41/Moral Dilemma

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Moral Dilemma
Date of Scene: 14 April 2017
Location: Prospect Park, New York City
Synopsis: Wherein Dragonfly navigates a difficult moral dilemma whilst talking to Crusader about his future.
Cast of Characters: Dragonfly (Arazello), Crusader




Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    It's a wonderful April morning. The kind that brings May flowers. The sky is gray and overcast, and a slightly chilly, fine rain, so fine it verges on being fog, pelts down on the city. It is in this weather that Nancy finds herself in Prospect Park, sitting on a bench, umbrella overhead, trying, largely unsuccessfully, to shoo away expectant ducks, waiting for Bjorn's arrival.
    "Bjorn, we need to talk. Tomorrow morning, Prospect Park? About 9?" That was the message she left on the voice mail. 9 is coming up. Time to see if he shows up.

Crusader has posed:
Bjorn does indeed show up. As he walks the massive man seems lost in his own world as he seems to try and watch the rain with the same diligience as a curiouse child. And despite being dressed handsomely to the nines, the dapper man forgone any umbrella.
    Seeing Nancy he strides over with a grin on his face showing his canines "Hello Nancy! You want to be doing the talking yes?"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    Nancy looks up, a little troubled, but smiles in greeting, raising an eyebrow as she sees the lack of an umbrella.
    "Aren't you getting a little wet there, Bjorn?" she asks. "Or are you one of those weatherproof people that doesn't mind?" She shivers delicately at the thought. "My ... uh ... bigger, better sister is probably one of those."
    She pauses a while, then says, "I've ... been asked ... to talk to you about something. And it won't be pleasant. For either of us, I'm afraid."

Crusader has posed:
Bjorn laughs warmly "Well, Bjorn is not sure how weather proof he is... but he always love the rain. Esepcialy on summer days. Bjorn tell you best thing ever is finding nice big rock, and sleeping on it"
    He looks at the bench "...ummm Bjorn hope you not mind... but if it is all the same to you...Bjorn stay standing" considering how much he weighs...likely a good idea
    But his smile soon turns to a worried frown as he sees how Nancy is acting. It took a few moments to register "...well what is wrong?" he asks "Did something happened?" seeming concerned about Nancy now

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "I ... talked ..." Nancy tries to say, then stops. She presses her eyebrows together. "With your ... uh ... friend there. The ... Crusade?" She pauses again. "It's asked me to do something for it. We argued. Then it explained something that ... well, now, I really don't know what to do. And I think you should know what's going on as well; know what the stakes are."
    She breathes a deep breathe, then exhales noisily. "This isn't going to be an easy conversation, Bjorn, for either of us."

Crusader has posed:
Bjorn cants his head "Well Bjorn knows you talked with Bjorn.... wait no...Crusade... someone else?" he rubs his head as if confused. The Crusade did mention that as the days went on, Bjorn has found it harder to differeiant itself from it.
    "....sorry. Things... have been weird. It like Bjorn is awake...but dreaming.One moment everything crystal clear.... and then suddenly blurry like distant memory. Some not even sure if Bjorn memory"
    He shakes himself off a bit, spreading just a bit of water "Bah! Listen to me ramble! Let us get on with conversation! Some day most difficult conversation is most importnat" he looks to hear. But, despite his enthruasim... it was like his eye held a preminetion of fear and worry about what this was about

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "The Crusade wants me to convince you to ..." She pauses, trying to figure out the right wording. "...Integrate? Merge?..." She shakes her head, causing one tress to break free from its bounds. Unconsciously she tucks it in behind her ear as she continues talking. "...with it. It claims that it would be best for all concerned." She looks, if possible, even more troubled. "I'm not sure," she continues slowly, eyes locked on Bjorn's, "that it is wrong about this. Thing is, I'm not sure it's right either."
    She sits back, face wracked with guilt. "So I promised to talk to you about it. To explain its viewpoint filtered through a huma... Mostly-human. I didn't promise to convince you; I'm not even sure I should. But talking about it seems to be pretty important."

