJ said not knowing how best to explain things to Hex. He was just going on what knowledge he picked up from his elders. Shouta's next words made sense to LJ so perhaps they would resonate with Hex as well. Who knows?
"Yeah it should be." LJ said as he looked around adjusting his grip on the cape shielding him from the sunlight before the sight of buildings caught his eye. Pointing he said "There. In the distance I see what should be Rustport since it is the only town in this part of the desert unless some other town popped into existence near where Rustport should be without them knowing."
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Post by eyesinthedark on Jul 1, 2022 14:16:59 GMT
"If the responsible path involves following your desires, then you're not really being responsible. You're just being lucky," Hex argued. "Being responsible means sticking to obligations and rules even when you want to do something else. Even if it does eventually lead to some greater desire in the future, that's just a byproduct and relies on dumb luck. It makes more sense to try and get the desires you can see and reach immediately instead of waiting for some greater treasure that might never come," he reasoned confidently. Shouta seemed inclined to continue arguing but both of them were distracted when LJ spotted Rustport.
"Oh? That's it?" Shouta asked, raising a hand to shield his eyes as he tried to peer into the distance. Unfortunately, he couldn't make out any great details at that distance. Hex, meanwhile, rose higher into the sky in order to get a better view of the town. "Well, at this point I would be happy to reach any town. Rustport or no, they presumably have shelter and some form of transportation," he announced, picking up his pace as he walked towards the town.
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Post by ricochet7-LJ on Jul 1, 2022 23:36:48 GMT
"I guess you have a point, Hex. All I know is getting older is harder than what many kids think it is but I think I've been managing well enough what with my responsibilities as an older brother." LJ said with a shrug not knowing how to furthur debate Hex. Hex brought up many good points and probably would do well in a school debate team. "You might want to choose a holosuit disguise at least school aged as good as you are at debating. Then you could join the debate team and probably do very well there."
"Fair point, Shouta." LJ said as he began leading the group again. Eventually the buildings were easier to make out giving the vibe of an old western town though the digimon weren't yet visible. "That looks like the Rustport from the books. Thank goodness since I'm not the only one cooking out here."
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