(no subject)

[on_your_nerves]

Bored.

I'm trapped against my will in the Medbay and it's so excruciatingly dull that the only thing I'm able to do right now to entertain myself is reflect on the fact that there are talking ponies on this ship that are capable of grasping objects when they're not in possession of opposable thumbs.

Someone say something that isn't tedious.

SH

Comments

[locked]

[not_the_philistine]

Posing a threat to my loved ones.

[locked]

[on_your_nerves]

What if they pose a threat to others?

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[not_the_philistine]

I am a threat to those who would threaten my loved ones.

Are they others, and am I therefore of questionable character?

[locked]

[on_your_nerves]

No, I mean what if someone were to pose a threat to other people than your loved ones?

[locked]

[not_the_philistine]

I would, of course, oppose them.

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[on_your_nerves]

Then what are the full criteria? For someone's character to be questionable or not?

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[not_the_philistine]

A desire to do harm to others.

Or, a disregard for whether or not one's actions harm others.

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[on_your_nerves]

And how do you determine that a desire to harm others is there?

Re: [locked]

[not_the_philistine]

Generally, by observing that they are trying to do so.

[locked]

[on_your_nerves]

Then you most likely wouldn't find my character questionable. I don't cause harm to others needlessly. There's no point.

Re: [locked]

[not_the_philistine]

With respect, I will make that judgment for myself.

As you said, there are no flawless individuals. I have needed my friends, and been needed by my friends in turn, to point out episodes of questionable character. We are none of us free of poor judgement, or shortsightedness under duress.

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[on_your_nerves]

You asked if I was of questionable character. I was merely answering your question--by your own specifications, I most likely wouldn't be.

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[not_the_philistine]

I do not say this out of accusation for your character. I say it because I have seen people of great integrity overlook the ways in which their actions would infringe on the rights of others. And because there have been times when my desire for vengeance has overshadowed my love of justice.

At times like these, it is necessary to have, and trust, the word of one's friends. I am fortunate to have friends whose words I can trust - even if I have been too shortsighted to listen. To return that vigilance is a part of friendship.

We are imperfect, all of us, but we attain a greater good when we balance each other. Is that not the heart of any system of justice?

[locked]

[on_your_nerves]

You don't disdain those you find imperfect.

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[not_the_philistine]

No.

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[on_your_nerves]

It's an uncommon trait.

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[not_the_philistine]

I have been looked on with disdain often enough. My life does not need more of it.

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[on_your_nerves]

For what reasons do others show you antipathy?

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[not_the_philistine]

I am not human. Nor was I willing to take up the cause of destroying all humans.

It would please me if this were not so on your Earth, but on mine, that was enough to inspire more than antipathy.

For what reason do others question your character?

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[on_your_nerves]

I'm afraid I can't say that your mere existence wouldn't have incited such a reaction on my world. It wasn't such a gentle world as that.

As for why others question my character, some seem to think there is direct correlation between one's interest in solving crimes and one's interest in actually committing them.

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[not_the_philistine]

A strange assumption, when there are humans whose occupations are only to do so.

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[on_your_nerves]

I have no qualms about pointing out the ignorance or incompetence of others, and people can become resentful at being made to feel inadequate.

Some also incorrectly view me as an amateur. They wonder why a civilian would take such an interest in criminal investigation and mistake my enthusiasm for the challenge of it as something other than what it is. It doesn't help that there were a few occasions where I was able to discern things that only the killer would know, because of my intellect and expertise.

[locked]

[not_the_philistine]

Do you do this, not expecting resentment?

[Because there's no way Sherlock can make 'pointing out incompetence' sound considerate.]

[locked]

[on_your_nerves]

The resentment, I expect.

The accusations of murder and kidnapping, on the other hand, are somewhat excessive.