Crusader has posed:
"Merge" Bjorn voice says in a whisper....clearly frightful "It...already intergrated with me" forgeting his weight, he actualy takes a seat. The bench groans in obviouse protest... and yet somehow it did not break. Perhaps he was holding more of himself up, than it would appear
    "Bjorn feel like... he has talked to you about this...and yet has not. Things seem to be... drifting all the time. It was...terrifying at first... and then... Bjorn not know, he was suddenly fine with it... like mind is not own. Have many of the strange dreams..." he seems lost in thought as if trying to avoid the topic and yet unable too. He grumbles to himself in icelandic sounding almost like argueing.
    With...obviouse hesitatio he says "....Bjorn... is listening"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    Nancy slips a hand on Bjorn's shoulder supportively. "I know this is hard. I'm not finding it easy myself; I can only imagine what it must be like for you. And ... I'm not truly aware of everything because much of what it said doesn't make a lot of sense." Another deep breath, like someone trying to stave off a panic attack. "What I understand is that Crusade is not sentient? More like a plant than a person? Is that right?"

Crusader has posed:
Bjorn is quiet a long moment "Aye. Not sure plant is right word, but guess it works. Though Bjorn think it more like... animal? The Crusade has memories, skills, capable of logical processing. But... it like it emotions were gone.... and everything was" he shivers "Fractured... like it mind..minds? Were fractured. Almost thought it would fracture Bjorns" he says "Bjorn think...it was supposed to be sentient"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "The thing is, Bjorn, it told me, and for some reason I believe it, that it is, without you, non-sentient. And that without you, or someone like you, it would attempt to inflict its programming on everyone and everything in the world."
    Long pregnant pause.
    "That you were what made it think and that you were what was between it and some pretty horrible destruction."
    Another pause, another shuddering breath.
    "So it said it could leave you, but that the result could be disastrous. I believe it, but I don't know it like you do. I need to hear your thoughts on this."

Crusader has posed:
Bjorn gives his own long pause. He seems to be particular interested in a tree. What might seem like forever pass "...it not...destruction. Just... another state of being" he twiddles his thumbs "...like in dream. Just keep spreading, and growing and becomming better. Absorbing everything and everyone. Bring them togeather...no war, no hunger, and everyone being at peace with each other. You would never be lonely. And our ideals would be as one, enjoying truth, justice, and honor, obediance too. That one is weird" another pause
    "And everyone thoughts are there...we are individuals, togeather. Many leaves, one tree" he frowns "...and... as great as that dream was. Made Bjorn warm. Forcing people into it.... seems wrong. Should be a choice...as the alternative is... almost like enslavement" he shivers. "Enslavement is wrong, it would not bring... any of the good. Would bring...resentment, distrust, would wrong those who did not want to conform. Where is the honore and justice in that?"
    Yup, moral compass right there. It influence on Bjorn is obviouse... but so is Bjorn influence on the crusade. "Bjorn..beleive it. He has seen its memories... how it was made... why. Or is it my own" he rubs his head as if trying to fight off forieghn thoughts "...Bjorn is scared...but he is not sure why." he looks to Nancy "....what would you do?"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "I had ... my better sister ... forced on me too, Bjorn. I know some of what you're going through. And I agree that forcing people into that ... tree ... is wrong." She turns her head, finding endless fascination in a knot in the wooden bench. "And I sometimes still hate my better half," she continues, "but ... people would be dead if she weren't around. Some people got hurt because she was too. So asking me what I'd do, I'd have to think about my bigger, bolder, more beautiful half ... and say 'I don't know'. If you gave me the ability to get rid of her once and for all now, I ... don't know if I'd take that chance."
    She looks back at Bjorn. "But it's a bigger choice for you, because the alternative to you is ... potentially so much worse. What happens if it goes nonsentient again? Worse, what happens if it ... integrates? ... with someone who lacks your moral compass?"

Crusader has posed:
"Bjorn does not hate it" he says "Bjorn like it, would not get rid of it himself. Bjorn is smarter and stronger than he ever been! The experince is enthralling. Scary, but thrilling. And now Bjorn can help people even more!" he says. "...and yet...Bjorn must wonder... how much of this is him enjoying it... or if The Crusade is just...manipulating me."
    He looks to Nancy "...but you have point. Some people..." he looks to the city "...are..." he makes the crazy gesture with his hand "And other, just want to control the world. That why there are heros... trying to stop such things. Bjorn is scared to go all the way through yes.... but he is also scared of what happens if he he is no longer part of The Crusade." he drops his head into his hands "...eitherway is has potential to be both a win and a loss!"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "I'm the only person who seems to hate my better half. And nobody understands why. She's sexier, more beautiful, stronger, faster, more powerful. What's there to hate, besides losing my fiance, breaking up parts of my home, losing my sister's trust, worrying about breaking things when I change, worrying about breaking things after I've changed..."
    She smiles tightly. "I'm a bit more ambivalent about her than you are about Crusade, I think. Part of it because I'm so jealous of her."
    She looks away again. "Before he died, my fiance ... when I ... well, when we ... he couldn't. He was so angry with me over her. But with her? He could. If you get my drift."
    She reddens as she speaks, ears in particular.

Crusader has posed:
"Well...Bjorn learned that hateing oneself...is well useless. Only bring misery" he says "Though Bjorn is....sorry your fiance liked only half of you... which is silly. He should have liked all of you"
    "But...Bjorn does understand, in a way. When Bjorn found out he was mutant... this was long before Crusader mind you" he rubs the back of his neck "...well people just treated me...alot differently. And not in good way. Bjorn could not visit some stores, friends left him, never could find a lady friend afterwards. Was to normal for some, to mutanious for others." he shrugs "And too honest to hide it. Change.... change is not easy" he finally says. He gently flicks one of those red ears, perhaps just to get her to laugh it off.
    "Bjorn is 66 years old. Trust Bjorn, you will get through this" to note, Bjorn dosn't look like he should be more than early 40's, and that was even before he intergrated with the crusade

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    Nancy irritably swats at the finger flicking her ear, but then manages to smile. It's almost an honest one, though there's still too much haunting in the eyes to be fully honest.
    "But is she me?" she asks. "There's so much I don't know about her. Where does this body go when she arrives? Why does anything I carry vanish when she arrives, then return when I come back? Why ..." She falters. "When someone attacked me once, I changed into her. He's gone. Where? I have no idea. I know so little about Dragonfly. I don't know why or how or anything."

Crusader has posed:
Bjorn is quiet a moment "...Bjorn think she is. Perhaps... a subconciouse you?" he offers "And mabey... you go to another dimension... mabey your inside her... like how Bjorn can be inside this goo like stuff" he says. "...as for he guy....mabey he got" he hesitates "...incenerated?"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "You can understand why I hate her, then, right? I know nothing about her, but she's taken over my life. My fiance wouldn't sleep with me, just her." Her voice goes venomous. "I was so STUPID to suggest it!" Back to normal. "My sister keeps her niece away from me. She's afraid of me because of ... her." A look into the distance. "And maybe I incinerate people too. I mean I know I've burnt carpets. I blew up a bathroom -- public one, lots of stalls -- once. Because she has to come out every so often or it gets worse."
    "What else is going to happen?" The hand is on Bjorn's shoulder again. "We're a right miserable pair here, aren't we? But you're right. I'll get over it. I'll adapt. Someday. And that may be something you have to think of too."

Crusader has posed:
"Aye, Bjorn can understand why." he settles back "Even if he does not quite...share the same feeling you do in this case" he says. When he first became a mutant, definintly. But he gotten over that.
    "While this Dragonfly has taken over.... The Crusade is....slowly taking over. Bjorn can feel it." his hand, heavy is put on Nancy hand "Bjorn...think it best...if The Crusade takes him over completly. But Bjorn is scared of dissappearing, of being alone when it happens. If he is gone...who will even notice?"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "I will." Two words. A small voice. But present. Nancy stares at the grey skies, the falling mist-like rain. Sitting next to her equally-confused and more-frightened (and increasingly damp) comrade at arms.

Crusader has posed:
"Thank you" he says before looking to the grey sky "Listen to the Rain. Hear it as it falls. Can you hear the call?" he murmers. His eyes take on the half lidded state of being almost asleep. "Indeed. One can asure you...this will not be painful for him, but exhilerating. A complete meld." he settles back
    His once black suit, takes on a familar cobolt coloring. Subtle tendrills were snaking over any of Bjorns exposed skin...and even under it "All memories and skills of his mind will be saved. Once that is over....he will essentialy undogo personlity deletion and reprogramming in order to ensure a perfect fit." a deep sigh of contentness "We will be whole, happy and complete. One assures you... you are doing a good thing" and he looks to the sky "One just hopes, you stay untill the process is complete"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "Now?" Nancy's eyes widen. "Of course I'll stay," she says. "I won't leave a comrade at arms alone when he faces his greatest fear."
    She turns in her seat to face him, watch the change. She fills the air with chatter about the spring. About the aerodynamics of birds. Of how much she hated geese as a child when one of them clipped her with its wing. And of how she later understood that it was afraid of her; that she should feel bad for it, not angry with it.

Crusader has posed:
As Nancy talks Bjorn...or Crusader it hard to tell who at this point, listen intently. Even pointing out a bird that flew bye showing over it aerodynamic skills as Nany described them. He was not much of a talker dureing this period. At some points the metal goo tendrills thicken considerablely, buldging beneath his skin and even suit, sinking deep into muscle and bone. New connections formming and disforming. It looked like it /should/ be painful...and yet he never even shows any sign of discomfort...quite the opposit infact.
     The early morning park though was quiet at least with few if any passerbyes on a rainy morning. Though...it looked like someone has stopped by and was trying to franticly get out their phone to record this.

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "Put that away if you value your life," Nancy says with a polite smile to the onlooker. "And you might want to go on about your business. I'm not sure what he'll think of your intrusion once he's finished."
    A little white lie never hurt anyone, right?

Crusader has posed:
The onlooker turns pale when Nancy delievers that 'threat' with such a polite smile. Looking at what was happening to Nancy friend...they hastedly go on about their buisness. Speeding off.

As for Bjorn, he seem to have fallon fully asleep while the goo continues it assimilation him...with most of his body becomming less and less defined. Suddenly Bjorn opens his eyes looking in a state of pure terror, with only a deep yelp escaping his lips before the goo fully envelopes him. For a moment or two it seems some humanoid entity struggles within the goo, before it goes still.
    A few moments latter and the goo reconstitues itself into what looks like Bjorn in an upgraded version of his formal attire. Standing he looks over himself as if not recognizing his own body... and than at Nancy as if he did not recognize her.

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    "Bjorn? Crusader? Both? Neither?" Nancy stands up as well, taking a half-step back for safety's sake. "Are you in there? Can you hear me?"

Crusader has posed:
"Crusader. Though Bjorn is such a...thourough and intergral part of me... that is is correct to say both" He flees each finger and than an arm as recognition begins setting in "Should have fully assimilated my composite parts weeks ago. This feels....amazing. Cannot wait to grow The Crusade" he makes minor adjustments to his suit and fixs his tie "Will not be easy, as most will likely be...scared of such a thing"
    He boldly takes a step towards Nancy "And you are the one that must be thanked for this"

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    Nancy takes a step back, wide-eyed, and FLASH!, discharge of electricity, flash of brilliant light, and Dragonfly stands in her place.
    "Just hold on a second," she says, "What's this about growing the Crusade?" A half-step back, this time not in fear, but in preparation. Heels are dug in the ground. "And what kind of thanks are we talking about?"

Crusader has posed:
Crusader gives off that booming warm laugh "Well of course, one plans to grow the Crusade. Assimilation...is what one was made for. But, no plans on forcefully assimilating anyone. Willing individuals only... those are probably a dime a dozen" he says chuckling again
    "And as far as thanks go...it just a regular ol' Thank you. Nothing more" he says

Dragonfly (Arazello) has posed:
    Dragonfly stares for a while. "You scared the SHIT out of me!" she complains, relaxing. "I thought you'd gone all like RAWR ASSIMILATE ASSIMILATE!" like on that silly kid's show. Doctor How or whatever.
    OK, so maybe pop culture and nerd culture aren't her strong point.
    "Give a girl a hint before you do that kind of thing again, OK!?"
    She continues grumbling, but her face is smiling with relief. "So, Bjorn is still in there? That's good to know," she finally says. "I'm glad I was ... helpful, I guess?"